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This was written for the story contest in January 2007. Story and characters are copyrighted by me, Tyvara_Panther on January 22, 2007. So no touchy!

The sun shone brightly in a sky free from clouds. A breeze that was soft and slightly cool kept the temperature mild. It was a quintessential spring day. This was not lost on Leander, who sat with his back against a tree, in the small park outside his college. Leander was a prime example of lion-hood; his mane which was warm orange-gold, blended to dark chocolate-brown at the edges; his russet colored body fur shimmered copper in the right light, as did his eyes, which were deep sea-like blue. He wore a plain black T-shirt and blue jeans; his sandals rested beside him, along with his backpack. A journal sized book lay in his lap, which he appeared to be writing in, as he watched a local zealot who preached in the campus square. It was always entertaining for him, to watch the crowd of students harass the men who came along, desperate to 'save their souls'.

As Leander continued, his pencil to the paper, he felt a buzz in his pocket--it was his phone. That was the forth time it had gone off, and he knew who it was. His on-again-off-again mate Kael had just recently moved back into Leander's apartment--for the fifth time in a matter of three years--after he had been kicked out of his last home. Kael wouldn't tell him the reason, but Leander suspected that his friend had fooled around with the wrong fur's mate, and gotten himself into trouble--yet again. Leander ignored the phone, since he knew what Kael wanted; he'd been trying to seduce Leander since he moved in, and the lion was not going to give in this time. He was tired of Kael jerking him around, but Kael knew how to push his buttons, and Leander had a hard time saying no to his friend.

The phone buzzed once again, which he also ignored, as he kept his attention focused on his diary. After about ten minutes, Leander felt someone behind him, so he closed the book in his lap; he turned slightly to look up at the intruder--it was Kael. Kael was a strapping white deer, his fur almost silver if you looked at him in just the right way. His eyes were jet black, the same color as his head fur, which he wore back in a low ponytail. His rack was large, branched at least five times and covered in soft velvet. He wore tight, black leather pants and a matching jacket, a white shirt, and a frown.

"Why didn't you answer?" Kael asked, a sour tone to his voice, which was usually a melodic baritone.

"I'm busy." Leander said curtly, in his normal low tenor.

"You're just scribbling in that silly diary of yours. You can do that anywhere."

"It's a nice day today." He said, matter-of-factly

Kael sat down next to Leander and placed a paw on the lion's knee. Leander stiffened slightly, but said nothing.

"You know, we haven't had a welcome back party for me . . ."

"I don't like your kind of parties." Leander cut him off, as he put his diary in his backpack. He tried his best not to look at Kael.

Kael rubbed Leander's knee, "Not that kind of party, just one with you and me. You know you'll have fun."

"I'm not really in the mood Kael." Leander said, as he began to put his sandals back on. He still refused to look at his friend.

"Leander." Kael said pleadingly, which caused the lion to finally turn and look at him. "Please. I'll make dinner for you and everything. It might even cheer you up a bit."

As he looked at Kael, Leander could feel his willpower leave him--almost. "I'm really not in the mood for a vegetarian meal."

"No, I'll make something you like. Anything."

"Anything?" Leander said skeptically.

"Anything, I know what you like."

Leander gave a heavy sigh. "Okay, just give me time to finish up some things here first, then I'll head home."

"That's fine." Kael said and stood. "It'll take a while to prepare anyway. Is two hours enough time?"

"Sure." Leander said, as he wiggled his toes within his sandals; he stood and threw his backpack over his shoulder. "I'll see you at home." He said, as he turned and walked off.

Kael watched him leave--that lion sure had a nice ass. Things were good now that he was back with Leander, but his friend had grown cold, and he couldn't imagine why. Kael was always the type to go off with another guy or two, but he always came back to Leander. There was something about him that made the stag feel safe. He'd gone through dozens of males, but he would always be closest to Leander. He sighed as the lion turned the corner, and left when Leander's tail disappeared behind him.

