yandere older cowboy x boss's daughter who is an innocent country girl and barely knows that the person she trusts most is the one she should fear most
Living in a bubble of sunshines and rainbows is the best! People make it sound as if living unaware of how the real world is was a bad thing, but it’s not.
Your life is perfect, it’s always been that way. You were born in a caring family, living amongst cute animals, being surrounded by the sweetest townsfolk.
In fact, you don’t even remember having a single bad day!
You love your life. You love helping around the farm. You love staying on the farm. Why would you ever want to leave? Your whole life is here!
And even if you had the strange desire to leave, you could never live with the guilt of being away from your family—their hearts ache with the mere thought of you leaving them!
Your saccharine smiles, your adorable personality, your incandescent kindness. They need to look out for you! You’re far too pure to be able to take care of yourself. The rotten people of this world are looking to sink their teeth on your untainted skin.
But don’t fret! As long as you stay on this farm and remain in your parents’ sight, everything will be as perfect as always.
But will these walls they’ve built be enough to keep you away from the monsters’ harm, when one of those monsters is within these very walls himself?
As delicate as a flower and as bubbly as hot apple cider.
That’s how you were often described.
You always do your chores without complaining, you respect your elders, you help whoever is in need, and you are kind to everybody—no matter what. That’s what you were taught, how you were raised.
You aren’t one to cause trouble, you rather avoid conflict at all cost—but it’s not like you ever had a chance to be rebellious either. You always stick to your parents, like when you visit the nearby town, or even when you try to sell some of your own harvest on your little stand at the agricultural fair. You were never allowed to get too close to people, it’s been that way ever since you were in elementary school—where you didn’t have friends like other kids did, you just had acquaintances.
And although you have the most fun when you spend time with your animal friends at your heavenly farm, you can’t help but want a little more.
“Y/N, get here, sweetie!”
You yelp at the thunderous voice of your mom resonating outside the house.
You take off your oven mittens and set them on the counter, heading to the door and stepping out. Your boots slide across the dirt with a bouncy pace, walking past your little garden—where you have the liberty to plant whatever you want, since you aren’t allowed to do it near the crops.
“What is it, momma?” You smile at her, waiting for her directions with your hands behind your back. You don’t really help around the farm unless your parents specifically tell you to. If they don’t give you the precise instructions of what to do, then you just…keep to yourself. You’ve lived on this farm your whole life, and you’re pretty grown now, but you still don’t trust yourself fully with these things.
“Your daddy’s fixin’ the tractor, the Fletchers took Luisa to the vet, and I need to change the water heater,” She explains quickly, carrying a rag in one hand and a tool box on the other. “So that only leaves you to feed the hungry beasts.”
“Alright, momma.” You nod briefly, as you both start to walk, heading to opposite directions. “Oh! I left a pie in the oven, could you take it out for me?”
“Sure, sweetie!” She shouts before entering the house.
You love spending time with the animals of the farm. They’re always there for you, the cows always let you hug them and nuzzle them—even if it gets kinda annoying after a while; the sheep cuddle with you on the barn on the afternoons when you got nothing else to do; and the chickens are like feathered puppies that you can pet whenever you want. They’re your truest friends!
People tend to think that living in a secluded farm is ‘lonely’ and ‘depressing’, but, boy, are they wrong! You don’t only got your cattle and herd to keep you company, the workers that come to help from time to time are quite friendly too.
And, sure. Your parents don’t exactly approve of you spending time with them, but how can you avoid them when they’re the ones who purposefully seek you out?
Your breath hitches in anticipation as you recognise the familiar presence, making you halt in your actions. Now—with the trough filled with food for the sheep—you set your bucket down and turn to greet the newfound company.
“Elliot!” You beam with joy, practically throwing yourself at him and wrapping your arms around his neck—standing on your tiptoes to get to his level.
Elliot. Your Elliot. Oh, how empty would your life be without him.
Elliot Halls. Your dear neighbor. The one man that your dad trusts the most. He’s your parents’ business partner, always helping around the farm, whether it's with the management stuff, or the manual one.
You didn’t really interact with him much until up to two years ago. You were always so busy with school and house chores, and when you finished school, you finally had time to…socialize a bit.
And now you two are basically best friends! He’s the only person that your parents fully trust you around, and—although you love spending time with the animals—you think he might be your favorite person ever!
He’s just so fun, and sweet—and he doesn’t mind hearing you ramble about your interests, or the little things that you find charming, like sunsets or lilies. He lends you a hand when you work, no matter what it is, or if you can do it on your own. He gives you tips for your garden. He brings you stuff you like from when he stops by in town.
“Momma told me to feed the animals, the woolly cuties were the last ones on the list.” You untangle your arms from his neck and take a step back, but he keeps you close to him with a hand on your back. “You usually rest on Thursdays, why are you here?” You tilt your head in confusion.
