Days had become weeks had become months of time, and it seemed like Fyja's encounters with Zia had become not only more common, but greater in length, and if he was any judge of such things, meaning. A shared hunt became a shared meal, both cuddled close beside the other in a sort of calm serenity.Often he found himself loathe to leave--oh that his clan and hers had been the same! They had been reassured, even encouraged to meet and interact, after all they were both Ela'Wadiyi despite their clan differences, but it was not the same.
Lately Fyja had begun to think seriously about where he was intending things to go with Zia. She was kind, and young, and full of life. Not to mention beautiful. That was as plain as day. She seemed happy in his company, but would she feel that way forever? How could he know if she had other suitors? What if there was another male, from her own clan, that saw all the wonderful things that made her up as well as he did? The thoughts pained him more sharply than he would have liked to admit, and he'd hoped she'd not noticed. Her happiness came first.
But why could she be happy with him? He knew the ways of a family, the bonds that made it up, made it run, made it a wonderful thing. Could he give that to her? Would she accept? Well now, that was what he'd come to find out. He waited on their usual meeting rock, both looking outwards for her, and inwards for strength. For better or worse, he'd ask her today.
Zia wasn't sure when something had changed between her and Fyja. But something had changed, had been changed for a while. But she hadn't really noticed until recently. Something about the way they interacted together...it reminded her of the pairs she'd seen in the pride. And something about that...both worried and excited her.
Did others see it that way? Did they see the two of them the way Zia had noticed they'd become? If they did...was that okay? Did Fyja see them that way? The thoughts ran through her head as she trotted towards their usual meeting place. She was...uncertain, something rare for the cheery, outspoken lioness. She WANTED to be seen as a couple. Even if there were others interested in her, she would have turned them all down for Fyja. And...and if he wanted to be just friends, than so be it!
Oh she hoped that wasn't the case though. Of course....then there was the challenge of figuring out how to bring the subject up to Fyja. That she wanted to be more than close friends. When she spotted the black and gold lion waiting for her, she perked up a bit. She'd figure it out somehow! As long as she could stay around Fyja.
All the stress that'd wracked his mind flew away as swiftly as a leaf caught in a stiff breeze as Zia came 'round a hill and into view. His heart thudded in his chest, a pure excitement thrilled him. She made him light up, feel both at peace and terribly, terribly alive. He smiled at her; what'd once been a rare gesture had become all too common on his face when she was near.
"You made it..."
Of course she had. She'd never been late, not even once. Perhaps, he hoped, she was just as excited to see him as he was her? He shifted on the stone, clearing his throat to clear his mind. He buted his head against her when she drew near. The gesture could be seen as simply a friendly one, should she not be of the same mind as he, or if she was...well, perhaps more. He wanted so dearly to ask of her, but was now the time...?
Zia's better mood came out as a smile, returning the affectionate gesture. Despite the fact they'd seen each other only a couple of days ago...she'd missed him terribly. She always did lately. She giggled. "Of course I did, silly. I wouldn't miss a meeting with you for the world."
And she meant it. There was nothing but truth behind her words, and a warm affection. "I missed you."
Not for the world? Really? Her words alone made him feel like a king among lions. That she would cast aside other offers to be with him... "I know. t was only a day or two but each moment seemed like a day on its own, waiting." Perhaps he was talking more, revealing more than usual...but this was not a time to be withdrawn. He had to open up, to tell her, and show her, how he felt. Was he rushing things? No, no; if he didn't do it now, then when would he? If he was made to wait even an hour more, he felt he would explode.
Taking a nervous but steady breath, he pulled back from her. He looked her in the eyes, his own seeking for something in hers...
He understood! That made her giddy inside, and her smile grew a little, and her eyes met his. And something about him was different. Was that nervousness in his stance? Just a touch, but...what did he have to be nervous about? There were so many possibilities, and so many of them weren't good....
She stuffed those worries to the back of her mind, and kept her smile. "Is everything okay, Fyja?"
He could have slapped himself. She'd caught on to his discomfort, and was worried. He was too good at reading expressions, and even though her smile reamined he could tell it'd changed. Did she know what he'd ask? Was she...dreading it? He nearly balked--Why ruin what they had? If he asked, she might say no...and then where would he be?
That wasn't fair to her though. She had a right to know how he felt...even if it meant things would change. He sighed and shook his head. "No. Everything is not okay. I've been distracted lately, and concerned. You see, I feel as if your...my...our," he corrected himself. "Relationship is changing lately. And I feel that, in this position, I must ask something of you." He sat up straighter, fearful for the first time in his life but trying so hard to be brave. "My heart insists I do this now, forgive me if you find it...offensive...in some way."
"Zia, I have found that I am in love with you...and I was hoping, would you please...consider me, for your mate?"
His words, at first, confused her. Worried her, with all the bad possibilities coming to the forefront. And then he got to the point. And Zia blinked. And blinked again. She hadn't been especting that. At all. But that he wanted to be her MATE and be with HER and her alone...it made her heart soar. She tried to find words, to find what was right to say. In the end...while she tried to figure out the rest of what she was going to say...there was only one thing to say.
"Yes." Any worries vanished from her heart and mind as she stepped forward to nuzzle him. "Yes, I will be your mate, Uidan Fyja."
The wait for her reply was agonizing. He'd done it, he'd laid his heart bare and offered it up to her. Her silence pained him, made him think My god, what've I done? If she had other suitors, or other plans, or just didn't think of him that way...He wasn't sure what he'd have done. He felt like he'd have died, though he knew it wasn't true.
And suddenly she was pressed against him, her head under his chin, the smell of her fur filling his nose. She was his, wanted to be his...and he was hers. Snapping out of his stunned stance, he draped his paws about her, pulling her close. He nearly wept, he was so happy. "I will never fail you, Zia, I swear it. As long as I live I will love you and keep you safe and happy." Those things he knew he could promise to her.
Zia enjoyed his warmth, his closeness, and the fact he was hers and she was his. "I know, Fyja...I know." She felt like she'd burst from joy. "And I will always love you, and cherish what we have, and keep you happy." She wasn't strong like he was, but she was good at making others smile, at making sure nothing was forgotten.
And him and his love and what they had...even if old age stole their memories from them, like it did with some old lions, she would NEVER forget.
