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Ellie heaved the saddle over onto Shimmer's back with a huff, trailing her hand down to tie up the leather of the latigo. The horse let out a large sigh as the cinch was secured, her warm breath lingering in the air as a puff, eliciting a giggle from Dina, who stood by, running a brush over her own horse.
“She’s complaining that you barely clean her, she’s almost as dirty as you,” Dina joked, running her gaze up and down Ellie, noticing the clothes she had yet to change from yesterday, “Almost.” Ellie rolled her eyes, rubbing her hands along Shimmer's side and under her girth to check its tightness. “I thought we were just going for a ride,” Ellie mumbled, her cheeks growing red with unfounded embarrassment, she didn’t care how she looked, but whenever it came to being with Dina she felt like she should. “Me and Japan prefer to look proper and well-groomed,” Dina punctuated the sentence with a flick of her curry comb, swiping bay fur in Ellie’s direction. “Yeah, and that’s why your boots look like you’ve been wading through shit for the last week?” Ellie bit back, completing the tacking up of her horse. “At least I’m wearing boots, I can almost see your toes through your Converse.” Dina had just begun to place the saddle pad upon Japan, taking her time to insure everything was set together perfectly. “You’re such a dick.” Ellie couldn’t help but stare down at her shoes, her flush deepened a bit. “Yeah, but you love it.” Dina snapped quickly, smiling at the other girl with a knowing face. Ellie did love it, talking to Dina was easy, she didn’t need to worry about being polite or censoring her feelings, but there was also a distinct nervousness she felt around her that always lingered even after she left. She watched quietly as Dina moved to tacking up her horse, wringing Shimmers reins between her hands.
Dina went to push the heavy saddle onto her steed's back but groaned as she couldn’t quite push it over. “Damn western saddles, I’m too short for this..” She grumbled, taking another attempt to lift the seat to the horse's withers. Ellie sat in silent amusement as Dina swung the saddle again, just to thump it onto Japan's side, not quite reaching his back. “Need help?” She offered, swiping Shimmer's reins over her ears and stepping over to Dina. “Yeah string bean girl, like you can lift it better than me.” quipped Dina, setting down the heavy saddle to take a breath. “Fine, entertain me by doing it yourself” Ellie raised her hands in defeat and started to step back. Dina sighed, moving away and gesturing to the saddle, “Be my guest, thing weighs like a hundred pounds and you’re not much taller tha-“ she was cut off by Ellie raising it up and plopping it onto the horse's saddle pad in a swift motion, a smug grin growing on her face.
“Motherfucker!” Dina exclaimed, placing a hard punch at Ellie's arm “You hiding muscles under that dingy hoodie?” Without warning, Dina grasped Ellie’s arm, prodding at the skin underneath. Ellie took a sharp inhale at her friend's closeness, She could feel her touch through the worn-down material of her sweatshirt, her body heat radiating off of her and seeping into Ellie’s skin. Dina was friendly with everyone and was known to be touchy, but for some reason whenever Dina touched her when her hands lingered, she couldn’t help but feel like her heart was going to stop beating; her mind going completely blank.
Ellie snapped back to the present when Dina’s warm hands left her arm “Huh, guess you do.” She returned to cinching up Japan's saddle as if nothing happened, leaving Ellie’s lips parted and her face a rosy hue. Dina bridled the horse and swung the reins over his head, leaving a bit of length bunched in her hand. “Gimme a boost! Show me more of that Williams strength.” she teased. Ellie sighed, stepping back over to the other girl and cupping her hands for Dina’s foot. She stepped into the boost, bracing her hand against Ellie’s shoulder, and pushed her way up into the seat of the saddle, her touch again lingering for just a little too long. Had Dina ever needed a boost to Mount before?
