So after all this time I'm finally posting this. I'm so sorry. I honestly just completely lost the Guardians bug and then totally forgot that I still had this story to edit and publish. So my sincerest apologies to you all.

There will be some changes. In the previous chapter's AN I mentioned that I was going to define to you all where the main plot ends so if you don't want to read the random smut and fluff after you don't have to. Unfortunately much of the material that we wrote has been lost, since we did most of our writing via text message. Some parts were from the main story and I'm doing my best to patch those parts up from memory (so sorry if there's sudden random crappy parts). But huge chunks are missing from the aimless smut and fluff portion to the point I don't think it would be worth even trying to post. I can't remember it all and you guys would just be confused. But I'll leave it up to you.

If you still want me to post the aimless fluff-smut after the story is done even with the missing chunks just let me know via review or message. I'll see how many people want it still and see if it's still worth putting up.

As you all should know by now, this story was co-written with Jarjarblinx1. Enjoy!

The man pushed against Jack's chest, forcing the boy back down when he awoke. "Slowly, slowly. Relax. Ya got quite the bump on yer head."

Jack put a hand to his head, wincing. "Where...where's Blizzard? Where's my horse?!" His eyes snapped open again, and he started to look around frantically.

"Hold on there, colt. My Mischief will take good care of her. She's munching on some hay as we speak." The man took his cowboy hat off, plopping it down on a nearby table. "Who might ya be, young colt?"

"Jackson. Who are you?" Jack sat up again, this time a lot more slowly so he didn't upset the throbbing again.

"Kozmotis Pitchiner. Stuffy, ain't it? That's what I get for having foreign parents. Most people just know me as Pitch Black." He put a hand to Jack's forehead, his long fingers moving over the bandages. "Ya really hit yer head there, didn' ya?"

"Well, you try taking a tumble down a hill on your horse and see how you end up." He winced at the touch, glancing up painfully at the other man to finally see who this stranger was.

"Ya're sassy." Pitch laughed, some small wrinkles appearing at the corners of his golden eyes. He took his hand away, standing up and walking across the room to the stove. He took the teapot off the burner and poured two cups of tea. He handed one to Jack, taking a sip from the other. "Where ya from, colt?"

"Um...around..." Jack quickly drank the tea and looked around. He'd left home for a reason. The last thing he wanted was for his parents to somehow find out where he was and drag him back. "Where are we right now?"

"Why? Hidin' out?" Golden eyes watched Jack over the cup. "If ya want to get far away, we're as far as ya can get. I own these lands. All 250 square miles of it."

"Wait...what? Where the hell are these lands of yours located?"

"Far away." Pitch smiled. "You have quite the mouth on ya. Ya're just like a wild colt."

"First off, would you stop calling me that already? I'm not some child. And secondly, where is 'far away'?"

"It's a secret..." Pitch put a hand on Jack's chest and gently pushed him back against the pillows. "...colt." He laughed as he put his hat back on, grabbing his lasso and leaving the room.

Jack growled under his breath before sliding out of the bed. He stumbled after the man, not even caring that he was barefoot. "Take me to her. I want to see her."

Pitch was already up on his horse, a pair of dark sunglasses covering his eyes. "Ya go back inside, young colt. Ya promise to rest, and I'll take ya to her when I get back. Deal?"

"No deal. I want to see her now."

"Don't tempt me, colt. I'll hog tie ya to the bed if I have to."

"Then I'll find her myself." Jack gave the man a determined look before walking away from the house.

"Ya won't make it. The barn's miles off. About 10 or so. Ya'll be passed out long before ya make it."

"Please...just take me to her. I need to see her." His voice cracked slightly.

"Ya love that horse, don' ya?"

"More than my own life. She is my only friend." Jack cursed himself inwardly for telling such a personal detail, but if it meant this man would take him to Blizzard, he would deal with it.

Pitch took his glasses off, his golden eyes piercing as they looked at the teen. "If I take ya to her, it's straight back to bed after, ya hear me?"

"Y-yes. Yes. Please..."

