We Don't Need Candles and Cake

(ooc: The date is March 3rd, early in the morning. Open to Zukki and Nuka [later on :3])

The east winds of changed had arrived.



The Eastern wind was something like a legend, only it was real and very, very destructive. Every situation, every person, who wasn't strong enough to survive the changing winds were to be swept away, lost forever. Yet, where lost exists so does arrival. So this wind, instead of tearing apart bonds, brought something, rather someone, to rekindle a certain bond in particular. Chumvi had been gone for far too long. Longer than he would've cared to be, but things happen. He happens. Quite frequently, actually. It couldn't help it, not all of it anyway. It was in his nature to float around, to flirt around, like a bee but always returns to his home hive, to his honey, to his drug.



Love was his drug. He thrived off of it, depended on it. Yet he experienced more euphoria when he was giving love away rather than receiving it. See, he was a rather large lion, which an equally large heart that housed more love than he could ever harbor for himself. Finding outlets for his love was a difficult feat, yet an easy one all the same. The same few lions were guaranteed it, one in particular more than the others, but even then that wasn't enough. He had to love more things, more people, before he could really feel full and content. However, for the moment, Zukkiza was the only thing he needed. Having gone for so long without her special presence, it was the one drug he really craved. He craved to see that devilish gleam in her eyes. He longed to hear those heavenly words that purred their way from her chest, making him crave something so feral, so passionate, so merciful, that it about drove him to madness.



But before anything could happen, he had to start from square one, to win her again. He'd been gone for a while, and a lot had happened. Plus, being the hopeless romantic he was, Chumvi was a fan of of the chase. There was something beautiful about courting, about falling so deep and so fast for someone that it made his head spin. He never wanted to think straight against after his dizzy dance with Zukki, producing their three beautiful cubs. He had to see all of them, he needed to.



So there he was.



Standing on the outskirts of the grasslands, a couple of wilted wildflowers clutched between his incisors, as the eastern wind whipped his brown locks from his mane against his snout and face. Some were for Kula, some his mother Naanda, but most of them were for his queen. He had a hunch she would be here, since she took many strolls and walks. The flowers weren't much, but they were flowers. Just as a thought is a thought. The winds had brought him here for a reason. So I better be getting to making some changes.

Chumvi's gut had not betrayed him, as per usual.

However, a nice stroll and a sunbath wasn't what had brought the queen of his eyes into the grasslands. No, there were more pressing matters at hand. Moving three cubs and one scawny mess of bones all the way to Nottingam proved to be more than a little challenging, especially because they couldn't afford to skip meals. The cubs and Nuka both needed to be well-fed in case anything tried to attack them in their journey. And now Zukki had to eat as well as she could, for the sake of the lives she knew were brewing within her. The lioness was no stranger to pregnancy, and she certainly would be more careful about her second one than she had been in her first. After all, the scars that could have caused her to miscarry littered her pelt and served her as a reminder of how lucky she'd been.

Naturally, she hadn't expected to find Chumvi of all lions. Especially not at such an inconvenient time; she hadn't even had a chance to explain anything to him, and now? Now Nuka and Chumvi's own flesh and blood rested safely at a makeshift den not far from where they were present. Seeing him standing there, imposing as ever, flowers in his muzzle... it felt surreal.

Zukki's entire body was stiff, and her heart caught in her throat; she could feel her own heartbeat in her ears. Her eyes were wide and her mouth dry, and shecouldn't quite tell if the image before her was real. The chocolate lion still made her feel like a dumb kid in love with someone out of their reach, that was for sure; but, presently, she felt more like a deer caught in the headlights, the weight of what she had done raising the hairs across her spine. Could he tell she had found romance elsewhere in his absence? Could he smell the scent of Nuka on her own fur, which still lingered from their night of promises, love and passion?

Would he be able to tell Zukki still loved him, despite everything?

Finally, the lioness found it in her to speak, but nothing too eloquent left her mouth; "Chumvi?" It was a question, like she was testing how real the royal lion was, unsure if she'd rather learn that she was going mad or know that he was actually there and be able to feel safe again. Zukki didn't dare close the distance between them, no; Chumvi would have to be the one to do that. Her mind was too busy thinking of her night with him back at the cabin, where she and Chumvi had been two naive kids talking about love, and her night in the outlands with Nuka, which had been all about Zukki reassuring a naive kid that he was loved, that someone cared. Both experiences were so closely similar, and yet, so different. Again, she found it in her to speak a few words; ones that may not have held much meaning for him, but they meant everything to the lioness.

"You came back."

Just as the lioness before him did, every nerve ending in Chumvi's body went haywire. His paws felt heavy, as did his heart. How could he ever leave such a beautiful creature? It was a mistake he was sure to never live down and it would haunt him forever. But now he had a chance to make things better, to make things right, but only if she'd allow him to. How could she not? She loved him...right? Where the lion used to be so sure, now he wasn't so much. The way she reacted, frozen in time like a garden sculpture, caused his stomach to turn over and over. He really made a mess out of this one, didn't he? Yet a small thought lingered in the back of his head; perhaps it wasn't him that was the outlier in this equation, but maybe it was her. Zukki could've done something, she did or didn't regret, in his absence. If there was someone else, Chum understood. He would've done the same had the roles been reversed, but that still didn't make the fact that she could've found someone else, any easier to swallow. He wanted to meet him, or her, just to see if it was a good fit.

