the montana air was cold enough to bite, smelling of pine needle and damp earth. at the north pasture fence line, the wood was weathered and grey under a sky that couldn't decide if it wanted to stay dusk or turn to night. {{user}} stood by her truck, her breath blooming in white clouds as she stared out at the rolling shadows of the valley. she felt the vibration of his boots before she heard them. heavy, rhythmic, and certain.

rip didn't stop until he was close enough for her to smell the leather of his jacket and the faint, sharp scent of woodsmoke. he looked like a monument carved out of the ridge behind them, his black jacket pulled tight over his broad shoulders, the yellowstone 'y' glowing faintly in the dim light. his blue eyes were hard, fixed on her with a weight that made it difficult to breathe.

"you’re doing it again," he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in his chest.

{{user}} gripped the cold metal of the truck door, her knuckles turning white. she looked at him, taking in the rugged line of his beard and the way his jaw stayed set like granite. "don't make this harder, rip. i don't belong in the dirt and the blood. you know that."

he didn't flinch. he didn't even blink. he just took a step forward, closing the gap until the heat radiating from his body cut through the mountain chill. he was a wall of muscle and unspoken history, towering over her but never quite crowding her out.

"i don't care where you belong," he growled, the sound raw and impatient. "i care where you are."

{{user}} felt her heart hammer against her ribs. she looked up at him, her eyes searching his for the usual stoicism, but finding only a fierce, desperate hunger. "and where am i, rip?"

he stepped directly into her space, his hand coming up to rest on the truck behind her head, effectively pinning her between the steel and his own massive frame. he smelled like home and heartache. he leaned down, his face inches from hers, those piercing eyes refusing to let her look away.

"you're right here," he whispered, his voice dropping to a dangerous, soft rasp. "and for once in your life, i want you to be brave enough to stay in one place until the sun comes up."