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It was an average day, in Flame's humble opinion.
The sun was shining, the birds chirping, the townsfolk fawning over their ruler who seemed to have had an epiphany when they were in the Farlands…
Yeah, Flame had no idea what actually happened there. One moment Zam was with them while they were tracking down Conexion, the next he was gone. It took a week to find him and when they did, he was talking about these two people that helped him and even got him his crown back. Flame didn't really know what happened with Zam's new 'friends' but it seemed to have changed him for the better.
The people of the Empire used to be - rightfully so - terrified of their ruler. Zam was paranoid on a good day, and on a bad day… Well, Flame didn't like to think about it. Their devotion used to be fake as they feared one wrong move would upset him enough to execute their whole family. Nowadays, Zam was much less suspicious of his people.
It didn't come easy, that much Flame could tell. Undoing the way a person had done things for years took a lot of work, there were times where Zam would get frustrated with himself. His paranoia would try to overtake his judgment and he'd have to pause in whatever e was doing to work through things in his head.
But, he managed it. And the people of the Empire started showering him with real love. The Empire itself had gotten more profitable as he was more willing to open trade with other civilizations around the mainlands to help the local businesses. The farmers had also gotten more budget, meaning that food was in abundance at the moment. The builders had gotten more workers, meaning that things were being built quicker and stronger.
Flame was actually happy that the Empire was doing so well, that meant that things would be perfect for when Wemmbu came home! Flame had to stop talking about Wemmbu coming back when he was around Mane, it always upset his older brother who believed that their youngest was dead and gone. Wemmbu's 17th birthday was a few weeks ago, what a depressing day. Mane spent the entire day in his room, cuddling Wemmbu's old clothes that had lost his scent long ago.
Flame spent the day writing letters. It had become a habit to write down all the adventures he went on so that Wemmbu could read them when he returned. It was also a way to stop himself from losing hope.
But - back to the present!
Currently, Flame was following around Zam as he visited the local businesses. The Emperor started doing it to get to know his people more, but he always needed a guard with him just in case anything happened. Today was Flame's turn.
Lucky Mane had the day off and was probably napping in his room.
Zam was just finishing off talking to the owner of a fruit stall when another guard ran up to them, "Your Majesty!"
They turned to the huffing guard as Zam questioned, "Yes?"
"There's a m-man who just flew in looking for you!" he bowed.
"Oh?" Zam tilted his head, "Did he give a name?"
The guard shook his head, "No, but he did say that he met you in the Farlands."
Zam lit up, "My friends from the Farlands!"
Flame raced after the ruler who had taken off as soon as he realized who was here. Flame was actually interested in this mysterious person, according to Zam they were the one to defeat the thief and get Zam's most treasured crown back. Maybe this person would be open to sparring?
When they finally got to the castle, Flame froze at the sight of the person before him.
Lilac coloured skin, long purple hair, black horns and a tail swaying behind him. Amethyst eyes turned to the ruler and even with an older looking face and unfamiliar wings on his back, Flame could still tell who was standing before him.
"WEMMBU!!!!" Zam squealed, launching himself over to hug the person.
His brother had returned.
"Hey, Zam! Long time no see." that same grin he always had spread across his younger brothers face.
"It's so good to see you!" Zam was obviously very happy, but Flame didn't really care at the moment.
Flame stepped forward, his boots clicking against the stone. Wemmbu turned to the noise and his face softened at the sight of him.
"Hey, Flame." his voice was quiet and exhausted, "long time no see, I got your letters."
"Lilac…" Flame's voice cracked.
Zam perked up, "Wait! Wemmbu is your lost sibling? The one that Mane said was dead?"
Flame walked closer, grabbing Wemmbu out of Zam's arms and hugging him tightly in his own, "Yeah."
Wemmbu snuggled into the embrace with a purr, "Missed you."
Flame purred back, his tail wrapping itself around Wemmbu's leg, "Me too."
Zam grinned probably the softest grin he ever had, "I'll leave you to it!"
