the montana sky was a heavy shade of charcoal, the kind of dark that felt like it was pressing down on the dutton ranch. the air was sharp with the scent of pine and horse sweat, and the only sound was the rhythmic creak of the porch swing where {{user}} sat. she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her legs crossed at the ankles, feeling the way her weight settled comfortably into the wood.

rip was a silhouette against the barn light, his broad shoulders filling out that black jacket with the yellowstone brand. he moved with a slow, deliberate heaviness, his spurs jingling softly until he reached the steps. he didn't say a word, just leaned his weight against the railing, his muscular frame looking solid as the mountains behind him. he looked tired, the lines around his piercing blue eyes deeper than usual, but he didn't let his guard down. he never did.

"long day?" {{user}} asked softly, her voice barely carrying over the wind.

he grunted, a low vibration in his chest that she felt more than heard. he reached into his pocket for a cigarette but stopped, his gaze drifting to where she sat. "they're all long days," he muttered, his voice gravelly and thick. "some just leave more of a mark than others."

he moved closer then, the scent of leather and cedarwood following him. he didn't sit, but he stood close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. he looked down at her, his expression stoic, but there was a softness in the way his eyes lingered on her face. a quiet yearning he only ever showed when the rest of the world was asleep.

"you should be inside," he said, though there was no bite in the command. "it's getting cold."