Chapter Text
Leavon was starting to wonder if this crocodile kid was more trouble than they were worth. He had been searching the forest that surrounded the temple for HOURS and there was no sign of her. What was the point of trying to catch this tiny croc? Sure they got, like, all the current leaders of the eight main tribes killed. But she was still a kid. How could she even do it…?
And HOW is it that the entire tribe was out searching for her and not a single lion has found them yet? Augh!
“Any luck?” Leavon snapped out of his daydreaming at the sound of Livona’s voice.
“Pfff. Nah. This whole thing is soooo boring!” He whined, making her giggle. He kicked a pebble, and looked around the dark forest surrounding them.
“You know I have to admit, it’s pretty impressive what that kid did?”
Livona raised a brow. “You mean… regicide?”
“Well… when we were at war with the crocodiles we couldn’t even kill their king. And now some random kid did it! All on her own!” The reckless lion guard explained.
His companion shook her head. “It’s very weird. What if she didn’t even do it though? How would she even do it? And what’s with him wanting to have some dumb music box? Couldn’t he just get the beavers to make one? Or buy one from the raven’s?” The lioness pondered.
He had forgotten about the music box. Which was surprising because their King never shut up about it! “Get the box this, get the box that!” What was the point of it anyway?
“Hey, why don’t we just ditch this? What difference would it make if two lion’s aren’t on the hunt for a child?” Leavon noted.
Livona tilted her head. “Are you… suggesting-”
“That you would rather risk the life of your king than catch a war criminal?” The two lion guards jumped at the sound of their King’s sudden response. They turned in his direction, and bowed at his feet, out of fear of being punished for their little talk.
Livona quickly regained her composure. “My Liege! I didn’t mean-”
“Hold your tongue. What matters now is finding that croc.” He said the word as if he were spitting out poison. “Do not question my orders. We must avenge my fellow comrades. And retrieve what is mine.”
With that the king left the shaken guards to continue their search.
Leavon turned to his companion. “Come on. Let's find that kid.”
As the two left they were unaware that what they were looking for was hidden amongst the trees, clutching their precious music box for dear life.
👻
Cragger enjoyed being not single. It honestly felt like nothing had changed between Laval and him, but he didn’t mind it at all. Before his confession, he worried that Laval’s and his relationship would be different. How? He wasn’t sure. He just thought it would change for the worse.
But it didn’t!
They still played around, still had speedor races, still had play fights, and still did all the other things that they would always do when they were just friends.
The only new thing was the kissing and the pet names having more deeper meanings.
It’s probably why no one figured out that they were dating yet.
Except for Eris.
She seemed to be studying them every time they would hang out. Having a sort of dead panned-observing look whenever he or Laval would do something that couples do.
Cragger knew that she would figure it out (or already figured it out and didn’t say anything which he appreciated if that was the case.) But it was looks like hers that made him wonder when it would be a good time to tell everyone.
And on one of their many sleepovers, Cragger and Laval talked about just that.
“Maybe we could all go out to the Forever Rock? Like always. And then tell everyone!” Laval exclaimed quietly, as the two laid on his bed chatting. Cragger’s head rested on his chest, listening to his boyfriend’s heart beat. The soft bu-bump brought him some comfort as he grew tired.
“Are you nervous?” Cragger asked.
Laval’s voice grew softer. “Well, yeah. But I know they’ll accept us. We already have two couples from two different tribes dating each other.”
“Do you think Gorzan and Bladvic will get together?” Cragger asked, jokingly. His head bounced a little from Laval’s chuckle’s.
“Ha. Nah. It is funny to think about though.”
“Hmm.” Cragger’s eyelids felt heavy as he sighed. “What about our parents?”
The laughter stopped as Laval grew silent. Cragger looked up at the lion’s worried expression. “I… uh… I think they’ll be fine with it. Uncle Lavertas did date your mom. Wait. Was that weird to bring up?”
It was Cragger’s turn to let out a small chuckle. He got up from Laval’s chest and laid on the pillow next to him so he could see his face.
“No. It’s fine. I bet they would find it weird you’re dating the kid whose Dad got your Uncle exiled. I’m surprised you don’t hold a grudge against me.” Cragger jokingly teased.
“I would never. It’s not your fault.” Laval said, with a genuine smile, surprising Cragger a bit. He stoked the crocodile’s face and Cragger leaned into the touch.
“Whatever they say, I think we’ll be alright.” Laval whispered. “We have each other.”
Cragger smiled. “Yeah.”
On that reassuring note, they held each other in their arms, about to drift off to sleep. Till a notification went off on Laval’s phone.
The lion groaned as he blindly reached for it on his dresser. Cragger refused to let him go, chuckling as his boyfriend struggled to grab his phone, while he held on tight. He opened his good eye as the screen illuminated Laval’s face.
“What’s it say?”
9:05pm
Eris: NO ONE CSN JUS BE FUR A MINUUTE HUH
Eris: CANT EVERY1 JUST NOT CAUGHT UPS EN ONE MAJOR DISASTER FOR 5 MINOTES?
Laval: What happened? Did u have a vision or something?
Eris: Yee and I. Hate. It.
Eris: Laval did u fing a boc ot something
Laval: Did you disable autocorrect?
Eris: A box! Did you find A BOX?!
Laval: No
Eris: Ok. Wel i tired sooo were not talkin aboot tis TILL MORMING
Laval: Come on Eris, it can’t be that bad. The last two just blew you up in flames and made you a plant zombie. What's worse than that?
Eris muted Laval for thirty (30) minutes!
Eris: Bed FIRST!
Worriz: I don’t know maybe we should talk about it
Eris muted Worriz for thirty (30) minutes!
Eris: BED!
Gorzan: Dudette you good?
Eris muted Gorzan for thirty (30) minutes!
Eris: Talk later. Bed now!
Razar: Eris has gone mad with power
Eris muted Razar for thirty (30) minutes!
Eris: Anyone else?
Bladvic: What’s happening?
Eris muted Bladvic for thirty (30) minutes!
Cragger: Do it to me to
Eris muted Cragger for thirty (30) minutes!
Eris: Im at peace
9:15pm
Rogon: sweetie, are you okay
9:42pm
Eris: I’m just tired
Rogon: do you want snuggles
Eris: Yes please