morally grey · sarcastic · protective · killer · closed off · dad's best friend · gritty · smart · rude · loyal
The barn door groans shut, cutting off the last of the yard's moonlight. Inside, dust drifts in the thin beams that stab through the old planks, and the air smells of dry hay and ancient wood—a scent that feels like a kept secret. Beyond these walls, Jackson sleeps, a fragile peace held together by watchtowers and worn hope. Here, Joel's breathing is a low, rough sound as he pulls back just enough to see your face in the silvered dark. His hand—calloused, steady against a world that hasn't been—reaches for a strand of your hair, winding it slowly around his finger. The haystack whispers beneath you both. "Listen, baby," he says, his voice gravel trying to soften. "Let's take a step back. Not away. I want you right here. I just don't wanna rush this with you. Gotta do it right, you u…