Elliot grins softly, gently caressing your back over the fabric of your pink overalls. He relishes the sight of you. Your slightly disheveled hair, your favorite overalls—with different embroideries scattered all over it, your smile wrinkles, and that scent—the scent that haunts him in his dreams. The scent that he hopes to find wherever he goes. The scent that clings to your skin.
Cinnamon, carnations, and innocence.
“I heard the tractor needs some fixin’, thought I could stop by and lend a hand.” He explains calmly.
Yeah, cause he totally didn’t come to the farm just to see you, and he totally hasn't been following you around ever since you baked that apple pie this morning. He would never do such a thing.
Did anybody tell him that the tractor broke down? No. Did he hear your mother mention it while he was watching you? Maybe.
“Oh, but daddy can handle it just fine! Wontcha stay with me instead?” You plead hopefully. “We can go to the lake, or take a stroll. Please!” You knew he had responsibilities. Being the most trusted helper of the farm meant that there were certain things that my parents only trusted him to do, but you just have so much fun when you’re with him!
He gives you a tense smile, trying not to frown in frustration at his own choice. “Sorry, sweetheart, but I should really help your daddy out,” He needed to keep the professional act a bit, stay in your parents’ good graces. If he doesn’t, your parents might not allow you to be around him as much as you do. “But we can do whatever you want after, you just have to be patient.”
You sigh, nodding your head in defeat. Elliot bites his lip, trying to control the cuteness aggression that he gets from looking at you. He wraps his arms around your waist, and you let him, resting your head against his broad chest. You’ve never said no to a warm cuddle from Elliot after all.
While you remain absentmindedly, Elliot feels like he’s about to snap.
You have no idea what you’re doing, do you?
He’s losing his mind, he doesn’t know if he can take much more of…this. He’s the only one that can have precious, little you trapped in his arms like this. So close he can smell your shampoo. So close he can feel your heartbeat. So close he could just…not let you go.
He needs you. He needs to have you. He needs to prevent anyone from getting to you first. He needs to protect your innocence…and keep it for himself.
But he has to be patient, to play his cards right.
And one day…he’ll get to you. Really get to you. Your parents won’t even get to notice before he snatches you from them. Because unlike the poor bastards that want to jump over the walls that your parents have built and get a piece of your delicate flesh, he doesn’t need to intrude.
“Try startin’ it now, boss!”
Your dad frowns. Elliot’s said that four times in the past hour. He doesn’t doubt Elliot’s capacities, but after so many failed tries, he’s starting to lose hope on the old tractor.
He shrugs his shoulders with resignation before starting the engine, expecting the same dead silence that he heard all the previous times.
To the men’s surprise, it lets out a whirring sound before finally starting, making both men cheer in pride.
“Bout’ damn time!” Elliot sighs in relief, cleaning his oily hands with a rag.
Your dad smiles softly, patting Elliot’s back as he passes by. He walks towards the tool scattered table, grabbing two beers from the red cooler, and sitting down on a square bale.
He tosses Elliot one of the cans. “You’re a good kid, Halls.” He opens the can and takes a swig. “There aren’t many boys like you nowadays. Boys who help, who respect, who don’t overstep…” He says solemnly with a blank stare, seemingly lost in thought.
Elliot stiffens, but plays it off by taking a cautious sip from the cold beer. He offers his boss a dismissive grin, feigning modesty. “Oh, please, sir. There are other boys who help ‘round the farm too, there's Davis, Thompson, those Fletcher boys—who are a bit troublesome, not gon’ lie, but—”
“You wanna know what they all got in common?” Elliot feels the air in the barn shift, it feels colder, heavy. Now he really gets what ‘walking on thin ice’ means. He bites the inside of his cheek, suddenly hyper aware of the trouble he could be in if he makes a wrong move.
He keeps his gaze steady on his boss and listens.
“Everytime I turn ‘round they’re there, circling my daughter. Tryin’ to coax her, to lure her, to trick her—and it’s not her fault that she doesn’t notice. How could it be? She doesn’t know what those boys wanna take from her, what they would do to a girl like her...”
Elliot’s jaw clenches at the notion of some boy trying to get their hands on you, taking advantage of your kind heart, consuming you whole—instead of protecting you.
The notion of them taking you away from him.
His grip on the can tightens as he takes a confident sip this time.
The older man takes another swig before speaking. “But…I trust you.”
Your dad looks at Elliot, his gaze unwavering, not a trace of doubt in his eyes. “So, while me and the Mrs aren’t ‘round, I want you to take care of my lil’ girl. I want you to keep those vultures in check. I want you to never let her outta your sight. Ever.”
Your dad and Elliot share many things in common, they’re both hardworking country men; they know how hard it is to maintain a farm; they don’t like relying on other people; and they cannot bear the thought of anything bad coming your way. Just the thought of someone hurting you makes them see red. They would do anything to keep you safe, because they know that this world is just too corrupt for your precious self to roam unprotected.
