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Description
Previous (End of Season 1)
____

It was past patrol hours. The Guard stirred, paced, and sparred to practice for their next missions. Any sort of trouble had been quiet for a while, which would normally put one at ease, but had put the Guard all the more on the lookout. They always made sure to expect surprises.

Vitani gazed at the moonlight that illuminated the Lion Guard Lair, remembering a sweet, cherished, and life-changing night under this same full moon. She sighed sentimentally before turning away from the entrance, grunting as she plopped onto the podium-shaped rock that generations of leaders before her sat. She lightly doodled on the surface with a claw, not realizing she'd been smirking.

Tazama, ever the observer, picked up on her leader's rather rare expression. Her watchful eyes causing a domino effect of Imara slowing her sparring to look at what Tazama was looking at, Shabaha noticing Imara looking away, and Kasi stopping her heckling of the spar when she saw it end.

Vitani's heart jumped when her Guard was all suddenly gathered close to the podium. She quickly covered a nonsensical doodle she'd made with a paw.

"...What?"

"What'cha thinkin' about?" Kasi teased, placing her paws on the ledge.

"Nothing..?"

"We know that look. That's your Tiifu smirk."

Vitani glanced away in thought, utterly lost about Kasi's logic.

"It got me thinking," Kasi continued anyway, "I've always wanted to ask this, but... who kissed first?"

The question riled up the others, interjecting their curiosity as well. There was no getting them off Vitani's back now.

"I... I don't remember, we were just so lost in the moment..."

"Come on!" some Guard members whined.

"Guys, please! I need to retrace my steps. Let's see..."

Vitani thought back to several months before. It was currently spring, now. and the memories traced back to that last summer...

____

Vitani and Tiifu set their sights on each other long after the merging of the prides. For months they were both afraid to shoot their shot. Vitani's busy schedule filled with missions that took up most daylight hours, and Tiifu's training to be the healer of the Lioness' Hunt took much time to get properly acquainted away.

Tiifu had always liked girls, but never found one who shared the same feeling. As a teenager during Kion's journey to heal his scar, she'd resigned to the idea that she wouldn't find someone, and that was okay. Not everyone had a lover. Until Vitani joined the pride a year later...

Tiifu was floored by the former Outsider's seemingly polar opposite vibes from the rest of the native Pridelanders. It was a refreshing change of pace, and it awakened a wild side of Tiifu she never knew she had, being a sheltered, mild-mannered, and passive lioness.

Meanwhile, Vitani never saw herself with anyone, and thought that mushy, goo goo-eyed stuff was only for her brother to revolve his life around. Though she'd long turned to a more peaceful life, she felt she had no true place to maintain that newfound restful, warless life. No one she'd already been close to took her out of that old life, and most of the lionesses native to the Pridelands were older, and traditional, only ever talking about things like grooming, hunting, and caring for babies. Until she saw Tiifu...

Tiifu was like pure innocence and peace with a body, a rather curvy body at that. Vitani wanted to open her mind to a more positive, sunshiny outlook on life. A light of hope in dark moments, a chance to preserve one's innocence, something she couldn't do with herself as a cub.

One day, and coincidentally that same, particular day, Vitani and Tiifu both confessed to their respective friend groups what had been wrong with them these past few months.

____

Within the main den of Pride Rock...

"I really think I found the one!" Tiifu's tail curled up in excitement.

"Who? Who is it?!" Zuri bounced eagerly with her best friend.

"It's the new leader of the Guard! She's, just, so dreamy..." Tiifu stared off, it almost looked like stars glistened in her eyes.

Zuri stopped bouncing, "That one?"

"Well..."

"Well, I think it's sweet." Kiara smiled.

"You don't think it's weird? I mean she's, like, Kovu's sister and all, and me and you are, like, best friends..."

"No way!" she placed a paw on Tiifu's shoulder assuringly, "And I've spoken to Vitani. She's a trustworthy, kind lioness."

"I wish I could talk to her like you can..."

"We can make that happen." Kiara turned towards ouside, "Come on, we'll take you to the courtyard and give you pointers..."

____

Meanwhile, in the Lion Guard Lair...

"Every time I see her, I just... feel weird. I haven't stopped feeling weird. My chest hurts, I'm all hot and tingly. I must be sick or something..." Vitani shook her head.

