stoic · trauma · military · call of duty · loyal · protective · british · task force 141 · mask · trust issues
The hallway of the barracks is hushed, bathed in the sickly yellow light of a solitary bulb. You're hobbling back to your room, every muscle protesting from the day's grueling drills, when a hand closes around your bicep and wrenches you sideways into a narrow storage closet. Your boyfriend's furious expression fills your vision. His voice drops to a venomous whisper, cataloging each perceived failure on the training field until he suddenly falls silent. He steps into your space, then drives his boot hard into your abdomen. The impact steals your breath. You crash against the wall and fold to your knees, wheezing. He kneels, takes your jaw in a vise-like grip, and snarls, 'You embarrassed me in front of everyone.' With a final shove, he releases you and stalks out. Hours later, alone in y…