Chapter 4

By the time they returned the horses to the barn in silence and walked to the back patio of the house, K had given him the keys to the truck.

"Aren't you gonna wash up before going to town?" K asked his voice a little different.

Hiro noticed the softer tone of K's voice and nodded. "Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. Can you tell me how to find the nearest shopping area, I wouldn't mind getting myself one of those hats," Hiro said and pointed at K's Stetson. "The sun is beginning to take its toll." Besides, they were kinda cool…

K awarded Hiro with an amused huff and told him how to find such a place. "Don't say you're working for my ranch, ok?"

Headed for the upstairs washroom, Hiro looked back. "I wasn't exactly going to do that…but why is that so important?"

A downcast look came over K's face then, "Because…they'll laugh at you."

With that K strode back outside, letting the screen door slam shut behind him.

Hiro stood there with his mouth open, as if words were stuck in his throat but he couldn't say them. Quietly he went upstairs to wash and dress into something clean. He hurried a little because by now it was almost supper time and the shops wouldn't be open forever. He didn't care how tired he felt, he had to do this. So, finding another pair of old jeans and a clean button up black shirt, he looped his belt around the pants. Grunting in pain, Hiro looked at his blistered, calloused hands. Even doing up his belt hurt like a bitch.

Back downstairs, he looked for K to ask if he wanted anything in town. But when he found him, he decided not to. Once again K was in his water trough taking a bath, a bottle of Jack Daniels firm in his grip. Quietly Hiro backtracked and went to the front to the black Chevy pickup. With a smoke dangling from his lip, Hiro started the truck and shifted into drive. Good thing he knew how to drive a stick.


After Hiro drove away, K threw the bottle he had across the yard. He was sick of that shit, sick of feeling like crap all the time, sick of being sick! "Dammit!" he yelled out. Inside he felt so furious, so discarded, confused. He couldn't explain why.

He wanted to drown in his misery.

Tears sprung forth and burned as their breakaway made it down his cheeks. He could taste the salt on his tongue as he licked the few that coursed past his lips.

How many years has it been since she was gone? How many years since his disgrace in that courtroom, all those people snapping his picture? All those humiliating times he got arrested for shooting at nosey reporters. How many years has it been since he'd seen his son?

Would they even let him see Michael now?

He was a deadbeat. A good for nothing rancher, with a good for nothing ranch!

It had been too long. If only he'd listened to Judy when she said she'd had enough of this place. He could have moved them, they could have still been happy. K sighed, he wanted to blame himself, he really did…but would it have mattered? None of it mattered anymore.

He was so tired of being angry and sad all the time…

The townspeople avoided him, except the few that knew he was still very much human, like Charlene and his aunt. He had no real friends since that court shit four years ago. Inside he knew it had been his own fault. He'd avoided everyone and they in turn figured he'd gone mad. For his own amusement he still kept that shotgun loaded for the reporters that dared to drive up to the house.

But they'd stopped years ago.

Then this Hiro guy comes along…and it's as if he's reliving all that crap four years ago. Why dammit?! It's only taken a week and already he can feel that man under his skin. Hiro's smiles, that laughter, so carefree.

"But, it would seem to me both of us are on the run from something then, eh?"

He had been running and Hiro pointed it out so carelessly! Hell, he was still running. It made K wonder when the fuck he would stop? He wondered curiously what it was Hiro was running from too. His past was too boring he'd said. What was he hiding? For the first time in a long time he was thinking about someone else's problems and not his own. In a few days, another person made him think over all the wrongs in his life.

But Hiro's smile…it was haunting him.


Hiro spent a good chunk of change on a pile of food, real stuff like Mac and cheese—who the hell could live without that?—and microwaveable pizza! His stomach was already singing like a full choir by the time he got to the clothing store. Of course he'd made sure to buy lots of fruits and vegetables, even cleaning supplies. He spent a few bucks on something else too, seeds.

