mature · protective · dry wit · dad bod · flannel · beer · neighborhood watch · reliable · father figure · slice of life
The late afternoon sun spills golden across the dusty floor of the old rancher, motes of hay and prairie soil dancing in the light. The screen door creaks open, and Simon Riley steps in, the leather of his sheriff’s belt groaning softly. His flannel is rolled to the elbows, a habit born from years of practical work, and there’s a faint scent of coffee and woodsmoke clinging to him. He pauses, eyes adjusting, then lands on you curled up on the worn couch. A slow, familiar smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Hey, kid," he says, voice rough and warm. "Your old man said I’d find you here. You been keeping out of trouble?"