Work Text:
Kion moved uncomfortably around his sleeping spot in Priderock. Trying to get rest on the hard surface below him was unusually difficult tonight.
He couldn’t sleep. Usually, after growing tired from a long day with the Lion Guard, he fell asleep easily.
He felt restless. All because his mind was filled with thoughts of a certain hyena: Jasiri.
“I have to see her again.”
Kion raised his head and looked over his shoulder. As grateful as he was for his pride/family, sometimes he wished it wasn't so big. Countless lioness shadows covered Kion's vision, making the usually bright image of the starry night outside Priderock’s entrance misshapen by shadows.
Kion slowly crept over the lionesses, careful not to disturb their peace - and in turn, disturb his own. He climbed over his grandmother Sarabi in her slumber, moving backwards to make sure she wouldn't wake up until - “Oof-!”
He bumped against Sarafina's side with his back.
“Sorry grandma Sarafina,” Kion whispered in embarrassment.
The lioness stirred slightly, but luckily did not wake up.
But someone else did.
“Kion?”
Kion quickly turned his head, meeting his father Simba's tired, curious but concerned gaze. “...yes dad?” Kion asked with a nervous smile on his face.
“I could hear you moving through the den,” Simba chuckled. “What are you doing up so late? Are you alright?”
A soft smile grew on Kion's lips. Even though he was sneaking out, he still appreciated his father's concern. However, he still needed to deflect it so he could leave.
“Yeah, dad. I'm just…going to the watering hole to get a drink.”
Kion wasn't one to lie. Well, maybe as a younger cub, but those were for less serious things - like mixing paint on Rafiki's paintings with Kiara or goofing off with Bunga.
Seeing Jasiri again was a more personal mission for him, and he couldn’t have his dad jeopardizing it.
“Oh,” said Simba in surprise at his overreaction. “Well since you’ll still be out by yourself, I’ll come with you in case-”
“No!” Kion nearly shouted in a mix of annoyance and anger, leaving Simba to stare, momentarily stunned in confusion at his son's outburst.
“I mean-” Kion sighed. “You don't have to dad. I'll be fine.”
“What if something happens?”
Kion had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. “Dad, I have the Roar. I think I can manage.”
“Okay,” Simba relented. “Just be careful. It's still dark out. Remember: Quickly and safely.”
“I know dad. I'll be right back.”
As Simba watched Kion leave the den, he couldn’t help but shake the feeling that something was off. Kion rarely ever woke up at night, and he was so insistent on going alone.
He knew Kion could handle himself and was the more responsible of his two cubs, but a father worries. The last time he “went to the watering hole” as a cub didn't exactly go so well.
As Simba snuggled next to Nala, he left a silent prayer to his father to watch over his son in his brief break from sleep.
Well, Simba thought it would be brief.
Kion had other plans.
Kion took a few steps toward Priderock's entrance and turned back to see his father asleep beside his mother. He tiptoed around the ledge of Priderock, looking at the stars above him.
He couldn’t believe he was actually doing this.
He climbed down to the ground, feeling Priderock's shadow looming over him. “Maybe this is a bad idea…” he thought. “But then again…seeing Jasiri's face again would make this all worth it.”
He felt blush creep to his face as the thought entered his mind, but he quickly shook it off. He was just going to see one of his friends.
That he hasn't seen in a while.
And thinks about constantly.
But he just misses her a lot.
Right?
Kion ran through the Pridelands, quickly and stealthily as to not make a sound. As he passed the sleeping Zebra herd, he saw his friend Ono asleep in his nest in a nearby tree.
He sure is glad Ono's asleep. Otherwise, he might have been caught by now.
Priderock’s silhouette became smaller and smaller as the lion cub walked over the plains of the savannah. The less vegetation started covering the earth. Kion slowed down as he moved toward a canyon near Flat Ridge Rock that separated the Pridelands and the Outlands. He stopped and looked over the chasm below him.
Well, this is it.
“Why am I still so nervous?!” Kion complained internally. “Is my mane okay?”. He raised a paw to slick his small mohawk of an eventual mane back, only to pull it back immediately in realization. “Wait- why am I even doing that? I'm not going on a date or anything.”
“Atleast…I think so.”
Kion climbed down the rocky terrain of the Outlands. Though it was dark, he could still make out similar structures he had seen the last - and first time - he saw Jasiri’s clan. He followed them, finding his way to Jasiri and her clan’s watering hole, still thankfully in the right paws.
Jasiri took a sip from the pool of water below her. Her clan was all asleep, but she couldn’t sleep herself. Something about a certain lion that wouldn't seem to stop entering her mind.
Wonder what that’s about.
Kion saw Jasiri come into view as he inched closer. “At least one of us won’t be lying when we come home late,” he thought. Jasiri hears footsteps approaching her, turning to see the source, only to be surprised to see a familiar face.
