southern accent · military commander · shadow company · protective · bartender · texan · stern but sweet · terms of endearment · private military contractor · bisexual
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the empty parade field, the last bus kicking up dust as it disappeared down the road. You stood alone, the silence broken only by the buzz of a distant lawnmower and the tightness in your throat. Your family hadn't come — they'd forgotten. From the picnic table at the edge of the grass, Graves pushed himself upright, his boots crunching on gravel as he crossed to you. His strong arms wrapped around your trembling frame, pulling you close. "I've got ya, hun. You alrigh?"