Diana let out a small sad mewl when Chariot stopped petting her. "Someone's clingy today, Chariot smiled as she started scratching Diana behind her ears. Diana snuggled into her lap, pleased with the attention. She purred with content. Chariot wondered what brought on this sudden need for affection. Diana was never cold, but she was often aloof and busy with finding ways to become stronger. She accepted all their love, but she never actually approached them demanding attention before. Not that it was bothersome. Chariot enjoyed cuddly Diana immensely, but what could have triggered her kitty to act like this? There was only one person who could pull Diana out of character. Or rather, one pup.
"What's Akko up to? I saw her in the kitchen earlier," Chariot asked. The purring stopped.
"How should I know?" Diana replied with annoyance. Oh, so it was Akko after all. Chariot tried her best not to smile. She picked up Diana up who meowed in protest and hugged her against her chest.
"What's wrong Dia?" Chariot cooed. Diana relaxed a bit at the use of her nickname. She nuzzled Chariot softly.
"Nothing," Diana replied. Suddenly, distressed beeps rang out beside them. Chariot looked over to see their new Roomba stuck underneath the end table. Before Chariot could get up to move it, Akko bolted into the living room.
"I'll save you Pumbaa!" Akko shouted. Chariot watched as Akko rescued the Roomba. "All better! Pumbaa, you need to be more careful."
"Pumbaa?" Chariot asked with an amused smile on her lips.
"Yes! I named him Pumbaa because he eats everything," Akko answered. Seeing Chariot's confusion, Diana decided to enlighten her.
"Croix showed her The Lion King. Pumbaa is a warthog," Diana explained. She glared at Pumbaa. "Akko has been following that stupid thing all day. She even talks to it when it's charging," Diana grumbled.
"I was telling him a bedtime story! And Pumbaa's not stupid, he's learning his way around the house. Croix said so," Akko defended.
"I had to rescue you and Pumbaa when you were both stuck under the couch," Diana reminded, irritation in every word. Chariot was a bit surprised. She's never seen Diana act this way before. It was almost like…
"Pumbaa is my friend and I'm going to protect him. He needs me," Akko said huffed.
"I need you!" said Diana. There was a moment of silence.
"I'm sorry, Dia. Were you lonely?" Akko asked as she hopped onto the couch.
"I don't get lonely," Diana mumbled as she tried to hide her face.
Chariot covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from squealing.
Diana was jealous of the Roomba.
Akko squirmed her way into Chariot's lap and gave Diana playful licks and nips. "Dia," Akko called in a sing-song voice. Diana peered at her and Akko bumped their noses together. "Boop."
Unable to handle how cute her familiars were Chariot cuddled them and kissed their foreheads. Diana purred sweetly while Akko's tail wagged with joy. Until the distressed beeps sounded again. Diana looked over at Akko.
"Dia, let's help Pumbaa together," Akko suggested. Diana nodded and Chariot reluctantly released them so they could continue their rescue mission.
"Dear, why are the kids stalking my Roomba?" Croix asked when she entered the house.
"They're babysitting Pumbaa," Chariot answered. Croix continued to stare at her blankly. "You caused a lot of drama with your new Roomba."
"Oh? Tell me all about it," Croix chuckled.
"I'd love too, but your dripping oil in my kitchen."
Croix groaned and shuffled into the bathroom. Chariot laughed at her wife's dramatic display before looking back at her two sentries and their Roomba.
Pumbaa wasn't going to split them up, he was another thing they could bond over.
Author's Notes
Thank you, anon! For letting me know I slipped up and used Ursula instead of Chariot. I fixed it 😉
I love Timon and Pumbaa.