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FIRST: [ Wanna Fight, Princess?] || PREVIOUS: [ Close to You ] || NEXT: [none yet!]

---

"Hate to admit it, Ki, but I kinda do feel better."

Kiara had just finished grooming Vitani's previously scruffy, unkempt fur, which now looks sleeker and smoother. Her friend looks thoroughly satisfied, even though the tuft atop her head has become a curled-over cowlick and the fur that typically juts our from her long column of a neck is now stuck to it.

It's a shame, Kiara thinks. She rather liked Vitani's rugged appearance --

She blinks at the thought. Huh?

Luckily, Vitani doesn't notice, instead opting to stretch out fully, rolling onto her back to reach outward with her forelegs, claws unsheathed once more. Oh. Oh, she looks so cute --

Kiara shakes her head. Okay, that's weird; where did that come from?

Soon, Vitani finishes her stretch, rolls back over, and grins at her. "Say, we should do this more often, huh? I promise next time I won't complain so much, ha."

Kiara cracks a grin. "Told you so. I'll, uh, definitely keep that in mind when I want some quality time."

Vitani chuckles, looking jovial though her eyes dart away. Then she clears her throat, "Well, uh...want me to do you now?"

...

...

...

"...Kiara?"

Vitani's voice snaps her out of her trance. It's only when she sees Vitani's confused and concerned eyes that she realizes that her mind had gone completely blank. That request...gods, what should she even make of it? It should be a normal thing; she's been groomed before by plenty of lionesses! Why is that makes Vitani so different? Why does the thought of it make her react like this?

"Kiaraaa," Vitani singsongs, nudging her with her paw; Kiara's stomach clenches. Shit. Right. She wants an answer.

"Oh, uh, well, I mean --" Get the words out, Kiara! "I-I...um, guess I w-wouldn't mi --"

"Hiya, ladies," comes a voice from the steps of the Rock, "No worries, sis, I can take it from here."

Something washes over Kiara, but she's not sure it's relief. It's...something else. Though it cleanses, it feels more like clarity than respite -- it's reality. Vitani seems to have a similar reaction. Kiara catches her clearing her throat before she has to turn to look at Kovu, blocking the sun with his likewise renewed physique, smiling at her with the same smile she remembers at one point felt like a reward.

"All yours, termite," Vitani says. Does her voice sound strained or is Kiara imagining that?

Nonetheless, Vitani lamentably scoots away and Kovu settles in next to her. He nuzzles her, causing her to smile.

"How was your day, mpenzi?"

"Oh, it was fine. Seems like Dad's running out of things to teach me these days. He really just rambles about the same things over and over, always going on about things that could go wrong." Remembering the lesson with mild anxiety, the fur on Kiara's neck prickles up and she leans in as Kovu starts to groom her; no strange feeling comes of it. "How was training with my mom?"

"It was great! I may not really get the whole royalty thing still, but I like learning about the kingdom. Talking to prey is still weird to me, though..." Considering his previous relationship to prey, she's not quite surprised. Even Vitani has some reserved discomfort from interacting with prey on a daily basis.

"You'll get the hang of it, I'm sure."

"Hey, guys!" Tiifu trots in with a toothy smile.

"Tiifu!" Kiara smiles back. "What's up?"

"Not much, just migrating in here," Tiifu chuckles, before lowering her voice and pointing towards the cuddle pile back in the direction she came from with her chin, "Those two were getting a little too pawsy for me, figured I'd find better company in here."

"Well then, welcome," Kiara laughs, and finds herself making an effort to steer her eyes away from Zuri and Kasi, dually unsure if Tiifu is joking or not and curious to find out.

Ultimately, both are forgotten when Tiifu immediately starts to make her way towards a curled-up Vitani, with a cheery, "Hi, Vitani!"

Vitani lifts her head and grins, "Hey, shortstack, what's up?"

Any retort Tiifu was going to shot back is swallowed in a bout of laughter. "You...look...hilarious!" she says between huffs of air.

"What are you -- oh, I see, you don't like my new 'do?" Vitani puffs up the cowlick on her head with a paw. "How dare you!" she says in an impression reminiscent of Zuri.

It only makes Tiifu laugh more, and she plops down next to her. "Holy shit, that's hysterical. It does not suit you at all!!"

