#outer range

[anniesocsandgeneralstore]

my whole life loving you | rhett abbott x oc

Summary: "F-Fuck, please, sunshine," he breathed back, pushing further into her hand, further into her space. "I-I can't anymore, please. Need you. Need you." But how is Tessa going to react to his sudden confession? Will she feel the same way? (wc: 2053)

Warnings: they finally talk about their feelings, childhood friends to lovers, SEXUAL CONTENT 18+ ONLY MINORS DNI (rhett has a boner, brief description of pinv, getting walked in on)

✎……the long awaited conclusion!! enjoy!

✎…… PREVIOUS INSTALLMENT || MASTERLIST

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Rhett Abbott had an astounding talent for putting his foot in his mouth. Even if he was with the person he knew best in the entire world. Even if she knew he was prone to it and could look past that it wasn’t truly what he meant. But Tessa knew he meant it this time. These were his true feelings, held in the palm of her hand. Warm and hard and aching. 

She supposed his foot came to be in his mouth by saying anything at all. By grabbing her hand and urging her to touch him. It completely shocked her into silence. How else could she possibly react? She thought they would just lull themselves into a nice sleep eventually, maybe do some pillow talk where they made themselves laugh till their sides ached. Just like they used to do when they were kids. Then in the morning she would make breakfast and he would be on his way. 

In the back of her mind, she was pretending. Like she had with her sisters so many times before when she was small. He was her husband coming home after a long day on the ranch. She made hot chocolate and they watched TV in the living room — snuggled up close. They were together. This was their house. This was their life. 

But it wasn’t.

She was just playing house without her best friend knowing it.

Rhett was her best friend. He was there because she asked him to be. Because she didn’t like being alone. That entire cottage with just her in it with nothing to fill the space besides her own thoughts. Rhett always had been good at that. Filling her spaces in between. It was so easy to pretend with him. To think in the back of her mind that he would wrap his arms around her as she made the hot chocolate. That he would kiss the top of her head as they watched her stupid medical drama. She could picture it so clearly.

And yet, now that she was getting what she had nearly always wanted, she didn’t know what to do. All she really could do was stare wide eyed and chest heaving into Rhett’s face. Her entire body felt heavy and hot, her heart racing as her jaw clenched. But she didn’t pull away.

She took too long to say something, however.

“Shit — fuck — m’sorry,” Rhett muttered as he practically jumped up from the bed, covers tossed to the side haphazardly in his haste. 

Tessa shot up in bed, watching him as he gathered the clothes he was wearing earlier and held them over his crotch. He pushed a hand through his hair as he backed away from her and towards the door. Some of the heaviness disappeared now that there was some distance between them. But her entire body still felt hot and covered in static.

“M’gonna…M’gonna go. M’sorry.”

“No!” she shouted, too loud for just the two of them as she got up from the bed too. “I — please don’”

All Rhett did was stand there, rooted to the spot as he swallowed thick and shifted from foot to foot. Eyes shifting to look anywhere but her as she approached him. Tucking her hair behind her ears, Tessa still didn’t know what to say. What could she possibly say to make this situation better?

“Could you…Could you jus’not do it tonight? Or — Or’s this been buildin’ f’r’a while?” she finally asked, hands threaded together as she looked up into his face bathed in moonlight.

He swallowed again, opened and closed his mouth a few times, then spoke quietly: “Long time, Tess. Long time.” 

“Oh,” she breathed, turning away to gather her thoughts, then looking back to him with a smile. “God’dam’it, Rhett.”

“What?” he asked, chuckling himself with his brows furrowed in confusion.

Tessa licked her lips and said, “I’been in love with you since we’ere fourteen. I thought…I forgot abou’it sometimes. T’spare my own feelin’s, I guess. But — I’ll never forget when we watched The Grudge over at Laney’s house n’you held m’hand under that pillow the whole time ‘cause I’s terrified. Made…Made me realize I wanted t’hold y’r hand f’rever.”

Rhett dropped the clothes he was holding and stepped towards her. For a moment, she wasn’t sure what he was going to do. But then he was holding her by the cheeks and kissing her — soft and slow and full of everything he had been feeling for over a decade. His stubble scratched her chin but she didn’t even care. She was kissing her best friend. And it was perfect. Her hands smoothed up his chest and tugged at his t-shirt, pulled him in closer as she tilted her chin to deepen the kiss. Rhett took it in kind. Some smile she could feel against her mouth pulling on his lips as one hand dropped to curve around the back of her neck.

She pulled away, kissed him once, twice, more before she grinned up at him and asked: “So d’you love me too, or…?”

