A full moon lit up the shoreline, causing an array of shadows to dance and "move" over the rocks that surrounded it, but closer to the waters, where there was less debris was a well lit path. The small lioness was slowly trotting across the sand, careful to kick sand back to cover her tracks, making sure she wouldn't be followed, she would stop near the tunnels, but close to the forest too. She would let out a soft chuff, just to see if he were near, hoping he was, then she would wait, eyes scanning the tunnels, the forests, and the shoreline.

The trot hear made the lioness pant a bit, she found it easier to become exerted after short bits of exercise, and she wasn't stupid, the fatigue, her sides and abdomen that were swelling, even if just a small amount, she could tell. Her stomach was rounding out, and was firmer, she wondered if he'd noticed any changes in her, suddenly she was very nervous, a paw would step back but she would force herself to not move anymore.

image by moogle/code by saph

He wanted her to stay, and sometimes she did, but it was never the kind of stay that he really wanted. Instead, she came and went, staying some nights and leaving others. And still he remained, the guardian of the tunnels, his abyss form a statue as he waited, night after night and day after day, for the woman he loved to choose to stay.

A soft chuff danced on the wind and echoed lightly off the rocks and War's ears perked up, his eyes widening as he was drawn from partial slumber. He was on his feet in moments, scrabbling to the opening of the tunnels, his eyes searching the path as they always did when she finally came to him.

"Marie," he breathed, spotting her in the distance. Her merle and white pelt with its strange black ink sparkled in the moonlight overhead.

She was changing. Even he had noticed. Her stomach swelled, if only slightly yet, and her scent changed just a little. War was not new to the world of love and what could come of it. He knew the signs well enough. It was impossible for him to keep the excitement from thrumming through his body, even though fear overshadowed it.

Would these ones die, too?

He pushed forward anyways, rushing to greet her, attempting to shove his head against hers in greeting. She was like water or air. He needed her to live and he didn't even know why. Seeing her was like quenching his thirst after wandering in the desert. She brought him to life.

@Laveau

code & art

Moments seem to pass by as she waits for his appearance, but it was most likely only seconds if not a minute, his form leaves the caves and she smiles, soft and full of love, he breathed her name out and before she even thinks shes moving to him. His long legs bring him to her before she gets to him and his head bends to touch her gently, their fur brushing together.

She shoves her head up and under his chin gently, inhaling his scent, "War.." Her head fested against his chest, her eyes closed, and for a second, shs and pretend it was just them. Her little black tail wagged like a does, "I missed you.." In truth she has been staying much more than she should have, disappearing from her family to be here. She knew it was time to tell him, but still she wasn't ready, she was scared, of losing him, of her family. It wasn't fair, she loved War, her and Poltergeist hated each other, she never wanted to be with him, and now she carried children, Poltergeist would surely kill if he found out they weren't his.

No, she would never let him. She would kill for her children, and for War. Finally after a mental, she spoke softly, "Let's go inside.. I'm a little weary.." She chuckled and nuzzled him again, her eyes drifted to her swollen stomach, and she smiled even brighter before looking up at him. She made sure to cover her tracks before heading inside, disappearing in the shadows.

image by moogle/code by saph

A steady purr rumbled in his chest as she pressed her head into the crook of his neck, resting there after they ran to meet each other. She admitted to having missed him and a darker look crossed his face, though she wouldn't be able to see it from where she leaned against him. "You wouldn't have to miss me if you stayed," he offered. Though it could have been an accusation, War said it in the form of a suggestion.

And, for the millionth time, he wondered where she went when she wasn't with him. Who else was out there that had her attention? And was he somehow being played by this woman that he cared about?

But he didn't press her for more answers. Instead, he just enjoyed her presence.

And then she admitted to being tired and he immediately nudged her inside, well aware and able to recognize the signs of her condition. Was it his cubs growing inside of her? Or did they belong to some other man that she visited in secret as well. And, more importantly, did he care?

They covered their tracks before slipping into the caverns, War making sure his fur brushed against her gently as they made their way into the cover of the stone.

@Laveau

code & art

She heard his accusation, worded as though it weren't sent at her for leaving and she winced ever so slightly, she inhaled softly and lowered her head before walking into the caverns, eyes downcast. Had that not been mentioned, she wasn't quite so sure she would have came to this conclusion, she needed to tell him. Needed to know what he was getting into.

