...I'm not getting emotional you are. But seriously, thank you for sticking with this story and odd pairing with me, it means so much and holy fuck I can't believe I finished this in time for the New Year. Here's to finishing some more stories this year. Love you all, Trawl.

...

Mike wasn't one to deliberately get his hopes up over every little out-of-the-ordinary event, but he swore that was Hunapo's car in the distance, a rusty splodge trundling up the dirt driveway past pens and fields, sticking out against the flat, arid landscape. Cattle and chickens dispersed as the little red toyota kicked dust in its wake, coming to a stop just before a rickety old shed. Mike pushed the net curtains to the side as a tiny figure that could only be Hunapo stumbled out of the car, tiptoes straining and stomach crushed against the sink.

They weren't due for another week, Mike made sure to announce to his brother before leaving the kitchen, almost missing Matthew's knowing smirk from over his newspaper. He bolted out the door and practically threw himself over the porch as Hunapo hauled a wheelchair from the boot and Charlie dashed over to greet him.

"Surprise!" she yelled as she crashed into him, twig like arms somehow constricting his middle in a hug. "Betcha didn't expect to see us, huh?"

"Well, no," Mike grinned, ruffling her hair, "not until Texas." He knew Oscar and family were planning to come back to the US over the summer, seeing as Hunapo wanted to catch a few rodeos- the same ones as the Jones brothers- and Oscar wanted to cheer them all on, and see his boyfriend again. Mike had flunked through his last few weeks of school just thinking about it, sacrificing homework for more training- and a little daydreaming-, and this time he was certain he had a good chance of winning. Though this time he wasn't going to do anything stupid in order to achieve that. No last minute bullriding, no getting stupidly competitive, no fighting the competition. If he didn't win then he didn't damn win and at the end of the day he'd still have his family and Oscar and Oscar's family and Daisy and a fun time doing what he loved. It would definitely help though, the thought of Oscar cheering him on at each event.

"So does this hotel have room service?" asked Oscar jokingly, wheeling himself over to join them as Hunapo struggled with suitcases and bags, many of which could only belong to the little prince of the Outback here. Moving in, was he? Not that Mike would object.

"Depends how nicely you behave," he replied, reaching down to hug him.

"I'll be on my best behaviour," Oscar gave a laugh, "hope we're not intruding though; Matt said it would be okay to show up a week early, help Mātua get over their jet lag and all. Can't have your brother running rings around them, can we?" Well of course, Hunapo was extra keen to compete in and finish all three roughstock events this year now their leg was completely mended.

"Scared they'll lose to a Jones?"

"Let's not start this shit again."

"Oh. You're right," stung with regret, Mike threw himself into greeting Hunapo and Charlie instead, making them feel welcome, though he left Matt to actually show them inside. They weren't the ones he wanted to spend time with, after all.

"Are you gonna help me up these?" Oscar asked when it was just the two of them, eyeing the porch steps with some irritation. Mike didn't know how far Oscar was progressing with his rugby career, but his arms at least were slowly gaining the muscle he'd lost being unable to use them now he had finally moved on to a manual wheelchair. His chest seemed broader too. He was probably as independent as he could hope to be for the time being.

"Actually," he began, "I was thinking the two of us could stay out here for a bit. By ourselves. Unless, um, you know, you're a little tired."

"I slept in the car," Oscar waved a hand dismissively, "what did you have planned?"

"Well, nothing, because I didn't know you were coming." Mike leaned over to take Oscar's hand, the two of them stock still in the dirt and not quite looking at each other. "But just now, like, I had a sort of idea."

Oscar raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know what it is?"

"Hey nothing weird, don't worry. I just thought you'd wanna go horse riding." Mike couldn't help laughing. "Okay, maybe there's a nice stream by the edge of the farm with these nice flowers that I thought we could spend some time at. You know, alone."

"Sounds nice, shame I can't ride a horse." Oscar tried not to look bitter about it. He seemed more surprised that Mike would forget that, in all honesty.

"Wait here."

Mike didn't give his boyfriend a chance to reply as he took off at a jog and slipped into the nearby stables. Down the end was his horse- Alli- and he saddled and bridled her as fast as he could without upsetting the poor mare. Alli was the most mild-tempered and patient of his horses, and probably the best for what he had in mind. He slipped her a few mints as he lead her into the sunlight to a waiting Oscar.

"Don't worry bout a thing," he explained, "I'll be up here with you, and I won't let you fall."

"Well aren't you sweet," Oscar gave a huff before wheeling over, "I suppose that could work, dear."

"Damn right it will." With some difficulty- due to Oscar's awkward, long limbs- Mike somehow lifted him up and onto the horse, struggling to get both his boots into the stirrups and the moment he turned away, Oscar gave a yelp as he started slipping to the far side of Alli's massive back before Mike grabbed his arm. His mouth was wide open, panting through an adrenaline rush and looking like a small woodland creature caught in a trap.

"Whoopsie-daisy babe," exclaimed Mike, "keep a hold of the reins, will ya?"

"No balance," Oscar explained, "like, none at all; this might be tricky."

"Hey I got you," Mike guided Oscar so he was lying flat against Alli's neck, arms gently wrapped around her throat, the horse keeping still for them, "see? You'll be fine." And with that, he climbed up behind him, wrapping his arms around Oscar's middle to pull him back up and tapping Alli with his heel. "If I give you directions, reckon you could translate them for Alli? You're good with horses and I like that about ya. I respect anyone that respects animals, but you know that already."

"You flatter me, you really do," Oscar gently guided the reins as Alli walked them both towards the sunset, resting against Mike's chest. "Aren't you forgetting my chair?"

"Nah," Mike waved a hand, "we can both lie on the bank instead, just relaxing and stuff, alright with you?"

Oscar nodded, falling silent as old buildings melted away into wide open fields, golden in the late afternoon light and dotted with wildflowers. In the distant hills, the pair swore they saw a herd of wild mustang. He wondered just how many little sketches and watercolours Charlie would be able to fit in whilst they were staying, and made a note to remind her to get as many photographs as she could too. He might even ask her for a painting, the place was so beautiful, and for some reason smelt exactly like Michael.

"So what's that?" Mike broke the silence that had settled between them at the sight of something dark peeking out from under his sleeve. "Got inked?"

"Kirituhi," Oscar mumbled as he rolled up his shirt sleeve to display the intricate black patterns, "for being a brave boy."

"The bravest," Mike laughed, "it suits you."

"Thanks," Oscar twisted his torso to plant a peck on Mike's cheek, "love ya, cowboy."

"Love you too, you damn Cooper."

...

The end.