Laughing through his nose, he bumped his forehead with hers. “Yes. Yeah. Love you, sunshine.”

“Good,” she laughed softly before kissing him again.

And they continued to kiss as Rhett backed her up towards the bed, his hands hooking under her thighs as he climbed onto the mattress. He laid her down gently, breaking the kiss just to trail his lips down her neck. It felt like he was making up for lost time. Exploring everywhere now that he could. His hands quickly slipped up the hem of her shirt to feel the soft skin of her tummy. His lips found their way all over her throat and collarbone that was exposed from her top. It nearly made her laugh. Made that hot feeling in her skin burn even brighter. 

How had she been so worried something more between them would ruin things? She already knew they drove each other crazy. She already knew all his likes and dislikes, his weird quirks, and the baggage he carried. But right then, she didn’t want to worry about that. She just wanted to be with Rhett. And all that that meant.

As he nuzzled at the crook of her neck, she slipped her hand between them and pressed her palm into that now slightly softened bulge in his pants. Rhett grunted as his hips jerked into her touch. 

“We don’have t’do that if ya don’t wanna,” he mumbled into her ear before kissing the shell.

“I wanna,” she replied, pushing her fingers into his hair. “Been thinkin’bout you a long time, bubs.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Y’have?”

“Oh, geeze, this’s embarrassin’.” She tucked her face into the pillow, blush blooming on her cheeks. But Rhett was quick to turn her back to him with a gentle hand on her cheek. “I…Anytime I…Touched myself…Thought’a you a lot’a the time. You’r Justin McBride.”

“That bull rider from Nebraska?” He narrowed his eyes at her.

“That five-million dollar bull rider.” But when a certain look passed over Rhett’s face, Tessa was sure to hold his jaw and make him look her in the eye. “But who needs a million dollars? All I need’s you, bubs.”

“You sure?”

“Always have been.��

Tessa woke up that morning feeling better than she ever had. Rhett was by her side. Just on the edge of waking up with a pout on his face and his arm wrapped around her tight. It was how she wanted to wake up every day for the rest of her life. When he finally woke up, rolled over on his back with a big stretch, she placed herself on his bare chest. He was so warm, and his arms instantly serpentined around her shoulders. 

Tracing that bullrider tattoo on his chest, she remembered snickering when he first showed it to her. She thought it was too big and dark and just on this side of silly. But now it was a part of him. A part of him she loved in spite of her dislike of the tattoo.

She loved him.

“Move in with me,” she whispered as his fingers danced up and down her arm.

“What?” It was his turn to snicker as he tried to look down at her.

Tessa picked herself up to look into his face. Hair falling down into his storm blue eyes. Those thin lips quirked in a small but beautiful smile. The stubble on his chin and cheeks. She could still see that five year old in him. The one who tipped over the bird feeder box so they could look at the baby ducks together. The one who bought Mario Party 4 just for her with all the money he saved up so they could play it together, even though he didn’t like it. The one who asked her to prom in his quiet way while they were studying together. The one who stood up for her when she couldn’t say no. The one who knew her favorite movie, food, vacation, book — everything.

So she repeated, softly: “Move in with me.”

“Movin’ things a li’l fast ain’t we?” he questioned with that same quiet smile.

“Pretty sure we’been takin’ things slow our whole lives, Rhett,” she replied, grinning widely. “So, whaddaya say?”

Rhett tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as he looked at her seriously, brows furrowed as he searched her for something she knew wouldn’t be there. “You sure? I…You sure y’wanna deal wi’me?”

“Pretty sure I’been dealin’ wi’ya my whole life,” she said with a grin and he rolled his eyes. “Yes, bubs. I — I wanna be with you all the damn time.” 

She kissed him then. Soft and sweet. And when she pulled away, they were both smiling.

“I guess’ll move in with ya then.”

They both laughed as Rhett rolled her onto her back. Warm kisses turned passionate.

June Abernathy wanted to surprise her daughter after spending the night alone in her own place for the first time. She was proud of Tessa. She knew just how scary it could be moving out on your own. Even if it was just down the road. So she worked diligently half the morning while her husband tended to the ranch. And when the breakfast was ready, pancakes and sausage and fresh fruit, they packed it all up and drove to their daughter’s cottage.

There was a truck parked out front. June knew that truck. It was Rhett’s. Which didn’t surprise her much. Maybe Tessa invited him over for the day. June knew how much her daughter didn’t like being alone — and her go to to keep her company since she was small had been that Abbott boy.

The door was unlockd, which didn’t surprise her either. They lived out in the middle of nowhere. There was no sense of danger.

