<sub>Mercury Rising gave a firm snort as he stood in his stall, gold and white threads snapping against his painted rump, ears back as his dark brown eyes looked menacingly at the stablehand in his stall. A loud whinny was emitted, teeth shown, head even higher as Merc puffed out his chest, making it perfectly clear he did not like the stablehand. The stablehand however attempted to get close to the tobiano gelding, but as soon as he stepped forward Merc lunged forward, causing the stablehand to jump back in alarm. Buffy glanced into the stall, a smile adorning her lips as she shook her head, Budweiser on her right side.

"Hey Merc, leave the poor thing alone."

As soon as Buffy's voice was heard the painted gelding's head snapped round to look at her, ears pricked as he nickered out, tail raised high in pride. A look of joy sparkled on the horse's face as he trotted over to her, nothing on him to keep him under control. Buffy grinned, rubbing Merc between the eyes affectionately, not holding onto Bud's reins. The huge black sabino clydesdale gelding standing quite happily, a simple black leather snaffle bridle on him, a white saddle pad, and a black leather english saddle on his back. Nothing high tech, it was simple tack and nothing that really held the boy back or made him stay where he was. Bud was happy to stand there.

Rubbing Merc's neck affectionately, a smile was on her rose coloured lips, loving the sound of burring coming through the chestnut tobiano's throat. The stablehand handed over the red velvet headcollar to Buffy before walking off, deciding it was best to stay as far away from Mercury Rising as possible. Buffy smiled, slipping the headcollar onto Merc's head before grabbing Bud's reins with her right hand. Snapping the matching leadrope onto the headcollar before leading the pair down the yard. The matching leadrope was extra long, which was good considering that Buffy was going to take both of her babies out onto the cross country course.

Mounting up onto the black sabino clydesdale Bud, she then trotted the pair to the cross country course, a huge smile on her lips as she looked at the pure beauty of the place. She loved it out here. All of a sudden both horses pricked their ears, and a spring flooded into their step, tails and heads high as they got excited about what was to come. Grinning, Buffy laughed, flaxen hair dancing upon the breeze.

"Ready boys?"</sub>

<sub>On a horse, or with any animal, Buffy had limitless amounts of confidence, with a guy though she had nothing. No confidence, nothing. It was quite hard to believe it was the same girl riding one horse with another right beside her jumping freely, that couldn't even flirt with a guy she truly liked or admit her feelings to him. She should be used to Harlee getting the guys, getting everything, and her getting nothing, but even now it still hurt and surprised Buffy slightly. She deserved to shine, like a shooting star eternally, but she just couldn't seem to shine, except when with an animal. They gave you unconditional love and affection, they were simple, they meant what they did, they didn't have hidden agendas or beat around the bush, what you saw is what you got, and that was probably why Buffy loved animals so much and spent so much time with them as well as owning so many. She had so much love to give, her animals... they were like her best friends, they were always there. When she curled up on the sofa, crying, eating chocolate and watching some romcom movie that just made her cry harder, Tag, Spencer and Darlee were there, curled up with her, there for her. Harlee wasn't there. Avery wasn't there. Rick wasn't there. Her dogs were there, and if she happened to be in the barn Bud and Merc would be there. She could rely on them. She couldn't rely on anyone else.

Merc threw up his multicoloured head, mane flying as a shrill whinny left his velvet lips, eyes bright and full of excitement as he looked lovingly from Buffy to the set of cross country fences infront of him. Huge hooves pounded against the earth, the beating of his heart thrashing against his chest, dying to fly, dying to soar, dying to feel the wind through his mane and the feel of Buffy's heart with his. Even Bud was urning for the same thing, his own head thrown in the air as he whinned too, snapping his thick black and white tail against his rump, hooves ready to fly, ready to leave this earth and soar among the stars.

This is not enough.
The song 'All the things she said' by Tatu pounded through their heads, and after just a stride, they were off, galloping flat out across the lush green grass, the trio looking like they were going to fly, that they'd leave the ground and defy gravity. All four pairs of hooves slammed against the ground, demanding it to give way beneath them, head high, ears pricked and hearts lurching out of their bodies as they left the ground, soaring over the first fence - a simple hedge that stood about three foot, Buffy's hazel eyes were finally ful of joy, excitement, and she looked as if she was finally free, as if she had broken out of her shell, and with an animal, especially on horseback - she was.

A loud yell of joy left her rose coloured lips as hooves met the ground, their wings gone for now as both horses let out shrill whinnies to join Buffy's own angelic voice, their hearts on the same heartbeat. Strands of black, white, gold and chestnut streamed out behind the muscular pair, flaxen hair dancing upon the wind as a huge smile stayed on her lips lighting up every inch of her face.

"My boys."

She cooed, for once feeling on top of the world, and with these two she was.</sub>