[FIN] Boys Will Be Boys (Caritas, Ukarimu, Gealach, Ahura)

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Caritas loved her boys. Yes, she could wish that there had been at least one girl in the litter, but she wouldn't trade any of her handsome men for one now that they were born. It was just something to try for next time. And whether Ukarimu knew it or not, there would be a next time. Just, not for a while.

Still, motherhood was absolutely amazing as far as the black lioness was concerned. Yes, she'd been there for so many births in the pride ever since becoming one of the Midwives...but that was nothing compared to having her own children at long last. Also, it made the reasoning behind having at least two Midwives rather obvious. She obviously couldn't stand witness for her own cubs' class! Not that she had anything to be concerned about. Her boys, like she and her own siblings, had been fortunate enough to be born under the Great Lion's wide open eye.

She only hoped that it didn't go to their heads. To that end, she had ever intention of raising them with the idea that, as lions with a greater share of the Great Lion's protection, they owed something to the pride, especially to those who were not nearly as blessed.




Gealach was nosing around. This was not surprising, even though he was still so very young. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of interest in the den. Just him, his mother, and his brothers. It looked like both of his brothers were sleeping. However, the eldest believed things would be more interesting if at least one was awake...

The dark lion crept up next to his dozing brother and began, ever so gently, poking at Ahura's ears.  

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Caritas was leaning against Ukarimu's bulk. She wasn't asleep, but it was seeming like a good idea for the near future. The kids were quiet (for the moment), Ukarimu was here where she wanted him most and all was well outside the den too.

Then the lioness happened to look over and saw Gealach playing with Ahura's ears. She wished they wouldn't do that, but doubted it would help if she got involved. Still, Caritas nudged her mate and nodded over towards the potential trouble. He should be forewarned, at least.

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A grin crossed Gealach's face, sudden whiteness against his black fur. He didn't really have anything against the color of his brother's ears, but that bright yellow against his black fur did make them easy targets!

The older boy continued poking, but now he alternated that with gentle stroking, trying to provoke a reaction out of his brother.  

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So, Ukarimu was going to let them be as well? That was fair. Gealach hadn't actually done anything that needed punishment or lecturing. However, that was likely to change as soon as he managed to wake his brother with his antics.

Then again, whoever said children did not exist to entertain their parents was lying. She loved them, and she'd never laugh aloud where they could hear her, but that did not mean Caritas couldn't be amused by her offspring.

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Getting closer...but not quite there yet! It was time to use his weapon of last resort. Gealach crept even closer, so that he was nearly on top of Ahura. He looked around and didn't see either of his parents looking directly at them.

Satisfied that his troublemaking could go on undisturbed, Gealach proceeded to run his raspy tongue along the side of one of Ahura's ears. He considered sticking it in, but he really didn't want to taste his brother's earwax. Fur, at least, was something he was accustomed to having on his tongue.  

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So...Gealach was giving his next youngest brother a bath now, eh? How strange! Especially since it was already a well-known fact that the eldest of the lot absolutely despised baths on all levels. It didn't matter who was giving it or who was getting it, Gealach did not like being anywhere near a bath. One might have thought that he had an allergy to being clean!

But now it seemed Ahura was beginning to wake up. Which meant she or Ukarimu would probably have to step in shortly. Oh well, such was parenting.

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Aha! That finally did it! Now Ahura was awake! But...he didn't seem to know what was going on! Gealach probably should have stayed quiet so that his brother had no idea what was going on. But, being a cub, he did not yet have the subtlety.

So there lay Gealach, rolling and laughing uncontrollably at his brother's reaction.  

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Ah, wrestling. Always good for the cubs. It trained them in coordination and helped them learn how to move. It also got the cubs through those awkward stages when their bodies didn't seem to fit right.

Caritas debated saying something - she certainly wasn't going to stop them unless if someone was genuinely in trouble. But she couldn't think of anything pertinent to say. So she lay there, leaning against her love, watching her children.

There were perks to being a parent after all.

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Gealach's laughter choked off in surprise as his brother leapt onto him. The older cub tried to push the younger off, but his coordination wasn't much better than his brother's.

This was much more fun than trying to wake Ahura up!