Ellie returned to Shimmer, placing her foot into the stirrup and grabbing onto the horn of the saddle, heaving her way up into it. The two girls made a clicking noise with their mouths and squeezed their heels, setting their horses forward away from the crossties of the barn and towards the large wall that surrounded Jackson, making sure to both take a shotgun to sling across their shoulders, just in case. The wooden gate split with a creaking noise making way for the two. Dina waved and chimed a friendly “Thank you!” to the men manning the gate, when Ellie didn’t also express her thanks she sighed “Ellie.” Ellie glanced at Dina's serious face and let out a sigh of her own “Thanks,” she said, flatly. The horses continued on, parting the dew-soaked grass with their strides. Dina gave a few more clicks, speeding Japan up to a trot, cutting in front of Ellie, and heading off in the direction of a more densely forested area. “I thought the creek might be fun,” She looked back at Ellie, trotting past “You don’t patrol there much, do you?” She didn’t, Ellie had a good understanding of almost every patrol route but Joel always found a way to send her off to the ‘safest’ one, she felt a sting of annoyance at the thought of him. “No, not much.” Ellie squeezed her horse's barrel, sending her into a trot “Joel watches over which patrols I go on like crazy. It annoys the shit out of me.” She caught up to Dina, riding side by side once more. “Damn, have you told him to lay off?” Dina asked, her voice was earnest but frustration still grew in Ellie’s stomach, why should I have to? “We’re not really, talking.. right now, plus, it’s not like I should have to, he’s seen how capable I am, sometimes I think he forgets that I’ve grown up.” Dina peeked over at her, her dark brows furrowed “Maybe he thinks he’s being sweet,” She offered “Like he thinks he’s doing what’s best for you, you know how parents are.” Ellie reeled Shimmer back to a walk, drifting a bit farther back from Dina, her annoyance and frustration rising .“No, I don’t know how parents are. Plus, it’s not like he’s my dad or whatever, I don’t know what his deal is.” She muttered, grasping the saddle horn till her knuckles went white. Even Dina doesn’t understand. In front, the black-haired girl stopped her horse, forcing the other to catch up “I know, I’m sorry El.” Dina’s big brown eyes were apologetic, looking into them Ellie couldn’t help but feel some of her irritation melt away. “Guess I could talk straight to Jesse instead.” Ellie sighed, loosening her grip on the horn and offering a small smile to her friend.
“Fuck Jesse!” Dina yelled, returning back to a fast trot. Ellie took Shimmer to a full stop in pure confusion “What?”. Dina didn’t respond, curving Japan up around a bend and disappearing behind the trees. Ellie brought a hand to her temple, what did he do now? She never was able to decipher how Dina would feel about her boyfriend, always switching from sickly sweet praise to anger at him in a matter of hours. Ellie took off, loping Shimmer after her. “Come on Dina, what did he do this time?” She was much further ahead now. “Really, Dina?” Ellie called after her, “I don’t know this route!”.
The trees were packed closely together, dripping dew droplets from their leaves onto those who were below. Should’ve just told her I’d be with Cat she thought, wincing at her girlfriend's name, the two of them weren’t on great terms at the moment, so maybe not. It had been a while since Dina and Ellie had hung out together on their own separate from assignments or mingling in the small group of 25 bellows in Jackson, she had missed her friend a lot, but Dina and Cat just didn’t seem to get along and Ellie always felt just a bit strange watching Dina with Jesse. And of course, the time we’re spending together will be spent hearing her lament about how Jessie forgot to say goodnight or something.. Ellie bit back her bitterness, feeling almost angry at Jesse for upsetting Dina and sullying their ride. She liked Jesse, he was a good friend of hers, but whenever it came to him and Dina she always had a bitter taste left in her mouth that she couldn’t quite place. Maybe I’m jealous of him she rolled her eyes at the thought, pinching the leather of her reins between her stubby nails. Like Dina would ever like her.
Dina was beautiful, olive skin sprinkled with freckles, dark hair that fell in curls around her face, a strong profile with full lips, and dark brown eyes surrounded by the longest lashes, she was funny too, always forcing a laugh out of those around her. Her smarts were unmatched by anyone Ellie knew, she would tinker with old-world electronics, sometimes taking them back to like new working order and her quick tongue could make anyone back down. Dina was incredible, but she was also incredibly irritating in moments like these.
The trees began to spread, thinning out so she could finally see between the branches, the sound of gentle rushing water was audible and the cool air felt a bit crisper. Ellie guided Shimmer around a fallen log and saw Dina, dismounted holding her horse's reins in her hands as he took long, slow gulps from the creek. “I could’ve gotten lost out there!” Ellie exclaimed as Shimmer traversed down a rocky ledge towards the creek. “You’re fine, you found me,” Dina spoke without looking up from the water, her voice lacking its usual sass.
