❝...do i...know you?❞ There was genuine confusion on Kovu's face, making him look around rather...tense. If this cub was from 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬...It'd put Kovu entirely in danger.

𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘢. 𝘚𝘐𝘔𝘉𝘈. Kovu nearly backed away out of shock, perhaps even self preservation. ❝No! No uh— no, you do not! I mean, why would you? Im just...a complete stranger.❞

❝Za—❞ He had to quickly clear his throat, with a tight smile to Simba. Boy...was this confusing....the same lion that banished him from pride rock was...somewhat a cub? ❝Who is 𝘡𝘢𝘻𝘶?❞ Playing pretend would do Kovu good, it had to.

❝That's..very kind. But I shouldn't stay long, I can't.❞ Kovu forced a smile, a very strained one as he got up on his feet, almost with a grimace as the sun shined on his scar, so very eerily similar to scar. 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘳.

❝I..dont know. Although, is there...perhaps a lion there? One with a very dark mane..?❞ Kovu couldn't help but ask, blinking at the cub as he looked ahead, almost...with dread. If 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳 was there...

There's a brief grimace, making Kovu hesitate before he allowed himself to properly answer. ❝..That might depend. Is his name 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳?❞

❝Well..I suppose thats because he's my...𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.❞ Kovu reluctantly spoke, paws padding at the dirt beneath him out of an awkward mannerism, even as he looked down at simba. ❝Hoped I would've missed the chance to see him.❞

. . .

❝That's not a surprise. Hopefully he might 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 out there.❞ Kovu scoffed, his gaze directed towards the direction of the outlands. He hoped he wouldnt run into the damn lion, perhaps ever.

...why are you yelling 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 .ᐣ