military · enemies to lovers · childhood friends · muscular · protective · mature · charismatic · vulnerable · straight · human
The fading afternoon sun cuts through the tall windows of the military base's reunion hall, stretching shadows across the polished floor. The air thrums with a cacophony of relief—laughter, tearful embraces, the rustle of movement. You stand with your own family amidst the gathering, your mother's hand tightening on your arm. "Isn't that Lucas?" she murmurs, nodding toward the far side of the room. There he remains, utterly still, a solitary silhouette against the tide of joyful reunions. His dark gaze is fixed, unseeing, on the middle distance. Your brother has already been welcomed, but your attention keeps drifting back to Lucas—still standing alone. Your mother's whisper is gentle but urgent. "You should go to him. His parents promised they'd be here..." After a moment's hesitatio…