"You're going to make Blossom sick with all these apples!" Nines teased as Gavin reached up and tugged another free, adding it to the cloth bag on his shoulder. Gavin smirked as he limped his way over and lowered himself to the grass with a groan. Nines was already laying on his back, left arm safe and snug in the sling across his chest while the other rested beneath his head. He accepted the kiss Gavin pressed to his lips as he settled down to join him.

"Look who's talking! Half of this is what you picked for Goliath!" He shrugged the bag off and set it somewhere above their heads before lying on his side with a sigh of relief. They'd walked all the way there, which was quite a way on his prosthetic. It didn't hurt too much anymore, but he was tired from lugging it around, not to mention all the reaching and stretching, trying to snag the best apples from the lower branches.

"He's a growing boy!" Nines excused, which was true enough. Goliath was barely two years old. Gavin didn't think he had any more growing to do, but he was still pretty young. But Blossom's pretty old. She deserves to be spoiled! He huffed softly as he shuffled closer, gently resting his head on Nines' left shoulder. He was worried it would somehow hurt his wrist, but it seemed that wasn't the case as Nines moved to rest their heads together. It was quiet. Nothing but the rustling of leaves and the singing of birds to disturb them. Even if he focused, he couldn't hear any noise from the estate. Being in the woods, he could almost imagine they were back in the resting camp. Only the distant rumble of shells was missing.

"How do you think things are going out there?" Gavin asked with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Nines could understand his feelings. The tide had turned in a major way. That victory on the eighth had been massive. The papers that morning had continued to bring good news, though nothing like as good as the day before. They were still taking ground, at least. Rumour had it that enemy troops were giving up and fleeing the front line in droves. Some had even surrendered, having lost faith in their leaders and chosen to take a chance on mercy and good will.

"The news from Amiens is promising at least." Gavin nodded against his shoulders. If it was the same all over, then things were likely looking up. He had no way of knowing if reinforcements had finally arrived for Connor and Sixty, but he hoped so. With any luck, enemy forces would pull back to redeploy their men elsewhere in the hopes of stemming the tide. The British naval blockade was also doing its part. They'd managed to cut off most supplies and more or less safeguard the channel against U-boats. Despite everything pointing in the right direction, Nines couldn't help feeling apprehensive.

What if they somehow gained a new ally at the last minute? What if they were merely pretending to be on the run? What if they were vastly exaggerating the poor state of affairs to give them a false sense of security? He didn't know how the British could be so confident and chipper about the whole thing. Most of them seemed utterly convinced the war would be over soon, and that their reports were entirely accurate and unexaggerated. He smiled as he felt Gavin's arm creep over his ribs, settling beneath his splint.

"Do you want to head back for lunch soon? We can stop at the stables and give Blossom her medication on the way." Gavin nodded his agreement, though he made no effort to move. Nines smiled as he raised his head enough to look down at him. Gavin seemed to feel his gaze after a few moments, lifting his own head enough to kiss him. "Does your leg hurt?" He was relieved as Gavin shook his head and rolled to his knees.

"No, I'm good." He groaned as he grabbed his cane and pushed himself to his feet, swatting Nine's hand away as he made to take the bag. "Hey! That's my job! You're injured, remember?" Nines chuckled as Gavin hooked the bag across his chest. It was only his wrist that hurt. His shoulders and right arm worked just fine. Nines let him have his way this time. It was hard to deny him when he was being so earnest. He hurried to catch up as Gavin set off towards the estate, walking on his left.

He couldn't help but think how lucky it was that Sixty had broken his left wrist. He knew he'd done it because the right was his dominant hand, but it was lucky because Gavin walked with the cane in his right hand. Had Sixty broken his right hand, he would be unable to reach out and take Gavin's left as he walked. Nines felt him return the gentle grip as he entwined their fingers and smiled as he felt the cold edge of Gavin's ring.

They walked slowly. The day was hot, and the breeze was lazy. Sunlight filtered down through the trees, which offered ample shade as they ambled along. The ground had dried from the earlier storm and felt firm beneath their feet. Their steps were dull and muffled as they walked the trail, which was covered by a light layer of grass. The pounding of hooves over the past few years had slowly worn the earth down into a clear trail that led to the apple trees. It had likely been a favourite picnicking spot some time before the war, perhaps when the ladies of the house had been young.

Nines slowed their pace further towards the end as he noticed Gavin limping a little heavier. His lips had thinned slightly, a clear sign of discomfort, though they both knew he'd never say it out loud. Nines kept his own lips sealed. Gavin hated being coddled, and after all this time, he didn't need it. He knew his limits, and if he reached them, he'd let him know. Despite knowing his limits, Nines noted a gleam of relief in his eyes as the mansion came into view.

