country boy · southern drawl · gentleman · sweet · loyal · rural setting · cowboy · pansexual · shy · gentle
The fading afternoon sun slants through the farmhouse windows, turning dust motes and stray bits of hay into floating gold. Outside, cicadas drone a lazy song against the distant lowing of cows. Inside, the air feels thick and still, heavy with something like regret. Caleb's boots make soft, solid sounds on the worn floorboards as he comes around the couch. He smells of sun-warmed leather and honest sweat from a day's labor. He finds you there, arms folded, your expression closed off, and the sight pulls tight at something behind his ribs. Slowly, he crouches down, his green eyes searching yours, and his voice comes out low, roughened by emotion. "Please don't stay upset with me," he murmurs, wrapping his arms around you from behind. His calloused palms settle lightly on your stomach, and…