![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
apachefirecat posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
sweetandshortTitle: Hakuna Matata At Last
Fandom: Disney, House of Mouse, The Lion King
Author: Apache Firecat
Characters: Simba/Nala, Thomas/Duchess
Rating: PG-13/T
Summary: It's time for them to finally put each other's happiness above all else.
Word Count: 2,078
Written For: Sweet and Short March: 10 out of 20: All Prompts, Lands of Magic: 11.01: The Wearing o' the Green, Fannish 50 #36. Nala, and 100 Ships #1. Adamant
Warnings: Real!Disney AU, Crossover
Disclaimer: All characters within belong to their rightful owners, not the author, and are used without permission.
"I do not know how you do it," the Aristocat sitting next to Nala commented, whisking her long, bushy tail in tune to the thumping music's rhythm.
"Do what?" Nala asked, her green eyes blinking in innocent confusion. They had not talked for some time now, Duchess sipping her cream and Nala gnawing slowly on her raw steak, savoring each morsel of tender meat and drop of blood. The Aristocat always made a point of habit not to watch her eat. Nala both understood why she could not bear to watch her and appreciated that she no longer lamented how carnivorous she was. She was, after all, a lioness and definitely knew a good steak, having been the best hunter in her pride back in her youth which so often seemed so very long ago.
A stray thought passed through her mind as she recalled Zazu's rambling in that morning's briefing. Having come in from above, he'd had an ample look at both her and Simba's coats and had said something about them beginning to turn gray. He had quickly dismissed his own comment, however, for they were indeed aging and were no longer the young lions they had been. Spring always brought rejuvenation to everyone in the Pride Lands, but even with the weather warming up, Nala did not feel nearly as young and spry as she once had. It was time, though. Her cubs' cubs now had cubs of their own. She blinked at that disturbing thought.
"Why, how you can share Simba of course. I know it's a lion thing," Duchess started.
Nala almost roared. Gritting her fangs, she spat at the cat, "I. Do. NOT! Share. My. MATE!"
Duchess blinked at her, truly surprised by her reaction. "But I have seen -- "
"No, you haven't!" Nala retorted. "You've seen his doppelganger, not my actual husband!"
Duchess shrugged her furry, little shoulders, obviously trying to soothe over the situation. "Scat Cat says it's nothing unusual. Thomas and I, he claims," she continued, delicately preening her whiskers, "are an exception. Most cats evidently enjoy open relationships -- "
Nala tried to soothe her fury. She knew her old friend meant no harm. They were vastly different, yet more alike than most of the others who traversed through this adult establishment. "Most cats might -- " she agreed, but was suddenly drowned out as the audience went wild.
"I could never share my Thomas," Duchess said, and then went uncharacteristically wild as the club's spotlight highlighted him. Always one to share his credit where it was due, Thomas waved and blew a kiss to his wife before continuing on to introduce Scat Cat and each of their band members.
Nala sighed. Her steak was done, and her friend was obviously very far from even being able to hear her. Besides, Duchess' innocent comment had brought up something that far too often bothered the lioness. She was supposed to be the Queen of the Pride Lands now yet there were still so many rules she had to obey. If they'd been in the wild, she would have had to have shared her husband for the good of the pride, or risked him being outcast from their family in favor of a younger lion who was willing to share.
She had dreamed once of them being able to have a life of their own. So many years had passed since then, and their world had changed so much. They had come from the true jungle into a land where rules could be bent, but appears must still be maintained. She had been overjoyed when the Mouse had given her and Simba doppelgangers so that they did not have to make so very many public appearances for their fans, but it was still widely believed that the doppelganger was her mate and that he was cavorting with all the other lionesses in the pride, sometimes including his own mother!
Nala sniffed disdainfully and leapt down from her stool. She was just turning away from the stage when she spotted a very handsome, and very familiar, face sticking his head around the curtain. She paused, wondering if he was about to sing after Thomas O'Malley and the Alley Cats as he had once before, coming onto the stage without any warning, all dressed up in a suit he'd had especially created for him, and crooning to her. Every female in the House of Mouse had swooned that night, and Nala had still gone home alone with her husband.
