Fresno Bob's office was at the racetrack. Dillon didn't know exactly what this job would entail but he assumed it would involve courier work and maybe providing a bit of extra muscle. He could drive and he could fight so it shouldn't be a problem.

"You're Ziggy Grover's pal?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'm concerned what that says about your judgement."

"Honestly, at times so am I."

"And you're looking for work," the cartel boss said.

Dillon nodded.

"I'll do anything you need me to."

"Anything?"

Dillon didn't hesitate.

"Yes, sir."

Fresno Bob gave him a scrutinising look. Dillon didn't flinch under it, he meant what he said, there was nothing he wouldn't do if it meant taking care of Tenaya.

"Alright," the cartel boss said, standing up behind his desk. "Follow me."

Dillon did as he was told and trailed behind Fresno Bob all the way to the stables.

"Horses eat a lot," the cartel boss said, lifting a pitchfork and pushing into Dillon's hand. "And that means they poop a lot. And someone has to clean it up."

"You want me to shovel crap?"

He had thought cartel work would be cooler than this.

"Is that a problem?" Fresno Bob asked in a way that told Dillon he wouldn't get a second chance here.

He thought of Tenaya, and all the things she would need.

"No, sir."

"You ever worked with horses before?"

"No."

Bob called another man over. He had floppy brown hair and bright blue eyes.

"Axle here was born in the stables. He'll teach you everything you need to know."

Dillon automatically shook hands with Axle, before he thought about the fact that Axle also worked in the stable.

Dillon looked down at his hand, dirty like Axle's, and figured it was done now, he might as well get stuck in and earn himself a pay check.

xxx

"Hey, how'd it go? Impress him with your strong, silent-type thing?"

Dillon wrapped Ziggy up in a hug, both as a thank you and because he was happy that he could provide for his family now.

"I got the job."

"That's... You smell weird. Wait, don't tell me he's got you mucking out stalls?"

Dillon stepped back, keeping a hand on Ziggy's shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

"It's fine. It'll pay the bills."

"But you-"

Ziggy was cut off by Tenaya.

"Dillon?"

He turned to see her and Flynn.

"Yeah, sis," he answered, scooping her up into a hug. "I got the job. We can get a place of our own now."

"That's great, Dillon," Flynn offered.

"I'm proud of you," Tenaya told him.

They needed to do something to celebrate.

"Pizzas on me," Dillon announced, but for some reason Ziggy didn't look too keen. "Extra mushroom..." he tried to entice.

"Maybe next time. I've got some class prep to do for tomorrow."

"Oh, okay," Dillon said, feeling very disappointed all of a sudden as he watched Ziggy disappear up the stairs.

"Well I'm in," Flynn agreed.

"Me too," said Tenaya happily.

"Great," Dillon said, trying his best to offer them a genuine smile. "Let's eat out."

They both agreed, Tenaya taking the arm Flynn offered, and the three of them set out for dinner. But even though everything was on track, even though his friends and family were all doing good, Dillon couldn't shake the feeling that something very important was still missing.

xxx

The thing about working with horses was that the day started very early. Dillon hauled himself out of bed to get ready.

He ran into Ziggy in the hallway. Last night had been a little weird but he hoped that whatever it was, had passed.

"Hey, Zig."

"Oh, hey Dillon," Ziggy said, whirling around, hair even crazier than usual because he'd just woken up. Dillon couldn't help smiling. Ziggy was just so endearing.

"So I was thinking, maybe after I'm done at the stables and you've finished school for the day, you could help me with some house hunting?"

Now that he had a job, and was going to be moving out soon, he wanted to spend every moment with Ziggy that he could.

Ziggy hesitated for a second, but then he seemed to shake off whatever reservations he had and put a smile on his face.

"Sure. I know all the best places."

"I thought you might," Dillon smiled back.

xxx

Ziggy was uncharacteristically quiet as they walked along the street. They had decided to check out a few neighbourhoods, see which ones might be suitable for Tenaya once she had to use the cane again.

"Hey, Zig. What's the matter?"

"The matter!" Ziggy squeaked. "Nothing! Why would something be the matter?" He was trying too hard and overcompensating again.

Dillon stopped and turned to his best friend.

"You're acting weird and you know it."

Ziggy tried for a moment to hold Dillon's gaze, but he couldn't. He dropped his eyes and raked a hand through his hair.

"It's stupid," he sighed.

Dillon reached out and laid a hand on Ziggy's shoulder.

"No, it isn't. Not if it's bothering you this much. Maybe I can help."

Ziggy turned those big brown eyes up at him, full of uncertainty this time.

"I guess, it's just, well you have a job now and you're moving out. I won't see you as much."

That's what all this was about?

"You're gonna miss me?"

"Yeah. I am. When you left Corinth before, things just weren't the same, and I know it's selfish, I know you have to do this for your sister because she needs you, but I guess the thing is, I kinda need you too."

Ziggy was looking at him with the most affecting mix of fear and hope. Dillon wanted to do anything he could to make Ziggy feel safe and wanted, so he pulled him into a hug.

"I promise I'm not going anywhere, Zig. I gotta do this for Tenaya, but you are welcome anytime, night or day. You're family too."

He meant that, because his feelings for Ziggy were just as strong as what he felt for Tenaya.

Ziggy held on tight a moment longer, then cleared his throat and stepped back, turning a much brighter look up at Dillon now.

"Well this isn't getting a place found."

"Guess not," Dillon agreed, even though for a second it kinda felt like he just might have found the place he belonged.