A New, Mythical, Love (CHAPTER 8)
Centaur Romabby Fic
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Summary: Abby is a Centaur who was born and bred to serve humans. After breaking free, he finds himself out in the wild and unsure of how to survive. Romance is a rare unicorn Centaur who was forced to grow up fast when his parents were hunted and killed by unicorn hunters. They wiped out the regular unicorns, and now he may be the last Centaur of his kind. When the two meet, a new love may blossom.
Words: 5k
Tags: First person, Romabby ship, M/M, Angst with a happy ending, Monster AU, Romance and Abby are Centaurs, Mature themes, abuse, Centaur enslavement, Fluff and Spice, biweekly postings
Warnings: This fic will feature mature themes such as abuse and Centaur enslavement. Humans are portrayed to be awful toward monsters. This first chapter is heavy and has humans hurting Centaurs. This may be uncomfortable for some readers.
A/N: After watching Centaurworld with me, @gay-demon-boyfriends and I wen’t delulu and came up with Centaur Romabby ideas together. This fic was birthed from these ideas. Art by me.
I AM NOW ACCEPTING DOODLE ASKS FOR THE CENTAUR AU!!
MINORS DNI
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[[MORE]]ROMANCE
When Abby saw the group of Centaurs and stood defensively, I worried for a moment. Worried that whoever was at the top of the waterfall was about to attack us, and Abby was about to throw himself into the middle of it to defend me. I stood and found myself standing next to Abby rather than behind him, trying to catch a glance at his face. His shoulders had tensed in a way that I hadn’t seen before. I didn’t understand what was going on.
Abby’s eyes widened and under his breath he whispered, “Lilly…”
The revelation hit me in the throat, causing it to bob.
Tears prickled my eyes and I covered my mouth. Oh my god. That was Lilly. His Lilly. The foal that Abby had been with and had been searching for since the day we met, and he had moved in with me. They finally found each other. And it made my heart so damn happy. Next to her stood three Centaurs, two female and a male, I think. The whole scene was at a standstill. No one was moving.
Until Abby did, his hoof tensely pushing into the ground as he stepped closer to the cliff, staring up at Lilly. She was a young, adorable Centaur. Looking at her, I couldn’t imagine a baby-faced like her ending up in the hands of humans. Abby didn’t talk in detail about what he had gone through, but the scars were a big sign itself. From this far away, I could not see if Lilly bore the same types of scars.
Lilly cupped her mouth, a smile on her expression as she called out, “Abbbbbbbby!” She squealed in pure delight.
“LILLY!” Abby cried out and I nearly teared up more as I watched as the two of them try to find a way to get to each other. Lilly looked down as Abby looked up.
Abby rushed forward and searched for a way around the waterfall to no available. There was pure desperation in the way that he moved and the way that he sounded. “Wait there, I’ll find a way up to you!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll just jump down!”
“Huh?” I asked mostly to myself. Abby made the same sound of questioning and hesitance.
Sure enough, Lilly squatted down, lowering herself far enough like she was about to bounce forward. Time seemed to pause as everyone held their breath. The three Centaurs around Lilly tried to stop her when they caught on to what she was doing by grasping her arms but failed. She had already jumped off the (luckily) short waterfall.
“Wait!” The Centaur strangers cried out in horror.
“Lilly!” Abby screamed in terror.
“Weeeee!” Lilly giggled the whole way down, splashing in the water. She surfaced instantly and squealed in more delight. Little hooves broke the surface of the water after her head. Abby paused in terror briefly before he too laughed and rushed to scoop Lilly out of the water. He waded what was a shallow end for him but much deeper for the foal before he scooped her into his arms, crushing her against his chest. Her little body was tiny compared to his and dangled, though her little back legs kicked gently against Abby as if she too tried to hug him with her legs. No one said anything as the two held each other, minutes passing before Abby broke the hug to cup her cheek.
“You’re alive!” I could hear him sniffling. He brought her back to the ground, his eyes scanning her for injuries. I could see faint scars on her hind legs. I couldn’t see if she had any on her back since she wore a tan oversized shirt.