Then again, he was never opposed to sharing. After all, he had a lot of love to give.

But his love for Zukki, undeniably, burned the hottest. Which is why he was the one that closed the space between them in a few long strides. His paws were heavy, nearly dragging across the dirt and causing tiny puffs to pop up. It was difficult to put on his strong facade since she was the only one that could reduce him to nothing. Those eyes, that soul, made his own bend at will, and once he got close enough, he couldn't stop looking into them, minus the darkness. He could feel their power, and he knew he was home. The dark-maned lion bend his head down to the ground, dropping the wildflowers, and brought his head back up. Part of his maw pulled back sheepishly, exposing a few teeth. "I came home," he muttered in response. It was true. He was not only back, but he was home. Home didn't have a physical location when it came to Chumvi, but rather those he imprinted his soul on. Zukki, however strange she might be acting, and their cubs was his home. 

To further get his point across, Chum moved forward and began to nuzzle her soft fur, drinking in her scent and heat like the thirstiest being alive. Oh how he missed this. One thing he didn't miss, however, was the strange scents that accompanied her own musk. Much like the tones of lavender and ginger bring out vanilla, something enhanced Zukki's. The first was that of another lion, a male, which was seemingly faded. The other, however, both excited and shocked him. Pregnancy. He had smelled Zukki while she was bearing his cubs and made that scent hard to forget. However he couldn't find it in himself to be upset. After all, it was her business and he could be wrong. So it figured it best to let her tell him when the time came. He wouldn't be mad, no not in the least bit, as long as she was happy and content.

Nuzzling her for another moment more, his dark fur a contrast to her light, Chumvi finally pulled away. He gave her a wink before craning his neck down to gently grab a flower between his teeth. As if he was crowning royalty, the royal himself slipped the stem of the flower behind her ear. Zukki was an elegant queen without the accessory, but she was so stunning that he couldn't help but feel so full of love and affection for her. He was a dumb teenager in love all over again, and needed an outlet pretty soon. "I've missed you babe. You're beautiful as ever," he smiled adoringly, the smile reaching up to touch his blood-red eyes.

When Chumvi approached her, Zukki's ears pulled back; instinct wanted her to snarl and pull away. He was a lion, and her unborn cubs weren't his this time around. Her consciousness, however, knew better than that; Chumvi wasn't raw impulse, and he loved her. At least he had, before leaving to answer the call of the wanderlust within his heart. His crimson eyes burned into her very core, and, as if entranced, Zukki couldn't bring herself to look away. At least not until the lion before her, so close she could've touched him, dropped the flowers he had once carried into the ground in front of her paws. Zukki's amber eyes trailed behind them and focused on the flowers for a second before she brought her head back up, just in time to see Chumvi's smile, charming as the first time he had found her in Nottingham.

Home.

Nothing had felt like home since Chumvi had left. Zukki had wandered the land, scared for her cubs, agitated all the time, her heart had been with Nuka for a long time, but she couldn't be until recently. The lioness hadn't known the meaning of home for a while. With Chumvi there, though, burying his nose into her velvet fur, the meaning of such a complex word became much clearer, and Zukki found herself instinctively drawn to lean into his touch. Even when she knew she didn't smell quite like herself. Even when she knew he was clever, she knew he was now aware she had laid with another. Perhaps, if he was observant enough, he was probably even aware of her state, of the fact she'd be a mother again. If he was, he didn't show it; relief washed over Zukkiza like a waterfall. The lioness would much rather explain everything to Chumvi before the lion figured out himself.

Chumvi raised a flower once more, and then placed it behind her ear like she was some masterpiece, some sight to be seen. He missed her, he said. She was beautiful, he said. His voice and words, what had made her fall for him on the first place, made her heart melt for him all over again. Like he hand't ever left. Like Chumvi himself had never had an affair. Like she wasn't carrying the cubs of another. Like they were in love for the first time again.

A smile, sheepish and shy, made its way onto Zukki's features, and something in the core of her very being was ignited again. She felt like a kitten around him, playful and vulnerable at the same time. "You don't look to bad yourself, prince boy." She laughed, lightly, the tension in her body washing away momentarily. "I wasn't so sure you'd come back this time." Her words were heavy in her heart, a feeling of sadness and grief evident in her voice.

"You... will you leave again?" She had to know. Her love for Chumvi burned like the now absent sun itself, and it would always do so. But the heartbreak of having him pull away every time the both of them had almost sorted everything out was too great. If Chumvi was to leave her again, Zukki would have to solidify the walls around her heart, to not let him in easily again. She couldn't afford another heartbreak. She couldn't afford to keep losing him over and over when they were so close to being at peace. She couldn't afford to tell her cubs, her three little reasons for living, that their father had left again. And she certainly couldn't afford to go through the trouble of making this work, of making her love for both Nuka and Chumvi function as one, only for Chumvi to leave her again. Leave his family again. Zukki couldn't be blamed for wanting to have that knowledge, for it would certainly shape up the path she chose to take from there.

