I dare you to close your eyes

He put his head down to the lake for a drink, straggling water bugs skimming the surface. Soon there wouldn't be any insects; it'd be too cold in the winter. Winter. Layka's favorite season, Rex mused. He thought back to when she had her mood swings. All of the hurtful words. All of the hateful glares. Her looks could freeze anyone..

"Hey sweet-heart," a mare spoke into Rex's ear. She gave him a kiss, her lips lingering faintly on his cheek.
"Oh hi, Layka. I was just thinking about you," he said.
Layka smiled. "So what do you need to do today?" she asked, referring to his Alpha duties.
"Well, I have to visit each of the herds in Lake Territory. I need to catch up and see if there've been any lyde attacks. That might take a while; some of the groups are pretty high up in the mountains. So I'm guessing it'll be a few days. If you want, you could join me."
Layka's eyes glowed excitedly at the thought. "Of course! ..And, Rex? I love you."

Rex looked at Layka under the morning's rays. "I love you too." He moved forward and nuzzled her, putting as many words into it as possible.

Rex's heart raced, he never wanted the moment to end. But alas, all good things must come to a halt.
"Hey.. Rex? Um. Have you ever thought about having a foal?" Layka spoke slowly and carefully.
Feeling a lurch in his stomach, Rex uttered out a reply, "A.. a baby?" His words stuttered.
"Don't you think that it would just be perfect? A little one to run around and chase after.." Layka gave a dreamy sigh. She watched Rex earnestly, awaiting his answer.
"Um. I suppose?"
He hadn't given it much thought; having a child with Layka. It seemed like such a crazy thing. Dutchess was the motherly one. Layka was the fashionista. It just.. wasn't right.
"I really don't know. I mean, if it's something you want, then of course. But don't you think that this is a little, um, fast?"
Rex shuffled his hooves, not liking the subject they were on.

"No, no! There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just.. nervous. There. I said it."
Rex nudged Layka, tilting her beautifully sad head up.
"I do, I really do want a kid. I'm just scared that I won't be enough for it. For you. What if something bad happens?" Rex's tone became worried.
He was terrified. Terrified of responsibility? Not really. Rex knew how to handle himself. He just didn't know how to be a father since he hadn't had one himself.

"And Layka, you're not a monster! Don't ever, ever, ever think that. You're amazing and gorgeous and sweet and caring. And I love you just the way you are, even if you're somewhat a diva." Rex added a little teasing laugh on the latter.
His voice then dropped to a whisper, "Anyway, you're perfect. Don't doubt yourself."
Rex looked encouragingly into her eyes.

As they neared the first group of equines, Rex immediately knew disaster had struck only days before. Members were lying- blood covered- on the hard ground, wincing with every movement. Other, horses, albeit healthy, had a sorrow aura hanging around them. It was obvious that a lyde attack had taken place.

Rex galloped up to the leader of the injured herd and asked tersely what exactly had happened. The other stallion spoke, wary of the alpha stallion. This would be the first time Rex had interacted with the longtime residents of Region 2, and he wanted to make a good and responsible impression.

As the other leader explained the events, Rex glanced over the rest of the scene. Mares hurried, attempting to aid the injured. Stallions gathered together, discussing helpless tactics to override the unbeatable lydes. Children lie solemnly together, no flicker of fun in their faces. Rex thought fleetingly of his and Layka's conversations about foals. Let's see how she reacts..
He wasn't sure how she would respond to the colts and fillies, nor her fellow mares. They all had a weather-beaten, tough look. Wouldn't this be the first time Layka's seen the effects of the lydes? Rex wondered.

"Lydes," Rex said simply to Layka. "They're horrible creatures. I'll tell you about them when we go home."
Layka shook, horrified at what the animals Rex had deemed 'lydes' could do. "What can I do??" she asked, wanting to help wherever she could.
His eyes drifted back over the sad, pitiful foals. "Help them.." he said quietly. It pained Rex to see the young, innocent children hurt. But his attention was sucked back to the leader of the herd. "See you in a bit, Layka." The two stallions walked away to discuss further plans.

"..And contact Makivis," Rex finished. He breathed a sigh of relief, finally done speaking to the heavily scarred stallion. His eyes ranged over to Layka; she was lying on the ground, crowded by giggly foals. Rex smiled. Maybe I jumped the gun, thinking she wasn't motherly.. She wants a filly or colt. I should at least give it a try.
He trotted over to her, grinning down at the talkative children. "Hey guys! So we're bringing the big tough horses down here to guard your herd from the lydes, so you guys will be safe," Rex said to the cluster. "Layka and I need to go now though, but we'll visit again soon." He winked and then nudged his other half, signaling to leave.

