The stables: Late Tuesday afternoon

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal arrived at the stables, cheerful because Altra was back, even if he'd woken only long enough to eat several tins of salmon and was now snoring on his bed again.

It only took him a moment to notice something was missing.

"Where is my horse?"

[ooc: it is open, though first for the missing horse aka myself]

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He looked up, still blushing furiously, sort of smiling and looking extremely sheepish. "That I am not so sure of, but," he made a helpless gesture, "it is Molly. I could not say no."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I think I'd be the same way," he said. "You'll have to tell me if you learn anything good."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"You have my word. It is very strange having a," Karal still faltered over the word, simply because it sounded so odd, "a girlfriend, but it is," he smiled warmly, "nice."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"You seem happy," Gavin observed. "That's good."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I am," he replied, then eyed him curiously. "You and Inara are still happy?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he said, nodding. "I've just been...trying to sort some things out."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Gavin?" He reached over and touched his arm. "Can I help?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"It's not bad," he said, realizing how that sounded. "I mean, I'm still happy. There's just...other stuff and I don't know what it is."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I am here, with no plans other than feeding Trenor, if you wish help figuring it out," he offered.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I feel different when I'm with her now," he told him hesitantly. "Like something changed. Something good but I don't know. It's different."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Do you know how it is different?" he asked, frowning thoughtfully. "Or when it changed?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"No," he said, answering both questions. "It just is. Well, wait. It's--better?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Better?" He wasn't sure what that meant, exactly. "You are happier with her than you were before?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"No," he shook his head. "No, it's the same happiness. I mean, it's good happiness. I don't know, Karal. There's just something different."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

A sneaking suspicion started to dawn. "Your relationship feels stronger? As if you in some way belong together?" he ventured. "And losing her would hurt a great deal?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

He made a face and looked down at the floor. "Yeah, maybe."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Thoughtful, Karal leaned on Trenor, studying Gavin, then shook his head. Whether his suspicion was correct or not, it was not his place to raise it. "It need not be so complicated, Gavin," he said lightly. "Perhaps you should not worry about why or how it is better and simply enjoy it. I am sure Inara is," he added, clearly teasing.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he said, breaking into a grin. He knew he wasn't going to let it go but he could still enjoy it. "Yeah."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Well, I am very wise," he intoned with mock-solemnity, standing up straight and looking very wise and priesty, with just the hint of a smile. "Being a Priest and all."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"A priest who I've seen without his shirt," Gavin retorted.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal blushed. "Let us never speak of that again."