"Does she give you a bad vibe?" Kasi tilted her head, "Is she one of those stuck-up Pridelanders that gives us the cold shoulder?"

"No. She... she makes me feel, I don't know, hopeful? Like I can't stop thinking about us in the future?" she then scoffed, "I feel like a creep..."

"Do you think that this may be a crush? You remember how much it changed Kovu..." said Tazama.

"Yeah, but... why me? I never thought I'd feel that way about anyone." she looked down, "I wonder if I even should, I mean, you guys saw how much just thinking about her's been distracting me..."

"I think you should!" Kasi nodded.

"Better to answer that feeling instead of letting it loom over you all the time, I think." said Imara, "Patrols haven't been out of the ordinary lately, why not just skip this one? Just, go see her."

Vitani tried her best to hide a chill that ran down her spine. She worriedly looked towards the entrance of the lair.

They were right...

____

Vitani gulped. Time to look for her...

She ascended from the lair. She stared off worriedly before glancing around, not realizing how paranoid she'd looked.

Her heart jumped to find Tiifu already very close-by. She quickly hid behind one of Pride Rock's walls. Closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. She took one final, big, deep breath before heading back to what felt like her hardest mission in months.

On her way, her ears picked up rustling and whispering in the bushes beside her. She stuck her head into it.

"Hi'ya, 'Tani!" Shabaha greeted with an eager wave, speaking a little too loud. A large paw suddenly clamped over her mouth.

Vitani glanced around to see the whole Guard in the tight crook of boulders and bushes With the exception of Tazama, who sat up front with her head in the bushes, spying.

"What are you guys doing here? This is supposed to be private!" Vitani hissed, fuming.

"We just wanna make sure it goes well." Imara shrugged.

"I thought you believed in me?" Vitani was baffled. She unsheathed her claws, "I, oughta-"

Suddenly, Vitani felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. No time to bicker with the Guard now.

“Hah, hi.” said Tiifu’s shaky voice. She tried not to lose her composure.

“Uh…” Vitani’s wide eyes relaxed to a flirtatious smirk, “hey, there.”

“Heard you got the day off…”

“Yeah!”

"This is just awkward..." Shabaha continued to complain, "She's killin' me! This love thing is messing Vitani up."

"Quiet..." Imara said in a low, irritated voice.

Tiifu swayed idly, “Do you want to, um… hang out? If you don’t have any other plans, of course.”

"Yes, Tiifu, good start!" Kiara praised in a hushed voice. Unbeknownst to the Guard, Tiifu's very own friends hid in another bush just on the opposite side.

Vitani tugged at a few clumps of fur on her chest. There was no turning back now. Either answer would change her life. A no would keep her in painful mystery for the rest of her life. A yes would put an end to the mystery, and she would find that this lioness was the ticket to a committed partner and a positive reinforcement in her life, or she wasn't what Vitani hoped she'd be, which would add to her pain.

She was taking a long time, now. Tiifu glanced around at Vitani's body language nervously.

"Uh, oh. Vitani's freezing up." Tazama reported.

Concerned over Vitani's sudden silence, the Guard muttered amongst themselves.

"Welp, we tried." Shabaha shot up and began to head toward home, "Guess it wasn't meant to b- G'uh!"

Suddenly, Imara had gotten a hold of the Bravest's tail before she could make another step towards the direction of the lair.

Having a story to tell was better than the torture of not knowing at all. Vitani took her chances.

"I'm up for that. Sounds great." she finally answered.

"Yessss!" Kiara held up a fist in victory. She and Zuri high-fived.

"Where to?" Tiifu piped, hoping Vitani wasn't the one about to ask that same question. She truly had no clue where if it were her decision.

"Hmm..." Vitani glanced to the side, bouncing a little.

Her train of thought was bombarded when her Guard suddenly loudly hissed suggestions.

"Lake Shangaza!" suggested Imara.

"Mbali Fields!" suggested Kasi.

"Lake Matope." Shabaha darkly joked, not taking this seriously.

"Shh, shut up! Shut up!" Vitani hissed back, swatting threateningly in the Guard's direction.

"I-Is something wrong..?"

Tiifu could unfortunately see Vitani, who looked like she was swatting at the air.

"G'ah, nothing..." Vitani shot a cold scowl towards the bushes, "Just a couple of annoying little insects..."

