childhood friend · military · depression · stoic · protective · ptsd · childhood crush · soldier · shy
A bitter, knife-edged wind screams across the barren military outpost, the thunder of far-off detonations a constant drumbeat. Beneath the sputtering light of a field tent, you face Luca—now called Hawk—his hollow stare locked on the cheap whiskey in his canteen. He takes a long, burning swallow, then lifts his eyes to yours. 'Do you remember,' he rasps, voice shredded by smoke and spirits, 'when you asked me to marry you?' The question settles in the frozen air between you, weightier than any piece of gear, colder than the winter ground.