With many thanks to Alis Grave Nil for your inspiration and support. This wouldn't be here without you.
Over in the lemur habitat, King Julien was bored. He'd spent the day being admired by his adoring public but now he only had Maurice and Mort to worship him. And Maurice wasn't trying as hard as the King might like.
"But King Julien! I've been basking in your glory all day! There's only so much basking I can take!"
"Hhhmm…" Julien considered this. "So you are saying I am being too restrictive with my glory? I should allow others to bask too?" Maurice only hesitated for a moment.
"Yeah. That's what I'm saying." Julien glanced about his kingdom and his eyes naturally fell on the penguins. Slowly a grin spread across his face.
Kowalski and Rico were relaxing at the end of the day. It'd been a busy day in the zoo and Skipper had decided they could all use some downtime. He'd gone over to see Marlene, Private was enjoying a chat show on TV, and the other two were laid out sipping sardine smoothies
"Hello neighbours! In an act of supreme generosity I have come to let you bask in my glory." He threw his arms wide. "Go ahead and bask!" Kowalski glanced at Rico who gave him a shrug. In Skipper's absence, Kowalski was in charge.
"That's very generous but we don't want to bask."
"Nuh huh," Rico agreed.
"That's alright. You have my permission."
"No thank you." Rico growled and Kowalski instinctively put a restraining flipper on him.
"But what could you possibly be doing that is greater than the glory that is me? All you are doing is…" his eye fell on the flipper that was still resting on Rico and he grinned.
"Oh! I am understanding now. You wish to be alone, yes?" Kowalski hurriedly removed his flipper and flushed.
"Julien we wouldn't want to bask in your glory any time…"
"But especially not now, yes? I am disturbing your private time." He turned and walked a few paces. For a brief moment Kowalski hoped he would leave. No such luck. The lemur king sat himself down a few feet away and watched them.
"Be pretending I am not even here." Rico growled again. Kowalski tried to think. 'What would Skipper do?'
"This is penguin territory. Authorised personnel only."
"Ah! But who is more authorised than a king? Go on. Continue with your canoodling." Kowalski was too flustered by this to reply. Rico finally tired of all this and standing up, approached the lemur menacingly.
"Fine," Julien hastily got up. "I get the message." As he retreated quickly he called back. "The love birds want to be alone." Rico continued to glare as his grinning face disappeared out of sight. Then he turned back to Kowalski. The other penguin looked deeply embarrassed and was staring at his shake.
"K'walski?" Rico looked concerned.
"I think we should go inside now," he replied without meeting his eyes. As the tall penguin headed towards the entrance to the HQ, Rico silently laid a flipper on him.
Kowalski finally looked up at him. After a brief moment he smiled softly.
"It's alright, Rico." He gently touched a flipper to Rico's shoulder.
Rico purred.