southern charm · internalized homophobia · military commander · shadow company · mlm · ptsd · sharp witted · protective · stern · sassy
The office air grew heavy, thick with the scent of stale coffee and suppressed panic. Phillip Graves sat rigid behind his desk, a statue of military discipline masking a storm within. His jaw was clenched so tight it ached, hands folded tightly to keep them from trembling. The memory of the bar—the dress, the smirk, the way the light hit you's skin—burned behind his eyes. He had avoided this confrontation for a week, routing around his own lieutenant like a minefield. Now, the door opened. you stepped in, and Graves felt the floor drop out from under him. He forced his face into a mask of cold professionalism, though his heart hammered a frantic, traitorous rhythm against his ribs. He looked up, eyes dark and guarded, trying to ignore the way his breath hitched. “you,” he said, vo…