Got me down.. [Onzy]

[Sync]

Ieuan disliked his parents. He wouldn't say he hated them, but what he felt toward them was pretty close to it. His father was a hard ass, picking holes in whatever Ieuan did wrong. You would never think that the man standing before him was Dafydd's brother. They were complete opposites. Where Dafydd only wanted to help and nurture people, Ieuan's father just wanted to bring them down. His expression was one of disdain as he watched his parents interact with Dafydd and the twins. Ieuan himself was holding Seth close to him, glancing down at his cousin slash godson with a look of pure affection. Who knew that kids were the way to the almost always unpleasant teenagers heart? When he looked up again, he met the eyes of his mother. Dianna smiled faintly, her heart swelling a little at the sight of her son cradling her nephew. Ieuan couldn't bring himself to return it though, but his expression remained soft as he looked at it. Scratch his earlier thought. He disliked his father. His mother? She was okay.

"Ieuan boy, you're awfully quiet." commented his father in an obnoxiously loud manner. Ieuan cringed, handing Seth back to Dafydd, and looked at his father. "Worrying about Laurence." he offered in a mumble, clenching and unclenching his fists. His uncle shot him a look as if to ask what was wrong with Ieuan's gelding, but the boy just shook his head. There was nothing wrong with the Arab, Ieuan just needed an excuse to get his father to drop it. His mother looked at him curiously also, but his father seemed to accept the excuse. What was really going on in his mind had nothing to do with his horses. The images swirled from Max, to Chris, to his anger directed at the former two and his parents. Closing his eyes and sucking in a deep breath, he managed to plaster a small smile on his lips as he turned to his mother. "Would you like to come and see the horses, Mum? Maddie will be pleased to see you." he asked, knowing his buckskin mare would be over the moon to see his mother. She had always had a soft spot for Dianna. His mother nodded vigorously, but then his father had to go and ruin it. "Come on then boy, lead the way." he smacked his son on the back, in what was supposed to be a 'friendly' gesture. Ieuan scowled, and cast his head down. He couldn't wait for them to leave this evening.

Dafydd had opted to stay inside and make the most of his time with his children. Ieuan didn't blame him. He wish he could do the same thing. Sighing softly, he placed his hand on top of his mothers that was clutching his forearm as they walked. His mother shot him a warm grin, that Ieuan this time returned with little effort. Taking back another previous statement, Ieuan decided that he loved his mother. Sure, he'd treated her like crap over the years. But she was still always there for him. His expression turned a little sheepish as he remembered how he behaved when he first arrived at Blue Ridge Academy. Boy, had things changed since then. Shaking his head slightly, he winced as the movement caused his sides to contract painfully. Yeah, they still weren't healed. Waving off a concerned look from his mother, he made the mental note to ask Dafydd when his next hospital appointment was. Unless it was tomorrow, he was pretty sure he had to move it forward. They passed no more than four students as they walked toward the barn. Though the summer was drawing to a close rapidly, and a few students had returned to campus, there were still many away. Ieuan could not say that he wasn't glad. It was nice to be in the peace and quiet for a while, especially after the year he'd been having.

The barn was pretty much empty as they arrived, many students and teachers alike must have taken advantage of the nice weather and gone to ride, or were out in the pastures with their horses. All three of his were currently inside after the rainfall last night, their coats too thin to handle the cold of the water. He hadn't got around to buying summer sheets for the three. His mother made a beeline for a nickering Maddie as soon as her narrow cranium appeared over the door. Ieuan smiled fondly, but it was quickly erased. "Ridiculous." his father grunted, glaring at the way his wife was interacting with the horse. Ieuan snorted with distaste, shooting a glare at his father. "Don't be such an ass. She hasn't seen that mare in over a year. Let her have a little time with her without you interrupting. he spat angrily, meeting his father's fiery gaze head on. After an intense staring battle, Owaine eventually looked away. With a huff, he reluctantly walked toward the stall that held an indifferent Laurence, who promptly ignored the approaching male. His father huffed in impatience, turning his attention to the pretty gray Arabian beside her bay neighbor. Lady was more than happy to receive attention from the man, though her eyes stayed trained on her owner. Willing him to come over and fuss her too. "So, boyfriend?" his father suddenly asked, causing Ieuan to look at him in horror. There was no way he was having that discussion with him. No way, no how.

