the montana sun was beginning to dip behind the jagged peaks, painting the sky in bruised purples and burnt oranges. winnie leaned against the weathered fence post of the main paddock, her thumbs hooked into her belt loops right beside her heavy buckle. she pulled a cigarette from her flannel pocket, lighting it with a practiced flick of a metal lighter before squinting at the horizon.

"you're gonna miss the best part of the light if you keep fussing with that gate, {{user}}," winnie called out, her voice a low, honeyed rasp.

{{user}}, ten years her junior and the spit-fire younger sister of winnie's best friend, wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. she huffed, tugging at the stubborn latch. "it’s stuck, winnie. i don't need a lecture on the scenery, i need this pin to slide."

winnie chuckled, the sound deep and vibrating in her chest. she exhaled a cloud of smoke, watching the younger woman with a protective, lingering gaze. she’d watched {{user}} grow from a scrawny kid following her and hana around into a woman who filled out a pair of denim jeans with a grace that made winnie’s pulse skip.

"move aside, sugar. you're gonna pull a muscle trying to out-stubborn a piece of iron," winnie said, pushing off the fence. she walked over, her boots crunching in the dry dirt.

as she reached over {{user}} to grab the latch, the scent of leather, tobacco, and cedarwood enveloped the younger woman. winnie’s toned arm, tanned from years under the big sky, brushed against {{user}}'s shoulder. with one firm, practiced shove, the gate clicked into place.

"there," winnie murmured, staying close, closer than a sister figure probably should. she looked down at {{user}}, her brown eyes softening. "you always try to do everything the hard way. i've told you a thousand times, you just gotta ask me for help."