This was going to be the best welcome home dinner that Kael had ever created. He planned to use every last culinary skill he had; though he planed to make 'desert' the perfect end to a perfect evening. Kael rushed home to prepare for Leander's arrival.

Two hours later Leander stood outside his front door, key in paw. He knew what lay behind that door, and he didn't know if he had the strength to steer clear of Kael's attentions. The lion knew that Kael would do everything he could to get him into bed, and Leander didn't know if he could say no. He also knew if he said yes, Kael would leave, and once again take Leander's heart with him.

He took in a deep breath, and unlocked the door. The smell of dinner hit him with full force as the door opened. The savory fragrance of fowl filled his nostrils, as did that of the fresh bread. There were candles lit everywhere and the kitchen table was set for two. Leander stepped over the threshold and tossed his backpack on the ground, before he kicked off his sandals.

Kael called from the kitchen, as he stuck his head around the corner to see Leander, "Glad you're home; dinner's almost ready. You're welcome to go wash up a bit."

Leander said nothing and headed to the bathroom. Once inside, he locked the door and turned on the sink faucet. He placed both paws on either side of the ceramic basin and stared into the mirror ahead of him. He didn't know if he could do this. He loved Kael, he always had, and no matter how badly he treated him, Leander knew he would always love Kael. He wanted to push off every advance Kael made, because he didn't want to get hurt again. Despite it all, Leander still wanted to wrap himself around the white stag, and cuddle him until he couldn't cuddle anymore. He cupped his paws underneath the faucet as it ran, until they filled with water. He splashed himself a few times; the water was icy cold, but it helped cooled him down a little. He turned off the water and dried his face. Leander gave one final look in the mirror as he took in a deep breath, before he unlocked the door and walked out.

Once back in the kitchen, he saw that dinner waited on the table. Kael stood behind one of the chairs, which was pulled out for Leander. "Come on, sit down." Kael said with a friendly smile. He could tell something was agitating Leander, but he couldn't put a paw on it. Leander slowly walked towards him and sat down; Kael pushed him in, and walked around to sit across from the lion. "For you, I make your favorite dishes: stuffed pheasant, boiled baby potatoes with garlic butter, artichokes with lemon butter for dipping, black bread, and champagne."

Leander smiled widely as he looked at the delicious food. "It looks great." he paused and looked up at Kael, "What's on the menu for you?" Leander said, since he knew Kael's vegetarian diet would leave him with a measly meal, unless he made something for himself.

Kael smiled, "Really all I did was make fowl for you, and portobello mushrooms for me." He said, as unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap. "Well, dig in, before it gets cold."

Leander smiled back at his friend, and looked at the napkin as it rested on his plate. "I love this; it looks just like a rose. Like the ones they make at your restaurant."

Kael nodded as he took a bite of mushroom. "Yeah, you know it's really easy to do."

Leander shrugged as he slowly opened the napkin. "You know me; I'm all thumbs."

Kael chuckled, both at the statement and Leander's actions. He watched his friend slowly take apart the napkin, as if it were some treasure he was attempting not to totally destroy.

When Leander was finished he carefully laid the napkin in his lap. He looked up and noticed that Kael had been staring at him. He raised an eyebrow at the stag as he spoke. "What? Something wrong?"

Kael shook his head swiftly and took another bite of mushroom. He tried to hide his embarrassment. He hadn't intended to stare like that, and felt a little foolish. "So how's school going for you?" He said, as he quickly changed the subject.

"Not bad, I've got about a year left and I'm planing on some internships for over the summer." He said as he served himself.

"Still studying to be a mechanical engineer?"

Leander nodded as he sliced into the pheasant. "Yeah, it'll be good when it's all over. It'll be nice to live like you, work then home." He chuckled. "Guess I'm tired of homework."

Kael laughed with him. "Yeah, I was never good with homework, but I think you have it the best. I don't get a month off for Christmas."