"The nerve! Maybe I wanted to try something new."

"You should try it less often."

Vitani scoffs in feigned offense, before falling into laughter herself.

Sometimes Kiara forgets that she's not the only Pridelander Vitani has opened up to, though if anyone else were to have that privelege, there would be no one better than Tiifu. For the longest time, Tiifu was the only lioness Kiara knew who liked other lionesses, and exclusively at that. Though Zuri would later find that she also found lionesses appealing, alongside lions, Kiara can tell there's a bond in not feeling attraction to males that Vitani and Tiifu have found. Surely that was the reason Tiifu is so drawn to Vitani. And not...

No. There's no way. It's possible, sure, but...

Could it actually be?

Kiara watches the two banter back and forth, Vitani still cheekily putting on her Zuri impression and Tiifu snarking back if she actually is Zuri, and feels the same pit in her stomach from before. Kovu's grooming and warmth from the setting sun fade away from her now.

So what?

Why does it seem like the end of the world if Tiifu liked Vitani? They get along increidbly well, they both like lionesses...they would make a cute couple. And yet...no part of Kiara feels positive at the idea. That feels awful; they're both her friends, so why wouldn't she feel happy for them?

While one part of her wonders this, another weighs the likelihood of it all. Does Tiifu really like Vitani that way? Or does she view her as just a friend? Is it weird of Kiara to assume that two lesbian lionesses would be drawn to one another? And did it ever cross Vitani's mind that Tiifu was a potential partner? Or Zuri? Or...

Or me?

Kiara has to conceal the gasp that fills her chest. Her claws unsheath themselves and her fur rises on her neck once more. Thankfully, Kovu doesn't seem to notice.

What was that?

First, all these thoughts about Vitani started popping into her head and she's reassessing all the ways she's just been instantly drawn to her, and now this? It feels as thought everything is shifting inside of her, thoughts swirling around in her head.

She's always loved being around Vitani, to the point where it seems like she's all too eager to break away from Kovu and Dad and Mom and all their training. Does it mean something more? It couldn't. Just because she's come to rely on their meetings together to decompress from her training for the throne doesn't mean anything. Even though, maybe sometimes, she's felt far too good stretched out in the sun with her, wrestling with her, joking with her. Vitani challenges her in a way no one else ever has. She's unique, their interactions nothing like how Kovu has made her feel. When Kiara pushes, Vitani pushes back, matches her energy in spades. Though Kovu indulges in her antics only occasionally, he simply coasts where Kiara presses, following her lead, kneeling. But Vitani...gods, she's different. If only --

No. No, no no, how can she even entertain that thought? She likes lions, she's in love with Kovu, she would never take him for granted, she can't --

Kiara shuts it all down. No. No, this...she's just stressed out from training. There's no point at all in attempting to rationalize her way in and out of any of this.

This, all of this -- it's nothing. It's probably nothing.

___

this was not at all proofread, least of all at the end lol but thank fuck i got this update out after having it my stash for a few months.

at last, kiara is starting to have her own realizations. it was a last minute decision to write in her anxieties about being queen, but tbh it was always the most fascinating thing about her character to me. tlk2 didn't exactly wrap it up in a neat lil bow and it's not like ending a war is something a therapist recommends to deal with your baggage so here it is cropping up again.

i'd also like to apologize if my characterization/perception of kovu is ooc as i have a harder time relating to him than kiara. but it feels right to portray him as a genuinely sweet guy whose upbringing forced his kind nature down to the point where he's a little emotionally stunted and therefore lets kiara, who had more emotional freedom, take center stage and "wear the pants," so to speak. because he was the favored sibling and outlander and i headcanon that he was given more food than the others to build the strength for his mission, i feel like he'd jump at the chance to give for once.

as for how kiara feels about it...well, you'll see.

(also yes, vitani's cowlick is meant to be a jab at her tlg counterpart. if it's not obvious, it's because i physically could not bring myself to make her look more like that creature.)

___

QUICK PROMO: i started a goal on my ko-fi because i'll be between jobs very soon and could use all the help i can get, even if it's tiny! i appreciate any and all support!!!

DO NOT EDIT, TRACE, SAVE, OR REDISTRUBUTE.

