“Forest didn't know fun before the end of the world. I don't think he'd know what to do with it now,” Mason said.<br/><br/>“Now, that's just not true at all. We just had different ideas of fun,” Forest defended good-naturedly.<br/><br/>“Mmm, you were always so reserved and yet the girls<i>loved</i>you.”<br/><br/>“Probably because I didn't hold them to any improper expectations. Meet Mason, putting sin into the heart of girls since he was fifteen. Well, look at the cards God has dealt you now.” He knew for someone undisciplined like Mason this had to be a struggle for him. It had been for Forest too, though probably in a different sort of way. He didn't really lament the absence of women but he'd been taught not to covet, and he had missed companionship. Of course, he was entirely oblivious to the ways the other men coped with things. Mason had changed but Forest hadn't seen it yet.<br/><br/>Lex shared Forest's optimism, much to Mason's annoyance.<br/><br/><br/>–<br/><br/><br/>Forest wasn't feeling well that next morning. Not that it mattered. He still crawled out of the bed. He didn't wake anyone like he'd intended. That would have taken too much effort. He didn't put on any breakfast either. The thought of eating had made him nauseous and everything he did took more energy than it should have. It would be wasted on him trying to prepare a meal. Just coming down the stairs he had to pause and rest in one of the dining room chairs before going out to feed the animals. That wasn't something that could be put off. He was putting on his boots, trying not to appear out of breath already, though no one was awake yet.<br/><br/>An already sorry day, Forest saw that a branch had fallen in the night and was sagging into the fence. Not yet pulled over but it was an issue that needed addressing. And the quicker, the better. He was wary about just handing the task off but later.. Maybe with some help.<br/><br/>Forest came back in covered in a clammy sheen of sweat, achy and feeling weak. He parked himself on the couch, meaning to untie his boots. Instead, he only relaxed into the cushions, not really wanting to move if he could help it. He tried not to think of how filthy he'd left everything, only dropping feed. They had enough water to get them by and he'd turned the horses out to graze on the grass with the sheep. No sense in them having to rest in their own excrement because he couldn't get it together. Cleaning up wasn't usually a task he'd put off but after a few moments on the couch, his eyelids heavy, he thought maybe a nap would rejuvenate him.<br/><br/>Wallis was the next to wake. He noticed Forest's booted feet hanging off the couch and immediately quieted his movements, imaging the dutiful farmer was taking a catnap. He ate some of the stew cold because he didn't really care and when Lex came down the stairs he put a finger to his lips before motioning to the couch.<br/><br/>“Mason hasn't woken up yet,” Wallis whispered with a shrug.