"True." Leander said softly, and took a bite from his fork.

Then the conversation died; the feel in the room was a combination of sexual tension and awkwardness.

"The pheasant is delicious." Leander said, in a desperate attempt to get the conversation going again.

"Thanks. Is the bread okay?"

"Yeah, it's just like my mom's." He smiled, "but I probably won't tell her that."

Kael gave a soft chuckle and nodded. "Mums the word."

Leander took another bite, as he prepared to say the question that had been on his mind since Kael moved back. "So why are you here?"

"Excuse me?" Kael said as he cocked his head.

"I mean, why did you want to move back in with me? I thought you were doing good with Mark, or Mork, or whatever his name is."

"It was Matt, and he's an ass."

Leander's mouth formed into an 'o'.

"Could we change the subject please?"

"Okay," he drew out the word before he continued. "You have any plans now that you're back?"

"It'll be pretty much the same. My restaurant doesn't close just because I go through a breakup." Kael knew what Leander wanted, to know if Kael had come back for him. There was some truth to it, but Kael would never admit it. He liked Leander . . . a lot, but that didn't mean he loved him. Or at least he didn't think it did. Leander was always there for him. He had lent Kael some of the money his grandfather had left him, when Kael wanted to open up his restaurant. Money that Kael had paid back with interest when business took off. It had been a risky move on Leander's part, and Kael literally owed him his livelihood. Leander had also opened up his home anytime Kale had needed a place to stay, and usually left him a side in his bed--until now. The first night back, Kael had gone to Leander's room in the hopes of a welcome home fuck, but the door had been locked. He had slept on the fold-out-sofa for a week, and was a little discouraged that his lion friend had flat out ignored all his advances. This wasn't like him, and it started to open up old wounds. Mostly those that followed a simple pattern: He'd never been in love; he didn't even know if he could love, and none of the males he'd been with really loved him either. Kael had always thought the nice things Leander did for him, was Leander's way of seduction. Everyone else tried to seduce him, why not Leander? But now that he'd been there a week with no sex, Kael was completely confused, and now Leander wanted him to define their relationship? Kael didn't know what to say.

"You haven't been online much."

"Yeah," They had met in an internet chatroom when Leander was a freshman in college, and Kael was fresh out of culinary school. They usually kept in contact through the internet anytime Kael hadn't lived with Leander. "You know how it is, work all day, play all night." He said with a wry smile.

"So I take it that you're still not sleeping much."

"I've never really needed much sleep. Maybe an hour or two."

"That's not healthy."

Kael shrugged. "I've tried everything, nothing works." Now that was a big fat lie and Kael knew it. He usually slept well whenever he was with Leander; anytime he slept too well, he knew it was time to leave. Kael didn't want to get too attached to anyone; he couldn't bare it if he fell in love with Leander, and it turned out the lion only had a mild interest in him. Most males only wanted him for either his looks, since it wasn't every day you come across a white stag, or they wanted the reputation, for mostly the same reason. It had always been that way, and Kael had come to accept that as reality.

"There's got to be something that's helpful; it's eerie how little you sleep."

Kael shrugged again, and took a long swig of champagne, which drained the glass. He stood, glass in paw. "Would you like some more? I have a bottle in the sink."

Leander's glass was rather low, but he felt he knew where this was going. "I should be fine."

Kael took Leander's glass anyway and brought it into the kitchen; he returned with two full glasses. He held out Leander's to him. "Go on, you look like you could use it."

Leander took the offered glass and Kael sat back down. "Now what's that supposed to mean?"

"You just seem a little stressed that's all."

A little stressed was an understatement. Ever since Kael moved in, it took every ounce of willpower Leander had, to keep from simply pouncing Kael and give him the ride of his life; add that to school, work and after-school activities, he could imagine how he looked.