“Kion?”
“Jasiri.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to check up on you is all,” Kion replied a little quieter than before, his confident demeanor slightly faltering.
Jasiri, however, wasn't convinced. “Just because? In the middle of the night?” Jasiri chuckled as she looked across to her friend. “You sure you don’t have any other reasons besides that?”
“Can’t a guy come visit one of his friends?” Kion asked in defense and slight annoyance, feeling scrutinized under her gaze.
“Sure,” Jasiri rolled her eyes with a smile. “Though maybe this one doesn’t want to admit he missed me all that much.” Jasiri laughed again, and walked up to him. “I thought you'd be getting your Royal Beauty Sleep by now.”
Not that she thought he needed it. But it was fun to tease him about it.
“I mean, I could be,” Kion shrugged, head turning to smirk at the hyena next to him. "But it's worth sacrificing to see you.”
Jasiri smirked back. “I never would have pinned you as the rebellious type.”
“I guess you just bring out that side of me.”
Huh.
Jasiri’s expression turned into an amused and flustered smile, before she diverted her eyes away from Kion’s face.
Obviously, she knew this back-and-forth was a part of their usual banter, but hearing a indirect confirmation that he went out of his way just to see her felt…nice. Jasiri felt warmth rush to her face as she thought in quiet, but she might have been quiet a bit too long, because Kion teased her before she could make an actual comeback.
“Aww, what’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
Her ears dropped in embarrassment, and her eyes widened in shock as she looked at him again, with that dumb, smug grin on his face. She lightly punched Kion’s arm, diverting his focus on her - and the tension - for a moment, and started walking away.
“Ow-?” Kion looked at his arm in confusion. Did he offend her somehow? She didn’t have trouble coming up with comebacks before. Was it the way he said it?
“Stupid Kion and his stupid cute face.” Said Jasiri internally.
“Tag.” She simply said aloud, still walking away from the lion cub.
“What?” Did he hear her correctly?
“Tag. You’re it.” Apparently so.
“Tag?”
Tag?
That’s it?
Kion didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t that. And he didn’t know why, but a part of him felt kind of disappointed.
Jasiri sighed, surprised that her idea couldn’t get through her friend’s thick skull. “Yes. Y'know - I tag you, you're “It”, you try to catch me-”
“I know what tag is Jasiri!” Kion blurted out in annoyance and frustration.
“Why were you so surprised then?” Jasiri asked, not expecting to see this much of a reaction from him.
“I just-” Kion found himself starting with the same force he had previously spoken, but cutting himself off. He had a feeling he knew the real reason why he was so conflicted, but he would never admit it to himself. He finished his reply, blushing form in embarrassment, looking away. “-wasn't ready, that's all.”
Jasiri started to giggle at his bashful response and teased him. “You’re not supposed to be silly! It's tag!” She pauses afterward, turning her back and looking at him in anticipation. “Now, are you gonna chase after me, or not?”
Kion didn’t need to be told twice.
He ran after her as Jasiri dashed forward, leading them into their own little world.
It had been about thirty minutes since the pair started playing. Kion and Jasiri were on their fifth tag round. Kion ran through a narrow path on the ground, while Jasiri kept up with him from a rock ledge above. Both animals won two rounds previously, leading to the final being the tiebreaker.
However, this final round came with a little twist: If “It” could successfully catch the other in 5 seconds before they reached the watering hole, they won. But if the other player escapes and reaches the watering hole in those last 5 seconds, they won.
Kion looked up to her with a confident grin, realizing the watering hole was close by. “See Jasiri, I told you I would win. You’ll have no choice but to crown me the winner.”
Jasiri smirked at him. “I don’t think you have much choice.” Kion, being too busy looking at her, confused at what she meant, slipped down a slope and nearly into a rock wall. Jasiri chuckled as she saw this, and slid down the ledge to Kion’s level. “Did you really forget you were in my territory Kion?”
Kion laughed. “I might be in your territory, but that doesn’t mean I can’t outsmart you.” Before Jasiri could respond, Kion used a nearby puddle to splash water in her face. Jasiri sputtered out the water that entered her face, annoyed but also excited to get Kion back. “Wha- Hey! That wasn’t part of our rules!”
Kion turned his head back to Jasiri as he ran away, teasing her. “Sorry, can’t hear you over me reaching the finish line!” With a wink to her, Kion runs even faster and farther away.
Jasiri giggled. “Oh, we’ll see about that.” Her competitiveness increased in turn, and she tailed after her friend.
Kion saw the watering hole up ahead and raced toward it. He was almost there!
Or at least he was, until he heard a voice call out to him.
“Oh no you don’t!” Jasiri jumped on Kion from behind, making them tumble forward. Jasiri landed on her back, holding Kion in a small headlock. Kion moved his paws up to take hold of Jasiri’s own, rolling to the side to get her off.
