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Trust me... — Description
So far so good, right? Wrong.

It was bad enough he had to be dragged out of his home everyday, but when he did find the time to relax on the couch, there they were. Trying to sit next to him, trying to get him to open up, trying to get him out of his comfort zone. Couldn't everyone leave him the fuck alone?

He desperately needed some time to himself. So, the minute the arena was empty he crept in quietly with Malibu. He switched on the lights and closed the gate behind him carefully, praying no one would interfere. He limped across to the middle of the arena, Malibu following behind willingly.

"Okay, run off." He clucked to her. She remained standing there, watching him.
"Go!" He hissed, trying to keep his voice hushed. She took a hesitant step, then looked back at him.
"Malibu! GO!" She only made it to the rail when she flipped her butt around to look at him.

"Malibu..." He whispered, "You need to go... Just... go already..."
The mare snorted, shaking her head and looking at her handler like he was crazy. Maybe, he was crazy.
"Seriously... I'm not worth it..."
Malibu blinked at him, taking a step forward.
"No, don't come closer." Tide warned.
One step forward.
"Stop."
Another step closer.
"Malibu, no! I'm sorry... I can't. I failed you... I.. I failed everyone."
She lowered her head, sensing that the human was growing more upset, and wanting to seem less threatening. She looked up at him, her eyes seeming to stare right through his soul.
"Don't look at me like that..." He quickly turned his back to her, staring at the arena floor, his breath quickening as he teeter tottered on the brink of a breakdown. "I-I failed.. it's my fault... It's all my fault..."
He jumped a little, feeling a soft muzzle brush against his hand. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to get his breathing under control. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder to see Malibu staring up at him. The mare blew a breath of air from her nostrils, raising her head and nudging the side of his face. His muscles tensed for a moment as she touched the scars by his eye, and he struggled to make himself relax again. It would take time to get used to being blind. He slowly turned back to face her, shaking hands reaching to pet her face. She moved forward a bit, letting him bury his face in her mane as he hugged her. "It's kinda sad I can trust a horse more than I can trust people... It's just hard when another person made me this way..." He sighed, petting her.

He startled, suddenly noticing Alice standing by the gate, watching him.
"How long have you been standing there?" He breathed.
She was silent at first, peering at him timidly. ".... The whole time...."
"Oh..." Tide frowned, looking at the ground then back up at her. "How much of that did you hear?"
"All of it.."She replied softly.
Tide grimaced, beginning to walk / limp for the exit, Malibu following behind him. But when he reached the gate, Alice didn't budge. "I need out."
"Tide, do you hate me?" She asked him abruptly.
He paused, uncertain himself how he felt. He shifted his weight onto his good leg, thinking. "I'm not happy with you... But, no, I don't hate you. I just wish you weren't all babysitting me, like a child."
"I'm not babysitting you.. I'm just.. watching over you...?"
"Yeah, that's what babysitting is." He rolled his eyes, putting his hand on the top rail. "Can I come out now?"

She stepped to the side, letting him pass before turning back around. "Tide."
He faced her, those icy blue eyes piercing into her. "What?"
"I... I'd like for us to at least be friends.. I mean... I'm going to be staying with you for a while, and I know things were kind of weird before.. But.. it'd be nice..." She twiddled her thumbs nervously.
Tide looked at her for a long time, then his gaze softened. "You don't want to be my friend, Alice." He turned away, his boots trailing off through the barn, Malibu at his side.

Would she ever get through to him?