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He was tired. His old bones were weary, and at this point in his life Pythis wanted nothing more than to find a pride where he could live the rest of his life out in peace and quiet. He'd visited a fair few prides though none of them had really given him reason to stay - or provided him with exactly what he was looking for.

In all honesty, Pythis was not exactly sure what he was looking for. He only knew that when he found it, he would know it.

He only hoped that he found what he didn't know what he was looking for soon, because his feet were killing him.

Asper had been feeling a high level of disgruntlement ever since his 'meeting' with Hinoko. There was a need to find Atheris free of thralldom before the idiot got his stupid arse killed. It had been easily ignored up until recently - up until Atheris found himself with a busted tooth and a bruised jaw, things had been relatively peaceful.

Relatively.

He wanted desperately to protect his family, it was just... hard to do it on his own. In fact, it was impossible to do it on his own. Resi and Nits were getting older, Sindri too, and with Atheris acting like a huge baby - and Tim being useless as always, Atheris was about to explode.

To deal with the pressure, he found himself picking up patrols more and more - which was exactly how he stumbled upon the old limping lion that crossed his path.

"You there. Halt."

Pythis drew up short, large head swinging to the side as he searched for the intruding voice. When his pale blue eyes landed on the younger, more able-bodied male, Pythis couldn't help but sigh. This wasn't what he was looking for - obviously it was not a pride that would welcome him with open arms.

"I apologize," he rumbled, voice deep and hoarse. "I have been -- you've probably heard this a million times, I'd wager." Pythis offered the male a wry smile before continuing. "Excuse me, blah blah blah, I'm sorry, yada yada yada. I won't waste your time."

He cleared his throat and eased back onto his haunches.

"Give an older lion a moment to explain why he's here, and we can proceed from there?"

Asper watched the male warily. He'd never been spoken to in such a way - and especially not from an outlander. He was not particularly in a mood for fighting - in truth, these patrols had been a good way for him to clear his mind, to think about his brother and their predicament. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. At this frazzle-minded moment, he was ready to talk to Galning and get suggestions from him - but he refrained.

For some reason, Asper felt as if this was his problem, and his alone. It was aggravating to no end.

Shaking himself from his reverie, Asper jerked his head and muttered a low, "Go on."

Pythis chuckled tiredly, shaking his massive head as he settled back on his haunches. There was something about the young male that was distractingly familiar, but Pythis could only think of one female he'd seen that had that same spotty, splotchy marking formation that the young male did.

"I've been searching for a place to call home. I thought I'd found a place, long ago - but I have not ever been a strong fighter. The pride I'd happened upon required that I fight my way in - and keep my position within the pride in order to stay."

Pythis shrugged.

"I could not. Sadly enough, I was forced to leave a female I'd grown fond of. Since then I've been in search of a place to call home, though as of yet my luck has been... poor."

Asper remained quiet, his thoughts turning to his mother and the pride he'd been forced to leave behind. He hadn't wanted to fight for his right to remain in the pride, truthfully. Atheris had found himself infected by the wandering bug, and so it went. He hadn't shown interest in remaining at home with his sister, his cousins, his mother or his aunt - and so Sebae had asked that Asper look after his brother as best he could.

He'd tried so hard.

"And so you find yourself here? Love lost and without a home?" Asper shook his head. "I have heard such stories many times in my life. What makes you different?"

Pythis was baffled by the other lion's hostility, his blue eyes widening.

"I do not aspire to be different. I once thought I might have meant something to someone, perhaps losing Sebae ... losing what happiness I thought I had might have changed my mind. I regret letting that lioness slip through my paws each and every day. I should have fought to win my way into the pride. Perhaps there I would have found my forever home."

Pythis shook his head, a sad look in his eyes.

"I can not change my past. I can only make good on the years I have left."

Asper's brows drew down in a hearty frown as the male before him spoke a name. His mother's name. Sebae. Everything seemed to click together far too perfectly, and Asper wasn't sure how to deal with the roiling emotions that saturated his mind, leaving him feeling far too stunned.

Perhaps it was a mistake. Perhaps the lion he stood before was not his father - deep down inside, Asper doubted that he was wrong. It was a surreal moment. It scared him, just a little, but then again he couldn't help but feel ... relieved ... that there might be someone who could help him look after his family.

"Sebae?"

A pregnant pause.

"She is my mother."

Pythis could not help the way his jaw dropped, the way a shiver rumbled up his spine. He could not help the stunned silence that stretched on and on and on. He could not help the small swell of tears he felt pricking his eyes. He could not help but see Sebae in the young lion that stood before him, proud and bold.

He could not help but feel as if he'd finally found his home.

This was his son.

There was no reason to doubt it. Just moments before he'd been trying to place the lion - never thinking to connect him to Sebae - never thinking that he might be the younger lion's father.

What did one say to their son, a child they'd just met for the first time in either of their lives?

Pythis could think of only five words.

"I am so sorry, son."

For as long as he could remember, Asper had been expected to be the strong one. The oldest son, laden with responsibilities. Look after his brother. Look after his sister. He'd failed one - and had no idea where the second was. He now had to keep track of Galning, and Timmy - and even Yolla, to a lesser extent. He was a father now, as well, with a son and daughters he would never see. Three sons, if he were to count Sindri and Nits -and he did, even if they were Atheris' children.

Someone had to look after them.

Asper did not know what to say. It was a huge relief, knowing that there was another responsible adult he could count on.

When Pythis apologized, Asper wilted slightly, an emotional smile spreading over his features.

"Welcome home."

There would be time later to iron everything out.