What June Abernathy didn’t notice, however, was that Rhett and Tessa were not in the living area. In fact, they were nowhere to be seen. She was too busy unpacking the breakfast things and telling her husband to set the table.

Too preoccupied by her own surprise to recognise the faint sounds that were coming from down the hall. The quiet moans, the soft giggles, the gasps of names. 

No. She really didn’t recognize what was happening until she was outside her daughter’s bedroom door and knocking before pushing it open.

“Wake up, honey, we brought breakfast,” she said as she opened the door completely.

But her smile dropped when she saw what was going on inside. Tessa, completely naked, pulled up with her back against that Abbott boy’s chest. His hand was wrapped around her throat, teeth scraping against her jaw. His cock nestled deep inside her as she breathed out a moan.

Then Tessa opened her eyes.

“Ma!” she shrieked, scrambled to pick up the quilt from the end of the bed and cover herself up.

June didn’t stay long enough to see the look on Rhett’s face. Most likely mortified. She simply closed the door and scurried back down the hall. Her husband was just setting out the juice when he looked up to see his wife looking traumatized.

“Nate, we gotta go.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Tessa has company.”

i no longer have a taglist, please follow @anniesocsandlibrary and turn on notifications for updates

[gayzing-away]

Lewis Pullman in Outer Range (2x02)

[lukaskyle]

OUTER RANGE • 2.02 "Traces to Somewhere"

[rocklnds]

it's all fun and games until the cowboy is scared of a little kitty cat [OUTER RANGE SEASON TWO ✵ EPISODE ONE]

[springseventeen]

OUTER RANGE S1.E3 • The Time

[savethedeadboys]

🏳️‍🌈 Find the carrd here @savequeerstories

[savequeerstories]

The list of the queer shows we lost in 2024 includes:

Our Flag Means Death (95% Rotten Tomatoes)

My Lady Jane (95%)

Chucky (93%)

Dead Boy Detectives (92%)

Outer Range (85%)

Among many others! All together, canceled queer shows averaged 89% freshness by critics on Rotten Tomatoes. (That's better than Wednesday and Bridgerton.)

savequeerstories.carrd.co

[sebsxphia]

your (my) life with rhett abbott.

rhett abbott x reader.

￫ summary: a life with rhett.

￫ word count: 680.

￫ warnings: mentions of sex, some angst, children and fluff.

￫ authors notes: this is a collection of daydreams i have about my cowboy husband. my main masterlist can be found here! 💌

Rhett is a little awkward and shy. For a burly bull rider, when he first asked you out, his thumb moved between each fingernail to pick at it. His hands were twitching with nerves. From a first glance, he simply looked like a man asking a person out. His hands were by his sides and he stood tall.

His father told him to never look small, even though he made Rhett feel so small sometimes.

When you replied with a beaming smile that you would love to go out with him sometime, his cheeks became flushed with a warm pink, that spread over the tops of his ears and down his neck in a hot flush.

He gets grumpy too. His eyebrows knit together in a firm line. His eyes become stone and his eyelids grow heavy. He’ll focus on one particular spot of dirt on his jeans, not baring to look at anything else. He clenches his teeth tightly together and his jaw becomes firmly set.

But, he stands up for himself and what he thinks is right. However, it comes off as him being defensive and angry when really, he’s only trying to protect the things that he loves most. That being the life you’ve built together on your ranch and most importantly, you and your little baby girl.

Bonnie Abbott was born in the early spring. You spent many days in the summer standing on your front porch, with her in your arms and watching Rhett work not too far from your home. He couldn’t bear to spend long periods away from you both, so he always opted to do work closer to your home during the day.

You would hold her chubby little hand and wave it for her, humming in a sweet voice, “Wave to Daddy, Bonnie!”

You watch as your three ranch cats jump from the rooftops and fences of the barn. Your Anatolian Shepherd, Daisy, sits by your feet and keeps a careful and protective watch over both you and Bonnie. Robin, your Blue Heeler, is always quick on Rhett’s heels and trails around behind him, as he works in the hot and sticky Wyoming summer heat. Rhett whistles sharply between his lips and Robin is always quick to follow.

You still live in Wyoming, but you chose your ranch to be two towns over from Wabang. Rhett wanted to distance himself from his family, but he couldn’t leave them completely. He’s still holding onto this deeply entrenched guilt, that therefore causes him to tether to them.

He’s working on it though. He’s working on himself.

He doesn’t deny his mother and father of seeing his grandchild. You go back to visit when you can, but you normally leave after spending the day there. Rhett can only bear so many hours before the familiar and tell-tale signs of his set frown and tense jaw begin to appear. You still go back for occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those are the only two occasions when you, Rhett and Bonnie will stay the night.