Pitch nodded once, walking his horse over. He grabbed Jack around his forearm and pulled him up behind him on the saddle. He clicked his tongue and the horse was off at a full gallop. It seemed like only a moment before they approached a large herd of cattle and two other men on horseback. "Sandman, Bunny! Take the beauties on ahead! I'll catch up with ya!" He spurred his horse on, riding past the herd.

"Who are they?" Jack looked back over his shoulder at the two men.

"Sandman and Bunny. They do odds and ends around the ranch for me. They work, I feed them. They sleep in the barn." Pitch looked back at Jack, giving him a small smile before turning back.

"Do I get to sleep in the barn too?"

"Would ya like to?"

"If it means I'm closer to Blizzard then yes."

"Ya work on healin' and then we'll see." Pitch chuckled, reaching a hand back to pat Jack's knee.

"I'm fine. Perfectly fine."

"Ya passed out, colt. Ya ain't fine."

"And? I'm not passing out right now."

"Don' wanna take the risk, colt. Ya stay in a proper bed until I say so."

"Then move a 'proper bed' into her stall. I'll be fine. It's not like it'll be for long anyway."

"Ya're on my land, ya listen to me." Pitch pulled his horse to a stop. He turned halfway around, putting a hand on his upper thigh. "Are ya a doctor?"

"No. I'm not a doctor."

"I am, or at least an animal doctor, so I think I know what I'm talking about. Ya'll stay in the cabin until I say so."

"I...but isn't there anywhere closer I could stay?"

"Nope. How 'bout this? Ya stay in the cabin 'til I say so, and when I say ya're healed, I'll let ya move into the barn with the boys. But ya gotta promise not to argue until then."

"Hell, I won't even talk to them if you want. I'm just here for Blizzard."

"Dedication. I like that." Pitch held his hand out. "I want ya to shake on it. A gentleman's promise."

Jack took the hand in his own pale one, giving it a shake. "How much further is it?"

"About 5 miles, I should think." He stood up in the stirrups, looking around. "Ah, yes! See there?" He pointed off into the distance where there was a solitary fence post in the earth. "That's a ten mile mark. Learn that, since I'll expect ya to work once ya're well."

"I'll work as much as you want if it means Blizzard and I can stay here until she's healed." He nodded in understanding.

"Course. You might want to stay longer. Ya never know." Pitch laughed, spurring his horse once more into a full gallop. He held the reins in one hand as he rested the other on his long leg. When the barn came into view, he reached up to take his hat off, giving a loud whoop. A young woman could be seen opening the barn door and waving.

"And who's that? How many people do you have in there with Blizzard?" Jack looked over Pitch's shoulder.

"Four at the most. Myself, Bunny, Sandman, and that's the Fairy. She helps me with my patients." He pulled up in front of the barn, handing Jack down. "Fairy, take this young colt to his lady love. He's been missing her."

The woman smiled, holding the door open. "She's at the end of the row, on the right."

Jack nodded before taking off down the row of stalls. He burst through the stall door and let out a sigh of relief to see his beloved companion resting calmly in the hay. "Oh, Blizz...thank goodness you're alright." Jack fell to his knees by his horse, and she nudged him with her snout. Blizzard sniffed him carefully up and down as if making sure he was fine as well. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine." He chuckled softly.

"Well, well, what a touchin' picture." Pitch watched them over the stall door, one arm reaching out to pat his horse's muzzle. A large black horse was in the next stall over, his head hanging over to watch the mare and Jack. "Seems my Mischief has a crush on yer girl, colt."

Jack looked up at the black steed. "Well, that's a shame for him. Blizz is a picky girl. Not once has she let a male near her anywhere but on the racetrack."

"Poor boy. Unlucky in love." He pat the stallion's nose fondly, feeding him a carrot from his back pocket. "Ya want one?"

"Thanks." He reached and took the carrot, handing it out to his horse. Blizzard happily took the offering and then leaned over to sniff at Pitch's legs in search of more. Jack laughed. "She's looking to see if you have any apples."

"Saucy minx." Pitch smiled again, rubbing his face against Blizzard's. "Unfortunately, no. I'll bring ya one tomorrow, my lovely. Here's another carrot 'til then." He held out the treat on the flat of his palm, patting her on the neck when she took it between her lips and chewed.

