Rosanna smiled as she spotted her mate, Remus. He had been off hunting, scouting the forest around the prideland as was his habit. She knew he used hunting as an excuse to go patrol the outer edge of the Kizingo-zaa but she certainly didn’t begrudge him the task. It made him feel better, and she appreciated knowing they were safe.
Safe, how long had it been since any of them could say that? Surely it had been far, far too long. They had only found the pride a month ago after months of searching for their lost leonine partners and the relief and joy of their reunion had yet to fade. It still bubbled below the surface, a joy that warmed her right through, along with relief. And of course there was the surprise of learning that not only had Giovanni and Mari`ah found this place safely, but had settled here and, of all things, started a family. Not that Rosa was really surprised… after all they were well past the age when they should have had cubs and the fact that Maria had felt safe enough here was only proof that they were planning to stay, to finally raise the family they had so longed for all this time.
Rosa herself felt the pull of beckoning motherhood. For so long they had been on the run, and before that the nature of their lives, the constant danger, had made it a less than ideal situation for young. But finally the Borgia had been left behind, the threat to their family was as minimal as it was ever going to be, and maybe, just maybe, they could get on with living.
A rustle above her made her chirp softly, lifting her head to watch her mate settle on a branch before hoping down to where she nested in the fork of a massive tree trunk and a large sturdy branch. The tree was near the lions den and from where she sat, she could see the cubs at play. Raising as Remus joined her she chuckled at his affectionate head rub. Since they had found their bonded and settled here, Remus’ demeanour had gradually lightened. Ever a serious male, just like his bond-brother, he had slowly lowered the shield between himself and the world. He was far more affectionate than he had been, even before the disaster that had tumbled their old home into ruins. And though an unexpected change, she was grateful for it.
Seeing her looking at him he cocked his head and eyed her, finally frowning. “What?” His sharp tongue was softened by a tiny smile and she laughed warmly. “Nothing dear… “ Scowling darkly at her he nudged her over and started to fuss with the nest, a task he usually left to her. Tilting her head in a manner much like his, she watched him for a while, then finally caught a twig up that had been left sticking out of the nest wall and threw it at him.
“What?!” He demanded, turning round to squint at her, expression both irritated and faintly guilty. Grinning she hoped over and bit his chest feathers. “You know what.” She smirked at him before flicking a wing out, motioning to the mess he had made of their nest.
Pausing he peered round then huffed, dropping the bit of moss he had been holding in his talons and stared at her. The longer they stared, the more uncomfortable he appeared until eventually he heaved a huge sigh and slumped down, turning to stare out at the landscape. “Stop looking like that.” He grumbled, ruffling his feathers as he struggled to regain his lost composure. He knew she could tell exactly what had gotten under his feathers and he had o idea how to respond, or even how to start the conversation.
Finally taking pity on him she settled down beside him, a soft musical laugh escaping her. “I do too, you know…” She murmured, looking up at him with those soft rose eyes, full of the love she held for him. Turning he looked down at her slim form, so dark against his white. Smiling faintly he fluffed up again, resettling her comfortably against him as he draped a wing over her back. “Do what..?” He grumbled, though there was no heat in his words. Rather he seemed almost nervous, certainly uncertain.
Chucking she leaned into his warmth but didn’t answer. She knew what had gotten to him, the exact same thought she had been wrestling with, helped in part perhaps by watching Maria and Gio’s cubs playing below their tree these past few weeks. He wanted a family of their own, and so did she. Maybe they could… now that they were safe again. After all, Giovanni and Maria had been here a while and had found nothing to be wary off outside of the usual issues prides tended to bring up. But there was nothing sinister, and Giovanni would have found out if there was…
No, the only thing holding them back was their own recent past, their flight across the savannah, and their recent experience with near starvation. She at least would need to put some weight on for the sheer practicality of motherhood… but even as she thought it, she felt a glimmer of hope and intent warm her breast.
Now felt right, ‘now’ was safe and secure and they had their family back. Their future had finally arrived, a future where they could get back to simply living, to being normal again… Turning back to her mate she smiled, leaning up to nibble at the side of his beak, getting him to turn and regard her with those piercing, knowing blue eyes.
Suddenly he smiled, a bright expression she had not seen on him since they were young. She knew then that he was with her, they had the same goal, the same thoughts… that was why he constantly patrolled the pride’s land. He was planning for the time they had their own family… and that time was near.
Chuffing happily she burrowed close against him and settled. Soon…. There would be chicks to play with the cubs below their tree.
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