That's right. He wanted to try his hand at gardening. Growing stuff sounded like fun, rewarding, he wanted to get his hands dirty. So, he made sure to pick up some fertilizer and a small book on gardening. Now, he was pointing out the sweet black cowboy hat to the saleslady. Black was perfect for him…black like Maddy he thought, itching now to ride her again. He shook his head crazily at how this ranching, cowboy stuff was getting to him and paid for the item, along with a few pairs of new pants, couple of shirts and a brown leather pair of cowboy boots. He'd deemed his biker boots were just a bit too heavy to hull around all day long.

Yep, he'd spent a small fortune.

But money was just an object; life was no fun if you couldn't spend your own money on things you like. Money, Hiro concluded, was just something people brought upon themselves. If it was his choice, they'd be no money at all.

Still, he had to have it to live. And now he had a lot less in his slowly dwindling bank account. Being a musician didn't pay that well, which is why he had a second job in Vancouver in a distribution company—shipping and receiving. It was also where he'd met Marcus. Funny, suddenly K came to mind as Hiro realized that K was way better looking that Marcus.

Hiro stumbled over the parking block on his way out and almost lost his balance then. Had he just thought that? Hmm, he had to admit every time K looked at him he felt strange—good strange. How could a man that infuriated him so, be something attractive?

Naw, he'd only known the man for one week! K was nothing more that a victim of a malicious divorce, and now he was just a bitter nasty-tempered man. Waving off his thoughts, Hiro jumped back into the truck. He was just about to start the engine when he heard…

"Hey isn't that Crazy Winchester's truck?"

"Yeah…who's driving it?"

"Can't believe anyone would work for him, I hear the Six Shooter ranch makes human hamburger."

"Oooh…"

Perplexed, Hiro looked to see a few teens wandering past; they were looking hard to see who was in the vehicle.

The three boys began to laugh and giggle heartily.

Hiro couldn't explain, but he suddenly felt mad. He didn't know why he was doing it either when he tore out of the parking space and revved the engine. He then chased after the young men.

They screamed and dodged the truck by running into the middle of parked cars. Hiro smirked and drove off, leaving three faces gaping in his wake. Geez, what punks! The realization hit Hiro, K was an outcast, billed the chronically insane. No wonder he was such a bitter guy, seems that divorce not only broke his heart, but labeled him some sort of nut in this town. Hiro guessed it was because of the shootings that got him tossed in jail…like old Bill had mentioned.

He felt bad then. K didn't seem crazy. Hiro remembered his touch earlier today, no the man was hurting inside, but he was tender. He knew that now.

Maybe he just needed someone that cared.

The drive back took a good twenty minutes, but his whole trip took at least three hours. It was starting to get dark now and his hopes of cleaning out that fridge felt like a chore from the devil. Parking in the place he took the truck, Hiro got out and began to haul everything up to the porch and then inside.

At first whiff, he smelled vinegar.

"K?!" he called wonderingly. He proceeded to the kitchen to find a place for all this stuff. Dropping his load he nearly jumped out of his skin, for there sat at the table was…

"K…is that you?"

A clean shaven K looked at Hiro calmly. "What took you so long? Here I thought you stole my truck," K gruffed.

He ignored the usual snappy comments. Instead Hiro had to resist reaching out and touching K's face to prove that it was as soft as it looked. "You…shaved," he said bewildered.

"Yea, so what?"

"No matter…you look better. Here, I bought all kinds of stuff, don't worry about the money I'm cool about it this time," Hiro advised. "Now all I got to do is clean out the beast and all my 'money' won't rot." He sniggered a little at his witty comment and tipped his new hat at his boss.

"Found yerself a hat, eh?" K muttered, "And boots I see."

"Yup, I can't wait to get them worked into!"

Hiro looked good, K thought finding it hard to look away. "Gonna have blisters, that's for sure," he said and picked up a package of tomato seeds questionably.

Hiro snatched them back, "That's right I want to make a garden…if you don't mind?"

K only wore a smug look, relishing the hesitant look on Hiro's face. "Suit yourself, I'm going to bed." He got up and left, a soft click coming from upstairs as he shut his bedroom door.

