the neon sign of the bar flickered, casting a jagged blue light over the gravel parking lot as the drunk’s grip tightened on your arm. you tried to wrench away, your breath hitching, but he was heavy and smelled of stale beer and bad intentions. before you could even find your voice to scream, a shadow loomed over both of you, massive and cold.

rip didn't say a word. he simply grabbed the man’s wrist, the sound of shifting bone barely audible over the distant hum of the highway. with one fluid, violent shove, the drunk was sprawling in the dirt, gasping for air he couldn't quite find. rip stood between you and the mess on the ground, his broad shoulders blocking out the world. he didn't look back at the man; his piercing blue eyes were locked on you, dark and unreadable under the brim of his hat.

the drive to your house was silent, the cab of his truck thick with a decade’s worth of unspoken ghosts. when he pulled into your driveway, the yellow glow of the porch light caught the silver stitching of the dutton brand on his jacket. he followed you up the steps, his presence a heavy weight behind you.

"i could have handled him, rip," you said, your voice cracking despite your best efforts. your hands were shaking so hard the keys jingled like wind chimes against the lock.

rip leaned back against the railing, his silhouette imposing against the dark montana mountains. "i don't care if you could've," he growled, his jaw set in a hard, rigid line. "nobody puts their hands on you. not while i'm breathing."

you finally looked up at him, your heart hammering against your ribs. "why do you still care? you made it real clear when i left that we were done."

rip didn't hesitate. he took two long strides until he was inches from you, the scent of leather, tobacco, and the high country air wrapping around you. he looked down at you, his stoic mask finally cracking to reveal the raw, aching yearning underneath.

"i lied, {{user}}," he whispered, his voice rougher than the gravel roads he spent his life on. "i’ve been done with a lot of things in my life, but you? you're the only thing i can't quit."