Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
"I'll make sure that never happens." Drew responded to Cal's soft smile with a tired one of his own. "So will I." He meant it to. Nothing was going to pull him away from Cal now, he'd learnt his lesson and they'd lost so much time over the years, wasted time. It wasn't worth wasting anymore pretending or lying.
"I'll never stop worrying, Never..." Drew shook his head slightly, pressing another careful kiss to Cal's fingers, not wanting to cause him any more pain, but wanting to reassure him. "That sounds exhausting, Cal. I'm not the one you need to worry about." He frowned as Cal winced, not liking the sight of pain on his face. "Promise me Andrew, you'll take care of yourself - please, promise. I don't want to wake up again to find that you haven't." He nodded, a half smile at that. Anything to reassure him so he would rest. "I promise, Cal. So please, don't think about me right now. Get some rest, I'll be here when you wake." Another promise. He didn't want Cal to hold out for him, he needed to rest and heal and not be thinking about Drew - who was perfectly capable of knowing what he needed or didn't need in order to look after himself.
Oh nice, I know it's not as nice a feeling as being able to feel the weightlessness but does it not feel nice to be in the water? Have a bit more freedom of movement?
Andrew kept his gaze on Caleb, it felt important to keep his eyes on him, for one or both of them he didn't quite not. For him, he wanted to just drink him up as much as he could. With what had happened, it was terrifying to think he might have never seen him again. "I panicked. Just the thought of shutting my eyes, not seeing you... It hit me strange." His gaze softened, understanding dawning as he listened to Caleb's words. He gave a small nod and a careful squeeze of the hand he held. "I know the feeling. But I promise, wild animals couldn't rip me away." nothing could. He would fight tooth and claw to be here by his love's side until he was ready to go home. And even then, he didn't think he'd be able to leave.
"The only thing I need is you, the rest of it can all go fly a kite in the park, You need to take care of yourself too. It's not like I can run out of here and join a marathon." Drew gave a weary chuckle. "Fly a kite, hmm?" he repeated, amused by the turn of phrase. He shook his head a little, his returning smile tired but still a smile. "I'm fine, don't worry about me." and he was fine now. Everything else.. sleep, food, rest or whatever... Could go to damn hell. He just needed to know Caleb was going to come out of this fine and then he'd deal with everything that came after it.
Drew watched him carefully, realising he was probably staring a little too intensely, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't stop drinking him in, seeing that he was alive, knowing that he was alive. They had come so close to the end, he still hadn't shaken off the terror yet. He didn't know if he'd even be able to. "I have a feeling that you'd sooner handcuff me to a radiator than let me leave," He gave a small smile at that, and gently squeezed his hand. God if he didn't want to never let him go, but he knew at some point he'd have to step away, even if for just a moment. "Oh absolutely, I didn't even realise that was an option." He teased gently, though he'd rather just never have him leave and be it at that.
He leaned into Cal's touch, turning his face into the palm and closing his eyes momentarily, soaking in his touch. Warm and gentle, he would never take it for granted again. "I promise you, with everything I have, I will not ever - never ever - leave your side again. I'm tired of being alone in the world. There has only ever been you and I was a fucking idiot. I see it. I know it. I want to be wherever you go. From now until always." He smiled and re-opened his eyes, but the smile fell to hear the change to his heart beat. He touched Cal's chest gently. "Hey, what happened there, where did you go?" He asked, wondering what had upset him in that moment. He had waited to hear those words for so long, but he wanted to hear them again when Cal was okay and up and about again. "I don't want to sleep anymore.. but I am so tired." Drew leant down to kiss his cheek gently. "You need to rest, I'll be right here the whole time. I promise. Nothing bad will happen, I'll make sure of it."
Drew squeezed his hand carefully, scared to hurt him with how banged up he was. "I have no plans on going anywhere, not ever." His heart sung to hear it, but he'd been told that before, and he couldn't help but he fearful and dubious, that tiny inkling that it might not be true. "You'd better not. I'm not letting you get away from me again." not easily anyway, not if he had any say in it at all. The scary truth was there were things he didn't have a say in. It was Caleb's actions that had put himself in the way of the car, but the car had been the thing to send him to hospital. The stupid wayward car, with it's idiot of a driver. Andrew hadn't had the capacity to think about that part of it yet and the fact that the driver had some serious penalties to pay, but that would come in time once he could stand to leave Cal's side.
Andrew heard the sigh but did not say anything further about what had happened. He couldn't stand to think about it let alone talk about it yet, and if he could spare Cal from knowing any of it, he would. "I'm sorry I caused everyone so much distress, I just... acted again without thinking." Drew was quick to shake his head as he brought Cal's knuckles to his lips again. "No, don't..." he didn't want him to apologise, even if he hadn't wanted him to do it in the first place. He leant forward as Cal's arms went around him and returned the kiss, lingering for a moment to soak up everything about Caleb. His forehead came to rest against Cal's and he took a long inhale to settle his anxiety.
