Laertes (Mogami)
Mogami
Laertes was crouching under a dense patch bushes at the edge of the Groundlings’ forest, waiting for his friend to arrive. He wanted to show her a small clearing filled with flowers that he’d been told about a few days before and he was sure Daizee would like to see it. She was a girl, of course she would.
They’d be secluded enough, away from the prying eyes of the gossiping Nobles and hopefully there wouldn’t be any rumors about them circulating anytime soon. Of course, there might be some already considering they’d be spending an increasing amount of time together. Daizee was a good friend and she was fun. And she knew when to lighten up on the whole Noble code of conduct that was at times so stifling and take a joke.
Which was why he was hiding now. He wanted to get her on the right spot so he could jump out of nowhere and land a good pounce on her. Really, there weren’t many lions he could “play” with at this moment. And despite his size, Laertes was still very much a cub at heart. Oh, he was going to surprise her!
Buffy The Bloody
The female could smell him, as if he was around.. but her eyes didn’t see him. What was going on? She paused, a few feet away from the bushes where he was, and began looking around.
She had really grown close to Laertes. He was a friend like she had never had, not even in Mauwi. Because with Mauwi there hadn’t been friendship. There had just been love at first.
The friends had been spending lots of time together and she was sure that if anyone was watching, they were probably gossiping all over again. She didn’t care anymore, she hated the gossip.
"Laertes?" She called, black eyes gleaming in the sunshine. The lands were beautiful today, but then again today was just a beautiful day. She couldn’t help but be in a good mood, even if Mauwi still plagued her mind. His mane, his eyes, his heart.. But she stopped thinking about that. Not today, she hadn’t seen him in weeks.. She wouldn’t think of him today.
Mogami
Laertes thought he had the perfect plan for a fun day out. In the forest, no one really cared about who they were and it was unlikely the lions living there would take interest in the two young lions. And there wasn’t any risk of her friend running into Mauwi which would certainly ruin her mood for days.
The purple lion’s tail danced playfully behind him and he could feel himself wiggling a little as Daizee moved closer to his location. Laertes sprang forward. “Gotcha!!” he shouted, when he was right above the lioness, paws outstretched to give her a big hug.
Buffy The Bloody
She was about to start moving again when Laertes jumped from the bushes and nearly tackled her in a hug. She squealed, and batted at him, though it ended with the two falling to the earth in laughter. She pushed at him and shook her head.
"What are you doing, you big lug?" She asked with a grin, playing around. She really enjoyed his carefree nature. She didnt run into that normally.. And it was nice. She flicked her tail, and nosed his cheek.
"You were just itching to give me a heartattack, werent you?" She teased.
Mogami
“Pff! Scaredy-cat.” The lion said teasingly, releasing his friend from the grip. Of course, he’d probably react the same way (maybe with a somewhat pathetic screech even…) if she had tackled him instead. But that was beside the point. He batted at the lioness playfully and gave her a quick head butt before he bounced forward towards the forest’s depths.
“Come on, let’s go!” he said cheerfully, grinning over his shouder. “I have something to show you. You’re gonna love it!”
Buffy The Bloody
When he released her, she giggled, pushing herself off the earth rather quickly. He headbutted her, and began darting off, his eyes mischievous. What was it he wanted to show her? It was odd that he was so excited but she was happy for it. He made her feel happy during the sad times lately. She darted after him with a laugh, and without a word until..
“Where are we going? Do I get to know?" She asked, keeping up with him rather easily. He was a large lion, and she was a smaller, lean female. He may have the power but she had the ability to go faster.. If she tried.
"Secrets don’t make friends!" She grinned, working to keep up with Laertes.
Mogami
“What about surprises?” he asked in good humor, trying to defuse her logic. He laughed, nodding when she caught up with him. He started giving her a wide range of silly teases and cryptic words regarding the place where he was taking her without ever revealing much about the clearing or what they’d do there. This was rather fun, he had to admit, the building up, the anticipation. He really hoped she liked flowers otherwise Laertes would be beyond disappointed.
“Okay now, close your eyes.” He said quickly, stopping abruptly when they finally neared the flower patches. “No peeking! Just stick to me and I’ll guide you.”
Buffy The Bloody
She ran until he slowed, and she followed suit. She looked at him with a grin and when he gave the order, she closed her eyes immediately. She wanted to peek, oh the temptation was great but she couldn’t and she knew it. So her eyes were pursed shut, tight as they could be, and she leaned into him, her shoulder touching his flank. She walked when he did, and stuck to him just as he had said. She was thankful for him being there, because he really was a godsend. Fate had brought him to her, or rather.. made her run into his den that night.
"Don’t let me fall, Laertes. I don’t want to feel foolish." She purred.
Mogami
He laughed quietly, leaning against her body gently or strongly depending on the path she was taking.
