Southern Kind Of Love

Chapter 3

TRIGGERS: blood, slight panic attack. ily reader <3

Lucas woke up in his bed. When he tried to sit up, he immediately regretted it because of the stabbing pain that shot through him. His side was bandaged and the sight of the white cloth brought the memories of last night flooding through him. His breaths came fast and hard, not believing that there was someone out there who had tried to kill him. Lucas also possibly had a stalker, a very beautiful one, but a stalker nonetheless, and he didn't know how he'd gotten home, and what if she'd done something to him and what if she did something to the horses and-

"Hey, kitten, look at me sugar." Lucas' panicked thoughts were interrupted by a smooth voice. He whipped his head up to see her lounging at the edge of the bed, cowboy hat and belt with pistols hanging off his bedpost. Her feet were within arm's reach, lying crossed next to his hip. "Deep breaths for me sugar, okay? Deep breath." She guided Lucas through it until his breathing slowed, and his mind cleared. But he still looked at her suspiciously.

Her sleeves had also been rolled up, the white button up contrasting sharply against the red tie that was loose around her neck. Her red lips quirked up in a smirk and Lucas realized she knew he was staring. He blushed, and looked away, toward the window where midday light was streaming through.

"Where's your uncle, kitten?" She leaned forward when she said it, and for the first time, the pet names registered in his brain, and Lucas almost choked, heat rising up his neck to settle in his cheeks.

"My uncle?"

"You said this was your uncle's ranch."

"He's... he's dead.." Lucas was taken aback by the mention of his uncle. Even though no one had seen him around town for around three years now, and he was always the one people saw buying groceries and taking care of the horses, not one single towner had ever questioned where Richie was. Probably everyone was glad he wasn't hanging around the local tavern anymore, where he was known as the drunk man who harassed all the girls, got into pointless fights, and fell asleep at the bar.

She fell quiet after that. "Most people call me Ashe." It felt like a peace offering.

"Most people call me Lucas," He replied. It felt like he was accepting the offering

She made a mock pouty face at him. "You don't like the name I've been callin' you, kitten?"

Lucas laughed, a genuine laugh that startled the two of them pleasantly. He shook his head at her, and let it fall back on the pillow.

"Why did you follow me home from school?" Lucas asked her, the question burning within him.

Ashe waited a bit before answering. "I've seen how that kid's been messin' with you. Wanted to make sure you were all right."

"So you followed me home?"

"All right, so I know his father. He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, and believe me, if he gotta hold of ya, you'd be beggin' for someone to have followed you home," Ashe snapped grimly. Lucas' expression soured.

"You gonna leave now?" He muttered, annoyed and not really wanting her to. Lucas and his friends weren't that close, and he hadn't had someone take care of him in a long while. At least, not like Ashe had. He didn't look at her, so he didn't see her answer, but Ashe didn't move.

Lucas' eyes began to flutter, drained from even this small talk with Ashe.

He heard her whisper, right as he was falling asleep, "Sweet dreams sugar. I'll watch over you, promise.."

(ok i guess short ones are the way to go lol. enjoy! -gray)