Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You are sick.”

The Monarch lifted her head from the ground, her hands still moist with dirt and mud. She had a hard time seeing below her sun hat, probably because of the shining light of the sun above her – she did feel very hot today. A cold, feline-like gaze met her own. The remark, rather off-beat and a little offensive, came from none other than the broodiest lion of them all, Scar.

“I’m a little sick in the head, yeah !” she joked while wiping her hands on her overalls.

She suddenly stopped. Her mother did not like when she did that. Scar’s gaze was a little similar to her parents’ severe face when she did something wrong. It woke up some butterflies in her lower abdomen, the nasty kind. Thankfully, the Dreamlight magic seemed to sustain her body in many ways, but it could not remove all the after-effects that came with flesh and blood. Right now, she felt like she was stuck in a permanent nauseous state.

“Not like that, you heat-struck creature,” the lion groaned with his usual disdain. “You are sick. Physically. Like a prey ripe for the plucking.”

It was hard to ignore the chill that came every time one of the resident predator talked about hunting you. Simba and Nala were obviously kidding, but Scar was… not a big fan of humour. His threats were to be taken seriously, at the very least. She remembered a piece of advice given to her by Olaf, whose simplicity bordered on wisdom sometimes : a terrifying fact may become a fascinating anecdote under the right lighting.

“You eat sick preys ? And you don’t catch an illness yourself ? That’s awesome. Your immunity system must be very developed.”

“That is… besides the point. You are sick.”

“Then what is your point ?”

She regretted it as soon as she said it. Her answer sounded a little snide, like a child growing weary, or a teenager with too much on their plate. The fear of becoming like the Forgotten One was always present in the back of her mind, especially in moments like this. She wished she could bring herself to apologize, but her throat seemed too closed off for that right now. At the very least, Scar did not seem to mind. Granted, it was very hard to read the facial expression of her lion neighbours, especially that one. At the very least, he spared her his sarcasm, a simple frown throwing shade on his already quite frightening face.

“My point is… that you are sick. And yet you are working as usual. Helping… ugh… others… like nothing is wrong.”

“Well, yeah. That’s what friends do.”

She said that with no ulterior motive, no remorse or reproach, even though she had said it before. She knew the lion had a little trouble with the overall concepts of friendship and kindness. Yet over time, he seemed to grow less angry, more tolerant. Still, her answer visibly displeased him. She felt truly sick, suddenly. Her battery was probably empty – both her social and her magical one.

“Well… Talk to you later, Scar. I’m out of magic. I just need to recharge a little.”

The lion watched her walk towards that little wooden cave of hers. She wasn’t limping, but eyes were deceiving tools. Scar trusted his nose more than anything else. And he did not like the things he was perceiving.

⁂

Her usual pace was a very fast one. Vanellope would be proud. The Monarch would go out of her home, tend to her affairs and only check in for a few seconds. Dreamlight tended to be swell like that, it always seemed to make things easier for her, and she needed no more than a few second inside her home to be ready to go at life again.

This time, however, she felt the need to rest for a bit. Her house was only one big room with a lot of chests, a stove and a bare workbench, with nowhere to sit. So, she sat on the ground, resting her heavy back against the wooden surface of one of her coffers. This proved to be a mistake : she could not get back up. Her legs seemed to have stopped working properly. Maybe that’s why her mother always told her to never rest.

Against all instincts, she closed her eyes, just for a bit.

⁂

She was woken up by a wet feeling against her skin, as if someone was clumsily washing her face with a very raspy towel. Her eyelids fluttered. She had thought the lights had gone out, but here they were, blinding her. She opened her eyes.

Nala was looking at her with great distress, her beautiful green-blue eyes glistening with worry. The lioness was licking her face clean, so much that it hurt. Behind her was Simba, looking just as concerned. Except he seemed frozen in place. His mate growled at him, growled at him :

“Don’t just stand there ! Go fetch Merlin !”

“Right ! Right.” he spluttered, startled, before disappearing.

How did they get into her home ? They had no hands to turn the doorknob.

“Listen to me. Take deep breaths, okay, cub ?” Nala asked her with a lot more kindness in her voice suddenly. “Deeeep breath. You’re really hot right now and it’s not a good sign. Can you tell me what happened ?”

What did happen ? One minute, she was sitting on the floor, and the next one… She was… She was…

“I… I got home from gardening…”

“Right, right. And then ?”

“I just… I just wanted to rest…”

“Where ? There are no nesting place here, or bedding, or… whatever you humans sleep in.”

“Just… On the floor… It was only supposed to be for a little while… How long has it been ?”

Nala got around her in a swift manner, supporting her back instead of the rough wooden chest. Her whole mass went into engulfing the human’s. Suddenly, the Monarch realised her body hurt. Less than before, but more than should be normal. She felt hot as well, and the feeling of the lioness’ fur against her skin was almost unbearable. She tried to wiggle out of the embrace with a whimper, but Nala resisted. It wasn’t a fair battle at all.