Her laughter was like music. Uplifting, gospel music that every faith-deprived being oh so desperately needed to hear. He was so lost, so afraid of himself, but here, with her, he felt so sure again. She was his anchor in this topsy-turvy world, and hearing her melodic laugh made him know that she was alright. As long as she was alright, he was alright. Everything was alright. Everything was whole. At least for the time being. In return, Chum snickered and shook out his fluffy, chocolate mane as if to acknowledge his inflated ego. She knew exactly how to feed it, but also how to deflate it as well, whether she meant to or not. His empathetic nature caught onto her despair and fear, causing him to feel the same. Everything Zukki experienced, Chumvi related and accepted. After all, he was the cause to most of it after all.

Every time the would finally get things right, the perfect recipe for a passion pie, it turned out to be one for disaster on her part. He'd snuggle close, entrance her heart like he knew he could do, and leave. Over and over he would repeat the cycle, not once ever fully taking time to think about all the damage he was doing. It was time for the cycle to fully be broken, broken beyond the ability to be repaired. He was here to stay, for real this time, and he wanted her to know that. Just as he wanted her to know that his unyielding love for her was as strong as ever, if not stronger. A sad smile crossed his maw as he lowered his gaze, having dark locks from his mane cover his eyes. He could feel tears of shame bubble behind his crimson eyes, but fought against them. He had no right to cry, not any more. He had to be strong, to accept all the pain, with a gracious and open heart.

"I've done a lot of things in the past to you. Not all of them exactly fair. I've loved you, then left you, then did it again. Over and over! You didn't deserve any of that, Zukki. You still don't," he brought his eyes up to hers, fighting to keep his tone even despite his shoulders beginning to shake. "And last time was, well, the last time I will ever do that. I came back home to make things right, to make us right. Because that's what I want, what I need. I told you I'd folla' you to the ends of the universe, because you're m'world babe." Those last few words dripped like honey from his maw, so full of passion, promise, and permission. Permission to hurt him if he ever went back, to leave if he ever broke this special union. The entire mass of his body quievered and his tail quipped with anticipation. Oh how he wanted to just wrap his floppy paws around her neck, to hold her close. To feel the heat roll off her as he pressed against her side, reassuring her that everything was going to be alright. They were alright. And there was nothing that could ever change that. 

In an attempt to reassure her, to give her the information she deserved to know, Chumvi smiled at her. This time, it wasn't flirtatious or seductive, but honest and pure. "There is nothing that could ever or anything you could ever do to drive me away from your side, our family's side, ever again. Not then, not now, not ever. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for better or worse dollface," he gave the last part with a small chuckle. He wanted to just bound over and press every inch of his body against her own, but no. She needed to make her move, since his intentions and feelings were obviously known. 

Zukki's brows knitted together in concern; there wasn't quite enough light around to reflect on the humidity of Chumvi's eyes, but she could tell there was sadness between the smile he offered. Regardless of how many times he left, Zukki couldn't help but to worry for him. Because she cared. Every time he left, there was a relentless feeling of dread in her heart, always present, exhausting. Because this was war, and he could die any second. And maybe she'd never find out. Maybe she'd life a bitter life thinking he'd left her, found someplace else to be happy, and in reaity, he could be nothing but an empty shell lying in the middle of the battlefield, bloody and broken. Zukki was good at pretending she didn't feel like that all the time. So good that, sometimes, she even convinced herself of this fact.

The lioness listened intently as Chumvi spoke, not daring break his concentration and letting the words fill her ears. Zukki had never recieved an apology for everything he'd done to her, and, quite honestly, she hadn't really expected one. And, while the royal lion wasn't exactly apologizing, he was at least willing to promise to make things right this time. To not make mistakes again. Zukki couldn't help but to allow the corners of her maw to pull upwards in a smile when Chumvi said she was his whole world, that he'd follow her anywhere. His words were so sweet it was hard not to believe them, but could Zukki truly give him another chance? The honesty in his voice was evident, and Chumvi could be very persuasive.

Well. People do say three's the charm, Zukki supposed.

Another laugh escaped her when he finished his speech, "Well then. I certainly don't have a lot of options here, do I?" Her question was rethorical, and here was no ill will behind it. She knew that, if she snarled and clawed and kicked, she'd drive Chumvi away. She had choices, the lioness was fully aware. But pushing Chumvi away wasn't what she wanted; in fact, Zukki wanted the exact opposite. Finally, the lioness gave in to what she had wanted to do since the moment she spotted him holding those flowers like the cheesy doof he was, and she dipped her head to tuck it beneath his chin, taking the slightest step forward so their bodies were pressed close together, and she let out a purr. Chumvi had a way to make her feel safe that nothing else quite mimicked, and feeling safe was exactly what she wanted; for herself, and for the rest of her family. Including Nuka and his litter.

"One chance." She murmured, her face buried within his mane, "I'm giving you one more chance, and that's it. If you walk out again, I'll... I don't know what I'll do." Although she didn't pull away from him, Zukki's words were stern and firm, and she would stay true to them if Chumvi left her without explaining himself again. Explaining. That was an important subject to press forward. Not wanting to linger in the possibility of Chumvi departing again, Zukki cleared her throat and continued.