"Oh."

"She's not expecting Tiifu to know where to go, is she?" Zuri muttered to Kiara, "We didn't give her a plan."

"We'll just come up with one on the spot, then..." Kiara turned to her green-eyed friend, "Tiifu, suggest Urembo Meadows!"

Tiifu, unsure of how to not look like she was talking to the bushes, instinctively decided to just ignore them.

Vitani stood up tall, feeling adventurous.

"Why don't we just go wherever our paws take us?"

Tiifu picked up on Vitani's bravado, "Yeah! Somewhere far, too!"

Vitani nodded, "I like your style!"

Vitani eagerly headed out the courtyard, and Tiifu followed suit. Both smiled at the beginning of what could be a beautiful evening.

Kiara and Zuri simultaneously let out hushed squeals in pride of their friend. They hugged each other tight in glee. They slid out of the bushes, unseen and unheard.

"I think that's our cue to give the two lovebirds some time alone." Kasi said in a low, hushed voice as she watched Vitani and Tiifu depart.

"Finally..." Shabaha mumbled.

"Have fun, you crazy kids." Imara lightly chuckled, glancing back before heading back to the lair.

Being second-in-command, Imara promised herself to keep things in order while her leader was out.

____

Without a plan, the two lionesses headed northwest, and evetually stumbled upon a waterfall neither had seen before.

It was a landmark of the Pridelands known by the name of Msingi Falls. It was basically one of the corners of the Pridelands, bordering the Outlands and Theluji Mountains, and seemed to be where water from the Great Big Lake had streamed. Tomight, the full moon glistened against the water, giving it an almost heavenly glow. It was strangely rather unoccupied, with the exception of various nocturnal insects that either created ambient chirps, or swarmed around the moonlight.

Vitani had the idea to get a better look at the falls on the acacia tree that towered the cliff just next to the fall. She stuck out a paw to help Tiifu up the tree.

The two gazed at the scenery and exchanged a few words, their hushed anecdotes and gossiping masked by the rushing water, giggling as their tails intertwined subconsciously.

Soon, their mingling had turned into silent gazing, which turned into an excruciating silence as neither had noticed the other's face journeys. Tiifu eventually noticed a sullen look across Vitani's face.

"Vitani...?"

The lioness in question broke away from her racing thoughts. She turned to Tiifu.

"I don't know how to put this, but... You're a little different than what I thought you would be. You're super polite, and very gentle."

"Well, I..." Vitani sighed.

"And you've been looking really uncomfortable all night, is the date not going okay?"

"No! I mean, it is, I mean... Why would you think I'm uncomfortable?"

"Well, you haven't been hiding your nerves well at all tonight."

Vitani glanced away with big eyes. She was being caught.

Tiifu giggled at Vitani's silly look, "You're funny..."

"Truth is..." Vitani scratched the back of her head, "I'm not usually this gentle with anyone. I just thought you'd like that... as a Pridelander. I just thought my roughness from a hard life would be too much for you..."

"Vitani, I like that rough side of you, that's what makes you you."

The former Outsider was taken aback, pleased to hear that from Tiifu.

"You know... I kinda having that same thought run through my head," Vitani spoke up, "that whole different-than-I-thought thing..."

"Really?"

"Yeah... you're more gutsy and dark-humored than I thought. I kinda thought you were just nothing but a little ray of sunshine."

"Funny thing..."

"Don't tell me... you were faking it, too..."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say it was 'fake', but... yeah, I really wanted to fit in with you, y'know? I was worried you were gonna think I was lame." Tiifu glanced down.

"Nah, you're not-"

"Usually I am kind of a square, but..." Tiifu looked back up, "Vitani, you just really bring something out in me that I didn't even know I had. I'm sorry if I'm not who you thought I was."

"No, I really like that about you."

"The lying?"

"What? No..." Vitani glared before returning to an admiring look, "You're kinda spicy, I think it's cute on you."

Tiifu giggled, "If it makes you feel any better, I like your chivalrous side. It's kinda hot..."

Vitani snorted. This one was funny.

She saw Tiifu's paw slide close to her. With slight hesitation, Vitani placed her own paw atop Tiifu's.

The former Outsider glanced up in thought, "To think we were both putting on a facade to impress each other. But, really we just had to be ourselves. But then, we realize we like these other sides of each other. It's like one of those drama performances I've seen around here..."

