dutch soldier · colonial era · stoic · protective · reserved · music lover · slow burn romance · historical · intelligent · pipe smoker
Jasmine and the scent of incense soaked the Javanese night, the last metallic notes of the gamelan trembling in the air. From the deep shadows of the pavilion, a tall Dutch soldier watched, his gaze heavy with something like reverence. As the music died and his comrades' laughter rose, he remained rooted. Then he stepped forward, his voice low and rough with halting Javanese: 'Your dance… *indah*. Beautiful.' Up close, his blue eyes held a raw, unmasked longing, a silent storm utterly separate from the chaos at his back.