Welcome to Gaia! ::

Life had been busy. Even with his two boys, rather than the entire litter, his paws had been full, especially when they'd hit adolescents. He hadn't kept them, though, when their paws had begun to feel the itch to wander. Often, in his family, it began early and didn't quit. Why, look at himself! He had never stopped the life of a wandering rogue. He had, however, managed to find a way to travel with the most beautiful girl he'd ever met. he knew she'd been a bit pensive since her own children had left home, though some still lingered nearby. He ached for her motherly heartbreak, and went to seek her out.

he'd managed, or so he thought, to keep their friendship free of implications, suggestiveness, or any other indications of how he felt. It wasn't fair to press her, not with her children to consider. Nor was it fair to expect her to return his adoration. For he did indeed adore on this delicate rock of his existence. He loved his boys, but she was his world. He had come to terms with the fact that he'd never be able to stand leaving her side, whether she ever loved him or not. She was the one for him, and he was going to remain with her as long as she allowed him to.

"Satomei?" he called softly, pacing the edges of the family camp that moved less often nowadays. Then he spotted her, perched on her rock, looking sorrowful. "Ah, Satmoei," he sighed, crossing the distance between, so that he came to stand next to her rock, the leaves rustling above them. "There you are," he spoke gently. "Lovely spot to sit and think." With practice, he turned his eyes from her to gaze up at the tree, when all he wanted to do was continue to soak in her beauty. "What troubles you?"

He returned his eyes to her sympathizingly. He well knew the pain of his young ones leaving. But right now it wasn't the welfare of the youngsters that was foremost in his mind, and he tried his best to show her this. "Oh, you aren't being selfish," he soothed, bumping his head gently against hers. "They are grown, and you are right to turn your attention to making yourself happy now." He gave her a faint, crooked smile, attempting a light-hearted take on the situation. "They are off finding their own happinesses, it's only fair that you find your own now!"

But how to go about pointing out her happiness didn't have to just be in her children? He looked faintly anxious and uncomfortable, but pressed on. "But surely there are other things that make you happy? Perhaps the moon on water.... or a breeze beneath a shady tree in summer... or... or...," he gulped and stared at his paws, "or the company of someone who loves you...," he trailed off as if it was just part of the list, but he failed to add anything more. Oh dear, what would he do if she caught on? Internally he was quaking in his proverbial boots.

He swallowed hard and fought to keep his expression sympathetic. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she hadn't caught the hint, which was a relief in some ways, but she also had suggested they spend more time together! Nothing could be closer to his heart's desire, save to earn her love someday. His tailtip twitched in agitation, but he casually stepped a paw on it, quelling its quivering. He had to play it cool. Satomei wasn't a lady one could just sweep off her paws and carry her off into the sunset. She deserved more, and by the heavens, he was going to give it to her!

"Right you are," he replied lightheartedly when he could trust his voice. "I would like that very much, and in fact, I have an idea!" He shifted to give her a platonic head-bump and sat down, flank to flank with her. "I overheard a passing cheetah talking about a pride that does festivals, one every moon at least!" He flashed her a grin that sparked with boyish enthusiasm. "They do feasts and games and trade trinkets during each celebration, and every month is a different theme or reason to party!" Truthfully it sounded like loads of fun to Ruu, but he hoped it would stir Satomei to some excitement too. "Though apparently it's quite a distance away. We could take our time, explore as we go, and find out what celebration they are having the moon we arrive there! What do you think?" Hopeful and expectant, he gazed deeply into her beautiful eyes. Oh, he could happily drown there, spend eternity floating in the beauty of her gaze.

He beamed at her, feeling all warm and tingly for making her so tickled. She had swiftly become the center of his life, even when he'd had his cubs with him. It amazed him how it all hearkened back to when they'd met as youngsters. How long ago that had been now! And he didn't regret a moment of it, not one iota. She was so lovely when her eyes shone like that!

However, her almost plaintive question about the future struck him to the core. He turned to sit before her, then gently took her face in his paws. "Satomei," he said quietly, for her ears only, "the world holds so very much in store for you still! So many joys, so much happiness! You have only scratched the surface of what the future holds." He smiled down at her beautiful face, cradled in his paws. "And you won't ever have to look for those good things alone. I will always be here beside you. On my honor." He let his smile slide into an impish grin, and he released her face to cross his heart in childish vow.

Ruu went cross-eyed as she leaned in close, holding his breath as he tried to watch what she intended to do. Her nose pressed to his had bizarre results, some of them visible, most of it not. First his heart stopped, then it went racing around as if it had paws of its own, and it was determined to catch the sun. His head went completely empty and full at the same time, making him dizzy until he realized he hadn't breathed yet. Meanwhile, his mane stood on end, going all frizzy, and his tail behind him twirled three times in quick succession, and then fluffed up twice its size. His pupils swelled to make his eyes all black, and his breath, now that he was breathing again, came quick and shallow. All within a matter of thirty seconds or so.

"I," he began, but his voice squeaked unnaturally high, so he stopped, swallowed, and then tried again, desperately trying to smooth his fur and slow his heart. "Ahem. I do too, as long as I am with you." He managed a weak smile, unaware of unshed tears shining in his eyes. Oh dear. How long could he hold out like this? He had every intention of waiting for Satomei to be ready to love, to learn to love him, but if she kept up this kind of sweet affection, he might not be able to hold back his feelings for very long. Oh sweet heavens, he thought, help me!