[Gift] 1.10 Misty Moonlight - Alistair and Satin

The train ride home was thankfully uneventful, the pair remained secluded in their private cabin. The peace was worth the cost, same for the horses’ better accommodations. By the time they made it out of the station and returned home the sky had cleared and the moon shone down. It was a beautiful night and mist had begun to creep in across the vast yard of the manor. Tack was put away, the horses groomed one last time before finally being turned out.

Together Alistair and Harry stood in the chilly night air watching as the pair ran off into their respective pastures. Satin was far more energetic but Daemon galloped about as well, releasing the occasional kick up into the air. The mare kicked and jumped all over in comparison, sending the mist swirling and flying all around her. Both were a beautiful sight and Alistair leaned into his lover, feeling Harry’s arm in turn wrap around his waist.

“You performed marvelously dear.” He murmured, leaning closer himself. “I’m so proud of you and I hope you continue to work on your new skills.”

Alistair’s cheeks flushed from the praise and a smile crept over his lips. “It helps to have such an excellent mentor.” He chuckled and moved a hand to rest over Harry’s. “I don’t think I could have ever gotten this far or stayed so interested in it all without you.”

“Mmmm… that may be true but you still put a sizable effort in. I think if you had reasonable drive and an equally good teacher you would have still succeeded.” He gave Alistair a gentle squeeze that made the doctor laugh.

“Ah, you think third place is success?” He continued to chuckle and pressed closer, letting Harry wrap him up in his arms. It helped chase away a bit more of the cold as it bled into their bones.

“That I do, but really I never had any expectations of where you’d place. For me, you entering that show and leaving it feeling it was a positive experience was success enough. Winning third place is simply additional icing on the cake.” He smirked and snuck a small kiss in on the doctor’s cheek.

Alistair’s face only grew more red, even his eartips started to match and it wasn’t from the cold. “If you say so…” He replied, voice tired but still carrying an edge of teasing back.

“And I do. You simply have too high of standards for yourself Dr. Castor.”

That made Alistair really laugh, enough to cause the horses to look back over at them. “You never call me that!” A snort escaped him as Harry nuzzled against his neck.

“I knew you’d laugh at that though.” His smirk could be felt against the doctor’s skin. “I am so proud of you Alistair, you handled everything that happened throughout our trip so perfectly. I truly couldn’t have asked for more.”

Alistair was left in a blushing mess as he mentally scrambled for a way to change the subject off himself before he was a gibbering and blushing mess. “Satin’s come a long way too, she still has all of that youthful energy but now look at her…” He watched how she moved through the pasture, parting the mist in waves around her. Her form was fit and graceful, her movements effortless. She had not been in as bad shape as most of the other horses they had seen, but compared to their first days together she was like a completely different mare. 

Now her coat shone under the moonlight, filled out for winter and as soft as velvet. Her legs moved with purpose and trained grace, every hooffall intentional even in her idle play. Alistair would always chalk most of it up to Harry’s work but then Harry would in turn remind him he too has left his mark on the mare. The way she neighs and greets him at the gate for riding, the way she nuzzles her nose against him, the way she performed at the festival. All of it was proof she had found true companionship and trust in the doctor. Harry had given her the tools to live amongst humans, but Alistair had carried the far heavier burden of giving her someone to trust in the end.

Soon it was time to turn back inside themselves, the cold encroaching winter air causing a shiver to run down their spines. But even so, Alistair found himself sitting at a window facing the pastures, sipping a warm drink with a favorite book in hand. A smile graced his lips as he thought over everything they had done on their trip. He was grateful this is where his life had ended up, peace finally descending upon them once more. And all of this he could share with the love of his life and their two somewhat unexpected four legged friends.