His old room is still there. It still comforts him.

You press up against Rhett in his small bed and keep him warm, whilst Bonnie sleeps soundly beside you both in her crib. His room is nearly identical to when he left it, but these small changes with you both now being in there with him, is what gives him the harmony to fall asleep.

You asked Rhett once if he would be gentle with you, as he had your beautiful naked body below him.

“Will you be gentle with me? Please be gentle with me.”

He gave you the love that you so dearly deserved. He calls you his baby, his darlin’, his love.

He is your dream. He is your cowboy, but a man who needs to be wanted. He needs to feel wanted. He gets so much validation from you, in every way. Emotionally, physically, sexually… And you give that to him without hesitation. He’s so over the moon with you. He’s so profoundly and deeply in love with you.

taglist: @beachbabey @tallrock35 @currentlybradshaw @unmistakablyunknown @iloveprettyboysblog @flames-thebitch @randomfandomgirl97 @kmc1989 @swiftsgirlfriend

tagging those who may be interested: @sunblchdfly @sugarcoated-lame @lewmagoo @peachystenbrough @floydsmuse @rhettmotel @mearslot @rhettabbotts @hangmanapologist @withahappyrefrain @castiel-barnes @sandbarbirdie

[bobbyfloyd]

perpetually confused

[delopsia]

p*rnstar for the love of god, wear headphones when you play this do not repost (reblogs are fine 🤍)

[gayzing-away]

Lewis Pullman in Outer Range (2x03)

[withahappyrefrain]

Can you please do meet cute 45) A owns a flower shop and B just needs the courage to go inside and say hello. For Rhett Abbott?

THIS ONE SCREAMS RHETT!! I'm so glad someone requested it with him!

Rhett Abbott had never felt more ridiculous in his entire life. 

He was told they just needed a few things from the grocery store. Rhett hated going to the grocery store. It meant people and people judged and whispered things about him, regardless of if it was true (majority of the time it wasn’t). 

But the grocery store was on the same street as The Wild Rose, Wabang’s brand new flower shop. And inside was you, the owner. 

Rhett scoffed at the idea at first. There was no way Wabang had enough people to warrant a flower shop. Plus, folks had plenty of land, they could make their damn bouquets if they wanted. 

Apparently people were lazy. It also helped that you sold wine and little knick knacks in addition to floral arrangements. Jars of speciality honey from a local farm, the wine from a nearby vineyard. Dish towels with funny sayings and food related puns. 

It wasn’t a store Rhett would go into, nevertheless pay attention to. But Amy wanted to go and it wasn’t like Perry was going to take her. 

There was a decent sized crowd outside the store, listening to the mayor drone on about how great this was going to be for the town, not just for Wabang but also for the surrounding area. Out of all the places to be on the ‘precipice of an economic boom’, Wabang did not come to Rhett’s mind. 

Before he could roll his eyes anymore, the mayor introduced the owner of the shop, you. 

God, you were beautiful with your bright eyes and dazzling smile as you spoke about how welcoming Wabang had been to you and how helpful when it came to making your dream a reality. Rhett was instantly smittened. 

But he couldn’t just go up and talk to you. For one, you were busy cutting a red ribbon with stupidly giant scissors. 

Second, you were luminous, vivid. Everything he wasn't. 

Rhett knew he didn't offer much, if anything. His life was directionless; all he did was work on the ranch and ride bulls when he could (when his right shoulder wasn't acting up). He would just drag you down. So instead, he settled for the chances he could walk past your shop and peek into the window for a glimpse of you. 

It was fucking pathetic. His family would give him so much shit if they found out. And yet, it was the highlight of his day, seeing you arrange a case, talk to customers. Rhett especially loved it when he caught you giving the floral arrangements to clients. The corners of your eyes would crease and the bridge of your nose scrunched up when you revealed your creation. It also allowed him to linger by the store window, to bask in your warmth for a little bit longer. 

“Do you think they're pretty?” Amy asked one day while they were walking down the street. 

Rhett let out a confused hum, turning his attention from your store window to his niece. 

“The owner. You always look in their window when we pass by,” Amy explained with a giggle. 

“It's just an interesting store,” Rhett grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets as he began walking again. 

“Then you should go inside!” Amy called out as she ran after him. 

If only it was that easy. 

—----------

Several months later Rhett was now standing in front of your door, rather than your window. 

He should go in. He had zero reason to not go in. Rhett actually required your services. So it wasn't as if he was just going to stroll in there with no plan. Or worse, use Amy as a guise (God, he hated when Perry did that). 

