sky, flame and danger [sync/open]

[Onzy]

Bella made sure to have an early start to her day. Pulling the wet hair into a messy bun, she made her way downstairs and watched for a few minutes as the earth came alive with the dawn. She was dressed for comfort, meaning converse trainers, her favourite pair of breeches, and polo shirt. A light hoodie hung loosely around her, the sleeves pulled up her elbows. She had large sunglasses on, and the truck keys jangled in her hand. The Land Rover just need to have the fourth berth trailer hooked up and then all was done. A groom helped her with the trailer, and before long she was off.

It was to be an eight hour round trip, something that she was looking forward to. The solitude, the quiet, everything she needed at this point in time. The trip back though was something she was dreading. Three horses, two mares and a gelding, and a secret. Well, she had said she would pick up Awyr, Kian's gelding when she went to go fetch Danger and Fflam, and Bella couldn't back out of that now. Putting the radio station on some oldies classics, Bella allowed the sounds of the sixties to fill her and soon she was singing along.

Three hours later she arrived at the first destination. She was greeted by a large foreclosure sign, and once she had parked by the stables, an middle-aged woman and her daughter. Both looked saddened, but the daughter just looked angry. Morning, Bella greeted them, and went to lower the ramp of the College horse box. Fflam and Danger were ready to go, and the daughter led them out. The mother took Fflam, a grey mare, and went to stand with Bella. You'll take care of them? the woman asked, sadness in her vocals. They'll only have the best, she replied earnestly, and allowed the daughter and Danger to say their goodbyes.

Fflam was the first to load, but also took the longest. The stubborn mare wanted nothing to do with the trailer, but some coaxing later stepped calmly in the box. Danger followed with no hassle. Once hay nets were secure and water buckets placed, tack boxes loaded, and check exchanged, Bella got into the truck again just after eleven. The best of two hours behind schedule. Traffic had picked up on the way back, but she wasn't fazed. A camera had been placed in the horse box, and every now and then Bella checked on the horses. It seemed that Fflam was giving Danger some hassles, but nothing to major. The horses knew each other at least.

Just after lunch Bella pulled into the sanctuary where Kian's horse was. Awyr was chilled as could be, but his large size mean't some reshuffling. Danger and Fflam exchanged places, and Awyr took Fflam's old spot. Danger was led in behind Fflam and the kick bar was in place. An hour later Bella was on her way back to the College, and she had texted Kian when she left the sanctuary. Fflam was now giving poor Awyr hassles, and had somehow managed to nip the gelding twice. She phoned Andrew and asked him if he could come help at the stables, but he had refused. Moody horses and Kian was not what he wanted on a weekend.

Finally Bella was entering the College, her nerves now frayed with the horsebox swinging out every so often. The culprit was a kicking Fflam, and poor Awyr looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown. By the time she stopped in front of the stables, Bella's knuckles were white and she had to take a minute to breathe. Kian was there, and she shut down the ignition. Getting out of the truck, she nearly collapsed, but remained leaning against the truck. Never again, she stated firmly. Never bloody well again, she repeated.

[Sync]

A yawn swept through his frame, limbs stretching in the most delicious way. Sleep drifted unwillingly away from him, yet with every passing second he was feeling more awake. Today, he would be getting his own horse. For the first time, he'd have something to love and care for without having to give it back after a while. Something that was only his, nobody else's. The corner of his mouth twitched into a lazy, crooked grin. He realized, though it sounded possessive, that Bella was exactly what he described. He'd never say that to her though, he actually liked keeping his limbs. They came in useful. His thoughts strayed to Bella as he rolled over to look at the clock. She'd offered to pick up Awyr, and the horse she had purchased. He'd said he'd go too, but she insisted he stay. He didn't know why, but he didn't ask. Since his father had shown up, and Kian had defied his orders, the boy had been a lot more relaxed. He had taken to treasuring his time at the College, instead of taking advantage.