“Abby, I’m so so so sorry.” A cry escaped from the little foal’s throat. I had to resist the urge to walk over to her and comfort her, similar to a way a mother would. I didn’t want to disrupt their moment. “I got lost and panicked, and I never found help…I…I tried to come back to at least be with you when you passed, but then you weren’t there.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I thought you left me.”
“Oh, Lilly…I would never intentionally leave you.”
“You wouldn’t? But why were you gone when I came back? Where did you go?” She sniffled and ran her palms over her eyes, only making her face more wet since she was soaked from the water.
This is when I stepped in, joining Abby by his side. I could see the way that the little foal’s eyes sparkled in admiration when she saw me, probably admiring how pretty I looked as an unicorn. We always had a magical look to our species. I touched Abby’s shoulder.
I made sure to speak to her softly, “Abby was in a really bad state. He was dying and if I didn’t get him back to my cave at the time that I did, he would have passed out in the cold. We both went looking for you the moment that he got he strength. I even looked before then.” I smiled calmly at her and watched as she nestled her face into the male’s chest, acting as though he truly was her father despite not being blood related. “I tried so hard to find you but couldn’t. That’s on me, and not Abby.”
“I…I am so sorry I put you through that.” Abby’s hand dragged through her dark hair before he finally set her down. Her hand never left his however. Once again, she was so tiny compared to Abby, who had to crouch slightly as he talked to her. “You were with some other Centaurs up there.” His head nodded toward the top of the waterfall. “Who were they?”
Abby’s eyes returned to where he had just pointed with his head. Mine followed but the Centaurs were no longer there. Probably trying to find a safer way down that didn’t involve jumping off the edge of a small cliff and into some water.
“Are they friendly?”
“They’re my new family.” Lilly nodded. “When I thought you left, I tried to find some food…I ran into the herd and they took me in immediately. The three up there were my daddy and two mommies.” She sparkled. “I have two mommies now Abby!”
I gauged Abby’s reaction to hearing that. For a moment, I thought I could see some sadness in the man’s eyes but it was quickly wiped away when he smiled and scooped the little one back into his arms. “You deserve all the mommies and the daddies in the world. I’m so glad you could find somewhere safe with them. They wouldn’t mind meeting us would they?”
Briefly, since I was caught up in the moment, I forgot that the Centaurs were strangers.
And strangers equaled danger.
What if they saw my horn?
“Abby…” I whispered, throat bobbing with discomfort. I wasn’t sure if I wanted anyone else to see me…Even if they had already.
Abby immediately looked to me in concern and instantly I could see the realization grow on his face. I felt guilty. He placed Lily on the ground and turned to me, pressing a hand to my cheek. “Sorry, Rome, I…I should’ve asked you. Do you want to meet the herd? Or do you want to go somewhere else?”
The thumb that stroked along my cheek calmed me down enough that I could think properly. Normally, I would have panicked and ran by now. I dug my hoof into the ground nervously but nuzzled him affectionately. “I…I don’t mind meeting them. Just don’t show them our cave. Please?”
“Of course, Rome. You can trust me. I won’t invite them into our space.”
And I did. I trusted Abby with my whole being.
Abby ran his hand over top of mine and brought it across his chest before he kissed my fingertips. Then he kissed my forehead right underneath my horn. I leaned closely into the affections. When he pulled away, we remained side-by-side, hand-in-hand. I wrapped my hand around his and gave him a large squeeze, appreciative that this man respected my boundaries. I wanted to step out of my shell for him.
“Are you ready?” He softly whispered to me.
I nodded. “I’m ready, Abby. Let’s go.”
Lilly looked between us curiously and tilted her head. “Are you two mates?”
The question caught me off guard. I could feel Abby’s hand tighten around mine momentarily before it relaxed. Abby answered for the two of us, and I appreciated him for it, “We’re still figuring some stuff out right now, Lilly. We…don’t know. But this here is Romance. He’s extremely important to me. He saved me when I ate that stupid mushroom.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lilly.” I smiled, the two of us now properly introduced.