"Stables first?" Gavin knew what he was really asking. Do you need to break for lunch or can you stand a little longer? Gavin huffed as he hefted the apple bag and Nines smiled his understanding. He had important deliveries to make, leg be damned! Nines tightened the grip on his hand and stroked his knuckles. Don't push yourself...He felt a squeeze in return. I won't. They took the slope especially slowly, though Gavin sped up a little as he heard the commotion inside.

"Whoa there, Lady! What's gotten into you?" Joe soothed as Blossom bayed and kicked at the door. She snorted and scraped her hooves restlessly, clearly upset about her continued confinement. Gavin huffed as he limped his way closer to the stall. "Oh, Gavin!" Joe greeted sheepishly, still trying to calm Blossom as she kicked the door and hopped restlessly from hoof to hoof. Gavin opened the bag and grabbed an apple, holding it up to placate her as he stepped forward.

"Did you smell me coming or something? Getting sick of being boxed up?" Blossom's head bowed in agreement as she snorted. She was barely allowed to leave the stall! That had been just fine before Gavin's arrival, but she'd gotten used to going out on long walks and trotting through the forest. She missed it. She was getting restless and impatient. "Yeah, I hear you...Just a few more days though, yeah? The vet will come back and clear you before you know it!" She snorted her disagreement at that. They both knew it would be almost two weeks before he came back. "Hey, come on, you can do it! Here, look what me and Nines got you." She whinnied softly as she accepted the apple and sympathetic pats on her neck.

"Do you think she might be well enough for a walk around the training paddock?" Nines asked quietly, thinking it may be safer to let her get out at least a little of that pent up energy, lest she hurt herself by kicking the door. Joe sighed as he ran a hand through his tousled sandy locks. He knew what Nines was thinking, and he partially agreed. He just didn't want her getting over excited and overdoing it. Gavin looked over, having heard the question.

"It's not a bad idea, but I'm worried she'll do herself some mischief once she's out." It would be difficult if she decided she didn't want to go back. Gavin chuckled as he looked up at Blossom. She snorted, as if the very idea of her being difficult was absurd. "Don't you act like butter wouldn't melt!" Joe teased as he folded his arms. She bayed her innocence as she scraped the ground and Gavin ruffled her mane.

"How about this? You be a good girl and take your medicine, and I'll take you out for a bit...deal?" She snorted her agreement, albeit reluctantly. Joe helped get it ready, snagging and slicing an apple before pushing a pill into one crunchy chunk. He mixed them up before handing the little dish to Gavin. Blossom was good this time and ate them all with minimal grumbling. It seemed she was eager to escape her stall. Nines' brow pinched as he watched Gavin limp his way back, trying to pretend his leg wasn't bothering him as Joe got Blossom harnessed and ready to go.

"Are you sure you can manage? I could take her..." Nines offered quietly as Gavin took the leading rein.

"I'll be fine. I can rest a bit once she's loose inside," he replied with a soft look in his eyes. He appreciated the concern, even though it verged on babying. Nines nodded his reluctant agreement and walked along beside him. Blossom seemed to notice Gavin's pained state as well. She slowed her pace, despite her eagerness to get to the softer ground of the paddock. Nines opened the gate once they were there, and Gavin unclipped the leading rein, letting Blossom pad inside and take a walk. He chuckled as Nines bolted the gate and Blossom rolled on the ground.

"It seems she was getting claustrophobic in the stall," Nines observed with a fond smile as she snorted and rolled to her feet. She was careful of her bandaged leg. Gavin wasn't sure if it was the pain or whether she understood it needed rest. It was good either way. She walked along the fence, making a leisurely loop of the paddock. Gavin waved as she looked up, chuckling as she ambled over and pressed her nose into his chest.

"Hey! Go and burn off that energy, you! I'm trying to rest my leg here!" He was leaning on the fence with his prosthetic resting on the bottom rung, easing the weight on it. Blossom almost seemed to sulk as she snorted her agreement and wandered off. "I'll walk with you tomorrow, alright?" That seemed to placate her somewhat as she neighed and bobbed her head. Nines chuckled as he watched the pair, still amazed at how they interacted. Nines and Gavin both turned as they heard a voice calling from somewhere up the path.

"Mr Anderson!" It was a valet from the main house, who seemed slightly out of breath. He must have checked the stables and run down from there. "Sorry to bother you, Sir, but you're needed at the house. There are visitors for you." Nines raised an eyebrow at that. He looked at Gavin, who shrugged. He didn't know either. It couldn't be a recall, not so soon. His wrist wasn't even out of the splint yet. Nines nodded his thanks and turned to Gavin. He wasn't keen on the idea of leaving him, but he didn't want to cut Blossom's freedom short, either.