Once inside the lioness would curl up and wait for him to lie down, nuzzling into his fur once he was close enough, "War... There's something I must tell you.." She whispers, her heart feeling as though it was going to explode, she could barely breathe without feeling like she was suffocating. Stress was not good for her unborn, but she would never okay like this. She needed to be with him but she knew if she left the family, they would hunt her down, if he were to be with her, he needed to know the dangers. "First off, I love you, I truly know I love you, and there's no one I'd rather be with." She looked at him, reaching a small paw up to touch his cheek, inhaling a shaky breath before pulling him into a kiss and pulling back.

"Before any of this, I am so sorry. I never thought I'd find someone like you and I just don't know what to do. My family.. they're very traditional... Us females must marry the males from our family, not brothers and sisters I don't think.. but I was betrothed and married to a distant cousin, Poltergeist, we've never liked one another. If I were to leave, they'd hunt me down. They've killed cubs and mothers before... I want to leave though. I want to be with you, i can't go back to them. Please.. I'll stay, with you forever. " She word vomited it all, her eyes pleading with his, Please don't leave me. Her thoughts were a mess, she was scared, her body shaking against his.

image by moogle/code by saph

She looked down to the ground and then made her way into the cavern and War followed, ever the lost puppy needing guidance from those around him. She gave him a direction to travel in and now he was determined to see it through.

He settled in next to her, letting Marie nuzzle into her fur. He held her close, a shield to her worries, and waited. There was a tension in her that told him there was something she needed to say. He began to brace himself for it, building up mental walls - not to keep her out, but to support him if what she said were something that might break him.

And then he listened.

He allowed her to touch his face and kiss him. He did not resist, and returned the affection gladly. He wasn't so sure about the love part, though he knew enough about the stirrings in his chest to know that he probably felt the same, though doubt ate away at the feeling as it always did for the poor beast. He didn't interrupt, but his facial features softened when she told him that she loved him.

And then she launched into her story. His nose wrinkled at the idea of her being betrothed to a cousin but, surprisingly, he wasn't bothered by the admission that she was promised and even married to another, though at first his mind began to grow cold as the icy grip fear set in. But then she mentioned that her husband did not care for her, and nor did she for him, and his fears calmed ever so slightly.

Then she spoke of them killing families and his heart turned into an angry storm. A growl rumbled through his chest, low and soft, but not aimed at her (though she might not realize that right away). "I will keep you safe," he declared, his voice deep and laced with the anger he felt. He wrapped a paw around her and drew her close, protective. "I won't let them hurt you ever again."

There was no question about the danger, no comments on her husband. Only the declaration that she would be kept safe if she were to choose to remain with him.

@Laveau

code & art

She kept her chin tilted up to him, watching his face soften, her story falls upon him and she braces herself for the lashing out, the threats, the insults, but it never comes. She earned a wrinkle when she spoke of her families traditions, and she understood why, but it was their way so that wasn't out of the norm growing up. His growl causes her to Steele herself, having to stop from a wince, a reaction she'd had since she was a child under her father's care.

Care was the wrong word, abuse was more so given to her while her brother sat on a pedestal. A woman only taught to serve and produce, some reactions would take time to change. Her body tensed slightly at his growl, but she realizes it is not at her, but it is for her in a way.

"I will keep you safe

She exhales, her body now shaking now that she's untensed, her gaze softens as she realizes he's not leaving.

I won't let them hurt you ever again.

He promises her, and she feels her heart beat against her chest, eyes searching his. She was risking everything, but it was all worth it for him. For them. A paw comes to rest on her stomach, "Poltergeist will come for me. For the cubs." She says quietly, a new worry for her children finding it's way in her eyes.

image by moogle/code by saph

She relaxed, shaking against him, and he drew her closer, tighter to his side, careful of the slightly swollen belly that was the beginning of children. His perhaps? He had thought so, at first, but with this new information...

"Are they mine?" he asked softly after she mentioned that this man called Poltergeist would come for them - and for her. He had to know the truth, if only to ward himself against the possibility that they were not his. He didn't care which male was the father, at the end of the day. Though it would hurt if they were not from him, he could still be their father. If she would let him.

They did not need to know the world of her family. He could give them something much better, regardless of their parentage.

@Laveau

code & art

He pulls her in closer and she leans into him, her head resting against his chest, his question is one she wishes she knew, "I want to think they're yours, before we did anything, I had to do my duty as a female, " she swallows, shame burning her cheeks, "I pray they're yours.." She whimpered softly, nausea invading her stomach, her chest feels too tight to breathe.

She peered up at him carefully, "You do not have to step into this position if it's not what you want..." She offered him an out, heart caught in her throat, if he left, would she return to the Family? For there was safety in numbers, but she knew she wouldn't, she would rather abandon her children to a pride, someone else than to have them suffer at her family's paws.

image by moogle/code by saph