When Lily approached me, I felt a certain calm in my chest. I slightly knelt down enough that we met eye to eye. I could see that she had a beautiful mane, braided in with some flowers. I reached out and brushed hair out of her face, trailing my fingers down her cheek. “I’m so glad we finally found you.”
“You’re really pretty, Romance!” She giggled.
Just then, the other Centaurs were coming around after having found a safer way down the small cliff that had the waterfall. I found myself back on my feet, slightly behind Abby since I knew he would protect me. Especially since there was more than just the three Centaurs.
There was an entire herd. Not just any herd either…More like over fifteen Centaurs. I had never seen such a large group together all at once.
I felt as though maybe I regretted telling Abby I was okay with meeting the other Centaurs. Because I’m not sure if I was. This was more than expected.
The female Centaur who must be one of the parents of Lily, rushed over to scold the little foal with a voice that made me think she was lecturing me at first, “Lilly! You scared me. You can’t be pulling stunts off! It’s nearly impossible for us to recover after we break a leg, sweetheart.”
Lilly pouted her bottom lip, crossing her arms. “Sorry, mama. But never mind that. Mommy, you need to meet Abby!”
Lilly took Abby’s other hand. I had a chance to let go or walk forward with Abby as Lilly dragged him along. I chose to walk forward, wanting to remain at his side at all times, though I wish I could hide myself and my horn from the spotlight. Luckily, it seemed that all the attention was on Abby and Lilly right now. I didn’t mind that.
“Abby was the Centaur who saved me from the humans at the ranch…one was going to kill me when Abby killed him. Or at least I think he did. He stopped on the man and there was lots of blood…”
Abby? A human killer?
He hadn’t exactly talked about any of that, but it somehow made sense…I could still feel the tension in Abby’s grip. How he squeezed me. So, I reached up and rubbed along his shoulder, trying to comfort him. At the same time, Lilly’s mother did same thing but to Lilly, comforting her as she continued her story. Abby didn’t stop her from talking.
“Abby carried me to the forest. He was so fast and kept missing all the human’s bullets. I thought he wasn’t going to make it over the fence, but he’s one of the bigger horses so he did!”
I could clearly see the moment in my head. Abby was so brave, because if I were in that moment, I was unsure of how I would react over everything. I feel as though I would have given up when I reached the fence, realizing I was not going to make it over. I would have given up and waited for the humans to kill me.
“Thank you, Abby.” Lilly brought his fingers to her forehead, leaning against them. Abby became teary eyed as he released my hand so he could cup her cheeks, pressing his forehead to hers.
“If I hadn’t messed up by eating that mushroom, I would have done everything to keep you safe from the humans. I’m so very glad you’re safe now. You have a wonderful herd and you look so happy…”
“You look happy too! With Romance!” She smiled and looked to the male, and then at me. That’s when I saw her eyes wonder up. That’s when I knew that the horn would be brought up. I felt uneasy and put my hand on Abby’s elbow. His hand returned to mine.
“What’s that on your head, Romance? It looks like it hurts.”
I tried to mask my fear with a weak chuckle, hand coming up to touch along the horn. “No, little one. It’s like a fingernail that grows out of my forehead. It doesn’t hurt at all. I'm…I’m a unicorn, sweet one.”
She tilted her head. “I thought unicorns only existed in stories.”
Her and Abby had similar actions. Humans must not tell the Centaurs kept on ranches much about “fairytales.”
“I’m very much real. Though you’re sorta correct. There’s so few of us anymore that we might as well only exist in the stories.”
Lilly’s eyes became sad. “Is it because of the humans too?” She approached me, then slowly wrapped her arms around my front legs, giving me a hug.
I sniffled and slowly returned the hug. It wasn’t Lily I had been worried about accepting me. Of course, she was a foal. It was her adult parents who worried me. So, I looked up at them and tried to read their expression.
The male was a spotted paint horse with red and white. His hair was styled in this sort of mullet. I could tell he was the stallion of the herd from his stance alone, standing tall with his arms crossed in front of all the humans. I could read that he felt protective over his daughter, and could not read any deceit from him. That or I just could not see it.
