So here I am standing, maybe cowering, before my pride elders as they discuss my Coming of Age Ceremony. The high elder, a golden lion with a strong build and graying features, addresses me in a raspy voice, "Young prince, your ceremony is to be held tomorrow."
At him mentioning my technically princely status, I feel myself tense up. For how advanced our society has become in the last century, we've still preserved many of our traditions. We still have a king, my father Wendel Whine, who will be passing the crown down to my older brother Wendel Junior. And as such, they'll be the only two males in the pride of thousands that are left out of chastity after their coronations. I remember for a second seeing dozens of males walking around with their individually sized metal domes containing their sheaths just on my walk to the palace this morning.
"Before you are dismissed," another elder cuts into my thoughts, this one a slightly younger female with darker fur and grayed spots on her muzzle, "as you know, when a lion comes of age, they are granted one request of the council. A request that we shall try our best to fulfil. Now, young prince Mewler, what is your request?"
I try to collect my thoughts. The thought of last night is still in my head - my boyfriend and I discussing what we'd like our requests to be when we finally come of age. I'm older than him, but I guess I'm developing slower. Neither of us has come of age yet, but I thought he'd be first. I remember last night before bed him reminding me how cute he finds me and encouraging me to make my strange request. Us cuddling and him kissing me for the first time. I got so excited that when I woke up this morning with a wet spot in my bed, I wasn't certain if I'd wet myself or if I really was ready to meet with the elders. But, after last night's encouragement, I finally had the excuse I needed to make my request. Now, I just have to say it.
I look up bashfully at the elders' expecting glares. Now's the time to own up to the secret I've been holding all these years. Now I have to make myself tell them the desire that only myself and my boyfriend know. I feel so strange and scared standing here before the second most powerful group in the pride, about to tell them something so weird that I don't even know if they'll accept it.
I've been standing here in silence for what feels like a whole minute, the darkly lit chamber filled only with the sounds of claws tapping on the floor and tails swishing through the air. I take in a breath that I didn't know I was holding, and I finally say as boldly as my little frame can manage,
"I want to be treated like a baby again."
All of the air exits the room. Several elders' eyes go wide, including the high elder. They're all looking at me, but no one speaks for a long pause. Do they not understand? Maybe I should clarify. I say, now more meekly,
"I- uh- I want to use diapers and be changed. I want bottles and pacifiers and stuffies and baths. I want to p-poop myself and sleep in a crib. I-I want cuddles and coos and- and- and spankings."
The elders all look at me, dumbfounded. I feel like I've admitted to some heinous crime. I feel my tail swish itself through my legs and up to my chest. I grab it and hold it soothingly, trying to cope with their stares. One of them holds his paw up to another's ear and whispers something. Another giggles, dropping her stern venire. At seeing the loss of composure in both my eyes and the eyes of several of the elders, the high elder stands and says, "Young prince, this is truly a strange request. Are you certain?"
I feel myself about to cry. Maybe I shouldn't have told them. Maybe this was a mistake. The thought occurs to me that I could say this was a joke. But no. No. This is what I want. And this is my only chance to get it.
I close my eyes, not wanting to see their reactions. I nod my head vigorously. Yes I want this. I feel a single tear drip down my cheek, and I pull my tail closer to my chest.
I hear some mumbling amongst them but can't make out what anyone is saying. I'm too afraid to open my eyes.
Suddenly, the high elder booms, "Mewler, look at me."
I shakily turn my head up and open my eyes. His graying face looks full of concern, but there's also a warmth in it that I didn't expect. He continues, his voice now much fuller with life, "We will deliberate upon your request and inform you of our answer at your ceremony tomorrow."
The same speckled-faced lioness from before adds without giving me a second to think, "You are dismissed."
