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Grin was in a similar boat. The past week or so had been spent talking and laughing and joking, but the previous day and today had been fairly silent. Oh, they'd talk, certainly. But in comparison to the rest of their journey, the only sounds were the gentle thumps of their feet and passing birds and bugs.

Grin could honestly say he'd never liked anyone before Dimu. There had been that one lioness he had spent the night with when they were just barely adults, but that had been a spur of the moment decision and he had left before she had even woken up. He could hardly remember her name, to be honest. It had been a youthful fling that resulted in some confidence and nothing more. At least, that's what he figured.

Now he knew what other lions felt when they talked about their mates or lovers. Whenever she laughed he felt like he could fly, and he tried to go out of his way to bump into her or get her to smile. Her voice was like music to his ears and, not only was she stunningly beautiful, her kind and sweet disposition made him melt. She was quick to help and was strong, easily able to survive on her own...she was literally perfect in his mind.

The larger lion was pulled from his thoughts as he heard an eep, and he glanced beside him to see Dimu sprawled out on the ground. He nearly laughed, but the stunned look on her face made him school his expression as he crouched down.

"Oh dear, are you all right? What even happened?" As far as he could tell, nothing. Did she trip?

Grin let out a little sigh of relief as Dimu confirmed she was okay. Phew! Walking was kind of important right now, and if she had sprained something he wasn't sure they'd be able to continue on their quest as quickly as they would have liked. Nothing to fear, though, for Dimu was tough and could tackle any pebble or root that tried to trip her up.

"Oh?" he said as she shook out her paws. The wild dog...that little runt had really started to get on his nerves, which was pretty hard to do. It was probably the tone she had used when talking to Dimu. His heart began to race as he remembered what she had said about them being mates. Oh no...was she going to tell him that it was a good thing they were friends, because she'd never look at him like that?

...nope. Nope, not even close! Ha! He had to resist the urge to leap into the air and give a victory roar, settling instead for a tiny smile. She liked him as more than a friend, eh? Oh ho ho...his dreams really were coming true!

"Dear Dimu, don't be so bashful," he cooed, letting his tail bump against hers gently. It was funny how he had gone from fearful to completely confident in a matter of seconds. Not wanting to tease her too much, he moved his head to catch her gaze, his own yellow eyes warm with delight. "You're not the only one in that position, you see."

Once Dimu let the words sink in and she started to celebrate, Grin lifted his head feeling amazingly light and happy. Her smile always did that to him, as he had noted before, but now that they had finally voiced what was thick in the air between them it was that much sweeter. He laughed quietly as she very nearly vibrated with excitement.

"Oh, I was. I enjoy flirting with pretty lionesses like yourself. But once I got to know you a bit better...well. It came a lot easier to do so," he admitted somewhat shyly. What had started out as purely appreciating her outward beauty turned into admiring her personality, spunk, and passion. The normally confident male was now walking with his head down just a bit to keep close to the female and boy, he was surprised she hadn't said anything sooner with the clues he was giving off.

As she pressed up against him he flicked his tail happily, letting it curl around Dimu's white one after a few swings. Oh dear, he was never very good at the part that came after flirting...

"I'm excited as well," he said with a nod, bumping his chin lightly against her cheek. "Also a good place to raise that family you wanted..." He trailed off, a slightly suggestive tone in his voice. Perhaps it was too soon to let her know he was interested in helping her get another litter of cubs, but he was so completely head over tail for this goddess he couldn't help himself.

"It has, yes," Grin said with a little laugh as he was playfully pushed. He was glad she didn't seem adverse to the idea. It was only this week that he had started to get those fatherly urges. To teach his sons how to roar and hunt, and his daughters how to scare off any potential threats with their mother's cunning and his own silver tongue. Of course, Dimu would have her paw in raising them as well. She could assure all their cubs grew up to be as kind and as caring as she was. Grin knew his own personality could be a bit rough at times, and he didn't want the life he had for his children. Roaming around alone for his whole life was something he wouldn't wish on anyone, now that he had a lioness in his life.

"For the longest time I was sure I'd be a horrible father, but if we're going to be settled and if your kindness is there, I think I'll do all right," he said as he puffed up just a bit, strutting as he walked. That's right, every living creature in the area. He was one lucky lion! "You'll have to tell me all about how raising cubs is...you've been through it before. From birth to letting them go, there has to be quite a few hurdles to get through."

They started out helpless, after all. And then grew up, itching to become independent and find a love of their own, to seek their destiny or whatever other mumbo jumbo they'd come up with. All he wanted were smart, kind, and damn handsome kids. He was sure they'd be able to deliver.

The nuzzle made Grin's fur along his spine stand up in delight and he flicked his tail to show his approval. Man, if only that dopey lion he had met so long ago could see him now. He wondered if he had a mate, if his 'training' had paid off any. Probably not...the guy was so childish he wouldn't be surprised if some cub ended up getting a crush on him! Ha!

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to learn everything you know, so you'll have to just...you know. Never leave me to make sure I don't screw up our kids should they arrive any time soon," he said with a weak laugh. That would probably be his worst nightmare, letting his bad habits rub off on the little ones and disappoint Dimu. He'd try to be on his best behavior around them and not sass or trick other lions just for sport. When Dimu was around, though, the urge to do that was completely gone.

"I hope I'll be a wonderful father. You deserve the best cubs ever." Now he was starting to think about what they might look like. He hoped most of them would look like their mother, pure and clean and simple but still stunning or, in the case of any little boys, handsome. Maybe a dash of color from him, but not enough to over-power Dimu's beauty.

"Good. I won't leave, either," Grin added in case Dimu was wondering. Nope, he knew a good thing when he saw one, and Dimu was definitely a good thing. Hopefully this pride would be as well. He really wanted to find a place to settle for a while, if not for good. He'd been a rouge all his life and wanted to try out that pride lifestyle. Apparently it could be really nice.

A laugh escaped him as they continue to walk. "True! If they're half me and half you, they're going to be the best little guys - or girls - to walk this earth. Everyone'll bow down to their sheer awesomeness."

He continued to talk about how their cubs would be the fastest, strongest, smartest, and every other adjective he could think of as they headed through the hot, tall grass, his heart light and spirit lifted. He could do anything now!

FIN