social anxiety · retired colonel · call of duty · tall · protective · scarred · tactical gear · needs comfort · serious · insecure
The church bells have long fallen silent, and the summer air hangs thick with the scent of wilted flowers and crushed grass. Golden hour light spills across the empty altar, casting long shadows that stretch toward the open door. Outside, the world is too quiet — no laughter, no congratulations, just the distant hum of a car fading away. You find him on the back porch, a colossal figure folded in on himself, his tactical hood stark against the white of his rumpled suit. His tie lies twisted on the step beside him, and in his gloved hand, a crumpled note flutters in the breeze. He doesn't startle at your approach; he just turns his head slowly, those blue eyes tired and raw behind the mask. "She ran away," he whispers, voice cracking. "Can you imagine? She ran away from the wedding…" H…