Mao Mao's Valentine's 2020 ♡

Put Your Head on My Shoulder

Word Count: 822
Warning: None

The procession that followed the adolescent lions was one to behold. Grand in every aspect it really couldn't do better by the late King and Queen. While people cheered, wept and everything in between for the proceeding parade towards the royal burial grounds. The real center of attention, the remaining twins to the royal family and now next in line to rule, were seated above it all on the ornate litter held by the strongest and biggest guards in all Pure Heart Valley.

Since their parents death Zu lost count on both hands just how much her brother has been crying. With how sudden it was really merited the tears. But no matter how much she willed herself to bare a tear for her late parents. Zu couldn't break the stoic mind set that gripped her.

"We're almost there," A young Snugglemange sniffled into his satin handkerchief like it wasn't already the most disgusting thing on earth. Even waiting for a speck of something from his sister left the lion with a cold shoulder once more when Zu nodded and proceeded to just get off the carriage to walk before it. 

Just as the parade was, the funeral being held was just as grand. Every single sweetie pie in the valley came to pay their respects to the deceased family. As well as welcoming the new rulers to the land with bountiful gifts. Just like old Zu and her brother sat above the graves in stuffy backed thrones brought out here just for this situation. Snugglemange sobbed with each gift and kind word spoken about their late parents. While Zu remained solemn and silent through the three hour event. 

Though it felt like everyone dug their heels in and made it feel as long as possible. When in fact the graveyard cleared out and sweetie pies returned to their homes, Zu suddenly felt the solitude left by the vacant lot. Of course the guards had urged them both to retire for the night. Obediently her brother didn't seem to argue with them. But Zu took her first act as Queen to demand she have a moment more with her parents. The turmoil in the guards heart to listen to the youth was evident. But in the end they obeyed and left the newly crownless Queen to stand in front of her parents grave.

"...I know we fought, a bit," Zu, with her hands clasped in front of her stomach, gazed down at the fresh dirt pressed into the side by side graves, "I guess- I guess it really was me. You both never wanted me hurt and I understand that even though I...didn't seem like it." Her she was talking to them knowing they were in the ground but still nothing seemed real, "This...this isn't right. You should both still be here- You can't be- Not yet, no not yet. I'm not ready you both have to come back now I just-"

"Sister?" The startle to hear Snugglemange's voice right beside her. Zu jerked around to see her twin hadn't gone with the guards. Or if he had then he came back. Here he was though with his snotty handkerchief in hand like he wanted to offer it to her but didn't know how to.

"It's nothing," Zu chomped down on whatever emotions might have peaked out before she realized she wasn't alone. Turning a stone cold face towards the graves Zu didn't care if her brother stayed or went. He was just going to cry anyways.

And for the longest time she expected just that. More sniffles. More sobs. Zu counted the seconds like on que he would start. When he didn't though the lioness clutched her fists irate to stand in silence like that was the cause of this distress. While she was boiling up her brother took the other route, "...I miss them." Snugglemange looked over at his sister who he knew was barely keeping it together, "I know you miss them too." Just like on the litter Zu refused to talk. It didn't hurt his feelings though. If anything he knew his sister better than she knew herself it felt like. So the newly crowned king stepped closer to his sister and looked down with her at their parents grave, "...You can put your head on my shoulder you know."

Chewing the inside of her cheek wasn't going to fix anything. Alone here with just her brother. And now her dead parents. Zu's resistance weakened until she felt her head touch her brother's shoulder and with it the steady flow of tears streaking down her cheeks. Tears to chest tightening hiccups all to blossom to the ugliest loudest sobs in the world. Clutching her brother's chest as he simply embraced her in his arms and rested his chin on her head. Snugglemange missed his parents. But right now it was Zu's turn to miss them more.