It had been three years since Simba last had a bad dream.

His life had become better. His life as a cub was fraught with villainy and pain – like he had been contaminated with some kind of deadly disease. A disease that – one day – might just kill him. He'd been infected with deadly diseases before. They weren't exactly the most pleasing things in the world to have.

But he didn't have to worry about that any more. Life in the Pride Lands had become much happier and peaceful. It all ended with that one dream. At least, Simba thought it was a dream. His... whole world had been changed. Manipulated.

And Simba feared that his whole life was finally over. His potential had been squandered. And, all of a sudden, he won again. Like he always did. He was a very fortunate cub. The luckiest cub in the world. But all luck had to run out sometime – didn't it?

Apparently not. Things were pretty happy. Of course, there was the occasional problem – the death of his parents, Mufasa and Sarabi, had a profound effect on him. However, there was always something to keep him going. They lived in him. They may be gone – but the memory of them lived on for ever.

Besides, he still had Nala – and she was the most important thing in his life. After so many years, she still remained faithful to him. She still loved him. It was as if nothing had ever changed. It didn't feel like anything had changed.

Everything seemed perfect...

It was hard to even imagine that was a time when Simba would have to defend his future kingdom every single day – now that was a challenge! He didn't know where he even found the strength in that tiny little body of his...

But, strangely enough, ever since that day with the dream, a problem had never ever occurred in the Pride Lands. Simba had smoothly made the transition from Prince to King of the Pride Lands without a hitch.

He had grown up now. He wanted to forget all about the hard times of his cubhood. He wanted to focus on what was happening right now. Instead of dwelling on the past, he just wanted to focus on his future. He had so many plans. So many things that he wanted to do.

And one of those things – hopefully – he would accomplish tonight.

"Come on, Simba," said Nala, pulling him through the gap in between two trees that were close together. Even though she had grown up, Nala still had that eager glint in her eyes. That eager glint that just never seemed to go away. She was still a cub at heart. "We need to get there before it gets dark."

Simba chuckled, brushing away part of the long red mane that covered his face. "All right, all right," he said, smiling. "Just where are we going, Nala?"

"Simba, by now you should know where we're going," Nala replied jokingly. "Can you even remember what day it is?"

"Of course I can," Simba responded confidently. "Um... Erm... How many days are in the week again?"

Nala giggled. "Simba, it's that day again," she explained. "We've been married for two years now. I can't even believe that you asked me when you were—"

"Just a teen," Simba finished with a grin. "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. You know what we were like at that age. Hugging, kissing—"

"Among other things," Nala remarked with a sly smile, giving him a sneaky look. "Other things that... we may just experience again tonight – if you don't mind, of course."

"Have I ever minded before?" Simba retorted. "I still can't get over the fact that you said yes! Yes! To marrying me when we were just teens! Young teens, at that."

Nala couldn't help but laugh, nodding in agreement. "I know! Oh, I couldn't believe the look on your mother's face!"

"My mother?" Simba's smile widened. "You should have seen Zazu! His eyes looked like they were going to pop out! I think he almost choked on his orange!"

They both laughed, before Simba sighed. "Still..." he said, a twitch of a frown appearing on his face. "All gone now..."

"Yeah..." An awkward moment of silence passed, before Nala hit him playfully on the shoulder. "Oh, come on, Simba. Let's just try to enjoy this moment, okay? With no distractions."

"Moment?" Simba raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to his mate, whispering in her ear. "I didn't realise this was... a romantic moment."

Nala gave him a confused look. "What other kind of moment would it be?"

Simba shrugged. "An... un romantic moment?" he suggested with a shrug.

Nala laughed, before pouncing at Simba, pinning him down to the ground – like she always did, ever since they were cubs. "Oh, Simba – even when you're not trying to be romantic, you still... do something to me. Have you got special powers, by any chance?"

"Not that I'm aware of," was his reply. "Maybe it's you that has the special powers."

"Oh, really?" Nala chuckled, pressing her fore paws down on Simba's chest. "Well, Simba, do you ever have... dreams sometimes?"

