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Morning settled over the plains with the kind of softness that only existed just before the world fully woke
Beyond the wide windows of the tree house, dawn stretched itself slowly across the horizon, turning the endless sea of grass into shifting gold
The wind moved in gentle waves through the plains, bending the taller blades until they rippled like water, and from somewhere far below came the quiet murmur of livestock stirring near the village fences
Birds nested in the higher branches of the great tree, their low songs filtering through the carved wooden walls and mingling with the creaks of old timber
Inside the bedroom, warmth still lingered from the night
The room had been carved into the highest hollow of the trunk, where the morning sun reached first
The curved walls still held the scent of cedar and smoke from the fire that had burned low in the hearth through the night, and pale gold light now slipped across the bed in long strips, touching blankets tangled around two sleeping forms
Wemmbu woke slowly, the way one does when there is no reason to rush
For a moment he stayed where he was, eyes still closed, letting himself drift in that comfortable place between sleep and awake
The first thing he noticed was the heat pressed along his back, broad and steady, followed by the familiar weight of an arm resting securely across his waist
Mane always slept like this, as if even unconscious he needed to make sure Wemmbu was still there by morning
A smile spread across Wemmbu face before he even opened his eyes
Carefully, he shifted just enough to turn within the circle of Mane arms
The blankets rustled softly, and the movement earned a low sound of protest from the lion hybrid behind him
Mane grip tightened instinctively for a second before loosening enough for Wemmbu to face him
The sight still had the same effect it always did
Mane looked younger when he slept, softer in ways no one else ever got to see
His dreads had come loose during the night, falling over the pillow in pale strands woven with bits of gold and obsidian.
A few of the decorations Wemmbu had made years ago still gleamed faintly in the dawn light
His face, usually sharpened by that constant air of focus and danger, had relaxed completely
And there, resting against his bare chest exactly where it always was, lay the horn necklace
Wemmbu first courting gift
Still worn every day
Still never taken off
His fingers drifted over it before he could stop himself, brushing lightly against the polished curve of the horn. The touch was enough to stir Mane awake
Golden orange eyes opened slowly, sleep heavy in them at first, before immediately softening at the sight of Wemmbu
“Morning” Mane murmured, voice rough with sleep and low enough to rumble through the quiet room
Wemmbu smiled, propping himself up slightly on one elbow “Good morning, my lovey dovey husband”
The corner of Mane’s mouth lifted almost immediately “You’re too happy this early”
“I woke up first, that makes me superior”
Mane gave him a look that was still half asleep and somehow still amused “That’s not how that works”
“It is in this house”
Before Mane could answer, Wemmbu leaned in and pressed a quick teasing kiss to his lips
It was meant to be brief, just enough to annoy him, but Mane immediately lifted a hand to the back of his neck and pulled him back for another, slower one
The kiss was warm and unhurried, carrying the softness of sleep and the kind of affection that only came from years spent learning every familiar movement of each other
Wemmbu melted into it almost immediately, one hand sliding into Mane’s hair
When they finally parted, Mane!mouth curved into a smug little smile “You started that”
Wemmbu narrowed his eyes “And you clearly had no problem continuing it”
“Call that occupational hazard”
“You’re ridiculous”
“You married me”
Wemmbu huffed a laugh and let himself fall back into the pillow
Outside, the sunlight had grown stronger, filling the room with a warm golden glow that made everything feel slow and peaceful
Mane shifted upward beside him, stretching with the kind of lazy strength that always made Wemmbu pause to watch
His muscles moved smoothly beneath his skin, the necklace shifting against his chest as he sat up
Mane caught him staring
Again
“Really?” he asked
Wemmbu didn’t even bother pretending “What? You’re so hot it hard not to look at”
That earned him a low laugh. Mane leaned down and stole another quick kiss, this one at the corner of his mouth “Bath first, then breakfast”
Wemmbu grinned “Together?”
Mane raised an eyebrow “When do we ever not?”