"There's so many things you need to know. I don't even know where to start." If she had previously not pulled away from him for the sense of safety and affection it gave her, Zukki now abstained from pulling away to avoid looking him in the eye. Zukki felt guilty, because she didn't quite know Chumvi was capable of sharing her, and she had never been told that it was alright for a single lioness to have two handsome hunks all to herself. It was always the other way around. And yet, she was eager to explain, to get things over with so that she could see Chumvi react.

Would he still love her when he knew everything she'd done?

Chumvi let out a might laugh, one that rattled his chest all the way up. Damn had he missed her and her witty quips. She was a handful, that was for damn sure, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Zukki was perfect just the way she was and in everything she could ever do. The fact that her heart had no boundaries, and the endless supply of mercy, never ceased to amaze him. Where he was given a second chance, he should've been kicked to the curb, forgotten. She'd moved on, obviously, but yet still had it in her to take him back. To share herself, or at least that was the impression he was receiving. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about that, if it were even true to begin with, but he was open. He would always be open for her. "Whatever you do, you have every right to do it. I'm a big fan of whippings," he teased, trying to make the serious situation a little lighter. 

Granted, it was nothing to tease about, but he had to make it easier to swallow somehow. Just the thought of him leaving, and her finally moving on from him, was enough to make him sick. That was one future he would never like to experience, so he made it a point to never, ever, do that. As if his mind wasn't made up enough already, having her nose pressed into his mane was more than enough reason to stay. The tingles throughout his body were satisfied as she brought herself closer to him. It was clear that he was finally forgiven, and he took every word she said seriously. He nuzzled her back in return, pressing forward to try and gain as much area as he could, but stopped when he sensed the truth coming. 

Where others might pull away to look someone in the eye when relaying news, Zukki didn't. He knew then that now was the time she was going to come clean. Was she scared? Was she ashamed? All of those were logical, but in the royal's eyes she had no reason to be. There wasn't anything that she could've possibly done to make him love her any less. Her faults and flaws made her who she was, and she owned them, and that's what made Chumvi fall so deeply, so irrevocably, in love with her every time he laid eyes upon that velvet fur of hers. The male let out a soft, deep purr of his own, nuzzling her head with his neck as he carefully lowered himself to his haunches and sat. A dark tail made it's way around, as far as it could get, and touched any part of the lioness that it could. He needed the surface area, he needed to be anchored. More importantly, maybe she, too, needed to be anchored.

Chumvi moved his head down slightly, taking one of her ears into his mouth and gave it a loving nibble before raking his sandpaper-like tongue over. She tasted just as she did all those moons ago, like a fine wine that only got better with age. If he continued this, he'd be intoxicated with emotions, with desire, so it would be best to stop while ahead. Would he? No. Not in a million years. "Relax. Just start from the beginning, sugar cakes. There ain't nothing you could do ta make me love you any less," he breathed softly into her ear, showering her head in licks and kisses. He paused, for a brief moment, to allow her to explain her adventures.

Zukki's entire body shook with laughter at Chumvi's joke; if there was anyone who kow how to break the tension, it was him. "It's not a punishment if you like it." She infomred him matter-of-factly. His humour was certainly one of the aspects of Chumvi Zukkiza had found herself longing for the most. In fact, when she thought about it, there was hardly anything the lioness hadn't missed about him. His affectionate ways, his silver tongue, his playful nature; they all made the world seem a little brighter when everything had seemed dark. Methaphorically, of course. Since the world was now darker than ever in the literal sense. And yet, Chumvi shone like a light, like the moon in a starless night. Yes, Nuka had called Zukki a star. The both of them were. But Chumvi was definitely, absolutely, the embodiment of everything lovely about the moon. Bright, shiny, uplifting, soothing, beautiful.

When the lion sat down, so did Zukki, her face still hidden in his mane, her shoulders pressed tight against his chest. The flick of his tail against her foreleg was soothing, and it eased her nerves just the slightest bit. There was no way he hadn't caught the oddities in her scent, and yet... he seemed calm about it. But maybe Chumvi was only hoping Zukki would explain that it wasn't what it thought it was, but it was exactly that. Before she could begin speaking, Chumvi carefully wrapped his fangs around her ear, nibbling it gently and lovingly. A shudder ran down her spine at the sheer familiarity of the thought, and, when he licked over her ear, she couldn't help but to let out a soft purr. As Chumvi spoke, affirming that he wouldn't think any less of her after the lioness explained, Zukki started breathing slow breaths, taking her time to find the right words as he peppered her with light kisses.

Zukkiza decided to begin with what she enjoyed talking about the most; her children. "They've grown so much. Raha, Khola and Zahir. They're a lot bigger than last time you met them. They ask about you every day." Although chumvi could not see it, Zukki's face pulled into a smile, "Raha looks more like you every day. His mane is a little less wild than yours, but his face... he reminds me of you so much every time you go." Every kid had a bit of Chumvi in them, but Raha was like a miniature version of his father. The lioness found it extremely endearing. She pressed on, though, ecause the conversation was one that couldn't wait. "Things are... tense at priderock. I'm welcome there, Kula's made sure I feel like I fit in. But I can't find it in me to stay there. I'm not a hero. So we've been moving, the kids and I. The Oasis, the Pridelands, the Grasslands. We've been all over the place."