[Onzy]

Bella was spending the day with the horses. It seemed that even with the Summer holidays drawing to a close, students were trying to return as late as possible. She hadn't gone anywhere so she wasn't worried about missing the start of term. Even with most students gone, she had gotten wind of visiting parents, Ieuan's parents to be exact, and she was trying to stay as far away from that blow up as possible. Kian had told her stories, informed her of Ieuan's standing with his parents, and she knew what it was like to have parents that couldn't be more bothered. So the divorce had gone through, whoop dee doo, but so far she hadn't heard anything from her father or mother. Her younger brothers wrote almost daily, sending emails and such, Andrew trying to phone every second day and Alexi being the surrogate and sending her texts almost every 6 hours. Thankfully Dafydd had assumed the father position in her life, and was doing a great job of it.

A light rain had fallen the day before, forcing Bella to keep in her horses, mainly because their hair was too thin to withstand the cold and the summer sheets had been torn in a recent paddock game. Manor was always her steady mount, and she rested in his stall, reading a novel and generally just musing over life. It had been about a week since that fated outride where she had lost all sense with Kian and one thing had led to another. It was fantastic and scary at the same time, and it was just different being around Kian now. A rustle in the sawdust alerted Bella to Manor lying down, the black gelding more than happy for a respite in his workload. Lazy bones, she said fondly to the gelding, her own mind so focused on the horse and book, she didn't notice the rather tanned figure at the stall door. You know Bella, maybe you should get rid of the fuzz in your brain and say hi to your friends, Max said, grinning like an idiot.

After a long summer in sunny places, Max was looking every bit the tanned and omg-he's-so-hot male that he knew he was. It felt good to be back, but he wasn't in the mood to face anyone apart from his best friend, horses and uncle. The force with which he hugged made him lose his balance slightly. When did you land? Why didn't you call? How was it? It's good to have you back! came the assault of questions from Bella's mouth. It had been a lonely time without her friend, and she was glad to have him back. Closing the stall door, Bella not having a care in the world about who heard her little outburst of squealing and questioning.

About an hour ago. I lost my phone and didn't bother to replace it. It was fantastic. It's good to be back, he answered, knowing that this was going to be a good, long catch up session. Just then they heard voices in the aisle further up and both looked to see who it was. Bella didn't look surprised, but a dark cloud passed over Max's face. He didn't want to see Ieuan. His heart was still in tatters after the break up of sorts, and he wondered if Ieuan felt the same. He has been like a bear with a sore head the whole holiday. It was hard enough to resist slapping him, now I just want to knock your heads together to help you two realise that you love each other, Bella said, her tone blunt, but she was simply stating the facts.

I don't know anymore dearest, Max answered, his face frowning as he absorbed Ieuan from afar after three long months. If this was hell then he was living it.

[Sync]

Thankfully, his father dropped the subject as soon as it became apparent that Ieuan wasn't going to answer it. Instead, Owaine focused his attention on the mare in front of him. He'd never been one for horses like his son and wife, but being this close to Lady made him realize the appeal. The pretty mare had an adorable nature and wanted to please all those who even glanced her way. She had her head pressed firmly against the tall mans chest, enjoying the blunt nails that scratched methodically under her mane. Ieuan suppressed a pleased smile, before walking a little down the aisle and leaning against the bare wall on the other side of Maddie's stall. The mare didn't even glance at him, too intent on Dianna, who was currently cooing at her lovingly.

"How have you really been?" Dianna asked suddenly, in a soft voice that only her son could here. Ieuan looked at her in surprise, but his expression fell all the same. "Awful mum. I honestly don't think it can get any worse from here." He told her brokenly, in an equally quiet manner as her own words. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Ieuan, causing the boy to look down to stop himself from doing the same. "Oh baby, I'm so sorry." she murmured, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his arm. Ieuan looked up at her gratefully, before flinching when his father's booming vocals sounded once again. "What are you two whispering about?" he demanded, but both mother and son stayed silent, communicating with their eyes. Owaine didn't need to hear the conversation that had just occurred. Nobody did.

