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Description

|[Dunstan-Tracker]|

The day moves on in a bleary dreamlike haze for Dunstan. Introductions are made and friendly bonds quickly begin to form. The twins, Coren and sweet Eclipse curiously interrogate Connor and Robin about their adventures after being separated from Dunstan. Sybil gently tries to wrangle the kids to not overwhelm poor Connor as their questions get increasingly more invasive about Connor’s scars. Robin seems quite taken with Sybil and quickly begins to playfully joke with her, trying to make the dark speckled mare laugh. Calamity, Olive and Colette introduce themselves and each share the story of how they joined the motley crew under Dunstan’s leadership.

As Dunstan looks on, his mind blurs between past and present. Watching Connor and his foals interact tilt his world on its axis. Hearing his voice, laughter and cheeky remarks bounce between the rest of his family leave him in a state of near exasperation. His mind groggily processes, I’ve spent so long…I’ve moved on. I’ve grown and become who I needed to be to care for my family. I have foals and a home…he sighs heavily, I’ve healed haven’t I? Why does this tension rise and fall within me? I’m happy for a second and then-just…lost..he almost feels like a stranger. But..that love weighs heavy on my heart…there’s too much I need to say.

Elvira and Monet stand a bit away from the chatting herd. Worry and understanding swim between them despite the silence. They watch as Dunstan stares off blankly, quiet and brooding. His brow is furrowed and muscles tight again. Elvira leans close to Monet whispering, “I have a feeling that Connor being alive and even more miraculously here is going to be more of an adjustment than we thought.” Monet nods quietly, sharing a tense stare with Vira before glancing at Connor. His expression is tight, overwhelmed. Between his smiles and banter he keeps glancing towards Dunstan worriedly. Oh dear…

The full moon rises quickly with a chill in the air. Dunstan peaks at the forest surrounding the valley, noticing that between the pine trees the leaves on the aspen are beginning to turn. Winter will be here soon… He takes a deep breath and moves his gaze to his sleeping herd. Sybil, Colette, Elvira and Monet are resting together with Olive nestled on the back of Sybil comfortably. Nearby the twins are pretending to sleep while sneakily nipping and nibbling on one another in play. Dunstan softly nickers to get their attention. Their ears perk up and Dunstan gives them a nod. They shake their heads in tandem before finally settling to sleep. Dunstan quietly moves on, stepping carefully. Coren and Eclipse are curled up together with Calamity snuggled up under their heads. Dunstan almost chuckles at the sight, fluffy walking pillow… He spots the red coats of Connor and Robin a little further from the rest. Robin is splayed out, legs outstretched lazily with her back towards Connor’s curled up figure.

Dunstan pauses and leans his head down to sniff at Connor, testing if he’s awake. With no acknowledgment from the small stallion Dunstan begins to walk on into the valley a little ways away. He sighs heavily as he stares upwards at the bright full moon hanging high among the stars, probably won’t get to sleep tonight. He turns back to look at Connor only to see Robin’s figure alone. For a moment he panics, I swear to god I’m going crazy… before the subtle snap of a branch perks his attention back in front of him.

He whips his head a bit to see a softly smirking Connor standing before him, “Can’t sleep D?” His voice is suave and in a whisper.

Dunstan gapes a bit, ignoring the question, “You’d think with your bright coat you’d be easier to track Little Red.” He tries to keep his voice playful despite the anxiety clawing between his ribs. Connor stifles a chuckle and approaches, slowly circling. Dunstan catches his eyes and sees that underneath the usual cheeky, flirty nature Connor is softer in this moment, vulnerable.

They’re quiet for a long moment before Connor finally snaps the tight string of tension between them, “I-um…” he stops, facing away from Dunstan and staring up at the moon, “I’m not angry with you D…” his voice barely audible. Almost like it’s wrong to say it. Dunstan shifts uncomfortably a bit in place, silent. Connor presses on, “You’ve really made something of yourself, I hardly recognize you…” he croaks out, gaze still turned to the sky, “I never knew where we’d go or what our lives would look like ya know? I’m glad you didn’t waste away because of me..” Dunstan feels a twinge in the old scars on his right side, spurring a fervent frustration.

Dunstan’s voice rings a little bit more forceful than intended, “You don’t get to do that,” Connor glances back, catching the eyes of Dunstan just barely as he barrels on, “You always downplayed how important you were…a-are to me…” silence settles as Dunstan gathers courage. He softens his tone with a deep breath, “You’ve been a ghost in my head for a long time now…always echoing your laughter, kindness, wit…” Dunstan lowers his head and slowly steps closer to Connor, leaning his nose on the large scar on his side, “Ive wanted you here…I’ve wanted you to see me grow and see the milestones, see the good and the bad…” he gently rubs at Connor’s side, stifling the lump in his throat, “I needed you Connor…I need you…I-I love you.”