As if she'd heard him wondering where she was, Kian's phone buzzed arrogantly to alert him that Bella had texted him. She informed him that she was on her way back from the sanctuary that Awyr had previously lived at. Kian, reluctantly climbed out of bed and shuffled drowsily toward the bathroom. He showered quickly, and dressed in a simple light gray t-shirt and blue denim jeans. His feet slipped into his heavily worn in Doc Martens, re-adding to his mental checklist to buy a new pair. Every time he wore them, he thought the same thing. Every time he wore them, he forgot the same thing. Chuckling quietly to himself, he left his room, his wet thick, dark brown locks hanging heavily against his skull.

As soon as he left Dakota halls, he was treated by the glorious sight of the cheerful sun. It brightened his already good mood instantly, causing a genuine smile to light his handsome face. A face that could be so cold and distant most of the time, was filled with so much joy currently that it caused a few people to do a double take. He didn't scowl at their murmurings as he usually would, but didn't address them either. He continued toward the barn to where Bella would be arriving shortly. As he walked, he became aware of how warm it actually was. It seemed that Spring was definitely beginning to rear it's pretty face, though sometimes struck down by mother nature when she believed it was too soon. Many horses were now spending day and night in their pastures, and more and more people were using the trails. He, just yesterday, had borrowed Lady from Ieuan to head out on the trails. They'd turned back early though, there were just too many people on them. Still, that wasn't enough to put a dampener on the beautiful weather, and may as well make the most of it before it disappeared again, which was more than likely to happen and you expected it if you knew the tendency of British weather as well as Kian did.

Kian had been wandering up and down the length of the pastures, pausing to fuss over willing horses. Lady and Maddie thundered over to him as soon as they saw him, knowing that they would be showered with attention from the male. Laurence wandered over briefly, before leaving again to graze. Kian was scratching Lady under her thick made when the distant sound of a rumbling horse box filled the still air. Giving both mares a farewell pat, he jogged swiftly back toward the stables. Bella was just parking the vehicle when he made it to the yard. His brow lifted curiously when he saw her stressed out expression, glancing toward the box when another almighty kick sounded from inside it. He chuckled softly at her words, walking forward and slipping his arm around her waist. She looked shattered, and Kian regretted not insisting that he went with her. Pressing his lips into her temple, he then pulled back and looked at her with a small smirk. "That bad?" he asked, his hand moving to rub soothing circles in the small of her back. Yeah, he could be the caring boyfriend when he wanted to be. "C'mon, we've gotta get them out before you collapse from exhaustion." he said, pulling her gently to follow him around to the back of the horse box.

[Onzy]

Bella leaned into Kian as he slipped his arm around her. Just having him with her made it seem all better. She was still in the mindset that he could be leaving at any moment, but she knew that Kian was staying for good, at least she hoped so. He was a puzzle, one that she still had to figure out, but he was her puzzle. Bella knew that she was giving Fflam to Kian. They would do each other well, but she wondered if the mare wasn't going to kill Kian in a week. I'm not tired, just stressed. There's a difference, she said wearily. Putting Fflam in front had mean't trouble. The mare had mastered the act of a cow kick, and with Danger in foal, Bella had risked it. With regrets now of course.

Loosening the bolt, Bella, with Kian's help, lowered the ramp. Danger swung her head around, relief expressed in her eyes. Awyr looked like he was having a breakdown and Fflam looked content that she could make so many miserable. Danger didn't need any coaxing to walk down the ramp. This is Danger, Bella introduced the mare, handing the lead to Kian. Next came Fflam who kicked out as soon as she could, this time aiming for whoever was behind her. A pop on the flank only irritated the mare more. Bella just wanted to say to Kian that the mare was his and is now his issue.

Fflam managed to (purposefully) step on Bella's foot on the way out, causing the blond haired female to let go a string of curses. I'm putting it down to the drive, she grumbled, handing the second lead to Kian. Awyr was a gentle giant, and had no problems getting out of the trailer. Thank heavens for that. Facing Kian, Bella gave him a smile, You have in fact two horses my love. Awyr, and from me, Fflam. The grey. Bella handed Kian Awyr's lead, before taking Danger's.