“No, no, cub. I know you’re feeling too hot, but it’s supposed to kill the bad things inside your body. At least, let’s wait until Merlin is here? He’ll know what to do, uh ?”

Merlin always did know what to do, yes. Plus, you felt more tired than hot. Still, before you could go back to sleep, you muttered :

“I’m sorry. I’ll probably drool over you.”

“That’s alright cub !” Nala laughed. “You just close your eyes. Easy, right ?”

“Yeah.”

You went back to sleep in a second.

⁂

Turns out, you were sick. Merlin gave you a potion to bring your temperature down. Nala, while well-meaning, had overestimated your body’s natural ability to regulate itself. In trying to cook the virus, it threatened to bring you down with it too.

The lioness could not be more apologetic, but you reassured her that everything was okay. The only real damage was to your door. The two lions had clawed their way in. Oh well.

You almost told her that this “hug” she had given you was the only real sign of affection you had felt in a long time, but it was something entirely too upsetting to confess. God, you truly were a mess. You were so embarrassed anyone had to see you like this.

“How’d you know ?” you asked the two lions once your head had cleared a little.

Simba looked away for a second, his face closed off. Nala was the one who answered :

“Scar told us. He urged us to go check if you were okay.”

Uh.

You’d have to thank Scar later.

Chapter Text

Nala felt Scar’s presence before she could see him. Being a male lion, he was not used to hunting and stealth wasn’t his forte : however, Scar had a unique quality for blending in the darkness, that made him hard to detect sometimes. Her huntress’ senses tingling, she turned around to meet the other feline head on, teeth bared.

“What do you want ?” she asked with no warmth in her voice.

Unimpressed, Scar simply looked upon her with his usual demeanour. Disdain and vainness were his only friends, of that she was sure. Still, he looked somewhat… disturbed. There had to be a reason for him to fetch her like that. Usually, the villain avoided the other lions like the plague – his wisest decision to date.

“Abandon this tone and listen to me,” he muttered in one breath with a haughty attitude. “The human…”
“Well, well, well… If it isn’t my favourite uncle ?”

The voice that had just cut off Scar was full of bitterness and sarcasm. What both Nala and Scar had failed to realize was that Simba was within ear shot. High above in the Forgotten Lands, he had been watching the sun rise in silent over the Sunlit Plateau, at the exact same moment his uncle had chosen to confront his mate. The young lion jumped down and circled around Nala, protective of her – even though she was stronger than him.

Scar did not respond to the jab. It was something Nala had observed after all this time spent at the two lions’ side : the villain always answered in a specific insufferable tone, to everyone. Even to the Monarch. But never Simba. Likewise, the reigning king showed his uncle a special kind of venom that she had never seen in him before. Simba brought silence out of Scar, and Scar brought poison out of Simba. She did not know if this was a good or a bad thing altogether.

Nala pressed herself against her mate to calm him down. This time, she felt like they would better hear him out.

“What do you want ?” she asked again, less fiery than before, but wary nevertheless.

“The human is sick. She has gone into her cave and has yet to come out. If you truly care for her, you should check it out.”

And then Scar was gone, back to lurking in the shadows as he usually did. Nala and Simba looked at each other. She could see the distrust in his eyes, the hurt, the swirling anger that never once relented in his heart. But, as they did most often, the voices quieted down and good sense prevailed.

“We should go see if the Monarch’s okay,” he told her after a few second of silence.

She purred, proud of her mate.

“Yes, let’s.”

Chapter Text

The toon citizens were the first to check on you.

Mickey, Dingo, Donald and Daisy all came at the same time, as a pack, with worried looks on their face. You had been resting in Minnie’s house for the time being – on the account of you not having a bed – and she had invited all of them to come spend a little time with you. They’d brought out gifts. Flowers, fruits, freshly baked cookies. Dingo had brought a fish in a bowl, for some reason. How nice.

“Uncle Scrooge send his regards,” Donald said first. “He can’t leave the shop for now.”

The duck sounded quite upset over that fact. Him and his uncle had probably gotten into a shouting match again. You wished they would not fight on your behalf like that.

“That’s alright,” you assured him. “I’m glad you guys came.”

It felt weird, being dotted on in that way. You were not used to it.

“He still did something nice for you,” Mickey interjected in favour of the old man. “You’ll have a very good surprise once you go back home… Which should be any time now.”
“I am feeling better already,” you said, struggling to suppress a coughing fit that would make you a liar.
“He furnished your house !” Daisy shouted suddenly with a yelp of glee.
“Daisy !” Minnie cried out in disapproval.
“I’m sorry ! I could not contain myself. I advised him about the colours, you know.”