Description

FIRST: [ Wanna Fight, Princess?] || PREVIOUS: [ Close to You ] || NEXT: [none yet!]

---

"Hate to admit it, Ki, but I kinda do feel better."

Kiara had just finished grooming Vitani's previously scruffy, unkempt fur, which now looks sleeker and smoother. Her friend looks thoroughly satisfied, even though the tuft atop her head has become a curled-over cowlick and the fur that typically juts our from her long column of a neck is now stuck to it.

It's a shame, Kiara thinks. She rather liked Vitani's rugged appearance --

She blinks at the thought. Huh?

Luckily, Vitani doesn't notice, instead opting to stretch out fully, rolling onto her back to reach outward with her forelegs, claws unsheathed once more. Oh. Oh, she looks so cute --

Kiara shakes her head. Okay, that's weird; where did that come from?

Soon, Vitani finishes her stretch, rolls back over, and grins at her. "Say, we should do this more often, huh? I promise next time I won't complain so much, ha."

Kiara cracks a grin. "Told you so. I'll, uh, definitely keep that in mind when I want some quality time."

Vitani chuckles, looking jovial though her eyes dart away. Then she clears her throat, "Well, uh...want me to do you now?"

...

...

...

"...Kiara?"

Vitani's voice snaps her out of her trance. It's only when she sees Vitani's confused and concerned eyes that she realizes that her mind had gone completely blank. That request...gods, what should she even make of it? It should be a normal thing; she's been groomed before by plenty of lionesses! Why is that makes Vitani so different? Why does the thought of it make her react like this?

"Kiaraaa," Vitani singsongs, nudging her with her paw; Kiara's stomach clenches. Shit. Right. She wants an answer.

"Oh, uh, well, I mean --" Get the words out, Kiara! "I-I...um, guess I w-wouldn't mi --"

"Hiya, ladies," comes a voice from the steps of the Rock, "No worries, sis, I can take it from here."

Something washes over Kiara, but she's not sure it's relief. It's...something else. Though it cleanses, it feels more like clarity than respite -- it's reality. Vitani seems to have a similar reaction. Kiara catches her clearing her throat before she has to turn to look at Kovu, blocking the sun with his likewise renewed physique, smiling at her with the same smile she remembers at one point felt like a reward.

"All yours, termite," Vitani says. Does her voice sound strained or is Kiara imagining that?

Nonetheless, Vitani lamentably scoots away and Kovu settles in next to her. He nuzzles her, causing her to smile.

"How was your day, mpenzi?"

"Oh, it was fine. Seems like Dad's running out of things to teach me these days. He really just rambles about the same things over and over, always going on about things that could go wrong." Remembering the lesson with mild anxiety, the fur on Kiara's neck prickles up and she leans in as Kovu starts to groom her; no strange feeling comes of it. "How was training with my mom?"

"It was great! I may not really get the whole royalty thing still, but I like learning about the kingdom. Talking to prey is still weird to me, though..." Considering his previous relationship to prey, she's not quite surprised. Even Vitani has some reserved discomfort from interacting with prey on a daily basis.

"You'll get the hang of it, I'm sure."

"Hey, guys!" Tiifu trots in with a toothy smile.

"Tiifu!" Kiara smiles back. "What's up?"

"Not much, just migrating in here," Tiifu chuckles, before lowering her voice and pointing towards the cuddle pile back in the direction she came from with her chin, "Those two were getting a little too pawsy for me, figured I'd find better company in here."

"Well then, welcome," Kiara laughs, and finds herself making an effort to steer her eyes away from Zuri and Kasi, dually unsure if Tiifu is joking or not and curious to find out.

Ultimately, both are forgotten when Tiifu immediately starts to make her way towards a curled-up Vitani, with a cheery, "Hi, Vitani!"

Vitani lifts her head and grins, "Hey, shortstack, what's up?"

Any retort Tiifu was going to shot back is swallowed in a bout of laughter. "You...look...hilarious!" she says between huffs of air.

"What are you -- oh, I see, you don't like my new 'do?" Vitani puffs up the cowlick on her head with a paw. "How dare you!" she says in an impression reminiscent of Zuri.

It only makes Tiifu laugh more, and she plops down next to her. "Holy shit, that's hysterical. It does not suit you at all!!"

