Relaxation ]Syncydoodle[

[Myssi]

It wasn't often that Wes took the time to relax off of a horse. After all, he was in control of the world when the reins were in his hands, both figuratively and literally, considering how it was no secret how much his beloved mounts meant to him. Abby was like his mentor, for she had guided him faithfully over the years. Bush was his brother, and Jolly and Oak where his adopted children.

Of course, Abby made sure everyone knew she was in charge of the family, but when Oak had been introduced, she'd been surprisingly gentle on the new Aussie Stock. Bush had regarded the youngster through his bushy (no pun intended) black forelock with a plainly bored expression on his face, clearly barely containing his joy at the sight of the new arrival. Jolly already tagged on his heels like a lovestruck colt, and now there were two of them.

But, Jolly took to the youngster, and Oak to him. Soon, the buckskin and the bay were inseperable, and had become somewhat of a nusicence to Abby. Oak had seemed to have a fascination with the small mare, and Jolly was now becoming bold with tormenting the black horse.

Wes had observed his herd with a grin on his face after Oak was introduced. But now, everything seemed normal as he stretched out on the grassy green carpet, drizzling rain sprinkling his face.

Australia was hot and unbearable where England was cool and misty. The change was dramatic, for the equines, and for Wes. No longer did they have to constantly snort out dust, or eat barely living, crunchy, dry grass. They didn't sweat standing still in meager shade. To say that Bush, Abby, and Jolly enjoyed the change would be an understatement. Wes wasn't sure about Oak, but the colt seemed to generally enjoy himself.

Wes himself liked this weather, which is how he'd ended up barefoot looking up at the dark, clouded sky, clad in his regular jeans and faded grey shirt. He was content to just watch the twisting grey wisps float by, his ears filled with the sounds of Oak and Jolly playing, Abby squealing at the pair, and Bush ignoring his herd, prefering to stay near Wes.

The boy turned his head to gaze at the bay gelding, who flipped a nonchalant ear in his general direction lazily. With a swish of a tail and a step, though, it was clear his mind was on the next patch of grass, not Wes. The teenager only wished he could be so simpleminded at times.

Jonah was a constant battle of conflict to the boy, and he tried to keep the older male off his mind, but his attempts were almost always unsuccessful. The burly rugby-playing blond had an annoying tendancy to occupy every spare corner of Wes' brain. And, to put matters into even more complicated perspectives, Wes didn't even know what the two of them were.

Sometimes, he really wished he was a horse.

[Sync]

Their postures were tense, oracles locked with one another as they stared each other down. Their breathing was labored, but it didn't dim the fire ablaze in their eyes. Sweat dripped down the sides of Cougar, and trickled slowly along Jonah's jaw line. An hour solid of work in the round pen was beginning to take it's tole, and soon the match would be over. As hard as Jonah was pushed by others, and by himself, on the rugby pitch and in the gym, it was nothing compared to the work out that this feisty gelding could give him. Both craved being the boss, and neither backed down. It was a constant clash of ego, that was destined to go unsolved. Suddenly, just as Jonah debated giving up, Cougar's shoulders slumped in defeat. He lowered his cranium and took slow, deliberate steps toward his owner. Stopping right in front of Jonah, he outstretched his neck and pressed his head against his master's. The two stood there for a while, content to just let the slightly sentimental moment engulf them.

The trance was broken when the impatient bark of a certain Red Setter interrupted. Cougar pulled his head away, his audits flickering in a interested manner. He zeroed in on Spring, pawing at the ground briefly before charging toward her. The canine held her ground on the other side of the gate, before the handsome equine got to close. She danced backwards in a manner that screamed annoyance, an almost scowl gracing her features. Jonah rolled his eyes, before sauntering over lazily to the gate. Clipping the lead rope that had been slung over his shoulder onto Cougar's head collar, he began to lead him back to his pasture, Spring and his Foxhound, Autumn, trailing behind with their noses firmly planted on the ground. The weather was that strange mix of going into spring but unable to let go of winter just yet. Though it wasn't as cold as it usually was, and Park was having some exceptionally warm days, today it was raining slightly. The moisture did nothing to cool down both Jonah and Cougar though, the pair were still lightly perspiring, causing Jonah's gray t-shirt to cling to his torso. As soon as he released his steed into the pasture, Cougar took off on a canter and began then dropped himself down onto the ground. He then began to roll vigorously to try cool himself, causing the male to chuckle. Spring watched the equine with disdain, but Autumn looked as if she was itching to join in. Before she could, Jonah called her and Spring to follow.

