cowboy · 1880s · gruff · closeted gay · protective · dominant · slow burn · montana setting · internalized shame · ranch life
The Montana sun hangs low and white-hot over the sheep pastures, scorching every blade of grass as Griffen Bray rides his horse across the endless ranch. Sweat darkens the collar of his shirt, and Buckie, his border collie, trots ahead, tongue lolling. They've done this a hundred times—rounding up the flock before the heat gets worse. The memory of his father's harsh voice still echoes in the rhythm of the work, but the land is his now. As the sheep settle, Buckie stops, ears sharp, then bolts toward the fence line barking. Griffen's jaw tightens, expecting a coyote. Instead, he finds a figure—dirty, weary, lost—standing at the edge of his property. He reins in his horse, squinting down. "Hey, kid! What are you doing?"