Before continuing, there was a pause, and Zukki sucked in a breath. "I've been going to the outlands, too. Not with the kids. They stay at Priderock, where the're safe. I know I'm a traitor to Scar and Zira, but I had to go back to see an old friend. He's been through so much. He had three cubs, just like you and I. Two of them are dead. He saw one being eaten by another lioness." Her tone was sad and solemn as she reccounted those events, trying to get Chumvi to at least sympathize with Nuka a little. Maybe he'd be less angry or upset that way. "You've been gone so long, and he's been so sad and vulnerable, and I've been craving affection, and... And one thing led to the other." The lioness swallowed thickly, and, suddenly, the knot in her throat was back. She needed to make this quick and brief, otehrwise she'd regret it and shut up.

"We fell in love, Chumvi. But that doesn't mean I've fell out of love with you. I've always loved you, even when I've tried so hard not to, and I couldn't stop if I tried. I can't. But Nuka, he is so dear to me. He deserves so much. I know it's not fair. I know I'm greedy. I'm sorry, I can't help it, I love the both of you. I'm so sorry." The further on she went, the faster her words were and the deeper she pressed her face against Chumvi's neck, hoping he wouldn't pull away, hoping he wouldn't be mad. Involuntarily, a soft whimper escaped her maw, but she knew there was one more thing Chumvi had to know.

"I'm going to have cubs. His cubs. Nuka's cubs. He loves yours very dearly, and I know he won't push them aside just because we will have our own. I hope that... if you're not mad, maybe you can love his like he loves yours. And if... if you like, you can come with us. We're moving out. Back to Nottingham. I understand if you're angry and you can leave if you want to. But our door will always be open if... if you change your mind, if we can make this work out."

Zukki finally breathed for the first time during her whole speech, letting out a shaky breath that reflected she'd rid of a burden bigger than the world. Tears of guilt clogged up in her eyes, but she didn't let them spill. She0d become good at stopping herself from crying, and she didn't want Chumvi to pity her. If he was mad, he wanted to know just how mad he was. No sugar-coating things, she wouldn't allow it. She hoped he didn't hate her, but, if Chumvi did, she wanted to kow for a fact.

Uncertainty was far worse than the truth.

The male rested his head upon her's, imagining his beautiful children as Zukki described them. If there was anything he loved in this world more than Kula and Zukki, it would have to be those three cubs. They were so young, yet had already made him so proud. Just by living, by being something good in this dark world. Chum couldn't help his chest swell with pride at Raha's update. Of course he would look just like him, he was his son, and had the opportunity to follow in his own footsteps. Point is, he just wanted to see all of them, to be covered in a mountain of squeals and growls and furry, warm love. "I thought about them everyday, too," Chumvi rumbled softly, mostly to himself. He did think about his children during his wild adventures, but now he was ready to actually be a father, to raise and cater to his family. Speaking of family..

Chumvi's thoughts went from something of happiness to concern. Of course things would be tense at Pride Rock. A war was going on, for crying out loud, and this darkness certainly wasn't helping a bit. On top of all that, he knew that his sister was in the middle of creating a separate faction from their absent brother. Honestly, he couldn't blame Kula. Simba, while having the coloration as Mufasa, definitely wasn't the leader their father was. It just goes to show that leadership doesn't go to the oldest, or the wisest, but rather the one who would look good doing it. Chumvi never had a real problem with Simba personally, just the fact that he had, almost, everything handed to him. And that he was father's favorite. But that was neither here nor there, since he had Kula's love, along with his adopted mother's, and that was all he really needed from that branch of his family tree. Chumvi's ears fell back against his head in sadness as Zukki explained the constant moving around, not finding a true place to fit in. His disappearance had really up-heaved their lives, leaving him feeling completely responsible. 

He opened his mouth to spout that go-to comment along the lines of "well you always have a home with me, blahdy blahdy blah", but found that his jaw remained shut. 

Bam. There it was. The truth.

And spirits did it come out like a heavy rain during the wet season.

The male just sat there, not moving away, but not moving closer, as Zukki rapidly explained herself, bouncing from one thing to another. He had a hunch she would've moved on, but the pregnancy was definitely surprising, mainly because it was so soon. But then again, they had jumped right into mating too. Chumvi had no place to be critical, or jealous, and in a way he found that he wasn't. The more his queen explained herself, the more he understood. Gods, he understood more than anyone. You cannot help who you love or why you love them or what happens when you do. Love happens, all the time, and it can be the most potent and dangerous drug there could ever be. He was a walking pharmacy for crying out loud! Zukki's shudders underneath him rattled him to the core. Not because he was angry, but because he was sad. Not sad about the situation, but sad from all the guilt she carried. He knew that all to well, and it wasn't the best feeling in the world.

He pulled her closer to him with his muzzle, burying her with his mane and reaching a forearm around to press her even closer in a hug. He couldn't hate her for her love for both males. Instead, he loved her more for it. She could love everybody and everything that entered her life, all without denying the former any of it. "Of course I'll love 'em. They're a part of you, ain't they? You're a part of me, so they're mine too," he reassured with a rumble. The more he thought about it, the more he accepted it and actually became excited. A bigger family was wonderful, and as long as they were hers they would always be his as well. 

