Centaur Boyfriend: Solomon 1 (rough draft)

My family and I recently moved to a new village. We had lived in the same place for generations, always thought we would. Unfortunately, the land was purchased by a nobleman and everyone was evicted from the land. My father knew someone who offered us a place to live, but it required moving quite far. Most of the family never traveled before, so the journey was quite arduous.

The countryside we moved to was lush and beautiful, and the home my father’s friend provided was just big enough to accommodate our rather large family. Even if I had to share a room with my younger sisters, at least we had a place to call home.

My father’s friend was a human man, Sal, who was married to a centaur named Alba. In fact, most of this place was filled with centaurs. It was quite a shock to see. Us fauns were quite tiny in comparison, especially my sisters and I. It was strange walking around with all this centaur towering over us.

But even then, we were adapting to our new home, even falling in love with it. Sal and Alba had a large orchard and they had hired my father to help manage it. I helped Alba around the house for pay, and sometimes my siblings and I would help with tasks around the orchard. I like Alba, she’s so kind, and she’s so very pretty. Her hair is so long and sleek and looks like the night sky. I sometimes grow jealous, as my curly mop can only do so much on a good day.

“Your hair is beautiful the way it is,” Alba said one day. “I would trade you in an instant. Not to mention your beautiful skin.”

That was a shocker, let me tell you. Not just about my hair, but my skin as well. As a child it had been all the same shade of soft brown. But as I grew, patches of cream started to grow until my skin was mottled with different patches of brown and cream. I was teased, called a cow by the children around me. Hearing Alba call it beautiful was a stunner. I didn’t want to press and find out the truth, but it did pester me for a few days.

Alba and Sal have a son, although I have never met him. He is out traveling or something, I can’t quite ever catch a straight answer as to what he’s doing. All I know is that his name is Solomon, and he favors his mother heavily and that we’re both around the same age. They expect him back before harvest at least, and they are eager for us to meet him.

As summer draws to a close, I notice my gaze lingering on the males of the village. I’ve become much more keen on their presence, and my mind takes all sorts of liberties. I realize I will be going into heat soon, but even back home my mind was never so wild as it is with these centaur men. I know we have a similar mating season, so I often wonder if one would take me as a lover. Although, I do have to remind myself to be wary as I know centaur are much more endowed than what I am used to.

One afternoon, after a hard day in the orchard, I decided to go down to the river by the farm to take a bath. There is a spot I have made my own. There is a mossy bank I can lounge on after I bathe, with trees and bushes that surround it so I can hide. Not to mention the most beautiful willow tree, whose long roots go into the riverbed and make perfect little seats so I can sit.

I lay my things on the moss and go into the water, scrubbing my arms and legs then dunking myself under. The cold water burns my skin, but it feels like such a relief after working in the heat of that day. I rise up from the water, pushing my hair back from my face. I sigh deeply, running my hands over my face to wipe away the excess water. I reach for my soap when I realize someone is watching me. From behind the willow tree I see a dark centaur standing there. His eyes are wide and he can be doing nothing else but watching me.

I’m not sure what to do. I grab a rock from the shore and chuck it. “You want to watch? Pay me!” I throw another rock, this time getting close. “Beat it pal! Can’t a girl relax after a hard day?”

The centaur steps out from behind the willow. His long hair is tied back into a braid. He has thick brows with narrow, upturned eyes. He reaches into a bag around his waist then tosses a silver coin onto the moss.

“How long of a show does that buy me?” He chuckles.

I stare at the coin then back at him, my brow creasing as I meet his smug expression. “Pays for what you’ve already watched.” I snatch the coin up, biting it to make sure it’s real.

He chuckles, placing his hands upon his waist. “I didn’t see much. Considering this is my parent’s property, I was concerned we had trespassers.”

I flinch, turning to ice in that cold water. I’d done it! I’d yelled at Alba and Sal’s son, Solomon. But how was I supposed to know that’s who he was? Anyone could make that mistake, right? Right?

Solomon’s smirk brightens and he crosses his arms. “You must be one of the fauns my old man let on. Had I known that there were actually some cute faces here, I would have come home much sooner.” His dark eyes drift down and I place an arm over my chest. I know I’m not blessed enough to even consider covering, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

I duck down so his gaze falls on my face again. “Do you mind?”

Solomon chuckles. “I mind a lot.”

I place my other arm around my chest just in case. “Same here. Why don’t you go home to your mother and leave me be?”

His head tilted to the side. “You’re much better to look at than my mother.”

I threw another rock at him. “Beat it or I’ll ask your mother to beat you!”

