Oh was he proud of himself. Jaws full, the pale blue and white lion was carrying home a rather large piece of prey in his jaws. The snow had made this so easy, catching and dragging it home was just simplicity in and of itself. Tail flicking back and forth, the violet eyed hunter dragged the thing across the snow of the pride's lands, to a den he was all too familiar with. The den of himself and the female he wanted to be his life-mate, Merino. "Mmph!"
Merino was resting just inside the mouth of the den at the moment. Though it was rather cold outside and snow covered the ground, her thick fur meant that she wasn't too uncomfortable if she just mostly stayed out of the wind. The pink-hued lioness was dozing off and on, but woke up at the noise from outside. Poking her nose out into the cooler air, she blinked upon seeing Illyon there. "Oh hello~ Is that for me...?" she asked, smiling.
He dropped the thing on the floor of their cave, and nosed it happily over to her, nodding. Plopping down on his fuzzy bum the male's tail flicked back and forth, "Yes! I caught it today. I love it here, so much easier to hunt without the....." His voice lowered in a whisper, "Trees." Nuzzling her ear, he purred, "Eat your fill. I'll wait til you're done."
Merino laughed softly at that and nuzzled at Illyon just a bit. "Well, thank you~" she purred and bent down to start tearing off pieces of the still-warm meat.
He lay slowly by her side, pressing their flanks together. Gently lapping at her ear, Illyon just watched her. He was so utterly in love with Merino. Honestly, he couldn't wait until she decided they were ready for cubs. After all....it was....Well, he was a silly romantic.
After a few minutes, Merino licked at her mouth and sat back, leaning against Illyon a little more. "All yours," she purred - rather happy that the pale lion was helping her hunt now. It was so much easier to find food with two hunting.
He licked her head, and then moved over and began to eat, closing his violet eyes. It was a nice thing, He got to spend all his time sitting with her, and hunting, and then when they came back at night to their fur-lined den, they'd lie together. He was so glad he'd found her. Coming here.....was the best thing that ever happened to him. Though if the Pride's belief was right....most of his memories before the snow were formed by the Gods themselves. Who really knew....but hey. he was an outsider...so....
Merino sat back and watched him eat, admiring the thick fur that was growing in now that they'd been here a while. Soon enough, he wouldn't be cold outside at all ... a necessary thing for survival up here.
He finished the animal rather quickly. The male was gaining more muscles as well, and he was eating his share of food finally. Nosing the clean bones to the side, he carefully took the hide outside. He'd have to finish working it later, "So.....There's something I wanted to ask you, Merino..."
"Hmmn..? What's that?" the pink lioness asked, getting up to stretch a little bit. She always felt so nice after a good meal - full and satisfied and warm
He stretched as well, and then moved to twine partially around her, nuzzling her and licking her gently, slowly, "Merino......I love you, and you know that. I love you more than...well....anyone I've ever known. And I wanted to know...." He took a tiny breath in, nervously, "Would you....do the Agano ceremony with me? And maybe.....we could have cubs?"
Her eyes widned slightly at that. She had known that Illyon loved her but ... this was going a step (or more) farther! Not that she -minded- at all... in fact, it made her very happy to hear him say that. But it was still a surprise. "Of course we can! I ... would really like that..."
The hesitance made him pause as well, violet eyes casting down, paws dragging a bit on the fur, "Are you sure...? I mean....I don't want to push you...I just....I really love you Meri..." He looked at her, eyes soft, "And you would make...the most beautiful mother..."
She flushed at that, cheeks getting just a little darker. "I ... yes. I'm sure. You just surprised me, is all," she explained quickly, ducking her head a little. She really liked... loved Illyon too, after all.
He surged forwards and nuzzled her nose, her cheek, her neck. The male was purring like mad, utterly overjoyed. After all, he'd been hoping to get a yes! He had a Lifemate! A real Lifemate! And they'd have cubs! "I love you Merino! I love you!"
Merino laughed and nuzzled him back, batting playfully at his shoulders. "I know I know! I love you too, Illyon~" she purred. The only thing was ... she'd have to get permission to ah. Stay around here for a while if they were going to have cubs.
Illy nodded, and lay himself again, by her side. "Thank you, so much for saying yes." His voice was soft, loving, and he couldn't believe his luck, honestly. Having a girl like her by his side, it was more than he could ever ask for.
The pink lioness purred at that. "Really... how could I not say yes?" she asked, smiling at him. "I want to have a family with you ... "
Purring in return, he licked her ear, "And I with you, Meri. Like I said, you'll make a beautiful mother. I can just see it now." His voice was so soft, the love in it evident. She really would, and he had no doubt their cubs would be just as much so.
Merino leaned against the larger male a bit. "Really?" she teased. "You don't think I'd look all fat and funny waddling about in the snow?"
He laughed, smiling brightly at her. The Lion was innocent at heart, he truly was, "No. I think you'd be radiant. My BEAUTIFUL Merino." He purred happily. He meant every word. The female was so dear to him, and he thought just the world of her.
"Well all right then, if you say so," she replied, with a little laugh of her own. Really, Illy was -adorable- at times. And at other times, so strong and fearless... except when it came to trees.
He purred and closed his eyes, yawning slightly, "I can't wait. We'll be together for life. You and me...." The large male made a completely adorable face, before slowly drifting into mild sleep. It was so warm in here.....