"Yes, I will always be concerned for you. For everyone. I am going to be fine, even through the battles to come. I am going to keep fighting to be by your side Andrew, ok? Always. I fucked up once, I'm not letting it happen again." He opened his eyes after a long moment to stare at Caleb directly. "Just never do this to me again, and that's all I ask. Never leave my side, Cal, and we can do this together." those words he'd wanted to hear years ago said now - to be by his side forever. He hoped Caleb meant it, he wasn't ready to go through heartbreak again.
Noted! I will not be meeting Jimmy any time soon. Ah, good job you said that, it was about to go in my cart No beer it is. Thank you - I'm looking forward to it.
"Might keep it then," Andrew gave a faint smile and squeezed Caleb's hand gently, his eyes on his. He would never take that look for granted again - the sight of Caleb looking at him, aware, eyes bright and intense, he would never forget that. "The only thing I care about seeing, is you alive and well. Stubble, no stubble, I don't care...as long as you are here, with me. That's all I need." He raised the hand he held to his lips and pressed a kiss to the knuckles. He needed Cal to listen to him, to never scare him like that again. He had lost him once, and it had been terrifying to think he was going to lose him again, after everything. This was more final too, even though he had moved on before he had known Caleb was out there somewhere, even if they had been done. But this had been scary, seeing it happen, being there and having to wait and wait not knowing. Never again.
Drew watched the expression on Cal's face as he told him what had happened. He wanted to ease the pain he saw there and he shifted in his chair, unable to do anything for him but be here. "I don't remember that," Drew relaxed a little at that. "I'm glad, it was...." quite horrible, he finished in his mind. He didn't want to say it. It wasn't fair to him, he didn't need to remember it. Andrew would never forget it. "I remember telling you that I love you... we were walking the dogs... I don't remember much else.. I remember thinking I saved you.. then nothing after that. I did it because I ... I-I... Why don't I remember anything?" He squeezed his hand again gently. "Because it was a serious trauma, Cal. It wasn't good. I thought you were dead. Everyone did." He swallowed hard against the tide of emotions that came with saying those words, even though Cal was talking. It still didn't make things any less easy to take.
"You weren't hurt, were you?" Drew shook his head but managed another small laugh. "You nearly died but you're concerned for me? I'm okay, Cal, I just needed to know you were okay." he said softly, his eyes warming a little. He didn't bother to mention his stupid food. It would be okay in the long run and he could her by on it as it was, but something was definitely wrong with it. It wasn't sitting right on his leg and it was uncomfortable to walk. He'd resorted to limping already and he knew he'd been to bring his crutches back out of retirement temporarily.
Andrew couldn't stop staring at him. Despite the fact that he had been hoping, praying and wishing with everything he had that Caleb would wake up, and now that he was awake, Drew couldn't quite believe it. He had been so scared that Cal would die, or even that he would stay asleep forever. He didn't know what would be worse - for him to be gone, or for him to be stuck in a half life, asleep for years. Cal's soft smile broke his heart just a little, for the fact that he hadn't realised how much he'd missed it until then. How he almost never saw it again. "No, this isn't a dream. I hope not. I don't want it to be." Andrew managed to return his smile, "I hope it's not a dream too." He admitted, thinking that surely it couldn't be if they were both hoping for it.
The reaching almost did him over, and he gladly swallowed Cal's hand in both of his own, clasping gently. It helped him to feel the warmth and the life of Cal's hand in his, to know that he was really awake and talking. "I need a shave, A bit too much stubble." Drew managed another smile at that and even a slight chuckle. "I quite like it," He admitted, the slight rugged look on the handsome guy. But it was a flood of relief to know he felt like himself. "Maybe you can explain the dull pain in my head right now... or where we are as such..." He nodded, understanding that he might not remember what happened, or remember. God, Drew hoped he never remembered what happened, it would be stuck in Drew's head until the day he died. "We're in the hospital, you've been out for quite a few days....You... pushed me out the way of a car, and it hit you instead of me." He shuddered as the images rushed forward once again. "Why did you do that, Cal... don't ever do that again." He fixed his gaze on Cal, fierce and firm.
He stayed with Caleb for days, at his side for as long as he could be. He kept in touch with some clients, rearranging things to the following week - at which time he knew he would have to go back outside the hospital. He had called his friend that had taken on Pup, feeling guilty for not having been back for the dog yet, but he could barely look after himself, let alone an animal. They were fine with the dog so far, but he promised to be back to pick him up in another day. By then he knew he would have to start going home. It was scary, not knowing how long Caleb would be out for, and he wanted to be there when he woke up - but he couldn't stay here for months, not really.