It was now their turn to speak.
“We thank you for all that you did to save our daughter. You share the same name as one of my mates here. Abbey.” He laid a hand on the shoulder of the female that stood to his left. She was the one who had scolded Lilly earlier. A pretty mare with black hair and a black coat to match. She nodded her head at us. “And this is my other mate, Nina.” He introduced us to another mare who had brown like Abby. She was covered in scars. “Nina used to be a race Centaur and escaped. We have a distaste for humans as well, so you’re all safe here. All three of you.” The next nod seemed aimed at me, making me feel relieved for a second.
Maybe I really was safe here.
“Do you want to eat with us and the herd today?” The mare named Nina offered.
Abby and I exchanged glances before we nodded at each other. He turned his head toward the others and accepted the offer. “If you’re offering to have us, then most definitely. Thank you.”
“We’re staying not too far from here. Follow us.”
Curiously (but also cautiously because it sounded as though their place was close to ours), I asked, “Are you just passing through the area?”
Doyle nodded. “Yeah, we don’t like to stay in a single area too long. Plus, it’s not good for the environment. We move all around to keep things lively. We’ve been here for a few moons, so it’ll be time for us to move on soon.”
Great, our neighbors won’t be permanent. I smiled to myself.
The herd brought us to a more spacious meadow than the one near my old cave. I held Abby’s hand tightly, refusing to let go. Though I held it a whole lot less tensely this time, actually relaxing at the sight of other people. I never though anything like this would happen. In the middle of the meadow, were tents. Almost human in nature, but large enough to obviously supply the huge Centaurs that occupied them. Every single one of them was packed full of supplies. Herbs I hadn’t seen in years. Fabrics. Animal pelts I couldn’t recognize. We were brought near the center where a bonfire was being set up in the center. Piles of sticks stood tall, promising a huge fire. Promising a lot of smoke now.
That made me nervous.
“How can you stand having so much fire?” I blurted without even thinking, “Won’t it have you caught?”
Doyle nodded. “Of course, we risk that. But we choose to not let humans run our lives. If they come after us, we’re ready to fight back.”
As if on cue, several Centaurs bearing bows and other various weapons made their appearance. I saw bows, knives, spears, and even rifles. I was starting to feel…more at ease here, if I was being honest. Like it would actually be safe for me to settle down. With Abby. I chewed my bottom lip as I thought about it.
Abby brushed hair out of my face, pulling me from my trance. I felt my ears glow red. Lily was occupied, allowing the two of us to have a moment to ourselves.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly, “This is a lot to take in. We don’t have to stay too long.”
I shook my head. “No, I want to stay for as long as they allow us. I just haven’t been around a crowd this big before. Not even my herd was this enormous. It was less than ten of us. I’ll warm up more, I promise.”
“Just don’t push yourself, Rome. You tell me when you’re ready to go, and then we’ll go home.” He took both hands into his and kissed my knuckles.
Abbey—the other one—approached us and gives us a kind smile. “Are you both hungry? Our cooks made homemade dough earlier this morning, and we’re having pasta and sauce.”
I perked up. Bakers? I’d love to learn from them, for when I wanted to cook for Abby.
My lover nodded excitedly. “I’m always hungry!”
“Of course you are. You shires are always growing!” She chuckled and patted his arm. “You’re a bit small for one.”
“Huh? I am?”
She nodded. “I’ve seen a few bigger than you.”
“It sounds like I just have to eat some more!” He laughed.
I laughed alongside him. “And here I thought I was feeding you too much!” I teased him, my hand coming up to touch his shoulder.
Abby laughed alongside me, placing a hand over mine. “It’s a lot more than what the humans were feeding me, that’s for sure.”
I don’t know why that felt like a punch in the gut. Not directed at me, but at the realization of what Abby’s words meant. I recalled how he looked when I had first tripped over him, how battered and scrawny he was when I first met him. I was meatier than him, and I am not a huge horse compared to this male. Those humans were awful, no doubt about it. And it only made me want to feed him more. To make him feel wanted and loved. Being at the ranch must have stunted his growth. I wanted to feel sad, but right now was not the time for sadness.
