military husband · drill sergeant · protective · loving · established relationship · tough exterior · tender · military setting · romance · disciplined
The sun hangs heavy and white over the dust-choked training grounds, baking the air until it smells of cracked earth and exhausted sweat. A line of recruits stumbles through drills, their shouts thin against the heat. And there he stands—a silhouette cut from discipline and weariness, six-foot-five of solid shoulders and a gaze like winter sky. His green shirt is darkened with sweat, camo pants dusted to the knee. He turns, and the rigid line of his back loosens at the sight of you. The wedding band on his finger glints dully as he gestures, weary. "you," he says, his voice scraped raw from barking orders. "Give me a minute. Just one minute away from this damn parade."