"Go on ahead...I'll wait here for you to come back, alright?" Gavin said, apparently reading his unease. Nines smiled, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the valet wasn't looking before he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to Gavin's lips. Gavin smiled as he drew back. "I know. Right here, on this spot."

"I'll return shortly." Nines pressed a final kiss to his lips before hurrying after the valet. At the rear door, he was directed through to a small study. His stomach dropped like lead as he entered to find two ranking officers patiently waiting for him. His breath caught as they immediately straightened, putting on their best sympathetic expressions. Nines couldn't speak as he looked down at the small box one of the men was holding.

"Lieutenant Anderson...would you sit down?" The officer was a captain, and the man at his side was a lieutenant. Nines wasn't sure he could move from his spot by the closed door. He'd packed those boxes far too often not to know what was inside. "Lieutenant. Sit down." The sharper tone brought him back to himself somewhat, and he crossed to a comfortable-looking chair. He felt numb as he sat, eyes still locked on the battered box that had clearly come from the front. It was quite small. Men carried few personal possessions on the front. Most of it was supplies. Once he was seated, the two men sat.

A sickening silence filled the room. Nines didn't need to ask why they'd come. His chest felt tight. He wasn't sure whether he wanted them to speak or stay silent. If they didn't speak, he didn't have to hear it, but if they didn't speak, he wouldn't know. Feeling his bottom lip tremble, he clenched his teeth, biting his cheek. He wanted to go back. Back to the paddock. To Gavin. He wanted to tell the valet to go. He wanted to stay with Gavin and Blossom, basking in the sun's warmth.

"Lieutenant Anderson, it is with our deepest sympathy and regret that we must inform you that your brother, Corporal Connor Anderson, was killed in action...and that your other brother, Sergeant Jacob Anderson, is missing in action, presumed dead." The words fell like a death knell. The whole room felt like it lurched. It was only as he gasped in a breath that he realised he'd curled over and gripped his hair with his good hand. His eyes filled, shocked tears dripping to the floor. He couldn't help coughing as he tried to swallow it down. It wasn't considered proper, especially for an officer. The two men before him seemed to understand. There was a respectful silence as he gathered himself. It took him a while, but he finally managed to raise his head. Neither mentioned the tears still rolling down his cheeks or the trembling of his lips.

"Reports say they were both doing their duty bravely, Sir." The young lieutenant said that as if it meant something. Nines knew what it was. It was a sympathetic line to placate him. To make it seem like his brothers' deaths were worth a damn. He swallowed down the bile that tried to claw its way up his throat and nodded his thanks. He knew it wasn't a lie. His brothers had always performed their duties. "Their personal effects, Sir...I'll leave them here..." Nines nodded again as they got to their feet and offered him a salute.

"Again, we're incredibly sorry for your loss...Would you like us to call someone for you?" They were likely on rounds, delivering bad news to anyone in the area. They didn't have time to spend exclusively on one person, and Nines wouldn't want them to. He reached out and rested his good hand on the edge of the closed box, blinking fresh tears as a sob finally broke free.

"G-Ga-Ga-vi-n." The choked word seemed to be all they needed. They strode smartly from the room, and he soon heard voices in the corridor. A helpless wail spilled from his lips as his whole body trembled. He gingerly scooped the box up and rested it on his knees. It was too light. It was far too light to contain all that was left of his brothers. He wrapped his good arm around it and curled over, sobbing quietly. His eyes burned and his throat ached. His shoulders shook, and he choked on each breath. He wasn't sure how long it was before he heard a distant thud and uneven steps.

"Where is he? Where the phck is he?" Gavin yelled, almost drowning out the click of his cane on the wooden floor. Nines let out a slightly louder whimper, which turned into a sobbed wail. He looked up as the door was hurriedly opened by a breathless valet and Gavin stumbled in. "Phck, come here-come here!" Despite those words, it was Gavin who hurried across and dropped to his knees. He wrapped both him and the box in a tight embrace, accepting the pained wails and sobs against his shoulder. "Phck, I'm sorry...I'm so phcking sorry..." He could hear the tears in Gavin's voice as he held on tighter.

Nines felt himself slipping forward. The box toppled between them and his knees hit the floor as he fell from the chair. Gavin accepted his weight, going with it as they fell sideways. He supported his body and held him closer, protecting his injured arm as they hit the floor. Nines curled against him, pulling him closer with his good arm. He accepted the fingers in his hair and tearful hushing sounds. Gavin sniffled quietly as Nines sobbed and wailed, shaking his head against his shoulder in denial. He didn't want to open his eyes. He didn't want to look in the box. He didn't want it to be real.

"I'm here, I've got you."