Chapter Text
You were feeling a little better. Enough to walk again, you meant. Still, you were forbidden from going out and working, Merlin had been VERY clear. All the villagers were in on it and there was no way for you to slip out unnoticed. You knew. You had tried.
So you stayed home. Reading, watching Miss Bubble, cleaning, organizing your inventory. Boredom had started to settle in when you finally had your second house call since you were bed-ridden.
The knock was uneven, like someone was pawing at the door rather than hitting it. You realized once you opened it that that was quite literally the case : the lion pride was here.
“Hi ! How are you doing ?” Nala gently chimed in while patiently sitting at the door, waiting for you to invite her in.
“We’ve come to lift your spirits up !” Timon exclaimed less politely while sliding under your legs.
He was carrying a small bowl full of a very red soup. Puumba soon followed and you had to make way, without any say in the matter. It wasn’t malice, so you let it slide. Even if it had been spitefulness, you would have probably stayed silent. Confrontation was not in your character. After a few moments of hesitation, Nala and Simba followed, watching curiously the new decoration. You stayed here for a few seconds, against the door, just to feel the fresh air from the outside.
Then, you closed the door.
“Thanks for coming. How are things outside of my prison ?” you said, forcing a smile.
“Everything is less fun without you,” confessed Simba with sincerity, which helped your mood a little. “We miss you.”
You sighed. They weren’t responsible for your pain.
“Please, have a… seat ?”
You watched as the lions and the hog gathered around your rectangle table, shuffling the chairs around so they could make space for their bodies. Timon, being smaller, climbed on a chair himself, scoffing when Simba mistakenly pushed it. The soup he was carrying spilled over a bit.
You had a good stock of food, and cooking was one of your hobby, so you got to work. You quickly wiped out a few sushi for the carnivores, a few vegetarian skewers for the herbivore. Timon could have both.
“You look… better.”
Nala had said that in a very soft voice. She did not call you “cub” any more, which made you feel… things.
“I feel better,” you assured her. “I’m being monitored by the best of the best. And the new furniture really help.”
“Yes, I had never realized that you had fewer stuff than most,” Simba said apologetically. “For us animals, or, well… normal animals… It is not as surprising. Simplicity is our way of life.”
“I’d never even been in your home,” Pumbaa said in turn, with a sad tone.
You felt embarrassed, for some reason. It wasn’t like you invited people over, Pumbaa or not. You just… didn’t. Simba had been here once, a stroke of bad luck, because it rained and you did not want him to get wet. He shouldn’t be taking it personally.
Still, you felt bad. Even more so when you looked at your friend and realized how… pristine… his leathery skin was. He had to have had bathed with water.
“Ah, I… I don’t have many visitors.”
Snap. The fever seemed to flare up again. You staggered as you put the plates on the table, suddenly feeling very weak. It did not escape your guests’ attention.
“Are you okay ?” Simba said urgently while placing himself behind you to offer you support.
“You should go to rest,” Nala urged you meanwhile. “We shouldn’t have disturbed you.”
“No,” you said plaintively. “Please stay. I haven’t seen people in… I don’t want to be alone right now.”
You cringed at your own words. You sounded so pathetic. But they did not laugh, no. Nala and Simba walked alongside you, as you went towards your bed, a hand on each lion for support. Pumbaa gently nuzzled the sheets away so you could lay there. Timon followed you, his soup still in his hand. Everyone had a worried look on their faces. Once comfortably installed, you showed them a smile.
“Hakuna matata, right ?”
You stopped smiling all together. Right. Showing your fangs was not a sign of friendliness in the animal kingdom. Still, they did not seem to mind.
“Luckily, I’m here,” Timon said smugly while handing you the bowl of soup. “Here. It’s great for what you have.”
“Are there… any insects in that ?”
“… The main ingredient is tomato.”
You frowned, but still took a sip. It was good, overall. Tasted like chicken soup. You barely had a sip before politely putting the bowl on your night stand.
Suddenly, Nala mewled.
“Oh, I can’t see you like that, cub. Get well soon.”
She put her paws on the bed and starting to climb in with you. Surprised, you scooted over to leave her some space. Thankfully, Mr Scrooge had been very generous, giving you a bed way too big for you. Still, the bed’s frame creaked under the heavy weight of the lioness. She nuzzled her head against your chin, her warmth spreading to you. She started to growl, suddenly. A soft, unimpressive one. You went very still.
“Nala ? Is something the matter ?”
“I’m purring. I heard from Alice that cats did that to calm their human.”
You laughed awkwardly.
“Cats can. Lions… they’re too big. Like tigers. They don’t purr.”
Nala looked so defeated that you could not help but smile.
“Can I… scratch your chin ?”
“Scratch away.”
You started to pet her head, gently at first, then with more force as you could see she was getting into it. Simba, jealous, suddenly pawed at you, wanting some love as well. You started scratching both lions, sometimes sneaking a pet to Pumbaa as well. Timon stayed away from all this excitement.
Still, he was smiling, and so were you.