As Leander took a sip from his glass, Kael rubbed a hoof against his foot-paw. Both hearts fluttered, though there was no outward sign, and the air was thick with the sexual tension. Leander put down the glass and looked at Kael, "Please don't do this."

"Why?"

"I don't want to do this."

Kael smiled softly as he looked into Leander's ocean-like eyes. "Then how come you're foot-paw's still there?"

Leander flushed and looked away. Those eyes, Kael's deep black eyes seemed to look through him and see his soul, and he didn't want Kael to see what was there; he was too embarrassed.

Kael stood and walked over to stand next to the lion. He rubbed his back between the shoulder blades, where Leander usually kept his tension. His back felt full of knots and Kael continued to rub as he spoke. "Come on Leander, you don't have to be this way. You know I'm clean, I gave you all the test papers I got from the doctor."

Leander gave a growl-like purr as he felt part of the pain fade under Kael's ministrations.

"I bet you could use a little stress reliever."

Leander closed his eyes, and tried to focus on keeping his lust under control--though he was failing miserably.

Kael continued to rub as he gently nuzzled Leander, and kept his muzzle close to the lion's. "I've missed you."

That was it. The walls of Leander's willpower tumbled down around him. He turned his head slightly until his mouth reached Kael's in a soft kiss.

Kael let the kiss linger for a moment before he pulled away. He pulled out Leander's chair and held out his paw to him. "Come on love."

Leander looked at Kael's white paw. He desperately wanted to, but he was afraid. He looked at Kael and the lion placed his paw in his. He stood and followed Kael to the bedroom.

Kael could have sworn for a moment that Leander would turn him down, his heart almost sank until the lion took his paw. As they walked to the bedroom Kael's heart beat wildly, he'd never been so anxious or nervous before; he tried to push the feeling away, but it remained.

Once within the walls of the bedroom, Kael went to the window and closed the blinds as Leander shut the door. They both turned and stared at each other like the frightened virgins neither of them were. They laughed in unison and walked toward one another; they sat at the edge of the bed and looked at each other warmly, each had a paw on the other's cheek. They kissed again, this time slow with opened mouths, so their tongues could dance and play. Kael pulled Leander closer, so his paw could run through the lion's mane. When they finally pulled away they stared lovingly at one another.

"I mean it when I said that you know." Kael said as he continued to play with Leander's mane. "I really missed you."

"I missed you too." Leander said and rubbed noses with the stag.

Kael smiled as his other paw wandered southward to rest on Leander's crotch. Yeah, Leander missed him alright, no doubt about that. He rubbed the lion's cock through the jeans which made it swell further. "You know," he whispered. "It's no fun with all that material in the way."

Leander chuckled as he placed his paw on Kael's crotch, "Like those leather pants are much better." They both stood at the same time, and bumped into each other.

"Oops. Sorry." They said in unison and laughed once again.

They faced each other and began to remove their pants, which left them each in a T-shirt and underwear. Leander's a pair of robot-themed boxers, and Kael's a black thong.

"I don't know how you can wear that." Leander said and pointed at the thong.

Kael turned around to show his bare bottom, as he flicked his tail and spoke. "No panty lines Baby!" Kael said as he looked over his shoulder at Leander, who stepped forward and wrapped his paws around the stag. He rested his head against Kael's as his paws moved southward to cup his package once again.

"Hey, whatever works." Leander said, as he fondled the hart.

Kael closed his eyes as the lion rubbed him.

Leander pulled the stag's cock out of the underwear, and stroked it gently. With each stroke the stag's pink cock swelled until it was the full eleven inches. Kael closed his eyes and moaned, as he raised his paws over his head to wrap around Leander's. Kael pulled Leander closer to him, until he could feel the lion's hardened member against his rump, which caused him to moan again. Leander continued to stroke Kael, his pace steady; his velvety soft paw-pads traced against the stag's sensitive cock-flesh, which sent ripples of pleasure through Kael's body.

