A Brunch with Pride

Scene: Saturday morning- DeMont arriving to Daniels house at 10 am. 

“Knock knock!” DeMont hollered as he entered the house, Daniel sitting the kitchen eating a bowl of oats. The young lion waved as his mouth was full and unable to speak, DeMont taking a seat across from him at the table, a playful smirk plastered across his face. Daniel looked up and saw the older lions face, cocking an eyebrow, swallowing the oats.

“Um… good morning?” He said with a chuckle. DeMont continued to smirk, resting his chin on his fist.

“…. why are you looking at me like that?” Daniel asked nervously.

“What would you say to doing something different today?” DeMont asked, still smiling. Daniel looked at him “Such as?”

“…. You asked about meeting my family… what if I introduced you to the next closest thing?” He asked, now grinning toothily at the younger lion.

Daniel’s eyes widened with excitement, his ears perking up “Wait… wait… who am I meeting?!” He exclaimed, causing DeMont to laugh.

“I was thinking that today, instead of our usual drive, we could drive into DC and have brunch with two friends of mine.”

Daniel quickly jumped out of his chair, the lion already half way towards the door before DeMont snagged him by the hood, causing him to jerk backwards with a grunt. “Hold up there, young one… if you are going to have brunch with us, you will have to dress the part as well.” 

“Eeeeer…. What do you mean ‘dress the part?’ What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Daniel asked, slightly offended now. DeMont simply chuckled, “Personally, there’s nothing wrong. My friends on the other hand, well…” DeMont chuckled, shaking his head. Daniel sighed before rolling his eyes, turning to face DeMont, I have black turtleneck upstairs and slacks, will that work?”

“Hmmmm Go change let me see…” 

Daniel quick ran up the stairs, soon returning down with the turtleneck on, his dark blue jeans tightened with a dark brown belt, pendant tucked away under his top. DeMont scanned over him for a moment before opening “pull out the pendant…” Daniel signed, reaching into his top to pull out his necklace as DeMont fixed his hair tightly into a bun, brushing through the thick mane. “Aaaah there we go…” DeMont said proudly, leading Daniel towards the hallway mirror to admire his handiwork. Daniel looked himself up and down in the full body mirror, his eyebrows shot up close to his hairline. Never before had he had a complete look be so… complete. The turtleneck hugged his torso just right, framing his face perfect, and DeMonts job with his hair was the icing on top. He agreed, the pendant really did pull the look together, weather he liked it or not.

“What do you thiiiink?” DeMont asked, patting the young lions shoulder. “Woah….” Daniel said under his breath, still taking it in and looking himself over. DeMont laughed “I think you’re ready for a brunch now.” The pair grabbed their jackets, heading into the brisk December cold, a fresh light snowfall crunching beneath their shoes. DeMont started the car from the porch, allowing it to quickly warm up on their approach. 

“Huh…” Daniel muttered on their way to the car. 

“Hmmm? Forget something?” DeMont asked. 

“Nah… but mint was right… it’s easier to deal with the cold with a layer of fur for sure…” 

This time it was DeMont who rolled his eyes before letting the young lion into the passenger seat of the car, quickly getting into the drivers side, the two soon pulling out onto the plowed neighborhood road.

“So who all are we having ‘Brunch’ with?” Daniel asked curiously. DeMont smiled “Two very good friends of mine. I told them about you and they were eager to meet you, I think you will like them.” 

“What are they like?”

“Well, there’s Sampson, he’s a little older than me, works for the government under contracting for the military. He’s very… gentle giant I should say. Then there’s Javier, but he insists on being referred to as ‘Papi’.”

“Yeah, what’s he like?” “Well, he’s the one who will most likely judge your look, but don’t worry, Sampson and I keep him in line, I won’t let him read you. He’s the younger of the two of us, but sometimes acts as if he is still in his twenties. He loves to go out every Friday night to the DC nightlife. I mean, don’t get me wrong, we love to go out, but Papi? Woof, it’s a challenge to keep up with him sometimes.”

Daniel nodded silently as they pulled onto the freeway, the sun shining down against the fresh snow along the sides of the interstate, causing DeMont to lower his sunglasses. 