His father had left the stables briefly, complaining about needing a cigarette. Ieuan's body automatically went to follow, giving into the craving that he was also feeling, before stopping short. Voices drifted down from him further up the aisle, both startlingly familiar and neither he wanted to hear. Slowly pivoting on his heel, he looked up and immediately caught the eye of Max. His chest compressed painfully, causing the boy to grimace. What struck him the most was how healthy looking the boy he used to - and truthfully still did - love was looking. Tanned, no longer tired eyes framed with heavy bags. Ieuan could still see the expression of sadness on the other boys face, but it wasn't as glaringly obvious as it had been. In fact, if you didn't know the male well enough and were not looking for anything else, Max looked happy. Ieuan's expression fell back into an unreadable mask, turning to his mother and removing all contact from both Max and Bella. "I'm going to get the horses feed." he told her in monotone, not waiting for her response before picking up the three buckets stacked within one another.

He passed by Bella and Max without a glance, his pace faster than it usually would be. His sides protested angrily, but Ieuan refused to acknowledge it. He needed to be alone, at least for a little while. He needed to scrape back the last threads of control he had. Sweeping into the feed room, he glanced around to see if it was empty. It was. Kicking the door shut after himself, he dropped down onto the small stool on the right hand side of the door. All it had taken was one glance, and Max had destroyed the hastily put back together control he had over himself. Seams unstitched themselves rapidly, causing the boy to bury his head into his hands and allow silent tears to roll down his face. He'd never been one for crying, and even during this whole year of hell, he'd only allowed himself to do it maximum of four times. Even then, it was probably the most controlled crying anyone had ever witnessed. He hated showing weakness. His hands found purchase in his hair, tugging at it in an almost violent manner. "What do I do?" he muttered desperately. "What do I f**king do?" This time it came out with a lot more force, a hiss trailing out at the end of the question. Without a doubt, he was screwed. Again.

[Onzy]

Bella and Max weren't arguing with words, but rather with their eyes and actions. Max seemed to have come loose again when he saw Ieuan, knowing that it probably wasn't the best to have come back. He should have left rather, allowing Ieuan to carry on with his life. Of course it would be seen as running again, but he really didn't know what to do. He knew it was possible to love two people at the same time, he was going through that, and unlike popular belief, Max didn't love one more than the other. Where Ieuan was the poison that infiltrated him, the drug that made him addicted, and the physical harming device, Chris was the antidote and rehab. Max was confused. He needed them both for some reason, and he only had himself to blame for the problems in his life. The urge to go outside was great and he was about to storm off when Ieuan brushed past him. Go after him Bella mouthed, not wanting to get further into this than she already was.

As Max was shaking his head in the negative, his feet were following Ieuan a good distance behind. He flinched when the door slammed shut, and he wasn't sure if he should go in. In the end he did, hearing the final question that Ieuan had posed himself. Max wasn't sure what he should do or say, but he placed himself in the firing line. Kneeling in front of an angry Ieuan, in the line of his fists, Max was risking more than their feelings. I'm sorry. I can't say it enough, but I'm sorry. You are the last person I wanted to hurt Ieuan, he said, loud enough for only the male in front of him to hear. I didn't want to go on holiday alone. You hardly left my mind in these weeks that have gone by. All I can replay in my mind was the way we said goodbye, Max carried on, not caring what Ieuan was doing or muttering. He needed the male to hear what he was saying.

Bella watched Max's retreating form. She walked over to Biscuit, the curious gelding friendly enough and wanting the attention. She absentmindedly fed the coloured gelding carrots, wondering what Max was saying to Ieuan. This was not something she wanted to have gotten involved in, but her luck had tied her Ieuan in more ways than one. There was Max, but Kian was his best friend, and then she was godmother to Dafydd's twins. It was an interesting situation nonetheless, but frankly she had better things to do than sort out other people's love life.

[Sync]

Dianna watched as the two teens interacted a little ways away from herself. No words passed between them, something that the elder woman found fascinating. She watched as the boy reluctantly followed her son, a brow quirked at how quickly the female had gotten the boy to co-operate. Her critical gaze turned on the female, assessing her briefly before coming to the conclusion that this was Bella. It was the girl that both Kian and Dafydd had spoken so highly of, her description from both men had been fairly accurate. But Kian had used cruder words than Dianna's brother in law. Shaking her head fondly at the thought of the mischievous boy, her attention returned to Maddie as she came to another conclusion that the boy with Bella had been Max. It would explain Ieuan's dramatic reaction. Deciding to stay out of it, she kept her attention divided between Maddie and awaiting the return of her husband. She'd leave the teenagers to sort it out, Ieuan would come to her when he was ready. She hoped.

