code (c) daanyen

Time flew by it seemed since making it official with @Temero, she had comfortably moved into his den, they moved fluidly together, not ever needing to be with one another all the time, but when together, she felt happy. With her mother now in the Brook, she felt a sudden pressure on her, as if she was always being watched, her mother had chatted with her, hinting at the end game, mentioning such things as legacy, and how the next generation was in need soon.

She seemed a bit frazzled here recently, the pressure on her shoulders taking it's toll, shed just recently been able to sneak past her mother and make a beeline to get as far away from her as she could. Finally at the borders, she plopped her butt down, hanging her head and letting out a sigh, ears pinning against her head tightly, her eyes shut as she allowed herself to just try to rest for a moment.

Finally with a groan, she opened her dual toned eyes and swatted at a dry bush, as if annoyed at its presence.

- TEMERO -

---

He was prowling the borders, trying to make sure everything was as it should be and no one was sneaking in. Not that he figured they had too much to worry about there, considering he'd only ever seen others trying to sneak out, but he wasn't going to grow complacent. He had to watch out for his wife and his baby siblings after all.

Speaking of...

He was heading back from the border when he heard a familiar voice nearby and his paws turned, taking him her way instead. You tell that plant, he said with a grin as he approached, though a look of slight concern replaced it as he sat beside her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Everything alright? he asked. She didn't seem too upset, maybe just tired or frustrated, but he had spent his whole life thus far being carefully attuned to the attitudes of the women around him so he was concerned.

@Lorelei

---

code by scorpixia♡︎

code (c) daanyen

His approach isn't lost to her, she is almost always incredibly attune to him, she smiles as he cracks a joke and her eyes look at the plant shed just swatted. She leans into his kiss, then presses her head into his mane and relaxes against him. His gentle inquiry brings forth a soft nod from her, before she nuzzles under his chin.

"My mother is living in ze Brook now."" She begins to explain, letting out a soft sigh, her shoulders relax a bit before she continues, "She's just been really overbearing."" Her eyes finally open to gaze forward, outside of the borders, she knew what her mother was expecting of her, it had been expected of her from the moment they'd been betrothed.

They were not just wed, they were there to create more cubs to carry the legacy that their elders had made, they were not just kids in love, they were a pair that were out together to make stronger X'uekai and Rike, to put two powerful family's together, and create a generation that would dominate the lands.

She'd ignored that part mostly, enjoying the relationship she had with @Temero, it was just a little harder now that she had Astarte whispering in her ear and trying to direct her this way and that.

- TEMERO -

---

Her mom? Temero had to think back to remember the woman she was talking about, but only because he'd only met her the once and also because he'd been in a bit of shock at the time. But he did remember her, and he could understand why she'd be upset about her mom being around because until now she'd pretty much been free to do as she pleased. Oh boy, I'm sure that's fun, he commented. If he'd been living in another pride and his mom had shown up, he'd probably have the exact same reaction.

I guess it's better than your dad or one of your brothers moving in, but not by much. He remembered meeting them all at the Mire challenge and now that he'd mentioned it he was kind of surprised that her mom hadn't gone to the Mire instead. Though just as he thought it he realized she probably preferred the far more lenient Brook than making herself live under the Rike rule. Yeah, that checked out.

@Lorelei

---

code by scorpixia♡︎

code (c) daanyen

The thought of her father or her brothers joining sent a shiver down her spine, she flattened her ears and gently shook her head, That would mean my father would have to stay in one place long enough to even join a pride and well in my short lifetime, I'd say that's unlikely." She chuckled softly before looking up at him, eyes shining with adoration as they always did when focused on her husband.

Long lashes batted over dual toned eyes as she smiled lightly up at him, always thankful he was able to help her relax in these moments, shed seen her parents relationship, shed seen countless others that were not what she wanted in life, but at least her mother had done something right in choosing a betrothal that wound up being as perfect as a marriage could be for her daughter.

- TEMERO -

---

Well... that's his loss then, he replied. Maybe it wasn't his place to say, but he felt like it was the truth. Maybe the Rike didn't care about their daughters, but he thought that was a damn shame.

He saw her staring up at him through her lashes and warmth suffused his chest and face as a soft, bashful and amused sound left him. What? he murmured, not used to being looked at like that. Which he should've been considering that seemed to be how she always looked at him. He didn't even realize he looked back at her with the same shy warmth.

There weren't any relationships in his life that he could use as a comparison or a guideline, and maybe that was a good thing because it kept him from falling into their same pitfalls. They could make their own way.

@Lorelei

---

code by scorpixia♡︎

code (c) daanyen

Well... that's his loss then

A childhood of being worthless next to her siblings still sometimes clung to her, though she was becoming better, more self assured, it still sometimes showed like at the moment, where she paused a moment, brows furrowing in confusion, what would be the loss? She was just a girl, not worthy of whatever made her brothers so special.

Though those thoughts are quickly shoved away as she finds herself admiring her husband, she does realize it until he asks her what she's looking at, and she feels a blush spread across her cheeks. She's been caught red handed and it causes her to become bashful, "I...I... Um..."" A small, soft, girlish giggle escapes her lips, her heart flutters and she hides her face for a moment in his mane, even though they now were wed, she still caught herself falling into a ball of flustered nerves, like a young girl crushing on their first crush. Finally after she's gotten ahold of herself, she turns her head slightly, still resting against his chest, refusing to look up at him, not wanting to embarrass herself even more, if that could even happen, she was sure by how warm her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose, that she was bright red.

"You just make me really happy."" She finally answers quite meekly, her voice almost hushed, she'd always known that betrothals were rarely for love, her father had made sure to instill that in her, but she felt extremely lucky.

- TEMERO -

---

He felt bad when she gave him that confused look, because he just knew it was the same look he would've given someone if they'd told him it was Arcania's loss for thinking he was a bit dim and giving up on his herbalism training. So yeah, he got it.

At least they were both quickly distracted, and he couldn't help but smile at how @Lorelei immediately got flustered. Though it was his turn a moment later when she spoke her piece. You make me happy too, he said softly, moving to rest his forehead against hers. He was surprised at how well things had gone between them, he'd admit, because he knew Icefang and likely her mother hadn't made the match with their personalities in mind. If they had, he would've been floored. But somehow it had worked out, which was great because it would have sucked to have been stuck with someone he didn't like for the rest of his life. Though he guessed X'uekai men were supposed to look at things differently than he did.

---

code by scorpixia♡︎

code (c) daanyen

His forehead rests upon hers and she feels at place in the world, she smiles softly at his words, closing her eyes to relax with him in this moment, she'd come into this with the explanation of a marriage proposal was right to strengthen their allies, to strengthen the family. She was told it was no about love, she had wanted to ask her mother if she'd ever been in love truly, but shed kept it to herself.

Somehow her mother had chosen someone just perfect for her, to complete her, and strength their ties, whether done on purpose, or with any thought, she did not know, but she could find appreciation that she'd not been married to some oaf who'd only wanted to use her for a cub factory and a boxing bag on his off time. Somehow, she'd been betrothed to someone who cared for her, who loved her, even though both of their families made it obvious that he should do neither.