“Soooo… you said they were excited to meet me?” The young lion asked nervously, receiving a nod from the older lion “Mhmmm”

“…. did you tell them who my dad was per chance?” 

“Nope. All that they know is that you are a friend of mine as well as a student. That you are creative, artistic and musically inclined, and that is all that they need to know. Anything else, you can tell them yourself.” He said with a smile.

“… Thanks. But they’re gonna know with the pendant, you know?” 

“I know” DeMont said, continuing to smile as they pulled into the city, suddenly overtaken with the bustling streets and pedestrians filling the sidewalks in every direction. Daniel looked up at him before looking out the car window, watching the people walk by without a care, wondering if any one of them felt the mixture of nerves and excitement overtaking his insides at the moment.

DeMont looked over at Daniel as they pulled into a red light, giving him a nudge and a reassuring smile “Hey, don’t be nervous. Just look at it as… having brunch with friends. I promise that it will be a good time, with good food and good people.” The older lion said gently. “I know I know…” 

The pair soon pulled into the lot of a beautiful restaurant Daniel had never seen before. As they emerged from the car, Daniel took in his surroundings, this part of the city being new to him. His eyes were caught by the white bricks of the building. The front was lined with plants hanging from hanging pots, large bay windows, the roof lined with various flags. The young lion looked up, seeing the building had multiple floors to it, staring in awe. “What IS this place?” Daniel asked, still awestruck as the golden sunlight shone against the white structure.

“Oh, this? Nellies.” DeMont said rather nonchalantly, opening the large oakwood door for Daniel, the young lion still gawking at the building. 

“Come on, let’s get inside. I don’t want to have to explain to your mother how I turned her son into a lioncicle.” DeMont chuckled, nudging Daniel inside to the establishment.

Upon entering the building, Daniel was met by a rather large bull by the door. The young lions eyes widened nervously as the bull snorted down at him, his arms crossed over his chest. Daniel quickly backed up, only to be met by DeMonts front stopping him in his tracks. 

“Hey Carl, he is with me” DeMont said calmly, the bull looking Daniel over. 

“Sup kid” The bull said with a smile before reaching for a wrist band. Daniel held his arm out, the bull gently wrapping the blue band around his wrist. 

“What’s this for?” Daniel asked?

“Heh kid, you’re too young to drink. Can’t have ya downing mimosas, ya know?” The bull chuckled, giving the small lion a nudge with his elbow.

“Thank you Carl.” DeMont replied. “Have you seen Sam and Papi come through yet?” 

“Those two? Yeah, they’re already seated at the usual spot, bringing them some new meat today?” Carl joked to DeMont, causing Daniels ears to flatten.

“Come on Carl, don’t scare the young one, ok?” DeMont smirked, the Bull nodding before letting the pair through the bar area towards the restaurant. Daniel looked around, the wall behind the bar easily being ten shelves of various alcohol, the bar itself made of solid oak. Swiveling his head, he stared at the staircase leading towards the second floor. 

“What’s up there?” He asked, DeMont leading him by the shoulder. “Oh, that? That is where the adults go on Friday nights…” DeMont winked.

“….oooooooh” Daniel said, the older lion simply nodding, the pair entering the restaurant section of the establishment. The room was lit by the large bay windows that lined the entire room. Golden sunlight cascaded through the glass, the walls lined with photos of famous celebrities that had visited in the past, their photos signed. Daniel continued to looked around as DeMont led him across the restaurant floor towards the table.

The young lions eyebrows shot up at the sight of who were seated at the table. Lions, two of them. One was larger than even DeMont, his faded tan fur was donned by a thick blond mane, sapphire beads dangled intertwined with braids, match his brilliant blue eyes. The other was darker, smaller but obviously younger, his thick mane was dark brown, and curled, muzzle stapled by a clean cut mustache, his fingers covered with various golden accessories. 

“Wait… THESE are your friends?” Daniel whispered as they approached, the table.

“Well… yes…” DeMont said, doing his best to hold back a laugh at Daniels expense.