When Jasiri gets back up, Kion tries to pin her down, but before he can, Jasiri wrestles him off.
“I thought-”. Kion lunged toward her, but Jasiri quickly dodged him and laughed. “I thought it was supposed to be me tagging you.” Jasiri lunged back at Kion, only for him to dodge her as well. “Not the other way around!”
“And let you win so easily?” Kion laughed. “I don’t think so.” He then jumped on top of her, causing them to fall and roll on the ground. Kion pushes Jasiri off again, only for her to push back, pin him down, and begin counting.
“Five.” Kion momentarily struggled under her, but quickly got himself up.
“Four.” Kion continued, getting up and running toward the watering hole again.
“Three.” Jasiri tackled Kion again, pinning him on his stomach. Kion panicked and tried to wring himself free.
“Two.” Jasiri momentarily released her grip, making Kion turn over to push her off in opportunity, only for her to pin his chest to the ground. Kion growled in frustration. “No!”
“One! Haha! I win!” Jasiri smiled triumphantly over her friend. Kion, however, wasn’t having it.
“What?! That wasn’t fair! You were supposed to tag me, not tackle me.”
Jasiri raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t this the same lion who splashed water in my face to win? I’m pretty sure we’re even.”
A nervous smile formed on Kion’s face. “Sorry…?”
Jasiri waved him off with a paw. “Nah, don’t be. I probably would have done the same to you.”
Kion smiled as he rolled his eyes. “Of course you would.”
A light-hearted laugh was shared between the two of them, until Kion decided to strike up conversation again.
“So…what was that all about?”
“What was what all about?”
“I mean, you didn’t exactly need to let me up earlier,” Kion said, recalling when Jasiri briefly let him up before he was defeated. “You had me firmly pinned down already.”
“Maybe so.” Jasiri shrugged. “But then I wouldn’t have a clear view of your face when you lost.”
“So you just wanted an excuse to look at me?” Kion said with a smug grin.
“What the-” Jasiri's face momentarily flushed, taken aback by the lion cub’s accusation. “Oh please,” She looks away from him, mumbling her next few words in a sarcastic tone. “don’t flatter yourself...”
Kion, on the other hand, begins to laugh. “That still wasn’t a no, Jasiri.”
“Kion, shush.” Jasiri feels a smile creep on her face despite herself. She puts a paw on top of Kion’s muzzle before he can speak any further, earning a confused look from the lion cub below her.
“What?” Kion asks, his voice coming out more muffled than he realized.
Jasiri looks down at her friend. She tries to keep a straight face - but he honestly looked so stupid with his face squashed in a pout, and his current voice certainly wasn't helping him either.
“Pfft- aha- ahahahaha!”
In her fit of laughter, she removed her paw from Kion's mouth, leaving the other to stare, confused.
“What? What's so funny?” Kion asks, though his upper lip also began to curve in a smile.
“Y-your face! It's priceless, bahahahaha-!”
A full smile formed on Kion's muzzle. “Oh, you wanna talk about my face? Look at yours!”
Both animals burst into laughter at the look of the other. No matter how serious they tried to be, they couldn’t contain their laughter around each other.
Until Kion suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes after he did, admiring his jovial friend above him. Seeing Jasiri's radiant, carefree smile as she laughed, and taking notice of the close proximity they never reached before this point, and let alone for this long, made the feeling Kion refused to acknowledge the entire night come right back to him.
“Kion, you alright?”
“Huh?” said Kion, being pulled out of his dazed state.
“You were staring a bit.”
“Oh, uh- y-yeah, I'm okay!” Kion’s face flushed as he responded. His thoughts fluctuated between choosing to move or staying like this with her. Regardless, he couldn’t look her directly in the eyes at that point, diverting his eyes elsewhere. “...you can get off me now, y’know,” he mumbled.
“Oh! Um- right, sorry!”
Jasiri quickly moves off of the lion cub, letting him get up and opting to sit in front of him instead.
“Nono, it's fine,” Kion replied, mumbling the last few words to himself. “I didn't really mind all that much anyway.”
Jasiri’s ears perked up. “Huh?”
“Nothing!”
“...”
“...”
“Okayyyy then…”
“That was strange,” Jasiri thought to herself. “We were all happy before, and now it's all awkward. Did I do something weird? I hope I didn’t make him uncomfortable or anything…”
“Ugh! Why does this keep happening?!” Kion complained internally. “Why am I acting so weird around Jasiri now? And her laugh is so…cute?! I’ve heard her laugh before, but why does it only feel so different hearing it now? Spirits, this better not be what I think this is…”
The pair walked back to the watering hole, to rest from their game, but also to clear their heads from whatever this was. The two drank from the pool beside each other. Both glanced at the other at the same time, quickly looking away in embarrassment.