Ellie slipped her feet from her stirrups and hopped to the ground, bringing her horse to take a drink from the opposite bank. “You okay?” She cringed a bit, nudging a rock around with her shoe. That’s really all I have to say. You okay?. Dina exhaled, messing with the leather in her grasp “Yeah, sorry, boy problems. Not that you’d know anything about that.” Ellie felt her face heat a bit “Doesn’t mean I can’t listen.” She rubbed her hand through the thick hair of Shimmer's side, still toying with the rock. Dina sat on the rocky ground, hugging her knees close to her chest “Fuck, El, there’s not much to talk about, I just don’t think we’re going anywhere and it’s just, I dunno stressing me out.” Ellie sat too, resting her head on her hand and listening to the sound of the creek flowing. “But who else is there? I almost feel like I’ve committed myself to him and if I go off and get with someone else it’ll blow up in my face..” She grumbled, facing away from the other. The brunette laughed “Really? You’re worried about not being able to find anyone else? Have you seen you? You could have anyone in Jackson.” Ellie wanted to say how she felt the same, how dating Cat started to feel like they were only together because they were both out and around the same age, but the notion that Dina thought she’d have a hard time getting anyone she wanted to shock her too much. Dina smiled, looking at her friend “Thanks. I guess, It’s not like I don’t like Jesse! I do, I love him. I think it’s, complicated.” She didn’t sound all too sure of what she was saying. Ellie’s mouth felt dry, she couldn’t manage eye contact with her any longer, instead, she looked down at the cool dirt that was seeping a chill into her legs through her jeans. She loves him.
“You think I could have anyone I want?” Dina chirped, sounding more like herself. The question caught Ellie a bit off guard, both surprised she didn’t know this and that she felt the need to ask her. “Yeah, I mean, look at you” She stuttered out, picking at her fingers and nails. “Would you date me?” her query hit her like a ton of bricks, making her forget to breathe and freezing up like a frightened deer. “Uh….” Ellie couldn’t find the words to respond. Dina frowned “Damn, Cat can keep you, you just had to say No” She swiped some of the icy creek water to the other side, splashing the canvas of Ellie’s shoes. “No Dina- Your question just surprised me.” She flew out her hands defensively as they splashed a bit more water in her direction. “So you would?” Ellie choked back the yes that came to her mouth, guilt flowing through her body. Why would she ask me this? “I dunno Dina, it’s not like you like girls anyway, I don’t see the point in asking if I’d go out with alternate-universe-you that’s into women.” Dina took her lip between her teeth, her own cheeks reddening. She’s cold, Ellie reasoned.
“Sorry for whining about Jesse” Dina broke the silence, returning back to her feet and to her horse. Ellie followed suit, getting ready to ground mount “Don’t be sorry, we don’t really talk much about this stuff.” The girls got back on their horses, continuing along the creek on their opposing sides, the water running between them. “We can go down the creek and pop out of the trees to get back quicker,” Dina said, turning Japan in the right direction. The ride was quiet for a while, both listening to the sounds that the nature outside of Jackson had to offer and enjoying the last of the fleeting fall weather, soon everything would rest under a thick blanket of snow and casual rides like this wouldn’t be planned. Ellie was more focused on the question Dina had asked, the words ‘Would you date me’ floating around in her head, unable to be chased off by anything else. Though the area had been patrolled and cleared earlier that morning, she felt so distracted she probably wouldn’t react if a clicker came barreling from behind a tree. Dina was quiet too, absorbed in admiring the day, or maybe her own thoughts as well. The creek tapered off, turning around a bend that they didn’t take, instead riding back through the trees and coming out to the clearing of grass, the settlement now in sight.
They came up to the large gate and it was reeled open, a stable hand awaiting their return to take the horses back to the barn for evening turnout. The two again sat in silence for a moment, before Dina started to walk off, waving an awkward goodbye to Ellie. “Thanks for that, It was nice, sucks we don’t hang out more.” She started in the direction of her home. “I would date you.” Ellie blurted out before she could force the words back down, immediately regretting letting them cross her lips. “In that alternate universe- and if I wasn’t with Cat.. and you liked me-“ She sputtered out, embarrassing herself further. Dina stopped and turned back, grinning “Guess I can get anyone.” She mused, continuing away, a bit more of a pep in her walk. Ellie smacked her hands over her face and groaned into them. Incredible Incredibly frustrating Dina.