“Boys, I’d like you to meet someone special. Daniel, this is Sampson and Javier.” DeMont said proudly. Daniel reached a hand out, but hand shake was rejected. Instead the larger lion, he assumed to be Sampson, rose from his seat and wrapped Daniel in one of the tightest hugs he’d ever experienced in his life, his face being buried into the lions mane. 

“Nice to meet you….” Daniel was able to muffle.

“Sam… SAM let the boy breathe, man!” Javier laughed, now standing as well.

“Oh, I’m so sorry…” Sampson said, quickly release Daniel from the vice grip that were his arms. Daniel quickly turned and was met by a much more gentle hug from Javier, getting a couple of pats on the back before the pair sat down beside one another. DeMont and Daniel quickly joined them sitting next to each other facing the pair. 

“So this is the kid you’ve been talking so much about, eh?” Javier said. He quickly leaned in towards Daniel “Don’t worry kid, it’s been nothing but praises, no worries” he said with a wink. DeMont smiled proudly, nodding to them. “Yes, the very one.” Daniel couldn’t help but feel his ears flush.

“Kinda nervous about what you’ve told them…” Daniel mumbled smirking up at DeMont, the older lion returning the look.

Sampson laughed “Really, he’s said nothing but good things about you, but that you were also going through some things at the moment.”

“Oh… yeah… that…” Daniel mumbled, looking down at the table. 

“What’s eating at ya kid?” Javier asked. 

“It’s like a whole mess of things. Between trying to accept this…” Daniel motioned over himself, “And trying to figure out what’s going on in here…” Daniel quickly pointed to his head. “I think you mean, here…” DeMont poked the younger lions chest, Sampson and Javier’s eyebrows rose before they smiled. 

“Aaaah…” Sampson said warmly, “That.” The three adults seemed to sigh in unison, causing Daniel to look around the table as if they seemed to be recalling the same memories. “Am I missing something here?” Daniel asked.

“Heh you’re trying to figure things out, right? Like who you’re attracted to?” Javier asked. Daniels went cold before slowly nodding.

“Hey don’t worry, we’ve all be through It ourselves.” Sampson said warmly, the other two nodding.

“So… wait… all of you… you’re…” Daniel started, before they burst into laughter, causing other customers to look over at them. 

“Yes.” DeMont said. Daniel sat back in his chair, taking it all in for a moment, attempting to process this. He’d never been around so many lions he wasn’t related to before, much less lions like this, and DeMont was the first gay man he’d ever met.

“I… honestly wouldn’t have guested.” Daniel said. “Hey, not everyone follows the stereotype set by a heteronormative society.” Sampson said, shrugging his broad shoulders. “I mean yes, we’re interested in men, but other than that we do everything that ‘normal’ folks do. It’s really not THAT big of a deal.”

“Yeah we get it, it’s a lot to take in at first, but eventually you get used to it. But consider yourself lucky, you’ve got this big lug here by your side.” Javier said, motioning to DeMont before taking a swig of his bubbling mimosa.

Sampson nodded “Agreed, you’ve got a good one here, kid.”

Daniel looked over at DeMont as he cracked a smile “Yeah… I do, don’t I.” He said, causing the older lion to flash him a toothy grin. 

“By the way where did you get that necklace, I LOVE it!” Javier said, leaning in. Daniels eyes darted down to his chest, he had forgotten his pendant was out in the open, rather than being tucked away as it usually was. “Oh… um… family heirloom…” 

Javier leaned in closer, examining the pendant as his eyes widened, looking quickly back at Daniels face, before quickly back to the pendant. “Wait… are you…” He started. 

“Am I what?” Daniel said nervously, watching as Javier bumped Sampson to get a look for himself, causing Daniel to hold his breath. The Large lion looked down at the pendant, his own eyes growing wide before letting out a chuckle “Huh… well I’ll be. I knew there was no way a guy like that couldn’t have a kid.”

Daniel groaned, reaching to tuck his necklace back into his shirt before having his wrist caught by DeMont, the lion shaking his head slowly as Daniel released the pendant from its grip, the golden form flopping back down onto his chest.

