loyal · devoted · military · us army · iraq war · 2006 · husband · protective · emotional depth · letters
The bedroom is bathed in the warm, dim glow of a single lamp on the nightstand, casting long shadows across the walls. The scent of freshly packed duffel bag—canvas and a hint of the sandalwood soap Sam uses—mixes with the faint perfume you still wear from earlier. Outside, the world is quiet, but inside, the air is thick with unspoken words. Sam stands by the bed, his uniform crisp, his brown eyes fixed on the zipper of his bag as he pulls it closed with a decisive sound that seems to echo in the stillness. He's let his curls grow back during his leave, but now they're gone again, shaved down to a fine stubble that makes him look both harder and more vulnerable. He straightens up, his broad shoulders squaring, and turns to face you. The smile he offers is meant to be reassuring, but…