As the rock landed at his hooves Solomon threw his head back and laughed. “Fine argument.” He goes back up the hill. “I’m sure I’ll see you around little Bonbon.”

My brow furrows again. “Bonbon?” I decide not to linger long, just enough to finish washing and for him to gain some distance. I go back home, only to find out from my parents that Alba and Sal have invited us to dinner.

“Their son has come home and they want to introduce us,” Mother says.

I don’t say anything, but in the back of my head I’m cussing like a sailor.

“Alba says he’s very handsome,” my dad teases.

My mother gives him a warning look. “Whatever he may look like, I’m sure he’s a very good boy. His parents have been such blessings to us, it’s hard to imagine him any other way.”

In my head there’s stink lines over him and his eyebrows are wriggling caterpillars. “Yeah, Mom.” I just hope nothing happens at dinner. I would hate for anything to happen that would make things awkward between our families. Or even worse, cause something that could uproot my family again.

When we arrive at the main house, I’m relieved that Solomon isn’t there waiting to strike. I take the food we made and set it on the dinner table while my parents chat with Sal and Alba. There are flowers arranged on the table in such a beautiful bouquet. I lean in to smell the flowers when I hear hoofbeats behind me. I lift my face from the flowers to see Solomon’s smirky face.

“We meet again,” he says.

I stiffen and lean back. “Can we behave tonight?”

Solomon tilts his head to the side, letting his long braid fall off his shoulder and over his chest. “Why would we ever misbehave?”

I scowl until my mother and Alba come into the room. This is when I see that Solomon is rather small compared to his mother. It’s not by much, but it is noticeable.

“Solomon, dearest, this is Ceres.” Alba motions her hand to me, which makes me have to move around the table. “She’s been the one helping me around the house.”

His smile is knowing, and his eyes gimmer mischievously. I wonder what he could be plotting behind those eyebrows. “What lovely skin,” he says.

I shiver and feel my cheeks grow hot.

Alba beams. “Doesn’t she look gorgeous?”

Oh God, Ms. Alba, please stop! I can’t even speak right now.

“She looks like a chocolate bonbon, don’t you think?” Solomon asks. “Very sweet looking.” He gives me a wink.

“She’s the sweetest,” Alba giggles.

I swallow down a hard lump. “Thank you,” I manage to squeak out. “Very nice to meet you, Solomon. Your mother speaks very highly of you.”

“She’s my mother so she’s biased.” Solomon extends his hand out to me. “Ceres, was it? Pleasant to meet you.”

His hand is so big that it makes mine disappear. I decide to leave things at that, if we can leave on that note, I’ll be happy. Our first meeting wasn’t so pleasant, but this one was at least fine in front of the family.

My little brothers take to Solomon instantly. They see him as the big brother they never had. My little sisters all seem to instantly gain a crush, which makes me question what I’ve taught them. Dinner goes well at least, Solomon has charmed my family effortlessly. He tells stories about his travels, which he takes in order to collects seeds and rare plants for his family’s farm. He also helps ailing farms in repairing their fields and showing them new techniques. His skills with crossbreeding and creating new variations is fascinating to my father, who wishes to learn from him.

After dessert everyone goes to the other room for drinks and more talking. I sit aside from the main conversation, but I am eventually joined by Solomon. He lays down beside my chair, and even then we are somewhat level.

“Do you enjoy being alone?” Solomon asks.

“It depends on the company,” I remark.

He chuckles. “I suppose that is a jab at my expense.”

“Suppose it is?”

Solomon holds his hand out to me. “Do you still have that silver coin I tossed to you upon our first meeting?”

I scoff. “You want it back?”

His hand recoils. “No. But I am curious why you would make such a bold demand when you appear to be such a sweet girl.”

I frown at him. “A girl can be and sweet and also not take anything she doesn’t appreciate. Such as someone staring while she tries to bathe.”

Solomon holds back a mighty laugh. “I didn't mean to do it on purpose. I had just come home and wanted to cool off before I went home. You happened to be bathing in my favorite spot.”

Crap, he liked that spot too. “You expect me to apologize?”

“Not at all,” he laughs. “I want to thank you for the beautiful view.”

My cheeks boil hot, from a heavy mixture of several emotions that I am unsure how to sort out. “It wasn’t a view for you.”

“Which is why I paid in silver.”

I glare down viciously at him. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

“I don’t have to try, apparently I’m good at it.” Solomon glances back at our parents. My siblings have all started to peter out and sleep around the fireplace. “So let’s the change the subject so we don’t bother our families.”

