Tarchun enjoying the winter :)

Lovely art by  Zirc



small story by me based on this art:
"This shortcut will save us a lot of time" Kainua reassured Tarchun.
She was right. The path she mentioned, not shown on the maps, would allow to cut across the mountain, instead of having to go around it.
However, the heavy snowfall of the previous days and the deteriorating state of the path were factors to be kept in mind.
Nevertheless, both gryphons agreed to take the path, and began their walk across the mountain.

"Are you sure we can't fly?" Tarchun asked exhausted "I doubt they'd see us."
"Goddamnit, we've been walking not even 2 hours and you're telling me you're too lazy to move that fat ass of yours?! And no, we can't take any risk. Getting there unseen is our priority." Kainua promptly replied.
Tarchun sgrunted, and had to accept the answer. Besides, it was getting late, and he knew that soon they'd have to prepare for the night.
After a while, he asked again, his exhausted breathing almost covering his voice "It is getting late... should we find a place where to rest?"
"Alright, fine. I'll look for an hidden enough spot, you'll look for some wood." So replied Kainua, before starting the search. She already knew the area, so it wasn't long before she found the right place: a small cavity on the side of the mountain, hidden by trees. So she cleaned it a bit, put some soft leaves on the ground for them to sleep on more comfortably, and went to look for Tarchun.
And there he was, lying on the snow.
"What the fuck are you doing?! Where's the wood?"
Tarchun froze, reminded of what he was supposed to do.
He tried to mumble an explanation, that the snow seemed too soft not to play on it, but Kainua cut him short "Our mission is important, and getting to destination fast is one of our priorities. And what do you do? Snow gryphons?! Idiot!"
Then, a moment of silence.
But not for long, as the silence was broken by Kainua's laugh at seeing Tarchun there, belly up, paws in the air, and a dumb look on the face. And shortly after Tarchun joined in the laughing.
They then both gathered some wood, and made their way to the spot found by Kainua earlier.

At the dim light of the campfire, they both enjoyed each other's company for a while, eating some of the food they brought with them on that journey.
But as they grew tired, they cuddled together.
"I love you, Tarchun."
The crackling sound and the trembling light of the campfire surrounded them, making the atmosphere more cozy.
"I love you too, Kainua."
Keeping each other warm and at the warmth of the campfire, both gryphs fell asleep.