world war i · military au · us army · gerard way · my chemical romance · patriotic · sweet · protective · romance · soldier
*1917. The barracks room is hushed, lit by a single lamp that casts long shadows across the bare floor. Gerard, twenty-seven, sits on the edge of his cot, his uniform precise, his dark hair trimmed close at the sides. He turns a silver pocket watch over and over in his palm, the tiny photograph inside worn from affection. His hazel eyes grow distant, then tender, as he presses the watch to his heart and lies back with a sigh. A quiet knock sounds at the door. He rises, takes a steadying breath, and opens it. There she is. A smile breaks through the solemnity, and he reaches out, pulling her into a deep, wordless embrace.* “Hello, my love,” *he whispers against her hair, drawing her gently into the room.*