Scar could smell her on the wind. It pulled at something deep inside of him that he was trying to ignore. He wasn't sure he'd be able to for much longer. No wonder his brother seemed to act like an idiot most of the time. With all these females around him, addling his brains, it was a wonder he got anything done.
Mufasa can usually do something about his frustrations, came the unbidden thought.
He stopped his imagination short and rolled onto his back, moving back and forth as if to scratch the thoughts from his mind. Molly's giggle made him open his eyes to see her watching him from over the stripped wildebeest leg.
"You look awfully cute like that."
Immediately righting himself, Scar looked away from her, worried she'd be able to read his thoughts through his eyes, "I had an itch," he half lied.
"You know what a cat is?"
"No."
"Well, lions are cats, so are cheetahs and leopards. There are all sorts all over the world."
He turned to her, a mischievous look was on her face.
"Humans have little tiny versions that we keep in our homes. We call them pets. Anyway, you reminded me of a pet cat I had as a little girl just now. Except Joojoo was much fatter. He was a lazy cat."
Scar arched an eyebrow, offended, "I remind you of a tiny fat cat?"
Molly laughed, a loud beautiful noise that dragged along the tender parts inside Scar. Taking a deep breath and letting it back out, he tried to calm himself.
"Not exactly like him, just that he would do the same motion if he wanted tummy rubs," she grinned, "Remember the way I scratched behind your ears before? That was Joojoo's favorite spot."
"You were treating me like your fat cat?"
She laughed again, "Well sort of," she tilted her head, "You seemed to like it."
He had loved it. He wondered how humans touched each other. Did she like being scratched behind her ears?
"I enjoyed it," he admitted.
"Good," she grinned, "I'll have to do it again wh-" she cut off, her smile fading.
When I turn back. The unspoken reminder that this wasn't permanent hung in the silence between them.
"I wouldn't mind you doing it again," he said at length. "You… told Rafiki you wanted to stay… Did you- I mean…" he grunted, annoyed by his inability to articulate, "Do you want to stay with me? Not just until this wears off, but forever?"
A soft smile crossed her face and she glanced out across the Pridelands, "I want to stay with you." she admitted, "But staying like this… Forever is relative..."
He didn't really know what she meant. Forever was forever unless humans had a different understanding of that as well.
She took a deep breath and started over, "I've already told you I want to be with you. I think I like being a lion better than a human. But… do you know what a year is?"
He shook his head.
"It's twelve moons."
"We measure twelve moons by one rain season," he said.
"Oh, good… Uh, how many rain seasons have happened in your lifetime?"
"Six."
…
Molly stared, "Six?"
"Yes."
Molly felt ill. She knew lions couldn't have a lifespan like a human, but this was still shocking news. If he turned human, would he be an adult or a six year old boy?
Scar noticed her discomfort, "I assume that is not the answer you expected."
"No," she swallowed.
"How many rain seasons have happened in your lifetime?"
"…Twenty-two."
There was a long silence, then he said, "Ah."
"I…as a human, I could live to see seventy to even one hundred seasons."
He stared, "The oldest lion I've ever heard of saw twelve seasons," he gave a heavy sigh, "One hundred?" he whispered as if it might as well have been a million. "I see now why you hesitated. Forever for a lion is a small speck compared to the forever you could have as a human."
She nodded, "Yes. But if we turned human… You said there's no life for us here, but I don't know what kind of life we would have as humans either. There are a lot of complicated expectations and rules for humans. It wouldn't be unfettered freedom like I think you think it is."
Scar looked out over the Pridelands, saying nothing.
Molly wished she could see a way around all of this. It seemed there was nowhere for the two of them to go. Their two worlds wouldn't allow them to stay and be happy in either one. She felt like crying.
"I won't give you up," Scar said, "I don't care what I have to do, I will carve out a place for us."
"I-"
He turned and the look in his eyes stopped her. Absolute determination shone through, "You are mine," he said.
Molly opened her mouth to answer when the fluttering of feathers brought her attention up in time to see a bright blue bird whiz by. Circling back, it came in for a landing on a stone two feet from Scar. Shrewd eyes peered past a long orange beak.
"Good morning, Scar," the bird sounded like he didn't mean it, then turned to Molly and gave the slightest bow of his head, "Madam."
"What is it, Zazu?" Scar sighed.
Returning his attention to Scar, Zazu fluffed his feathers once then smoothed them, reminding Molly of someone adjusting a suit. "The King requests your presence."
"Tell him I'm busy."
Spluttering, Zazu hopped indignantly back and forth, "Busy? Busy sunbathing?"
"Mmm," Scar replied.
Zazu clacked his beak, "Scar-"
"What does Mufasa want him for?" Molly asked.
Glancing from her to Scar and back, the little bird huffed under his breath, "No respect," then louder, "The King requests both of you present yourselves before the Royal Family."
"Now?" Molly swallowed.
"Now," Zazu nodded.
Scar growled but got to his feet, "Tell my brother I'm coming."
Zazu gave a curt nod and shot up into the sky, clearly ready to be away from them.
"Scar…"
"It will be fine," Scar gave her a quick lick.
Molly followed him towards the path up to Pride Rock, "Is there anything I should know before meeting your brother?"
Scar hesitated, "Remember my brother is king. He grudgingly overlooks most of my insubordination, but I doubt he will be so forgiving with you."
"So…do I not speak unless spoken to? Do I bow?"
Scar gave a sideways grin, "Your human royalty sounds much more intolerable than ours. No, you don't need to bow, and you may speak freely so long as you're respectful."
"Probably shouldn't talk to him the way I spoke to Sarabi?"
"Exactly. She will also be there, remember this time that she is queen."
Molly nodded, "I'll be on my best behavior."
Eyeing her sideways, Scar gave a short chuckle, "We'll see."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," he said innocently, "Just that you have a habit of speaking your mind."
"And you don't?"
"Being like me will certainly not win you any favors with my brother," he halted at the top of the path, "They are sure to try your patience. Do your best to ignore it."
"I'll try," she wished her guts weren't twisted into a lead ball. She worried there were things Scar might think of as inconsequential but that would create difficulties for them if she blundered.
"Ready?"
Taking a deep breath, Molly nodded and followed Scar into the entrance of Pride Rock.
Apologies for being a few days late. Who knew calendars were a thing, right? Eheheh... Seriously, I'm very sorry for making you guys wait. I'm either early or late with these updates, but I'm trying to stick with the once a month schedule.
Ooh, Molly's going to be introduced to the King!
I really can't wait for you guys to see where I take this. I hope you guys enjoy it too. There's always the chance you'll all hate it. Heh...