The sun was setting of the horizon, bringing the cooler evening air that carried the low and melodious voice of the black, silver and red lioness that the twins had been traveling with for some time now.
She had slipped away with Isith that afternoon, having seemed to take Safi's place with the dark leoponess during the afternoon patrols. Yet, she always seemed to spend an equal amount of time with Safi during the day, when Isith napped away the hottest part of the day.
With the wind came the sounds of change. Safi lifted his head as the current carried news of his companions before they had made it close. Even from his low perch at the base of a hollow tree Safi was now able to make out the dark figures in dying light. His slow smile was broken only by a massive yawn, bringing forth a roar as he rose to his paws.
One twin brought in the dark and the other carried the night, so it was only natural that he was feeling the tugs of sleep. However, he didn’t like it miss out on talks with the females. It was new and….well, something he really looked forward to. “Welcome back.”
"Thank you my bright prince," Lulua teased with a soft chuckle as she went to bump her head against his.
Isith gave him a shy smile as she padded past. On her front right leg there was a bracer like item it was identical to Lulu's made of vine and beautiful shiny stones. It hadn't been there when they left.
“Only the best for my moon goddess.” Safi returned the affection, even going so far as to run his shoulder against hers. His orchid eyes sought at those of his sister, only to notice the bracer on her foreleg. That was…odd, but nice. It really wasn’t like Isith, though- Wait. Lulua had one too? Then it dawned on him. The two must have made their bond open while out on patrol and while Safi felt a surge of happiness for the two, he also felt a touch of…something unpleasant.
Lulu followed his gaze, her lips curling into a smile, "As you can see, Issie has agreed to be my mate."
Isith met her twin's eyes with a mixture of complete awe that someone as wonderful as lulu wanted her and shame as she knew that he also had feelings for the dark female.
Even though he was feeling less than gracious, Safi laughed and smiled, reaching forward to clap his twin on the back. “Congratulations, sister! I told you that you would find love one day, and look? You truly have.”
Granted, he wanted a piece of that love as well, but it was selfish of him to think so. He already had his shot at love, and had three children to prove it. Isith deserved this much; especially with what she’s been through already. “I guess this means you’ll be staying longer than expected, Lulu?”
Isith buried her face against him shuddering as she made that odd little chirping sound of hers she made when nervous. She pulled back to look up at him a question in her eyes. Was he really ok?
The great white leopon laid her his against his sister’s, pressing the bridge of his nose against hers. “I’m happy for you.” He said in a low voice. Even if it felt like he was losing another chance at happiness, he would rather see his sister gain what she had never had.
She beamed licking his cheek before chirping sweetly at Lulu who chuckled.
"Really Safi? You have no wish of your own?" Golden eyes teased gently, as a loving smile curled her maw. "No secret?"
Isith nodded for him to speak up.
To say that Safi was confused would have been an understatement. He had an idea as to what they were getting at, but…dare he hope? “A secret? My dear, I would hope that I’ve been anything but secretive where you are concerned.” He grinned at Lulu. “However, I wouldn’t take anything from my dear sister so I concede defeat.”
Isith wrinkled her nose nudging him then gave a mocking look as if say "yeah right like you could take her away!" She tossed her head playfully going to lean against Lulu purring happily.
"Defeat? Giving up so easily?" Lulu mocked gently her eyes flashing with merriment. "Well if you don't wish to be a part of us I suppose I will have to find something to do with this other cuff...."
It was as if time stood still. He'd never once imagined this would be the outcome, given the situation, and he was having a hard time coming to terms with it. "Giving up? My Dear, you sound as if you WANT me to..." The leopon closed his mouth, opened it, and then closed it once again. He was at a total loss for words.
Lulu's gold eyes softened as she came to rub her muzzle along his till her cheek pressed to his. "You two are one. She is night, you are day. You have shared a womb, scars, trials and fears. She is your protector and beloved as much as you are hers...do you really believe I would let you be separated?"
Isith gave that growl that served as her purr as she came to rub her cheek against his shoulder and hide her face in his mane. Stepping back she opened her mouth and with a voice that sounded like something that came from a demon rather than his beloved twin she spoke for the first time in years, "Love you."
He closed his eyes as Lulu approached, stalling for a moment before he leaned into her touch. It was something he had never thought he would feel again in his lifetime, had only hoped he would see again should the mother of his children return, but now…now he felt complete. With his twin on one side and Lulu on the other, everything just felt right.
Yet, even as he was settling into the idea, his head spun to look at his twin. His partner. His right paw. As much as he detested it, his eyes misted with tears before he was able to hide his head against her fur. “I love you too. I love both of you. My sister, my best friend whom I’ve shared my life with. My girl, who as pulled us together, and given us the ultimate gift; love.”
Lulu smiled as she licked his ear gently when he cuddled to Isith. "Apart we are were just pieces, together we are whole." Nothing in her life had ever felt so right as being with these two, they were the other halves of her.
Isith made that huffing sound that served as her laugh as she rolled her eyes playfully nipping his nose to keep him from getting too deep into his sentiments. She knew better! He would start waxing poetry!
Safi chuckled, bumping his shoulder into Lulu and giving his sister a playful paw tap to her leg. "Alright, alright, I get it. So, where's my cuff? Or do I not get to look fancy too?" Honestly, what had he gotten himself into with these two crazy females?
Lulu chuckled as she went to paw aside some of the bedding they had been sleeping on to show him a third matching cuff. "Perish the thought Safi."
Giving an arch look, Safi slipped his on and modeled it with pride. "I think it suits me, don't you? It really gives that extra something I was missing."
Isith huffed rolling her eyes making cubeyes at him for being so silly.
Lulu just smiled "It looks smashing love."
"Well, shall we go find the family to deliver the news?" He looked to Isith, and wondered how his father would take it.
Isith froze her eyes going dark and wide with fear. All of her life, only two things she could count on. Safi's love and the love and approval of her father. She was his right hand, his Shadow...Gods what would he think of her?!
Lulu made a low soothing sound going to cuddle around the bigger female "Shhhh dearheart, if you father loves you as much as I imagine he does, he will understand."
"Oh, Isith..." Safi exhaled and looked down at the ground. He took a deep breath. "Do you remember when we were cubs, and big brother Izin ran off with that male and female leopard? Dad wasn't upset to find out he was into guys, so I don't see that he would be upset to find out your into girls. It's not that big of a deal."
That was different! Izin wasn't their father's favorite cub and everyone knew it! She made a chirp almost like a cub and hid her face against Lulu's shoulder. Her world would end if she saw disappointment in her father's face.
"You see? If Izin can survive it, than you can," He laughed. "Izin may be one of the oldest, but we all know he's the one who gets on dads nerves the most." He turned on his paw, and settled down onto the bedding. "Just take a rest, and we'll go over there in the morning. He'll be happy for you, you'll see."
Isith peeked up at him for all the world like a little one who was believing the promise that the monsters weren't real and wouldn't get her.
Lulu smiled at him tenderly before licking Isith's ears, "Things will be fine sweetheart."
Safi patted the spot next to him. "Come on. Sleep between us, and when you wake up you'll have to confidence you need to tell dad what you want. So long as you're sure in what you want, I'm sure he'll see it your way."
Isith obediently crawled to snuggled close to him, her face pressed against his thick mane as she immediately began to calm down once more.