Connor’s head dizzyingly swims with emotions. The weight of Dunstan leaning on his side anchor him to the moment. Dunstan’s words wash over him and after years of them circling each other playfully, flirtatiously and then ultimately losing one another tragically, he simply breathes in the honest confession spilling out from Dunstan. You’ve really grown…

Connor cranes his neck back towards Dunstan, nuzzling into his face and gently nibbling at the draping forelock covering his golden eyes, “I love you too.” His voice is whisper light but firm. Dunstan lifts his head, revealing his wide eyes. Connor smiles sweetly, almost melancholy. Dunstan stares for a moment before moving forward, nuzzling Connor’s cheek and nose. They stay that way for some time, enjoying the freedom of finally being able to express the love between them.

Dunstan breaks the silence this time, “I’m sure we will have more to talk about,” he smiles shyly, “We can’t address everything in just one night…I’ve changed a lot Connor.”

Connor scoffs sarcastically, “Nooo really?”

Dunstan rolls his eyes with a smirk, “As always, ruining the moment.” The two share a soft chuckle.

“I have faith that we’ll be alright, I’m excited to know you as you are now D,” Connor grins, lighting up the dark of the night, “Those foals are lovely and your mares seem to be cohesive, they don’t have their heads stuck in the dirt ya know?” He giggles a bit before nuzzling Dunstan’s nose once more, “We’ll be alright.”

The two turn and make their way back to the rest of the sleeping herd. Dunstan tries to lead them back to Robin but Connor scoffs, “That mare is a walking wildfire, she doesn’t need any body heat.” Dunstan stifles a chuckle before following Connor. They lay down between all the little groups and drift easily to sleep. Dunstan still wonders a bit if he’s in a dream as he feels the steadying breath of Connor next to him. His words echo in his mind, easing him to sleep, we’ll be alright…

Word Count:1,264

|[YOU MAY NOT REPOST, REUSE OR TRACE THIS ART]|
REFERENCES USED

Description

|[Dunstan-Tracker]|

The day moves on in a bleary dreamlike haze for Dunstan. Introductions are made and friendly bonds quickly begin to form. The twins, Coren and sweet Eclipse curiously interrogate Connor and Robin about their adventures after being separated from Dunstan. Sybil gently tries to wrangle the kids to not overwhelm poor Connor as their questions get increasingly more invasive about Connor’s scars. Robin seems quite taken with Sybil and quickly begins to playfully joke with her, trying to make the dark speckled mare laugh. Calamity, Olive and Colette introduce themselves and each share the story of how they joined the motley crew under Dunstan’s leadership.

As Dunstan looks on, his mind blurs between past and present. Watching Connor and his foals interact tilt his world on its axis. Hearing his voice, laughter and cheeky remarks bounce between the rest of his family leave him in a state of near exasperation. His mind groggily processes, I’ve spent so long…I’ve moved on. I’ve grown and become who I needed to be to care for my family. I have foals and a home…he sighs heavily, I’ve healed haven’t I? Why does this tension rise and fall within me? I’m happy for a second and then-just…lost..he almost feels like a stranger. But..that love weighs heavy on my heart…there’s too much I need to say.

Elvira and Monet stand a bit away from the chatting herd. Worry and understanding swim between them despite the silence. They watch as Dunstan stares off blankly, quiet and brooding. His brow is furrowed and muscles tight again. Elvira leans close to Monet whispering, “I have a feeling that Connor being alive and even more miraculously here is going to be more of an adjustment than we thought.” Monet nods quietly, sharing a tense stare with Vira before glancing at Connor. His expression is tight, overwhelmed. Between his smiles and banter he keeps glancing towards Dunstan worriedly. Oh dear…

The full moon rises quickly with a chill in the air. Dunstan peaks at the forest surrounding the valley, noticing that between the pine trees the leaves on the aspen are beginning to turn. Winter will be here soon… He takes a deep breath and moves his gaze to his sleeping herd. Sybil, Colette, Elvira and Monet are resting together with Olive nestled on the back of Sybil comfortably. Nearby the twins are pretending to sleep while sneakily nipping and nibbling on one another in play. Dunstan softly nickers to get their attention. Their ears perk up and Dunstan gives them a nod. They shake their heads in tandem before finally settling to sleep. Dunstan quietly moves on, stepping carefully. Coren and Eclipse are curled up together with Calamity snuggled up under their heads. Dunstan almost chuckles at the sight, fluffy walking pillow… He spots the red coats of Connor and Robin a little further from the rest. Robin is splayed out, legs outstretched lazily with her back towards Connor’s curled up figure.