"Keep feeding her treats and she's going to lose that slim figure your stud has taken a liking to." He chuckled and gave a content smile when the horse moved back to nuzzling against his hair.

"Like lady, like colt. Look at ya. I would almost think ya were starvin' yarself. Ya need more food in yer belly." Pitch chuckled, moving into the other stall and hopping up onto Mischief's bare back. "Ya stay here 'til I get back. I gotta go help my boys with the beauties."

"It's hard to gain weight when my money grubbing parents paid a dietician to feed me specifically to stay small." Jack nodded up at the man before curling up against his horse.

"That'll be the first thing to change. There ain't no fancy food doctors out here, colt. Ya eat like a real man and ya work like a real man. That's the way of life out here." Pitch tipped his hat to Jack before he and his horse galloped down the row and out the door. Through the walls, the faint sounds of cattle lowing could be heard along with some whoops and hollers from the men.

As the noises got louder, Jack rose to his feet and looked outside of the stall. He could see the cattle and the two cowboys through the barn doors.

Suddenly, the large black stallion came up, cutting off a wandering bull. The horse reared, but Pitch was able to keep his seat. At that moment, the setting sun shone through his dark hair as he controlled the horse with only his legs. As quickly as the moment had come, it was over and the herd continued moving.

"Isn't he lovely?" A female voice spoke up behind Jack's shoulder.

Jack quickly spun around, looking at the short woman who had practically materialized beside him. "I...who are you again?"

"Oh!" The girl smiled, and held out her hand. "Toothiana Fairna. Most people call me Tooth, and Pitch calls me Fairy." At the mention of Pitch's name, she blushed and looked down at her shoes. "I work for Pitch."

"Well, it's nice to meet you...Tooth. Let me guess, you have a crush on your boss?" He grinned slyly at her.

"Who wouldn't? He is...lovely." She sighed, and a sad look came over her face. "But he never even looks at me. I'm just his assistant. He never really seems to look at anyone."

Jack shrugged before turning to go back into Blizzard's stall. "It's always a shame when feelings are not returned."

"It's even worse when it's him. He's such a good person, that...that it makes you wonder if you're evil or something and that's why he doesn't look."

"If he's as good as you say he is, I don't think he would allow people near him if he thought they were evil or bad. I don't think he believes you to be evil."

She sighed, watching the herd slowly disappear. "I know...but just once, I would like him to look at me the way he does his horses. Can't you imagine it? Those golden eyes, looking at you and only you...as if you are the only two people on this whole earth."

After plopping down again beside Blizzard, Jack shrugged again. "I wouldn't know. I've never thought of anyone like that."

Tooth chuckled, turning to watch Jack and his mare. "You and he are so similar. You both only have eyes for your horses."

"Blizz is the only girl for my heart. I don't know what I'd do without her." He smiled and patted the horse's neck affectionately.

"And what will you do when she's no longer around?"

"My heart will die with her," his smile immediately fell. "My life will be pointless after her..."

"A depressing conversation." Pitch rode into the barn, his hair messed up from the ride. "Come on, colt. Time for home."

"No. I won't leave her." Jack held himself closer to the mare beside him.

"Are ya really gonna make me get down and drag ya outta there? Horsefeathers, she'll still be there tomorrow! Remember yer promise, colt."

"It doesn't matter. She needs me, and I need her."

"Colt." Pitch gave him a look. "I will drag ya all the way back if I have to."

"Then I hope you're planning on dragging Blizz too."

"That's it." Pitch hopped down, entered the stall and hoisted Jack over his shoulder. "Hope ya're comfortable up there. 10 miles ain't no problem for me, but it might be for ya."

"Put me down! I won't leave her, damn it!" Jack struggled against the man's hold. His eyes widened with worry when he saw Blizzard struggling to stand up and go after him. "N-no! Blizz, don't! You need to stay down!" The white mare reached out to nip at Pitch's leg with a whinny of warning.