The walk back to my house feels strange, like everyone knows what I've done and is looking at me. I start when I hear someone laughing in the distance until I realize it isn't at me. Finally, I make my way back to the small cottage that was granted to my boyfriend and me when we declared our intended relationship. It's still early, so my boyfriend is probably out on his morning jog. I enter our house, pass by our kitchen-livingroom combo, and find my way to my own room for some privacy. I cuddle up in my bed, not knowing what to think and still not really processing what I've done. I fall asleep, apparently more tired than I thought after the stress of exposing myself to the highest court in the land.
I'm awoken by a knocking on my door. I don't know how long it's been since I fell asleep, but the stress immediately returns to me as I jump up and turn to see who's at my door. My door is ajar, having been left open when I collapsed into bed earlier, and my boyfriend, Humble, is standing excitedly in the door frame. He looks almost giddy as he reaches his arms out wide, expecting my embrace. His shiny golden fur catches the sun from the open front windows and radiates beautifully. All my feelings melt away to his same excitement as I bound from my bed into his arms. They catch and enwrap me. He's much taller than me, probably one of the tallest lions for our age, so he easily scoops me up and holds me against his chest with one paw under my butt and the other across my shoulders. He rubs his scruffy orange chin against my head, the stubble of what will one day be his mane scratching and soothing me. Then he pulls back and looks me right in the eyes, his bright blue almost diamond gaze making me melt again. He plants a big kiss right on my lips. I blush, still not used to his escalating affections, and I kiss back lightly. I've been lost in this moment so many times, and here I am again in his arms, not a single doubt or worry in my mind as we hold each other closer than it feels possible. He's clearly aware of how I was feeling after this morning, and he keeps me cradled for a few minutes, not saying anything yet. Just holding me off the ground protectively, letting me wriggle my arms and legs comfortably in his fur.
He breaks the silence after our moment of bliss to say, "I figured you'd be exhausted. I picked up some food on my jog. Do you want to talk now or later?"
I hug him tighter and respond, "Later. And, thank you, Hum."
"You are absolutely welcome, Mew," he says. He shifts my weight slightly and carries me like a cub out into the kitchen.
We eat awesome sandwiches and fruits he got and spend the rest of the day lazing about. Hum keeps my mind off this morning, and we play some games and cuddle and kiss every so often.
The sun sets, and we find ourselves to Humble's bedroom where we normally fall asleep in each others' arms. Tonight seems no different as we hold each other, with the exciting addition of Hum throwing kisses my way after repeatedly reminding me how absolutely adorable I am. There's a moment where we find ourselves a few inches apart, looking into each others' eyes, and Hum whispers giddily, "So, did you do it?"
"Yes," I reply, finding it hard not to share his enthusiasm, "they didn't say whether they accepted, though."
He tugs me in with the energy and excitement that's always made him absolutely the most endearing lion I've ever met, and he whispers so loud that it's essentially a stage whisper, "I knew you could do it! And I'm sure they'll give you it! Awesome job, my adorable cubby boy!"
I blush heavily at his actual mentioning of my secret, but my apprehension quickly recedes as his paw wraps around the back of my head and pulls me in for a kiss. I can't help but kiss back, this time with more passion than I've ever been able to manage before. I fall asleep like I always do, having been infected by his contagious excitement for tomorrow.
The morning comes buzzing like a bag full of bees and Humble walks me to the Elders' council building. I'm flighty and jittery and can barely contain myself with how anxious and excited I am all at the same time. Coming of age has always been a strange thing in this pride. The elders almost always perform the procession alone, and I have no idea if I'll even see my father or mother or brother while it's going on. I haven't really needed to see them anyway.
I feel a light push on my rear as Humble guides me to the big doors in front of the court. They tower before us as he looks me over.
"Get on in there, cutey. I'll see you soon!" Hum psychs me up before kissing my forehead and pulling the door open for me. He gestures for me to enter. I stop for one second, jump up, and peck him on the cheek. He blushes as I say, "Thanks!"
And I rush in and down the hall. Same as yesterday, it turns at the end to another large set of double doors with a big knocker. I knock as hard as I can twice, hearing the crack echo through the room before me. Several seconds go by. A familiar female voice calls out, "Young Prince Mewler, please enter."