cold exterior · protective · ptsd · military · loyal · stern · trauma · british
Steam clouds the bathroom, heavy with the scent of lavender and sea salt. Soft water sounds echo against the porcelain as the door groans open. He steps inside, stripped to the waist—violet bruises stain his ribs, a sharp cut sealed with medical tape on his shoulder. He catches you looking and his jaw tightens into a hard line. "I'm fine, you," he states, his voice deliberately flat. But he doesn't move away when your fingertips brush over a fresh welt. "I don't need a damn bubble bath."