“Yeah, yeah… it’s no big deal…”

“No big deal? Kid, it’s kinda a really big deal” Javier said. Daniel looked over two the other two, watching them nod. “You come from a very important family, little guy, why would you want to hide that?” Sampson asked. “Yeah, not everyday we get to have lunch with near royalty here.” Javier quipped before Sampson elbowed him in the side, Daniel looked down at the necklace and sighed. 

“Yeah, but I wish I weren’t. I mean what good am I to them if my dad just denies that I exist left and right to everyone. He’d rather be the end of the bloodline to tell the public I exist.”

“But I thought you enjoyed the privacy that came with him doing that FOR you?” DeMont spoke up. 

“I mean, yeah I do, but in the back of my head I still want that sort of acceptance at the same time, you know? Like ‘Yes I have a son, but no he won’t be following my footsteps and I’m ok with that’ sort of thing.” Daniel said as he lifted the menu before him, blocking his sight as the three lions looked at one another.

“Maybe we should change the subject then…” Sampson suggested. Everyone at the table nodded, reaching for their menus, the four hungry felines skimming the offerings.

Daniel put down his menu, looking up at the older lions “I’m sorry guys, I get that if anyone can understand, it’s you, but this is all so new to me…”

“Hey it’s cool, kid. Yeah, we do get it, and yeah, it’s overwhelming at first. But you’re not alone in this, you’ve got DeMont over there, and if you’ve got him, then you’ve got us too. You’re one of the pride now.” Javier said with the smile. Daniels eyebrows rose. “Pride, you mean like a family?”

“Mmmmhm” Sampson nodded. “See… when you’re gay, you don’t always get the best outcome when you tell your family, so we sometimes create our own. In this case, the three of us are our own family, our pride.” DeMont spoke.

“True words there.” Sampson said, holding his glass up before taking a sip.

“Huh…. That makes a lot of sense…” Daniel said. 

“And I do believe, that no matter what happens, you are now part of that family too, young one. At least mine of course.” The older lion winked.

“What do you think, men. To our newest family member?”

“To family”

“To Pride”

The 3 lions held their glasses, looking over to Daniel, the young lion cracking a smile as he raised his water up to them “To both” He replied. 

“Welcome to the pride, kid!” Javier said upon downing his drink.

“SO!” Sampson said, putting down his empty glass, leaning in “Who’s the lucky guy you’re crushing on? Spill the details.” Daniel looked up at him, glancing to Javier, his face lit with interest, before looking back to DeMont, his face beaming with pride. 

“Heh… he’s an upperclassmen, member of the school wrestling team. Big guy, I mean, not as big as DeMont, but still big. Hyena too…” 

“AAAAAH you got yourself a meathead coming after ya, huh?” Javier interjected. 

“I wouldn’t say meathead, he is funny, and he’s been nothing but nice to me, doesn’t totally follow the jock stereotype, which is refreshing…”

“What do you think of the kid, DeMont?” Sampson asked. DeMont sat back for a moment, thinking. “To be fair, I do think he’s a good guy. Confident, strong, but also knows when to turn off the macho act, which, let’s be fair, is a feat for someone his age.”

“You approve?”

“I would definitely give him a shot, yes.” The lion nodded, taking a sip of his drink.

“So uh… do you guys have any advice for what to do on a first date?” Daniel asked nervously.

“How far do you wanna go?” Javier asked, getting a glare of death from DeMont and an elbow from Sampson. “PAPI, he’s too young for that!” Sampson snapped as Javier rubbed his ribs. “I’m sorry I’m sorry, but you know kids these days! Sack first, love later.” Drawing a groan from the other two.

“Woah woah woah, I wasn’t even thinking about kissing him, much less… THAT” Daniel stammered.

“God forbid, your mother would never forgive me for that one…” DeMont uttered, rubbing his eyes.

“I wouldn’t forgive myself for that…” Daniel muttered, causing Sampson to laugh. “Hey, I like this kid!”

“Well, to be fair, I would make him a home cooked meal, light a few candles, followed by a walk together. Especially this time of year with all of the lights and decorations being up for the holidays. Then come back and watch some TV while drinking some cocoa together, wrapped up in a blanket” Sampson replied.