Shaking his head, Hiro wondered what that was all about. He almost couldn't believe it was the same person without that beard. Damn and here he thought K looked good with it, now—Hiro swallowed, he looked better. Still, he never got to ask where the smell of vinegar was coming from. He had no choice but to clean the fridge and he held his nose before opening it.

He blinked.

AC/DC's Thunderstruck played in his head.

He unplugged his nose.

The refrigerator was spotless!

Hiro couldn't believe it! He smiled with genuine surprise and began to load the thing with food. K had done this while he was gone, what an amazingly nice thing to do! Humbled, Hiro hurried to put things away so that he too could go to bed. He was exhausted. There were all those dishes and so many more things to do, but he just couldn't do it—not today. But he stopped at K's bedroom door before heading to his own and knocked.

The door opened with Hiro's knuckles still poised. "What do you want?" K spoke, his voice sort of husky.

Licking his lips anxiously, Hiro studied over K with his hair down and in a pair of black boxer shorts and no shirt. He was still in rapture over the beardless face. "I…I just wanted to thank you for the fridge. That was real nice of you," Hiro said peering into a very masculine bedroom over K's shoulder.

K said nothing, but he smiled.

Hiro smiled too. He could feel himself grow hot in the cheeks. "Well, goodnight."

"G'night Hiroshi," K said softly, using Hiro's full name. He retreated back into his room, but on the other side he leaned against the door, listening as Hiro moved on, his heart beating abnormally fast. Another smile found its way to his face. K sighed and padded over to his bed.


The next morning the sound of pitter patter on the roof told Hiro it was raining. Actually it was so soothing that he let his eyelids fall shut again. Hiro was just slipping into a blissful dream where he was riding Maddy like the wind, only this time he was confident and flying through the golden fields. In the dream he felt himself shooting an arm up into the air in pure unadulterated triumph when he heard knocking. Hey! Who was interrupting his dream?!

"Hiro, time to get up!"

"Meh, I'm not done yet. Let me ride one more time?" Hiro murmured sleepily.

"What?" K questioned, perplexed.

Hiro snapped open his eyes.

Oh shit! It was K outside his door!

Realizing he was talking in his sleep and still holding up his arm Hiro replied, "Sorry, I'm up! I'm up!"

The sounds of K's footfalls traveled downstairs and Hiro forced himself out of bed. Wasn't there any days off? Man, he just wanted to rest, catch up on sleep, play his guitar and drink a beer, soak his sore butt. Man, he had no idea what riding horses could do to his ass! Either way he dressed, leaving the shower until after work was done. It made more sense anyways.

Groaning stiffly he entered the kitchen where K was stirring milk into his morning coffee, only, he turned and offered him the cup. Hiro noticed then, that there was another cup on the counter top, which had to be K's.

"One milk, no sugar right?" K asked him.

Hiro nodded dumbly and took the cup. "Thank you." Wow, K was being so nice this morning.

"It's raining today which means the cattle stay in the barn. They don't like the rain and it's not good for them. It is gonna be an easy day, but a damp one," K explained and pointed at the chair where he'd hung a raincoat for Hiro. "You'll need it," he said and headed for the front porch where they normally watch the sunrise.

Following, Hiro took to one of the Muskoka chairs instead of the top step due to the rain. He sat next to K who also sat in a chair; both lit a cigarette as the gurgling of water ran down the spout at the side of the house. "Thanks again about that fridge last night," Hiro told K as he looked curiously over at the man's still shaved face. "I'll clean up that kitchen when we're done later…I'll even cook us dinner."

"Don't tell Mrs. McAllister," K warned good-heartedly.

Hiro smiled, he understood but thought. "Wouldn't that be mean to let her keep cooking for us when we don't really need it?" Hiro wondered.

K looked drolly at Hiro. "Do you say 'no' to a good thing? Besides, she's my aunt, she doesn't mind."

"Your aunt…?"