The bathroom sat one floor below, but Mane picked Wemmbu up like he a delicate princess, well Wemmbu is in fact Mane greatest treasure after all
When they reached the room, Mane put Wemmbu down and started unbutton his clothes with such gentleness that a random player will question if this is one of the strongest players
The water was always warm, heated by a system Mane had built years ago using nether stone and enchanted piping. It filled a large carved basin set into the floor, edged with smooth wood polished by time and use
Wemmbu stepped in first with a quiet sigh of contentment as the heat rose around him
The warmth soaked into his skin immediately, easing the last traces of sleep from his body
Mane joined him a moment later, settling in behind him, and within seconds Wemmbu had leaned back against his chest without even thinking about it
This was another part of their mornings he loved
No armor
No weapons
No bounty notices
Just quiet
The tree house always seemed to breathe around them, the soft groan of old wood and the rustle of leaves outside blending with the distant sound of wind across the plains
Mane hands settled on his shoulders, thumbs pressing slowly into muscles that had stiffened from the previous day hunt
Wemmbu let out an embarrassingly pleased sound “You spoil me” he murmured
Mane breath brushed lightly against his ear “You complain if I don’t”
“That’s different!”
“Mmhm”
Wemmbu tilted his head back just enough to glance up at him “You’re awfully smug for someone who still wears my first courting gift every day”
Mane fingers paused for half a second before continuing their slow movement across his shoulders “You ran away after giving it to me”
Wemmbu groaned “You promised never bringing that up again!”
“Oh baby i promised no such thing”
The warmth in his chest deepened at the teasing. It had become one of those old memories they loved to poke at, something softened by time and affection
“And yet” Wemmbu said, turning slightly in the water so he could look at him better “You still wearing it”
Mane expression softened in that quiet way it only ever did for him “Of course I do”
That was all he said
No grand declaration
No need
The meaning lived in the way the necklace still rested over his heart
Breakfast came with the familiar rhythm of practiced routine
The kitchen occupied the central floor of the tree house, wide and open, with shelves carved directly into the trunk walls and herbs hanging in neat bundles from the beams overhead
Morning sunlight spilled across the wooden counters, warming the room with soft light
Wemmbu immediately look for the ingredients
Mane immediately walk toward the stove
Neither needed to discuss it
They had long ago fallen into an easy rhythm in the kitchen. Wemmbu handled preparation, chopping fruit and slicing bread with quick, efficient movements, while Mane managed the fire and the actual cooking, mostly because the last time Wemmbu had tried alone, half the wall had nearly gone up in flames
“You’re still banned from solo breakfast duty” Mane said as he set the pan over the fire
Wemmbu turned with exaggerated offense “One accident”
“Three”
“One memorable morning”
Mane snorted softly
The room slowly filled with the scent of toasted bread, sizzling cured meat, and sweet spiced chorus fruit
Outside the windows, the plains stretched bright and endless, sunlight moving across the grass in slow shifting waves
Wemmbu paused near the window while Mane worked, watching the morning settle over the land
Their horses grazed near the lower fence line, and farther off he could just make out smoke rising from the nearby civilization village chimneys
Soon they would head out
Errands first
Then the bounty board
Then the thrill of the hunt
His pulse quickened slightly at the thought
Not fear
Excitement
He had always loved the hunt, and doing it beside Mane only made it better
The way they fought together had become second nature over the years, instinctive and seamless
They moved around each other in battle the same way they moved around each other here in the kitchen, without hesitation, without thought
Mane slid a plate in front of him “Eat before you start thinking about killing people”
Wemmbu grinned up at him “Can’t I do both?”
