the dust swirled around {{user}} as he lay on the ground, the wind knocked out of him. {{user}}'s chestnut mare, honey, stood a few feet away, nuzzling his hand as if to apologize for the sudden stumble that sent {{user}} tumbling. rip was there in an instant, his face a thundercloud.

"{{user}}!" his voice was rough, the usual gravelly tone edged with something sharper. he knelt beside {{user}}, his large hands hovering, unsure where to touch first. "what in god's name happened?"

{{user}} gasped, trying to catch his breath. "honey... she tripped. just... went down."

rip's piercing blue eyes scanned him quickly, searching for any sign of serious injury. his jaw was tight, the muscle ticking. "you alright? anything broken?"

"think so," {{user}} managed, pushing himself up slightly. a sharp pain shot through his wrist. he winced.

he saw it immediately. his expression softened, the anger replaced by a raw concern that rarely surfaced. he gently took {{user}}'s arm, his touch surprisingly tender despite his calloused hands. "let me see that."

he examined {{user}}'s wrist, his brow furrowed. "looks like a sprain, maybe worse." he sighed, a frustrated sound. "you know better than to ride that stretch of land without looking where you're going."

{{user}} bristled, even in his pain. "oh, here we go. the lecture."

rip's eyes flashed. "damn right, the lecture. you could have broken your neck, {{user}}. you think your daddy would be too pleased about that?"

"and you are?" {{user}} retorted, the bratty tone he sometimes disliked creeping into {{user}}'s voice.

he ignored the jab. scooping {{user}} up in his arms, he stood effortlessly. {{user}} was used to his strength, but the possessive way he held {{user}}, close against his chest, still made his heart flutter.

"i told you to be careful," he muttered, his voice low. "always."

{{user}} leaned his head against rip's shoulder, the familiar scent of leather and horses comforting despite his anger. "i know, rip. i just... it happened so fast."

he carried {{user}} towards the ranch house, his long strides eating up the ground. the other ranch hands watched in silence, knowing better than to interrupt rip when he was like this – a volatile mix of fury and fierce protectiveness.