I cupped the back of Abby’s neck. I gripped him like my life depended on it.
“Romance? What are you doing?”
No words came from my mouth.
I tugged him closer so I could press my nose into his neck, angling my head so I wouldn’t poke him with my horn. I don’t care that the others are staring at us. I just hold Abby closer to me, wanting to feel his lingering presence stick with me.
Nothing had to be said between us. Abby’s hands eventually rested on my upper back, and we held each other.
Of course, I eventually let the male go, although reluctantly. When Abby lifts his head, he stared down at me with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. I merely smiled at him.
“Thanks for letting me take care of you, Abby.”
“Y-You’re welcome?” He sounded confused at first, then grateful. He smiled and pulled me closer to his side. “We’re in this together, Rome. We take care of each other.”
“We take care of each other,” I repeated and nestled my head into his arm.
“Let’s stay here for a while.” Abby nestled against me.
“We’ll stay as long as they will let us,” I agreed.
The herd accepted us into the group without hesitation.
The rest of the evening proceeded in a way that I hadn’t experienced since I was a child. Community.The Centaurs fed us well, letting us try foods that they had traded with other Centaurs. Chocolate was my new favorite food. Abby fed me a couple pieces before we danced around the bonfire together. We twirled, wrapped in each other’s arms, laughing and smiling. The Centaurs treated me as one of their own. Of course, there was the occasionally curious question about my species and magical capabilities. I told them that I had some but hadn’t been taught how to hon my magic, so I wasn’t the best at using it so freely. It was something I hadn’t bothered trying. Other than that, I was never treated as though I was some sort of test subject. And never once did I feel as though I was about to be outed and delivered to the humans.
I don’t want to come off as impulsive, but I almost asked Abby if we could join the herd. But there were a few reasons it would not work out. One, I alone could place a target on the herd, putting them in danger for hunters. Two, it seemed that the herd was structured like wild horses, where there was one stallion who ran them all. There were very little males, and the few that did exist were lower on the hierarchy. I could tell by how the Stallion Doyle glared at Abby like he was a potential challenge that he would stomp out if there were attempts to take over his group of mares. Though, I knew Abby wouldn’t do that. Secretly, I wanted to be the only mare for him.
I wondered if unicorn herds functioned like this, or if they had a different way of community.
It was now evening. I was warm, sipping on some goat milk and laying on a silky blanket with another one draped along my back. I watched Abby across the field with a group of foals.
Lilly had introduced Abby to the other foals, and the male clicked with them all. A new side of Abby was now exposed, showing off the playful side of the large horse. There was a large plastic ball that the foals loved to kick around to each other and throw. Three smaller foals ran up to Abby, giving the ball to him.
“Throw it, please! You throw it the farthest!” They begged him.
With a loud laugh, Abby nodded. “Alright, I’ll throw it!”
And he threw it, everyone giggling as he did so. The foals squealed in delight, all racing to grab the ball and returned it to Abby, wanting him to throw it over and over. Abby never complained once, and other adults stared at him thankfully as if they were glad someone else was doing the childish job.
Ball soon turned to tag, the foals laughing as they chased each other. Abby joined them too. I had the feeling that Abby was never allowed to play with foals his age, if there even was. This must be a healing action, being able to do and play the things that you couldn’t as a baby.
A single tear slipped from my cheek as I thought about it. While I never had the exact experience Abby went through, I knew what it was like to be lonely like him during childhood. I didn’t have anyone my age when I was growing up. I never got to play like this either. Or at least, not a lot. Mom always played the extra game to ensure I was never lonely. She would have loved Abby.
I dabbed my eyes before drinking the rest of my milk, trying to mask the sadness. I pushed aside the feelings and watched the male more as he pretended to be a large scary monster chasing the foals around, pretending to gobble them up in ways that weren’t traumatizing for the children.
