“You see what I have to put up with?”

After a long week, Nash and his horse finally got to sit and rest for once.

The night was chilly, a refreshing breeze gliding over the two’s fur after the hot day they’d faced. Crickets chirped in the tall grasses and fireflies flitted out into the open air, showing off their warm glow for the night to see. Dee settled in the grass next to Nash’s pack, sniffing at the soft sprouts and damp soil for something to nibble on. Nash went about starting a fire, his paws fumbling around for his matchbox.

“It’s in here somewhere…” He grumbled, holding back from just dumping everything out. It would be easier, but then he’d have to clean up the mess.

Standing up, the lynx moved over to his horse, rummaging through the saddlebag on his flank.

“There we go.” He pulled out a small, worn matchbox and picked out one of the matches within.

While Nash worked on finally setting up the fire, Dee looked off into the dark of the night. The stars shone bright over their moment of solace, watching the world spin like they always did.

And that’s when the horse noticed something in the distance. Something tall, maybe somewhere around his size.

Nash’s ears perked up as the horse huffed, his head raising to get a better look. He looked over his shoulder at Dee, rolling his eyes.

“There’s nothin’ out there Dee. Probably just some field mouse.” He called over his shoulder, striking the match in one clean motion and tossing it into a little tin of bark

The horse whickered at Nash’s lack of care. Well of course he wouldn’t know, he was blind in one eye. So, Dee stood up from his spot, still as a statue, aside from the flick of his short tail, as he looked out into the dark. He was determined to prove something was actually out there.

It was getting closer. Looked like a horse.

The gelding whinnied loudly and hopped to turn and face Nash, stepping over and lipping at his poncho. Whatever was out there was coming towards them and Dee didn’t like it. Nash stumbled forwards from the horse’s nudge, nearly falling into the little fire he was making. He straightened up, snatching the end of his poncho away.

“Stop it, Dee!! There’s nothin’-...” The lynx paused, looking over his horse’s head to see what Dee had seen.

A black horse, as dark as night, with four neat, white socks, slowly making its way up the hill the two were setting up to sleep on.

“....Did you lead her here?” Nash asked his horse accusingly.

His question earned a heavy hoof stepping down onto his paw, making him jerk away in pain.

“OW! OK!! Point taken, sorry, Dee.” The lynx chuckled lightly, watching as his horse huffed and turned away.

The black horse stopped just out of reach of the growing fire’s light, eyeing the strange pair warily. Nash didn’t move out of fear of spooking the horse off and Dee, being Dee, was too scared to get any closer.

“Well hey there,” The lynx called out, smiling at their new guest, “what brings you up here, huh?”

The black mare pawed at the ground, seeming eager to get closer, but still wary.

“Hmmm… oh, I got somethin’.”

Reaching over, Nash grabbed his pack and pulled out an apple.

Dee abruptly grunted, stamping his hoof and looking back at Nash.

“Yeah, I got you an apple for you too, ya big baby.” He stuck his tongue out at the horse childishly, who then did it back at him.

The lynx tossed one apple towards Dee, who happily picked it up to eat. He then held the other out to the black mare.

“You hungry?” He asked the horse, the apple sitting in his open palm.

After a small pause, the mare slowly stepped closer, ears perked forward curiously. She sniffed at the apple a few times before taking it from his hand and eating it in one bite, chewing happily. Nash gently pet the mare, his thumb running over the four pointed star on her snout.

Dee watched from his original spot on the grass, eyeing the black mare warily. He didn't like this one bit… but he didn't like anything new. He shuffled over to Nash’s side, pushing him over slightly to get his attention. The lynx glanced down at Dee at his side, using his free paw to gently stroke his horse’s mane.

“Awww, what? You don’t like her? She seems friendly enough.” He assured the anxious gelding.

The mare suddenly leaned closer, sniffing at Dee. She nipped at his hair once before straightening back up. Nash and Dee watched as the black horse moved closer to the campfire and settled down in the grass, letting her head rest on the cool soil and sighing deeply.

“Well, guess we have company tonight.” He said to his horse, patting his neck before standing up to grab his bedroll.

As Nash set up his spot to sleep, Dee dug through the bag one last time, sneakily eating a few treats. He then grabbed an apple out and made his way over to the black horse. The mare raised her head as the gelding approached, curious at the sudden action. Dee placed the apple down in the grass for the mare to take, bashfully kicking at the grass before trotting back over to Nash.

“Oh, I thought you didn’t like her?” He teased, laughing as Dee bumped him playfully.

With his bedroll all fixed up, Nash laid back, sighing comfortably.

“Night, Dee.” He called to his horse, who whickered softly in return.

“Night, miss.”

The mare whickered back as well.

The fire slowly flickered out as the night went on, leaving the three with just the light of the everwatching stars.