“Stables?” Eddie looked around as he lit the lantern in the entryway. “What are we, teenagers?”

“I thought you were some kind of outlaw.” Patch walked over to where his pair of king quail were stalled and patted each of their heads. “Aren’t you used to roughing it?”

“Of course!” Eddie blustered. “But sleeping in a great itchy stack of hay is hardly what I’d call…” he trailed as Patch yawned and stretched his back. “Oh, yer tired.” he said slowly. “That’s fine! I uh, I’ll get something together.” he turned away feeling his face burning. Had he gotten his signals crossed after all? Maybe Patch really was just looking for a place to crash. He started to gather up some saddle blankets and cold weather rugs but stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Eddie.” Patch grinned. “What do you think is happening here?”

Eddie’s smile fluctuated in confusion. “What do… YOU think is happenin’ here?”

Patch chuckled and shook his head. “You don’t need to try so hard, I already like you.” he stepped forward and Eddie found himself leaning against the stable wall, completely captivated by Patch’s soft brown eyes as he leaned in close enough for their noses to touch.

Eddie’s curly fury fluffed up excitedly and he closed the distance between them, hugging his arms around Patch’s back while his felt Patch’s wrap snugly around his neck. He steered away from the stable wall as Patch stepped backwards into an empty stall and soon had the white buck pinned gently against the back of the stall wall. Eddie stopped kissing him only long enough to shut the stall door behind them, then Patch’s hands gripped his collar and tugged him down onto the hay on top of him.

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Excerpt from 'Gone By Morning' the short story of how Patch and Eddie met. Finally these two idjits kiss ;)