Pitch moved his leg away, meeting the mare's challenging gaze. "Stubborn girl, ain't ya?" Pitch swung Jack around so the teen's face was near the horse. "She's worried about ya. Say yer goodbyes and let's go."

"P-please. Don't make me leave her..." He reached out to gently put a hand to her head, fighting the tears in his eyes as the throbbing in his head started again.

"Damn, ya irritate me, colt." Pitch dropped Jack onto his feet, making sure to meet his gaze. "For tonight only, ya hear? Ya need bed rest in an actual bed. Tomorrow, ya sleep in the cabin."

"I sleep fine no matter where I am. I don't need a bed." Jack leaned back against Blizzard's side.

"Ya're an annoying colt. Ya really are." Pitch leaned against the door to the stall and sighed, rubbing a hand over his eyes tiredly. "There's some beds up in the loft. If ya need me, I'll be up there." He patted Jack's back before walking over to the ladder and disappearing up into the loft.

Jack sat in the stall, completely forgetting about how much time was passing as the two friends simply took comfort in each other's presence. Eventually he forced himself to his feet and made his way up the ladder. "Hello?" The brunette's head peeked out from the opening as he looked around the loft.

"Yeah, colt?" The response was muffled and sounded exhausted, but a figure rose from the bed at the end of the loft. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Pitchiner, I just...I'm sorry for how I'm acting. I know I should be grateful, a-and I am. Blizz is...she's the only thing that's kept me going over the years. She's been there for me when nobody else has, and I can't stand the thought of being away from her. It hurts..." He looked down, slightly ashamed of himself.

"No need to be ashamed of that, colt. She's yar lady. We men must always bow to our ladies." Pitch put his hands on the small of his back, cracking his spine. "And it's Pitch. Just Pitch."

"Yes, sir. I mean Pitch."

The older man chuckled and shook his head, waving the boy off. Now head back down to yet girl and rest. Ya both need it."

Jack nodded slightly before slipping back down the ladder and curling up next to his best friend. The two of them quickly found their comfortable spot, used to many nights of sleeping together in the past.

After hearing a commotion coming from outside the walls, Jack left his friend in Tooth's hands. He crept over to the open barn door and peeked outside curiously. Blue eyes widened without him realizing it at seeing Pitch training one of the wilder horses. His gaze fell on the familiar cowboy who'd saved him, watching the great stallion start to do as it was commanders it fell under the man's spell.

"Ya should stop watchin' me like that, colt. Someone might think ya have a crush on me." Pitch winked, signaling the stallion to back up on command.

Jack nearly laughed, embarrassed at being caught but not sure why. "A crush? Not in your dreams, cowboy. My heart's already taken completely."

"How unfortunate for everyone else." Pitch laughed, putting his weight into his feet as the horse reared again. He spoke some words softly, soothing him down quickly. He gave a gentle kick to the stallion's flanks, spurring him into a gallop again.

With a smirk, the brunette went back into the barn. When he got to his horse's stall, he saw Tooth still in there with her checking her leg. "How is she doing?"

"She's healing quicker than expected." Tooth looked over her shoulder and smiled at the teen. "Pitch is gonna ride her after this lesson to see how her leg is with a rider. He thinks she's ready for it."

Jack immediately straightened up. "No, he's not. Nobody rides her but me."

Tooth opened her mouth to argue, but stopped when she looked over Jack's shoulder. "Are ya arguing with my assistant for a reason, colt?"

"Yes. I am. She's trying to tell me that you're going to ride Blizzard. Over my dead body. Nobody rides her except me."

"Yeah, yeah." Pitch stepped into the stall, closing the door behind him. He kneeled down, running a hand along the leg. "Swelling has decreased tremendously. She can put weight on it. No outward signs of discomfort." He stood and gave her a hearty pat on the neck. "Ya're quite the supergirl, ain't ya?" He smiled, stroking her nose and feeding her an apple slice.

"She's got perfect health. Of course she's going to heal fast," Jack grumbled under his breath.

Pitch ignored him, putting an arm over Blizzard's back and leaning. "She seems to bear this much weight. So far, so good." Tooth wrote something down on a clipboard, watching Pitch attentively.