But he clearly wasn't coming from around the curtain tonight. Instead he met her questioning gaze and jerked his head, indicating that she should join him behind the curtain. Nala frowned but did as he requested, padding silently up the stage, along the back, and behind the curtain. "Simba," she asked, reaching him, "what's going on?"
"I've been thinking," he answered, tossing his head so that his bangs moved from in front of his eyes, a gesture he'd used so many times since first growing his mane, "and I think it's time."
Frowning thoughtfully, Nala sat down and wrapped her tail around her hind haunches. "Time for what?" she asked carefully.
"You know what for," he assured and then nuzzled her cheek. Whispering in her ear, he told her, "For us to be alone."
Nala frowned at him, then looked around them. Behind the stage was full of a myriad of people and animals, who all seemed to intent on their own business. There was a fox and a monk whispering together. Three Fairies whispering along the ceiling. A tiger hopped by on his tail, and several birds flew through the air. Hercules was showing off for Megara, flexing his muscles, while a couple of the younger boys practiced with swords and... Frying pans? She paused for a moment, blinked, and looked again, but they surely were wielding frying pans! Remembering Rapunzel, she moved on, glancing quickly over two robots who were doing something questionable in the shadows, but she saw none of their own people.
"Nala? Not exactly the reaction I was waiting for, darling," Simba whispered, nervously whisking his tail.
She looked back up at him, blinking her big, green eyes. They had never looked so beautiful or innocent, Simba thought, awed by her appearance, as they did in that very moment. "It's okay," he told her, suddenly understanding. "I know we've waited for so long, but I believe Kiara is ready to lead. Besides, we can always act like we're going camping or something -- "
"Simba, we're lions. Lions don't camp."
"Or something," he stressed, his voice edging on a growl and his tail cutting more sharply through the air behind him. "You know, just any excuse we can think of so we can get away, lead an ordinary life just the two of us, and still keep an eye on the kingdom if we're needed."
It was more likely when, she knew but did not say. Every instinct in her told her that they would end up coming back, but she was surely more than ready for a fifth honeymoon. This would not be the first time they had ever escaped their royal duties, but perhaps, if they were truly lucky, it could last, by far, for the longest. This land was strange, but almost any location in it would sruely give them the ability to keep tabs, especially if... Looking thoughtful, Nala asked, "Do you think we can trust Zazu?"
"Oh, he'll pitch a fit," Simba answered honestly, rolling his eyes, "but if he gives us up or argues too much, I'll pull his tail feathers!"
Nala grinned, in a way she had not in years that melted her life mate's heart. "He can't afford to lose too many more of those!"
"No," Simba agreed, chuckling, "he cannot!"
Nala glanced around again and lowered her voice once more. She kept an eye on any potential audience, not wanting to act too mysterious for she knew that would draw unwanted attention but also not wanting to risk being overheard, "So how do we do this?"
"We just go," he said, shrugging. She had always loved the way his muscles rippled when he shrugged.
"We just go? Just like that? To where?"
"Anywhere we want to!" He grinned wide. "But I do have a friend waiting to help us." He darted away, and she followed him. Her mind flashed back to her nights chasing him through the jungle, especially before they had returned to the pride. She had wanted to stay alone in the wilds with him then, but they'd both had duties. Had they not returned, their entire pride would have been punished for their desertion, and Scar would have won.
She had always had so many excuses, Nala reflected, chasing behind her life mate, so many things on which to blame the fact that they had been unable to live the lives they chose. Could they really escape now? Her heart was already pounding in her chest in both excitement that they could finally live alone under their own rules and free from all responsibilities -- hakuna matata indeed! -- and fear that someone, something, some grand disaster or another, would stop them from being able to live their dreams when they burst out into the back alley behind the House of Mouse.
There were always villains looking around behind the night club, but tonight, there were also several champions and heroes. She paused, one front paw still lifted, and looked questioningly at her husband. "Buzz," he answered.
"Buzz?!" she repeated in surprise. Her long tail struck the air.
Simba nodded. "He's got a spaceship waiting."
"Simba, think this through! How are we going to survive outer space?"
"They can fly other places, Nala."
"Ahem!"
The lions' heads swung in unison to witness Rafiki gesturing wildly with his staff. His gourds rattled even as both the King and Queen of the Pride Lands dropped their heads.
