"You're a sweet lad, too good for this world," Lex offered, smiling. He leaned into Wallis's hand, turning to press a kiss to the edge's of the big man's mouth. "You're right, though. I'm not running off to let Forest shag my brains out, and even if I were it shouldn't be any of Mason's concern. He doesn't own me. I don't know why he gets so riled but I appreciate you for helping and maybe figuring it out. You're brilliant, mate. Truly.<br/><br/>"I don't have the slightest idea of when Forest and I will be back. I hope Mason doesn't cause you too much of a headache in the meantime."<br/><br/>The sight of Forest standing next to two horses shouldn't have been as surprising as it was. Lex smiled as he approached, somewhat shyly. "I've never ridden a horse in my life, mate," he confessed, watching as Forest showed him how to properly prepare the mare. "But I'm up for the challenge." As instructed, food and water was packed away into saddlebags as Forest ran off to collect guns and ammo. The horses waited patiently beside him, particularly the mare. He looked at her, admiring. "What's your name?" he whispered to her. "We're gonna be mates now, eh? You'll take care of me and I'll take care of you. We have a deal?" He couldn't be sure if the horse understood him at all, but there seemed to be a twinkle in her and a gentle nod of the head. Perhaps he was just imagining it, but Lex liked to think they had come to some kind of inter-species understanding. "I'm not your girl but I'll do my best, love."<br/><br/>Forest returned with a variety of guns. The model held his breath as the farmer wrapped his arms around him, adjusting a holster on his narrow hips. "Thanks," he mumbled, exhaling only once Forest had pulled away and the musky, pleasurable scent of Forest's skin wasn't lingering by his nose. "Bloody hell, for a farmboy surviving the End Times you smell fantastic, mate," Lex laughed, cheeks reddening only slightly as he realized what had just come out of his mouth. "Fuck...horse, right, right. I'll give it a go, love."<br/><br/>He swallowed, unsure where to put his hands. "I'm sorry if I fuck this up, love," he soothed, giving the mare a quick side glance. He took hold of the reins with his left hand, trying to remember what he had seen in movies, knowing it was probably wrong regardless. Films typically settled for what looked good instead of what was right. Fingers wrapped around the protrusion at the front of the saddle--<i>I'll have to ask Forest what the bloody hell I'm supposed to call this thing--</i>while his right hand situated itself at the back. "Let's see, I'll have to swing my leg around," he mumbled, lifting his left foot and awkwardly sliding it into the stirrup.<br/><br/>"Then I just stand, eh?" he asked, though he wasn't truly searching Forest for confirmation. Lex's legs were lean and long but strong, and with a quick hop he was able to lift himself up before coming back down to the ground. "Aye, tougher than it looks," he grumbled, face hardening as he set himself up to try a second time, his effort ending with identical results.<br/><br/>"Don't you think about helping me, I can do this," he claimed, revealing some of the stubborn natural Mason had worked so hard to crush. Three, four, five tries before Lex had found a comfortable spot, balancing in the stirrup with his knuckles white as he gripped the saddle. He began to slowly work his right leg over, only to realize his arm was blocking his path to the other side. "Bloody hell," he whined, clawing at the saddle to shift his hold. "I knew the damn films had it all wrong."<br/><br/>With exaggerated effort, Lex finally made it up, adjusting himself as his right leg fell down, foot finding the second hold, fingers on the reins. A few deep breaths to regain his composure. Not tired, just annoyed, but he had succeeded despite that.<br/><br/>"That must have been embarrassing to watch." He smirked, bright eyes looking over to Forest. "I'll try to get better at that. What's this sweet girl's name, by the way? Anyone who suffered through my bumbling deserves a proper thank you."