Shelter from the Storm // [Reggie + Oscar]

Mace blew through the house like gale, sending papers flying and shutters slamming. Everyone who walked through the building had their heads down so as not to catch debris in the face. That was why Oscar had limited himself to the barn, the paddocks, and the field. His company mainly consisted of the old horse and a few other assorted creatures, but most of them paid him no mind. Feeding, watering, cleaning, it was all his life had consisted of before and now he was simply did more. Mending fences, wandering the perimeter, grooming the animals. His days were a string of chores one after the other. Still, that was better than going around after Mace and picking up the smashed items, if not the pieces of the man himself.

Right now, though he was simply standing in one of the stalls, looking at the inner walls and making sure that they were sound. Over a year ago he had decided that the barn was overly silent and empty, what with only the old horse to occupy the space. Soon he would go out to the market and try to find a horse that would fit in here, perhaps even two. One to potentially sooth Mace's heart, and one to sooth his own. Sunny's passing was still raw under his skin, stinging and throbbing like an infected wound. Some nights he couldn't sleep because he knew he hadn't fed Sunny yet. Telling himself that he couldn't would make no difference, his heart hurt all the same. While no horse could replace Sunny, it would be nice to once more have that sense of connection.

The door handle rattled on the main door and he straightened up, dusting the knees of his jeans off as he did so. A slight clack as a lantern was hung on the hook, then soft footsteps. Thankfully, it wasn't Mace. He wasn't sure he would know how to react if it had been. Linking his fingers together, he pushed his hands away from himself in a stretch. His fingers brushed against the legs of his pants as he let them fall. Reggie poked her head around the entrance to the stall a moment, lifting her arm to indicate a basket she held.

"Don't suppose you'd like some dinner and company?" The folded back blanket over the basket revealed picnic things and only when he saw the food did he realize he hadn't eaten for some hours. Breakfast, I think. Either way, the sight of food made his stomach grumble. He wonder if she had heard the growl, but paid it no mind. "I can't handle another night sitting in god awful silence with him, and I've been over at the Lowe's so much. I think they're going to ban me. I can help, too, if you need anything." He shook his head, not quite sure what to say beyond no. Everything had been done and redone over again today, there was no need for any more chores.

He smiled at her. "Just the dinner would be great." Belatedly, he realized that sounded like he wanted her to leave, which he didn't. "And the company." Her appearance always made his chest go a little tight but he did his best to breathe around it. Looking around hurriedly, he spotted a couple large round bales and gestured to them. Waiting for her, he extended a hand. They were rather tall, and at the very least she would most likely need to hand him the basket so she could climb up unhampered. If she needed help, he would be there.