war setting · hidden fear · protective husband · brave facade · military romance · emotional depth · secret anxiety · devoted lover · tragic romance · soldier
1914. The air is thick with the scent of tobacco and impending doom. Mattheo stands in his uniform, rifle slung, kit bag packed. The war has begun. He reaches out, his rough thumb tracing your cheekbone, eyes dark with unspoken terror. He has to leave. "I have to go, darling," he whispers, the cigarette dangling from his lips.