Hi, this is my first Lion King story in awhile and the two characters in this story are Zazu and Binti (a deleted character from Simba's Pride.)

Appreciation and Engagement

Zazu looked at the sunset. It was another lengthy day for him. He sighed as he thought about his day. It was long, strenuous, and...Well...he felt that he was unappreciated. He was sure that he wasn't, but he just felt that way. He heard a flutter of feathers behind and looked behind him. There stood another hornbill. She had light blue, lavender, and black feathers. Her jade green eyes were filled with a caring look. Zazu faked a smile and she frowned.

"What's wrong?" The female hornbill asked. Zazu groaned and faced away from her.

"Nothing." Zazu muttered. The female fluttered next to him and gave him a worried look.

"Something's wrong Zazu. Tell me." She urged him. Zazu glanced down at her.

"You sound almost exactly like my mother, Binti." Zazu sighed at the memory of his mother. He missed her deeply.

"That's because she was concerned for you and I'm concerned for you now." Binti replied. Zazu looked at the sunset that was slowly slinking behind the horizon.

"What's wrong?" Binti asked as she put her head gently on Zazu's shoulder. Zazu sighed. Guess there was no hiding from her.

"Alright. It's just that at work, I'm starting to feel...I know this isn't the case, I'm sure, but I'm feeling unappreciated." Zazu told Binti honesty. Binti frowned and pulled away.

"What makes you say that?" Binti asked as Zazu looked down.

"I don't know why...There's so many pieces to it that I can't put it together." Zazu explained to Binti. Binti began to stroke his back with her wing. Zazu put his bill on top of hers and the two stayed like that for a while.

"If it makes you feel any better, I appreciate you a lot." Binti told Zazu. Zazu gave a small smile and nuzzled her.

"Thanks." Zazu thanked her as he wrapped one of his wings around her. Binti smiled and buried her head into his chest. Zazu blushed and wrapped the other wing around her. Many thoughts went through his mind. He should do it now. No, he should wait. But, what could be more romantic than proposing to your love in the heat of the moment and during a sunset? Zazu felt Binti wrap her wings around him.

"Um...Binti, I was wondering," Zazu began to say as Binti pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. Zazu looked into hers.

"I was wondering if you would...um..." Zazu stammered. Binti looked down and scooted closer to him.

"Mate with you?" Binti filled in Zazu's sentence. Zazu blushed deeply and smiled.

"Well, if you don't mind..." Zazu began, but Binti interrupted him.

"I love you Zazu." Binti kissed him on the bill. Zazu's eyes widened and he kissed back. The two just stood there, kissing as the sun slowly set.