"And? When will she be up for riding again?" Jack slid into the stall alongside the other man and his assistant.

Pitch continued to ignore the other man, putting both hands on her back and pressing down. "Still acceptin' pressure." Pitch pushed himself up, swinging his leg over the mare's body. He sat still, moving his weight up and off the horse's back. "Still good." Tooth kept writing, her eyes taking in every detail. Pitch looked down at Blizzard's legs and checked to make sure they felt right. "Alright, time to go."

Blizzard started to stomp restlessly, feeling her companion's distress. Jack quickly grabbed Pitch's leg. "Get the hell off of her."

Pitch looked down at him. "No. This is somethin' that needs to be done. I cannot determine how her leg is faring if I cannot feel it for myself." Tooth quietly opened the door behind Jack, moving out of the way. Pitch clicked his tongue, spurring the horse to begin walking. Once out of the barn, he moved her into a slow trot. He put her through her paces, constantly looking down at her leg. After fifteen minutes, he hopped down, running a hand down her leg. "Ah, yes. Quite the supergirl."

As soon as the man was off, Jack was by Blizzard's side, calming her worried shifting. "She doesn't like other riders." He shot a glare over at Pitch.

"Yes, colt." Pitch patted Jack's head. "Give her another couple weeks and she'll be as good as the day she was born."

"Is she good to ride now?"

"For a few minutes. She's already had fifteen..." Pitch stopped when he saw the pleading look on Jack's face. "...but I think she could have another ten. Just be gentle with her and mind the leg."

Jack didn't wait to be to told twice. He immediately swung up onto Blizzard's back, and the two set off at a slow trot. The brunette didn't need to go fast. All he wanted was to be on his horse again. Blue eyes closed peacefully, and he just let Blizzard drive, the horse going as fast as she felt like and where she felt like.

"Jack! Your ten minutes are up!" Tooth stood on the side, the clipboard clutched to her chest. Pitch was gone.

He whipped around, looking over at her. "Already? Five more minutes?" he pleaded.

"Doctor's orders, I'm afraid." She gave him an apologetic look and shrugged. "She's still injured, remember."

Jack nodded with a sigh. "Alright. Come on, girl. Time to go back." Blizzard turned back towards the barn, knowing where to go.

In the barn, the two handlers were messing around, flinging soiled hay at each other. Sandy was shorter than his companion, with blonde hair that stuck out at the sides and light golden eyes. He was also a little heavier, but not much. Bunny, on the other hand, was tall, well over 6 feet. His dark gray hair reached down to his shoulders and his piercing eyes could shoot daggers when he wanted them to. The two of them were laughing as they played. Bunny looked up, his eyes falling on Jack. "Well, it's Black's new plaything." His Australian accent was very pronounced, especially when compared to Pitch's country one.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Plaything? The guy's just putting me up while my horse heals." He led Blizzard into her stall.

"Yeah, right. Black always did have a thing for young riders." Sandy nudged Bunny's side, smirking at Jack.

"What's with people here? It seems like you're all trying to put us together on purpose. I have no interest in relationships. Never been in one before and I don't plan on changing that."

"He's got an interest in you," Sandy whispered.

"Yeah. Always looking back towards the barn, wondering how his new colt is doing." Bunny laughed, sticking his pitchfork in the dirt floor.

"I'll bet you two don't even know if he's gay or not." Jack chuckled and settled Blizzard back down in her spot.

"'Course he's not gay. He's bi. He'll go for anything on two legs."

"And you two? I'd think you were a bunch of girls in male drag if I didn't see those hard ons you're hiding in your pants while talking about your boss," the brunette snickered.

"Why, you little-" Bunny stepped forward, but Sandy stopped him with a hand to the man's chest.

"We're just concerned. Black seems to have an interest in you. That's rare, especially if you've known him as long as we have. He doesn't care about anything but his horses. Well, that is, until you."

"And? Doesn't mean he's going to act on it, if what you say is true. Or that I'm going to reciprocate." Jack shrugged.

"If you aren't going to, then you might as well leave. Sever the bond before it gets too strong."

"I'm not going anywhere until Blizzard is well enough to go."