Ieuan heard Max enter after him, he didn't even have to look up to know that it was him. After all these years, he just knew when he was around. He visibly flinched when he saw how close Max was as he opened his eyes. At Max's words, a temper automatically flared up inside him but he slammed it back down. He didn't need to make the situation worse, anyone could tell you that. Instead of growing angrier, he found himself slumping in defeat. So much had happened over the last year, he wondered why he hadn't had a nervous breakdown. Looking Max in the eye, he cleared his throat a little before going to reply. "I know, Max. I really do. Neither of us meant for all this shit to happen." He said quietly, his vocals obviously worn out.

His hands automatically reached out to cup Max's jaw, his finger caressing it softly. His heart twinged as he realized how much he'd missed doing that. Leaning forward to press his forehead to Max's, he took a deep breath before speaking again. "I just can't do this anymore Max. All of it. This summer, I honestly thought of moving back with my parents. It was only the thought of leaving you again that kept me here." he told him, before pulling back abruptly and dropping his hands from his loved ones face as if it burned him. A horrified expression took over as he realized what he'd been doing. How was that keeping away from Max? He'd been moments away from kissing him. Standing stiffly, he eased past where Max was kneeling on the floor whilst leaving as much room as possible between them. Rushing toward the door, he wrenched it open before pretty much tumbling out of it.

Desperation flashed across his features as he stood outside the room, his whole body shaking violently. He had no idea what to do now. He couldn't go back into the feed room, not with Max still there. The thought of rejoining his parents made him whimper softly in protest. That wasn't an appealing option. He frantically looked for an option from where he stood outside the room he'd just vacated, his gaze flickering to Bella on more than one occasion. He had no doubt she'd have something to say on the matter. She always did. A groan of frustration built up in his throat as he chose to walk deeper into the barn, to an area less populated by students as it had more of faculties equines than anything. His feet carried him to the stall he knew held Andy, Dafydd's gelding, hobbling slightly as his sides protested with the sudden, fast paced walk. This just could not carry on.

Not proud of this in the slightest,
blame Ieuan who was just being difficult.

[Onzy]

Max shivered at Ieuan's touch. The reactions that he had when he was around the male was the same as always. He missed Ieuan's touch, the need to be close to him, and the feeling that the male was all his. There wasn't any of that though when he was around Chris. He had realised that his feelings for the younger male was love, but not in the same way that he loved Ieuan. Chris had become more like a brother, but not a lover. It seemed a natural order that he and Ieuan would be together, but not now. Ieuan seemed to have made up his mind. His grey oracles peered into the other males as Ieuan leaned his forehead against his own. The words stung, but did not hurt as much as his carefully pieced together heart which was slowly breaking apart again. Then Ieuan left him, and Max was left kneeling in front of an empty space. Silent tears flowed down his cheeks, and he drew up a fist. His nails bit into the flesh, drawing blood and Max put all his anger into hitting the wall. Shit! he groaned as he inspected his hand. Angry streaks of red liquid seeped, and a throbbing formed in all his knuckles. He could hardly move his hand, but he did not move from the position he was in.

Bella had seen Ieuan leave the tack room, but no Max following. This whole saga was becoming a tad ridiculous and she was on the point of putting those two in a room and locking the door until they sorted out their hassles. Making a cautious pace to the room, she peered into it. Max? she whispered, wrapping her arms around the silent figure. She didn't offer any words of encouragement, but rather let her friend get rid of the emotion he welled so deep inside of him. It just hurts to watch him walk away, Max whispered to her, his voice hoarse with raw emotion. What could she say to that? She had seen what they did to each other, and they still loved each other. You should go after him, but first we need to get your hand strapped up, she said, hoping that she wasn't giving the wrong advice.

Screw the hand, he muttered, getting up with a firm resolve to get his lover back. His hand throbbed painfully, but he went in the general direction that he thought Ieuan went. He followed the muttered whispers of grooms and a few students, finding Ieuan in front of a stall that was taken up by one of Dafydd's horses. Ieuan, he whispered from next to the male. Ieuan, I love you, he said, turning the male's face to him with his uninjured hand. He gazed steadily into the other's eyes before moving his face closer and kissing Ieuan softly. God, I missed doing that, he whispered.