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Asper had collected his son.

His son.

It felt so strange to think that he'd fathered the beautiful cub that curled up against his side, huddled close to his cousins. Resimus, he'd been named, and there was no denying that this was his son.

His only son.

He'd met his daughters, brief as it'd been, and they'd been as beautiful as the boy he'd taken. Asper had watched the small trio of cubs sleep throughout the night after they'd covered much ground on their way home. Sindri was son of Atheris, who reminded him so much of their aunt as far as his looks went, and Nitschei who left behind a twin sister. They were three strong, brave boys.

They were beautiful.

Resimus woke with a start, a loud mewl torn from his throat. His eyes, big and red, opened wide as he peered around in the predawn light.

"Mama?"

No, no. Mama was back home. Back home with his sisters. He was with his papa now. This was his new life. It was exciting, yes, but he was also glad that he wasn't alone. Looking sheepishly up at his father, a frown creasing his brow, Resimus blinked twice and rubbed his nose with a paw.

"Sorry, papa. I... had a bad dream."

His papa was nice and Resimus felt safe with him. Even still, he missed his mama.

At the sound of Resimus calling out for his mama, Nitschei's yellow-gold eyes sprang open with surprise. It took him a moment to remember where he was, and when he did, he couldn't help the way his lower lip wibbled. He missed his twin, missed his mama, missed everyone that was still behind. Sure, he had his brother here and that made him feel better...

Besides, he didn't want to cry, not in front of his uncle. His big, strong uncle.

"Don't cry, Resimus," Nitschei whispered into the silence. "Me and Sindri are here."

Sindri yawned widely stretching before blinking his bright gold eyes as he smiled at his brother and cousin. "That's right Res, we are here and long as we live, we will always be together." It was a cub's promise but the three boys had been raised more as brothers than the cousins they were.

Sin missed his mothers and sisters horribly but atleast Nitschei and Resimus where with him. He smiled faintly scooting to cuddle more again Resimus, "Besides you remember what momma Hippy said. We have to learn to be strong and honorable. We will be warriors!"

Asper laughed again, though he had to stop when Sindri's question was posed. He hadn't thought of the right way to tell the boys that their father was a mere slave in the pride because of his stupidity. There was only one way to remedy this, and Asper thought that he had figured out the best way to do so.

"Do you remember back home, with Mama Hippy and Mama Ebere? You were treated as brothers back home. That is how you will be treated here, in your new home. Should anyone ask, I am the papa of all of you." He narrowed his vibrant green eyes.

"And I want all three of you. You are all three my sons." He knew the question of 'why' would soon come, but he did not want to offer the information freely. Hearing that their father had found himself in a bit of trouble over a lioness, well... that was something that Asper truly did not want to have to explain.

Resimus blinked repeatedly, tilting his head quizzically to the side. He liked thinking of Nits and Sin as his brother. It made him feel better about having to leave behind his sisters, even though he knew that they would be well-loved and well-looked after by their mothers.

"I understand, papa."

It would be more difficult for Nits and Sin to understand, but Resimus understood. After all, Asper truly was his father, and they'd all been raised as siblings so far. Not much would change to the youngling.

Nitschei wasn't too concerned about the WHY of the matter. He'd already considered his cousin a brother - the hard part was going to be calling Asper father - and even then, that wasn't going to be hard. It was like having two mama's, except they were pretending that their uncle was actually their papa.

It seemed a fun-enough game to play!

"I can do it! I understand, un-papa. Papa, that's what I meant to say." He looked a little flustered. It was all so much to pay attention to when all he wanted to do was get to the pride and meet some new friends!

Sin's gold eyes went sharp as he looked up at his uncle/father studying him silently for a long moment before slowly nodding his head. Something was up, he knew that tone. Momma Hippy had used it when talking to momma when she thought the cubs were asleep at times.

"Alright Papa, long as we are wanted."

"Good," Asper purred happily, brushing a paw through Sindri's scant mane. "Now, up we go. To home. There, Papa will have a meal brought to our den so that we might eat. If milk is what you crave, Papa will find for you a wet-nurse." Asper grunted and rose to his feet, nuzzling first Nitschei, then Resimus, then Sindri.

"Come along, then, my sons. Let papa take you home."

Home, home with his sons. Suddenly Asper couldn't quite remember a time he'd been happier. For a moment he thought of the daughters he'd left behind. Only a moment and then he shook it, focusing instead on the boys he had here and now. His beautiful sons.

All three of them.

Resimus chirped softly at his papa, following quickly on Asper's heels. Such diverse personalities. Resimus, the quiet of the three. Nitschei, loud and obnoxious. Sindri, the peace-maker. Resimus was thankful for his brothers, that much was certain. Without them, he had little doubt that he would be lost forever.

It didn't even matter that they were not blood-brothers. They had a papa, they had one another.

Truly, to Resimus, it was all that mattered. He would make his mamas proud, he would make his papa proud, and he would make his brothers proud, too.

Nitschei was thrilled to finally be moving, nipping playfully at Asper's feet as his papa walked along. When that grew tiresome, the cub swatted at his papa's tail. When that grew boring, he harassed Resimus and Sindri. Life was good. They had one another, they had a papa who loved them, and they had a good home. They would grow to be strong, to bring honor.

Nitschei couldn't wait to beging life among the Stormborn. The warriors. He couldn't wait to take lessons from his papa, to challenge his brothers in spars.

"Lets go!" Nits took off ahead of the small group, suddenly unable to keep still. He was excited! Thrilled! Invigorated! This was his new home, and he wanted to explore everything!

Sindri padded silently along at the tail end of the group, not because he didn't want to be there, but to make sure Res didn't fall behind and to guard their back. His smile was bright as he giggled though watching Nitschei galloping around like crazy.