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Clancy slowly opened the tent, squinting his eyes and scowling at the brightness. He'd have liked to crawl right back inside and continue sleeping, but it was too late for that now.
"Morning, sleepyhead", Torchbearer said, walking over.
Clsncy rolled his eyes. "Give me a break. Why's it gotta be so bright..."
"Because it's noon on a spring day, Clancy." Torchbearer held out a hand and Clancy begrudgingly let himself be pulled to his feet. Of course, he had tasks to fulfill as Torchbearer's second in command.
Most of the time, Clancy defaulted to standing with his arms crossed, head tilted slightly, glaring at anyone that dared to look at him for a moment too long. He didn't quite know why he was acting this way. Maybe he needed more sleep.
While he was finally catching a break, eating something, Torchbearer sat down next to him. "Hey, once you're done here, I wanna show you something. Maybe it'll lighten your mood."
Clancy shrugged but didn't protest. He finished his food and got up. "Let's go, I guess."
"...the banditos own horses?"
"Yep."
Clancy was totally not hiding behind Torchbearer. He was simply keeping his distance.
"You don't have to be scared. C'mere, this one's mine." He ran his hand over the horse's forehead.
Slow and carefully, Clancy approached.
"Her name's Meira", Torchbearer smiled. "And we are going on a ride."
"No way I'm getting on that thing."
"Yeah you are."
He didn't even leave Clancy more room to protest. Once they were both on top of the horse, Clancy wrapped his arms around his friend's waist, holding on like he was his lifeline. "If I fall it's your fault."
Torchbearer clicked his tongue, somehow getting the giant to move.
For the first few minutes Clancy had his eyes shut. Then he finally opened them, realizing this wasn't actually so bad.
He started looking around. There were surroundings he hadn't seen before.
"Not so bad, is it?", Torchbearer asked.
"...fine, you win."
Clancy was so amazed, he barely even noticed when they starzed speeding up.
He wasn't holding on in a way that threatened to break Torchbearer in half anymore. His stole was blowing in the wind, but luckily it was wrapped sround his neck twice, so it wouldn't completely fly away.
Clancy leaned his head back and laughed. This was actually so much fun. And now, Torchbearer laughed too. It was such a beautiful sound, it made Clancy laugh even more.
Half an hour ago, he wouldn't have admitted that he kind of liked the horse, now it was incredibly obvious.
He was almost sad when they returned, but Torchbearer gave Clancy a kiss on the forehead and promised they'd go riding again soon.
Clancy would make sure that promise was kept.