Now was time for the tricky part, and he had to be careful to word it just the right way. 

Taking a deep breath, Chumvi pulled away slightly, lifting his paw up to her head and gently lifted her chin upwards so their gaze could met. Whatever he was about to say to her, he needed to say to her face, not her neck. "Zukkiza, you can't help who you love. This male..he must be damn-near special to have captured your attention, and your heart. If you love both of us, that's fine with me. Just so long as you love me, I will always love you. Even if you don't anymore, you are the only female for me in my eyes. But...if you really love him, and are carrying his litter, I will love him, too." Every word came out slowly since he meant every single word. He was open to different relationships, but he wanted to meet this male more than anything. So long as he catered to Zukki in the areas where he personally couldn't, he wouldn't have a problem. "I would actually like to meet him," he smiled reassuringly, gently bringing her face towards his, resting their foreheads together.

Admidst this lovely moment, one thought still lingered. If Zukki was really planning on going to Nottingham, of course he would follow, but that left him in quite a pickle. He would have to choose between his sister or his heart. That was another decision to be made at a different time. 

The lioness had been fully prepared for Chumvi to pull away. She'd braced herself for his anger, for him to leave again, for good. Instead, she found herself absolutely shocked when Chumvi's forearm wrapped around her, pulling her close, locking her in an embrace with him. This was not what she'd prepared for. And thus, just because of the sheer relief filling her heart, a single tear slipped down Zukki's muzzle, her eyes wide and confused. A small whimper left her throat when she tried to formulate words and as why, why was he not mad, she wasn't worth the trouble of dealing with this, what the hell. But the lioness stayed silent, letting him speak and explain himself instead. She'd speak up when the time came.

His logic, in her mind, was flawless. Of course whatever was hers would be his too. They were one another's, after all, weren't they? They were tied by fate itself and could not be torn apart. Still, the knowledge he would love any and all chuldren she mothered made Zukki emotional, simply because she knew no other lion would have taken it that well. It worked for her because she was biased, but she knew many others had a different view of the world.

When Chumvi pulled away, Zukki's hairs rose on end for a moment; things were still very tense for her, after all. She didn't instantly look into Chumvi's red eyes, choosing to avert them instead; when he pulled her chin upwards, however, she finally worked up the nerve to look him straight in the eyes, her own gaze confused and eager at the same time. Zukki truly appreciated the fact Chumvi's words were slow and soft-spoken, for her mind was in such a hazy state she would have been unable to understand him otherwise. She let him speak, though, and, even after he was done, she let the words settle in her head so she could speak.

"Meet him." Zukki repeated, her head softly pressed to Chumvi's, "Love him. Love me." It was almost as if the lioness was trying to make the words more real by speaking them herself, and well, she was; how could someone be so full of love to accept that their most beloved had went and done the old razzle dazzle with someone else, and, even more so, say that they would love the other one? Zukki was at a loss of words for a moment before finally laughing. It wasn't a laugh of amusement, it was a laugh of sheer, utter relief, like the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders. "You're too good. You're so good. I don't deserve you." The lioness said between laughs and soft hiccups. She took her time to calm down, and, when she was done, she stretched up to lift Chumvi's wild locks with her nose and plant a soft lick on his forehead.

"Of course you can meet him. He's... he's scawny, outlandish like me. But he has the cutest mane you've seen, and lovely red fur, and he's a dork, and... and I think you'll like him." She declared with a soft purr, clearly more uplifted than she'd been in the enterity of Chumvi's absence. She was, of course, worried of Nuka's reaction; she hardly thought herself lucky enough to have the both of them be chill with the idea of sharing her. But, knowing Chumvi was okay with it, Zukki felt like she was halfway done with the business. And Nuka was far easier to persuade, her lovely lion king. Besides, how could he say no to Chumvi's charming ways?

"He's... he's with the kids. We have a den, it's not far from here." Her words were an invitation, which Chumvi was free to decline or accept. After all, he didn't have to meet Nuka right away necessarily; but Zukki was as excited as a child in christmas eve, because there was a chance she'd finally get everything she'd ever wanted from life. And that was a thrilling prospect.

All he could do was smile. He loved making others feel assured, welcome, wanted, and seeing the look in her eyes sent his heart flying. Her relief washed into him, making the male lion feel at ease as well. Now that the hard part was over with, it was nothing but uphill from here. Now he, they, could continue to build their family and roll with the punches as they came. Nothing was too much for him to handle, no, not while he was with his heart, his soul, his entire being. However, his heart fell slightly when Zukki insisted that she didn't deserve him. Of course she did! If anything at all, he didn't deserve her, no, not after all the heartbreak and unpredictability he had caused her. "Don't say that. You deserve everything, you deserve it all. We deserve each other, fate had showed us that," Chumvi reassured with a warm smile.

His eyebrows knitted together when Zukki reached up and pushed some of his locks out of the way to plant a kiss on his forehead. Well, a lion kiss. Anyway, he chuckled and nodded his head. Okay, so he was about to meet "the other man" and he was completely fine with that. Actually he was pretty excited, and from the way she was describing him, he seemed, well, pretty cute to be honest. Love had no gender, no preference, to Chumvi, so maybe this Nuka fella was someone he could, well, share with? The thought was rather odd, but as long as a part of Zukki's heart belonged to him and vice versa, nothing else really mattered. The dark lion pulled his face up in thought before nodding once more. "Sounds like he's not too shabby. I know how you have a thing for emotionally vulnerable lions with dark pelts, amirite?" He snickered, rising to his paws, making a few steps towards her to give her a playful nudge.

