Gavin was anxious as he approached the stables with Nines at his side. It was his first time visiting since the accident. He'd heard what happened. Blossom had lamed herself on the way back as she'd run through the forest. Maybe she'd caught her foot on something. Maybe she'd slipped and fallen or scraped her leg while jumping a fence. No one could say, because no one had been there. They'd called the vet, and the prognosis hadn't been good. Despite leaning towards a recommendation to put her down, Joe had managed to convince him to give her a chance. With constant care and a lot of rest, he was sure he could mend her.

"I'm sure she misses you," Nines encouraged as he waited for Gavin to keep walking. He had two carrots clutched in his good hand, gripping them tightly as he tried to settle his nerves. She might not be too pleased to see him. She might know it was his fault she got hurt. What if she resented him? What if she wasn't getting better, and the vet came back to put her down? Joe might be pissed and tell him to leave. He had that right. He'd almost gotten his favourite girl killed. Nines' hand on his lower back gave him an encouraging nudge.

Gavin swallowed the fear as he limped his way forward, climbing the gentle slope to the stables. He hesitated again in the doorway, looking around almost warily. Joe was there, petting Blossom's nose and neck as he fed her a little straw. Upon seeing Gavin and Nines, Blossom whinnied loudly and kicked her stall door, bowing her head and nudging Joe's chest. Gavin's heart about leapt into his throat. Did that mean she was scared? Was she pissed? Joe chuckled as he held her cheeks and steadied her.

"Whoa there! You'll hurt your leg again, you silly mare! What's got you so excited, hm?" Joe asked as he ruffled her neck and chided her. He looked over towards the doorway and Gavin's shoulders dropped like a kid who'd been sent to the principal's office. He felt small and meek as he waited for permission to come closer. "Gavin! You're up!" He was surprised to hear such excitement in Joe's tone. He's not angry? "Look at this, Lady Blossom! Gavin's come to see you!" Blossom kicked her door and snorted her agreement.

"He hasn't been strong enough to come out recently," Nines excused for him as he encouraged him forward. He felt stiff and reluctant as Nines' hand steadily pushed him along. "We went into town earlier and found a vegetable stall...He thought some carrots might help her get better." It was a good thing Nines was doing the talking, because Gavin couldn't form a single word. His mouth felt dry, vocal cords frozen in place. His green eyes darted up at Blossom uncertainly. She nodded and nosed closer, still baying mournfully.

"We were awfully worried when Mr Kamski brought you back. You looked like you were at death's door!" Joe exclaimed as he patted Blossom's neck to calm her. Nines' eyes widened at the news. So Chloe's letter was as urgent as it seemed..."She's been inconsolable, really! She hardly ate for the first two days. I think she might blame herself, you know...Horses are smart creatures. They understand a lot more than we realise." Gavin winced at the thought. Did she really think it was her fault? He was the one who'd fallen asleep in the rain and left her tied to a tree. He was the one who'd mounted her and steered her in the wrong direction, blindly racing further into the forest. She must have been terrified, running around in that thunderstorm.

"Phck no! You better not be thinking shit like that, you hear me? That was my fault! I'm the dumbass human who took you out there and went crazy because of a little rain!" Blossom snorted, and it almost sounded like an objection to Gavin's ears. "Don't you give me that shit! I'm the human. I'm responsible for you, alright?" Nines and Joe both smiled as Gavin stepped up to hold her nose against his chest. He almost seemed like he was about to tear up as he stepped back and rubbed her forehead. "I even made you hurt yourself. Shit, I'm sorry..." The first carrot seemed enough of an apology to placate her. She bit the tip with a loud crunch and chewed as Gavin continued to pat her neck. He stroked her forehead as she nudged closer and snuffled his chest, running his fingers through her black mane.

"What's her prognosis? Did the vet return yet?" Nines asked quietly, watching Gavin stiffen at the question. It was one he was afraid to ask himself. He swallowed the lump in his throat, repeating little prayers over and over as he waited for Joe's response.

"We were worried for the first couple of days, but the original swelling that caused it seems to have gone down...You can look for yourselves." Joe clicked his tongue like a summons as he pulled the bolt of Blossom's stall and opened the door. She was well behaved as always as she stepped out, picking her feet up as usual. There was a binding on her front right leg, from her hoof to her knee. She snorted and scraped the ground, raising her leg almost as if showing them. "It was hard to tell through the swelling if there was a fracture or not, but now it's gone down, I think she could be in the clear...She's walking a lot better, though we don't let her do too much. Best cure for lameness is rest," Joe added as he stroked down her leg and ran a hand over the bandage. He was no vet, but he swore she was getting better every day.