You lifted your brow, a little scared of the results of such a kindness. Daisy was nice and her keen sense of style was a mystery to no one, but she tended to overdo things, and her personal taste was a little too pink and exuberant for you. Still, you said nothing, quietly nodding as if at loss for words.

“Are you alright ?” Mickey worried, ever so attentive.
“Yes. I’m feeling better, thank you.”
“Good enough to take a few steps outside ?” Dingo suggested with hopefulness in his voice. “Miss Bubble here is feeling hemmed in with so little space to swim around.”
“I… guess I could go home,” you said, a little confused by what the fish’s living arrangements had to do with you. “I’ve already disturbed Minnie enough as it is…”
“Nonsense ! You are welcome to stay for as long as you want,” she kindly reassured you.

You fidgeted under the covers. They felt too warm, too heavy for you. All those eyes, always on you, never some alone time. You were not used to that.

“Honestly… Honestly, I would feel better at home. I think.”
“You’ve heard her ! Let’s help her move out !” Donald proclaimed in a truly military fashion, taking the head of the operations.

Minnie looked a little dejected, and it made your heart ache. Maybe it was just worry, maybe it was resentment. But you were too tired to care, honestly.

After a very humiliating walk across the plaza – Donald stubbed his toe against the leg of a table, and then the merry group had to carry your body as he was limping behind – you finally came in front of your door. You sighed in relief. Home sweet home. You did not need a bed any more, you had slept enough. Time to get back to… work…?

Your entrance was larger than what you remembered. For a moment, you thought your chests had disappeared, and that made you panic a little. But you quickly spotted an open door in the back – you had two rooms now ? - where you chests laid in an orderly manner. Your original space had been cleaned and transformed. Instead of chests and workbenches, you now had very a cupboard, an armoire, a table and a chair, a small space for cooking and… a huge, two place beds.

“Tadaa ! What do you think ?” Daisy asked, sounding very pleased with herself.

The decoration was… okay ? Even more so, it was pretty. Some very simple pieces of furnitures in wood, with very little paint. It was, overall, quite muted and elegant. It suited you.

“That’s… I… You should not have…”
“Taratata !” the duck cut you off while waving her finger at you. “No one can function without a proper home. You’ll accept our gift and you’ll like it ! We all chipped in !”
“I’ve taken some of my plants to decorate the place,” Mickey said while showing you the beautiful flowers that sprouted in various pots around the space.
“The curtains and sheets are a courtesy of me,” said Minnie, showing off her handiwork to you.

How could she have done this without you realizing ? It boggled the mind.

“I did the heavy lifting ! Donald praised himself while puffing out his chest.”
“And I brought Miss Bubble here,” Dingo said joyfully.

He was busy transferring the fish from the bowl to a larger aquarium, right next to you bed. You blinked, a little taken aback by the attention. You never wanted a fish.

“Now you have to take care of it everyday and give it lots of love,” he added with a more serious tone – more serious than you had ever heard of him before.

Now, you understood. That fish was supposed to help you get into a routine. That was not a bad idea, but the mere thought of another living being entirely depending on you was enough to send you into a panic. Minnie must have felt it, because she took your hand in hers and said very softly :

“We’ll help you for the first few days. We’ll check on you everyday. Until you feel better.”

You forced yourself to breathe. This was… doable, you guessed.

You had your own bed to sleep in. That was a good thing, right. When your guest finally left, you slowly got under the covers and waited for sleep. You fell asleep feeling loved, for the first time in years.

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.

Chapter Text

The next people to visit were the monarchs of Arendelle. With them came a cold draft that made you a little sicker, unfortunately. You were bedridden again when they showed up at your house.

“Hello ?” Anna called out while entering, before exclaiming : “Oh, you look terrible !”
“Anna…” Elsa muttered while giving her a small nudge with her elbow.

The redhead was carrying a trail of mugs, which spilled over with the movement. A strong chocolate scent took over the room. It was really potent, since you could detect it even as your sense of smell had worsened because of your illness.

Meanwhile, Kristoff said nothing, simply following suit and closing the door behind Olaf and himself. He was more of the silent type : the look on his face told that, in that instance, he was glad not to have been the one to vex you.

Flustered, Anna mustered some kind of apology before putting her trail drown on your bedside table. It was indeed, no surprise there, hot chocolate.

“Think nothing of it,” you said. “I feel terrible.”
“I hope you get better soon,” Olaf chimed in while putting his little stick hands on the drapes of your bed. “Did you know that it can takes up to two years for the body to heal a scar ? Thankfully your are ill, not hurt !”
“Thanks Olaf.”