Vitani snapped out of her rambling, "Sorry for talking so much, I..."

"Please don't ever stop." Tiifu stared, eyes big, dark, and glistening like the night sky above them.

Vitani gazed into Tiifu's dark olive green eyes, and Tiifu eventually found herself gazing at Vitani's stormy blue eyes. They absentmindedly leaned closer and closer, until they couldn't hold back anymore.

Their lips touched. Pressing harder and harder. They leaned and tilted their heads and sighed in relief and passion.

Gnats and moths circled around them and gravitated towards the light of the moon.

The rest of the night was a blur to them.

____

"So... it was at the same time, basically?" Kasi tilted her head. Halfway through the story she'd been lying down, as the rest of the Guard were.

"Guess so," Vitani shrugged, "Guess we were just so lost in our feelings that no one was really keeping track."

"'Our feelings'..." Shabaha muttered and rolled her eyes, "Gag."

"Anywho..." Vitani sat up and headed toward the moonlight, which had long shifted and illuminated other parts of the lair, now.

"I think I'll spend the night upstairs. Pleasant dreams, losers."

The Guard each bid Vitani goodnight in their own various ways.

The Leader of the Guard hopped from the lair into the night, on her way to spend yet another memorable night with that very lioness.

____

((Author's Note: To save this from seeming too out-of-order of the storyline, I made up the opening and closing frame of the story on the spot to make it look a little like a "Remember the time?" filler episode of a sitcom (though normally shows end seasons with this kinda episode lol)

Also, the title of this upload is a reference to the song of the same name by Sixpence None the Richer, which has always felt very sapphic to me tbh

Speaking of music, I'd like to think a love ballad musical number would've played before the part where they climb up the tree. Would've filled so many gaps and tied the scene together if I were a lyricist lol. I'm thinking the song would be about how they see themselves, their places in each other's lives, and if they're making the right choice

Lastly, Msingi Falls is not a location seen in The Lion Guard. It's kinda my... idk my location OC I guess lol. "Msingi" translates to "base". Its multiple meanings will be evaluated on in future appearances

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!))

____

Next

Description
Previous (End of Season 1)
____

It was past patrol hours. The Guard stirred, paced, and sparred to practice for their next missions. Any sort of trouble had been quiet for a while, which would normally put one at ease, but had put the Guard all the more on the lookout. They always made sure to expect surprises.

Vitani gazed at the moonlight that illuminated the Lion Guard Lair, remembering a sweet, cherished, and life-changing night under this same full moon. She sighed sentimentally before turning away from the entrance, grunting as she plopped onto the podium-shaped rock that generations of leaders before her sat. She lightly doodled on the surface with a claw, not realizing she'd been smirking.

Tazama, ever the observer, picked up on her leader's rather rare expression. Her watchful eyes causing a domino effect of Imara slowing her sparring to look at what Tazama was looking at, Shabaha noticing Imara looking away, and Kasi stopping her heckling of the spar when she saw it end.

Vitani's heart jumped when her Guard was all suddenly gathered close to the podium. She quickly covered a nonsensical doodle she'd made with a paw.

"...What?"

"What'cha thinkin' about?" Kasi teased, placing her paws on the ledge.

"Nothing..?"

"We know that look. That's your Tiifu smirk."

Vitani glanced away in thought, utterly lost about Kasi's logic.

"It got me thinking," Kasi continued anyway, "I've always wanted to ask this, but... who kissed first?"

The question riled up the others, interjecting their curiosity as well. There was no getting them off Vitani's back now.

"I... I don't remember, we were just so lost in the moment..."

"Come on!" some Guard members whined.

"Guys, please! I need to retrace my steps. Let's see..."

Vitani thought back to several months before. It was currently spring, now. and the memories traced back to that last summer...

____

Vitani and Tiifu set their sights on each other long after the merging of the prides. For months they were both afraid to shoot their shot. Vitani's busy schedule filled with missions that took up most daylight hours, and Tiifu's training to be the healer of the Lioness' Hunt took much time to get properly acquainted away.

Tiifu had always liked girls, but never found one who shared the same feeling. As a teenager during Kion's journey to heal his scar, she'd resigned to the idea that she wouldn't find someone, and that was okay. Not everyone had a lover. Until Vitani joined the pride a year later...

