The immense expanse of the mature forest that surrounded the cottage carried a sense of serenity. Azahr drifted through the trees, graceful steps barely making a sound. His slender frame wrapped in a thick winter friendly cloak blended with the trees, arms full of wood for the fireplace. His hair, still dual colored with faded crimson and white dueling for dominance, lay free against his back falling in a silky curtain to mid-thigh. Once he had discovered Cole liked his hair long, Azahr had chosen to not get it cut again. His steps slowed, face turning upward for a moment to watch the clouds drifting through an otherwise brilliantly blue sky.

Did He miss the large house with all the gadgets and immense bathroom with all the luxuries? In all honesty, Azahr did feel a little pangs of missing this or that but the better question was, did Azahr like where he was currently? The answer to that was a resounding yes. Out here in the quiet country with their cottage and the land surrounding it, he and Cole could grow closer and enjoy a less frenzied life. That was not to say that they were always going and always doing when they were at the modern home. It was just different here. Less buzz of modern life and more reflection and peace. Through it, Azahr had discovered that sometimes a simple night on the couch with the love of your life in front of a fire fueled by wood personally brought it was more rewarding than lounging together in front of the large screen television.

Learning to cook had been an adventure in the modern house. Here it was less complex and the food just as good. A walk through the forest hand in hand with Cole to go to the village was a treat. There were several interesting stores in the village and even a place that rented horses. Maybe one day they would go horse back riding. Azahr had seen a carriage. He had fond memories of the last carriage ride they had enjoyed together and Azahr was of a mind to make that a regular treat - a carriage ride with a picnic lunch and enough blankets that they could stay warm even in the coldest of winter days.

Azahr set his steps in motion to take him back to the house. He needed to get the wood into the bin and fetch one or two more armloads to make sure they had enough to last a couple of days. An older woman in the village had predicted snow and he didn't want to have to trek out and get wood in the middle of a snowstorm. As he approached, he could smell the burning wood and then the thin line of smoke rising from the chimney. It was home. Their home. And today was another day in their forever.

With a grin on his face, Azahr started emptying the wood from his arms into the bin.