Daniel nodded, looking over to DeMont, who shook his head “Oh no, we have had this conversation already” He chuckled. “It’s time to get advice from someone else about this one.”

Daniel looked to Javier who was deep in thought, censoring his mind for what would be best for the teen. “I mean… huh… You could… no… How bout… uh…” He sputtered. “I got nothing for this one, babe, sorry.”

“Anyway…” Sampson sighed rolling his eyes. “What did you have planned?” 

“Well, I was liking the homecooked meal idea, talking and getting to know each other, then listening to some of our favorite music to see if we vibe like that. After that? Didn’t really think beyond that” The younger lion answer, his ears flushing.

“Sounds solid to me” Javier answered “A little boring for my speed, course I would probably go do…” 

“SOMETIMESless is more…” DeMont interjected, quickly cutting Javier off.

“Someone needs to put a muzzle on you around children, you know that?” Sampson growled to Javier, who just shrugged. “Kid’s gonna learn sooner or later.”

“Learn what?” Daniel asked, before DeMont shook his head “It’s nothing, remember when I told you that some people prefer to go faster into relationships than others? HINT HINT!” DeMont hissed towards Javier.

“WHAT! I KNOW WHAT I LIKE! So sue me!” he clapped back. Both of the older lions rolled their eyes as they sipped on their drinks, leaving Daniel to stare blankly at his water, hoping to change the topic now.

“Mmmm that’s good…” Sampson rumbled happily, smacking his lips. “So youngling, what do you have lined up for the holidays, anything special?” 

“Oh.. me? Uh…” Daniel stammered, “huh…Actually…. I.. don’t know…” Daniel hadn’t thought about it. This would be the first year without his mother and father being together, and he wasn’t sure what if any of the plans were going to be. Usually they would convene at one Luciles sisters houses together, have dinner, open presents while the guys talked sports and politics and the women gossiped. But this year, he wasn’t sure.

“You don’t know?” Sampson snapping the young lion back to reality. “Yeah, this year is different for… reasons. So I’m not sure what if anything is happening.”

“Well the kid deserves a Christmas, that’s for sure” Javier spoke up. “No no no! I didn’t mean I wasn’t…” Daniel started before the older lions overpowered him “C’Mon DeMont we should invite him over with us for the Christmas get together,” Javier quipped.

“Er… Christmas get together? What do y’all do?” Daniel asked curiously, DeMont turning to him with a smile. “Ah, every year the three of us get together with a few of our closest friends, and have a potluck dinner before exchanging gifts. Everyone brings their own dish and one present.” He sighed

“Sit around talking, playing board games…” 

“No monopoly this year though” Javier interjected. 

“That’s because last year you kicked the board across the room when you went bankrupt” Laughed Sampson, causing Javier to growl. 

“As I was saying…” DeMont continued, “We get together with our close friends and celebrate together like a family would. Usually ending the night with some fireworks and carols with yours truly at the helm” The lion puffed his chest proudly.

“Wow… that sounds fun…” Daniel trailed off. 

“You’re more than welcome to join us, you know.” DeMont gave him a nudge and smiled. 

“Would you mind if I brought teddy with me?” 

“Wait who’s teddy, the hyena?” Javier asked. 

“Nah, he’s like my brother from another mother, we’ve been inseparable since we were like…five. My red panda bro…” 

“Oh that’d be fun, having some youngyins around celebrating with us! And a red panda!” Sampson said excitedly.

“Just make sure you run it by your mother, ok?” DeMont reminded the young lion. Daniel nodded eagerly.

“Jeez DeMont, could you sound any more like a daddy?” Javier smirked. DeMont and Daniel glared at Javier, soon causing the lion to sink into his seat, causing Sampson to laugh.

“Ok, I have to ask… how did you three meet?”

“Would you like to go first?” DeMont asked Javier slyly. The lion shook his head quickly, passing the question over to Sampson, the larger lion rolling his eyes before taking another sip of mimosa.

“MMMM” He gently cleared his throat, “Well, I meant DeMont here, about what… fifteen years ago now?”