Tiifu was floored by the former Outsider's seemingly polar opposite vibes from the rest of the native Pridelanders. It was a refreshing change of pace, and it awakened a wild side of Tiifu she never knew she had, being a sheltered, mild-mannered, and passive lioness.

Meanwhile, Vitani never saw herself with anyone, and thought that mushy, goo goo-eyed stuff was only for her brother to revolve his life around. Though she'd long turned to a more peaceful life, she felt she had no true place to maintain that newfound restful, warless life. No one she'd already been close to took her out of that old life, and most of the lionesses native to the Pridelands were older, and traditional, only ever talking about things like grooming, hunting, and caring for babies. Until she saw Tiifu...

Tiifu was like pure innocence and peace with a body, a rather curvy body at that. Vitani wanted to open her mind to a more positive, sunshiny outlook on life. A light of hope in dark moments, a chance to preserve one's innocence, something she couldn't do with herself as a cub.

One day, and coincidentally that same, particular day, Vitani and Tiifu both confessed to their respective friend groups what had been wrong with them these past few months.

____

Within the main den of Pride Rock...

"I really think I found the one!" Tiifu's tail curled up in excitement.

"Who? Who is it?!" Zuri bounced eagerly with her best friend.

"It's the new leader of the Guard! She's, just, so dreamy..." Tiifu stared off, it almost looked like stars glistened in her eyes.

Zuri stopped bouncing, "That one?"

"Well..."

"Well, I think it's sweet." Kiara smiled.

"You don't think it's weird? I mean she's, like, Kovu's sister and all, and me and you are, like, best friends..."

"No way!" she placed a paw on Tiifu's shoulder assuringly, "And I've spoken to Vitani. She's a trustworthy, kind lioness."

"I wish I could talk to her like you can..."

"We can make that happen." Kiara turned towards ouside, "Come on, we'll take you to the courtyard and give you pointers..."

____

Meanwhile, in the Lion Guard Lair...

"Every time I see her, I just... feel weird. I haven't stopped feeling weird. My chest hurts, I'm all hot and tingly. I must be sick or something..." Vitani shook her head.

"Does she give you a bad vibe?" Kasi tilted her head, "Is she one of those stuck-up Pridelanders that gives us the cold shoulder?"

"No. She... she makes me feel, I don't know, hopeful? Like I can't stop thinking about us in the future?" she then scoffed, "I feel like a creep..."

"Do you think that this may be a crush? You remember how much it changed Kovu..." said Tazama.

"Yeah, but... why me? I never thought I'd feel that way about anyone." she looked down, "I wonder if I even should, I mean, you guys saw how much just thinking about her's been distracting me..."

"I think you should!" Kasi nodded.

"Better to answer that feeling instead of letting it loom over you all the time, I think." said Imara, "Patrols haven't been out of the ordinary lately, why not just skip this one? Just, go see her."

Vitani tried her best to hide a chill that ran down her spine. She worriedly looked towards the entrance of the lair.

They were right...

____

Vitani gulped. Time to look for her...

She ascended from the lair. She stared off worriedly before glancing around, not realizing how paranoid she'd looked.

Her heart jumped to find Tiifu already very close-by. She quickly hid behind one of Pride Rock's walls. Closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. She took one final, big, deep breath before heading back to what felt like her hardest mission in months.

On her way, her ears picked up rustling and whispering in the bushes beside her. She stuck her head into it.

"Hi'ya, 'Tani!" Shabaha greeted with an eager wave, speaking a little too loud. A large paw suddenly clamped over her mouth.

Vitani glanced around to see the whole Guard in the tight crook of boulders and bushes With the exception of Tazama, who sat up front with her head in the bushes, spying.

"What are you guys doing here? This is supposed to be private!" Vitani hissed, fuming.

"We just wanna make sure it goes well." Imara shrugged.

"I thought you believed in me?" Vitani was baffled. She unsheathed her claws, "I, oughta-"

Suddenly, Vitani felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. No time to bicker with the Guard now.

“Hah, hi.” said Tiifu’s shaky voice. She tried not to lose her composure.

“Uh…” Vitani’s wide eyes relaxed to a flirtatious smirk, “hey, there.”

“Heard you got the day off…”

“Yeah!”