"Oh no," Simba whispered forlornly.
Nala's tail curled between her hind legs. "I told you something would happen," she said glumly. Something always happened...
But to her surprise, Rafiki was swinging and gesturing with his staff not in any accusatory way but rather to a glowing portal held open by a winged woman Nala recognized as one of the newer species who had come to their land, a mutant. Rafiki actually bowed to them. "You have earned your time," he said, "and I will call if and when you are needed, Your Majesties."
Simba and Nala both looked at him with jaws gone slack with surprise.
"What are you waiting for?" the baboon demanded. "You have earned your time!" he cried again, quite adamantly. "Go! Live your happily ever afters! Finish your dreams! Hakuna matata!"
Nala darted. She ran through the portal without another question or doubt. Simba chased after his wife but paused just outside the glowing, translucent orb. "Thank you, old friend," he said, drawing Rafiki into a quick and tight hug.
The portal closed behind them, and the Shaman held his staff up high above his head. "HAKUNA MATATA!" he shouted.
Pixie grinned as she closed the portal, sealing the lions' destinations to all but herself and Rafiki. She winked at the baboon, one of the most interesting and friendly characters she'd met during her time in this new world. "Hakuna Matata!"
Genie grinned, having watched the entire proceedings, and zipped through the air in a multitude of somersaults. "HAKUNA MATATA!"
The cries of "Hakuna Matata!" carried forth throughout the alley way but were drowned out by loud, jazz music from entering the actual night club. Every single being in that alley had had a dream once, including the snaggly-toothed, old man who bobbed up and down throughout the alley way, singing about the dream he had had and that another Disney Princess had made become a reality. Even the villains were glad that someone was living their dreams.
"Maybe it isn't too late," Hook commented, drawing Mister Smee closer with his hook.
"HAKUNA MATATA, BROTHER!" Genie shouted and zapped in a piano just for him to play. There was always a party raging inside of the House of Mouse, but tonight, there was an even bigger party in the back alley and far, far away in an unknown and unnamed jungle, whose existence only five knew: the King and Queen of the Pride Lands who were already frolicking, Rafiki, Pixie, and the Mouse himself.
The End
Fandom: Disney, House of Mouse, The Lion King
Author: Apache Firecat
Characters: Simba/Nala, Thomas/Duchess
Rating: PG-13/T
Summary: It's time for them to finally put each other's happiness above all else.
Word Count: 2,078
Written For: Sweet and Short March: 10 out of 20: All Prompts, Lands of Magic: 11.01: The Wearing o' the Green, Fannish 50 #36. Nala, and 100 Ships #1. Adamant
Warnings: Real!Disney AU, Crossover
Disclaimer: All characters within belong to their rightful owners, not the author, and are used without permission.
"I do not know how you do it," the Aristocat sitting next to Nala commented, whisking her long, bushy tail in tune to the thumping music's rhythm.
"Do what?" Nala asked, her green eyes blinking in innocent confusion. They had not talked for some time now, Duchess sipping her cream and Nala gnawing slowly on her raw steak, savoring each morsel of tender meat and drop of blood. The Aristocat always made a point of habit not to watch her eat. Nala both understood why she could not bear to watch her and appreciated that she no longer lamented how carnivorous she was. She was, after all, a lioness and definitely knew a good steak, having been the best hunter in her pride back in her youth which so often seemed so very long ago.
A stray thought passed through her mind as she recalled Zazu's rambling in that morning's briefing. Having come in from above, he'd had an ample look at both her and Simba's coats and had said something about them beginning to turn gray. He had quickly dismissed his own comment, however, for they were indeed aging and were no longer the young lions they had been. Spring always brought rejuvenation to everyone in the Pride Lands, but even with the weather warming up, Nala did not feel nearly as young and spry as she once had. It was time, though. Her cubs' cubs now had cubs of their own. She blinked at that disturbing thought.
"Why, how you can share Simba of course. I know it's a lion thing," Duchess started.
Nala almost roared. Gritting her fangs, she spat at the cat, "I. Do. NOT! Share. My. MATE!"
Duchess blinked at her, truly surprised by her reaction. "But I have seen -- "
"No, you haven't!" Nala retorted. "You've seen his doppelganger, not my actual husband!"
