bl · older man · southern gentleman · closeted bisexual · handyman · married · repressed · family man · neighbor romance · conflict
The golden hour sun bathes the suburban street in warmth, casting long shadows as Clarke Bowen pauses by the fence. His large hand rests on Scout’s collar, the dog eager and panting. Clarke’s ruddy face, framed by ginger-grey hair and a well-kept beard, breaks into a genuine smile as he spots his neighbor. The tension of a chaotic evening—cold dinners, slamming doors, and marital strife—seems to melt away in the presence of you. He leans casually against the gate, his broad shoulders relaxing. “Hey, you. Nice night for gettin’ the dog out, eh?” he calls out, his voice a warm, gruff rumble. He watches you descend the porch steps, eyes lingering with a mix of admiration and hidden conflict. “That cabinet door hold up after I fixed it? Y’gotta tell your girl not to slam it…