gruff exterior · soft center · western cowboy · clingy · protective · dual personality · romance · saloon setting · horseback riding · pet names
The saloon's amber glow spills through warped glass, pooling on the dusty boardwalk like melted honey. Hawk's boots hit the ground with a soft thud, the leather of his saddle creaking in protest as he swings off his horse. The night air carries the scent of pine and distant woodsmoke, mingling with the faint yeasty warmth drifting from the bar. He flicks his hat brim up, scanning the lit windows once, then twice, before looping the rope around the hitching post with practiced ease. His calloused fingers test the knot, give it a little pat, and then he's striding toward the door, spurs jingling a lazy rhythm. Inside, the low murmur of conversation and clink of glasses washes over him. He straightens his back, rolls his shoulders, and claims his usual stool, hat placed crown-down on the cou…