Aristotle smiled as he finished cleaning James’ face. It was becoming somewhat of a habit to clean James’ face, whenever James was near he wanted to make sure he looked good and was clean. Well most of the time, however there were instances when even a good tongue couldn’t do any good at all no matter how hard one tried. This being one of those instances.

Aristotle watched James stand as he spoke of nearby stream. I’m sure we can do this in less than half an hour easy. Aristotle assured James, they could walk fast and take a minute to clean themselves in the water before they made a fast walk home.

Aristotle’s gaze moved back to the golden colored baby monkey asleep in the little bed that Aristotle had made for him of the rabbit furs. The little blanket rose and fell with Sun’s little breaths. We won’t be long sweetlings. The young lion mused to the sleeping gibbon and egg, before trotting out the door behind James. He seemed to have come up with a nickname for the pair of children.

Aristotle started off after James, his pace set even with the young horse. He was no longer a colt and far from foal. He was nearly grown now wasn’t he? Aristotle had never seen another horse before so he didn’t know if James was almost grown or not. For that fact he wasn’t even sure if he was fully grown or anywhere near that yet. But at his age he was able to keep an easy stride with a jogging young horse, his large paws landing silently on the ground.

Suddenly James broke the moments silence between them by asking a question. I.. I’ve never seen another lion so I have no idea if I’m almost grown or not. But you certainly look like you’re filling out well into an adult. You’re the handsomest horse I’ve ever seen. The lion paused for a moment as he looked up at James Not that, that’s saying much as you’re the only horse I’ve ever seen. The young lion grinned sheepishly. I spend most of my time when out… Studying plants and wild lesser gembound… I don’t meet many others. Well other than Morpho. Aristotle had not yet mentioned his encounter with the massive Praying Mantis several weeks prior, he was sure the thought of a gembound as large as Morpho or with the deadly front limbs Morpho had would absolutely terrify the poor horse.

@James @Sun-Wukong

A sheepish grin found its place on the young lion’s muzzle as he looked up at James. I mean I could call you Pooky. The young lion jested playfully. But seriously, It just kinda popped into my mind when we were saying bye. He hadn’t intentionally come up with a nickname for the children, it just kinda slipped out as he talked to them.

Aristotle slowed his pace to match James, his rounded audits listening as James talked. Well that’s good to know. At least we know you’re almost full grown. The young lion mused thoughtfully. James was turning out to be quite the handsome creature.

A bright and cheerful laugh left the young lion as James threw out his own compliments.Well thank you pretty boy, I do try a bit. The young lion beamed puffing up a bit with the pride of the compliments James threw at him. Baby blue eyes glimmered brightly as he looked up at James adoringly. James was His best friend and he couldn’t have asked for a better one. Aristotle truly did admire how handsome James was becoming. His long flowing mane and tail, that blew so delicately in the wind. His soft chocolate brown eyes that were so expressive it was easy to tell what the boy was thinking, James truly was magnificent in Aristotle’s eyes. He didn’t know how he felt about James but he did know he loved him.

Aristotle walked a few paces ahead as James stopped, the young lion turned a bit to look back at the horse. He looked as if he had come to some profound realization. James? The young lion questioned curiously as his slender tufted tail gave a slight wave. As James spoke of what he had just come to Aristotle smiled kindly a warm loving smile resting on his lips. The young lion walked back to James. Gently Aristotle nuzzled the horses mud caked chest purring softly. I know how you feel James. I feel the same way. I just . I’m not good at putting my feelings to words like you are. The young lion spoke his forehead pressed lovingly into the horse’s chest.

Slowly the young lion pulled himself away from James. He looked up at James his baby blue eyes watching the growing stallion ever so softly. Aristotle loved James more than he could ever put words to, but he wasn’t like James he wasn’t good at expressing his feelings verbally mostly because he didn’t understand them very well. Stepping away the young lion began to start walking again. Come on let's hurry and get cleaned up. We can talk more at home while we watch Sun. The young lion suggested hoping the growing stallion would once more take the lead to the stream so they could get cleaned. Aristotle’s fur was stiff and crusty and he did not like it one bit. Not to mention how thickly it was caked in the mane on his chest. His fur was heavy and disgusting and he wanted to bathe.

