Keith takes big greedy gulps of the warm trough water. It tastes bad from sitting stagnant in the sun for so long and he has to all but face plant to get at it, the ranch hands seem to think his arms are just for decoration and still refuse to untie them for any reason, but he's far too thirsty to care.
They'd left him staked out to the post again. Seeing Shiro after so long, in such a bad state, had reignited every ounce of his defiance. The next time one of the hands had come to take him from the stall, he'd demanded to see the other stallion. That was when he found out no one here knew of a 'Shiro'. Some angry throwing out of every descriptor he could think of, ending with nearly yelling 'he's missing an arm'. Had gotten the hand to realize who he was talking about, only to have the nerve to tell him that that centaur was named 'Champion', and if Keith knew what was good for him, he'd start using that name too. He doesn't regret rearing back and kicking the human square in the chest, even if he'd spent another day in the hot sun with nothing to drink or eat for it. He hopes he broke some of the bastard's ribs.
There is a tug on his lead, "Come on NumbSkull, I don't have all day," Keith ignores the demand. He hasn't had enough to drink yet, and he's making a point of the fact they don't get to rename him like they tried to do with Shiro. He has a name, and if they want to talk to him, they can use it. The next jerk to the lead nearly pulls him off balance, "I said it's time to go. Get your ass in gear or you can stay out in the damn yard until you rot." Keith flicks his tail and lifts his face so he can glare at the hand, but slowly gets to his hooves. He doesn't actually have a death by exposure wish, "Took your fucking time, now come on."
Keith's a little surprised when he's not led directly back to the stable. He sort of figured they were going to give him enough water to make sure he didn't up and die on them, then put him away until the next time they felt like trying to tame him. Seems like they already had plans for him today though.
He follows the hand at as slow a pace as he thinks he can get away with. He's being petty, but if he has to be miserable, then everyone else can be too. At least he does, until he spots who's waiting for him in the training yard. He all but drags the hand to the gate, and then tears his lead free to gallop across the yard. Shiro!
Keith skids to a stop in front of the other stallion, then rears up so he can bump Shiro's cheek with his nose. "You're here!" Keith can't keep the delight from his voice. Shiro's in the training yard with him, that must mean the humans are finally letting them see one another. Shiro lets out a surprised laugh, and leans down to return the gesture.
It's a happy reunion all around until the human sitting on the fence beside Shiro decides to open his mouth, "Fuck Champion, you never told anyone you had a colt," Keith's smile dies an untimely death. Being excited doesn't make him a colt, especially not Shiro's colt. They're only a year apart in age.
Shiro squeezes Keith's shoulder. He wants Keith to let him handle it, "We're not related," Shiro says, far more calmly than Keith could.
"Are you sure? He could be the spitting image of a younger you," The hand peers closely at them both, and Keith bristles. No he doesn't. Shiro never looked like him, even when they were young.
"We aren't even the same breed," Shiro pulls on his shoulder, getting him to turn so they're side by side. Keith on the opposite side of Shiro from the interfering hand, "You wanted me to talk to him, and get him to show you how fast he can run a lap around the yard, correct?" Wait, what? What is Shiro talking about? Why is he asking the human about what to do with him?
"Yep," The hand says, "Don't take too long."
"Alright," Shiro nods, then looks down at Keith, "Walk with me."
End Note:
There is a reason Shiro's arms aren't bound like Keith's.
Hopefully only two more parts, may have to make it three though.