Just one more minute, the cub thinks to himself as he squeezes his eyes even tighter, as if that will help him sleep just a little bit longer. But it's not long before one of his sibling's paws are jutting into his ribs and with a groan his lids snap open. He glances beside him to see who the guilty party is, only to realize that it's @Alester who's managed to cuddle up beside him. With ease Lucan reached forward to snag one of his brother's dark tipped ears between his teeth, tugging gently to urge him from his slumber before he would release him. Rolling over onto his belly he would stretch his legs and offer a big yawn before rising. He stumbled past @Felis and @Aureus before making his way towards the mouth of the den. Mismatched eyes glimpsed outside, squinting at the bright sunlight before he would take a seat only a few paces from the den. He would chuff out, waiting for his father's and siblings before venturing further.

@Caligula @Aquila

Aquila's senses were just a little more heightened than usual. The children were growing rapidly, their mobility increasing, and he found himself waking with each little nudge of a paw or small sound. One part worry that something might be wrong, one part not wanting to miss a moment of these children's growing. @Lucan's little adventure from the warm sleeping pile had began the process of waking Aquila and the Sovereign quickly rose up to his feet. Sleep was banished with a flick of his ear and blink of his eyes. He leaned over to the nearest other child and placed a kiss on them before he carefully stepped around them to come out of the den behind young Lucan. "What do you see my little love?" He tried to trace his silver eyes out across the Brook's lands around them, some leaves falling off in the distance.

ART BY BESSONA , CODE BY LARS

Caligula had eased himself out of the den early. There were things to do even if there were young to look after. He knew from experience with previous litters that food would likely be on their minds after the cubs first woke. Food and play. And who was he but to indulge them?

Caligula wasn't the best hunter out there but he was determined to provide for his family. Aquila could easily offer protection so what did he bring to the table but stories? And all of the love that he possessed. He adored his children, all of his children.

On today's menu were a trio meerkats. And it would seem someone was already up and waiting for him. This caused Caligula to quicken his pace to meet Lucan and Aquila at the entrance to the den. "Was I too slow?" He asked after he had the small meal he had brought with him.

@Lucan @Aquila @Alester @Felis @Aureus @Animus

Alester was sleeping soundly and happily in the den unaware that his paws were pushing against his bronze brother whom he'd snuggled up against for warmth. He was rather comfortable at the moment, dreaming of all kinds of amazing stuff and being warm and safe so when he was stirred awake by something pinching his ears he groaned and batted a paw blindly around trying to get the annoyance to go away so he could sleep more. He'd even have fallen back asleep if not for the sudden lack of warmth from @Aquila leaving their sleeping pile to go after @Lucan The pink prince grunted and stretched his limbs as he open his eyes yawning.

At first, his mind worked slowly trying to figure out what was going on until he realized that Lucan was missing. Where had he gone? Had he left without Alester? The pink cub huffed and looked around before getting up and stumbling towards the exit of the den not really all that careful about where he placed his paws as he left. He wanted to be part of the fun, to explore with his brother and play games!

So when he emerged into the fresh air he gave a happy meow towards his brother before looking up at his dad's eyes immediately landing on the food. "Ood?" he exclaimed excitedly as he made his way towards @Caligula his excitement making him all wobbly and unstable on his paws as he tried to get to their food.

The boy rolled over, his belly large and blushing pink. A hind paw twitched in time with his nose as he dreamed. It is unclear what the midnight blue cub was dreaming and when he awakens he will not remember it. Yet he is peaceful in the dream. At last the movements of his brothers stir the cub into wakefulness and he rolls over onto his side, opening one sleepy, lamp-like eye. In the warm haze of wakefulness he watches his brothers leave their pile and head toward the mouth of the den. The larger, darker shadows of their papas appear, their low voices a hum that breaks the silence.

Ood?

It is that which perks the eldest cub into action and he scrambles to his over-sized paws, rushing to meet his brothers and papas outside the den. His bright eyes perk at the sight of food and, playfully boisterous, he knocks his body into @Alester as he eagerly drinks in the sight of the meerkats papa @Caligula has brought them all. His tummy growls loudly with approval.

" 'unger!" The boy confirms brightly.

@Aquila @Lucan @Felis @Animus

One by one his siblings left the pile and ultimately left Felis snoozing alone for a moment longer than everyone else. The pale prince was a mass of fluff as he laid curled on his side. The baby fur paired with the excess simply failed to exist in any sort of orderly manner. Though when he stretched and found that his paws touched no one did his metallic gaze open to find everyone toward the entrance of their den. On unsteady legs did he roll to join them. His gaze curious as his eyes moved over the meerkats @Caligula held. Eat? He chirped in response, clearly following the group distraction the offering provided.

@Aquila @Aureus @Alester @Lucan

He was content to sit in the warmth of the sun as he waited for his siblings to join him, though Papa @Aquila was the first to join him. What do you see my little love? He asks and in this very moment Lucan's gaze was rested on a small sparrow that had landed in a tree only a few paces away from them. "Bird." He says it simply enough, continuing to watch the creature even as Papa @Caligula and the rest of his siblings come forth. Though Papa Caligula had something tasty with him with obviously made Lucan more inclined to turn his attention from the bird and instead to his father. He was virtually silent as his other brother's mentioned their hunger, nodding in response simply as he waited his turn to get a morsel of what Caligula had to offer.

@Felis @Aureus @Alester

Aquila marveled out over @Lucan's line of sight towards the bird that held his son's attention. "He's come to say hello." Or so he imagined. Doubtful the rest of the world loved his children as fierce as he did but he could pretend even the creatures of the forest were all come around to celebrate.

One by one more of their children began to waken and emerge. Aquila watched, counting the children as they were drawn out of the den. "You are right on time." Aquila softly and lovingly spoke to Caligula, reaching over and aiming a quick nuzzle for the father's cheek. The cubs were all just getting up and starting to move around for the day. A bit of food and something to occupy their time at the start of the day was perfect. "We all just woke up." He says with beeming pride, watching as hungry little eyes all began to focus on Caligula. From his lips a light chuckle rolled out - excited to see this moment, overjoyed and in disbelief all these little things were theirs.

ART BY BESSONA , CODE BY LARS

Caligula chuckled as he suddenly became the center of attention. Each boy made their want known in their own ways. It wasn't much of a meal but it was something to start the day off with at least. More food could always be found later. Or they could just dig into the pride cache.

The meerkats were dropped so that the cubs could have at them and he moved to take a seat next to Aquila in order to watch over their family. He sought to lean his slight weight against the larger male's side. "What is on the agenda for the day?"

@Lucan @Aquila @Alester @Felis @Aureus @Animus

It seemed the rest of his brothers arrived as both @Aureus and Felis appeared into the open world above the den. Of course, Aureus has to bump into him which causes the smaller cub to stumble sideways and fall over with a surprised sound.

Not fair!

Alester huffs and puffs as he rolls around to right himself back onto his legs. The smaller cub looks to his fathers but the whole thing is soon forgotten as Caligula drops the meerkats. Alester sets into motion to get to the smaller animal. His tail is held high in glee as he purrs happily to have food and his family around.

The smaller pink cub makes his attempt to grab a bite, though he doesn't try to pull the prey for himself. There was plenty for everyone! That he knew, with both his dads around Alester could not remember a time where there hadn't been so surely now would be the same!