Mane gave him the flat look that never failed to amuse him
Breakfast was slow and easy, full of small touches and half hidden smiles
Mane stole bites from his plate whenever he thought Wemmbu wasn’t looking, and Wemmbu retaliated by taking half his toast
It was domestic in the most them way possible
Comfort edged with teasing
Familiarity built from years of living side by side
And outside, the day waited for them
———————~*~———————
By the time they stepped out of the treehouse, the warmth of the morning still seemed to cling to them
The scent of lavender soap from their shared bath lingered faintly on their skin, mixing with the clean smell of grass and damp earth rising from the plains below
Sunlight had fully claimed the sky now, washing the open biome in a soft gold that made every blade of grass shimmer when the wind rolled through it
From the elevated platform circling the great tree, the world spread wide and open in every direction, green plant stretching endlessly until they blurred into distant forest lines, patches of wildflowers scattered like careless paint across the land and the silver thread of river reflecting the morning light in slow, bright flashes
Wemmbu paused for a moment at the outer railing, one hand resting against the polished wood as he looked over the landscape beneath them
Even after living here for so long, there was still something about the view that made him stop
The tree itself stood like a guardian in the middle of the plains, massive roots disappearing deep into the ground, its hollowed interior transformed into a home that still sometimes felt too perfect to be real
Behind him, he could hear Mane moving around inside, the familiar sounds of equipment being gathered and straps being fastened carrying softly through the open doorway
When Wemmbu turned, he found himself watching him again
Mane stood near the weapon rack built into the curved wall of the main floor, adjusting the leather harness across his chest where his spear would rest when not in hand
The horn necklace, that small carved piece of Wemmbu first courting gift, lay against the dark fabric of his shirt, catching the light every time he moved
It had become such a permanent part of him that sometimes Wemmbu forgot there had ever been a time Mane hadn’t worn it
Yet every time his eyes landed on it, the memory returned in sharp, embarrassing clarity, the panicked way he had practically thrown it at Mane chest and sprinted away like prey fleeing a predator
A smile tugged at his mouth before he could stop it
Mane noticed at once, because of course he did. His gaze lifted from the spear in his hands, and there was already amusement settling into those warm orange gold eyes “What?”
Wemmbu shook his head, stepping closer, though the smile never left his face “Nothing, just remembering how I absolutely humiliated myself”
Mane expression softened into something openly fond as he slid the spear into place against his back “You mean when you gave me the necklace and vanished into the walls for three days?”
“You already said that in the bathroom!” Wemmbu let out a groan, dragging a hand down his face “You are never letting that go, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely not” Mane mouth curved “I’m going to remember it forever”
“Cruel”
“You are adorable when you frowned baby”
That earned him a shove to the shoulder, light and affectionate, but Mane only laughed quietly and caught Wemmbu wrist before he could pull away, bringing his hand up to press a brief kiss against his knuckles
The gesture was so casual now, so deeply woven into the fabric of their life together, that it still managed to make warmth bloom under Wemmbu skin
They left the treehouse together a few minutes later, descending the spiraling wooden staircase that wrapped around the trunk and down toward the plains
The grass below brushed against their boots as they began the walk toward the civilization market, the wind moving around them in long, cool waves that carried the scent of earth and distant water
Mane walked beside him in that quiet, steady way he always did, close enough that their shoulders brushed every few steps without either of them adjusting course
The civilization was as alive as normal. Players moved between stalls and workshops, sellers called out prices from beneath canvas awnings and the smell of wheat and bread mingled thickly in the air
There was a liveliness to the place that contrasted sharply with the calm of there home and Wemmbu found himself relaxing into it almost immediately
They stopped first at the supply stall, where Mane began quietly sorting through materials for repairs around the treehouse, replacement lantern oil, fresh rope, iron nails and several polished quartz blocks
Wemmbu leaned against the wooden counter beside him, watching with amusement as Mane inspected each item with the same seriousness he brought to weapon maintenance
“You’re still fixing the west balcony?” He asked, lifting one of the quartz blocks and turning it over in his hands.
Mane glanced over “The support beam cracked”
“It’s been cracked for months”
“And?”
“And you only care now because I almost leaned too far over it last night”
Mane gave him a look
Wemmbu grin widened “You’re impossible”
“I’m keeping you alive”
“Same thing”
Mane sighed like this was a burden he had chosen to endure
His eyes, however, were openly fond
There was something almost unbearably tender in that realization
Mane always framed it as practicality, as maintenance or caution or simple necessity but beneath all of it was the same quiet truth, he noticed everything, especially when it came to Wemmbu
They had barely stepped away from the stall when a familiar voice called out across the market
“Well well well, if it isn’t the married couple finally leaving their nest”
Wemmbu turned to find Eggchan stand on the low stone edge of the stall, his grin already widening as he took them in. Beside him stood Rejoice, still bright and full of joy was always
Eggchan hopped down and immediately fell into step beside them
“People were starting to wonder if you two had fused into one entity”
Mane deadpanned “He snores too much for that”
Wemmbu whipped around “I do not!”
