Their journey had been a long one.

Ilarion was no longer a young man; in his prime still, sure - to an extent, maybe - but he lacked the spring that had once propelled his steps. Age had given him many gifts, but an absence of heavy stiff libs was not one of them. So, after his evening wanderings, he trudged back up the mountain path, knowing what awaited him. Rounding the corner, the Rurik reached base camp and his heart - light and fluttering - swelled at the sight that greeted him. His love, reclined easily upon his side, sprawled atop the cured pelts they'd used to line their new den. They'd only been here for a matter of days, and already they'd managed to make their new abode homely. It would not be theirs forever; soon, they would move on, further back into Amaryllis and toward civilisation.

But for now, it was just the two of them.

It would behove them to make the most of their privacy. And so, with a slight, wry smile, Ilarion would cross the threshold and descend upon @Kazimir's prone, slumbering form. Knowing his mate, he would not be deep in slumber - it always paid to keep one ear out for trouble, especially if they were separated; and heaven knows that experience had made them sceptics to peace - and so he moved quiet and slow, not wishing to startle him. Then, with a quiet purr, the weathered warrior would lift giant crown and seek to rest it atop the spine of the other male. Home. And there he waited, still, for the inevitable moment that the Augur would stir.

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ever since the change, his dreams have been... hectic.

torments and visions, prophecized views of things to come and things that will never be. it is a strange mantle to wear, to have so suddenly thrust upon him, and since then his dreams have not been kind, nor welcomed. but his slumber? that has never once been a problem, not since his reunion with @Ilarion ♔. there is something so kind in having someone watching over you as you sleep.

espesically when that person is beloved.

this thing between them, too, is new and fragile -- budding new growth in freshly watered spring soil. it is a kind thing and something to treasure, and he feels nothing but warm love-love-love thudding in time with his heart as he is stirred, gently, from sleep. blearily, red eyes blink open -- noting only the sight of their newly found den, this home of theirs. but there is a warm, and welcomed, weight upon the small of his back and he lets out a small little mrr.

sleepy and pleased, and stupidly in love.

where have you been? kazimir murmurs ( in russian, but bunny is lazy lmao ), words slurring together with sleep as he glances at his companion over his shoulder. the angle is strange and he lets out a sleepy huff before twisting where he lays, intent on bringing them side-by-side. ilarion is too pretty not to look at, after all, espesically all lit up by the moon -- and backlit by a home that was wholly theirs.

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Despite his tentative steps, @Kazimir rose as expected. Dark ears twitched to catch the sleep-heavy murmurings of the other man, and - happy to oblige - he would slightly shift his position to that of a crescent, turning inward and mirroring the frame of his companion. Having been in a platonic relationship for so long, it still felt a little alien to Ilarion; the open and blatant affection afforded by couples, now readily taking the place of shy glances and burdened words laced with double meaning. Love, bubbling under the surface, could now come forth. And they showed it, in their own little ways. Their love was a quiet one, tucked away in the shadows and peeking out from around corners. Introverted, just as Ilarion was. Brimming with promise, just as Kazimir does. A promise for the future - a better and brighter one. One where they could stop wandering aimlessly and start truly living. The thought of it makes the paladin's heart swell. Leaning forward, he would bump his nose against that of his mate's with a little purr. More like the revs of a chainsaw than a docile tabby cat, but the intention is there.

Oh, you know. Here and there.

He is vague on purpose, of course - a gentle tease to elicit a response from his partner. Not like that was difficult. Scouting, he chose to clarify, after a moment of pause. Then, bearing the majority of his weight onto one elbow, he rocked back a little so that he could get a better view of the landscape that sprawled outside. Amaryllis was a lot like how he'd remembered it. Vast. Seemingly unending - though Ilarion knew better than that. He turned to Kaz, offering a small smile. Do you think we've done the right thing? Returning, I mean? He already knew the answer - of course they had. The spirits would not have allowed it otherwise; they would have steered Kazimir away, and - loyal hound as ever - Ilarion would have followed suit. But here they were. And no doubt things had changed in the time they'd been away; probably still just as many prides as there had been before (possibly more) but more than likely controlled by different factions to the ones they remembered. Political shifting... it was unpredictable, even at the best of times.

Kept things exciting, he supposed.

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The vague answer prompts another little borish mrrr, raising a paw in a lazy ( and halfhearted) attempt to swipe at @Ilarion ♔. The real answer comes after a moment and he relents, exhaling pointedly through his nose. He does not begrudge his mate for wandering -- it was hard to think they were truly going to settle. Really, this time. The landscape has surely changed in their absence, and the more they know the better they can plan. And speaking of that plan....

