and the final angel perished,

Hecuba gladly obliged to the silent request Manes had offered her with the comfort of his touch. She lay down with him, and the Gargoyle could simply breathe and relax, allowing his body to almost melt into the ground beneath them.

But Hecuba's unrest was contagious and Manes soon found himself frowning at her again, releasing a sigh not long after. "Perhaps a brighter future. It's hard to say but... positivity is needed. I want a pride again - I miss the comfort of home." It was a simply answer, but one Manes suspected would upset the grey lioness. But if it did, he would deal with the consequences. "Will Drakon go for a pride?" Manes did not know that he belonged to the Hollow already.

Everyone encouraged her to be positive, but how? How could she sit there and pretend that her daughters weren't missing, that she hadn't watched her husband die? Yes, he was alive again, but she'd still seen him die. Hecuba had seen the last breath, the death shudder, had it burned into her mind what he looked like completely devoid of life and bloodied. How could she simply tape up a motivational poster over his coffin and pretend it had never happened? Be positive? She wanted them to tell her how. Instead, she said nothing but a soft "mhmm" to signify his wisdom had not gone unappreciated. It was just.. easier said than done. "Are you growing senile, darling? He's already tried for one." Hecuba bumped her muzzle against his shoulder. They had just discussed that moments before, though she supposed there was a chance he meant again. "I'm sure he will try again.. and again. Which is why he lives in a separate pride than I do; I'm not interested in all these battles. All I need is shelter, some food, a good fuck, and.. that's it. It doesn't take much to keep me happy, so he can go battle all he wants." Hecuba huffed. @Manes

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and the final angel perished,

Perhaps it was easier for Manes to encourage positivity. He hadn't watched, so to say, Drakon die. He might have seen it, but he certainly didn't watch it. Likewise, he would never understand the hurt and the pain -- the grief -- that the grey lioness was feeling or had experienced. Manes would never understand, but he would try and sympathize.

He chuckled and shook his head as Hecuba bumped his shoulder. "I meant in the future," He mused, returning the bump, but instead with his paw on her stomach. The touch of Hecuba was relaxing, but exhilarating at the same time. They shouldn't be here, dong this, but they were. Would it be so wrong to take it further, just the once?

Now. Manes wouldn't be Manes if the words that slipped from @Hecuba's lips -- a good fuck -- didn't catch his attention. The male looked at her sea foam eyes and then did something ballsy - Manes kissed Hecuba's cheek. If she wanted a good time, he would give it to her. For a brief, unexplainable moment, Manes just wanted to say fuck Drakon and succumb to his desires.

Testament to the turmoil in her mind, Hecuba was lost in her thoughts by the time @Manes finally replied not ten seconds later. The silverly lioness could only give a half-hearted shrug, unable to truly say either way. "Probably. There's something about men that makes them feel like they must rule in order to be happy. I don't understand it." Hecuba hadn't minded ruling, but she wasn't terribly displeased that she'd been forced into early retirement either. Drakon was struggling to find a purpose, it seemed, and Hecuba was helpless to solve anything for her husband. It was infuriating. She glanced at the paw against her side, blinking, only to be met with a kiss to the cheek a heartbeat later. Although it certainly surprised her, it wasn't out of the ordinary for them to be cozy or affectionate. They were friends consoling each other, surely a simple smooch meant nothing? But she knew it did. Hecuba's eyes drifted to meet his, the lust evident in the green pools. She bit her lip to prevent from saying anything and simply turned her attention forward once more, hoping and praying he stopped before pushing things beyond the point of no return.

table by koi