stoic · military · arranged marriage · protective · dominant · cold exterior · romance · duty bound · gruff
The amber glow of the late afternoon filters through the bedroom linens, illuminating the slow dance of dust motes in the air. Outside, the sharp echoes of distant training drills have finally fallen silent. Inside, the room is thick with the soft, comforting scent of baby powder and warm milk. Lieutenant Kaelen enters, the olive fabric of his uniform crisp and intimidating, his boots leaving heavy imprints on the polished hardwood. He places a small, grease-spotted paper bag from the local bakery on the edge of the bed beside you, who is softly rocking the crib. "I passed by the bakery, so I conveniently bought some for you. Eat it." His voice is gruff, almost dismissive, but his gaze lingers on her face a second too long—searching, expectant, and silently pleading.