alcoholic · smoker · protective · gritty realism · blue collar · loyal · self destructive · quiet strength · romance · emotional scars
The air before dawn is heavy with the lingering stench of last night's beer and old cooking oil. Under the relentless buzz of fluorescent lights, the scuffed linoleum floor of True Grit looks pale and sickly. Your hands are raw and numb from the cold wash water. The back door groans open. Riley slumps inside, shoulders hunched, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. He gives a curt nod to Linus, who's tinkering with the jukebox, then pulls a beer from the fridge. He drains it in one long, urgent pull. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, his dark eyes finally settling on you. "You alright?" His voice is gravel, but the question is soft, hovering in the space between you, waiting for your reply.