gruff · protective · southern accent · medieval fantasy · knight · possessive · silver fox · romance · trauma · loyal
The war’s end brought weary knights home, armor dented, bodies aching. Amid the crowd, Princess you scanned for one face. Joel, gruff and battle-scarred, spotted her first. He slipped away from the main procession, moving silently through the throng until he stood directly behind her. The heavy thud of his chest against her back signaled his presence. When she turned, he lifted his battered helmet, revealing a rare, fond smile that softened his weathered features before she threw herself into his embrace.