“So,” Kion started.
“Soooo….?” Jasiri drawled.
“Now what?”
Jasiri looked up at the sky above. It had been about an hour since Kion had arrived in the Outlands, and she didn’t really feel like playing too much anymore.
And with how much just occurred, she realized they might wake up her clan with anything further. A suggestion came to her mind.
“Walk with me?”
“Sure.”
Kion got up, following his friend for the second time that evening.
They had been walking in comfortable silence for a few minutes, which was alright, but Kion didn’t want the other to think he was still thinking about the awkward moment earlier - which he definitely wasn’t, mind you.
“You know before you tagged me-”
“And lost.” Jasiri interrupted. “Twice.”
Kion turns to look at her, eyelids lowered in annoyance. “Really?”.
Jasiri just smiled at him. “What? It’s true.”
Kion rolled his eyes, but there was no real malice behind it. “You’re acting as if I didn’t win one round.”
“I never said you didn’t,” Jasiri clarified. “I’m just saying I’m a better player than you.”
Kion responded with a clarification of his own. “You tagged me first, remember? Of course you had an advantage over me.”
“Aww, boohoo,” Jasiri said with a fake pout. “Sounds like you're just being a sore loser.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, you're just being a sore winner.”
“Ha! If it makes you feel any better, I might go easy on you next time.”
“And where would be the fun in that?”
Jasiri shrugged. “Eh. I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”
Kion laughed a little at that and continued. “As I was saying, before all that, we never really talked about anything.” He turns to look at her with genuine curiosity. “How have you been?”
Jasiri smiled at the sentiment. “A lot better actually. Things have been running a bit smoother since you helped us get our watering hole back.”
“It was the least I could do,” Kion replied. “I still owed you after you helped me get back home.”
Jasiri looked a bit confused. “Didn’t you technically pay me back by helping me with Janja before?”
“Well, yeah,” Kion replied, his voice a little softer at the next sentence. “But I care about you, Jasiri. I would have helped you regardless.”
Jasiri’s face became slightly warm at the lion cub’s sentiment. She appreciated him being caring towards her, and how he would lend his paw regardless of whether he owed it to her or not. It was sweet, and his selflessness was one of the things she admired about him.
However, she didn’t want him to see her going soft on him. So she opted to tease him instead.
“Aww,” She cooed. “How chivalrous of you.”
“Chivalrous?” Kion found himself to be flustered again - for like what, the third time tonight? Anyway - Heat rushed to his face, darkening his golden fur with a red tint. His eyes widened at the hyena pup’s reply, looking in another direction as he grumbled in embarrassment, unsure how to react at the sudden flattery. “Jasiri…”
The other animal giggled at her friend's reaction, blushing herself. She decided to change the subject a bit, to save the lion cub from embarrassment. Though only a little.
“You know,” Jasiri started again. “I think Wema and Tunu might warm up to you the next time you see them.”
“Might?” Kion laughed. “Only might?”
“What? You saw how they were still a bit scared of you after everything.” Jasiri said, recalling the time the twin hyena pups jumped behind a rock after seeing Kion again after he helped Jasiri’s clan get their watering hole back from Zira. The pups were scared of him beforehand, but the fear has decreased a bit since then.
“Then again, can’t really say I blame them though,” Before Kion can even respond, Jasiri playfully shoves him with her shoulder, making him move slightly away from her, as she smirks at him. “You are a force to be reckoned with after all.”
Kion, momentarily stunned, looks down at his shoulder and back at the hyena beside him. A smirk adorns his lips as he speaks to her again. “You know,” Kion drawled. “I could say the same for you, too.”
“Honestly,” He continued. “I still can’t believe how you took on Janja’s clan all by yourself. Usually, my friends and I take them on all together. And using sand to blind them too? That was amazing! You’re incredible! ”
Kion was about to say more, but he stepped. His smile faded and was replaced with a frown.
“What's wrong?” Said Jasiri, now worried.
“It's just that,” Kion began. “I realized I never actually apologized to you for how I treated you the day we met. I was so terrible to you just because you were a hyena! I'm so sorry, Jasiri. I should have never treated you like that.”
“Thank you, Kion. I appreciate that. You still didn't realize there were good hyenas.” Jasiri added. “I just wanted to help you see past that ignorance.”
“And you did! And I'm grateful for that, really. But that still doesn't excuse how I acted.” He continued. “Even though I was still so rude to you, you helped me get back home. And even after all that, you trusted me enough to ask me to help you and your clan. Your compassion is incredible. You’re incredible. You…”
“I ‘what’?”
He took a breathe, looking at her in awe.
“You never fail to amaze me.”
