It took a lot of convincing from his husband and even Cernunnos' vessel to get Cathal to relax for a day and let the rest of the centaurs to patrol the Forest of Eternity by themselves. Not being able to perform his duties bestowed upon him had him feeling restless for a while, but Duran kept on reminding him about how well he had trained his sentinels, giving him a serene smile and encouraging him to enjoy the beauty of nature alongside him. After all, it had been a while since they had a date at the Fields of Remembrance. Cathal got a little embarrassed like he always did whenever he heard the word date, even after all these years of marriage. Duran knew how to tease him all right, but it also allowed the fiery centaur to fully let his guard down.

Now, finally enjoying the tender breeze and the presence of his husband right beside him, his mind wandered down memory lane. This place was precisely where he woke up right after he had been transformed by Cernunnos into a magical creature, and the first thing he saw was the face of the general centaur he recently had fought on the battlefield. Letting out a battle cry, he tried to lounge at him, but found it impossible since he didn't know how to move his new legs, falling on flowerbed right in front of him. The general just gave him an unamused look as he tried the same maneuver over and over until he got tired of trying and yelling. After a couple more minutes of silence, he uttered a weak request for help, much to his hurt pride. The centaur general let out a deep sigh and proceeded to teach him how to stand up...

Cathal smiled to himself as he remembered the first time Duran and him actually spoke to each other. How mad he was at him and how he wanted to make him summit to him with his bare hands; and now, said hands only want to protect him and the place where they live together alongside their many friends and companions. Something he wouldn't have done when he was human. He was a fool back then, and he might have his moments of stubbornness here and there, but he is ready to admit that he changed for the better.

"Is everything ok my love? You have been silent for quite a while."

Said Duran with an expression denoting he had an idea of what was going through his husband's mind while he kept on weaving a flower wreath. Cathal gave his husband a tender look and then let go of the leaves of shimmery grass he had been holding for a while, watching how the breeze carried them away.

"Yes, my love. Everything is as it should be."

🌷🌹🐴🐴🌻🌼

Got this beautiful pic of my centaur husbands done by the talented Hasthund, just in time to celebrate PRIDE month together. Thank you, and happy pride to everyone, no matter where you are! Remember, even though it might get dark sometimes, there is someone out there that loves you for who you are. 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