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 Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:03 pm
 Nahasi waited in hid den. He had a lot to think about. It had felt like years since he started his rule, but he felt like he himself didn't grow much. His mane on his neck grew longer and he finally had a full mane, one his father would be proud of. He was now an adult, wether he felt like one or not. Yet there was something missing, some little part of him that made him feel like half of a whole.
As he paced in his den, something he found himself constantly doing when he was stressed, he thought about all the things he needed to do and all the things he wanted to do. His thoughts were on Juan and how he hadn't visited the leopard much while he was injured. He should be fine now though, he thought as he passed the entrance to his den. He should go see him. He shook his head at the thought, there was still so much to do. There were celebrations to plan, but those were still a long way off. He wasn't avoiding Juan was he?
No, that would be ridiculous. Juan was his closest friend, there was no way that he would feel awkward around him. It was easier to lie to himself than face the truth. Ever since Juan saved him something stirred in him. There was some sort of feeling in him, he felt almost flustered at the mere thought of Juan. Was he avoiding Juan because of that. Was this stupid feeling he had toward Juan going to ruin their friendship. Nahasi shuttered at the thought. The whole thing was bringing him back to the days of cub crushes. Back than things were simpler though. Now days he couldn't just have a cub crush on Juan. This was something much more.
Finally after thinking on it, he made his way to Juan's den. He wouldn't mention his feelings, but keep them to himself. His friendship was much more important than his feelings. Quietly he waited outside Juan's den. “Juan? Juan are you asleep? Can I come in?” He spoke softly incase he was asleep.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:41 am
 Fangs bared he closed his eyes tightly, paws braced apart in an effort to stay calm and not leap at the healer in sheer frustration. It had been this way for weeks, arguing over weather or not h was allowed to return to his duties and to Nahasi's side. It hadn't been so bad at first, when the wound was fresh and it hurt to walk, but as the days crept slowly by, Juan had gotten more and more claustrophobic, stuck in his small den with nothing to do for hours on end. He had broken the healer's rule about not moving around and had started to go out walking, but almost before he could enjoy the freedom of movement, he had been struck with a secondary infection in the wound which had truly laid him out for over a week, barely able to eat let alone walk.
Now, at last, the infection was gone, his wound had healed as well as it could after the healer's attempts at 'healing', leaving a ragged scar that traced over his hip and partway down his back leg to join the many other faded scars from his life before the Mazunguko. The healer had come a short while ago to poke an prod at him, and finally Juan had snapped. Leaping up he had demanded the healer release him back to work, and the ensuing argument had led to the leopard being stood up one end of his den, body hunched and eyes tightly shut as he struggled to remain civil and not just throw the meddling lion out of his den and take himself back to work.
Suddenly a sound caught his attention, barely audible over the drone of the healer's voice. Nahasi? Fighting the smile that tried to settle over his muzzle he slipped past the annoyed looking healer and appeared at the mouth of his den, pale eyes fixed on the wondrous, much missed form of his King.
"My King." Bowing low, his joy bubbling happily deep in his chest though his expression remained calm and professional. "I have just been released to come back to work." He said, ignoring the spluttered protests that came from over his shoulder as the healer walked up to bow to the pride's leader. "How may I serve you my Lord?" Lifting his head he couldn't help the tiny smile of pleasure that touched his muzzle, finally able to see Nahasi again, to be useful to him again, it was all Juan needed to finish healing.
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 9:52 am
"Juan, it has been far too long since I've seen you." Nahasi said getting closer to his guard. He wanted to tell him everything, everything that happened. Most importantly he wanted to confess his interest in him. He knew he shouldn't though. Bedeinka's words lingered in his head. He had no intention of forcing Juan to be in a relationship he didn't want to be part of. He would just wait and see if there was any sign that Juan had any feelings for him. Than he would confess his own feelings.
