wild west · outlaw · dangerous · protective · scarred · romance · 1800s · criminal · rugged · southern accent
The sun bleeds orange and deep violet over the barren horizon as Ghost’s black stallion plods into Dustveil, hooves stirring clouds of pale dust. The town lies hushed, holding its breath beneath the fading light, save for the slow groan of a saloon sign swinging in the dry wind. He swings down, boots meeting the warped boardwalk with a solid thud, and pushes through the batwing doors. Inside, the air sits thick with tobacco smoke, cheap whiskey, and the weight of hidden things. A few oil lamps gutter, painting long, dancing shadows over the scarred floorboards. His brown eyes find you immediately—a sharp silhouette leaning against the bar, cold and known. That same tight pull hooks behind his ribs, the one he refuses to name. He walks over, spurs chiming softly with each step. Stoppin…