"Phck, it's a shame Connor's not here. He could tell us, right?" Nines nodded. His brother had dealt with horses a few times. They were still used for carriages, even though cars were gradually taking over. Unfortunately, with working horses, it was often the case they'd be put down for lameness. There was no point keeping a horse that may not be strong enough to pull a carriage after recovery. A high risk with Blossom was her age. She was sixteen. Old in horse years, though she was clearly young at heart as she snagged the second carrot from Gavin's hand.

"The vet's actually coming along soon, if you want to stick around. Blossom has certainly missed you." That much was obvious from the way she was nosing into his chest and snorting for attention. Gavin chuckled gleefully as he stroked and patted her glossy flank. She really liked it when he dug his fingers into her back and scratched around her hind legs. "And I'm sure Goliath missed you, too," Joe added as he looked at Nines. Nines huffed fondly as he dug into his pocket. He hadn't forgotten Goliath on their trip to the market.

"Goliath," Nines called as he approached the stall. He heard a low snort and heavy plodding hooves before his large black head appeared. He nodded and scraped the ground in greeting as Nines stepped up and stroked his nose. "Did you miss me?" He got a nudge and snuff of agreement. "I missed you, too." Not as much as Gavin, but he was sure Goliath would understand that. He chuckled as he felt Goliath's lips snag his jacket. "You're a clever boy..." Goliath was over the moon as Nines reached into his pocket and pulled out an apple.

It was a dark red colour and filled his palm like a cricket ball. It was the biggest, reddest one he'd been able to find. Homegrown in England. He rubbed Goliath's large neck as he bit into the apple with a loud crunch and snorted happily. It seemed it had his seal of approval. He munched through the first mouthful in seconds before returning to finish it. Nines murmured a few more words before returning to Gavin, who was anxiously waiting for the vet to arrive. It didn't take too long. The smartly dressed man in an overcoat came striding up wearing boots and carrying a bag and rifle, just in case. Gavin swallowed at the sight.

"Good afternoon, Arthur!" Joe called in greeting.

"Hello, Joe. How has she been?" Arthur asked as he stopped a little way off and set his bag and rifle down. He groaned as he straightened up. He was getting too old to deal with these larger animals, but needs must. His apprentices were both away. One of them had already been reported missing in action. Joe stepped in beside Gavin to hold Blossom's reins, soothing her nerves as Arthur approached. She knew him, but she didn't know him well. He also only seemed to turn up when she was in pain, so she didn't exactly have a positive association. He was at least polite enough to bring her an apple.

"I'm no vet, of course, but I think she's getting better. The swelling's gone down, and she's walking again." Upon request, Joe took the reins and had Blossom walk a length by Arthur as he appraised her with thoughtful eyes. There was a definite limp in her step as she walked, but it was an improvement on his first visit. She'd barely put weight on the swollen joint then, making an examination nigh on impossible. She'd flinched and kicked with each small touch.

"She can hold some weight on it, that's for sure...I'll have to examine it to confirm, though." Joe held her steady, patting and calming her as Arthur crouched at her side and peeled off the tight binding. It must have been sore. She backed up and hopped, trying to get away from his searching fingers. "Hold her steady..." Gavin stepped in on the other side, wrapping an arm across her chest and stroking her neck with comforting rubs. She calmed a little, conscious of hurting Gavin if she reared. "Almost-almost..." Arthur seemed to understand her impatience and discomfort as he finally got to his feet and stepped away, wiping his hands on a towel.

"Is she alright? She'll get better, right?" Gavin's brow creased as he continued to pet and soothe Blossom. Arthur regarded him curiously. He knew he wasn't a member of the household or staff. It didn't take him long to realise he was a patient from the mansion. The family had rented out the estate for a little extra money, and to help in the war effort. It was good for their reputation, and their ailing bank accounts. The war had been hard on the country, and old money was running out for some families.

"I can't say for sure just now...She's getting on in years. That's her main problem. The good thing is I can't feel any breaks or obvious fractures. She's walking on it better than before, so that's a good sign, and she seems in good spirits." Blossom snorted at that, stepping closer to Gavin and bowing over his shoulder, almost as if embracing him. Gavin wrapped his arms around her neck in return, nuzzling and stroking with a few gentle words. "I'll come back in a couple of weeks for a final check. Until then, keep things as they are. Plenty of food and rest, minimal exercise, and absolutely no riding!" Joe nodded his agreement, though Blossom stamped and snorted her objection.