Kristoff was good with silence, but you were not. Every moment filled with nothing but air unnerved you. So you hurriedly added :

“I hope the trip wasn’t too much of a hassle. Thanks for the chocolate, by the way.”
“It’s made with fresh milk and cocoa from the Sunlit Plateau,” Anna proudly stated.
“She gathered it herself,” Elsa made it known to you.

She was carrying some kind of ice pack made of fibre. Tenderly, she came to your side and put it on your naked face. Immediately, a sense of relief washed over you, as the cold helped you fight the fever.

“The ice inside will never run out, so make sure to keep it on as long as necessary.”
“That will help. Thanks.”
“I… I don’t have a gift as useful as the girls,” Kristoff confessed with a small voice. “But I made you something. I remember you telling someone that your favourite animal was the dog, so…”

He then put a small wooden figurine shaped like a howling husky. Out of all gifts, this was the one that really pulled at your heart’s strings. You said :

“I want a dog… I love all my critters, but I miss dogs sometimes, you know ?”

You were crying a little. Sometimes, Dreamlight valley did not make sense and that could put a weight on your heart. You’d miss the outside world, for a fleeting moment. It was stupid. You were so much better here. But it was what it was.

“I’m sorry… It’s a wonderful gift Kristoff. Thank you so much, guys.”
“Did you know that dogs have a body temperature slightly warmer than that of a human ? You probably have the temperature of a dog right now !”
“… Thanks Olaf.”

You never had the heart to tell anyone that you found him a little annoying sometimes. But he was a sweetheart, and he truly loved everyone. So you showed him some grace and petted his head with benevolence.

“We all hope that you’ll get better soon,” Elsa said while making Olaf take a step back, feeling maybe that you were starting to get overwhelmed.
“I miss seeing you out there,” Anna added. “Shoveling dirt and cleaning up paths… Not that the valley’s state is that much more worse now… I mean, your efforts are noted and appreciated, yes, but it’s not like you should worry about that right now…”

Kristoff put a hand on his soulmate’s shoulder to keep her from unravelling. She took a deep breath and stopped talking for a few seconds.

“Just make sure to take care of yourself, alright ?” she finally said, more focused.
“Sure. So, tell me… What are the news ?”

You had only an old radio in your home. You were bored out of your mind and anything worth listening to was worthwhile. Anna clapped her hands with delight : this was her time to shine.

“Well, the big piece of news is still your fainting spell. You should expect a ton of gift baskets and visits in the following days. Some people have planned quite the spectacle in your honour. You’re going to be very busy !”
“… What did they plan ?” you asked, suddenly fearful.

You did not ask “who”, even though a few villagers came to mind as a potential danger to your health, sanity and well-being.

“That’s a surprise !” said Anna while waving her fingers as if to say "nice try".

Kristoff was a little less tone-deaf than she was, surprisingly. He was good at reading the room, it was talking and interacting that had him stunned. He sensed your worries and tried to ease them :

“I can tell you, at least, that it’s mostly in good spirit. Stitch, for example, has planned something lovely and absolutely inoffensive.”
“Good to hear...”
“What else…” Anna continued. “The Forgotten is still hosting poetry nights. Mirabel recited a lovely piece in her native language, which I did not understand at all, but it sounded really good. Minnie and Daisy have presented their new collection, about the colour blue. Elsa’s creation is part of it ! It’s the best piece out of them all.”
“You’re too kind,” Elsa said with a bit of an edge in her voice, as she did not like to boast about her achievements.

Yet, even as she was saying that, her hands were busy weaving something out of thin air, a beautiful set of white gloves.

“I’m glad the valley is still the same without me.”
“It’s not the same,” Anna said vehemently.
“Did you know that without you, birds sing twice fewer ?” Olaf informed you while nodding with a wise expression.
“I… did not know that.”

Your eyes were starting to close. You yawned.

“Are we bothering you ?” Anna asked with a worried voice. “I feel like we’re bothering you.”
“No, no, not at all ! I’m glad to have visitors.”

But you felt tired, as well. You did not know whether it would be best to continue this meeting, or shut it down all together. Not that you would ever dare, anyway.

“You haven’t touched your mug. Do you want something cold to go with the drinks ?”
“What ? No, no no no. Everything is for you !”

Ah. So the entire tray of hot chocolates was for you, and not for sharing. Well.

You’d have cold chocolate for the entire week.

You looked at Elsa. She shrugged apologetically.

“You’re getting tired, aren’t you ? Do you wish for us to leave ?” Kristoff asked so you would not have to.
“… No, that’s fine. I may just rest my eyes a bit, but… I think the sound of your voices could help me settle down. Would you mind staying just for a few more minutes ?”
“Of course not !” Anna screamed before lowering her voice.

Silence filled the room, suddenly. It was always awkward to find a conversation topic when prompted to do so. Suddenly, as Elsa was still weaving, she softly hummed.

“Do you want to build a snowman…”

You fell asleep to the sound of songs and laughter.