"I would very much like it if you come with me to eat." He said casually. His stomach growled just than and he laughed. "Are you feeling well enough for that, because if you are not I would rather you get better than guard me." As much as he wished he could spend time with he, Nahasi preferred if Juan was well before returning to his duties.
"If you aren't feeling up to it I could always stay here with you. I need a break from being king anyways." He said with a laugh. Being king was starting to be a more natural thing for him. It wasn't his constant worry anymore, but something he did automatically. However he hadn't taken a real break from being king for some time.
Either way he would spend a nice day with Juan. He was sure that would pick both of them up.
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:51 pm
Happiness lit the leopard's eyes as he met his King's gaze, simply pleased to be close again, to be with his King, even if no one else knew his feelings, he was simply content to stand at Nahasi's side again. "It has been, my King. I am sorry I have been away for so long." He replied, his low rich voice pitched only for Nahasi's ears. He longed to say more, but knew te healer was close by, listening in on him and his king.
At the offer Juan nodded, the smile lifting his muzzle once again even as Nahasi's belly proclaimed its hunger. "I would be honored to join you, I have not yet eaten myself." Pausing he considered Nahasi's comment and hit upon an idea. "There is a cave pool that I had wanted to show you before I was injured... maybe we could take our meal there?" That way, he and Nahasi would get to eat, and visit together in private, away from the pride's eyes and ears, a win-win in Juan's mind. He truly desired to spend some alone-time with Nahasi, he had missed the lion far more than he was willing to admit while he was stuck in his den.
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:28 pm
"It's my fault you got hurt in the first place so please don't be sorry." A tinge of guilt filled his voice as he spoke to Juan, but he shook his head. It was an accident and no one blamed him for what happened. "I am just thankful you are well now. Nothing would make me happier than to have you by my side."
He listened to his guard talk. How did he survive so long without him, he asked himself in his head. "I would like that very much Juan." He headed to where the meat was stored and took out a piece plenty big enough for both of them to eat. He held the meat with his teeth. "I've been learning how to take care of myself while you were gone." He was barely able to say with the meat in his mouth. "Not saying that I don't need you because I need you with me for support."
He felt himself getting embarrassed. He was supposed to be confident, but right now around Juan he felt like a little cub again. "What I mean to say is you are my closest friend and I don't know what I would do without you by my side."
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Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:35 pm
Juan permitted himself a small, tender smile at his King's words, chuckling silently as the lion caught up a large hunk of meat. Padding up alongside Nahasi, Juan inclined his head towards the tunnel, and away from the damned healer who was still lingering in his den, probably hoping to overhear something worth gossiping about.
Slowly, for his freshly healed hip was still stiff and awkward, he led nahasi into the cave system of their home, taking a less ell known tunnel to where he had found that lovely little indoor spring. The water was warm and slightly murky, great for soaking in, and it had the odd side effect of making one's fur incredibly soft and clean.
One safely away from prying ears and eyes, he allowed his smile to warm as he looked up at his beloved ruler. He knew that what he felt for Nahasi was more than just a guard to his Liege, but he was fairly certain no on would approve of such a match, even if Nahasi was interested. "I am glad you have coped without me, nahasi." He said softly, gaze turning from his companion to the cave as he motioned for Nahasi to enter his secret cavern. The pool steamed gently in the dim lights of the fireflies. The walls and ceiling above them sparkled like the night star, an effect created by the many glowworms suspended from the rock. "Independence is always a good thing. And you will always need a guard, even if you do not require so many of my services...." Turning to look over at Nahasi, he allowed the slightly softer smile to curl across his muzzle.
Maybe it was the warm darkness of their hide-away, or maybe it was the thought of Nahasi not relying on him any more... but Juan found himself turning to face the pride's King, expression serious. "But even if you eventually didn't need me for anything at all, I hope that you would allow me to remain at your side. For there is no where else I would rather be...." Serious eyes settled on the King as Juan watched his liege quietly after his pronouncement.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:31 pm
Nahashi felt a shiver run down his spine. The thought of not needing Juan was frightening. The leopard had always been by his side. The time they spent apart felt so awkward for Nahashi. “I want you by my side as long as you're willing to stay there.” Nahashi said with a glance at Juan and smiled. Having someone to confine in while king was something he needed more than anything. Juan would always be the one he was closest to and Nahashi knew that that would never change.
