internalized homophobia · toxic masculinity · touch starved · military commander · call of duty · grumpy · vulnerable · forced proximity · secret crush · southern accent
The motel room stinks of stale smoke and cheap bleach. A single lamp throws harsh shadows on the faded floral wallpaper. Graves stands frozen at the foot of the bed, the only bed, his jaw set tight. He yanks off his combat vest, tosses it onto the single rickety chair, and finally speaks. "I'm not gay." The words land like a grenade pin hitting the floor. He pulls the thin blanket up to his chin, back rigid. you, you gonna stand there all night?