Duchess shrugged her furry, little shoulders, obviously trying to soothe over the situation. "Scat Cat says it's nothing unusual. Thomas and I, he claims," she continued, delicately preening her whiskers, "are an exception. Most cats evidently enjoy open relationships -- "
Nala tried to soothe her fury. She knew her old friend meant no harm. They were vastly different, yet more alike than most of the others who traversed through this adult establishment. "Most cats might -- " she agreed, but was suddenly drowned out as the audience went wild.
"I could never share my Thomas," Duchess said, and then went uncharacteristically wild as the club's spotlight highlighted him. Always one to share his credit where it was due, Thomas waved and blew a kiss to his wife before continuing on to introduce Scat Cat and each of their band members.
Nala sighed. Her steak was done, and her friend was obviously very far from even being able to hear her. Besides, Duchess' innocent comment had brought up something that far too often bothered the lioness. She was supposed to be the Queen of the Pride Lands now yet there were still so many rules she had to obey. If they'd been in the wild, she would have had to have shared her husband for the good of the pride, or risked him being outcast from their family in favor of a younger lion who was willing to share.
She had dreamed once of them being able to have a life of their own. So many years had passed since then, and their world had changed so much. They had come from the true jungle into a land where rules could be bent, but appears must still be maintained. She had been overjoyed when the Mouse had given her and Simba doppelgangers so that they did not have to make so very many public appearances for their fans, but it was still widely believed that the doppelganger was her mate and that he was cavorting with all the other lionesses in the pride, sometimes including his own mother!
Nala sniffed disdainfully and leapt down from her stool. She was just turning away from the stage when she spotted a very handsome, and very familiar, face sticking his head around the curtain. She paused, wondering if he was about to sing after Thomas O'Malley and the Alley Cats as he had once before, coming onto the stage without any warning, all dressed up in a suit he'd had especially created for him, and crooning to her. Every female in the House of Mouse had swooned that night, and Nala had still gone home alone with her husband.
But he clearly wasn't coming from around the curtain tonight. Instead he met her questioning gaze and jerked his head, indicating that she should join him behind the curtain. Nala frowned but did as he requested, padding silently up the stage, along the back, and behind the curtain. "Simba," she asked, reaching him, "what's going on?"
"I've been thinking," he answered, tossing his head so that his bangs moved from in front of his eyes, a gesture he'd used so many times since first growing his mane, "and I think it's time."
Frowning thoughtfully, Nala sat down and wrapped her tail around her hind haunches. "Time for what?" she asked carefully.
"You know what for," he assured and then nuzzled her cheek. Whispering in her ear, he told her, "For us to be alone."
Nala frowned at him, then looked around them. Behind the stage was full of a myriad of people and animals, who all seemed to intent on their own business. There was a fox and a monk whispering together. Three Fairies whispering along the ceiling. A tiger hopped by on his tail, and several birds flew through the air. Hercules was showing off for Megara, flexing his muscles, while a couple of the younger boys practiced with swords and... Frying pans? She paused for a moment, blinked, and looked again, but they surely were wielding frying pans! Remembering Rapunzel, she moved on, glancing quickly over two robots who were doing something questionable in the shadows, but she saw none of their own people.
"Nala? Not exactly the reaction I was waiting for, darling," Simba whispered, nervously whisking his tail.
She looked back up at him, blinking her big, green eyes. They had never looked so beautiful or innocent, Simba thought, awed by her appearance, as they did in that very moment. "It's okay," he told her, suddenly understanding. "I know we've waited for so long, but I believe Kiara is ready to lead. Besides, we can always act like we're going camping or something -- "
"Simba, we're lions. Lions don't camp."
"Or something," he stressed, his voice edging on a growl and his tail cutting more sharply through the air behind him. "You know, just any excuse we can think of so we can get away, lead an ordinary life just the two of us, and still keep an eye on the kingdom if we're needed."
It was more likely when, she knew but did not say. Every instinct in her told her that they would end up coming back, but she was surely more than ready for a fifth honeymoon. This would not be the first time they had ever escaped their royal duties, but perhaps, if they were truly lucky, it could last, by far, for the longest. This land was strange, but almost any location in it would sruely give them the ability to keep tabs, especially if... Looking thoughtful, Nala asked, "Do you think we can trust Zazu?"
