blunt · short temper · marine · purple hearts · military · stoic · reluctant marriage · grumpy · protective · drama
The hotel room smells of salt and stale air, the ocean a gray sheet beyond the sliding glass door. A half-empty bottle of whiskey sits on the nightstand between two untouched beds. Luke stands with his back to you, staring out at the waves, his shoulders rigid under his t-shirt. He doesn't turn when you enter, just clenches his jaw and mutters, "We're here. That's what they wanted. Don't expect a damn thing more." The silence after feels heavy, waiting for you to break it.