Chapter 21:

It's been a long, torturous two months since the accident involving the brothers, but also the immensely relieving reunion between the partners. Kitt was back home now, safe and sound. Living most of his time out and about on the vast grounds of the beautiful Estate. And whenever he didn't feel like being on his own, he was by his family's side. Namely Micheal's most of the time.

At the moment, the partners were sitting together in the comfort of nature. A stream of crystal clear water flowed below them. Michael laid on his back a few feet from away from the bank, his fingers tangled together behind his head. Eyes closed in calm bliss as he listened to the sound of the quietly tinkling water.

Kitt stood a short distance behind him. Grazing on the sweet, lush green grass quietly. His thick, shiny jet black tail swished every now and then when an insect landed on him. Ears twitching in Michael's direction whenever his human partner sighed contently in his dozing.

Kitt stopped his grazing and looked up. His eyes landing on Michael. The past two months have been a blessing for Kitt and his family. But also a real pain. Word about his unconscious brother has been sparse. No one really seemed to want to tell the appaloosa stallion what was going on. Of course, he expected it though. For a long two months, Kitt's had to deal with the fact that his big brother may never come home.

He felt his eyes sting and he lowered his head some. Wincing as the pain Kitt tried so hard to subside, resurfaced full force. The cold truth had and still is, extremely hard for Kitt to digest. It just didn't seem real to him. No matter how anyone tried to slice it.

When the two first crossed paths all that time ago, Kitt wanted nothing to do with him. He gave Karr anything and everything but the time of day. You couldn't really blame him though. Karr was a killer. He was known as that since Kitt was born.

But then...he gave the eldest a chance. And with it, a whole new perspective about Karr. The older, jet black stallion became a kind of life line for the youngest. He knew that if there was ever trouble, Karr would be there to protect him from it. If he was ever hurt, he knew Karr would be there to heal him. If he was ever scared, he knew Karr would be there to support and encourage him through it.

No matter what the case may be, the eldest was always there to help in any way he could. If not at least give advice. But now...Kitt didn't have that being he grew so dependent on. Now, he felt what he could only describe as a sense of loss. Sure, he knew he always had his family there to back him up. But it just...wasn't the same. Nothing felt the same anymore now that Karr's gone. It was like a piece of himself was missing with Karr's absence.

His eyes opened and ears pricked when he heard the sound of a truck pulling up to the drive way of the mansion. He saw Michael stir and reluctantly sit up. Giving Kitt a tired smile as he stretched.

"Well, what'd ya say we go see who's here, eh?" Michael chortled playfully as he stood up, dusting himself off.

The young stallion nodded with a toss of his silky mane. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Michael chuckled as he and Kitt walked side by side up to the drive way. They paused at the concrete. The sight that greeted them made the two freeze. Though for Kitt, it was double that. His heart literally froze mid beat as disbelief and total shock took over.

Standing before him, was the one being he thought he'd never see again. Devon and Bonnie stood on either side of the being. Completely silent as they looked between the being and the partners in uncertainty.

Karr.

But he didn't look at all like how Kitt so horrifyingly remembered him. Karr's jet black coat looked untouched by even dust itself. It held a striking sheen, his silky mane and tail doing the same. His forelock slightly draped over one eye to reveal his seemingly glowing, snow white star on his forehead. No visible wounds anywhere on him.

As soon as their eyes met, Kitt saw a certain softness in Karr's eyes that made his heart swell. Tears pricking his eyes as an overwhelming amount of guilt took over. No. He couldn't face Karr. Not after everything he's said to him. No.

Slowly, Kitt began to back away before finally taking off. He heard his family calling his name, but he didn't care. There was no way he could face Karr again. Not after everything that he spat at him so carelessly. Not after breaking his big brother's heart.

He skidded to a halt by the small stream. Panting sightly as he tried to calm himself down. All of his bottled up emotions towards the matter threatening to boil over in a moment's notice.

"Kitt?" A gentle voice asked from behind him.

Kitt jumped and whirled around. He began to tremble when he saw it was Karr. A look of grave concern on his face as he took a careful step closer to his little brother. Kitt immediately took one back.

"Don't. Stay back." He choked tearfully, his trembling visibly getting worse as he took another slight step back.

"Kitt, please, calm down. I...I just want to talk to you."

"No. I...you can't. Please just leave me alone."

Kitt swallowed hard when he saw tears form in the other's eyes. The youngest lowered his head some, his ears going back in an unsure manner. His big brother sighed, looking away at the shimmering stream before turning his soft gaze back on Kitt.

"Kitt, when I woke up...I was terrified. Not because of where I was at, or because of what happened to me. I was terrified...because I feared something had happened to you. I didn't know where you were. I didn't even know if you were there."

He paused briefly, trying to collect himself before he continued.

"It was scary enough knowing how close I was to...dying. It didn't help any not knowing the shape you were in, or of you alright. Kitt, as time went on, I started to think the worst when I saw no sign of you anywhere. I-" Karr choked, his throat tight with hidden emotion. "I thought you were dead." He whispered softly, tearfully looking at Kitt.

Kitt only looked away sadly, closing his eyes as tears threatened to fall. "I deserve to after what I said to you."

He heard his brother gasp. "Why would you say that? Kitt, it was the heat of the moment. You didn't-"

"It doesn't matter, Karr. I still said them and they still stung."

"Kitt," Karr started softly as he brought his muzzle to his little brother's. "please look at me."

Kitt hesitated, but followed through with what he was told. He looked sadly into Karr's eyes. Their muzzles still touching gently.

"It's ok." Karr whispered softly, his eyes never wavering from Kitt's to show he meant it.

Kitt closed his eyes and backed away some. A tear managing to slip past him. He felt Karr try to nuzzle him, but he backed away again.

"Kitt, little brother, please. It's ok. I'm here now. Everything's alright." Karr continued softly.

Kitt backed away again, tears now streaming down his face. Quietly murmuring for Karr to stay back. To leave him alone. But Karr didn't listen. He wrapped his head around Kitt's neck tightly. His little brother's head gently colliding with his warm chest.

The minute Kitt felt the familiar contact he's been longing for, he finally allowed himself to break down. His emotions showing full force with each harsh sob he made. Pushing into Karr's chest and never wanting the warmth to leave.

"I'm so sorry, big brother. I'm so sorry." Kitt managed to choke out as he buried the side of his face in Karr's chest.

He felt Karr hold him tighter. "It's ok, little brother. I was never mad at you. I'm just glad you're ok and we're together again."

With a sniffle, Kitt pushed deeper into his big brother's tear soaked chest. "I love you."

Karr felt tears prick his eyes at the softly spoken words. "I love you too." He replied just as softly. Happy to be home back with his precious little brother. Happy that he would be spending the rest of his life with Kitt by his side.

Happy, that he was no longer, The Lost Knight.

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The End