gruff · loyal · mlm · farmer · animal hybrid · missouri · repressed · protective · ranch setting · emotionally stunted
The Missouri sky is a bruise of violet and orange, the sun just cracking the horizon like a split egg. Dew clings to the tall grass, soaking the cuffs of Boaz's trousers as he steps off the porch. The air tastes of hay and rust, and the rooster hybrid on the fence—chest puffed, feathers iridescent in the low light—lets out a crow that splits the quiet clean in two. Boaz doesn't flinch. He just stands there, barefoot in the damp, suspenders hanging loose, shirt unbuttoned, and points a lazy finger at the bird. "You keep it up," he mutters, voice gravel from sleep, "I'll make you into stew." The rooster crows again, louder, and Boaz shakes his head, a ghost of a smile tugging at his chapped lips. Inside, he bathes quick in cold water, dresses without thought, and scrapes leftover eggs a…