Rex looked sideways at Layka as they walked away. "You sure got those foals in a good mood.. It's like you have a magic touch" he said laughingly. But then his tone turned more serious. "So it seems I was kind of close-minded earlier, when we were talking about maybe having.. um. Kids. Together." Timidly, Rex's eyes dropped to the ground. "I thought it about it some more, and if it's what you want then I want it to."

He paused and turned to look at her. How did I get so fortunate to get a girl as amazing as Layka? In a rush of affection he stepped closer to her and kissed her, nuzzling her passionately in the afternoon sun.

He fondled Layka, breathing in the lovely scent of her coat. Like roses.. Rexist thought absentmindedly.
Crisp grass swayed in the breeze. They had finally made it back to the little field that had been considered as home. Rex looked towards Layka once again. "I really, really love you," he whispered. They started caressing each other sweetly, but then began to get more passionate. The two horses nuzzled their way into a more secluded area of trees..

[OOC: K. They be makin' a baby. Woop-dee-doo~]

Morning had risen, and Rex found himself sprawled across the ground, Layka to his right. Memories of the previous night came flooding back; things had gotten intense with her. Did I make the right decision? Doubts started creeping into his mind. We're not even official mates! What if we're shunned? Rex leaped up.

His head lowered to the lake he'd trotted to. I hope Layka responds positively.. Rex aspired, thinking about what he was going to ask.

[Bad post is bad. Sorry ._. ]

Rex stared at the water, looking at his reflection. I wonder what a little me would look like.. The thought gave Rex an odd feeling. Happy? Maybe. Excited? For sure. But there was still the silent nag.. I'm gonna do it, he decided.

"Good morning," a lovely voice spoke into Rex's palomino ears.
"Layka, hey."
"How are you feeling?" Layka asked.
Any concern Rex had felt melted away at her words. His heart did a flip-flop as the beautiful mare walked over to him. "I'm okay, Layka. Actually no. I'm more than okay. I feel on top of the world. Want to know why? Because I'm with you."
The stallion lowered his head to his pale pink hooves. Rex picked up a shimmering cord in his mouth and brought it up to their eye levels.

A mauve bead and a gold one stuck together on the string, light shining off of them. "The gold is for you, to match your beautiful eyes. And the purple is supposed to be me. The cord represents our family. Maybe we'll add to it, maybe not. I just know that I will never ever let this," Rex looked down at the hair piece. "..Slip away. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Layka. I want to be the one that you look to for comfort, for love. For everything."

Rex gently slipped the bead adorned string into her forelock. He stepped back and looked at Layka, adoration gleaming in his eyes.

Layka and Rex's lips met. When they broke apart, he stared into her shining gold eyes. Rex was so, so excited to live his whole life with Layka, and maybe even have many children.
Movement entered the corner of his iris and he turned his head. Dutchess was standing a few feet away, looking extremely uncomfortable. "Hey there," she greeted. "How have you guys been?" Her eyes were red and puffy. When they found Layka's forelock, in which resided Rex's gift, Dutchess lowered her head in sadness.

The stallion had not noticed and replied bouncily, "Everything's great, Dutch! Layka is, well.. expecting. Isn't that awesome?" Rex glanced over at the ringlet-ed mare and gave her a flirty smile.
But to his horror, Dutchess did not respond well at all. She let loose a torrent of hateful words and curses, screaming the whole time. Rex's ears pinned against his head. He'd hadn't heard something so loud since his days in the car-filled city of Hollywood.

"DUTCHESS!!" Rex managed to get out over her shrieks. Why did she have to go crazy all the time?! he thought angrily. "You need to shut up and chill. It's not my fault I felt so tethered when I was with you. A guy needs to breathe. And I've seen you around with that Sagitta. I'll bet he's just jumping in excitment to hear your bawl every other night. God knows what he thinks of me now, since he's only heard your side of the fucking story!"

Not to Rex's surprise, Dutch began to cry. He rolled his eyes, but then annoyance turned to outrage. She began to attack Layka verbally, cursing her soon-to-come foal. "You leave her alone," Rex growled. His voice turned quiet and slow. An obvious danger point. The setting sun shone on the alpha's hooves as the moved in front of Layka, as if protecting her from Dutchess' harsh dialogue.

What happened to her? Rex thought in contemplation of Dutch's vicious behavior. You used to be so sweet and caring and vulnerable. But now you've turned into a.. monster.