The ride back is unusually quiet. 

Taka stares out the window, but the questions only come once every few minutes.

…

“Do you know what that one is?” Rowan asks, pointing out the window.

Taka slowly shakes his head.

Rowan waits.

…

“Th-that one is an apple tree.”

“...”

Rowan looks at Killian.

Killian shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders.

Rowan stares thoughtfully at Taka before sighing.

…

“Do you want to go on a horse ride when we get back?”

Taka spins around and smiles. “Can we?”

“Yes.”

Relief washes over Rowan.

Rowan looks up at Killian.

Killian’s expression softens.

The ride becomes a little less quiet.

After arriving, Taka hops out of the carriage and waits for Rowan.

“Go do your paperwork, Killian.” Rowan says as soon as they take a step out.

Killian flinches before sagging his shoulders and slouching.

“I wanted to go on a ride too…” He pouts.

Rowan stares at Killian sternly.

…

“Alright…” Killian groans.

He turns to Taka with a smile before leaving.

Just as Rowan said, he takes Taka on another horseback ride around the grounds.

Taka is just as interested in the horse as he was the first time around.

After the ride concludes, Rowan hops down and pulls Taka off, setting him on the ground.

“Does Mr. Horsey also have a name?” 

“Yes. This one…” He scratches the white horse behind the ear. “Is mine. His name is Storm.”

“Hello, Mr. Storm Horsey.” Taka laughs.

Storm lets out a soft huff, as if acknowledging the greeting.

Taka’s eyes widen. “He said hello!” 

Rowan can’t help but smile. 

“I think he likes you.”

Taka leans towards Storm and whispers, “I’ll give you more white cubes later.”

Rowan chuckles. “They are called sugar cubes.”

“Oh…” He blinks. “What is sugar?”

"It’s a very sweet white powder. That's why horses love it."

“Really?” 

His eyes have a small sparkle in them while looking up at Rowan.

“Can I try one?”

“You can if you want to, but they are not very good on their own.” Rowan pulls out a cube from his pocket, placing it in Taka’s hand.

Storm leans forward.

“This one is mine.” Taka closes his hand and pulls it away.

Storm snorts, as if to refute the argument.

Taka examines the cube before lifting it to his nose.

Storm inches closer.

Taka touches it with his tongue. “It is sweet.”

Storm takes another inch closer.

Taka turns to see Storm right next to his face. “Hey!”

“Storm.” Rowan chuckles.

Storm looks up at him innocently.

He then lowers his nose toward Taka's fist again.

Rowan sighs.

"Storm..."

The horse flicks an ear but doesn't move.

"It is yummy..." 

Another inch closer.

Taka looks at Storm's hopeful face.

…

"...I guess we can share."

Taka holds his hand flat with the cube.

Storm takes it with no extra questions.

Taka laughs.

Rowan scratches Storm behind the ears.

"Good boy."

Rowan scratches Storm behind the ears. “Good boy.”

…

Later that day, Taka sits on the windowsill, watching the afternoon sun shine through the glass.

One hand resting against the warm jar.

The smile on his face stays there until the sun dips below the trees.