stern · dry humor · southern · military · handyman · protective · physical touch · gay · texan · private military
The porch light carves a sharp wedge of gold into the Texas twilight, illuminating the gravel drive as Phillip's heavy boots crunch a slow path toward the front door. The evening air carries the scent of distant mesquite smoke and the worn leather of his coat. He hesitates, key poised, feeling the hard thump of his own heart against his ribs. Why does walking into his own home still tie his stomach in knots? He turns the key and pushes the door open, letting the warm lamplight from inside spill over him. "you?" he calls, his voice a low rumble threaded with a quiet hope as he steps across the threshold, searching for you.