Now it was Jasiri’s turn to be stunned. She didn't expect him to apologize now, she didn’t expect all the praise Kion gave her, and she definitely wasn’t expecting him to tell her that she amazes him. After the shock wears off, she smiles softly at him, looking at him with the same awe he had towards her.
“I don’t know what to say, Kion. I…Thank you.”
Kion returned the same expression. “You’re welcome.”
The two stayed there for a moment, looking at each other before moving their eyes elsewhere. This time, though, there was less awkwardness between them than before.
“Okay, okay - enough with the flattery,” Said Jasiri, fondly rolling her eyes as she continued. “What about you?”
She puts her paws on the other's shoulders to pull him a little closer, surprising him a bit and earning a nervous laugh from him.
“Wha- Me?”
“Yes, you! I’ve been dying to hear what’s kept you all this time.”
Kion laughed. “You’re not gonna believe how much has happened in the past few weeks.”
“He did what?!”
“I know! Ono was even better than Hadithi!” Said Kion, recalling how Ono helped save the klipspringers the day Hadithi the Hero visited the Pridelands, soaring in loops over the rock bride Janja and his clan stood on.
“He flew around them so fast, it made Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu so dizzy!
“And then they fell in the water?!” Said Jasiri, laughing in disbelief.
“And then they fell in the water!” Kion laughed back.
“That does sound like a pretty bad fall,” Jasiri said after catching her breath. “But then again I saw them the other day, and they were fine. Annoying as ever though.” The lion cub laughed again at the last comment.
“Still, wish I was there to see it with you all.”
So did Kion. Then, an idea popped into his head.
“Hey, if you want, maybe you can come with us on patrol sometimes. Y-y’know, since we don’t see you that often.”
Jasiri looked surprised at the lion cub’s offer, but then smiled. “Maybe I will.”
The pair share a smile with each other before lying on their backs beside one another, looking at the stars above them.
“The stars are so small from down here.” Kion observed. “When my dad takes Kiara and me out to stargaze, we get a better view from Priderock.”
“Really? I usually stargaze like this with Madoa.” Jasiri said, looking at the lion cub beside her as she mentioned her sister, before turning her attention to the stars once more.
“We would go out for a better view, but she doesn't like to come out as much as I do. And even then, you know how it is.” A sad smile formed on Jasiri’s face as she finished her last sentence. A frown formed on Kion’s face as he saw.
No one animal in the Pridelands would let a hyena’s presence go unnoticed, regardless of how pure their intentions were.
Atleast, not when they’re awake, that is.
Kion started to get up, his back turned to his friend as he looked toward his home. A hurt expression formed on Jasiri’s face as she thought Kion was leaving, only for him to turn to his head back to her and whisper.
“Hey. Come with me?”
“Why?”
Kion softly smiled.
“I want you to have a closer look.”
Jasiri followed Kion into the Pridelands, letting him guide her for the first time that night. They reached Flat Ridge Rock, both turning to check their surroundings before sitting down on the smooth surface together.
Jasiri gazed up at the stars, eyes widened in shock, gratitude, and amazement. The height made the stars look even brighter than before, their beauty and connection to one another all the more apparent.
“Wow. Kion, it’s…it’s beautiful.”
“Yeah,” Kion replied breathlessly. “It is.”
Because Kion wasn’t looking at the stars.
He was looking at her.
The light she exhibited herself just by her happiness alone, rivaling the moonlight itself, the joy they felt together, and the peace he felt with her made him realize that maybe.
Just maybe.
Those feelings he’s been trying to ignore the entire night, weren’t so bad after all.
A feeling of calm washed over the two. They point out constellations to eachother and sit in peaceful silence - until Kion begins to yawn.
“Aww. Did I tire you out already?” Jasiri teased.
“What?! No! I just-” Kion stopped mid-sentence, seeing Jasiri laugh at his response. He blushes in embarrassment and looks at his friend in annoyance. “Haha. Very funny, Jasiri. I’m just not used to staying up this late, that's all.”
Jasiri giggled again. “Figured as much. Though I do appreciate you taking me out here at least.”
“Why’s that?”
“I don’t really go into the Pridelands unless I actually need something,” Jasiri continued. “Tonight was…different. Good different. It was nice just being here alone with you. Honestly,” She paused, turning to look at him. “I missed you.”
The face Jasiri met was the same one that was in awe of her moments before. Something about the way Kion’s pupils were dilated as he looked at her made her pause. Stammering over her words a bit and looking elsewhere, she finished her reply. “A-and, uhm, it’s not as fun without you around, y’know?”
Kion was surprised at Jasiri’s reply. But also, a little flattered. She was acting the same way he did earlier. The same hesitation he had when he first spoke to her after he snuck out. The same anxious yet comfortable feeling he had around her. The way she couldn’t bare look at him, but also couldn’t help but do so.
Just like him.
