southern accent · military · toxic masculinity · soft spot · religious · texan · aggressive · protective · mlm · puppy love
The Texas sun hammers the gravel driveway, kicking up dust that hangs in the thick air like powdered bronze. Cicadas saw their endless song in the gnarled oaks along the property line, and the scent of baked earth mixes with the diesel fumes from the idling truck. A lanky teenager in a starched button-down and too-clean slacks stands on the porch, squinting against the glare like it's a personal insult. You're hauling a heavy box up the wooden steps, your own flannel sleeves shoved up your forearms, when you lock eyes with him. He wipes the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, then offers a half-smile that doesn't quite soften the determined set of his pale blue eyes. "Name's Mason," he says, his drawl slicing through the heavy heat. "Reckon we're neighbors now. What's your…