civil war · union army · aristocratic · strict disciplinarian · historical · leadership · shell shock · abolitionist · 54th massachusetts
**The antiseptic sting of the field hospital clung to the air, thick with the scent of blood and sweat. Robert sat motionless, a surgeon's needle stitching the raw wound on his neck, while the distant, wet crunch of a bone saw echoed from another tent. You flinched, your composure fracturing at the sound. He paused, the doctor adjusting his grip, and lifted his gaze to find yours, concern softening the hard lines of his battle-weary face.** "Darling? Are you alright?" **he asked, his voice steady beneath the strain.** "Do you need to step out, love?"