Dunstan pauses and leans his head down to sniff at Connor, testing if he’s awake. With no acknowledgment from the small stallion Dunstan begins to walk on into the valley a little ways away. He sighs heavily as he stares upwards at the bright full moon hanging high among the stars, probably won’t get to sleep tonight. He turns back to look at Connor only to see Robin’s figure alone. For a moment he panics, I swear to god I’m going crazy… before the subtle snap of a branch perks his attention back in front of him.

He whips his head a bit to see a softly smirking Connor standing before him, “Can’t sleep D?” His voice is suave and in a whisper.

Dunstan gapes a bit, ignoring the question, “You’d think with your bright coat you’d be easier to track Little Red.” He tries to keep his voice playful despite the anxiety clawing between his ribs. Connor stifles a chuckle and approaches, slowly circling. Dunstan catches his eyes and sees that underneath the usual cheeky, flirty nature Connor is softer in this moment, vulnerable.

They’re quiet for a long moment before Connor finally snaps the tight string of tension between them, “I-um…” he stops, facing away from Dunstan and staring up at the moon, “I’m not angry with you D…” his voice barely audible. Almost like it’s wrong to say it. Dunstan shifts uncomfortably a bit in place, silent. Connor presses on, “You’ve really made something of yourself, I hardly recognize you…” he croaks out, gaze still turned to the sky, “I never knew where we’d go or what our lives would look like ya know? I’m glad you didn’t waste away because of me..” Dunstan feels a twinge in the old scars on his right side, spurring a fervent frustration.

Dunstan’s voice rings a little bit more forceful than intended, “You don’t get to do that,” Connor glances back, catching the eyes of Dunstan just barely as he barrels on, “You always downplayed how important you were…a-are to me…” silence settles as Dunstan gathers courage. He softens his tone with a deep breath, “You’ve been a ghost in my head for a long time now…always echoing your laughter, kindness, wit…” Dunstan lowers his head and slowly steps closer to Connor, leaning his nose on the large scar on his side, “Ive wanted you here…I’ve wanted you to see me grow and see the milestones, see the good and the bad…” he gently rubs at Connor’s side, stifling the lump in his throat, “I needed you Connor…I need you…I-I love you.”

Connor’s head dizzyingly swims with emotions. The weight of Dunstan leaning on his side anchor him to the moment. Dunstan’s words wash over him and after years of them circling each other playfully, flirtatiously and then ultimately losing one another tragically, he simply breathes in the honest confession spilling out from Dunstan. You’ve really grown…

Connor cranes his neck back towards Dunstan, nuzzling into his face and gently nibbling at the draping forelock covering his golden eyes, “I love you too.” His voice is whisper light but firm. Dunstan lifts his head, revealing his wide eyes. Connor smiles sweetly, almost melancholy. Dunstan stares for a moment before moving forward, nuzzling Connor’s cheek and nose. They stay that way for some time, enjoying the freedom of finally being able to express the love between them.

Dunstan breaks the silence this time, “I’m sure we will have more to talk about,” he smiles shyly, “We can’t address everything in just one night…I’ve changed a lot Connor.”

Connor scoffs sarcastically, “Nooo really?”

Dunstan rolls his eyes with a smirk, “As always, ruining the moment.” The two share a soft chuckle.

“I have faith that we’ll be alright, I’m excited to know you as you are now D,” Connor grins, lighting up the dark of the night, “Those foals are lovely and your mares seem to be cohesive, they don’t have their heads stuck in the dirt ya know?” He giggles a bit before nuzzling Dunstan’s nose once more, “We’ll be alright.”

The two turn and make their way back to the rest of the sleeping herd. Dunstan tries to lead them back to Robin but Connor scoffs, “That mare is a walking wildfire, she doesn’t need any body heat.” Dunstan stifles a chuckle before following Connor. They lay down between all the little groups and drift easily to sleep. Dunstan still wonders a bit if he’s in a dream as he feels the steadying breath of Connor next to him. His words echo in his mind, easing him to sleep, we’ll be alright…

Word Count:1,264

|[YOU MAY NOT REPOST, REUSE OR TRACE THIS ART]|
REFERENCES USED