So That I Can Love You

Ivory had heard his mother was staying here from the grapevine, where he got most of his information. Naturally, Ivory had strutted his ass over there with full intention of dragging Viper to the Solaris Kingdom with him. Ivory was already planning his revenge against Maxine Lial for poisoning him and he wasn't going to rest until Viper helped him with it. Death hadn't been kind to Ivory. He was arguably more impulsive and ready to make horrible decisions than he had been before he had been killed. 

Naturally, Ivory had showed up to the Dynasty border and promptly disregarded knocking or announcing his presence. Who needed common sense when they were fueled by unbridled rage and the need for revenge and a hug. "VIPER!! Where the fuck are you? Could you stand in plain fucking sight for once, fucking hell!" Ivory screeched, checking underneath every single bush and around every tree stump.

Of course, Viper had been hiding. That was just what Viper did these days. He was rarely ever seen anywhere close to plain sight and he wanted to keep it that way. He had been asleep when Ivory's shriek woke him up. Viper couldn't tell if it had come from inside his mind or if it was actually real. Inwardly groaning, Viper blinked blearily into the bamboo forest, watching the cream colored pelt storm around and turn over rocks. This was a familiar sight to him. He saw things that weren't there all the time and he was so tired so there was no reason to bother getting up.

"Are you listening to me? Did you fucking die? Wake up, what's wrong with you, I need you for something."
Viper curled in tighter on himself to block out the increasing volume of the voice. He was dead set on ignoring it until he was pushed over. Startled, Viper sat up and stared at Ivory. It was like seeing double. Ivory's beautiful pelt was only a touch darker than Viper's bright, creamy spotted fur. The younger serval glared up at Viper with annoyed blue eyes. Behind that annoyance, though, was deep love. Viper was speechless.

"What are you doing here? Does Alexei know?" Viper asked quietly, swallowing in an attempt to gather himself. He was too tired for this. He had only slept for the past week, that wasn't nearly enough to deal with this.

"No, Alexei doesn't know. He's here? Where, let me see him." Ivory demanded, pacing in a circle in front of Viper.

The older of the pair of servals shook his head. "Mon cherie, he thinks you're dead." Viper clarified, stepping in front of Ivory. "I thought you were dead." Ivory paused, staring at Viper for a long while. He gazed into his mother's eyes, biting the inside of his cheek. He looked so sad. Leaning close, Ivory pressed his cheek to Viper's. "I'm not dead. Not anymore. I missed you. I've got a plan and everything, you have to hear it. You'll love it. Where's Alexei? I want to see him first." Ivory demanded, pulling away from Viper and looked to him expectantly.

Viper drew in a deep breath, swaying on his feet. A sudden wave of strange grief and exhaustion washed over him. Overwhelmed, Viper sank into a crouch. "Give me a minute, Ivy, dear." Viper mumbled, moving his glasses to rub at his sleepy eyes. "You woke me up is all." He lied.

Rapid footsteps pulled Viper's attention away from how sickeningly tired he felt. Blinking open his eyes, Viper saw Alexei's striped pelt making his way through the trees. Rising, Viper stood beside Ivory and flashed Alexei a grin. Alexei paused, looking between Viper and Ivory in disbelief. Letting out a soft, shuttering sigh, He ran forward and pressed his broad head in the crook of Ivory's neck. "You're home-- You're not dead." Alexei choked on a sob, slopping his tongue over Ivory's face in a panicked attempt to groom him. Ivory purred softly, returning the soft nuzzles.

"Mhm, I'm home. Maxine poisoned me and I want to get her back for it." The young Frenchman stated, looking between Alexei and Viper with triumph. Silence lapsed between Viper and Alexei as they stared at each other.

Alexei shook his head, supporting Viper as he sank down. "No, no, Ivory, you got sick and died." He corrected in a soft tone.

Ivory glared at Alexei, his tail twitching. "Are you calling me a liar? I know what happened. You weren't there. You were off with your little fox, so what would you know?" He countered. "Anyway, I came here to tell you that I'm living in the Solaris Kingdom and I wanted Viper to come with me." He stated simply.

Viper winced at the request. "You could stay here, Ivory-- I can't go."

"Why not?"

Alexei and Viper shared another long, worried look. Ivory let out an impatient huff. Viper shifted. "Well... I married someone. And we live here now. We're expecting a litter so I can't... go... But you can stay here."

Ivory's soft creamy pelt bristled to twice it's size. A soft growl rumbled in his throat. His blue eyes glared up at Viper. "You promised you wouldn't! He objected. "You could just leave anyway."

Viper supposed that if it had been anyone besides Val, he would have agreed in a moment's notice. He shook his head, leaning closer to Alexei to hide.

Ivory's accusing blue gaze flicked to Alexei. "You'll come with me then? I can't just go alone." Behind his anger, there was something else, a kind of desperation mixed with betrayal and loneliness.

"No, I need to stay here." Alexei answered painfully slowly as he stared back at Ivory evenly.

The three stood with bristling fur, tension crackling between them. Ivory's intense gaze flicked between Alexei and the ever wary Viper in a mixture of anger and horror. Alexei couldn't meet his eyes.