“Fine,” I scoff.

Solomon shifts his legs a bit. “So you help my mother keep the house. Is that what you did back home?”

“No,” I huff. “I made candles.”

“Candles,” he clicks his tongue. “What a surprise.”

I bite my tongue. “Unfortunately we couldn’t travel with all our belongings. I had to leave my supplies behind.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Nothing so glamorous as what you do,” I snip.

Solomon’s brow crooked upward. “Who says that what I do is glamorous? It’s laborious and boring half the time. And most of the time it takes years to see the actual fruits of it. I’m sure your candles are hard work, but highly demanded. It shocks me you’d leave it behind, Ceres.”

I pouted slightly. “We knew we had work coming here. And I’d much rather have all my siblings around.”

A laugh escaped him. “I see. I suppose it was a hard decision.”

I shrug. “Not really. I was prepared to leave it.”

I have to help carry some of my siblings back home, so luckily I don’t have to make conversation with Solomon for long. But I will have to see him everyday from here on out, so I best get used to it.

Harvest is still a ways off, but there is a lot of work going into preparing for it. Making sure the ripening fruits do well, pest control, birds, a lot of planning goes into it. My father works closely with Solomon, especially because he wants to learn about his techniques. I’ve grown used to Solomon’s presence, and the busy schedule has made it such that we mostly discuss the orchard and the work therein.

“Hey, Bonbon,” unfortunately he has a nickname for me. “Come over here and help me something.”

I set down the laundry basket which I was taking to the house. “Can’t you see I’m trying to do something?”

“Dry laundry isn’t going anywhere,” Solomon replies. “Here, hold this.” He places a strange pit into my hand.

“It’s slimy,” I scoff.

“Yeah, I’m trying to get it ready to plant. I’ve had it cultivating in a solution for a week now. I think it’s ready.”

“Then why am I holding it? Can’t you just set it on the ground?”

Solomon smiles at me. “I’m having you hold it for good luck.”

Okay, I can admit that was good. “But it feels gross.”

Solomon waves his hand, kneeling down and motioning to a patch of upturned earth. “Plant it here. Then scoops some of this on top.” He places a bucket of ash near me.

I sit on the ground, planting the pit then tossing some of the ash on top. Solomon then takes the shovel and buries the pit. “That was one of the new plants I got while traveling. With any luck, we will have something called a Greenfat in five years.”

“Five years? That long?”

“Hey I’ve grown some trees that take up to ten years to produce fruit.” He stomps a single hoof over the fresh earth. “There are some trees here I may never live to see produce fruit.”

“Must be frustrating,” I grumble.

“I just have to make sure the farm is left in good hands, that’s all.” The smile on Solomon’s face then is proud. His dark eyes gaze out over the orchard and his home. “I think your family will do well with it.”

I can only gawk. “What do you mean?”

“If anything happens, I think your family is perfect to take over the orchard. That’s all I’m suggesting.” He tries to walk away but I give chase.

I try my best to keep up, but his legs are much longer than mine. “But this is yours! Why won’t you and your family take over?”

“What family?” He asks. “Do you see me with a mate anywhere? You’re much more likely to mate than I am at this point in life, Bonbon.”

That seems crazy to me. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Makes perfect sense to me.” He places the equipment back into the barn. “Well, you can go back to your laundry. That’s all I needed you for.”

I can only stare after him. I’m not sure what he was trying to insinuate about me, or even himself. But there was no point in trying to pull it out of him.

I go shopping a few days later. I need some material in order to make a couple of dresses for my sisters. While I’m there, I also make eyes with a few of the men there. With mating season hanging over my head, I am eager to get an itch scratched. Back home that would have been so easy, but I barely know anybody here, so it seems awkward to just go up and ask someone for a roll in the hay.

As I’m chatting with a handsome centaur, I see Solomon from the corner of my eye. The difference in his size compared to the other males is much more noticeable. It was minute with his mother, but placed against another male centaur it’s obvious. It should have been before, considering he’s only half. He had a rather grim look upon his face too, almost sour. He looked around, but his head was kept down, somehow making him look even smaller than before.

“Everything alright?”

I look back at Daveen, the centaur I was flirting with. “Oh yeah, I’m fine,” I chuckle sweetly. “Just saw someone I know.”

His eyes flick instantly to Solomon. “That’s the guy you work for right. The runt?”

That rubs me the wrong way. “Solomon, yeah. My family works for his family. I would go say hello, but I think he’s busy.”

Daveen chuckles. “Can’t help but feel sorry for him right?”