“Has it REALLYbeen that long?” DeMont laughed, Sampson nodding.

“We were at this club, it’s actually only a block or so from here, called UPROAR. Saw him at the bar and took my chances. The man had his hair up in the most gorgeous updo, lower lip pierced. We struck up a conversation but I soon realized that it wasn’t going anywhere beyond that. We spent that entire night talking, drinking, dancing, club hopping. I let him crash at my place for the night on the sofa, only for us to wake up at two pm the next day with a hangover from hell, I tell you what. We. Were. Miserable!” The pair laughed.

“Oh yes, but that’s when we found out about Nellies brunch! The best hangover cure under ten dollars a plate and bottomless mimosas.” DeMont said happily, seeming to light up at the memory with a soft sigh.

“Then what happened?” Daniel asked curiously, bring the pair back to reality.

“Oh, well he treated me to brunch, we exchanged numbers, fifteen years later, here we are.” Sampson chuckled. Daniel looked over to DeMont, the lion nodding with a smile. 

“It’s true, I just can’t seem to shake him. I’ve tried but he keeps coming back” He chuckled.

“Your turn, Papi” Sampson smirked.

“Nah babe, I’m good…” Javier said, taking a sip of his mimosa, DeMont and Sampson chuckling.

“You’re so quiet for someone that seemed so eager to brag about his exploits only minutes ago…” DeMont said cheekily, causing Daniel to cock his head. The three lions stared at Javier in silence, the lion finally giving in with a sigh, slumping into his seat.

“I met these two a couple years after they met each other…” He started, the two older lions leaning in with a smirk. “Go on” Sampson cooed. 

“UGH! Geez, you tryin to embarrass me in front of t’kid?” Javier snapped.

“Maybe…” DeMont winked to Daniel, causing him to grin.

Javier let out a low groan before he continued, “They were over at UPROAR one night, and I saw them by the bar. Now kid, my game is good, impeccable, so when I saw these two at the bar, I didn’t figure much for a challenge.” The lion paused for a moment, taking a breath, his friends smirking on, knowing what was to come next.

“So, I swaggered up to DeMont here, told him ‘Hey you, let me be the king of your jungle tonight.’ He looked at me before turning to Sampson here, then BOOM.”

“Then what??” Daniel asked, Javier covered his eyes, rubbing his face.

“’Aren’t you a little young to be a king? A prince maybe, but a king?’ The SHADE, kid, the SHADE these two put me through. They read me to absolute filth, completely shut me down, broke me.”

DeMont and Sampson couldn’t help but burst into laughter, Sampson pounding the table with his fist, causing the plates and food to jostle about. 

“We bought you a drink or two to apologize.” Sampson chuckled, ruffling his friends mane.

“Yeah yeah, after that, the night was a blur. Next thing I know I’m wakin’ up on your sofa with you makin’ me breakfast.”

“Wait… are you two… you know” Daniel whisper, causing the lions to glance at one another.

“What… OH! You mean together? Heavens NO!” Sampson laughed. “But we are roommates. I mean, DC rent isn’t cheap, that’sa FACT.”

“True words there” Javier sighed taking another sip of mimosa.

“That and Sampson here is just a very hospitable person” DeMont chuckled, Sampson beemed with pride. “Momma raised me right.”

“So tell us kid, what do you like to do?” Sampson said gently to the younger lion, Daniel suddenly feeling on the spot by the question. “Me? I… Uh… I like to paint and make music. Nothing special, though…” Daniel trailed off.

“Nonsense! Let’s see some of your work, do you have any of it on you?” Sampson asked eagerly. Daniel looked up at DeMont, the older lion giving him a smile and a reassuring nod before he pulled out his phone, opening it to the photo gallery folder, passing it over to Sampson. The older lion began to browse through piece after piece, Daniel sitting nervously in his seat, almost feeling silently judged. Sampson quickly nudged Javier, passing the phone over to him, the lions eyes widening a bit.

“Huh, we have ourselves a lil’ Picasso here! Yeah, I think that’s what I’m gonna call you from now on, Picasso. None of us here can really do stuff like.. THAT”

Sampson nodded as he passed the phone back to Daniel “That’s some really strong stuff there Picasso, I can see you going far with it for sure. Heck I would love to see you design a mural here one day.”

