SIMBA

After talking with Nala I left shortly after. We'd both be leaving early tomorrow and I'd figure it best be for the both of us if we just went and got some sleep. I heard her agree but she didn't follow suit. I guess she wanted to stay out. While walking back, I couldn't shake the idea of her and my cousin being together. iI just didn't seem right it just didn't add up. To her actions and how she spoke about Nuka.

I know she's keeping something forme me. but who am I to make her tell me. And then I could be wrong and what that hyena said was true... who am I to know anything fucking thing these days. When I got back, the sun was setting. The skies' colors were a mixture of half organ and half a darkening blue. I stood outside the den for a while. Getting the courage to step inside. I didn't know if I was still...wanted. If I would be wanted here anymore.

After today, knowing what will happen tomorrow. I don't want to risk the chance of not trying to see, if I still had a home here. The moment my paw touched the cool stone of the den I immediately saw her figure approached from inside. "Simba." her voice was quiet.

"Yea, it's me." when she came into view I couldn't read the quiet expression on her facial features. So I o=vocied what I wanted to say very delicately "I-I wanted to stop by and see you before I leave tomorrow. You know, to say goodbye." I fought back the dryness that wanted to overtake my voice. Doing this, leaving her... already felt impossible.

"I see...you'll be safe though right?" I read the concern in her eyes, good she still cared. Knowing that meant a lot. It actually made a world of difference.

"Of course I will." I wanted to do nothing more than you make her happy at this moment.

"Good."

"Good." Then there was no talking. Only the passive stare into each other eyes. I felt there was so much more I wanted to say, I needed to say. To her, for us. Yet all I could do was just...looka at her. so after a while, I decided I'd be the one to call it a night. I didn't want to overstep any boundaries made, due to my actions "It's getting late, I guess I should be going-"

"Actually, can you come inside."

"Inside?" I asked with a calm question, but inside my body, I felt eh complete opposite. My need to be with her, to touch her suddenly skyrocketed even more than what he had been before.

"Yea, I want you to spend the night with me." Kenya's eyes never wavered from mines as she too waited for my response.

" Yeah, of course, um, are you sure-"

"Yes, I'm positive, come inside with me." I nodded and followed her inside. Once there, the hard shell that I had been keeping up, to make myself believe that everything was going to be okay...fell. I again felt like I had to give something I loved up. It wasn't fair. "So much has happened today... I thought it'd be best to talk about it, ya know. I've learned so much in these few hours..."

Problem was, I didn't want to talk about today, today was the last thing I wanted to think about. Because tomorrow would be here before I would be ready. i just wanted to enjoy this moment, the here and the now.

" Kenya i... I don't want this to be our last night..." I sounded like some cub, crying to its mother. Complaining about hot he world just isn't fair- and having that some small chance of hope. That she'd have the power to fix it.

"Then don't let it be, think of it as you leaving for the moment, but you'll be back..." her words to me, were encouraging, hopefully. both we both knew it wasn't true. and if it were true, and I didn't come back. Nothing would be the same. she was right before when she said I can't just go off and leave, fight for a kingdom and then return as if nothing has changed. I knew that was a reality that could never be...because she knew what I had to do to fix my families mess.

And knowing that would change everything about you, right. The very fabric of who you think you are. and in my case...what I don't want to be.

"Right." I agreed, and this fake true almost between us. Would help me sleep the night.

"and Simba, we never got a chance to consummate your marriage as mates." My red orbs widen. I was not expecting her to...her walk of confidence up to me. there was something different about it." if you're not mad at me for acting like as ass towards you this entire time... I want to"

"I want to too." a smile reached from ear to ear on her face, my heart warmed at the suite. We had embraced and at the moment of physical contact between our two bodies felt perfect indescribable. Our minds were both in a blissful trace as our bodies dance together in perfect harmony one last time as lion and llioness. Laying there with her in my arms would be the last moment of pure bliss I knew I would experience. if not for a while but for the rest of my life.

"So this is it, you leave in a few hours." her soft words stirred me from the stillness that was our den. I could feel her heart beating slowly as she pressed into me, and held me tight.

"Yes, as soon as the sun rises..." I was surprised I could muster the words. It was all starting to hit me more and more with the passing seconds.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?" she asked. matching her breathing with the rise and fall of my own.

"I don't know, at least until I can help make some order for my pride. it's the least I can do," I answered.

"And how long do you think that will take?"

"Not long," I answered hopefully.

"Not long?" she repeated as if searing the date of my unknown return in her head.

"Yea, not long."

That morning came quicker than most. Before I knew it, we were both up and walking to the main area of the den. the walk there be both said little to no words. We didn't need them, and last night spoke for everything we had been feeling and still felt for each other. What else could a lion ask for? By the time we got there the air was still cool from the moons blue light.

"Nala and Kye were the only Lions standing there.

"You ready?" she asked, turning to me.

"Yeah." I turned to look at Kye, who had become a father figure to me. Even when I didn't want him to when I thought I didn't deserve the care of attention. Wow. I would have to say bye to him too. " Kye, thank you for letting Shia and Roho stay here until we come back."

"No problem son, they're family just like you are."

"Thank you." I don't think Kye knew how much that meant to me at that moment. He and I shared a look of understanding. while doing this, Nala had made her way to Kenya.

" Kenya...i wanted to say thank you too, despite all the trouble I caused for you. I truly appreciate everything you and your family did for me."

"You're welcome."And she meant it, I despite everything. She genuinely as a lioness who wanted to help others.

"You guys better get going, It's a full day's and a half journey to the mountain pride if you keep aft a steady pace. Remember to stay alongside the river as far out as you can. then just head east."

"Yes, Kye thank you." then I turned to face her, to say...our last goodbye. I played this moment over and over again in my head, and still, nothing I could think of readily prepared me for this."...Kenya -"

"I love you! I love you so much..."She nuzzled me, softy. we both desperate to get one last touch. one last feeling, one last memory.

"I love you too."

When it was time to leave, I didn't say goodbye, I didn't look back. I didn't have the heart nor strength to do it. I didn't want this feeling I felt to be final. I wanted to keep on to this one last shred of hope that this would soon be over and I'd be back here in my home, with her in my arms. No, I could not say goodbye to that. So the promise of return kept me going, but the walk away wasn't easy.

"Simba, you're doing the right thing..." I nodded, hoping that what she said was right. The pain to kill for vengeance and the pain to be loved, equally pulled at my heart right now. I couldn't tell which one would eventually overpower the other. At any moment I felt like I could turn back, to the security had built. And on the other paw, the feeling of malice steadily starting to grow within me, the more the realization hit of me facing my cousin became. I was walking between a fine line... I was always walking between a fine, ever disappearing line.

*Not gonna lie I teared up a bit writing this goodbye. Also a Two chapter day today so be on the lookout later tonight!

+ RyanSquad, Hey you coined it lol My Real Father, Uncle Mufasa

+KawaiiCutie12, thank you that means so much, and they do! every time I forget and try to put an emoji in a review I get my heartbroken!

+ExGeneration35, Me too!