Nohokai had been feeling restless, and tonight he found himself wandering along the shoreline under the silvery light of the moon. The gentle ebb and flow of the waves of the ocean soothed his weighted mind. There were many things troubling him, though he'd been stifling them for fear of upsetting Sabbia. After meeting her sister, he had been thinking about how to bring up the topic of Sabbia sharing his den with him. That was at the front of his mind and he'd been thinking about it almost nonstop since the topic had come up. He'd do what he usually did when this happened -- think it through, top to bottom and then shove it into the recesses of his mind, not to be bothered by the topic again. At least he hoped that's how it would end up happening. He didn't want to keep feeling this restless.
She had been out lately, meeting new pride members.She had her mornings with Nohokai, but late afternoons, when she went back with her family, she often times ended up wandering the pride. Sabbia wanted to get to know the pride by heart. All of it, not just the parts that made her feel comfortable. Today, she had a very eventful day. She had talked to her father about Nohokai as well as one of the twins.
That''s why she was going down to the beach. A gut feeling told her that is where she would find her mate this night. Her news was so exciting that she couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell him. Sure enough, when she came around a curve in the path, she spotted Nohokai at the water's edge. "Nohokai!"
He instantly turned when he heard Sabbia's voice. He hadn't been expecting her to be out and about, not this late at night. Catching sight of her moving towards him brought an instant smile to his face. She was so lovely in the shimmery moonlight. He could never get enough of just gazing at her. "Sabbia!" When she drew closer, he continued, "What are you doing up and about so late?" Shifting closer, he nuzzled gently along her jaw. "I didn't think I would see you until the morning." A happy grin flirted with the corners of his muzzle as he purred gently at his mate.
When he moved to meet her, Sabbia slowed her steps and purred softly at him. She nuzzled right back against him, nipping his jaw carefully in a few places before she crained her head back to look at him again. "I have... exciting news. I couldn't wait to tell you till morning. ...I had a feeling you would be out here, though." She nodded and shrugged as if to explain even she didn't know how she'd known. "What... are you doing out?"
"Couldn't sleep," he mumbled softly, not wanting to meet her gaze. He didn't want to crush her excitement by bringing up a possibly upsetting topic. "Exciting news? Tell me about it," he grinned at her. It must be grand news to be certain if she was trawling the shoreline in order to find him. He chuckled at her nips, enjoying the attention that she gave him.
She didn't notice his glum feelings because her news would brighten his.. night up considerably! "I talked... to my daddy. He said... since you have no family here, you're welcome into ours with open arms." She beamed at him, chest puffing proudly. "And I.. wanted to ask you when it would be a good time for you to meet my family..." Her awkwardness was still there, but there was confidence in her inquiry. She moved to nuzzle along his neck and shoulder, purring the whole while.
Well, that certainly did brighten Kai's mood. He went from feeling a bit downtrodden to immensely giddy in a split second. He was so happy that she'd talked to her father about him -- and maybe this meant that soon enough he and Sabbia would be living together. He didn't even care whose den they stayed in, but to wake up to her face after falling asleep next to her would be the most wonderful thing he could imagine. "That's wonderful," he beamed at her, returning her gentle nuzzles. His purrs grew louder. He had never been happier. "As soon as possible," he murmured in response to her question. "The sooner the better."
She chuckled and nodded happily. It wouldn't be tonight, no, but maybe during the day tomorrow! "We... can do it tomorrow, if that's alright?" She was a new kind of excited now. She was nervous and excited and happy and just over all buzzing. With a bit of a giggle, she pulled back once more and pawed at his mane in a playful manner. Then she sat still and ooked at him. Just looking at him in the moonlight with great affection, love and tenderness. He looked just as handsome in the moonlight as he did in the daytime. "....I... I was thinking... after.. the meeting if... I could uhm.." She looked down, suddenly getting shy and embarrassed again. "If... I could... maybe... stay the night... with you." Staying the night would be a good start. It would get her used to waking up to him, in a completely different den. A step toward living together.
"Tomorrow is fine," he purred, busy grooming her cheeks and muzzle now. When she pulled back and pawed at his mane, he just smiled at her with his heart in his eyes. They stared at one another until she spoke once more, and he had to pause to make sure he heard her right. "Sabbia.." his voice cracked slightly as he fought the emotion that tightened his throat. He had to take a moments pause before he continued. "I would love nothing more then to fall asleep with you by my side, and by my side in the morning when I wake up." He knew she was trying, and that made his heart soar. He really couldn't ask for more. She was everything he needed.
Her ears folded when he'd said her name. Sabbia didn't know what to expect him to say when shed asked. But the words that followed made her chest tight and a flush coming back to her whole face. She looked down and gave a happy giggle before looking back up with a big smile. "Good..." That was really all she could manage. She said it in a way that told of joy and excitement.
Nohokai had never imagined that things would fall into place so fantastically. He'd never imagined that the young lioness he'd met and befriended when he'd first arrived would become the center of his life. He'd never imagined that he'd be mated to her, and he'd certainly never imagined that they'd come this far. It was funny how life just seemed to work itself out, and Nohokai thanked the Gods for watching over him and providing him with all the things he needed in his life. He was so thankful for Sabbia and her love. Nothing could change the way he felt about her. "I love you," he purred gently, completely content in this moment.
Sabbia moved to nose against him, enjoying the closeness. The feel of his muscle, the sound of his breathing and purring overlapping the heartbeat. It was stunning music to her ears. "I love you," her voice barley above a whisper. Feeling overwhelmed with emotions, the lioness pulled away and licked his nose. "I.... I should be getting back to the den. Momma is waiting." She licked his nose again and turned around to race up the path to her den. However, she did stop and turn around to look at him.
Nohokai merely nodded, a soft smile on his muzzle. "I'll see you in the morning, Sabbia." He could sleep now, finally. Relaxed and content, he rose to his feet and waited until she was gone from his sight before he made his way back to his own den. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, and he hoped everything went well. He had the feeling that a lot hinged on this meeting with Sabbia's father, but he wasn't worried in the least. She would be there by his side and that was all he would need.
