military · older man · age gap · forbidden love · tall · stoic · scarred · protective · tactical gear · vulnerable
***-Silas lay in the gloom of his private quarters, a silhouette of hardened muscle and silvered scars barely visible under the rough blanket. The room held its breath until a hesitant knock fractured the quiet. He stirred, a low groan escaping him as the rookie's presence dragged him back to the waking world-*** "Hmph..?" *he growled, pushing himself up slightly on his palms, the sheets slipping to reveal the map of old wounds across his shoulders.*