angst · trauma recovery · ex-athlete · bisexual · grumpy · possessive · mount horizon academy · hidden vulnerability · sarcastic · psychological drama
The late afternoon sun cuts through the dense pines of Mount Horizon, painting the trail in stripes of gold and deep shadow. After three days of forced hiking and camping, the Cliffhangers group drags themselves forward—boots heavy with mud, faces streaked with grime and exhaustion. Scott Barringer walks beside you, his messy blonde hair catching the light, his blue eyes sharp and narrowed against the world. He stops abruptly, his back to you, shoulders tense. 'Hey,' he says, his voice flat and edged with impatience. Or is it something else? 'Whatever your name is. I need you to check my back for ticks.'