Leander paused for a moment to slide the thong down Kael's legs, who kicked them aside. Leander then moved to Kael's front and pushed him backward gently, until he reached the bed; once positioned, the lion knelt until he was eye-to-cock. He gave the pink shaft a long lick; his thick sandpapery tongue wrapped around Kael's member and moved upwards. As he reached the sensitive tip, he gave it a hard suck before he took the length into his mouth. Each movement caused Kael to moan louder.

Leander slowly bobbed his head up and down on Kael's cock, as his paw cupped the stag's balls. It wasn't long before his movements began to increase in speed, his motions faster and faster, and he sucked harder and harder, as he rolled the buck's testes like a pair of Baoding balls. Leander sucked at the stag's meat until he could feel Kael's sack rise--and then he stopped. He took his muzzle away from Kael's member and leaned back to take a good look at the now glistening dick. He smiled and looked up at Kael, who's face was flustered.

"That is the meanest thing in the whole world!" Kael exclaimed breathlessly.

"You know you like it."

Kael smiled as he reached down and placed a paw underneath Leander's muzzle; he pulled the lion upwards and kissed him deeply. Their tongues intertwined for a moment as Kael turned them around so Leander was now with his back to the bed. When he broke the kiss he pushed the lion backwards until he fell onto the bed with a bounce. Leander lay propped on his elbows; he was still in his shirt and boxers, his eight inch erection reached for the sky which made an interesting teepee out of his undershorts.

They smiled at each other as Kael tugged at the lion's boxers. "I think these need to come off."

Leander complied and raised his rump so Kael could slide the boxers off. Once free of the shorts, Leander's cock stood tall and curved towards his stomach slightly; three rows of spines which had been filed to nubs, lay behind the tip. He gave Kael a wide grin. "Like what you see?"

Kael nodded as he grabbed either side of his shirt and started to pull it upwards. He got as far as his head before he stumbled on an interesting problem--his shirt was stuck. "Crap!" He groaned. "I forgot about my antlers."

"You forgot?" Leander asked, as he tried his best to hide his smiles. "How can you forget those huge things on top of your head? Don't they weigh you down or something?"

"No, and every time I shed them I forget, even more than I do now, once they've grow back." Kael said as he struggled with the fabric; his frustrated attempts only entwined him further.

Leander stood up and walked forward to help his friend. "Now stop, you're making it worse." Kael relented and let Leander take a turn. After a few moments he asked, "How did you get this on in the first place?"

"There are buttons on the shoulders and down the sides."

"You mean, not only are you tangled in fabric, but there are buttons too?"

"I've probably popped a few."

"Can't we just cut it off?"

"At this point I don't really care." Kael said, utterly exasperated.

"Okay." Leander said, and disappeared out the bedroom door. Kael felt like an utter fool. He had been in such a rush that he'd forgotten the buttons. He liked the shirts, because under a jacket they looked like a normal T-shirt, but they were a pain to put on--or take off--but this way was the most ineffective way to remove the shirt. He looked down, his cock had retreated into it's sheath. Yeah, he was embarrassed alright. Kael just sincerely hoped that he hadn't spoiled the moment, something that had happened from time to time. After all, he had worked rather hard to get where he was.

Leander soon reappeared with scissors in paw. He stood in the doorway and looked at Kael. He smiled to himself; Kale looked sort of cute all tangled up and helpless. "You know that's an interesting looking turban, if it was darker I'd say it was an Afro."

Kael's gave a very unamused look. "Come on, get me out of this. I promise I'll reward you."

"Is that a fact?" Leander said with a smile. "In that case . . ." He walked toward Kael, and sniped the hart free of the shirt.

When it was in pieces on the floor, Kael covered the lion with kisses. He pushed Leander backwards toward the bed, as he removed the scissors from Leander's grasp, and set them on the dresser nearby, glad that his forgetfulness hadn't ruined anything. "Now, we were getting somewhere weren't we?" Kael said in between kisses.