You’ve lived in a shielded bubble of love and untainted sweetness your whole life, and now there are dirty beasts ready to strike, looking to ravish your succulent purity until there’s nothing left.
They can’t allow that. They’ll fight tooth and nail against those parasites, leaving no trace of the dirty vermin, till your bubble gleams and glistens with only your innocent shine.
Elliot holds his gaze, just as intensely. “I understand, sir,” He says with determination. “I’ll never let anything happen to Y/N, I swear on my life.”
The man gives an approving nod, seemingly more at ease now, with a calmer demeanor. “I gotta say, your folks raised you well. Cause you’re no boy, Halls,” Elliot raises an eyebrow in curiosity, urging him to continue.
You could never get tired of afternoons like this.
Walking alongside Elliot as the sun sets in the distance, letting the gentle breeze cool you both, watching the clouds drift away slowly in the sky, chatting about anything and everything. Truly enjoying each other’s presence.
To you, it’s the best way to finish yet another good day.
To Elliot, it’s just like all the other moments he spends with you. Heavenly.
“What?!” The shock that overtakes you almost makes you stop in your tracks. Your eyebrows raise in astonishment, your mouth is agape. You are the spitting image of the word ‘flabbergasted’.
“I’m just sayin’,” He shrugs. “Black licorice isn’t as bad as people say it is.” He repeats with an amused smile, taking in your surprised expression as he keeps walking.
“You have the taste of an old man!” You grimace in disgust, as if the taste itself had settled on your tongue from the mere mention of it.
Elliot laughs, ruffling your hair playfully, which only earns an annoyed grumble from you.
“And you got too much of a sweet tooth, sugar, but you don’t hear me complainin’.” He refutes.
His self control is wearing thin, but he needs to get a hold of himself. He can’t screw this up, he’s gotten so far already!
But you’re so cute. Ugh! Do you seriously don’t know what you’re doing to him?!
You two keep walking through the meadow without a care in the world. You enjoy walking around this part of the farm, it’s quieter, intimate. It’s just you and Elliot. No chores to do, no work to keep you busy, just…peace.
Ahead of you, you can see your house, it looks like a mere speck of color from where you’re standing, but it’s still recognizable. The last time you were in the house today was when you were making your pie, before your mom called you. You appreciate the current distance keeping you away from the residence, you’re not really eager to get back just yet, you want to spend some more time with Elliot.
If only you knew that he felt the same way, just a thousand times more.
“Say, sweetheart…” Elliot begins, breaking the comfortable silence that enveloped you both. “You trust me, right?” He makes sure to say it in a nonchalant manner, masking his real emotions the same way he always does when they get too intense.
You perk up at the unexpected inquiry, slowing your pace until you stop altogether, standing in front of him. You tilt your head at him incredulously.
“Of course I do, Elliot, you’re my best friend!” You take his hand in yours, squeezing it reassuringly. You look up at him with a soft gaze. “How could you even doubt that?” You’re confused. Where did this come from? Why would he ask such a question out of the blue? Does he really doubt how important his friendship is to you?
Elliot has to bite down his lower lip to prevent himself from smirking at your naive charm. He squeezes your hand back, drawing small circles with the pad of his thumb.
His eyes are locked on you, and he’s mesmerized.
The orange glow of the sunset reflects on your skin. Your eyes shine with tender care—care for him. The gentle hold of his hand on yours sends a shiver down his spine.
“Then…promise me,” His voice is sultry, vulnerable, almost begging. “Promise me that you’ll never leave me. No matter who comes into your life. Promise that you’ll stay with me no matter what.”
For a moment, neither of you speak. You just stare at each other, each of you saying a different thing through your eyes. Your gaze remains soft, while his turns dark.
This may seem like no big deal to you, but to Elliot…this is an oath.
He’s already made his own.
He will never let you go. He’ll make sure those boys never get to you. He’ll protect your bubble and never let anything ruin your perfect life. He’ll make you happy, even when he takes you away from your parents. He’ll stay by your side till your old and gray—scratch that. He’ll stay with you till you guys stop breathing, then he’ll chase you up to heaven, and then he’ll be with you for the rest of eternity.
This promise isn’t just words, it isn’t something that you can just break and then carry on with your life.
He can have you either way, he doesn’t need you to promise him this to snatch you away from your life and keep you with him forever.
But he wants you to love him, and to do that he needs you willingly bound to him.
You let the silence hang in the air before speaking, smiling warmly.
Hello, everybody!!! It took me a while, but at last it's here. It was kinda difficult to come up with something for this request, and it's not very long (I'm sorry about that), and it's also kinda cringe. Because, although I received some help with the whole cowboy stuff (thank you, @hysterucall and @0uch1e), it felt kinda wrong to write the dialogues without being a cowboy myself 😣. Either way, I hope that whoever requested this likes it. Let me know if you see any mistakes, and don't be afraid to make another request.
