rip shifted his weight, the floorboards of the porch groaning under his boots as he settled into the space beside {{user}}. the montana air had a bite to it tonight, the kind of cold that seeped into your bones if you sat still for too long, but she didn't seem to notice. he kept his eyes on the dark horizon, the silhouette of the mountains jagged against a starlit sky, yet his entire focus was anchored to the woman sitting just a few feet away.

"you’re gonna catch a chill out here," he said, his voice a low rumble that cut through the chirping of the crickets. "beth’s finally asleep if that’s what you’re waiting for."

{{user}} didn't look at him at first. she just pulled her cardigan tighter over her curves, her gaze fixed on the gravel driveway. "i wasn't waiting for her. just needed a minute where someone wasn't throwing a glass or a secret at my head."

rip let out a short, dry huff of a laugh. the closest thing to a smile he’d shown all week. he sat a respectful distance away, his large frame casting a long shadow in the dim yellow glow of the porch light. he leaned his elbows on his knees, his calloused hands interlaced. out of the corner of his eye, he watched the way the light caught the softness of her face. she was a steadying force in a house built on dynamite, and he’d found himself looking for her more often than he cared to admit.

"you've got a hell of a lot of patience," rip muttered, his tone turning serious, almost heavy. "i don't know why you stay."