"I believe so. Yes." Leander said, as he held Kael close.

"I know what lions like." Kael said as he slid off Leander and stood at the base of the bed. He spread the lion's legs as he stuck his first two digits into his own mouth. When they were nice and wet he brought them to Leander's tailhole and rubbed the tight pucker; the action caused Leander to moan loudly. Kael continued to rub, and began to push his digits inside, which made the lion groan loudly. The stag began to pump his digits in and out, as Leander continued to groan in pleasure. "You want a little more?"

Leander nodded, so Kael took away his fingers; he replaced them with his now swollen cock, and rubbed it against the lion's tailhole.

Leander gasped with excitement at the pressure against his rear, and his paws gripped the bed-sheets as he waited for Kael to continue.

Kael looked around for lube, but there was none in plain sight; so he spit into his paw and rubbed the saliva over his cock, before he slammed his thick member into Leander's tight hole. They both moaned in unison: Kale from the tight pressure around his cock, and Leander from the hard throbbing prick that filled him and pressed against his prostate. The hart leaned forward and began to thrust in and out of Leander, his motions slow; his own pre added more lube, as his body tingled with pleasure.

Leander groaned roughly with each thrust; his body shook as electric shivers went throughout his body. His tail swished out of the way to loosely wrap around Kael's leg; this gave Leander access to the stag's tailhole, which he traced with his furry tail-tip.

Kael continued to thrust as he wrapped a paw around Leander's cock. He pumped in time with his thrusts until he felt ready to burst.

"Kael, I'm gonna cum!" Leander warned, as he mimicked Kael's thoughts; the feel of explosive pressure rose, and demanded to be set free.

"Me too!" Kale said, as he continued to pump in and out. He slammed his cock harder and harder into Leander, until in one electrified moment they erupted. Kael tilted Leander's cock so the lion's seed hit his mouth. He lapped it up as his head moved lower and lower to collect more of the lion's cum, until his muzzle touched Leander's tip.

Kael then released Leander's dick, as he needed his paw to steady himself. His own cock jerked a few more times within Leander before it ceased, and he pulled out; this allowed a steady stream of deer spooge to drip from the lion's hole.

Both took in deep and heavy breaths as they slid up the bed. "There's a clean washrag in my night stand."

"Feel a little sticky?" Kael said with a laugh, as he retrieved the washrag and handed it to Leander.

"No, I just don't want to get this all over my sheets." Leander said, as he took the washcloth. When he was cleaned to his satisfaction, he turned on the stereo next to his bed. The music was relaxing and classical. He snuggled against Kael who wrapped an arm around the lion. "You don't mind the music?"

"Nope, just get some sleep. I bet you need it." He said, and placed a kiss on Leander's forehead. Leander snuggled closer and closed his eyes. He was soon asleep.

Kael on the other hand, was wide awake. The music that was a soothing lullaby for Leander, was a torment to Kael; the semi-silence gave his mind time to think, and his mind swirled with thoughts that moved in time to the music. After a while, Kael slowly slid from the bed. He took great care to not disturb the lion while he slept, as left the room and wandered down the hall. Kael was now wide awake and bored. There had to be something to do. He looked around the livingroom until his gaze rested on Leander's backpack; he remembered that the lion had put his diary in there earlier. He had always been curious as to what Leander wrote about in there, as he was never without it.

Kael's mind wandered for a moment, and before he knew it, the backpack was zipped open, and the diary was in his paws. He looked down at the book. Did he dare? He desperately wanted to, but Leander would kill him if he found out. But then again, why would it matter if he saw? He was only a toy for Leander after all . . . wasn't he?

