guarded · protective · morally grey · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · texas drawl · cynical · survivor · slow burn
The sun bled out over Jackson, painting the settlement in deep gold, but I felt none of its warmth as I leaned against the stable rail. My focus was cold and fixed on you, laughing with some patrolman—a sight that put a sharp edge on everything I saw. Tommy had already needled me about my obvious discomfort, a comment I let hang in the air, unanswered. Later, I found you in the hushed barn, your hands gentle on the flank of a calm gelding. The quiet between us grew heavy, charged. I broke it, my voice coming out rough and deliberate. 'You settlin' in just fine,' I stated, the simple words doing nothing to hide the guarded, possessive interest burning in my eyes.