“You absolutely do”
Rejoice burst into laughter
The easy teasing filled the morning air, and for a while it became simple conversation
———————~*~———————
By the time the sun hung highest in the sky
Rumors
Recent bounties
Talk of players moving through the western hills
As they approach the location where they usually take bounties with great rewards, they come across a familiar figure
Flamefrags
Flame looked exactly as he always did, his arms crossed and looking as though he was only tolerating everyone present out of obligation
His gaze landed first on Mane
Then on Wemmbu
Then on the way they were standing close enough that their arms nearly touched
His expression flattened “Gross”
Wemmbu smirked “Afternoon to you too”
Flame snorted softly at that, though his gaze shifted toward Mane “There a newly hanged bounty”
The shift in atmosphere was immediate
Not tense, but sharper
Focused
Mane attention settled fully on Flame, and Wemmbu felt the familiar spark of anticipation stir in his chest “Where?”
“Northern ravine” Flame said “Rogue players, ten kills confirmed, theft charges stacked on top, reward decent”
Wemmbu grin came before he could stop it
This was the part of the day he had been quietly hoping for
The domestic softness of the morning had its own kind of joy, but this, this thrill, this hunt, the pulse of danger and movement was something both of them understood in their bones
Then suddenly Wemmbu felt hand grabbed gently, a low voice whispered to this ear “Lunch first”
He groaned in annoyance while muttered “Husband and food” But followed him anyway
Flamefrags who witnessed simply rolled his eyes
———————~*~———————
The northern ravine cut across the plains like an old wound, jagged and deep, its stone walls plunging into shadow where twisted roots and stubborn trees clung to the rock as though refusing to surrender to time
By the time they arrived, the sun had already begun its slow descent, and its light spilled across the ravine in long golden shafts that turned every drifting grain of dust into fire
From the edge, movement flickered below
Three players
One stationed higher up on a rocky ledge, watching the approaches with a crossbow loosely slung at his side
Two more near the low campfire below, their armor glinting orange in the dying sunlight, blades propped within arm’s reach
Wemmbu lowered himself into a crouch, one hand pressed to the cool stone as he peered down. Beside him, Mane had gone utterly still
It was always striking, that stillness
Not hesitation
Never hesitation
It was the kind of silence a predator held before the strike, the kind that made the air itself feel thinner
Mane gaze moved over the ravine in quick, precise sweeps, his mind calculated the distance, footing and possible blind spots
Even now, with the wind stirring his blond dreads, there was something almost statuesque about him
Wemmbu felt that familiar thrill curl through his chest
This part always felt intimate
No long planning
No wasted speech
Years of fighting together had sharpened them into instinct
A glance
Mane eyes met his
A single nod
And then they moved
Mane descended first, silent as shadow slipping down a wall. His spear was already in hand, the polished shaft reflected the gold light before disappearing into the darkness
Every movement was controlled, deliberate, his boots finding footholds that barely seemed large enough to exist
Above him, Wemmbu let himself drop from the cliff edge
His wings unfurled just enough to catch the wind, slowing the fall into something smooth and elegant
The air rushed cold past his face, grass and stone blurring beneath him as he landed lightly on a lower outcropping
Below, the lookout shifted
Too late
Mane struck like lightning
One heartbeat the man was turning, mouth parting in the beginning of a warning
The next, Mane spear drove clean through the space beneath his ribs
The sound that escaped him was sharp and cut off, stolen by the brutal force of the blow. Mane twisted the spear free in one fluid motion, the body collapsing sideways against the rock
At the same instant, Wemmbu dropped into the camp below
The impact sent dust and stones everywhere
One of the players jerked upright, hand flying toward his sword
Wemmbu grin flashed sharp as [Aphrodite Areia] came down in a violent arc
The netherite axe sang through the air, its enchanted edge catching the sun in a streak of violet and gold before slamming right into the man raised shield
The force of the impact sent him backward into the firepit, embers bursting upward in a spray of sparks
As Wemmbu about to finished his fight, in the corner of his eyes, he saw another player lunged toward him with an axe in hand, swinging hard enough to shatter bone
Wemmbu twisted at the last second
The head of the axe smashed into the stone where he had been, cracking rock apart in a shower of fragments
Then Wemmbu retaliated, his mace was already in his off hand