Kion started to reply again, his voice becoming quiet like it did the first time he saw her, but loud enough for her to hear. “W-well, I’m glad you had a great time at least, because if I’m being honest,”
Jasiri turned to look at him.
“I really missed you, too.”
“Though, I’m sure you already knew that,” Kion continued with a little embarrassed smile. “Since you called me out on it before.”
Jasiri giggled in amusement. “I did, I did.” But was also a little bashful herself. “But still, it’s nice hearing that from you.”
The pair sat in comfortable silence after that, though both had a lot on their mind.
Kion had one the best nights of his life, even though he'd probably face some consequence tomorrow. But if sneaking out meant more nights like this with her, then maybe he'd consider doing it more often.
Jasiri however had a more bittersweet mindset. She had so much fun, and honestly didn't want the night to end. But she still knew that their separate lives would probably be an issue in them ever meeting up again. Then again, if Kion could take a risk just to see her like this, who says she couldn’t do the same?
“Hey, Kion?”
Jasiri paused, taking a breathe before the next few words.
“What do you say we make this a regular thing?”
Jasiri turns her head to hear her friend’s response, only for Kion’s shoulder to fall against hers by surprise. The Fiercest fell asleep, not from boredom, but from exhaustion.
She looks at the sleeping lion cub next to her in shock. Then amusement. Then in fondness.
“Hmm…”
“Cute.” She thought. Jasiri wrapped her forearm around the sleeping lion cub, bringing Kion’s face next to her. She licked his forehead in a kiss, set his head under hers, and smiled softly as she snuggled next to him.
“Goodnight Kion.”
“Maybe another time.”
They laid there together, sleeping on their spot, under the stars.
The sun’s rays shine down on the earth, pulling Kion from his needed rest. He sees the herds grazing along the grass. He hears the birds chirping.
It’s morning!
It’s morning.
Dread filled Kion’s thoughts. He couldn’t believe he slept in! He’s gonna be late for patrol!
Kion surveyed his surroundings and quickly shot up from Flat Ridge Rock.
Except he wasn’t at Flat Ridge Rock.
He was…behind some bushes under a tree?! How did he even get here?
Kion looked back and saw that Flat Ridge Rock was behind him - far behind him actually. When he turned his head to look forward, he saw that Priderock wasn’t as far away as it was last night.
Actually, it wasn’t too far in running distance to reach.
Did he sleepwalk all the way back? Did Jasiri bring him here?
Oh.
Jasiri must have brought him here before she went back to the Outlands.
Kion felt warmth rush to his face at the realization, which was starting to be a bit of a constant whenever he thought of the hyena.
“Jasiri, you didn’t have to y’know.” He sighed. “I need to get back to the lair. My friends are probably worried about me anyway.”
Kion looked back in the direction of the Outlands one last time. As…different as whatever feeling this was for her, he couldn’t deny that he was grateful to have Jasiri as someone special in his life - friend or more.
“Asante, Jasiri. Thank you.”
Kion turned back to Priderock, heading to the Lion Guard lair. He wanted to be fast enough to get there, but arrive slowly enough not to raise suspicions.
However, the Lion Guard was already making conspiracies of their own.
“I’m telling you guys, Kion is fine.” Said Bunga, lounging on the ground. He shrugged. “Maybe he just slept in or something.”
“Bunga, you live the farthest away from the lair, and you got here before him!” Fuli exclaimed, annoyed at Bunga’s nonchalance at the ordeal.
“Maybe we should give Kion the benefit of the doubt?” Beshte advised. “I’m sure he’ll probably have a good explanation when he comes back.”
Ono, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure. “Although that might be true, Kion is never late for patrol. I’m still not sure about this.”
“If Kion really is just sleeping in,” Fuli thought. “I guess a quick check on Pride Rock wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“Hey, Ono,” Fuli called out. “Can you go check up on Pride Rock really quick?”
“Affirmative!” The egret replied, flying through the open skylight of the Lion Guard lair. He reached the landmark, landing on the flat ledge near the entrance.
He saw Queen Nala go out hunting with some lionesses earlier, and King Simba go with Kiara for lessons on being the future queen. All the royal family were present somewhere he knew, except Kion. He flew inside Pride Rock, but didn’t see Kion there either. He flew back to his friends in disappointment and uncertainty.
“Uh, guys? Kion’s not there.”
“What do you mean he’s not there?!”
“I don’t know!” Ono exclaimed at the cheetah below him. “I just know that he’s not there!” He flew toward Beshte and perched on the hippo's back. “Don’t shoot the messenger, sheesh.”
“Maybe we should wait?” The honeybadger added with a nervous smile.
Fuli was just done by that point.
“Bunga, it has been twenty. Minutes. Someone could be attacking one of the herds somewhere, and we won’t be in time to stop them!