"Yeah – just not bad ones," he told her. "I haven't had a bad dream in years. Back when I missed that day... A whole day of my life... gone..."

"You're getting weird again," Nala pointed out.

"Sorry. Now, what were you saying about dreams?" Simba asked.

"Do you ever have those kind of... lifelong dreams?" Nala continued, giving him a flirtatious look. "Dreams that... you really, really want to come true?"

"Depends on what they are," said Simba, knowing where Nala was going with this.

"Ever considered us having a cub of our own?" Nala finally asked. "We could definitely do with one. You don't want the kingdom going to... Haiba, do you?"

"Haiba?" Simba chuckled. "Last time I checked, his mother won't even let him take her place yet. Apparently she discovered some kind of... technique that keeps her young and energetic." He shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever understand the Grand Lands..." He looked into the eyes of his Queen. "So, you were saying – cubs."

Nala nodded. "Yes, I was, Simba. It's kind of... something I've wanted for a really long time, but... I wasn't ready until now."

"Well, how did you know when you were ready?" Simba wondered, a slightly puzzled look on his face.

"I... I don't know," Nala finally said after a moment of silence. "It's just that... I know, you know?"

"That was three 'knows'. You're breaking your all-time record," Simba joked with a smile. "And the answer is 'yes', by the way."

Nala narrowed her eyes at him. "Answer to what?" she said, confused.

"If I want to have a cub or not," Simba explained. "Yes. I do. So, so much. I still remember those names, too."

"What?" Nala giggled, resting her head on Simba's chest. "Kiara and Kopa? You have a very good memory, don't you?"

"So do you," said Simba. "We'll either have a very beautiful daughter—"

"Or a very handsome son," Nala finished for him, before rising, staring down into his auburn eyes. "So... are you ready for the ride of your life?"

"I've been ready for ages," was Simba's response.

Nala giggled. "Oh, you are so gonna get a slap from me," she joked, before kissing her mate passionately on the muzzle.

It wasn't long before things started to get a bit racy, and Nala released Simba from the kiss, before lowering her head towards the bottom half of his body. Lower, lower, lower...

"Ah!" a familiar voice exclaimed from beside the two, interrupting their intimate moment.

Simba and Nala turned their heads to the side, and found themselves looking at Haiba. He looked a lot bigger now – of course being an adult – and sported a long, light brown mane.

"Simba! Nala!" he said, grinning. "It's so good to see you! Sorry to interrupt your sexually tantalising moment, but I just couldn't resist. I just had to see you."

"Haiba?" Nala got to her paws, heading over to her friend and hugging him. "It's good to see you, too!"

"Is there always a line for hugs when you're around?" Simba teased, standing by Nala's side. "Certainly seems like there is..."

"Oh, don't be like that," said Haiba, giving Simba a hug and a sneaky kiss on the cheek. "Nice fur, by the way. But anyway... what have you been up to, Mister King of the Pride Lands?"

"Nothing much," Simba told him. "Just... this and that. Making sure all the animals are in check and... Well, that's pretty much it. It's all pretty quiet these days. Not as exciting as when were cubs."

"Yeah..." Haiba's voice sounded distant. "What's it been, three years since I last saw you?"

"Three years exactly," Nala confirmed. She glanced at Simba. "I've counted the days."

"Don't you die of boredom doing the same thing all day?" Haiba wondered, his eyes narrowed. "What do you do get rid of that kind of stuff?"

"Oh, we relax, we live..." Simba replied. "We..." He looked up at the sky. "Listen to the birdsong."

The sound of birds tweeting could be heard.

Nala pointed at the sky. "Yeah, see? Birds. Cool, huh?"

"Didn't have much time for birdsong back in the old days," Simba remarked.

The birdsong became louder. Haiba's eyes started to flicker. "Ooh, whoa..." he said, putting a paw to his temple, stumbling a bit. "My head's feeling a bit... funny. But you're right. We never had any time for birdsong back in the..." He slowly sank to the ground, his eyes shutting. "Old..."

The three of them collapsed to the ground, fast asleep.