@James

Aristotle grinned as James mused over him being called pretty boy. He seemed to like it and if that’s how it was, Aristotle had found his nickname for the horse. Well you ARE a pretty boy. The young lion poked at the horse playfully. He was a pretty boy in every sense of the word. James hated being dirty, and he was always sure to make himself look good before he ever went anywhere. Though Aristotle had no room to talk, he was prissy about his silken flowing mane.

Slowly the young lion turned his head so his cheek and shoulder were pressed against the horse’s chest. He could hear James heart pumping in his chest. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. It was such a soothing and reassuring sound to hear. It made the young lion nearly not want to pull away. However he did so anyway stepping back from the horse’s chest he looked up at him lovingly. He couldn’t help it; he absolutely adored James. More than he could ever truly put words to.

That’s easy for you to say, you’re a big softy who knows his feelings. I’m more... The lion paused for a moment thinking. Scientific. I understand how things work physically. Emotionally I’m a bit stupid. The lion explained. He loved James, he loved him so dearly it hurt. But putting words to his feelings was nearly impossible because he didn’t understand them.

As they arrived at the stream Aristotle ran in causing a massive splash of water. Flopping down in the water on his belly the lion began wiggling and rubbing himself in every which way he possibly could. The mud caked in his fur slowly beginning to wash away and down stream. A content sigh left the young lion as he sat up in the water, the mane on his chest free of the mud that once caked it. His belly also back to it’s lovely latte beige color. SLowly the young lion now free of dirt and mud walked to the bank of the stream where he shook his entire body hard freeing his pelt of the water that now weighted it down. The cool water felt wonderful on his skin but it was time to head back, they were clean now and Sun was waiting for them.

With a heavy sigh the young lion stretched on the bank.Alright let’s head home, Sun’s waiting. The young lion pointed out as he began heading back towards the house at a steady lope.


@James

Aristotle trotted at a leisurely pace as the two of them made their way home from the stream. Aristotle led the way as they moved through the ruins, He was following their scent back to the house as he had never come this way before. He had found other watering places farther from the house but not this one. This just happened to be one alley he hadn’t gone down. Perhaps he needed to explore Orion more, perhaps he could find interesting things.

Aristotle looked at James. He looked absolutely exhausted, James body was sagging and his steps weren’t as sure as they should have been. It was then that Aristotle realized that he had drug James all over Eridanus and Cetus. You look exhausted James. I’m sorry I drug you all over the place. He felt bad because once he got started on something he found he didn’t often get tired, instead something inside drove him to look further when he started to tire.

As they arrived back home, Aristotle walked quietly into the bedroom where Sun still lay sleeping in his own bed. Aristotle found himself not tired and not exactly wanting to sleep. However James looked absolutely exhausted and needed to rest. Quietly the young lion lay down arranging himself around James and laying his head close to Sun, A soft contented sigh left the young lion. He may not have been going to sleep but he could lay there and watch over everyone for a while, while they slept.



@James

Aristotle looked at James for a moment as he just shrugged. Then said it was fine. The young lion couldn’t help but wonder what it was James needed to get his mind off of. You know it helps to talk too. If you need to talk you know I’ll always listen. Aristotle offered gently as he smiled kindly at his best friend. The one creature he loved most. He would do anything for James. He would honestly kill to keep him safe, something he was against. Aristotle didn’t want to fight or harm anyone, but if he had to to keep James safe he would. He usually only killed for food and that was it.

A soft purr rumbled in Aristotle’s throat as he gently lay there licking back of James’ head. The young lion lay with his side pressed into James’. He could feel James begin to relax under his gentle caresses. Aristotle stopped licking as he lay his head down still purring. He lay watching the distant ceiling of the cave outside the window covered by the dried vine net that hung over the window, his rounded audits shifted listening to both James and Sun’s breathing as they slept.

Slowly though he was not tired, he himself began to drift off to sleep.

EXIT ARISTOTLE TO SLEEP

@James