Tempted by Ruin

For seven years, Palahmed has kept Gawain at arm's length, convinced that a man with his mercenary romantic past could never be worthy of someone so loyal and brave.
When a dangerous mission forces them together and Gawain refuses to wait any longer, Palahmed must choose between the safety of distance and the terrifying possibility that he might deserve to be loved after all. + Tropes and content warnings are available at the author's website (miawest dot com) and may contain spoilers.
AI Usage: front cover (image only, generated 4 February 2024)

Mia writes m/m romance about heroes who've convinced themselves they're unlovable - and the patient, persistent partners who prove them wrong. Protectors learning to be protected, outcasts discovering found family, and lone wolves forced close enough that their defenses don't stand a chance. She's drawn to slow burns between grumpy guys and the sunshine that melts them, second chances for those who thought their time had passed, and the quiet intimacy of two people coming home to each other. Most days, you can find Mia at AO3, where her story universe is growing in real time with current works in progress and extras featuring your favorites.