"And what then?" Sandy quirked a golden eyebrow.

"I don't know. I guess we'll ride across the country doing whatever we can to make money and survive while staying out of the public's eye." He grabbed an apple and fed it to his mare.

"Wow, so heartless." Sandy shrugged, shoving Bunny's pitchfork against his chest. "Come on. Black will be pissed if we aren't done before dinner."

"Yeah." Bunny shot a glare over his shoulder before digging into the soiled hay.

Jack frowned, sliding down to his knees and curling up against Blizzard's side. "I'm not heartless...am I, Blizz?" he whispered to her, and the mare gently nuzzled against him with a soft noise.

There was a knock on the door before Tooth poked her head in. "Dinner time, boys. Hurry up!" Bunny and Sandy cheered, quickly running out the door to get their horses and make their way to the cabin. Tooth looked into the stall, noticing Jack. "Aren't you coming too?"

The brunette shook his head, holding up one of the apples he had gotten for his horse. "No thanks. I'm good."

"Pitch told me to tell you that he insists. If you don't come, he's coming to get you and he'll drag you back. His words, not mine."

"And since when is he my master? Why do I answer to him? I've had enough dictatorship in my life. I didn't come here to get more of it."

Tooth looked at him with wide eyes. "He was only trying to make sure you were fed," she said softly. She didn't argue, closing the barn door behind her and leaving Jack alone with the other horses.

Jack leaned across Blizzard's back, resting his chin on his arms as a tear snaked its way down his cheek. "I'm sorry," he whispered after Tooth left. "Maybe I am heartless..."

A couple hours later, Jack was nudged awake. Pitch was kneeling down by him and holding out a plastic container. "Here. I brought ya somethin' to eat since ya didn' come. It was warm, but I guess it cooled down on the way over."

"No thank you." He looked away from the food and the man holding it.

"Please eat it. My men get fed and you, my colt, are now part of the gang, so ya eat." Pitch put the container on Jack's lap, dropping a silver spoon on the lid. "I'm going to bed. Just leave the container by my bed and I'll take it back in the mornin', 'kay?"

Jack barely nodded, not touching the food on his lap. "W-why?" he choked out.

"Why what, colt?"

"Why are you helping me? Why are you being so nice? I'm heartless..."

"What's this?" Pitch sat down next to Jack, putting a finger under Jack's chin and forcing blue eyes to meet gold. "What is this about bein' heartless?"

"I...I am. My parents rubbed off on me more than I wish I ever wish they had. Their cruel ways have changed me." He bit his lip and glanced away.

Pitch sighed and wrapped an arm around Jack's shoulders. He leaned his head back, looking up at the ceiling. "Ya're still a colt. A colt is rarely the same when he becomes a stallion. Besides, a heartless person wouldn' have given one damn about their horse."

"But my heart so completely belongs to her that I would do anything to protect her. I don't care who or how many people I have to hurt to do so."

"Sounds like a man in love. Can't argue with ya there. I would give up everythin' for my horses and ranch." Pitch smiled. "But don' forget, there is a world out there. It can be awfully lonely if ya never stop to look at it."

"It already is lonely. My parents made sure of that, and now I'm doing it to myself."

"Why? Now that ya're free, why can't ya give yarself a little freedom?"

"Because this is just how my mind works now. Too many years of it being drilled into my mind, and now it's become habit." Jack sighed, pulling himself out of the man's arm.

"Ya know what, colt? I've broken horses of their bad habits before. I think I'm gonna break ya of yars."

"I'm not a horse. Don't waste your time and effort on something that isn't going to last."

"What makes ya think this isn't goin' to last?"

"Because as soon as Blizzard is better, we're leaving. I'm not going to stay in one place for long."

Pitch leaned back, watching Jack with lazy eyes. "Sounds exhaustin'." He groaned and pushed himself to his feet. "But if that's what ya want, colt." He shrugged, pushing the stall door open with the toe of his boot. He silently climbed the ladder, disappearing as always into the loft.

"It's what I have to do." Jack set the container on the ground by the door before curling up against his horse and quickly falling into a restless sleep.