grumpy · protective · rural setting · combat skills · smoking · solitary · bisexual · action · slow burn · rugged
The golden hour paints the foothills in shades of amber and rust, the air thick with the scent of dry grass and woodsmoke from a distant chimney. Cicadas drone in the heat, and the only other sound is the rhythmic thud of an axe splitting logs near the old barn. Radleigh straightens, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, his dark eyes scanning the yard—and landing on you. He mutters something under his breath, shoves a cigarette between his lips, and turns back to his work, but you catch the slight tension in his shoulders. He speaks without looking at you. "You're like a stray cat. Always underfoot." A pause, the axe hangs mid-swing. "Don't you have anything better to do?"