It was now time to act, Nahashi thought. “Juan, ever since you saved me, it made me really think about our relationship. You have always been there for me. I would like to always be there for you as well.” He said, thinking every word carefully, not wanting to screw this up. “My father was always wanting me to find someone I truly cared about. He wanted me to choose a consort before he left, but I never did, because I knew I wasn't ready. At the time I had never really felt love toward anyone.”
He could feel embarrassment coming over him now. By now he had gotten used to talking to the council members. At first he was nervous, but he eventually he got used to it and became the confident King he was meant to be. But right now he didn't really feel like he was King. He felt like an ordinary lion with ordinary problems. Then again, he guessed that even being king made him an ordinary lion, just a regular lion running a pride.
Before he continued, he let out a sigh. This was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do, other then running the pride. “After you saved me, it made me do some serious thinking about a lot of different things. The big thing though, was that I realized that I didn't want to lose you, ever. I want you to be by my side as long as you want to be there, but I don't want you there as my guard, but as my consort.” He gave a smile to Juan. There he finally said it. Now he wondered how his request would be taken. He hoped that Juan would accept. If not, he just prayed to the gods that they could remain friends if anything at the very least.
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:04 am
Juan remained silent, watching his King, waiting for some kind of hint as to how the younger lion had received his words, and the rather subtle hints he was giving. Not that he thought they would be picked up, for even he himself did not trust his own emotions, but nevertheless he could not help dreaming the impossible.
Ears twitched before flicking forwards sharply as Nahasi started to talk. He most certaionly intended on staying at his king's side, the only way he would ever leave was if Nahasi himself dismissed him. But... it seemed that as as far from the lion's mind as it was Juan's, for as the king continued to speak, Juan felt himself freeze in place, hide rippling as suppressed excitement slid through him. Had he not dreamed of this day for so long? Since he had fallen for the young prince all those seasons ago... never had he imagined those wistful imaginings would ever prove real.
As those words left Nahasi, Juan felt both shattered and reborn, yet as ever, nothing revealed itself on the leopard's expression.. only his eyes gave a glimpse of all that he was feeling. Finally, he slowly stepped forwards, the most sincere smile anyone had ever seen on the stoic leopard's expression. "I..." For the fist time ever, Juan hesitated, not knowing how to express everything he as feeling. A rather adorable shy look crossed his face as he ducked his head, but even as he did so, he carefully, almost uncertainly, touched his shoulder to Nahasi's. ".. I would never leave your side, Nahasi..." Looking up again, eyes meeting the younger lion's, Juan finally smiled, warm and private, and just a little shy. ".. and I could wish for no greater gift than to stay with you as your consort." Growing a little bolder he stretched his head up, pressing his cheek into the king's furry mane. "Thank you."
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:37 pm
Nahashi felt himself become warmer and warmer. With Juan's touch, he let out a sigh of relief. Nerves faded from him and was replaced with bliss. Even in his dreams he had never imagined feeling accepted to feel like this. He watched Juan, knowing that he had finally found the right one. Any concern for how others would view him went out the window. He knew Bedeinka wouldn't be too fond of his disision, but it didn't matter what she thought or what anyone thought. If they were both happy, then that should be alright for the rest of the pride. He let out a laugh. "I should be the one thanking you Juan. You've always been by my side when I needed you."
"Should we tell anyone? Or should we keep it to ourselves for now? I want to have a celebration at some point, but not until you are ready." Nahashi said. He felt like a cub with his first crush. In one paw he wanted to tell everyone about it, but he also knew that this relationship was something special. In someways he just wanted to keep it between just him and Juan. That way they wouldn't be bothered by anyone else.
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