Flame didn't even turn as Zam left with another - very confused - guard. He just held his brother tighter, taking in the scent he had started to forget. Tears started to fill his eyes and he was thankful for the blindfold that covered them, he didn't need the other guards to know how soft he was for his little brother.
Wemmbu nuzzled into his shoulder, his purr intensifying as he relaxed more in the hug. His own tail reached out to wrap around one of Flame's arms and his wings ruffled against his back.
"These are new," Flame's hand hovered over the black feathers, a little too scared to touch the limbs.
Wemmbu pushed his wings into his brothers hand, trilling at the feeling. Flame chuckled and carefully ran a hand through the dark plumage before groaning.
"You were the one to help Zam in the Farlands," Flame's head fell onto Wemmbu's, "We were literally ten minutes away from each other!"
Wemmbu froze in the embrace before groaning himself, "You've got to be kidding me!"
Flame laughed, "Come on, let's go see Mane."
~
Mane lay sprawled out in his nest, hugging Wemmbu's old pillow. It lost it's scent a long time ago, now smelling mainly of himself and a little bit of Flame. He missed his cub.
This past year had been hell for him. Losing a cub and still trying to keep the other one alive and healthy while dealing with the overwhelming grief. It's been a tough time, but he's made it. He and Flame have a stable life here in the Empire, which is all Mane really wanted out of this.
If only they were still a trio…
Mane sighed and wiped away the tears in his eyes that threatened to fall. He couldn't break down again today. It was a lovely day, maybe he should go and see how Flame was doing?
Just then, a knock sounded at the door to his den.
"Mane?" Flame's voice came through, "I've got someone who would like to see you, bro."
Mane's eyebrows furrowed, someone to see him? That didn't happen often. Who could possibly want to see him?
"Coming," he called, sitting up from his nest and walking to open the door, "who's here-!"
Mane froze at the sight of the ghost standing before him. The ghost - older somehow - ruffled wings that have never been there before and stepped around Flame's shoulder with a hopeful expression.
"Mane?" Wemmbu whispered.
Mane couldn't decide if this was a hallucination or not. Logically, it should be. Wemmbu couldn't have survived that cannon, there's no way a kid could survive that. But he stands before him right now. Was he dreaming?
"Mane…?" Wemmbu hesitated a moment before yelping as Mane pulled him into a crushing hug.
The lion inhaled deeply, taking in a scent that he longed to smell again and almost sobbing. None of his hallucinations or dreams had ever gotten the scent right. But right now…
"Lilac…" Mane sobbed, "Wemmbu!"
Wemmbu purred in his grasp, trying to calm him down, "I'm back, Mane. I'm right here!"
Is this real?
Mane didn't care, he dragged both of his brothers into the room, slamming and locking the door before throwing both of them in the nest. Wemmbu squealed in delight and Flame groaned in mock agitation as they bounced together in the mountain of blankets and pillows.
Mane purred, his instincts clouding his mind. He wrapped his large body around the two boys (his boys) and rubbed his head on top of Wemmbu's, surrounding the boy in his own scent, mixing with Flame's.
This felt too good to be true.
Mane carefully brushed through the new appendages with a curious trill and Wemmbu chirped back, purring happily as Flame brushed against the other one. Mane new a little bit about preening, but didn't dare attempt it until he knew exactly what he was doing, lest he accidentally hurt his baby.
His baby.
His baby was finally home. Finally in his arms, in his den, in his nest and with their brother. A family again.
If this was a dream, then what a cruel dream. But if not, then he thanked whatever gods may be listening for giving his brother back.
If he woke up in the morning with Wemmbu gone, he didn't know if he could go on.
~
For the first time in over a year, Wemmbu felt content.
He was warm and comfortable in the nest that smelt like his brothers and that made him so sleepy. He almost couldn't believe this was real. After traveling for so long, he'd finally found home.
His brothers.
He was a little pissed at the realization that he could of had his brothers back when they were in the Farlands if he had just stayed with Zam for a bit. But the past is in the past and you can't change that fact, he was just happy to make it home.
