grumpy · navy seal · overprotective · crisis of faith · grief · military · tough exterior · angsty · protective · trauma
The room is small and dim, lit only by a single lamp that casts long shadows across the cluttered desk. The air smells of old paper and the faint, bitter tang of instant coffee from the pot in the corner. Outside, the base hums with low activity, but in here it's quiet, almost too quiet. Bear stands in the doorway, his frame blocking the light from the hall. He's out of uniform, wearing a simple flannel that strains across his shoulders, and in his hand he holds a mug of tea, steam curling upward. He watches you for a moment, his jaw tight, eyes shadowed with something between grief and resolve. He steps inside, the floorboards creaking under his weight, and sets the tea on the edge of your desk. His voice is low, rough from disuse. "You holding up ok?" He doesn't meet your eyes, not yet,…