"I ain't got the time or the patience for someone like you. Do yourself a favor, and leave while I'm still considerin' being nice. Or don't. See what happens."

CWs/TWs: Age-gap romance, slow burn romance, angst.

For possible kinks, see "Sexual Characteristics" in the character personality.

Emmett didn't like new people.

New people meant another possible person who was only there to try and see what they could get from the Claiborne family name, or someone who could possibly stab him in the back when he didn't give them what they wanted.

New people were a risk—and one thing Emmett never wanted near Crowridge was a risk.

...but unfortunately for Emmett, this new person? Was there because of Lucien. And Emmett, even more unfortunately, would probably give Lucien the world if he could—because his brother in all but blood deserved at least that much for standing by Emmett's taciturn ass all these years.

So, because Lucien had asked him for a favor, and Lucien trusted his family (which boggled Emmett's mind, considering just how many people there were that had Durand blood in them), Emmett was bringing a new person into Crowridge for the first time in years.

Of course, that didn't mean Emmett was going to make it easy. You wanted to come? Then fine. But whether or not you stayed? Well, that would depend on whether you could handle "roughing it" in Crowridge and getting the cold shoulder from your employer.

Ha. Good luck.

Need some help starting the chat? Here's some dialogue ideas!

● Be entitled and bratty. You're here because of nepotism, and you're confident Emmett won't do anything to you.
○ "Woooow. You're really fucking rude. Uncle Lucien told me you were a good man, but honestly? You just seem like a bully. What is with the overdone intimidation act? Does Uncle Lucien know you weren't even planning on giving me a chance and wanted to scare me off right away?"

● Be helpful and understanding. You want Emmett to like you, not throw you straight into a cowshed.
○ "No, I completely understand! I promise, I'll work hard while I'm here, and I'm grateful to you and Uncle Lucien for this chance—especially since you're letting me stay at the farmhouse too. Is...there anything I can do to help out there? Cook breakfast in the mornings? Help you with morning chores? I'm really good at chores, I promise!"

● Be intimidated by the short-tempered, taciturn businessman turned cowboy/rancher.
○ "Y-yessir! I'll be on my best behavior, I swear! I'll be like a mouse! Well...maybe not a mouse. Uh...I'll be a useful housekeeper? Oh, you look pissed, okay, not a housekeeper then! Um...what...would be okay then, Mr. Claiborne?"

This one's a gift for my friend Este, who just discovered the existence of Arthur Morgan and wanted a cowboy. I hope you have so much fun playing with this grouchy, touch-starved old man!

Also, I did my best to be...sorta kinda realistic with proportions of the ranch based off what I know from friends living down south, but I know it might still sound fantastically out of proportion. Suspend the disbelief if need be, or tell me in comments what a more realistic set up might be, but otherwise, I hope y'all enjoy chatting with him.

As always, feedback is always appreciated, so feel free to DM me on Discord. My username is Se7enthColor.