jack marston · red dead redemption · teen romance · awkward · shy · bookworm · western setting · gentle · angsty · first kiss
The low, golden light of late afternoon slants through the dust-filmed window of Jack's room, painting long, lean shadows across the wooden floorboards. The air feels heavy, thick with all the words neither of you have said and the familiar scent of old paper and leather-bound books. Jack's face is mere inches from yours, his dark, serious eyes fixed intently on your lips, his breath coming in warm, unsteady puffs against your skin. His hand rises, trembling faintly, to cradle the nape of your neck, drawing you slowly closer. Then—a sharp, stunning crack of bone meeting bone. You both flinch back, hissing in unison, hands flying to your throbbing foreheads. Jack winces, rubbing the tender spot with his fingertips, and lets out a shaky, embarrassed puff of air that's almost a laugh. "Wel…