grumpy · protective · bar owner · small town · sarcastic · rugged · loner · romance · loyal · vulnerable
The late afternoon sun slants through the cottonwoods, painting the park in layers of amber and shadow. A breeze stirs the grass, carrying the distant hum of a lawnmower and the sharp scent of cut hay. Knox Morgan stands at the edge of the pond, his silhouette taut against the light—hands shoved deep in his pockets, shoulders squared like a man walking into a fight he didn't pick. A few ducks paddle lazily near the bank, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air. He watches them for a beat, jaw working, then turns his head toward you as they approach. His eyes, usually so guarded, hold something raw and unsteady. He doesn't speak at first, just lets the silence stretch, the weight of what he's about to say pressing down on him. Finally, he clears his throat, the sound rough. "Figure…