They brought us Here for a reason, kazimir says, a familiar and oft repeated mantra. He does not possess the grace of the augurs of their past -- he still grapples, clearly, with this newfound.... burden repsonbility. Better than he was, to be sure, but still the uncertainty is there. Unfinished business, maybe? Or maybe this was jsut where they were meant to be. There was something about this place that attracted them in the first place; maybe that was the spirits, too, luring and leading them.

We could return to the mire, he says, folded ears tipping as he looks away from the landscape beyond and back to the man before him. Weighing his reaction, wanting his opinion. The mire wasn't the worst place for them to stay, even if it's mud had been stained with their blood. A bitter memory better left in the past, but the familiarity could tilt the decision in their favor.

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The brute took the cuff around the ears like a champ, leaning into it if anything - in his eyes, all contact was good contact when it came from @Kazimir. Simp. With a playful glint to his eye Ilarion would part his jaws, as if to try and bite the paw that boxed him. Stopping short, he would instead mouth at the air, lip curling devilishly. Sidling up closer to his love, he would lean against the bulk of the other man.

He rather enjoyed using him as a cushion.

Yes, the ranger mused in agreement - an affirmative to Kaz’s declaration. Ilarion did not know the spirits as intimately as Kaz did - nor would he ever pretend to. But he knew them enough to know that they always had a plan. Always. Whether the Rurik liked it or not. This was just one chapter in their story, and all Ilarion could hope for that it was not a tumultuous one. That it was one of new beginnings and prosperity for their clan.

Surely it is what they deserved, after so much upheaval and chaos.

Mention of the Mire prompted…. scepticism. I am not sure how welcome we’d be. Do you think Alaric would welcome us back with open arms? We fought for him, true, but we caused a great deal of chaos too. And then disappeared without so much as a by-your-leave. Ooops. Ilarion tilted his head in quiet consideration as he mulled over the alternatives. They had left Illyria in much the same; slipping out the back door in the cover of darkness. Quite the Irish goodbye. Would a fresh start not be better?

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He's too sleepy really care about the particulars, like the impending mauling he only avoided because @Ilarion ♔ is merciful. Ruby eyes blink, still trying to chase away the veil of sleep that clouds them, mrring softly in primal satisfaction as ilarion settles more in. He's squishing him slightly, but the weight isn't annoying -- it's grounding. Like a weighted blanket. Blissfully he yawns, finding it harder and harder to focus on the serious conversation happening when he is so comfortable and boneless.

A folded ear twitches though, intent on giving it a good try.

At ilarion's words, kazimir stills -- Considering. Did we? He murmurs, voice sounding flat in the confines of their den. His memory of their time in the mire was.... hazy, and the specifics of their last moments belonging to ecrosia even more-so. True, that neither of them seemed to make an impact on the mire, but kazimir did remember blood with all that mud. A frown Mars handsome features, before rolling his great shoulders -- not trying to dislodge ilarion from where he rests.

Then -- yes. A fresh start. Tinged always with the remnants of their first try, bolstered by the affection brimming in their veins. Love, and a fresh dedication to their cause. A place that could be ours. He murmurs, ambition naked in his tone. They would not settle for handouts again; they would make their own way in this land, this time.

together.

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It feels a little wrong, to take advantage of @Kazimir when he is still heavy with sleep; still, the Augur is a most comfortable headrest, and as Ilarion lowered his mighty crown he would let the weight come down with it. Judging by the happy purrs that would vibrate beneath his chin, his partner didn't mind at all. Then would come the question - did we? - and the blissfully happy expression on the paladin's face falters a moment, replaced by something a lot more remorseful. Oh, he murmured. Of course - he would not remember. With a little smile - soft around the edges - he leaned to bump a nose to Kaz's shoulder, sighing, before resuming his previous position. Yes, we did.

Sorry, my love.

The apology goes unspoken - it had been offered so many times since the incident, from both parties, so there seemed no need to repeat it again and rehash old territory. Especially when it was so clear in the Rurik's tone that he did not mean to reopen old wounds. Still, glossing over it came easily enough, and Ilarion would brighten at the suggestion of a fresh start. Yes - that was more like it. He could clearly detect the aspiration in his companion's tone - a marked intent to take, to mould - and with an amused hum would arch a brow lazily in the direction of his mate. Do you mean to tell me that I am using a future King as a headrest? For dramatic effect Ilarion would lift his skull, turning to fix Kazimir with a faux-petulant pout. Or, what is it they call them here - Sovereigns? The brute scoffed, then, highly amused by the notion of the pair of them having such fancy, flouncy titles.

