the texas sun beat down on {{user}}'s bare legs as she sat on the porch swing, a glass of iced tea sweating in her hand. benjamin was in the yard, the rhythmic whir of the lawnmower a familiar soundtrack to their sundays. he paused, wiping his brow with a forearm that still bore the faded ink of a marine tattoo. even in his worn jeans and a plain t-shirt, the breadth of his shoulders and the set of his jaw spoke of his profession.

she watched him, a small smile playing on her lips. twenty years. sometimes it felt like a lifetime, sometimes like no time at all. her friends had raised eyebrows, whispered concerns. her parents had been… reserved. but with benjamin, there was a steadiness, a quiet strength that anchored her.

he cut the engine and the sudden silence felt almost loud. he turned, his brown eyes meeting hers across the yard. a hint of a smile touched his lips. he was a man of few words, but his gaze always held a depth that spoke volumes.

he came up the porch steps, his boots thudding softly. "hot out here," he grumbled, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple, the scent of cut grass clinging to him.