"The nerve! Maybe I wanted to try something new."

"You should try it less often."

Vitani scoffs in feigned offense, before falling into laughter herself.

Sometimes Kiara forgets that she's not the only Pridelander Vitani has opened up to, though if anyone else were to have that privelege, there would be no one better than Tiifu. For the longest time, Tiifu was the only lioness Kiara knew who liked other lionesses, and exclusively at that. Though Zuri would later find that she also found lionesses appealing, alongside lions, Kiara can tell there's a bond in not feeling attraction to males that Vitani and Tiifu have found. Surely that was the reason Tiifu is so drawn to Vitani. And not...

No. There's no way. It's possible, sure, but...

Could it actually be?

Kiara watches the two banter back and forth, Vitani still cheekily putting on her Zuri impression and Tiifu snarking back if she actually is Zuri, and feels the same pit in her stomach from before. Kovu's grooming and warmth from the setting sun fade away from her now.

So what?

Why does it seem like the end of the world if Tiifu liked Vitani? They get along increidbly well, they both like lionesses...they would make a cute couple. And yet...no part of Kiara feels positive at the idea. That feels awful; they're both her friends, so why wouldn't she feel happy for them?

While one part of her wonders this, another weighs the likelihood of it all. Does Tiifu really like Vitani that way? Or does she view her as just a friend? Is it weird of Kiara to assume that two lesbian lionesses would be drawn to one another? And did it ever cross Vitani's mind that Tiifu was a potential partner? Or Zuri? Or...

Or me?

Kiara has to conceal the gasp that fills her chest. Her claws unsheath themselves and her fur rises on her neck once more. Thankfully, Kovu doesn't seem to notice.

What was that?

First, all these thoughts about Vitani started popping into her head and she's reassessing all the ways she's just been instantly drawn to her, and now this? It feels as thought everything is shifting inside of her, thoughts swirling around in her head.

She's always loved being around Vitani, to the point where it seems like she's all too eager to break away from Kovu and Dad and Mom and all their training. Does it mean something more? It couldn't. Just because she's come to rely on their meetings together to decompress from her training for the throne doesn't mean anything. Even though, maybe sometimes, she's felt far too good stretched out in the sun with her, wrestling with her, joking with her. Vitani challenges her in a way no one else ever has. She's unique, their interactions nothing like how Kovu has made her feel. When Kiara pushes, Vitani pushes back, matches her energy in spades. Though Kovu indulges in her antics only occasionally, he simply coasts where Kiara presses, following her lead, kneeling. But Vitani...gods, she's different. If only --

No. No, no no, how can she even entertain that thought? She likes lions, she's in love with Kovu, she would never take him for granted, she can't --

Kiara shuts it all down. No. No, this...she's just stressed out from training. There's no point at all in attempting to rationalize her way in and out of any of this.

This, all of this -- it's nothing. It's probably nothing.

___

this was not at all proofread, least of all at the end lol but thank fuck i got this update out after having it my stash for a few months.

at last, kiara is starting to have her own realizations. it was a last minute decision to write in her anxieties about being queen, but tbh it was always the most fascinating thing about her character to me. tlk2 didn't exactly wrap it up in a neat lil bow and it's not like ending a war is something a therapist recommends to deal with your baggage so here it is cropping up again.

i'd also like to apologize if my characterization/perception of kovu is ooc as i have a harder time relating to him than kiara. but it feels right to portray him as a genuinely sweet guy whose upbringing forced his kind nature down to the point where he's a little emotionally stunted and therefore lets kiara, who had more emotional freedom, take center stage and "wear the pants," so to speak. because he was the favored sibling and outlander and i headcanon that he was given more food than the others to build the strength for his mission, i feel like he'd jump at the chance to give for once.

as for how kiara feels about it...well, you'll see.

(also yes, vitani's cowlick is meant to be a jab at her tlg counterpart. if it's not obvious, it's because i physically could not bring myself to make her look more like that creature.)

___

QUICK PROMO: i started a goal on my ko-fi because i'll be between jobs very soon and could use all the help i can get, even if it's tiny! i appreciate any and all support!!!

DO NOT EDIT, TRACE, SAVE, OR REDISTRUBUTE.