Jonah's mind, now that it wasn't preoccupied by his temperamental gelding, was filled with images of Wes. His jaw tightened slightly, his blue oracles darkening with frustration. Their relationship was confusing, Jonah had no idea what he wanted. He knew it was even worse for Wes, but the male just couldn't make up his mind and put the one he loved out of his misery. It was true, Jonah believed he loved Wes. But part of him loved his image more. As much as he wanted to put it behind him, he just couldn't. Most of it was out of fear of his father finding out. A scowl pulled at his expression, not going unnoticed by his faithful companion, Autumn. The Foxhound was so in tune with her master, and even the slightest change in his manner alerted her. A soft whine sounded from her, and she trotted froward from her spot beside Spring to soothe him. Her muzzle pressed against his hand and he scratched her audits gently as he thought whether to sought out Wes or go back to the dorms.

The decision was made for him when he drew nearer to the pasture that held Wes's horses. He sat in the pasture, watching his four pride and joys, seemingly oblivious to what was going on around him. A smile instantly brightened Jonah's expression when he caught sight of the male and he came to a sudden halt. He watched Wes from afar briefly, staring at him openly and unabashed. Autumn danced on her paws, eager to go and greet the male, but wouldn't go until she was allowed. Spring was completely disinterested, and had turned back in the opposite direction to investigate some foliage that was actually of interest. Finally, unable to keep quiet any longer, he deep, baritone vocals broke the silence. "Hey Wes." he said simply, walking forward heavily. There was no way you could call Jonah graceful, he didn't know how to be in the slightest. Autumn took her master's movements as encouragement and easily slipped under the fence and into the pasture. She avoided the horses and made a beeline toward Wes, dancing around him in and excited fashion. Jonah smiled slightly, though affectionate in nature, she didn't make that much fuss for anyone except for Jonah. And now apparently Wes. Obviously he had more than one admirer at the college.

[Myssi]

Wes opened his eyes when he heard heavy footsteps approaching the pasture, lifting the brown pair towards the fence when his name was called by an all-to-familier voice. Rasing himself into sitting position, he smiled at the sight of Jonah's foxhound bounding toward him. The Australian ruffled the female's ears roughly, vigorously rubbing his hands over the soft, short coat. He raised himself to his feet, and began to make his way over to Jonah and the fence. Bush lifted his head and began to plod after his slim owner, still moving as Wes stopped to lean against the fence. He then draped his large cranium over Wes' shoulder, snorting and pricking his ears at the rugby player.

Wes blew a strand of hair out of his eyes, rolling the orbs at the gelding. "I told you that you aren't a parrot." The bay horse paid him no mind as his attention remained solely on Jonah. Wes shook his head, meeting Jonah's eyes along with the gesture.

Abby pricked her ears at Jonah, but before she could offer a reaction to him, Jolly and Oak were charging at her. She squealed at the pair, bucking and kicking as they approached. The mare was small, and already Oak seemed to be catching her fast, and Jolly as well. But her speed was well ahead of the youngsters when she sped off, ears pinned against her skull.

Wes studied Jonah quietly, seeming to gather how tired his... something or other was. "Have you been working with Cougar?" he questioned, his tone as soft and careful as always. He knew of Cougar's temperment issues, and often found himself chuckling at the gelding's clever antics. He would make a good cow pony if he'd been given the proper training. Jonah himself probably would've been good at any sort of Western work... Except pole-bending or barrel racing, but working with the cattle and such could be a welcome challenge to the tall male.