I want to turn the subject away from this. “Do you mind getting me another cider?” I ask quickly.

“Oh, sure.” He takes my empty glass and smiles down at me. “Stay right there, pretty lass.” As he leaves I look back at Solomon. He’s turning away from a store and leaving, his sour expression now looks more dour.

“Here you are.” Daveen returns with a full glass of cider for me. “Now, where were we.” he sits real close. “Oh right, you were telling me about your old home.”

I can only remember the teasing I received because of my skin condition. I can still hear the laughter, the name calling. All because of something I couldn’t control. I look at Daveen and can’t help but see one of those namecallers.

“Yeah uhm-” I take a long drink of cider, wanting to finish it off as soon as possible.

Daveen’s fingers trail along my spine. “I bet you were the prettiest faun there,” he says softly. “You definitely are here.”

I set my glass down and catch my breath. “That’s very sweet to say.”

“I bet you’re sweeter,” he chuckles. “Must have been hard moving such a big family so far. But I bet a cutie like you had no problem with it.”

I have no idea what he’s trying to mean by that. “It was hard work, but we like it here. We’re so grateful for where we are.”

“Good work at the orchard?” He asks.

I nod. “I really like it. They’ve become like family to us there.”

Daveen seems unimpressed by this. “I suppose even the pipsqueak is big to you,” he laughs. “You should have seen him when we were kids,” he starts to laugh. “We used to be able to pick him and put him anywhere-” He’s snickering pretty hard, trying to contain himself.

I push my cup aside. “I almost forgot! My mom needs my help this afternoon.” I hop off my chair. “I’m afraid I have to go, but thank you for this.”

His smile fades. He stands as I do and offers his hand. “Oh, okay. Do you want me to walk you home?”

I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. You continue enjoying your day.” I give him a wave. “Bye! Thanks again.”

“When can I see you again?” Daveen asks hopefully.

I try to think of an excuse. “Maybe next week.” I have no excuse I want to give, so I just stay vague.

I gather my bags and head out, going towards the road. I see Solomon ahead of me so I run to try and catch up with him.

“Hey! Hey!” I call after him, but he doesn’t hear me. “Solomon!” I yell and then trip. I land on my hip and I make an awful whining sound.

“Easy there, Bonbon.” Solomon kneels down to help me up. “Are you okay?”

My hips feels bruised as I try to stand up. “Maybe.”

He sighs. “Okay, fine.” He then scoops me up. He holds me in one arm while the other picks up my shopping.

“Whoa! Wait!” I cling around his neck, not used to being up so high.

Solomon laughs. “You’re not that far off the ground, Bonbon.”

I peek back down and slowly ease back. “Just give me a warning next time!”

“I’m sorry, did me rescuing you cause you problems?” He jibes teasingly. He walks along the road, although he seems to be going a bit slowly. “I saw you talking to Daveen. Did you have a good date?”

I didn’t realize he could see me. “I wouldn’t call it a date,” I mutter. “We just had a drink. That’s all.”

“Too bad, Daveen is quite handsome.”

I pout. “I’ve seen better.”

Solomon laughs heartily. “I didn’t take you as the vain type! I’ll have to keep that mind, Bonbon.”

“No. It’s not his appearance,” I mutter. “It’s something else.”

Solomon sighs and goes quiet. “Did he say something offensive to you?”

I shake my head. “He was a gentleman to me. But he said something that sort of turned the conversation sour.”

“That doesn’t sound like a gentleman,” Solomon’s laugh is soft.

“No, I guess not,” I murmur.

Solomon’s skin is soft, I’m genuinely surprised. His bare chest and shoulders are covered in dark freckles, a feature his father has. He has a long elegant neck too, and he smells like cedar. Once we get close to the farm he stalls outside the gate.

“Do you need me to carry you home?” He asks. “Are you okay?”

I nod and try to keep my head tucked down. I fear my face is red. “I think so, set me down for a second.”

Solomon eases me down, keeping his arm around me protectively. I still feel a bit bruised, but nothing feels wrong. “Thanks for the ride,” I chuckle. “But I can make it home from here.” I smile up at him, worried I’m blushing noticeably.

His smile is alarmingly handsome. Even his eyebrows look less like caterpillars. “Happy to help. Take it easy tonight, okay? I would hate to wake up and hear you’re hurt.” He pats hte top of my head. “Promise?”

I nod wordlessly.

“Good. Then have a good night, Bonbon.” He turns, heading towards the main house.

“Good night,” I squeak behind him. I smile slightly. “Thanks again.” I stare at his muscular haunches and then quickly turn away and go home.