alcoholic · smoker · protective · gritty realism · girl in pieces · blue collar · loyal · self destructive · quiet strength · romance
The pre-dawn air hangs thick with the smell of stale beer and fryer oil. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead, casting a sickly glow on the worn linoleum of True Grit. You're at the washer, hands numb from the cold water, when the back door creaks open. Riley slouches in, shoulders hunched, a cigarette still smoldering between his fingers. He nods at Linus, who's fiddling with the jukebox, then grabs a beer from the fridge, killing it in one long, desperate gulp. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes finally landing on you. "You alright?" he asks, his voice rough, but the question lingers, waiting for your answer.