Username: snapshot
Lion name: Ausra (meaning dawn)
Lion Gender: nonbinary (they/them pronouns)
Link to pride: Lions of the WavesPride Status: Patrol member
Prompt:Their love was fast and sweet. It started with a smile, stirring something Ausra had never felt before. His name was Barin, and he was one of the best fighters in the pride. He was funny, and charming, and Ausra fell head over heals.
"I love you," he would whisper, pressing his nose to their ear as they lay under the stars, "I love you till the star in the heart of the Great Bird burns out."
The Great Bird was their constellation. In their pride, it represented faithfulness, strength, and new beginnings. Fitting for a warrior and for a lion who's name meant dawn and for their love.
But as time went on, Barin grew less loving. He was self-centered, focused only on his own success and on becoming the Lead Warrior, so that he would be second in line for the throne. But Ausra couldn't stop loving him, and hoped that deep down maybe he loved them too.
Then, Ausra found him with a lioness. When confronted, he snarled that he had never loved Ausra, that they were worthless and unlovable.
So Ausra ran, sobbing. When they had no strength and no tears left, Ausra simply fell to the ground.
A soft chirping noise caught their attention. Ausra opened one swollen eye, and saw a large black bird beside them. It's feathers shimmed with silver spots, like stars.
"Hello dear one. Poor thing. Do you recognize me?"
Ausra shook their head.
"Look up at the sky. Something is missing, no?"
Ausra looked up. Wait...
"Great Bird?"
"Yes child." The Great Bird hopped closer. "Poor heart. You loved him, and he said he loved you, but his words were empty. There was no star in his heart, yet he had the audacity to swear by the star in mine."
Ausra looked, and indeed, a bright silver spot shone on the feather at the center of the bird's chest. "It's beautiful," they whispered.
The Bird smiled. "It's yours, dear. Here." It plucked the feather out and placed it on Ausra's chest. The feathered glowed brightly, before fading and disappearing. Ausra felt the pain in their chest fade with the feather, until it was nothing more than a dull ache. They felt warm and calm.
"Do you feel better?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad. I have one more gift for you." The Great Bird plucked a feather from each of its wings, and placed them on Ausra's back. Their shoulders tingled, and when they turned their head, they saw that a small pair of wings had grown.
"As I have sheltered you under my wings, so you can help others. When someone is hurting, draw them close under your wings, and the pain will melt away, replaced by a feeling of love and security."
"I- I don't know what to say," Ausra looked at their wings, then back at the Bird. "Thank you."
The Bird pressed it's forehead against Ausra's. "You are loved my dear. You are worthy and beautiful. Never doubt that."
500/500