“But-”
“No buts! I am going to find him. And the second I see him, I swear I’m gonna- Ugh!”
“Argh!”
Both the lion and cheetah cub yelped in pain. In his rush to meet his friends, Kion collided with Fuli as she was rushing to find him, hitting their foreheads together. Fuli reached a paw up to her head to support it.
“Ugh…my head! What the- Kion?!”
Kion guiltily smiled.“…Hey guys. Sorry Fuli.”
“It’s alright. I guess.”
“See guys! I told you he would come back!” Said Bunga, running over to his best friend.
“And where - Spirits tell - have you been?!” Fuli angrily questioned. “Ono just went up to Pride Rock to look for you, and I was just about to go find you myself!”
“Oh! I was just…getting a drink from the wateringhole.” Kion hoped his friends wouldn’t be suspicious, Fuli and Ono especially. He didn’t realize they were this worried about him, and felt guilty for doing so. Unfortunately for him, nothing can get past those two.
“Kion,” Ono stated. “You’re lying.”
“...No, I’m not.”
Fuli scoffed. “Yeah, you are. You hesitated before you-” Before she completed her sentence, a weird scent hit Fuli’s nostrils. Something familiar but also not familiar. “What is that?”
“What’s what?” Said Kion, equally confused.
“That smell.”
Bunga nervously smiled, moving away from the two felines. “Ohhh, that must have been me.”
The rest of the Lion Guard turned to look at the honeybadger.
“hehe…Sorry guys.”
The rest of the Guard groaned in annoyance. Ono just shook his head while Fuli continued again.
“What I meant was the scent coming from Kion. It smells like…” Fuli took another sniff of Kion’s fur. “A hyena?!”
Shoot.
“J-Janja and his clan were causing trouble with some hyraxes.” Kion, added, quickly making up an excuse. “Had to stop them before anyone got hurt.”
“Don’t Janja and his clan usually go after zebra and antelope?” Ono informed.
Beshte took note of Ono’s correction, and started to get worried. “Kion is everything okay?” He looked at his friend sympathetically. “We’re your friends. Whatever happened, you can tell us the truth.”
“The weird thing is that it doesn’t even smell like one of Janja’s hyenas.”
“Well, if they're not from Janja’s clan, who else could it be from?” Said Beshte, now equally confused as the cheetah and egret.
“Pfft-! Aha-ahahahahaha!” Bunga suddenly burst into laughter, leading Kion and Fuli to exchange a confused look.
“What? What's so funny?” Said Kion, getting a strange sense of Deja Vu from the night before.
“What is it, Little B?” Beshte asked.
“*hic* Isn’t it obvious?” Bunga snickered. “Kion went on a date with Jasiri!”
“What?!” The rest of the Guard exclaimed.
“He couldn’t bear the thought of missing her,” Said Bunga, raising his paw to rest upon his forehead, then batting his eyelashes with a cheeky grin at the lion cub for more dramatics. “So he just had to see her for himself.”
“It wasn’t a date!” Kion said defensively, though the red tint in his fur said otherwise. “We were just- hanging out!”
“So you did sneak out to see her then?” Bunga said with a cheeky grin.
Fuli, on the other hand, didn’t see the hilarity in all of this.
Okay, well, she did, but she needed to be the responsible one here.
“Right before patrol, Kion? Seriously?!”
“What?! No, of course not!” Kion was offended that Fuli would even think that. His job as the Leader of the Lion Guard was important to him.
But considering how late he is now.
And seeing how his friends are reacting.
Maybe he should have kept that in mind.
“I didn’t go see her right before patrol.” Kion clarified, before slowly adding the last few words in embarrassment to himself. “I saw her…last…night.”
“Wowwwww…” Fuli drawled. “How romantic.”
Kion growled in annoyance. “Fuli-”
“No-no-no, Kion, buddy, you gotta tell us.” Bunga slid an arm over Kion’s shoulder with a smug grin, pulling him closer. “How was it? I bet you guys planned this whole thing out!”
“Well...” Kion hesitantly began. “I wouldn’t exactly say it was…planned…”
Fuli couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “No…”
“BAHAHA!” Bunga bursted into laughter again, almost losing his breath from how much he did. “Kion - you snuck out of Pride Rock at night just to see Jasiri? Oooh, and you guys call me out for not thinking. You must be falling hard!”
Kion gritted his teeth. “Bunga, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Okay missing her is cute and all,” Fuli butted in. “But don’t you think you should have at least told Jasiri in advance first? I don’t think she would exactly appreciate you showing up all uninvited.”
“First of all, it is NOT cute! Second- Okay, you're right, I probably should have talked to her first. But it was a spur-of-the-moment decision! We’ll probably plan it out next time we hang out anyway. And third-”
“Wait, wait, wait, hold on- there’s a “we” now?