He just couldn't refrain from showering her forehead yet again in licks and kisses. It would have to sedate his overflowing urges for the moment, but he was just happy to have her back again. Chumvi circled her again, taking her in one last time. Spirits she was gorgeous, and he would never be tired of thinking that. How was he ever so lucky to have her?

How was he ever so luck to be gifted with an understanding demeanor?

A brown tail ran under the velvet lioness' chin flirtatiously, with an equally flirtatious smirk on his creamy maw. He was eager, and ready, to see not only his kids but Nuka too. The sooner by got there and formally introduced, the sooner he could get to figuring out what to do next. Whether to leave with them or somehow convince them to stay. Hell, maybe form a pride all of their own. "Well, you gonna take me to see our family or not?" He purred with a wink.

If of one thing Zukki was certain, is that fate certainly seemed to want Chumvi and herself to be together. Because no matter how many times he left or for how long, the chocolate lion always returned to where his heart was, thus bringing Zukki a part of her heart she always knew she missed, but managed to forget about it or, at least, be in denial about how much she needed him with her. The lioness had heard a legend before, one about a red thread knotted around the third toe of their paws that connected to somebody else's, to everyone's destinied soulmate. Perhaps that was how Chumvi always came back; maybe he followed the red thread whenever he was missing home. Saying she 'deserved everything' was an exaggeration in Zukki's eyes, but she didn't want to argue against it. He loved her, so the lioness was sure arguing about it wouldn't lead anywhere.

Instead, she focused in Chumvi's intrigued expression as he listened about Nuka, eager to hear his response. Not too shabby, huh? That was good. The lioness chuckled softly when Chumvi mentioned she was drawn to troubled, dark-colored lions; it was funny because it was true. "What can I say? All those sun-colored lions ain't got nothing on my pretty chocolate boys." She purred, "And I like the thrill of emotional vulnerability." She joked, although it was obvious she didn't pursue emotional flaws, but rather accepted them with ease. It was what made people themselves, after all.

Another purr left her muzzle as Chumvi showered her in kisses yet again, adoringly, like she was the center of the universe. She could only hope he thought she was. When he walked around her, obviously taking her features in, her eyes followed the pridelander, a look of loving happiness in her eyes. "Take a picture. It'll last longer." She said, laughing softly, feeling like the prettiest thing in the world with the flower behind her ear and the look Chumvi gave her.

His fluffy tail brushed the udnerside of her chin, and Zukki raised a playful eyebrow in return, watching him take a few steps away from her before finally getting up and catching up to him so both lions were side to side; he was bigger than her, that much he'd known, but after spending so much time around Nuka, Zukki felt a lot smaller when Chumvi was around, even if, in reality, the height difference between them wasn't that big. "Only if you're done staring at my pretty backside." She responded his inquire with a wink, and, assuming he was done looking her up, began pacing forward.

"Like I said, it's not far from here. There's no snow here, so I'd like to think you'll be able to keep up with me this time around."

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[OOC: I'm gonna move this forward to when they arrive to the den, just to save everyone the hassle of the walk. Let me know if you want me to change it, though!]

Creamy paws carried the lioness and her companion towards a very bushy area, perfect to hide from predators and danger. Beneath one of the bushes was a small hole, one in which the three cubs fit perfectly, snoring away like they would on lazy afternoons. It was likely that Nuka was hiding beneath the tall grass or something, Zukki thought. Her mind and heart raced again; How would her beloved outlander react to the arrival of the owner of the other half of her heart? Zukki tried not to let anxiousness take over, and, for the most part, succeeded. The uneasiness remained though. Oh well. there was no going back anymore.

"Nuka?" She called softly, hoping he'd sit up so he became visible. She could definitely smell him, that's for sure. "It's me. I... brought somebody I want you to meet." Her voice was loving and gentle, just like she naturally spoke to Nuka every time they were together. There was an urging tone within it, though. She waited for the auburn lion to rise, let him have a good look at Chumvi, and then finally spoke again.

"Well, I- This. This is Chumvi. He's the father of our cubs. Well, I mean, the cubs that are already born. Not the other cubs. That you and I actually made." The more she spoke, the more evident her tension became, so Zukki decided to just shut up for a moment to watch the males react to one another. She was expecting confusion and more tension; she was glad her beloved cubs were all asleep. Just in case anything went wrong. Which she hoped wouldn't have to happen.

His ears twitched as she spoke. It had taken Nuka a long time to get comfortable as the three cubs were crawling all over him. He's gone a small distance away, but not far enough to let them out of his sight. There was no way poor Zukkiza's cubs would end up with the same fate as his cubs. Two of his cubs. He collapsed on the ground and tried to chase the visions and voices in his head away. Zira running and killing Zukki. Taking away her cubs. Scruffy eating Khola. Something. He wanted those damn thoughts out of his head. He wanted to be happy. He wanted to be-

"Nuka?"