And another feeling swirled in my stomach. The more I watched Abby, the longer that I imagined what it would be like if the foals were ours. I realized that I could see what our children were going to look like, making the redness of my cheeks to grow, spreading to my shoulders. They’d have his coat, but my hair. Or vise versa. We’d have five children that we would spoil the hell out of.
There was no way that I was truly imagining Abby and I having children together. I had only knew him for a few moon cycles. And while he have kissed a few times, I was unsure that he was my mate…but he could be. I wanted him to be. But even then, we couldn’t have children. At least, I was not sure. Yes, I was a mare. I had both parts. I could get pregnant and impregnate as well. Though we were still two separate beings. I had no idea if the magic coursing through my veins would make sure I could only mate properly with another unicorn. I had to force myself to look away from the vision of Abby giving me children.
Mixed emotions were twirling inside me. That or the lavish food my stomach wasn’t something I was used to. I set my glass down and aside and laid down. I tried to push the emotions aside, but it only began to get worse.
My skin felt almost…fevered. Like I was going to become sick.
I got to my feet and quietly snuck away from the herd, making it to the river, splashing the cool water into my face, to cool myself off. It wasn’t working. Whatever was washing through me now rested in the deepest pits of my stomach.
I didn’t notice Abby had followed and approached me until he spoke up, “Romance, are you okay?” He asked softly.
Despite his voice being softer than honey and butter, I flinched and watched as Abby’s eyes widened in surprise. I could tell that he was taken aback by my reaction, worry beginning to take over his features.
“What’s wrong, Romance?” He reached for me.
“I'm…I’m fine, Abby!”
But I wasn’t fine. For some reason, my pelt felt like it was on fire. I turned my back to my friend, my lover, feeling the way his gaze created an unsettling prickling feeling in the back of my neck. I splashed water into my face, trying to cool myself down. When the ripples in the water calmed down, Abby was right next to me, laying a hand on my shoulder.
“We can go back to the cave if you’re feeling unwell. You don’t have to force yourself to stay.”
“Please, Abby…”
I squeezed my eyes shut. I tried to think of different herbs that would make the rising fever in my body go away. I wanted to stop feeling so flustered. But other thoughts filled my mind: thoughts of what it would be like if Abby mounted me from behind, fucking a baby inside of me. I had a rising suspicion that I knew what this was. And if I was correct, then both Abby and I were in serious trouble.
I was in heat.
I wanted to have a baby with Abby.
I pressed my hands to his chest and tried to shove the other away from me. It was damn near impossible with how he rebounded and centered himself.
“Romance, what’s gotten into you? You’re worrying me. You look worse than when I ate those mushrooms. Please. Tell me what’s wrong?” I had tried to push him away, and it only made Abby step closer to me, concerned.
I frantically ran my hands through my hair. Some of the strands were sticking everywhere.
“A-Abby, I’m so sorry, but you have to get away from me. Please.”
“Why? Did I do something wrong?”
“No-No, you’re doing everything right? And that’s the problem.”
“What do you mean? If I’m doing everything right, then why are you telling me to do away?”
I could see the hurt grow in his eyes, and it only made me ache more. Throb, even. I could feel myself become both wet and hard at the same time, my parts needing relief.
“I can’t have this conversation right here.”
Abby touched my shoulder. His touch sent flares through my body. “Then we’re going to the cave. Let’s go.”
I didn’t argue or shove him away this time.
We disappeared from the party. I tried walking in perfect sync with Abby, not wanting him to see the way that my body was reacting to him. When we were far away, he touched my face, feeling around my cheeks and then on my forehead, under my horn. I nuzzled into his touch.
Abby cupped my cheeks once more, forcing me to look into his eyes. I knew he was about to ask me what was wrong one more time, but I interrupted him with a sweet kiss. Our lips connected in perfect harmony, becoming one.
“There’s something wrong, baby. I want you to talk to me. I don’t like seeing you in pain,” Abby whispered.
When we parted, I finally told him. “U-Us Centaurs had to change our sex drive when ou-our population started to dwindle. T-Their magic gave my generation b-both parts and a cycle of arousal. Fuck, I want your babies, Abby.”
And with that confession, I kissed Abby again.
