(Frey Point of View)
I grab everything that Asaka needs before double-checking the list and then getting some food for Zoe. I do want to make sure that I have food for her when I get home. Plus, a lion's diet isn't the same as a cat so wherever I see something I know Zoe likes I get it as she eats a lot and I can't buy cat food for her. When I get into my car, I get a text from my bodyguard that Zoe seems to be upset. I texted him that I would be home soon before heading to Asaka's place. Hopefully, this doesn't take long.
When I get there, I grab the bags before knocking on the door. It takes a few seconds before Asaka opens the door for me. I head inside and Levar grabs some of the bags before I hear Asaka speak.
"What's going on here?"
I look over at her, confused about what she could mean. "What do you mean?"
"Look behind you."
Levar gives me back the bags. "What are you doing? You can't bite him. I guess I know you will protect me but he is here to do that." Why is he talking to the lion like that?I guess it is a common thing for people to do with their pets.
Asaka helps me take everything to the kitchen. I wonder if that's Lev. Lions are territorial so it would make sense. Doesn't mean I want to be bit but I'm sure it will happen. Zoe did bite me when I first got her.
"That's a first for the little guy." I'm sorry? What? That's the first time he has bitten someone. Levar seems so close to him so it's hard to believe he hasn't been bitten before.
"He hasn't bitten anyone before?"
I hear growling as Asaka checks what's going on. I finish up taking care of everything.
"No, he hasn't. Has Zoe?"
"Yes, she has. She hates it when anyone other than me is at the house and when I first got her she bit me a lot. Lions are territorial so they stay in one place and make sure no other lions intrude into that land."
"Well it might be different because he is a cub but I know he has been around one of my doctors, me, and clearly Levar. He stays with my darling the most so I understand why he likes me and Levar but I don't know why he hates Addon." I guess that would make sense, that's all I can think of. I do believe when I was first looking into lions it did say that females are more aggressive and more territorial than males.
"Addon? The new guy? Or at least here. I have seen him around the base."
"Ya. I have him as my darling's bodyguard."
"Doesn't he keep poison on him and his lucky dagger?" I do think that was his deal or at least that he only uses poison when killing someone. I do think his lucky dagger is just decoration.
"He does. What about it?" So I was right.
"Do you think that could be part of the reason?"
"Maybe, let's see."
I watch Asaka walk out so I follow a bit behind her but stop a bit out of the kitchen. I watch as Lever walks up to me with Lev in his arms. I watch as Levar smiles at Lev. He looks so innocent. If I didn't know better I would say they are a bit more of a normal couple.
"Hi."
"Hello, so this is the little man I have heard about?"
"You have heard about Lev?"
"Asaka has told me a bit about him." And you. Like today you were all she was talking about when we were working and whenever she has down time with me. Part of me wants to think that you are some kind of parasitic because of how much she talks about you.
"Oh. Do you like cats?"
"Kind of. I'm not a big pet person but I do have a pet lion after her old owner died." But I would kill and die for Zoe. She is the only thing that I will live with. Even the bodyguard is going to have to sleep elsewhere, I should tell them that before I get home.
"So did she tell you because you have a lion as well?"
"Yes, she did."
"What's their name?"
"Her name is Zoe."
"What is she like?" I see Lev starting to move so I put my hand out for him to smell. He seems to like me, which is good.
"She is sweet when she knows you. She doesn't like new people and tends to just stay with me." I watch as Lev tries to climb on me so I let him. I wonder if he knows I have a lion so he trusts me because of that. Or maybe the food. I can imagine that is more likely. I wonder if he is hungary.
"I don't fully know how Lev is as I haven't had him for long. How long have you had Zoe?"
"A few years. She seems to love me now."
"So is he your boyfriend yet?"
"He is." Finally, that all is less weird now. I will still hear about him but at least it's not about a stranger.
"Aww. Good. It was weird."
Levar looks at me confused before looking up at Asaka. "Weird? What do you mean?"
"She wouldn't stop talking about you and did a lot so she could be with you. It was weird hearing her just talk about you non stop, knowing you two aren't dating. Same thing with her constantly calling you her darling." I start playing with Lev as he keeps climbing on me.
"Is that true?"
"It is. I just love you a lot. I enjoy being able to talk about you. Plus, I know I can talk about you with Frey. I know they won't hurt you."
I watch him nod and smile. "Is it because you are in the mafia?" I'm sorry, what? He knows? And he is this calm? What?
"Wait? He knows? Does he know that I am as well?"
"He knows that I am and now I'm sure knows you are because you just kind of gave it away."
"I didn't think you would tell him."
"Well, I didn't. Addon did." Of course, he did. That makes more sense. I doubt she would have ever told him.
"That makes more sense."
"Are you doubting that I would have told him?" Yes, I am. Does she really think that she would have told him?
"I am and I did. I just thought that an enemy would have told him before you would have."
"I would have told him." I feel Lev jump out of my arms as I see Levar and Lev leave the living room.
"When? When you had no other choice? Or when you get drunk?"
"I wouldn't just get drunk."
"You always smell like whiskey, what do you mean?" Half of the time, I think she is an addict but I know she isn't.
"I can have some whiskey now and again. I don't know why I always smell like whiskey."
"Well, you do. All of the time."
"I do not."
I watch her look down as she starts to panic.