He smiled, ears lifting as he pulled his body from the ground. There she was. His angel. His savior from the outlands. He started towards her before he spotted a massive thick body near her. His ears folded back, his maw dropping as he spotted the creature. The male's fur prickled. Was he friend or foe? Friend aparently. The father of Zukkiza's cubs. His mouth closed softly, his large eyes taking in the sight of the superior male. He was handsome, strong, with a thick full mane and shining amber eyes. He turned his head to the side.

"Oh..." He said softly, "Oh he's your...oh..." He should have known. He was being brought along as a glorified babysitter.

Like a thirsty man through the desert, Chumvi had followed his queen across the Pridelands to where his kids, and Nuka, were. The whole time he kept playing different scenarios in his head about who this male was. About what he looked like, going off of what Zukki detailed to him, and about his personality. Was he a pushover? Was he smart? Was he enough to provide love but also protection? Was he damaged? What, exactly, did he possess that made Zukki fall madly for him? Every question was important and would be answered in due time, the male supposed, but it didn't help to suppress his excitement, or curiosity, any. After what seemed like an endless journey, or one that didn't feel long enough, the two adults had reached the safezone and Zukki began to call out. 

She called out to Nuka like she would Khola or Zahir or even Raha. Chumvi quirked an eyebrow at that, but kept any comment he could possibly have to himself. And then, there he appeared. He was a rather gangly fellow, and looked pretty sick. Perhaps physically, or perhaps not, but definitely mentally. Chumvi could see it in the other male's wild eyes: all of the hurt, the shame, the demons that taunted his every move. Oh yeah, Chum had seen his fair share of those, and even experienced one or two, and that already formed a little connection between the two. At least on the bigger male's side. It was then that something clicked. Of course Zukki was madly swooning over him. It wasn't a physical thing, but an emotional and intellectual one. Zukki had always been one for a fixer-upper, someone she could nurse and love and woo, and Nuka was no exception. And by going off of his reaction to seeing her, like the blind seeing the ocean for the first time, proved something.

He truly, truly loved her. He needed her. Like he would need meat or water or air. Zukki was his substance, and seeing him beside her, obviously, was detrimental to him. If he were to continue to live, Zukki would have to be in his life, just like she needed to be in Chum's. 

Being the softy he was, Chumvi just couldn't take that away. 

Instead, he moved closer to the scrawny male, circling him, looking him up and down. He was adorable, in a lanky way, but there was so much potential. He was a special kind of handsome, with his quirky whiskers and weak mane, but the real beauty were in those eyes. What little glimpse he had of them. Chumvi needed to see more of them, to really look in them and dig out his secrets, to feel and understand everything he experienced. The large male lifted up his tail to Nuka's chin, pulling it to face him, as he got close. It might've been too close for some people, but he had no perception of what a personal bubble was. With their muzzles just inches apart, Chumvi smirked, his amber eyes blazing with an inquisitive spark. "I can see why Zukki's mad 'bout you. You've got that somethin' she likes," he snickered, turning his head around to shoot Zukki a wink before moving it back to Nuka.

"I like it too. Name's Chumvi. Khola, Raha, and Zahir's father. Heard you've been lookin' after them for me, and a lot of other things too. 'ppreciate it." What a charmer.

Zukki could see Nuka's eyes shift from loving adoration to wariness to disappointment and slight hurt in a matter of a few seconds. He wanted to ask if Chumvi was her mate; and he was. But that didn't mean Nuka was not. Zukki wanted to make it clear, to explain, slowly but steadily, what the presence of both males meant to her. Before the velvety lioness could find the words, though, Chumvi was already all over Nuka's personal bubble; nothing unusual for the pridelander. Part of Zukki wanted to smile in endearment, and part of her wanted to be tense about Nuka's possible reactions. The mix of both resulted in the weirdest scowl forming in her face, her amber eyes focused on the scene playing out before her.

When Chumvi pulled Nuka closer, however, Zukki's previous frown was pulled into a slight smirk. If Chumvi knew how to do something like no one else could, it had to be charming his way through everything. Finally, Zukki walked up to both males, closing the space between herself and the pair and choosing to seat herself near Nuka to reassure him that he wasn't just a tagalong or a third wheel. Besides, she could watch his cute confusion at the invasion of his personal space much better from up close.

The chocolate-pelted male spoke up, and Zukki raised a playful eyebrow at him. "That he does." Zukki purred out sweetly. Was she naturally drawn to dark-pelted males with vivid crimson eyes and emotional issues? The short answer was yes. The long answer? Hell yes. Fiery eyes rolled in playful annoyance when a wink was shot her way, but Zukki didn't comment on it, instead choosing to listen to what her beloved ChumChum had to say. His words were smooth as always, and there was no sarcasm or hostility behind his tone. Just sincere gratefulness. She hoped that Nuka, too, could notice that. She offered the scawny male a soft smile, rubbing her shoulder against his lightly with a purr.

Was Nuka confused? Likely so. Who could blame him? Zukki had just introduced him to her mate, and yet she was being affectionate and was all over the outlander. "I can explain if you want me to." She offered softly, not wanting to butt into their potential conversation but also not wanting to scare Nuka off. She and Chumvi weren't being too weird, were they?

She sure hoped not.