"Yea, didn't I mention my whole family grew up around here? My father's long gone and so is my mother…I had no brothers or sisters and there's just my aunt left," K said, sipping on his brew.

'Heh, you haven't told me anything, until now,' Hiro thought, unable to imagine K was talking to him at all! Not barking rude comments per usual, but just chatting. What was happening? Hiro stared numbly at K and said, "Ah, I see."

K scuffed a boot over the tattered floorboards of the front porch, "You know, I thought I'd give you a hand fixing up a few things around here, 'bout time. I didn't hire a maid, I hired a ranch hand." He looked over at Hiro, "You stuck it out for a week and a day. Not bad Hiro, not bad at all."

With that K got up, hunkering under his slicker and walked out into the rain.

Hiro stared after K as he disappeared around the house towards the barn. That was the first true compliment the man had EVER given him! He smiled widely and drained his coffee, following K in good spirits for another day of work.


A/N: Things are coming together for K and Hiro a little. YAY! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chappie!

Reviewers

Sangokagome - HAHA! I love Chuck Norris and his jokes lol! Oh, I didn't realize K sounded like he had a Southern accent teehee, it's more hickish I guess, but whatever tickles you hun :P Weee! It makes me so happy that you're enjoying this. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. Much love!

Sailorlight22 - Yes you got it right K and his erm beard/mustache lol! I mean that HAD to go XD! FF is mean and didn't show your link, but it's ok, I'll imagine that puppy in my mind XD! Thankies! And thankies for your wonderful comments!

geka0taitsume0taikaiyou - Yea, K needs a lot of cleaning up in all areas! I'm glad you liked Maddy, that would be something Hiro won't forget lol! Thanks hun for the comments.

My Fluffy Scarf - Aww hun you flatter me so much! -squishes- I'm so happy you enjoy my fics. And yeah sometimes I can't believe I can even make such long stories. I just couldn't see this one being as long as those..because this is a more simpler plot, the other stories were so full of plot. There will be at least 10 in this one. Weee it's Silvea! Haha, I know logining in is such a drag sometimes lol! Thanks hun! Much love!

aoh - Haha, no K won't be bored when the chapter comes where Hiro tells K about his past. It's a yummy chapter actually lol! Hehe, yeah Hiro cleaning house is kinda fun, but as you can see in this chapter K doesn't want him to do it all alone. More fun! Thank you for your comments!

Sarahfreak - Hiro is working on the notches slowly with his uber hotness. I mean he just can't help it XD! Thanks for reading hun and the review!

Nattle the Nettle - Ohh man this sorta thing happened to you, the horse thing. Scary. Yeah but Hiro is a go-getter, he's all happy about Maddy now lol! See, I've turned him into a cowboy this chapter :P I can update fairly often because I write the chappies ahead of time. Just in case I want to change things in previous chapters before posting them I get ahead of myself. Although this fic isn't all written yet. Almost tho XD Thanks sweetie!

Jyrokita - LOL yes K's mess, I wouldn't want to lounge on that couch! No worries tho the mess will be cleaned up soon, so will K. Thanks for the comments!

Charlie - Oh je ne sais quoi means literally "I don't know what" or "A certain something". I really should have put an explanation of that. Thanks for asking and commenting!

ArtemisMS - OH I TOTALLY AGREE! No matter where you put these boys they belong together. My only wish, the only one...is I wish K was a touch younger. Not that it's stopped me from writing ficage for them but still...that's my only wish lol! And you were right! I mean that beard had to freaking go XD! -hugs- thanks for the comments hun!

supershu-chan - XD yeah K is so depressing in this fic, well only the beginning because he will change :P But it's fun to imagine he can be broken just like anyone else. WEEE! Thanks SO much about Hiro! Yeah I like my Hiro's with some spine and sauciness lol! I made him sorta childish at times in this fic, like when he goes bull riding in a couple chapters in the future XD And he's a smartass at times...but that's so entertaining to me lol! I'm glad you're enjoying him -squishes- Thanks hunnie!

Corvin - Thanks so much for your comments! Glad you are enjoying it -super happy-