Close My Windows, Crank The Heat Up High

​Alexei hadn't been the slightest bit remorseful for Ivory's injuries. Like the majority of his family, Alexei Lial concluded that made Ivory ugly and unworthy of love or attention. Although, Alexei had taken it to the next level of sorts. He would rather Ivory had died than come back alive. In fact, a large part of him had been hoping that the tufts of serval fur on the border would be the last known trace of Ivory. It would have definitely been better that way for everyone involved. ​Unfortunately, Alexei hadn't been able to get his way. Ivory Bordeaux had shown up on the border right where he had gone missing. He was relatively in one piece, with the exception of his stroke. When Alexei had heard about the situation, he had wondered why Warden hadn't done everyone a favor and did a mercy killing right then and there. No Ivory, no problem. ​Alexei had been hoping to come home to significantly less annoyances. Rhapsody knew how to leave him alone until he wanted something, but Ivory was a real piece of work. Ivory didn't just go away. Ivory was the most pathetic of flies. The kind that would buzz around his ears, questioning if he was alright and if he had been taking care of himself. In short, Ivory was a stupid bitch and Alexei wanted him dead as soon as possible. ​There was no set plan of how to do it. Ivory wasn't worth that kind of planning. ​The thought had been bouncing through Alexei's mind for several days. At this point, it would be easy to catch Ivory off guard and make it look like an accident. ​The tiger fought to convince himself that Ivory was the problem. Ivory was the annoying one who needed to learn his lesson. Although, if Alexei killed Ivory, who would stick around to take care of him? ​Well, Alexei didn't need to be taken care of, so the simple answer was no one. ​Alexei watched Ivory toil across camp on many occasions. It was pathetic and sad. The poor serval could barely utter a cohesive sound and his body barely held itself up. Still, Ivory pushed himself to continue with his daily routine like nothing had ever happened. That was just like Ivory, to push down his feelings and trauma and get on with it. Alexei wished he could do the same. ​Alexei had been brooding on a rock by the pond, staring at the koi fish and wondering if they would be any good to cook. He hadn't noticed the little tan serval sit beside him until he felt the familiar brush of warm fur. Alexei's gaze snapped to meet Ivory's. The tan serval's brows were knitted with concern and his eyes were dulled with tiredness. The creature was exhausted. He should be resting, but instead he was here, staring at Alexei like an idiot. ​Ivory's mere presence summoned a mounting anger within Alexei. They stared at each other. Alexei was unable to pull his gaze away from Ivory's intense blue eyes. He could imagine the feeling of Ivory falling limp between his claws. It was so easy that the serval just kept putting himself in this situation. ​The second that Ivory reached out to touch him, Alexei swatting the smaller feline off of the rock with a hefty paw. He recoiled when Ivory's nearly dead weight hit the water and sent up a splash in his face. He knew that Ivory couldn't swim and couldn't even begin to help himself. ​Good. It served him right for being so persistent and nice.