If I was younger and read this. I would have been hooked into being a furry way faster. I'm 36 now and have a different perspective in life now reading it.
Overall i absolutely loved it. Amicus does play a predictable role for most of it and messes up surprisingly. Other characters all have motives which most are revealed and others still seem hidden.
In the end section I completely disagree with the relationship built and the lack of communication needed to really bond these characters. Having a relationship of being alone and only to kiss your loved one in the morning to have them returned exhausted for MONTHS, to then LEAVE FOR 8 YEARS. They needed to have much bigger conversations. I would have loved to have seen adult conversations what we face as we grow. HOW can we make this relationship work, How can we show affection, how do we date the one we love. Amicus is rightfully so taken to his duties. Leaving Marco alone for months with only 1 person to really converse with? I have been in a relationship for 10 years. These things need to be addressed or they build up.
Story up to the climax 10/10, story afterwards is a bit toxic for what is asked and hard to swallow. They use magic to foreshadowing the future and maybe it's enough? I am hoping for more in the future, maybe a comic, short vignettes, slice of life.
It has been a while since a story has left me with a silent warming sadness, a dull mixture of joy, love, bitter sadness and yearning. Happy pride month!