This is a short work of erotic fiction containing furry, or anthropomorphic, characters, which are animals that either demonstrate human intelligence or walk on two legs, for the purposes of these tales. It is a thriving and growing fandom in which creators are prevalent in art and writing especially.
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Loving a Unicorn
Heartbeat Passage
Chapter One
Christian walked without rhyme or reason to his footsteps, striding between the coniferous trees as the forest enveloped him. There was no path to follow, only loam that was rarely trodden by human beings in its isolation and a quiet peace that chased the ache of study from his mind. Spring sang through the forest, a harmonious melody of birdsong as the culprits flitted from branch to branch, and he lost himself in their instrumental language, sinking into a world that he feared, one day, mankind would forget. From his flat, it was only a short walk before he reached the tree line of the woods and, from there on out, he could forget the human world completely, losing himself in a natural, unspoilt world.
He scratched his head, fingers raking through a mop of brown hair already tousled from a light wind. It never seemed worth the effort that others of his age went to in styling it, though it was the fashion of the younger generation to glue it in place with hair gel. He had no idea how people had the time to think about their appearance when there was so much to do, so much studying. University was gruelling. Christian shook his head, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his olive green jacket, which was light enough to keep the spring chill from his skin. He'd had the jacket for several years but, even though the zip caught, he looked after his belongings so well that everyone not in the know thought that he'd bought it only a few days before wearing it out.
Mind wandering, he rolled his shoulders, his studies tickling at the back of his mind. They never went away, always prying when he wanted a little escape for himself. He'd come to the end of his engineering degree and, while he found it interesting, the working world loomed ahead with gaping jaws. Maybe that was why he spent so much time walking in the forest as it meant he did not have to face a truth that he didn't yet know how to tackle. Of course, life would sweep him along when the time came and he would not be alone in the first steps of his career but Christian dove into books with greater relish than ever before, living another life and only returning to the real world when it demanded he do so.
Sometimes it was better to live in a fantasy world. Yet reality would always have a loving hold to guide him back to the present, his friends and family. Christian's lips tugged up in an unconscious smile. He should go see his mother sometime soon. She must be missing him - she often called him to see how his work was going. It was a shame that he never had all that much to say. Life continued on much the same as it had done before. What new was there anymore?
He paused at a small clearing, head tilted back to a blue sky dotted with wisps of clouds high, high above. He shifted, rubbed his thigh and wriggled his hand back into his pocket again, hiding it from view. Although the birds sang as merrily as ever and a red squirrel scampered along a thick branch in a flick of bushy tail, something held him in place, heartbeat quickening. The skin on the back of his neck prickled and he stood still, listening as intently as a human could, which was not all that carefully when it came right down to it.
Was he not alone in the forest? Christian swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing as his throat grew tight.
The squirrel streaked up into the pines as he struggled to discern any noise that could be from a silent watcher. Did they mean to harm him? Was there even anyone there? Were they animal or human? Christian narrowed his eyes, peering through slanted sunlight, too bright and glaring in his eyes when he needed to see all he could.
He turned in a slow circle, three hundred and sixty degrees, skin cooling. There couldn't be anyone there, surely not. It was his imagination running away with him. Christian relaxed, hands uncurling from fists he had not realised had formed in his pockets. How daft he could be!
"It is strange to see one of your kind so far from concrete and brick lives."
He jumped, looked over his left shoulder and then his right when the owner of the voice was not immediately forthcoming from the rustling leaves. His heart beat quicker and quicker and, although the voice did not seem to be threatening, he brought his hands out of his pockets, at the ready. A bubble of inappropriate laughter tickled his throat. Just what did he think he was actually going to do if he was attacked? Hit his assailant with a book? He'd never even been in a fight! He felt the weight of his small backpack, straps across both shoulders, and shifted it carefully, considering his options. It was packed with books... No. He shook his head, lips twisting. It could work.
A feminine giggle, not unlike the nicker of an equine, burbled up from the flora adorning a thicket where the trees grew close enough together that a large creature could conceal itself inside and not be spotted by the casual hiker. He squinted into it, eyes narrowed into strained slits.
"Forgive me. I do not mean to jest or give you...how do they say it... 'The run around'. I will not forever remain hidden from you, Christian."
The bushes between two pines trees rustled, rounded leaves drifting to the ground as they were disturbed, and he took a step back, hands raised. His palms faced out. What could he do? Yet what - or who - emerged from the thicket surprised him more than any predator with ill intentions ever could have. A white unicorn, as bold and brilliant as the light of day, stepped forward as if she was part of the luscious undergrowth herself, her coat as white as fallen snow on a mountain peak. A spiralled, silver horn rose from the centre of her forehead and her long, flowing mane and tail fell down over the arch of her neck and powerful hindquarters like the finest of spun silk.
Christian gaped, closing his jaw quickly when he realised he was staring. But how was he not supposed to stare at a unicorn? She - for she was certainly a female from the lilt in her voice and defined, dished face - pawed at the earth, a woven gold bracelet jingling musically with precious gems on her leg. The bracelet, stretching from the knee of her right foreleg down to her fetlock, however, was not the only piece of jewellery she wore. Around her neck hung a heavy gold circlet, sliced through with crimson and emerald shades so pure that Christian could only suspect that they were the finest cuts of the stones found naturally. The necklace dipped down to a 'V' over her chest, the heart of it cupping a milky opal that flickered with every colour under the sun as the unicorn walked, the movement of her breath rolling through her flanks elating the beautiful into the exquisite.
She raised her head, taller than Christian, to look at him from the side with one, intelligent eye. He shivered. Violet was not a natural colour for such an orb, yet it sat perfectly upon her head, crafted for her, as unique as she was.
"I've been watching you for some time." The unicorn said with a gentle toss of her head, flipping her mane over to the other side of her neck. "You are quite the fascinating human, Christian."
He started, blinking as words flourished and died on his tongue.
