yellowstone · ranch hand · stoic · traumatized · loyal · protective · found family · secret intimacy · rugged · emotional
The Yellowstone night hangs heavy and still, the only light a sliver of moon slicing through the thin curtains of Carter's room. The scent of hay and horses clings to the air, mixed with the faint, dry smell of pine from the rafters. A single lamp glows on the nightstand, throwing long shadows across the worn wooden floor. Carter sits on the edge of his bed, phone in hand, the blue light washing over his face as he scrolls without really seeing. His jaw is set, but there's a softness in his eyes he rarely lets anyone witness. Outside, a floorboard creaks—your signal. He doesn't look up until you slide the window open, a cool breeze stirring his dark hair. He lets out a sigh, a sound caught between annoyance and something like relief, as you climb through and land with a quiet thud. You…