"Hey! Language!" Gavin chided with a huff, chuckling as he stroked and teased her glossy fur.

"I understand, Arthur. Thank you for coming all the way out here." Arthur nodded, quietly handing Joe a small vial of medication to help with the swelling. "You hear that, Lady Blossom? A little more rest, and you'll be out in no time!" She still didn't seem best pleased, snorting resentfully and nosing Joe's chest as she nipped his shirt sleeve. "Come on now, you know the added weight on your back would hurt your leg. You need to get better first." Gavin chuckled as she returned her attention to his shoulder and patted her sympathetically.

"Don't look at me. I'm on his side! Two weeks, alright? And if the doc gives you the all clear, we'll take you out, alright?" She scraped and snorted as if she didn't believe him. "Promise." She seemed placated as she allowed Joe to kneel with a fresh binding. Gavin thought she was incredibly patient as she stood on three legs and let Joe rest her fourth across his knee. Gavin patted her the whole time, watching as Joe tightly wrapped and tied the bandage.

"Alright, Lady Blossom, look here. Arthur left some medicine to help with the swelling, so you get an extra treat today." Blossom seemed unconvinced as Joe wandered off to find a piece of fruit. Gavin chuckled and grabbed her reins, resting his forehead against hers as he patted her down. He could absolutely hear her grumbling under her breath.

"Shut up and take your medicine," he teased as he continued to fuss. Nines chuckled quietly as he watched. It was amazing how perceptive Gavin was, and how he could follow her mood like that. He wasn't sure if she was grumbling as Gavin said, but it certainly seemed that way as she snorted and nudged his chest. "It'll help you get better, that's why." She still seemed unconvinced. Joe soon returned with some sliced apple and handed the plate to Gavin, knowing how much he enjoyed feeding her.

"Do you think she'll eat it?" Nines murmured as he folded his arms to watch.

"She's usually not too bad." That was promising. Gavin cooed and placated her as he grabbed a plain slice of apple. Blossom snorted as she accepted it. They never put the pill in the first piece. She crunched happily as Gavin cooed and praised. He grabbed the next piece and held it out, only for Blossom to turn her nose up at it.

"Hey, come on! Every piece is important, and it's for your own good." Nines chuckled as Blossom stamped and backed off. "Come on! It's not that bad! I'll give you another one right after. You won't even taste it." She seemed unconvinced, but a little cooing and patting later, and she'd accepted it. "Just chew around it and swallow the whole thing." Gavin watched her carefully for any sign that she tried to drop the pill. He patted her neck as he handed her a third piece when he was confident she'd swallowed. After the fourth, he was pretty sure she'd eaten it all. "There, that wasn't so bad..." Blossom bayed her reluctant agreement.

"We should probably put her away...let her rest that leg a bit." Gavin nodded his agreement as he wrapped his arms around her again.

"Phck, I'm glad you're alright. You have no phcking idea..." Nines could vouch for that. He'd been stewing over it all afternoon since he'd spotted the carrot stand. Gavin let Joe take the reins to lead her back in, and her head soon reappeared over the stall. She bayed and scraped the ground, shaking her head. "Of course I'm coming to visit tomorrow! And you can bet I'll be raiding the kitchen for their finest carrot." Nines chuckled, running his hand through Gavin's hair as they finally backed away to head back to the house.

"If Blossom were human, I'd be worried about being replaced!" he teased as they headed down the slope. He sighed, looking up at the darkening sky as stars slowly edged their way into the blue.

"Never." Gavin paused uncertainly as Nines chuckled and walked ahead. "H-hey! Uh, Nines..." Nines turned at his call, tilting his head at his sudden seriousness. "Look, I know you already gave me one, and I'm not exactly in the condition to get down on one knee here, but will you wear this?" Despite having known it would happen at some point, Nines couldn't help the flutter in his stomach as Gavin pulled the little black box from his pocket and opened it with one hand to show him the ring. It probably wasn't the romantic proposal most people would want, but it was more than enough for Nines.

"I will." Gavin beamed as he hooked his cane over his arm so he could take out the ring. Nines held his injured hand out and watched as Gavin carefully slipped the ring on. His green eyes were warm and glittery as he looked down at the matching silver on Nines' hand. "I'll never take it off..." Nines leaned down, closing his eyes as his lips came to rest against Gavin's with practiced ease. He sighed out a breath as Gavin's hands gripped his shoulders and pulled him closer, though he was careful to leave space for his splinted arm between them. Nines settled his hand on the small of Gavin's back, caressing the warm skin beneath his shirt as their tongues entwined.

"Phck, I love you."