He'd popped home this morning to get a change of clothes and shower, though he didn't bother to shave, glancing at himself in the mirror was upsetting, and he couldn't stand it for longer than a moment. He checked in on his dog, spending some time with Pup and feeling a little better for it too - though guilty for leaving once again. He promised to pick him up tomorrow instead of another few days time. Then he was quick to return to the hospital, slipping back into his chair and taking up vigil once more. At some point, his eyes drifted closed, tired from his lack of sleep. "Morning handsome..." Drew frowned slightly, the voice familiar, though it sounded rough. "Must be dreaming..." He mumbled to himself as he shifted and yawned, moving in the chair to bring his hands up and rub his eyes. He glanced at Caleb automatically to check on him; still asleep... Drew blinked and then looked back to him - no, he was awake. Those cool blue eyes were open and aware, and Drew immediately shot upright properly, coming forwards on his chair and grasping Cal's hand. "Oh Caleb... Caleb you're awake? I'm really not dreaming??"
Time no longer took meaning as he sat there, waiting for something to happen. He didn't know what, considering he had been told they didn't expect Caleb to wake up any time soon, but he could still sit and hope that it might happen on the sooner scale. At some point he remembered he needed to move some work around, making a couple of quiet calls to move some appointments - the clients were very understanding when he explained the circumstances. His work might be a little light this month and therefore money a little tight, but he would make it work. He had made an appointment with his doctor for another time to talk about the possibility of a new prosthetic at some point. Once that was done he settled back in for a long stint of observation, taking a break only to use the facilities and then to grab another couple of coffees. He couldn't stand to eat right now.
He looked up hopefully when the twitch of a hand caught his eye. He knew that it might mean nothing, but hope was impossible to tamp down on in times like this. He needed to know Cal was in there somewhere, fighting, going to pull through for him. "Cal?" He said softly, watching keenly for another sign of movement. "Come back to me, Caleb. I need you. You need to fight this - be strong and fight this, and come home to me." He murmured, reaching out to take his closest hands. He was polite to the nurses, though their fifth suggestion of talking to Andrew began to wear a little thing. What did they think he was doing? But there was only so much he could say, it hurt to talk to someone who could not talk back.
He didn't know how long he'd sat in the waiting room as they worked on Caleb. Time had lost all meaning. It had been difficult to know what to do with himself, and in the end the age old patience of the army had kicked in, and he'd gone into himself and sat there. His mind had gone silent, practicing the ability to shut off the worrisome thoughts. He couldn't think about the 'what if's' or the 'might have beens'. It was too easy, and too quick for him to feel sick with the guilt of what had happened. It was without a doubt his fault, but he was angry too. Angry that his ridiculous foot had let him down, angry that he hadn't been paying attention like that, angry that whoever had caused the accident had sent that car flying toward them, angry that Caleb had been the fool to push him out the way. Angry he hadn't been able to say the words back. Just angry. He didn't look it, sat there, internalising it all as a nurse pressed a drink into his hand. He didn't even glance at what it was, it could have been vodka, it could have been poison - he threw it back all the same. It didn't kill him anyway.
The dogs were back at his. They wouldn't let him in the ambulance, insisting on checking him over in a separate one until he had finally been able to wave them off. His foot was damaged, he would need a replacement likely, but it was okay enough to use for now. Thank God, he didn't want to have to go through the ordeal of hobbling around on crutches again and everyone know now that he was missing a piece of himself. When the ambulance had finally left him for another emergency, he'd taken the animals from a kind stranger who had grabbed them, and set them all up at home, hoping they didn't get upset with each other whilst he was gone. He'd text a friend asking to come check on them, telling them to feel free to stay as long as they liked - he didn't know when he'd be home. It was that weird sense of calm duty that settled him as he arranged everything - he went to Caleb's to get him clothes. He would need new clothes, they would have cut his off and he'd want to leave in his own stuff. Denial, but he couldn't delve into that right then. He would not be dead. No. Andrew would not allow it.
Eventually, he'd been let in to see Cal. His heart had shattered, splintered into a million pieces, never all to be found again as he looked at the broken love of his life. He'd settled in a chair, ready to sit sentry for as long as it took, his fingers bridging together as he rested his forehead against them, now struggling to hold back the tide. At some point he cried. He had no idea of the time, it could have taken hours to cry out, or minutes. There was no change. People came in and out to check on Cal, eventually, someone was nice enough to tell him what was going on. He nodded numbly in response and when she left, he looked at Cal's prone form again. Too still. "It should have been me." He couldn't say the other words, to say other words, to tell him he loved him, would be to give in. "It should have been me lying here, you stupid fool. Why did you have to go and do it. It doesn't make things right, it makes things worse." He voice cracked but his eyes were dry, there were no tears left. It didn't change the past, for him to have saved him, you couldn't change or right that, all he'd wanted was a chance for them to right it together themselves, he didn't want this. Never this.
Which one was it? So I can avoid in the future? If I did pick up either, do you have any preferences or any big no's? Just some rice and chicken chow mein would be great thanks.
Well I didn't want to presume, you might have had things going on I'm in no rush to go, I need to get moving myself and get everything together. It doesn't start for another hour I think anyway.