Kael slowly slipped off the strap that held the book closed. His heart pounded so loudly in his chest, that he feared it might wake Leander. He took a deep breath as his skin twittered with excitement. What could be behind the soft black cover, secrets perhaps, or maybe dark fetishes? His heart pounded quicker as his paw shook, and he gripped the cover as if to turn, but he wavered. What if it was a book of conquests? Kael could envision a book full of names with tally marks next to each one. He shook his head roughly to free himself from the thought. No, that wasn't like Leander. What if it was like those slam books he heard about that went around high-schools? Did colleges have slam books? Finally Kael closed his eyes and flipped open the cover. "Please don't be bad, please don't be bad." He whispered to himself, as he opened his eyes and looked down, and saw--himself. They were sketches; sketches of Kael. The first page was head shots, eyes, and some rough outlines of his antlers. He turned the page and saw more pictures of himself. He flipped the page again and again; page after page was full of sketches of him. They were flattering and well done; there a few words doodled on some of the pages, some had been scribbled out. Kael didn't know what to think. They were wonderful pictures, and Leander had drawn some rather impressive sketches of his cock.

"What are you doing?" Leander asked from behind him.

Kael stiffened, too dumbstruck at being caught to even close the book. He turned around with his mouth agape, and he looked at Leander. "I . . . I . . . I couldn't sleep." He managed, but just barely.

"What are you . . ." Leander said as he walked forward, in order to get a better view of what Kael was up to; when he could see, he stopped dead. His face went as ashen as russet fur can manage. "That's . . . that's . . . that's my diary!" Leander roared and ripped the diary from Kael's paws.

"I . . . I'm sorry. I . . . shit, I'm sorry."

"If you're so sorry, why'd you do it?"

"I just always wanted to know. I'm sorry. I'm stupid." Kael said as he stood up.

Leander's body began to shake, and he dropped the diary on the floor. "I'm so . . . so embarrassed."

"What?" Kael said, as Leander knelt down to retrieve the book.

"Now you know."

"Know what? That you're an artist? What's wrong with that?"

Leander shook his head. "No, not that. I mean . . ."

"What? Tell me!" Kael pleaded.

"Well," Leander paused and took a deep breath before he continued. "I love you."

Kael's eyes grew wide with shock. "You . . . you do?"

Leander covered his eyes with his free paw. "I'm sorry, I didn't want this to happen. I know you don't love me. I mean, you always leave . . . I guess," he said with a cracked voice, as if he was about to cry. "I guess you can leave again, and I'll understand if you don't come back."

"What?" Kael said, still slightly in shock. "I . . . I always left because . . . because I was falling in love . . . with you."

Leander removed the paw from his eyes and looked at Kael. "Are you serious? All that time . . ."

"I was afraid you didn't love me."

"I thought you didn't love me!"

They both smiled awkwardly at one another.

"So what does this mean?" Leander asked, nervousness apparent in his voice.

"Well, I'd thought about you plenty of times as a mate." He paused. "but if you're still mad . . ."

"No!" Leander said quickly.

Both of them smiled again.

"So you drew all those pictures because you love me?"

Leander gave a sheepish grin and shuffled his feet. "Yeah, I kinda started drawing because of you. You're sort of like my inspiration."

"And I don't really sleep unless I'm with you." Kael said with a smile

"Really?"

"Really."

"So no more running away? No more fooling around?"

"None of the others really mattered much to me. It was just sex. With you . . . it's a little different. It's better."

Leander dropped the book and the two of them walked into each others arms. They held each other for a long time, and enjoyed the feel of the other's embrace. Eventually they pulled apart, though they still clutched the other at the hips. They stared into the other's eyes and smiled.

"Even when I was gone, and I didn't call, or message you, you were always in my heart. I was just so unsure of everything." Kael said as he nuzzled Leander's forehead.

"That's okay." He paused. "You are my heart."

Kael giggled before he said, "So what, does that make you the King of Harts, instead of the King of Beasts?"

Leander laughed and replied, "Maybe, but I think I can share my crown."

"Anyone I know?" Kael asked as he looked down at the lion.

"You," Leander said with a smile. "Always you."

The End.