Prompt from Calvin + Fujii: AU After Simba's Pride, the Pride Lands and the Royal Family (consisting of Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, and Vitani) along with Timon and Pumbaa, Ma and Uncle Max, Zazu, and Rafiki are celebrating the birth of Kion as Dedication and Windsong from Mighty Joe Young plays in the background. Rafiki, as usual, presents Kion after Vitani passes Kion to him and the four main lions watch in happiness and pride at the newest addition to their family while Timon, Pumbaa, and even Zazu begin weeping in joy. Mufasa and Sarabi watch from above and smile proudly at the birth of their grandson, as they know he is about to do great things in his future.
…..
There always had to be a witness to the birth of a new royal baby, as many as possible, to ensure that no…trickery or mischief happened.
They certainly didn't expect to be attending another one of Queen Nala's though, not after Kiara and Kovu got married. Having gone through this before, Simba didn't look phased at all… Kiara and Kovu looked absolutely mortified.
They wouldn't be having children anytime soon, which was sort of a relief.
And now, with his daughter and son-in-law suitably traumatised, Simba's new son was born.
"What shall we name him?" He asked his Queen, who was busy cleaning up the new born.
Nala paused for a moment, glancing down at her son, before turning to Vitani. "Why don't- why don't you name him?"
It was an offered olive branch, and everyone there knew it. Vitani was silent for a while, before nervously clearing her throat. "What about… Kion?"
Simba and Nala glanced at each other, before nodding in agreement, as the new-born was finally clean.
"Here." Nala gently encouraged Vitani to take the baby, nudging Kion into the younger female's arms, "Kion…. Meet your aunt Vitani."
Vitani stared down at the baby in awe, a warm smile on her face as the baby playfully extended a paw and tried to bat at her face.
It was hard not to see the longing look on her face.
"Someday Vitani." Nala whispered, pushing aside whatever feelings she might have once had towards the other lioness, "Someday."
Before Vitani could answer, there was the sound of tapping against the stone as Rafiki entered the den, moving over to Nala at first, only to frown when the Queen gestured for him to move over to Vitani.
"What is the name of the new prince?" He whispered, taking it all in his stride.
"Kion."
As with tradition, Rafiki cracked the fruit in half, using the juice to draw a line on Kion's forehead, swiftly dodging the batting paws. He then blew red dust onto the cub's face, making him sneeze as it stuck to the juice.
With that done, he lifted the cub into his arms and headed out to the precipice, followed by the royal family, a sobbing Timon, Pumba and Zazu and the rest of the Pride.
With the rest of the kingdom down below, Rafiki raised the new-born cub into the air, just as a ray of sunlight shone through the clouds.
If anyone had looked away from Kion, they would have seen two familiar faces smiling down at them.
Another member of their family, one who was going to do great things in the future.
Mufasa and Sarabi beamed with pride.
And so, the story continued.