It was just….the thought of being in your presence, speaking to you. Having a conversation. Rhett wasn't much of a talker, never had been. Why would he, when hardly anyone was interested in what he had to say? 

And the truth was, he didn't have to go in. He could figure this out on his own. 

But when would his next chance come along? 

It was the unclear answer that gave him the courage to turn the handle and open the door. 

Your shop felt warm and inviting. One wall was filled with shelves, dedicated to displaying various colorful vases. In the middle, a designated ‘flower bar’ where folks could create their own bouquets. Amongst the store were various house plants and knick knacks. 

“Hi! Can I help you?” A sweet voice caused Rhett to turn around, the air exiting his lungs upon seeing you. 

He could only nod, at a complete loss for words. 

You waited for him, to see if he would expand. When he didn’t, you simply smiled and asked, “What can I do for ya?”

With fumbling hands, Rhett got out the photo from his jacket, “Um…I need help identifying these flowers. They’re the wedding flowers she had and I wanna draw the bouquet as like a….like a gift. Figured it would last longer than getting a bouquet but I uh…I need help identifying them. I wanna look them up so I can get the details right.”

This was going horribly. He should have just bought a magnifying glass off of Amazon or find someone who could digitally restore photos. 

“Do you know where they got married?” You asked, extending your hand out for the photo. 

“Yeah, uh, here in Wabang,” Rhett answered, running a hand up and down the back of his neck, hoping his body was just warm and not turning a bright red. 

“Oh, well that makes it much easier!” Rhett gave you the photo and you motioned for him to follow you to the counter. You got out a book that had a beautiful embossed floral design on the cover.

“I’m glad you know where they got married. It makes it much easier to identify. Also, considering WaBang has hadn’t a floral shop until this year and the nearest one was over an hour away, I’m assuming these are flowers native to Wyoming,” you explained, flipping through the pages. 

You looked up through your lashes, “I can tell you what flowers they are and you can look them up. But am I safe to assume that as an artist, you’d rather have your references in person?”

“Oh uh, I’m not…I’m not an artist,” He mumbled, shaking his head as he shoved his hands into his pockets. A nervous habit he couldn’t seem to break. 

“You’re creating art. Last time I checked, that makes you an artist…..” your voice trailed off, waiting to hear a name. 

“Oh! I’m Rhett. Sorry.” How could he forget to introduce himself? “Yeah, having something I could look at and observe up close would be great.” 

“Well Rhett, I’m more than happy to recreate that bouquet for ya. But I don’t have some of these flowers in stock, so it’ll take some time to order them,” you explained, “Probably like a week or so? If I have your number, I can let you know when they arrive.”

Rhett looked up, eyes wide in disbelief, “You want my number?”

Your nose scrunched up as you nodded, “Yes. I would love to have your number Rhett. Would hate for you to come in and I don’t have what you need.”

Rhett would do it. In fact, he even tried to assure you so. 

“Well, I might need another photo just to ensure I’m accurate. How will I let you know?” You countered. Fuck, you had a great point. 

So Rhett fumbled with getting out his phone, hands shaking as he passed it off to you. 

“I’ll give you my number too if that’s alright. Just so you aren’t wondering who’s texting you.” Your giggle was so endearing, Rhett couldn’t help but smile, couldn’t help but feel his shoulders drop and relax. 

He nodded, a small, slightly lopsided and totally sweet smile, “Yeah, that’s fine.”

You handed Rhett back his phone, “I’ll let you know if I need more info! And when I get them in.”

Rhett nodded, secretly (and seriously) hoping he didn’t look like an idiot with how hard he was smiling. 

“I'll uh, see ya around?” He practically asked. You nodded eagerly, saying your goodbyes as he quickly got out of the store. 

Rhett felt like he could finally breathe again once he was out of your store. That went well, right? He had your number, though it was intended to give updates regarding a gift for his mom. But he also had another chance to see you. Granted, once he was done with this project, he wouldn't have a reason to go into your shop. Maybe for Amy’s birthday, he could get her flowers. 

The vibration of his phone broke Rhett out of his thoughts. It couldn't be….could it? 

His eyes widened when he saw your name attached to the text. He nearly dropped his phone when he read your message. 

I'm glad you finally came in! I've been wanting to meet you ever since the store opened :) 

[doodles-bi-tea]

claim your “I was a Lewis Pullman fan before Thunderbolts” ticket here! (in case he blows up in popularity any more than he might have after things like TGM and Lessons in Chemistry…)

[callsign-fangirl]

RHETT ABBOTT CODED

@delopsia @sebsxphia @rhettabbottscowgirl @rhettabbotts

[springseventeen]

Lewis Pullman as Rhett Abbott Outer Range • S2.E3