Dog Love

Dog Love 19

For a few days Shana and Joey kept completely out of one anothers way. They didn't want to have another conflict were Kahn was caught between them. Both boys were riddled with guilt and shame.

Freya overlooked all three of the young men that were under her care. She was busy tending her small garden when Hansel tapped her shoulder. Looking up Freya smiled as her husband kissed her cheek and watched as he walked over to Kahn who was running Gable around. The young man who had grown more open and forthcoming with his feelings had now closed up again, his eyes haunted. His long brown hair was flowing behind him like ribon in wind. Hansel could tell Shana was watching Kahn, even from where he was raking up hay ready for the horses. Both Hansel and Kahn had taken the time to transform the hay loft in the stable into a room for him. However Kahn had taken no pleasure in doing so like he would have at one point. Sitting on the fence, Hansel watched the man until he started to slow down. Gable was one of the white horses he had brought home with him. Both horse and man seemed to naturally get along with one another. Gable refused to be handled by anyone other then Kahn. When Hansel had tried the horse had reared up in anger.

His head jerked up when Kahns hand patted his shoulder.

"You look exhausted."

Hansel knew he looked like crap and he chuckled slightly. He really did think of Kahn as another son and knew that Austin would have approved of him as a suitor for Joey.

"I need you to run into town and get me these."

Hansel passed over a list of tools and watched as Kahn skimmed through it. He wanted the young man to have some time to himself without anyone around to influence his thoughts.

"Okay, I'll saddle Gable and get going."

He took the bag of gems from Hansel and led the horse back to the stables, deliberately avoiding Shanas gaze as he walked by. He was still unsure of whether to talk to either Shana or Joey. He couldn't even eat in the same room as them without feeling a pressure crushing down on him. Patting Gables neck, he tethered the horse to the stable and fetched all that was necessary. He liked grooming Gable because it had a calming effect on each of them. The horse had a wild temprement but also knew when to do what he was told to as long as his master was kind. Smiling as Gable bumped him with his nose Kahn brushed the horses mane gently.

"Let's go then 'ey?"

Gable whinnied happily and Kahn pulled himself onto the horses back. As they passed by Baileys stable Kahn gently patted the aging horses head and squinted against the sunlight as they exited the stables. Joey looked up as they exited the farm and his cheeks flushed slightly. The way Kahn was sat on the horse, his back straight and head held up high, it reminded Joey of an old age picture were a medeival knight sat a top a horse. All that was missing was the armor, shield and sword.