"Oh, he'll pitch a fit," Simba answered honestly, rolling his eyes, "but if he gives us up or argues too much, I'll pull his tail feathers!"
Nala grinned, in a way she had not in years that melted her life mate's heart. "He can't afford to lose too many more of those!"
"No," Simba agreed, chuckling, "he cannot!"
Nala glanced around again and lowered her voice once more. She kept an eye on any potential audience, not wanting to act too mysterious for she knew that would draw unwanted attention but also not wanting to risk being overheard, "So how do we do this?"
"We just go," he said, shrugging. She had always loved the way his muscles rippled when he shrugged.
"We just go? Just like that? To where?"
"Anywhere we want to!" He grinned wide. "But I do have a friend waiting to help us." He darted away, and she followed him. Her mind flashed back to her nights chasing him through the jungle, especially before they had returned to the pride. She had wanted to stay alone in the wilds with him then, but they'd both had duties. Had they not returned, their entire pride would have been punished for their desertion, and Scar would have won.
She had always had so many excuses, Nala reflected, chasing behind her life mate, so many things on which to blame the fact that they had been unable to live the lives they chose. Could they really escape now? Her heart was already pounding in her chest in both excitement that they could finally live alone under their own rules and free from all responsibilities -- hakuna matata indeed! -- and fear that someone, something, some grand disaster or another, would stop them from being able to live their dreams when they burst out into the back alley behind the House of Mouse.
There were always villains looking around behind the night club, but tonight, there were also several champions and heroes. She paused, one front paw still lifted, and looked questioningly at her husband. "Buzz," he answered.
"Buzz?!" she repeated in surprise. Her long tail struck the air.
Simba nodded. "He's got a spaceship waiting."
"Simba, think this through! How are we going to survive outer space?"
"They can fly other places, Nala."
"Ahem!"
The lions' heads swung in unison to witness Rafiki gesturing wildly with his staff. His gourds rattled even as both the King and Queen of the Pride Lands dropped their heads.
"Oh no," Simba whispered forlornly.
Nala's tail curled between her hind legs. "I told you something would happen," she said glumly. Something always happened...
But to her surprise, Rafiki was swinging and gesturing with his staff not in any accusatory way but rather to a glowing portal held open by a winged woman Nala recognized as one of the newer species who had come to their land, a mutant. Rafiki actually bowed to them. "You have earned your time," he said, "and I will call if and when you are needed, Your Majesties."
Simba and Nala both looked at him with jaws gone slack with surprise.
"What are you waiting for?" the baboon demanded. "You have earned your time!" he cried again, quite adamantly. "Go! Live your happily ever afters! Finish your dreams! Hakuna matata!"
Nala darted. She ran through the portal without another question or doubt. Simba chased after his wife but paused just outside the glowing, translucent orb. "Thank you, old friend," he said, drawing Rafiki into a quick and tight hug.
The portal closed behind them, and the Shaman held his staff up high above his head. "HAKUNA MATATA!" he shouted.
Pixie grinned as she closed the portal, sealing the lions' destinations to all but herself and Rafiki. She winked at the baboon, one of the most interesting and friendly characters she'd met during her time in this new world. "Hakuna Matata!"
Genie grinned, having watched the entire proceedings, and zipped through the air in a multitude of somersaults. "HAKUNA MATATA!"
The cries of "Hakuna Matata!" carried forth throughout the alley way but were drowned out by loud, jazz music from entering the actual night club. Every single being in that alley had had a dream once, including the snaggly-toothed, old man who bobbed up and down throughout the alley way, singing about the dream he had had and that another Disney Princess had made become a reality. Even the villains were glad that someone was living their dreams.
"Maybe it isn't too late," Hook commented, drawing Mister Smee closer with his hook.
"HAKUNA MATATA, BROTHER!" Genie shouted and zapped in a piano just for him to play. There was always a party raging inside of the House of Mouse, but tonight, there was an even bigger party in the back alley and far, far away in an unknown and unnamed jungle, whose existence only five knew: the King and Queen of the Pride Lands who were already frolicking, Rafiki, Pixie, and the Mouse himself.
The End
