He was the one who loved her, and yet it was he who stood beside her. Everyone in the pride knew of the pair of them, ruling the pride together and yet, no one knew of him. The one who loved her more than that other male ever could. Dysi had, at first, been awe-struck at the power couple, but when he saw the way the male looked at her, at Dysi's love, he had begun to hate him.
This was not how things were supposed to go.
He was supposed to be a decoy, so that Dysi and Nyoka could be together still, but now, they looked so perfect together, standing side-by-side in a world that should not have existed, because Dysi should have been the one beside her.
He should be yelling, he realised numbly, from where he had sprawled himself out on the riverbed within the pride. He should be fighting for Nyoka but he knew that she cared for him, but she cared for Nanashi too, the one she shared the pride with. It was like a stab in the heart every time he saw them together, but Dysi knew he held Nyoka's heart, or rather, he hoped he still did.
There were weeks when Dysi would not be seen for more than hours at a time, when all he wanted to do was walk and that was all he did. He would leave the pride and not come back for days, but the nanny's would take care of the cubs and he would love them doubly hard when he returned and would shower them in love. The cubs should have no doubt in their minds that Dysi adored them, but sometimes the pride was simply too much.
Now he had more responsibilities, more cubs. He had two more daughters who needed his support, who needed him to love them and be a father. His eldest had moved on, she was safe, tucked away in a pride with a male who could protect and support her. He had been given permission to visit her if he wanted, once things had settled down, but he wasn't sure if he would, though of course he would send word to her and expect replies to come back. After all, she was his baby, but to visit her? He didn't know if he could visit and not try and take her back with him, so perhaps it was better to stay at a distance.
“Dysi.” A voice startled him. He glanced up, turning slightly to see the grey figure of the cheetah not far from him.
He was standing stiffly and staring down at him, but there was no glee on his face, nor was there malicious intent. Nanashi knew Dysi cared for Nyoka, and no matter how much Nanashi cared for her too, he could not bring himself to rub their status in his face. The male was annoying, yes, but Nanashi was not cruel. At least, not without good reason. Had Dysi continued to interfere in his and Nyoka's relationship, he would not have hesitated to shoot him down with the facts, but Dysi had become withdrawn recently, focusing instead on his daughters.
It had given the cheetah a moment's peace, but it had been disturbing.
Dysi closed his eyes, and turned back to face the water. “What is it, Boss Nanashi?” He asked, purposely tacking on the other male's title, as if to remind him of their obvious distance in status. It should have been said bitterly, but instead he simply sounded...tired.
“Nyoka wishes to speak with you.”
They were the last words Dysi wanted to hear and he tensed, but rose. Staring down at his reflection in the water, he hit his paw against his reflection, shattering the image of the feminine feline staring back at him.
“Anything she wants,” Dysi said quietly, more to himself than to Nanashi, who was still waiting nearby.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” Dysi excused, and turned to face him. Nanashi was not an unattractive male, so Dysi knew why Nyoka had picked him. He was strong-willed and cared deeply for his family, even if he got in more sparring matches with his sister than most of the soldiers did with each other. He made a good Boss, even if he was nothing more than a figure head most of the time. Nyoka was the real brains, as she always was.
He followed the other male, the both of them dowsed heavily in silence. Neither was willing to break it. They had a lot in common, Dysi thought, if nothing else, they were both in love with the same female. He sighed.
“You have been more...subdued recently,” Nanashi remarked, keeping his eyes ahead as he escorted the Royal towards the dens. He didn't need to, but he was going that way anyway, intending to see his nieces and nephews briefly, to take Satomei out on his examination of the pridal grounds.
“Have I?” Dysi asked, not sounding particularly interested. “The new cubs aren't settling well,” he lied pleasantly. “Simply tiredness I assure you, Boss Nanashi.” He was placing distance between them, without stepping a second quicker.
“Ah,” Nanashi said. He could have called him out on that comment, as he knew the cubs were fine, but he didn't want to. “Well, I will leave you here.” They were near Aiko's den, where Satomei would likely be napping. Both males paused, eyeing each other warily. There was a level of understanding. Dysi loved Nyoka, and knew Nanashi was part of her life, whereas Nanashi cared deeply for Nyoka, but knew the female cared for Dysi as well. There had been a moment of 'crush' emotion between Dysi towards Nanashi, but it had faded when he realised how close the male was to his love.
Nanashi inclined his head, as did Dysi, and the mostly white male watched the darker cheetah walk away. For a moment, Dysi contemplated calling after the other male.
“You know I love her.”
“I know.”
“Then understand, I would do anything for her to be happy.”
“Including letting her go?”
“No. ”
But he said nothing, and watched until the male had disappeared from view. Dysi shook his head and moved away, he moved on. Approaching the den which housed his love, he was unable to suppress a smile when he heard his cubs voices nearby, talking and playing together. His family. Nyoka was part of that family, though no one would know just how much, until long after the pride had flourished, if then.
Paused outside the den, he closed his eyes and considered, just for a moment, walking away. The itch of his wandering paws was starting to flare up, but instead of turning tail and walking away, Dysi stiffened his shoulders.
“How can I not love you? What do I tell my heart?”
He entered the den, admits squeals of cubs which were not hers, and cubs which were not his, and the sound of a voice which belonged to a female who was the love of his life and yet not even his.
(1206)
[OOClulsummary] Dysi is emo'ing up the pride.[/OOClulsummary]