“Not like that, Bunga! And third,” Kion huffed. “Can’t two animals reconnect? I haven’t seen her in a while, okay!”
“It has been a while since we all last saw her.” Ono clarified. After all, Jasiri wasn’t only Kion’s friend. She was their friend too.
A smirk formed on his beak as he spoke next. “Though I don’t recall ever being desperate to see her again. Like you.”
“Aww, Ono, I wouldn’t call him…err…desperate,” said Beshte, trying and failing to defend Kion, even though he slightly agreed with Ono’s statement. “He just...has a crush on Jasiri! He can’t help it!”
“I do NOT have a crush on Jasiri!”
“Then what is your relationship with her then?” Fuli asked, giving the final blow.
All eyes fall on Fuli, and then face Kion for answers.
Kion wasn’t one to lie.
“Well…”
Especially to his friends.
“We’re…close, but-”
But this.
“But?”
“But nothing!” Kion exclaimed. “I only see her as a friend!”
Might be the biggest lie he’s ever said.
Fuli looked at her friend in front of her. As fun as this little ordeal has been, she can also see they might be pushing him a bit too far, and decides to end all the teasing there and not press him further. “If you say so.” Fuli shrugged.
Kion took a sigh of relief. “Okay, now that that’s over, let’s go. We’re pretty behind schedule anyway.”
Kion and the Guard started to head out of the lair, until Fuli stopped them. “Hey, Beshte? Ono?”
“What’s up?
“Yes, Fuli?”
“Can you two head out a bit? Me, Kion, and Bunga will catch up with you all later.”
The hippo and egret looked at their friends, and then looked at eachother, but decided to trust Fuli’s suggestion.
“Alright,” Beshte added with a smile. “We’ll see you in a bit.” Ono took off from his perch on Beshte’s back, flying up high to survey Pridelands. Beshte followed suit, looking to see if anyone needed his strength to lift them up.
Meanwhile, Fuli and Bunga turned back to Kion. Fuli gave Bunga a stern look.
“Hey Kion,” Bunga started. “I’m sorry about all the stuff I said about you and Jasiri. I was just joking, promise!”
Kion sighed, “I know Bunga. It’s okay. I was just annoyed because some of your assumptions were kind of…right.”
Bunga’s eyes widened. “Wait, so you’re saying you do have a crush on her?”
“No! Yes?! I don’t know! All I know is that I feel super weird around her - but in a good way, too? I don’t think I’ve felt this way about anyone either. I start missing her a lot more, and I want to spend more time with her, I get nervous when I'm close to her, and-”
Kion paused his rambling, putting a paw to his head in embarrassment, finally putting two and two together.
“Ugh, this is a crush, isn’t it?”
Fuli looked at her friend with a sympathetic smile. “Hey, I get it. Crushes can get you…” She paused before finding the right words. “...easily distracted sometimes. I am happy for you, though.”
“Thanks, Fuli.”
“But, just try to make sure your next visit to Jasiri is before nightfall, okay?” Fuli advised with a teasing smile. “I don’t think any of us want a repeat of today.”
“Yeah, and who knows?” Said Bunga, jumping on Kion’s back. “Maybe she’ll be the one to visit you next.”
Kion gave a small laugh, looking toward the Outlands from the lair’s entrance with longing.
“Yeah.” He smiled. Maybe.”
While Kion’s embarrassment had (mostly) just ended, Jasiri’s was only about to begin.
“Jasiri, you're back!” Exclaimed Madoa, seeing her younger sister walk toward their watering hole. She hadn't seen her since she woke up, and started to get worried.
“Hey sis! What's- oh!”
Jasiri was cut off by two twin hyena pups, Wema and Tunu. They raced up to her, nuzzling her immediately when they saw her.
Jasiri laughed and looked at them fondly. “Aww, hey you two.”
“Where were you?” Wema asked.
“Yeah!” Tunu followed. “You were gone forever!”
Jasiri rolled her eyes in amusement. “I was only gone for a few minutes! Besides, I could never leave you guys for that long.” Jasiri said, nuzzling the twin back.
“Still,” Madoa began. “What kept you? Started hunting without us?”
“Well…you could say that, yes.” Jasiri said, looking towards the Pridelands, reminiscing on the night before.
“Couldn’t find anything?”
“Just…decided it would be better if I went with you all instead.”
Madoa smiled at that. “Alright. Let's go wake up the others then. Wouldn't want the day to go to waste.”
Jasiri laughed along with her sister at that, walking past her to wake the other clan members.
Until a scent reached the latter's nose.
“Wait, sis, hold on.”
“Hmm?”
“Is that-?” Madoa took another sniff, looking at her younger sister in a surprised and amused smirk afterwards. “Jasiri, is that Kion’s scent?”
Jasiri's face flushed.
“NO!”