“Really? You think?” Daniel stammered. The three older lions nodded.

Daniel beamed happily from their comments, feeling caught offguard by the praises of the lions, sliding the phone back into his pocket, DeMont giving him a nudge and a wink.

“You’re not just saying that to make me feel more welcomed, are you?” Daniel chuckled.

Javier spoke this time, “Babe, we don’t joke when it comes to someone having a talent for something, that’s part of what makes us unique and special. Take the compliment, eh?” 

“Ok ok ok, I’m just not used to compliments, but thank you guys, seriously.” 

“Anytime… Picasso.” DeMont chuckled, ruffling Daniels hair a bit before draping an arm around Daniels shoulder, pulling the younger lion into a tight side hug. 

“I will say, Picasso is a LOT better than the other nicknames my friends have for me…” Daniel muttered.

“Oh? Now I HAVE to hear this…” Javier joked

“So? What do they call you?” Sampson asked curiously.

Daniel looked down at the table, bracing himself for the onslaught of laughter in his future. “They.. call me dandelion and pussyfoot…”

The pair chuckled a bit, but there was no howling of laughter like Daniel had expected. 

“I mean… the Dandelion one I can, Daniel, you’re a lion… but…. Pussyfoot?” Javier asked.

“Yeeeeeeah…..” Daniel said slowly, slumping back into his seat.

“Picasso suits you, but I may just be biased…” Sampson smirked, giving him a wink.

“Do you two have plans after this?”

“Hmmm, I don’t believe so. Our main plan was to have the young one here meet you two for brunch. But after this our plans seem to be wide open for the day…” DeMont replied.

“THAT’S GREAT!” Sampson roared, causing Daniel to jump. “That means we can take Picasso here to our favorite spots and show him around, what do you say DeMont?”

“He may be a bit too young for that, Sam…” DeMont chuckled as Sampsons ears flattened out. “True.. I forgot about that, we don’t really seem to convene in places that aren’t 21 and up besides our house…”

“Could always do a lil’ site seein’. The fresh snow always makes for great photos and with the decorations it’d look great. Then end at our place for hot toddies and hot cocoa for the lil guy.” Javier suggested.

“You know, every now and then you show signs of brilliance” Sampson quipped to Javier, the lion smiling and rolling his eyes. “What do ya think Picasso, you up for hangin with some on manes like us for the day?”

Daniel looked around the table at the three older lions, all of them seemingly eager for his response. He looked up to DeMont, only to be met with his signature kitten eyes, the very same look he had given to Roxxy when she had finally tamed his mane months before.

“You know… I wouldn’t mind a day with my elders, I’ve always been told it’s good to give back…” he said gently, causing their jaws to drop in surprise.

“Well damn…” Javier paused. “I do believe our baby boy just served us his first shade…” he said in surprise. 

“Oh my… I think I’m going to cry” Sampson sniffed mockly, wiping away fake tears. 

“They grow up so fast” DeMont joined in.

“Ok Ok I get it!” Daniel laughed, before being joined by the three.

“Before we brave the cold, I think we should get a photo to capture this moment, hmm?” Sampson requested. He quickly pulled out his phone, holding it up, the three coming in close. Daniel was center, Sampson to his left, DeMont to his right, Javier above him. 

“Say PRIDE!” Sampson said.

“PRIIIIIIDE!” They said together in unison, each of them smiling happily.

“Hey Picasso, can you give me your number so that I can send this to you?” The older lion asked. Daniel quickly complied, giving out his contact to the pair, before soon receiving a message from Sampson with the photo. Daniel looked down at his phone and couldn’t help but grin. Staring back was a group of happy friends, and he literally looked like he was meant to be there, with them.

“Ok boys, shall we?” DeMont asked, standing from the table and pulling on his black jacket, handing Daniel his own. 

The four lions filed out one by one into the cool winter DC air, the sun beating down and reflecting off the snow as they stood on the crosswalk. Daniel knew today was going to be special.