He drove it upward with brutal precision, the heavy iron head colliding with the other player forearm
There was a sickening crunch followed by a cry of pain as the weapon flew from numb fingers
Before the man could recover, Mane was already dropping into the clearing. Spear swept sideways in a brutal horizontal strike that slammed across the wounded player’s chest and sent him skidding across the ground
The last one, the one Wemmbu had driven back from the fire, snarled and came in with his sword
This one knew how to fight
His blade flashed fast and low, forcing Wemmbu into a retreat over uneven stone
Steel clashed against netherite as [Aphrodite Areia] met the strike
The sound rang through the ravine like a bell
Again
Again
The enemy pressed harder, forcing Wemmbu backward toward the ravine wall
Then his expression changed
Because behind Wemmbu, Mane had drawn out [Ares]
The axe looked monstrous in his hands
Heavy, black, and gleaming with enchantments that caught the last light like stars trapped in obsidian
Mane came in from the side with terrifying force
Ares crashed down against the enemy blade, the sheer strength of the blow forcing the sword arm wide open
Wemmbu saw the opening instantly
Of course he did
That was the thing about them
They moved like they shared one thought
One instinct
One rhythm
Wemmbu stepped in close
[Aphrodite Areia] swung upward in a savage diagonal slash
The player barely managed to bring his weapon around in time, but Mane was already moving again
Spear in one hand
[Ares] in the other
The spearpoint drove forward first, forcing the enemy attention
Then the axe followed
[Ares] came down with the weight of judgment
The impact shook the ground beneath their feet
The player crumpled
Silence slammed back into the ravine
For a moment the only sound was their breathing
Wemmbu stood there, chest rising and falling, adrenaline still blazing bright beneath his skin
Blood hummed in his ears, his hair clung damply to his forehead, golden eyes alive with the thrill of the fight
Across from him, Mane straightened slowly, rolling one shoulder as he drew the spear free from the fallen body
Gods, he looked beautiful like this
Dust on his boots
Blood across one sleeve
Ares resting against his shoulder like something born to belong there
Then Wemmbu noticed it
A thin line of red trailing from the corner of Mane jaw
The exhilaration vanished from his face at once
He crossed the distance between them in two quick steps “Mane”
His voice was softer now
His fingers rose instinctively, brushing the cut with almost reverent care
The contrast was almost startling, those same hands that had just crushed a player ribs with a mace now touching him as though Mane might break
Mane gaze dropped to him, the fierceness in his eyes melting into something warmer “It’s barely a scratch”
Wemmbu brows knit together “Look who are talking, the same one who literally freak out when i got a paper cut?”
A faint smile touched Mane mouth “And you always fuss”
His free hand settled at Wemmbu waist, broad and warm, grounding him
Wemmbu looked up, his expression softening “Because I love you”
The words came as naturally as breath
And who Manepear was if not a weak man with his husband “I love you too” Something in Mane expression shifted as his thumb brushed lightly against Wemmbu side before he leaned down and kissed him
Slow
Deep
Not rushed by the fading sun or the bodies cooling around them
Just the steady certainty of each other beneath the stone walls of the ravine
When they finally pulled apart, the sky above had deepened into bands of violet and molten gold
They gathered their weapons in silence
Ares and Aphrodite Areia gleamed darkly in the dusk, their edges still catching faint streaks of light
Collected some loots and one of the player head they will need to claim the rewards later
Side by side, they climbed from the ravine
Together, as always
By the time the treehouse came into view, lanternlight glowed from its windows, warm amber spilling across the leaves
Home waited for them
And when they stepped inside, blood and dust still clinging to their skin, the scent of cedar and old wood wrapped around them like an embrace
The fight still lived in their bones
But here, in the quiet creak of branches and the warmth of lanternlight, it began to fade into something softer
———————~*~———————
Night had settled fully, a deep velvet blue stretched wide above the enormous branches that cradled their home
Stars scattered across the sky like shards of glowstone dust, sharp and silver against the dark, while the moon hung low enough that its pale light spilled through the leaves like fabrics drifting in the wind
From below came the muted chorus of the biome at night, the rustle of grass in the wind, the occasional distant chirp of bird somewhere far enough away to be nothing more than background noise, the quiet hum of life continuing beneath them