As if.

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both of them treat that portion of their recent-history with the cautious respect that it deserves. neither of them were at their best in those times, both for different reasons. yet, neither o them dwell on it. and why should they, when it has brought them here? snoozing in a den of their own chosing, curled up together with the one they love. love. it was many things, but ultimately it was freedom.

and that was the one thing their clan craved the most.

his only real complaint to being used comes in the form of grumbling. and such a sound should never be taken seriously, not when he curls up a little tighter -- bringing him closer to @Ilarion ♔, and also offering up a more comfortable ( and stable ) spot for him to rest his head. da, they call themselves sovereigns. crowns and kings had no real place in the rurik hierarachy; they had no use for them. still, it did not stop the bear from wanting.

that's why they had come to this place, in the first place. to settle and create a new clan, woeth the blood pumping through their veins. the kind of clan that would branch into a legacy, a story worth telling. i like commander better, though. kazimir murmurs, a throaty purr framing his words. too sleepy to really lay it on thick, but surely ilarion will be ablet o hear the meaning in his words.

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Kazimir is so obliging in the way he curves himself closer to Ilarion, shifting his position so that the other brute may use him to more comfortably recline. The Augur was not just a handsome piece of soft furnishing, though; he was so, so much more. Once they were truly settled, the pair of them, they could look toward the future again. Ilarion couldn't wait. Sovereign, he repeated, in low, idle tones. It might have had a ring to it, if it were not so frilly. He might have only taken it seriously if it were his husband wearing the crown - even then, Kaz would have been subjected to an awful lot of teasing. And himself? A Sovereign? Ilarion might have had such aspirations for leadership once upon a time - still might, in the right circumstances - but he would not hold such a foreign, Southern-sounding title, no sir. He would be a- Commander, hm? His pulse spiked. Pushing the warm fuzzies down momentarily, the dark smirk turned to laughter - not laughter at Kazimir and his proclamation, though the other man could take it as such if he wished.

He... probably would, knowing him.

Ilarion was ready for the chastisement, expression still holding the sentiment of wicked amusement. He pries himself away from the warmth of his beau, if only to shuffle forward on elbows so that he can get a proper look at Kazimir's face as he speaks. If only Nikita were still alive to hear you say that. He may have almost approved of it. Of you. Nikita had met Kazimir, of course - a great many times.... but Ilarion could only imagine the burly Commander's thoughts on his son having a man for a partner. His sire had been many things - intolerant was certainly towards the top of the list. But there was no need to worry about that now, was there? The ex-General couldn't do much about it when he was six feet under. And the spirits approved, in their own way - or so Ilarion assumed - so what else mattered? Their future was just for the two of them, and the growth started with them. It was why finding a home was so important. So, back to the topic at hand. So, Commander, he hummed, letting his tone take a flirty edge - after all, that's what Kazimir had been seeking, wasn't it? A bit of... verbal gratification - and perhaps then some. We have two options. We go to the recruitment lands again, or we go to their doorsteps. What do you think? They'd ruled out Illyria and Ecrosia, but that still left plenty of other prides.

The boys had their work cut out for them.

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the title makes something thrum in his cchest, dark and heady. it makes him feel a little dizzy; he's glad he's mostly horizontal already, lest he trip over his paws like a cub. still, the way his partner purrs the title -- he could get used to it.

he shouldn't, though.

commander was never meant for him.

the spirits tut in agreement, the white-noise static of their voices rising in pitch. almost enough to drown out the insects around them, not quite enough to miss @Ilarion ♔ laying out their plan. ruby eyes blink as eh does his best to focus on this moment -- to focus solely on larion. to let commander and augur slip through his grasp, let them go from between his fingers.

i do not know much about the other prides, he admits, a little glumly. he'd like to be able to give more information, but he simply dosen't have it. he'd never had the knack for scouting, nor the patience. indeed, his knowledge of the island is frightfully slim. we could wander, follow the ground until it leads us somewhere, though he says ground, that's not what he means -- it wouldn't be them leading, it'd be the spirits. they would always end up following them. unless...

but -- the passage. they could come to us. placing faith in others was almost unthinkable. but... well. if they were to really, truly, make a go of this.... then they'd have to do just that. they couldn't build a home up from scratch, after all -- and clans without allies never lasted through the winter. and kazimir rurik has hope to see many, many more winters now --

now that he has omeone to see them with.

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