"This is just awkward..." Shabaha continued to complain, "She's killin' me! This love thing is messing Vitani up."

"Quiet..." Imara said in a low, irritated voice.

Tiifu swayed idly, “Do you want to, um… hang out? If you don’t have any other plans, of course.”

"Yes, Tiifu, good start!" Kiara praised in a hushed voice. Unbeknownst to the Guard, Tiifu's very own friends hid in another bush just on the opposite side.

Vitani tugged at a few clumps of fur on her chest. There was no turning back now. Either answer would change her life. A no would keep her in painful mystery for the rest of her life. A yes would put an end to the mystery, and she would find that this lioness was the ticket to a committed partner and a positive reinforcement in her life, or she wasn't what Vitani hoped she'd be, which would add to her pain.

She was taking a long time, now. Tiifu glanced around at Vitani's body language nervously.

"Uh, oh. Vitani's freezing up." Tazama reported.

Concerned over Vitani's sudden silence, the Guard muttered amongst themselves.

"Welp, we tried." Shabaha shot up and began to head toward home, "Guess it wasn't meant to b- G'uh!"

Suddenly, Imara had gotten a hold of the Bravest's tail before she could make another step towards the direction of the lair.

Having a story to tell was better than the torture of not knowing at all. Vitani took her chances.

"I'm up for that. Sounds great." she finally answered.

"Yessss!" Kiara held up a fist in victory. She and Zuri high-fived.

"Where to?" Tiifu piped, hoping Vitani wasn't the one about to ask that same question. She truly had no clue where if it were her decision.

"Hmm..." Vitani glanced to the side, bouncing a little.

Her train of thought was bombarded when her Guard suddenly loudly hissed suggestions.

"Lake Shangaza!" suggested Imara.

"Mbali Fields!" suggested Kasi.

"Lake Matope." Shabaha darkly joked, not taking this seriously.

"Shh, shut up! Shut up!" Vitani hissed back, swatting threateningly in the Guard's direction.

"I-Is something wrong..?"

Tiifu could unfortunately see Vitani, who looked like she was swatting at the air.

"G'ah, nothing..." Vitani shot a cold scowl towards the bushes, "Just a couple of annoying little insects..."

"Oh."

"She's not expecting Tiifu to know where to go, is she?" Zuri muttered to Kiara, "We didn't give her a plan."

"We'll just come up with one on the spot, then..." Kiara turned to her green-eyed friend, "Tiifu, suggest Urembo Meadows!"

Tiifu, unsure of how to not look like she was talking to the bushes, instinctively decided to just ignore them.

Vitani stood up tall, feeling adventurous.

"Why don't we just go wherever our paws take us?"

Tiifu picked up on Vitani's bravado, "Yeah! Somewhere far, too!"

Vitani nodded, "I like your style!"

Vitani eagerly headed out the courtyard, and Tiifu followed suit. Both smiled at the beginning of what could be a beautiful evening.

Kiara and Zuri simultaneously let out hushed squeals in pride of their friend. They hugged each other tight in glee. They slid out of the bushes, unseen and unheard.

"I think that's our cue to give the two lovebirds some time alone." Kasi said in a low, hushed voice as she watched Vitani and Tiifu depart.

"Finally..." Shabaha mumbled.

"Have fun, you crazy kids." Imara lightly chuckled, glancing back before heading back to the lair.

Being second-in-command, Imara promised herself to keep things in order while her leader was out.

____

Without a plan, the two lionesses headed northwest, and evetually stumbled upon a waterfall neither had seen before.

It was a landmark of the Pridelands known by the name of Msingi Falls. It was basically one of the corners of the Pridelands, bordering the Outlands and Theluji Mountains, and seemed to be where water from the Great Big Lake had streamed. Tomight, the full moon glistened against the water, giving it an almost heavenly glow. It was strangely rather unoccupied, with the exception of various nocturnal insects that either created ambient chirps, or swarmed around the moonlight.

Vitani had the idea to get a better look at the falls on the acacia tree that towered the cliff just next to the fall. She stuck out a paw to help Tiifu up the tree.

The two gazed at the scenery and exchanged a few words, their hushed anecdotes and gossiping masked by the rushing water, giggling as their tails intertwined subconsciously.

Soon, their mingling had turned into silent gazing, which turned into an excruciating silence as neither had noticed the other's face journeys. Tiifu eventually noticed a sullen look across Vitani's face.

