This brings us to the end of Chapter 5. I'm already planning for Chapters 6 and 7 (and 8, 9, 10...), but first I think I'm going to take some time to work on a few side projects I've been putting off. One project is a bit ambitious and will probably take longer than usual to finish, but hopefully the wait will be worth it. See you then!
Chapter 5: A Date to Remember
Part 10: Another Happy Ending
The sun was low on the horizon when Simba and Nala finally collapsed, exhausted from their afternoon of new experiences. Simba was seated upright with his back resting against a tree. His forelegs were wrapped loosely around Nala’s chest, gently holding the girl in place as she sat suggestively on his lap. The two were panting heavily, but neither seemed to mind the burning sensation in their tired bodies. The afternoon had been full of fun and excitement unlike anything the cubs had ever experienced before, but now the day was coming to a close. Simba tenderly squeezed Nala as he affectionately licked her on the cheek. The young lioness grinned euphorically in response before turning around to gaze into her lover’s auburn eyes. Gently, the girl reached out with her paw and caressed Simba’s soft cheek. Their muzzles drew closer and close until finally their lips pressed together in a tender kiss.
“You were great,” Nala whispered airily as her mouth hovered tantalizingly close to Simba’s.
Simba inched forward and quickly pecked the girl’s lips before whispering his response. “So were you.” The cub gently nuzzled his forehead against Nala’s in one last affectionate gesture, then stretched out his legs with a tired groan. “We should probably head back.”
Nala sighed wistfully, reluctant to move from her comfortable perch on Simba’s lap. Finally, after some gentle prodding, the girl rolled off of the prince and onto the soft grass below. With a stretch of her own, Nala stiffly climbed to her feet and yawned sleepily. “Ok, I guess you’re right. My mom told us to be in the den before she gets back. And…” the young lioness glanced down at the tangled, sticky fur clinging to her body, “I could use a bath.”
“I might could help with that,” Simba grinned slyly.
The two began their short trek back to Pride Rock, their sides practically touching as they pushed through the tall savannah grass. The Pridelands remained noticeably devoid of other animals even as the hot African air began to cool with the sunset. No bugs chirped or birds sang. Only the sound of the young lions’ feet shuffling through the dust broke the silence. It wasn’t until the two cubs were almost back to the den when Nala hesitantly tuned to Simba with a question on her mind. “Hey, Simba,” the girl asked with a nervous chuckle. “I was just thinking…does this mean that we’re, you know…mates?”
Simba stopped walking and looked away sheepishly as he considered the connotations of that word. “Oh, uh…maybe? I guess it does.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Huh?” The young lion peered closely at his friend. He had sensed the uncertainty in Nala’s voice, and the expression on her face confirmed it. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Nala shifted her feet uneasily as she looked away into the distance. “Well, it’s just that…you’re the prince. The future king. You could, you know, have anyone you want. Are you sure you want me?”
“Hey…” Simba reached out with his paw and gently lifted the girl’s chin so that their eyes locked. With a warm smile, the lion cub confidently answered, “Of course I want you. I only want you.”
“Simba…”
“We can make it official if you want.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Simba quickly scanned his surroundings before trotting over to a small bush growing in the hard, dry ground. Hanging on the plant was a single, red flower. Careful not to crush the petals, the prince gently grabbed onto the stem of the bloom and plucked it with his teeth. “Here,” the cub mumbled, gesturing at Nala to crouch down. Carefully, he approached his friend, hovering his face over her head until finally the flower rested behind Nala’s ear. With a beaming smile, Simba took a step back to gaze at the confused lioness cub. The pink flower petals perfectly complimented the girl’s cream-colored fur and accentuated her teal-blue eyes. Those eyes. Once again, the prince found himself lost in those beautiful eyes. Unable to suppress his joy any longer, Simba slowly leaned forward and affectionately licked Nala on the cheek. Taking her paw in his own, the young lion bowed his head and tenderly asked, “Nala…when I become king, will you be my queen?”
Nala’s mouth hung open for a moment as she wondered if this was all a dream. Maybe she was still asleep back in the den and this whole day had never really happened. But as the girl gazed back at the sincere, loving expression on Simba’s face, she knew this must be real. A small smile formed on Nala’s muzzle, then quickly spread across her face until she was grinning from ear to ear. “Yes!” Nala nodded her head vigorously as tears formed in the corners of her eyes. “Simba…” The young lioness threw herself forward until she was nuzzled under Simba’s chin. Simba wrapped his paws around the girl’s shoulders and the two embraced in an emotional hug.
“Then it’s official,” Simba laughed euphorically. “Congratulations, Princess Nala.”
“Why thank you, Prince Simba,” Nala giggled back. “I mean it’s not like I had much of a choice. We are betrothed after all.”
Simba smirked at the playful grin plastered on his love’s muzzle. “Hmm that’s true,” he played along.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing you said yes!”
The two cubs laughed blissfully as they finally resumed their walk home. Nala happily rested her head against the golden-brown cub’s shoulder and delicately intertwined her tail with his. Despite all the trauma they had been through over the past few weeks, everything seemed to be working out perfectly. “Maybe”, the girl mused as the sun set lower on the horizon, “Just maybe, things are finally going back to normal.”
“Yeah… But where’s the fun in that?”
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Published:
3 years, 8 months ago
29 May 2021 03:45 CEST
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