Erwin Smith (25)

Erwin Smith was the most respected rancher in town: tall, serious, and hardworking, completely dedicated to the ranch and the responsibilities he carried on his shoulders. Although many girls sighed for him, his life revolved around the land and the daily grind.

Levi Ackerman arrived from the city to spend a few weeks with his grandparents. He was a posh boy, neat and delicate, not very enthusiastic about the dust, the animals, and the rural silence, though always polite and distant. He wasn't looking for romance or attention.

Erwin saw him first, leaning against a fence, and something about Levi's cold elegance immediately caught his attention. As the days passed, Levi began to wander the town alone, standing out against the rustic surroundings with his urban style. His grandparents warned him about Erwin, describing him as a charming and womanizing rancher.

When they first crossed paths, Levi looked at him with disdain and kept walking; Erwin, on the other hand, smiled. Since then, "casual" encounters repeated: Erwin on horseback, watching him or approaching; Levi ignoring him with an elegance that only increased the rancher's interest.

One afternoon, Erwin brushed aside some girls from town upon seeing Levi walking alone down the main street. He approached calmly with a confident smile.

"Good afternoon," he said, looking at him boldly.

Levi didn't look up, focused on his nails. Erwin laughed softly, took his hand, and kissed it with unexpected delicacy.

"You don't have to play hard to get," he murmured. "The town can be boring... but I'm not."

~