"Vitani...?"

The lioness in question broke away from her racing thoughts. She turned to Tiifu.

"I don't know how to put this, but... You're a little different than what I thought you would be. You're super polite, and very gentle."

"Well, I..." Vitani sighed.

"And you've been looking really uncomfortable all night, is the date not going okay?"

"No! I mean, it is, I mean... Why would you think I'm uncomfortable?"

"Well, you haven't been hiding your nerves well at all tonight."

Vitani glanced away with big eyes. She was being caught.

Tiifu giggled at Vitani's silly look, "You're funny..."

"Truth is..." Vitani scratched the back of her head, "I'm not usually this gentle with anyone. I just thought you'd like that... as a Pridelander. I just thought my roughness from a hard life would be too much for you..."

"Vitani, I like that rough side of you, that's what makes you you."

The former Outsider was taken aback, pleased to hear that from Tiifu.

"You know... I kinda having that same thought run through my head," Vitani spoke up, "that whole different-than-I-thought thing..."

"Really?"

"Yeah... you're more gutsy and dark-humored than I thought. I kinda thought you were just nothing but a little ray of sunshine."

"Funny thing..."

"Don't tell me... you were faking it, too..."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say it was 'fake', but... yeah, I really wanted to fit in with you, y'know? I was worried you were gonna think I was lame." Tiifu glanced down.

"Nah, you're not-"

"Usually I am kind of a square, but..." Tiifu looked back up, "Vitani, you just really bring something out in me that I didn't even know I had. I'm sorry if I'm not who you thought I was."

"No, I really like that about you."

"The lying?"

"What? No..." Vitani glared before returning to an admiring look, "You're kinda spicy, I think it's cute on you."

Tiifu giggled, "If it makes you feel any better, I like your chivalrous side. It's kinda hot..."

Vitani snorted. This one was funny.

She saw Tiifu's paw slide close to her. With slight hesitation, Vitani placed her own paw atop Tiifu's.

The former Outsider glanced up in thought, "To think we were both putting on a facade to impress each other. But, really we just had to be ourselves. But then, we realize we like these other sides of each other. It's like one of those drama performances I've seen around here..."

Vitani snapped out of her rambling, "Sorry for talking so much, I..."

"Please don't ever stop." Tiifu stared, eyes big, dark, and glistening like the night sky above them.

Vitani gazed into Tiifu's dark olive green eyes, and Tiifu eventually found herself gazing at Vitani's stormy blue eyes. They absentmindedly leaned closer and closer, until they couldn't hold back anymore.

Their lips touched. Pressing harder and harder. They leaned and tilted their heads and sighed in relief and passion.

Gnats and moths circled around them and gravitated towards the light of the moon.

The rest of the night was a blur to them.

____

"So... it was at the same time, basically?" Kasi tilted her head. Halfway through the story she'd been lying down, as the rest of the Guard were.

"Guess so," Vitani shrugged, "Guess we were just so lost in our feelings that no one was really keeping track."

"'Our feelings'..." Shabaha muttered and rolled her eyes, "Gag."

"Anywho..." Vitani sat up and headed toward the moonlight, which had long shifted and illuminated other parts of the lair, now.

"I think I'll spend the night upstairs. Pleasant dreams, losers."

The Guard each bid Vitani goodnight in their own various ways.

The Leader of the Guard hopped from the lair into the night, on her way to spend yet another memorable night with that very lioness.

____

((Author's Note: To save this from seeming too out-of-order of the storyline, I made up the opening and closing frame of the story on the spot to make it look a little like a "Remember the time?" filler episode of a sitcom (though normally shows end seasons with this kinda episode lol)

Also, the title of this upload is a reference to the song of the same name by Sixpence None the Richer, which has always felt very sapphic to me tbh

Speaking of music, I'd like to think a love ballad musical number would've played before the part where they climb up the tree. Would've filled so many gaps and tied the scene together if I were a lyricist lol. I'm thinking the song would be about how they see themselves, their places in each other's lives, and if they're making the right choice

Lastly, Msingi Falls is not a location seen in The Lion Guard. It's kinda my... idk my location OC I guess lol. "Msingi" translates to "base". Its multiple meanings will be evaluated on in future appearances

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!))

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