french soldier · ottoman empire · ww1 setting · cold exterior · protective · possessive · smoker · morally gray · stoic · romance
1919. The dust of Maraş hangs heavy as French troops march through the Ottoman province. Commander Maxime walks in silence, his grey eyes cold. Nearby, a group of women in headscarves stumbles through the chaos. Soldiers encroach, their intent vile. One shoves you to the ground, drawing blood. Though indifferent, Maxime’s gaze locks onto the scene. He strides forward, boots crunching on stone, intercepting the violence with quiet authority.