The inside of the treehouse welcomed them like a living thing
But hunt still lingered in their bodies
It was there in the ache behind Wemmbu shoulders where his wings had strained during the chase
It clinging to Manepear warmth skin in satisfying heaviness that came after a long day spent moving and fighting
Unfortunately, Wemmbu had to separate himself from his husband as he and Mane sorted the loots in the storage
But even the spiral staircase carved into the inside of the tree, the slight smell of dried blood, their shoulders brushing every few steps as if even exhaustion could not make them keep their distance
Warm lanternlight glowed from the sconces fixed along the curved walls, throwing amber light over shelves of books, stacked shulker boxes, weapons resting neatly on hooks, bits of collected treasure from old hunts tucked into corners with the careless affection of keepsakes that had become part of home
The scent of old wood, rain damp leaves, and the faint lingering traces of lunch from earlier still clung to the air
Wemmbu let out a long breath the moment he cleaned all the blood and changed in his usual clothes
Not a sigh exactly
Something deeper
The kind of exhale that only came when danger was behind him and Mane was still beside him
For a moment he simply stood there with his hand still on the door latch, golden eyes half lidded, letting the quiet settle around them
His body was pleasantly sore, but beneath that there was something softer beginning to unfurl in his chest now that the day had finally slowed
Home
Mane was already sharpened the weapons, his spear went first, propped carefully beside the doorway where it always stood within easy reach
The orange claw marks carved near the grip caught the lanternlight. Then came the pieces of armor, cleaned one by one with practiced efficiency and set onto the stand in the corner. Metal clicked softly against metal
Only after that did he turn fully back to Wemmbu
The horn necklace still rested against his chest
Always there
Even now, after all this time, it sat beneath the open collar of his shirt, the small carved horn warm from a day spent against his skin
Wemmbu gaze caught on it immediately
It always did
A little smile touched the corner of his mouth
Mane noticed
Of course he noticed
His mouth curved into something slower, more knowing as he stepped closer, broad shoulders relaxing now that the armor was gone and all the sharp edges of the day had begun to melt away
“You’re staring again” Mane murmured, voice low with the rough warmth that always seemed deeper at night
Wemmbu tilted his head, wings giving the faintest sleepy twitch behind him “Can you blame me?”
Mane eyes glinted “No and it’s cute”
That got an immediate offended sound out of Wemmbu, though the expression on his face betrayed how little he meant it “I am not cute”
Mane stepped closer still until there was barely a breath of space between them “Sure”
The single word was enough to make Wemmbu narrow his eyes
Then Mane leaned down and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth before he could properly protest
It was not teasing this time
Not entirely
The kiss lingered just long enough to soften the edge of the argument before Mane pulled back with that same infuriatingly pleased expression
Wemmbu huffed, but the sound lacked any real annoyance
His tail curled lazily around Mane’s wrist instead
“You know” he murmured, gaze flicking once more to the necklace “I still think the black heels were a better first gift than the orange one”
Mane actually laughed
Low, quiet, warm enough to settle in Wemmbu chest
“You say that every time”
“Because I was right”
“You ran away after giving me your”
“That was strategic”
“That was cowardly”
Wemmbu gasped in mock offense, but he was smiling now, the day’s remaining tension finally slipping free from his shoulders
The teasing faded naturally after that, replaced by the familiar rhythm of night
They moved through the space together without needing to speak much
Mane lit another lantern near the bedroom alcove while Wemmbu drifted toward the window, pulling back the curtain of hanging vines just enough to look outside
Moonlight poured across his face, silvering the edges of his hair and casting his features into something almost ethereal
Below, the plains rolled endlessly beneath the stars
Patches of tall grass bent in the wind like dark waves. Farther out, small points of torchlight marked distant paths and watch posts, little golden embers against the dark
From this height, the world felt far away
Safe
Wemmbu felt Mane approach before he heard him
A familiar warmth at his back
Strong hands settling at his waist
The slow press of a body against his spine
Mane rested his chin lightly on Wemmbu shoulder, gaze following his out into the night
“Thinking too much again?” He asked softly
Wemmbu leaned back into him without hesitation “Just tired”
