Ilmari sat solemn on his stoop watching the pride nestle into their dens. Mostly you, his Mpenzi, who was huddled up onto his & yours shared den that was higher than the rest. Away from the rest of the pride, and very much far from the den exit, just in case of an unwanted guest.

His thin brows knitted together when he spotted your absence in your guys shared den. You were there not even 5 minutes ago— His pupils slit into a small lines, Ilmaris head turning around in every direction to track you down. How did you go from sleeping to completely gone?-

He was about to stand to his feet, before he felt a warm presence wrapping around his body. His shoulders visibly easing when he felt your arms wrapping around his body from behind. “I thought you left without telling me where you were off too, Mpenzi.” Ilmari muttered quietly, keeping his voice down for the other sleeping lions resting in their dens.