Twisted Wonderland Moments

🌌🐆🦁The Cheetah Sleeps Tonight (Leona/Mara)(Book 5)

As soon as Mara was teleported back to Savannaclaw, she felt the cool breeze of the night hit her face and skin. She closed her eyes, inhaling the wind through her nostrils and breathing out a long sigh, finding the smell of the savanna something she had missed those couple days. Her eyes glanced up at the moon, shining down at her. She smiled at it fondly, as if it were her friend, before she proceeded back to the dorm.

With rehearsals and the final performance, not to mention Vil's overblot, her body was sore and aching. Every step she took drained a bit of energy from her, making her muscles wince more.  Seeing the entrance of the dorm closer and closer in view made her feel some excitement, telling herself a few more steps, and she'll be back in her nice, comfy bed.

As she drew closer to the entrance, she spotted something leaning against the wall. The torches placed at the entrance did little to reveal who it was. However, when she got close enough to make out something, two emerald, green eyes sparkled in the shadow.

"You get scared, cheetah?"

Despite being tired, she couldn't help but chuckle amusingly when she recognized that snarky tone anywhere. Well, he did visit her in secret and right before the concert. But honestly, she missed all of him. His sarcasm, laziness, and dry humor. His bright green eyes and unique laugh.

Leona leaned off the pillar, approaching her casually. His eyes took in her current state as he got closer. Her eyes were half-lidded and heavy, ready to fall asleep. She had a strong scent of sweat all over her, and her tail dragged across the dirt. Mara's ears were low, she was still in her PE clothing, and her hair was disheveled.

"You look like a mess." He pointed out, brushing a strand of her hair back. He expected her to snap back with agitation like usual. But the cheetah chuckled at him, almost laughing even. He looked at her, confused. 

"I've missed you."

It was a faint whisper, but he heard it. His ears rose up, and his eyes widened, slightly surprised. Despite how tired her eyes looked, they shined a bright gold at him like the sun. Her smile, although crooked and small, beamed at him with her white fangs shimmering. Seeing her exhausted yet happy to see him made his heart melt and ache at the same time. His ears pinned back as his face softened at her. 

"Come on. I'll save ya the trip." He offered her, already lifting her up in his arms before she could answer. She wanted to argue but was both physically and mentally exhausted to care at this point. If anything, he would save her the trip for her sore feet.

Purring, she let her head rest against his chest, breathing in his scent. He smelled just like the savanna and felt really warm against her. It was a nice feeling that tempted her heavy eyelids to close. He felt something around his right arm, and when he looked, Leona's face reddened a little to see it was Mara's tail, wrapped around his upper arm.

"Wow, Mara. I didn't think you missed me that-" he started teasing her, but when he glanced back down at her, his mouth closed, and he went silent when he found her asleep in his arms, purring a little as she breathed softly. "This is exactly why I didn't try out for the SDC." He mentioned quietly, unable to stop smiling at her. Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. One of his ways of showing affection to his sweet vice housewarden.

"Thank the great kings you're alive." He mumbled against her brown hair, nuzzling it gently while trying to be careful not to wake her up. The lion started to make a slow walk back to their rooms, letting his thoughts run around in his head.

Unknown to Mara, he had found out about Vil's overblot at the coliseum from Rook after the concert. When the news got to him, the first thought to him was his favorite, feisty cheetah got caught in the chaos. When she was performing on stage, she seemed alright and uninjured. However, he wasn't going to be assured that easily unless she told him that. He was gonna ask her after she got back, but her exhausted state made him hesitate. If they spoke and if it were to escalate, then he would be one exhausting her further. Leona would have to ask her in the morning once she had gained some rest. 

As he thought about it, he felt something softly bumped against his hip, snapping him out of it. Leona glanced down and noticed her tail had lost its grip around his biceps and now hung over his arm, limp like. His face went to the cheetah, examining her features. Her face was peaceful, still softly breathing. He felt her purring vibrating against his chest. He reckoned the SDC concert wasn't what drained her entirely. Fighting an overblot was stressful and exhausting. It wasn't the first time she had been caught in an overblot. But it was the first time she fought through an overblot without him. That was what bothered him the most.

Nevertheless, having her in his arms and snuggling close to him while hearing her breathing brought down his worries. She was alive and had fought well on her own without his help. Not that he doubted her, but it just concerned him when he found out. His eyes glanced up to find their rooms in his view. He looked at his bedroom, right in front of him, and glanced down back at her as he thought. He chuckled quietly, smirking as he thought of her reaction tomorrow in the morning." 

"Heh. She won't mind." He mumbled, quietly entering his room and shutting the door gently with his foot. Once inside, he gently laid the cheetah down on his bed. The whole time, his eyes never lift her, taking in that sleepy, peaceful look on her spotted face. As he lied down next to her, propping his head up with one arm, he chuckled quietly, finding her cute this way when she wasn't getting all annoyed. As he admired her silently, his hand reached up to her face and gently traced down the black tear lines on her face. "Looks like the cheetah sleeps tonight." He whispered fondly, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he yawned, snuggling on the pillow for a nap. With the moon shining down in his bedroom and the peaceful silence, he missed his cheetah more than his long overdue naps.