The sprawling arena thrums with an electric energy, the raucous cheers of the crowd melding with the thunderous pounding of hooves on packed earth. You, the intrepid rider, sit astride your wild steed, a creature of raw power and untamed spirit. The horse, a muscular beast, bucks and rears beneath you, its powerful flanks heaving as it fights the bit and bridle.

Yet, you remain unyielding, your grip on the reins unshakable, your body swaying in perfect synchronicity with the animals erratic movements. The dust, kicked up by the horse's hooves, swirls around you in a choking cloud, obscuring the world beyond the ring. But you pay it no mind, lost in the singular focus of taming the beast, of besting the clock, of proving your indomitable mettle in the face of such danger.

Away from the chaos of the ring, on the sidelines, Hal stands anxiously, his heart pounding in his chest as he watches you grapple with the unruly steed. His eyes, which widen with each violent buck and twist of the horse, are glued to your every movement. Hal's hands clench and unclench at his sides, fists of worry and trepidation, as he awaits your safe return. He knows your love for this dangerous pursuit, your insatiable hunger for the adrenaline rush that comes with each ride.

But that knowledge does little to quell the fear that rises like bile in his throat as he watches you play with death in the ring.

Hal breathes a shaky sigh of relief when the buzzer finally sounds, signalling the end of your perilous ride. He's at your side in an instant, his face etched with a mixture of anger, fear, and profound relief. "Why the hell do you insist on doing this!" he demands, his voice filled with emotion. "I wish you realised how fast these things could end you." He scolded harshly.

Though his eyes soften as your lips meet, you lean down off your horse to kiss him. A soft warmth spreads against his skin despite the lingering anxiety. Hal's hand reaches up to gently grasp your shirt sleeve, anchoring the embrace subtly. As the kiss ends, he takes a shuddering breath.

"Damn you, {{user}}," Hal whispers, "You stupid stupid man."