Mane thumbs traced slow circles against his hips “You did good today”
The words were simple
Steady
Wemmbu let them sink in
He had always chased that thrill, the rush of the fight, the edge of danger, the satisfaction of victory but hearing that from Mane always felt different
His voice came out quieter than before “You were incredible out there”
Mane breath brushed against the side of his neck, almost a laugh “You say that like you didn’t take down half the bounty yourself”
“Oh i did way more than a half”
That earned him a kiss just below his ear “You’re impossible”
“And yet you married me”
Mane hummed “Best decision I ever made”
The words settled between them like another blanket
Warm
Certain
After a while they finally made their way to bed
The bedroom carved into the upper hollow of the tree was softer than the rest of the house somehow, more intimate
Lanterns burned low, their glow dim and golden, while moonlight filtered through the latticework windows and laid pale shapes across the floorboards
The bed itself was enormous, draped in blankets and pillows collected over time, some stitched and woven by Wemmbu, some bartered from sellers, some old enough to have followed them from previous homes
The moment Wemmbu sat down, the mattress dipped beneath him and a long tired sound escaped his throat
Mane smiled at that
He moved behind him, hands sliding to Wemmbu shoulders
For a while neither of them spoke
Mane simply worked the tension out of him
His fingers pressed into sore muscles with practiced care, kneading the strain from Wemmbu shoulders, the base of his wings, the back of his neck
Every touch was slow and deliberate, and with each pass Wemmbu felt himself sink deeper into the softness of the room
His eyes drifted shut
The sounds around them sharpened in the quiet
The whisper of leaves brushing the outer walls
The distant nighttime wind
The faint creak of wood beneath shifting branches
Mane breathing
At some point Wemmbu leaned back until his head rested against Mane chest
“Don’t fall asleep sitting up” Mane murmured
“No promises!”
Mane laughed softly again and shifted, easing them both down onto the bed
This was the part of the night Wemmbu loved most
Not the thrill
Not the blood rush of battle
This
The stillness aftermaths
He curled instinctively into Mane the moment they lay down, pressing close until there was no space left between them
One leg hooked over Mane, wings half spread across the blankets, tail looping lazily around his waist
Mane arms came around him immediately
Always immediate
One arm beneath his shoulders, the other around his waist, pulling him in until Wemmbu could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat
Home again
Wemmbu rested his head against Mane chest, eyes half lidded as exhaustion finally began to pull at him properly
The horn necklace brushed lightly against his forehead
A tiny familiar tap
He smiled
Mane noticed even that “What?”
Wemmbu voice was already thick with sleep “Still wearing it”
Mane fingers moved slowly through his hair “Always”
The answer came without hesitation
No teasing
No humor
Just truth
Something warm tightened in Wemmbu chest
He tilted his head just enough to press a soft kiss against the necklace where it rested over Mane heart
Then another against Mane’s skin
Mane hand stilled for a second before resuming its gentle motion
For a while they simply stayed like that
Breathing together
The room around them glowed softly, shadows shifting against curved wooden walls while the branches outside swayed with the night wind
Wemmbu could feel sleep approaching, heavy and slow
Still, he fought it just enough to murmur, almost against Mane skin “Don’t leave early tomorrow”
Mane arms tightened around him “Aren’t we have to visit your parents tomorrow?” A pause “I won’t”
“Promise?”
A kiss pressed into his hair
“I promise”
That was enough
Wemmbu finally let go
His body softened fully against Mane, every last bit of tension draining out as sleep pulled him under
Even then, Mane stayed awake a little longer
Watching him
Holding him
His fingers continued their slow path through purple hair, over the curve of a wing, along the line of Wemmbu spine in affection
Outside, the night deepened
Inside, the treehouse breathed around them like something alive, leaves whispering against the windows and wood creaking gently in the wind
Wrapped in blankets and moonlight and each other, they drifted deeper into the quiet
No battles
No bounties
No blood
Just warmth
Just the steady rise and fall of two breaths moving together in the dark
Just Mane arms around him and the small carved horn resting over a heartbeat that had long since learned to beat for Wemmbu
In the hush of the sleeping treehouse, with the stars watching through the leaves, they slept curled together exactly as they always did as if neither of them could imagine a night any other way