Vil woke up and smiled softly as the snoozing feline creature snuggled against him meant he hadn't dreamed what happened last night. His heart beat faster in a happiness he hadn't dared to wish for since the Ants had attacked humanity.
Simmini stirred and purred softly as she snuggled tighter against him. He stroked her softly and she looked up at him with a sleepy smile. 'Good morning, my fantastic alien lover.' she whispered.
He kissed her nose. 'Good morning, my dreamy feline lover.'
She moved up a little and their tongues met in a slow passionate embrace as they kissed until their natural urges spurred them on to get up. Vil felt amused when Simmini regained some of her cute embarrassment as they watched each other while they relieved themselves behind a convenient bush. If there hadn't been plenty of activity close by they would have repeated some things of the night before, so they settled with enough passionate kissing in a tight embrace to last the rest of the morning.
Simmini had to giggle a little at some of the stares they received while they walked with their fingers clutched towards the main house of the village. 'This will be a whole new chapter to the story of the great alien hero.'
Vil chuckled and sighed. 'I don't even feel like a hero, but as they said on my old world, heroes aren't born, they're made.'
She gave him a proud smile. 'And you're very well made.'
He smiled back at her and lightly squeezed her paw. 'It might have only been thanks to you. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there.'
Martan and Kavan, the village leader, looked up when the pair stepped inside the building where all affairs of the village were handled.
'Well, well.' said Martan. 'Do you even realise you're holding the precious treasure of our village?'
Vil looked at Simmini. 'I only know she's most precious to me.'
Martan sighed. 'All of us who wished for her will be heartbroken. To think it took a man from another universe to capture her.'
Vil chuckled at the correct hunch he'd had of Martan's feelings for her. 'I think it's she that captured me.'
Martan chuckled and shook his head. 'Yeah, that might be more accurate.'
The new lovers ate a quick bite and helped load up the trucks with supplies the local villagers had to spare that would help in building a new settlement. Martan and Kavan had selected a good spot several days riding away to begin a new life for Martan's people.
Vil had noticed the glances and giggles of felines who spoke with Simmini and sighed at his earlier prediction proven right. He watched families large and small work, laugh, cry, and seek comfort together and once again felt the loss of everyone he knew in his old world.
Martan dropped a bag into the back of the truck. 'Have you thought about what you want to do?'
'I'm not sure yet.'
Martan nodded. 'There's no hurry. We'll start driving this afternoon.' he said and went to pick up more supplies.

***

The convoy stood ready to leave and the last goodbyes were said early in the afternoon. Martan called out to everyone to get on and ready to leave. He walked up to Vil and Simmini with Baru and Leam and noticed a change in his eyes. 'Am I right in thinking you made a decision?'
Vil nodded. 'Yeah, I did.'
'You're not coming with us.'
Vil nodded again. 'I spoke with Kavan for a while and I think I found my purpose in this world. My knowledge of the Ants and the military tactics of my old world might be enough to turn the tide on them.' He looked at Simmini. 'If I want to protect this world and have a chance at a peaceful end of my life here I need to fight a second war against the Ants first. I'll go around and teach what I know to other leaders and help wherever I can.'
She smiled softly at him. 'I had a feeling you couldn't stay.'
'Sorry.' he said and took her paw in his hand. 'I need to do this.'
'We know.'
'I had one truck packed for a long trip.' Martan said. 'You two should be fine on your adventure.'
Vil stared at Simmini. 'You didn't think you could leave without me, did you? My things are already loaded.'
He embraced her tight and kissed her neck. 'I didn't dare to ask you to follow me into certain danger.'
She nuzzled his neck. 'I'd rather risk that than risking never seeing you again. You lost your family but I'm staying at your side until the end.'
'I love you, Simmini.' he whispered while his heart raced. 'You're my family now.'
'I love you too.' she whispered back.
They held tight until Martan cleared his throat and they pulled away in embarrassment. 'We're going now.' he said, shook Vil's hand and exchanged a big hug with Simmini. 'Good luck to the both of you, and I hope to you see visit our new village in good health. And if you need men and women to fight with you let us know.'
Baru and Leam shook his hand and hugged Simmini farewell. 'Don't forget you still owe us an explanation on that whole space travel stuff.' Leam said. 'We'll be at your disposal as soon as we've built our new homes.'
Vil gave him a nod. 'I'll be counting on you when the time comes. Good luck at your new home.'
He and Simmini waved as Martan led the convoy away and Simmini kissed him when they were out of sight. 'The fate of the world is up to you now.'
He stared up at the grey sky as it started to rain gently. 'Up to us, my love. Up to us.'