“You can’t fall unless you trip on your own paws. If you do, you have every right to feel foolish.” He laughed again, taking in the sight before as if it were his first time seeing it. The trees spreading apart and allowing the sunlight to reach the lush short grass and the ground shone in different bright tones of blue, pink, yellow and so many other beautiful colors. Hundreds of colorful flowers littered the ground under their paws. There were more birds here and they sang with renewed happiness in the beautiful, secluded spot, fluttering about from tree to tree without giving the lions a second glance. “You should be feeling the ground get softer. Alright… stay there, count to three and open your eyes.” He hopped away from her and stood proudly in the middle go the small clearing, clearly showing off his find.
Buffy The Bloody
"Some gentleman you are!" She teased, and made sure it was a teasing tone as well. She purred, and did indeed feel the ground get softer. She wiggled her toes, feeling the cushion. She rather liked it! She heard him hop away from her and she couldn’t help but giggle, her head followed the sound of his movement but her eyes remained closed. When he said she could open them, she took a deep breath, and opened them slowly.
What she saw made her jaw drop, as she stepped forward a few steps to take it all in. She could hear the sound of birds singing their lovely songs. And flowers! So many flowers, of all shapes, and colors. It was simply beautiful. She turned to look at him with the biggest smile on her face.
"Laertes, its.. its.. It’s beautiful!"
Mogami
Laertes took a few moments to silently enjoyed her friend’s reaction to beauty around them, a grin permanently stun in his expression. The breeze suddenly picked up, taking a string of flower petals into the air and making them dance in elaborate patterns. The purple lion looked up, still grinning, walking around and allowed his body to be greeted by the falling sun rays which gave him the appearance of a striped coat when he moved closer to the shadow of the tree branches.
“Isn’t it? I thought you’d like it.” He moved closer to the center and plopped down, instantly drowning in a multitude of colors.
Buffy The Bloody
It was beautiful, and she felt it took her breath away. She walked up to him, nudging him with her shoulder. Oh how she enjoyed days like this.. Laertes just knew what to do to make her feel comfortable. She looked up at him with bright, happy eyes, and they showed all her feelings. She was so happy, so excited, and.. she just couldn’t help but enjoy herself.
"Thank you.. It is beautiful. You're so sweet." She said, nudging his cheek with her nose, and then looking around at the fluttering petals once more.
Mogami
Laertes took her nudge with a gentle smile, feeling rather pleased with himself. When he lifted her head, however, the rays falling down to brighten her markings, sleek black body gleaming softly , Laertes felt something shift inside him. She was o beautiful. She’d never truly noticed it before. She was his friend, someone he’d seen at her worst moment and it had never really been nothing more than that. But there was something different today. Her gentle tone, her bright smile, the beautiful setting where no one could find them…
Without really thinking, Laertes lifted his front paws to try and pull her down gently to his position.
Buffy The Bloody
She giggled with him, and when he pulled her down, she flopped happily. She didn’t offer any resistance, merely followed his lead. He was such a good friend to her. She knew that when she saw him, her heart pounded a little harder with each beat. It wasn’t the same feeling Mauwi gave her, but it was still a strong, overwhelming feeling.
"I’m glad I have you, Laertes." She said with a nudge to his chin.
Mogami
As he held her now, Laertes realized he felt something quite different in this second embrace. It was as if he had to keep holding her close and never let go, as if she’d leave forever if he released her from his hug. His heart was pounding in his chest as he lay there in silence watching her reactions – she was so beautiful! – and his grin slowly faded.
Daizee. So pretty and friendly and fun. She was absolutely perfect, wasn’t she? Before he knew it, Laertes took advantage of the fact she’d moved closer to nudge him and before she could move away, the purple and black lion leaned forward to softly lick her cheek. His ears pulled back at once as he realized he’d just crossed the invisible line between friendship and… more. He anxiously waited for her reaction, easing his grip.
Buffy The Bloody
She began pulling back from the nudge, to feel his kiss tough her cheek. She paused, ears flicked up, head cocked, eyes wide. She stared for a moment in complete shock. Her mind was a mix of emotions. Her heart felt like it was going to break from her chest. She did like him.. his company was the easy, loving company. Mauwi’s had always been wrong, and that feeling of just… being wrong always stuck with her. Laertes was right. He was the right choice. She knew it, and it made her nervous. But she really enjoyed his company, and she liked the feeling he gave her.
She looked at him, softening her gaze, and smiling. Leaning in, she touched his nose with hers, looking into his eyes. She flicked her tail, letting the tuft flick his leg.
Mogami
He was afraid at first but he smile reassured that everything was alright. More than alright, it was absolutely perfect. He hadn’t things to develop like this but he couldn’t hide couldn’t hid the happiness he felt at that moment, the Guard’s expression lighting up the minute the noses connected.
“I’m very happy I have you, too.” He whispered softly in Daizee’s ear before nuzzling her cheek.
FIN!