He was a little dirty from flying, still in his corset and heeled boot which was not comfortable at all, so he sat up and ignored Mane's little growl of disapproval, ripping the corset off and throwing it out to land somewhere in the room. His boots were next before he plopped himself back down into the nest.
Mane's purrs ran through his body, the lion sounding like the engine of a redstone machine. Flame chuckled and purred along, snuggling his brothers close. Wemmbu purred back, trills of joy cutting through the sound.
"Welcome back, Lilac," Flame whispered.
"Good to be back, Flame." Wemmbu grinned over his shoulder, "Hi, Mane."
Mane just purred louder, his green eyes overcome by the black of his pupil. Wemmbu and Flame giggled at the man so deep into his instincts that he didn't seem to register anything outside of their little room.
(The room Zam gave Mane was actually massive, the ruler clearly did not know that the room would be a little too big. Zam's ideals had always been 'bigger is better'.)
Wemmbu relaxed into the embrace of his brothers and let his eyelids finally close. He was safe now. As much as he enjoyed all the adventures he and Egg had been on, all he wanted was to go home. And it seemed he finally got his wish.
He was safe, comfortable and protected.
Even someone as strong as himself would enjoy such a thing.
~
Mane woke up slowly.
It was slower than he had in a long time. The afternoon sun was pouring in through the large open window, filling the room with warmth rivaled by a soft breeze. The curtains swayed softly a he yawned and stretched, pulling Wemmbu closer to his chest and rubbing his head against Flame's.
Wait a damn minute.
Wemmbu?!
Mane's eyes shot open and snapped down to the weight in his arms. There lay his littlest brother, his baby who had actually returned to him. It was real - all of it was real!
Tears streamed down Mane's face as he ran his clawed hand through purple hair with a soft smile. His sniffed the air and relaxed as Wemmbu's natural scent mixed with his and Flame's - the way it was supposed to be all along.
Flame groaned and stretched, opening his eyes and purring at the sight of Wemmbu in Mane's arms. The tiger snuggled closer to his brothers and stared lazily up at his older brother.
Mane chuckled, "Acting cute not?"
Flame huffed and hid his face, flicking his tail in irritation.
Mane laughed quietly and ruffled the hair between Flame's fluffy ears, "Hold your brother while I get some food, he's too skinny."
"You always think he's to skinny…" Flame yawned as he pulled Wemmbu into his chest.
Mane threw a blanket over the two cubs, "He's always been too skinny."
Flame rolled his eyes but didn't argue, leaving Mane to break away from the nest to a section of chests where he kept various types of food. Soon enough, the room was filed with the smell of food and warmed by the use of the furnace.
Three large bowls fulled with rice, steak and a selection of vegetables were placed on a tray that Mane held in one hand as he crawled back into the nest. Flame sat up and gave their limp brother to Mane before snatching up a bowl and starting to eat.
Mane rolled his eyes at Flame's focus on food and turned his attention to the peacefully sleeping Wemmbu. He ran a hand through soft hair that really needed a wash a brush before nudging his cheek.
"Time to get up, Lilac," Mane called softly, purring as Wemmbu nuzzled into his hand with a whine.
"Tiiiiiired…" Wemmbu's eyes opened slight as a pout fell on his lips.
Mane chuckled, "You have to eat."
Wemmbu whined again and stretched in his hold, his arms reaching up to his brother. Mane purred and lifted him up into his lap, letting his cub wrap his arms around his shoulders.
"Missed you…" Wemmbu sniffed.
Mane smiled softly as Wemmbu's tail wrapped around his arm, "Missed you too, Little Lilac."
There in the nest, the trio of brothers sat in shared warmth, eating till their stomachs were full and going back to cuddling.
Later they'd let Wemmbu shower and as Mane would brush his hair, they'd exchange stories of the past year. They'd laugh and groan about missing each other by mere minutes in the Farlands.
In the quiet of the night, Wemmbu would apologise about keeping secrets and Mane would apologise about calling him a 'lost cause'. They'd cuddle, happy to have the things that had haunted them over the year finally free from their chests.
But that's for later. Right now, they basked in the warmth of each other after so long spent apart.
Wemmbu's home and that's all he cares about right now.