This is a new story I've wanted to work with for a while now. Lemme know what you think and if you'd like to see more!
Chapter 1
Southern Hospitality
Chow tugged at the sleeve of his suit, freeing his green fur from the cuffs. He hated everything about the suit but it was a necessary evil.
Why was he was en route to Zootopia? This was something he asked himself multiple times. Sure, unlike the rest of the people in the family, he could pass for an animal. He practically was one aside from the green fur, but he'd prefer Monstropolis for multiple reasons.
"Dad, please explain why I'm doing this again." Chow spoke into his phone as he drove down the empty roads of Bunnyburrow. The sun was slowly setting in the distance.
"I've told you a dozen times." His father replied from the speaker.
"I like putting you through the same torture I'm going through right now." Chow snarked back. "Now let's recap."
His father sighed then proceeded to repeat his mission.
"The Federal Bestiary of Intelligence asked for our help so I'm sending you to be of assistance to them."
"But why is the FBI outsourcing to Monstropolis, let alone a mob? We're monsters, not mammals."
"You're more mammal and you know it."
"No. I'm not." Chow gripped the steering wheel tight, popping his knuckles in the process. The memory of that day played over in his mind.
"I'm sorry..."
"... Save him?!"
"... give up something precious..."
"... Memory..."
"... Spared..."
"Chow!" His father's voice jolted him from his vision. "That wasn't your fault and you damn well know it."
"He's still gone because of me."
"Do I have to send someone else or can you handle this?"
"If you could send someone else, you would have." Chow wrinkled his brow, but it did nothing for the other man that was on the phone.
"You know where to go first thing in the morning, right?"
"Yes dad."
"I love you, son."
"And I have a high regard to l for you as well, dad." Chow hung up and left the fields of carrots behind as Zootopia entered his line of sight.
Left to his own thoughts in the silence of the car, Chow began to drift into why he agreed to do this in the first place.
He didn't like getting his hands dirty anymore. So why accept a job that involved pretty much nothing but the thing he despised? Maybe it was guilt: that silent presence on his shoulder that told him to right his wrongs, even if they weren't really his.
Or maybe it was just genetic for him to crack skulls.
8 year old Chow sat on a bench at recess sipping a box of chocolate milk. He'd just moved to Frightmore Elementary from his last school a few days ago and still hadn't made any friends.
Suddenly a group of 5 wolf boys sat around him. The similar markings on their arms and faces told Chow they were either siblings or a pack.
"So you're the Buffet kid..." The oldest looking boy spoke, flashing his fangs.
"I hate that name. Call me Chow."
"Look here. This is our turf and you're not welcome here." Another boy cut in.
"Oh, I thought this was school property. I must have missed that in the packet they gave me."
The alpha took his chocolate milk and the boys on either side of Chow gripped his arms tightly. The older wolf circled the table and stood behind Chow. "Smart asses don't live long around here."
"Your vocabulary must be miniscule if you have to call me a smart ass when there are dozens of more hurtful options at your disposal. Shamrock, Diarrhea Bear, Grass Stain."
The boys burst with laughter at Chow's confidence. The green bear sighed heavily.
"You've got no room to talk, kid. I'm an 8th grader and my 6th grade buddies got you pinned down tight. You're not leaving here without a few broken bones."
It was Chow's turn to break down in a laughing fit. His body rocked back and forth in their grip. "Oh that's rich! You think this weak excuse for a bind can hold me?"
He kicked away from the table, knocking the alpha of his feet and tossing the wolves onto the concrete behind him. His chocolate milk landed perfectly in his lap.
"You're dead kid!" The remaining two wolves hopped the table. Chow spun in the chair and sent a spiral kick it at them mid turn.
"When you want to start the real fight. I'll be over here." Chow strolled over to the basketball court where there was a game in progress.
The alpha recovered from the head wound and charged the court. "Clear the area!"
The players moved to the sidelines where the rest of the kids began to crowd around. Chants of 'fight' rang out from every corner of the court.
"What's your beef?" Chow flipped back as a claw strike broke the asphalt where he once was.
"Your dad put ours behind bars on false charges!"
Another pair of claws barely missed Chow's face, slicing the air instead. The bear rolled to the side and knocked the beta wolf of its feet with a swift jab.
The next opponent came almost instantly, this time connecting with his left arm. Blood leaked from a small cut above his elbow. One roundhouse kick later, the wolf was sprawled out on the floor.
"After seeing your way of talking things out, I doubt the charges were false." Chow thought for a moment, then gasped. Their fur color, the brands on their left arms. It all came back to him at once.
"You're Big Daddy Howlahan's pack."
"Damn right we are! Now prepare to-"
Chow punched the wind out of the alpha wolf then kicked him into the pole of the basketball hoop.
His left eye had lost its emerald sheen and turned ice blue, a single tear track ran down his cheek. "Your father took my brother from me. He deserved more than just to be locked up."
Chow grabbed both of the 6th grade wolves and bashed their heads into the concrete, leaving puddles of blood and cracked blacktop.
"I wonder what he'll say when he finds one of his own 6 feet under."
He took step after step towards the leader of the group.
"Three years, Howly... Three years it's been since my other half was taken from me. Time for you to join him."
The alpha curled up in fear. A weird sputtering sound began spewing from his mouth.
Chow was pulled from his dreamscape as the sputtering sound turned into full rumbling. The car shut off and Chow used the remaining momentum to cut the car off to the side of the road.
The bear cursed his luck and stepped out of the Camaro to assess the damage. Luckily, it was just a blown piston but he was miles from an auto shop.
"I don't think I can fix this from here. Shit..."
Chow tried calling MMM but he was out of their service range.
He decided to wait inside his car for someone to pass by as the sun went down, but it looked like he'd have to make the trip back to Bunnyburrow on foot.
Not wanting to get his suit dirty, he quickly switched into his spare change of clothes. The black t shirt and camo jeans hugged his body nicely. He slipped on his black hoodie, locked the car up and began to stroll back to Bunnyburrow.
He was starting to get tired of the silence. Silence gave him time to think and his thoughts would never shut up.
He made it to a repair shop, but it looked as if it was closed for the night. Every shop around it looked pretty deserted as well. Chow checked his phone. It was only 9pm. Bunnyburrow was weird.
"Someone has to be open..." Chow mused to himself. He didn't think anyone would actually be closed at this hour and he really didn't want to sleep in his car.
As he walked down the deserted streets of the town, he noticed one shop still had its lights on. Out of desperation, he dashed for the door and carefully flung it open.
The fox behind the counter turned on a dime. He was extremely surprised anyone was out at this hour and more surprised they opened the door with such vigor. "Well hello there, partner! Welcome to Gideon Grey's Baked Goods! Best pies in all the Tri-Burrows! How can I help you?"
Chow slowly walked into the store. Different baked goods were scattered around the store in clean glass displays. The center of the store stayed clear, he assumed so people could line up without bothering those who wanted to browse. In the center of the front counter was a nice looking apple pie.
When he reached the counter, he spoke. "Umm... You're Gideon, right?"
"Yes, sir. The one and only!" The fox puffed his chest out with pride, his stomach bulging on the counter.
Chow found it extremely adorable, but kept it to himself.
"Do you know where I can get some tools to fix up my car? I got stranded between here and Zootopia." A low rumble escaped the bear's belly. "Also I would like a pie."
Chow rubbed his neck sheepishly. The scent coming from the sweets broke his resolve. He hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"Well that's terrible!" The fox scratched his cheek in thought. "I-I think I keep a toolbox in my truck. You could probably use that."
"That would be a lifesaver."
The fox smiled and slipped Chow a slice of apple pie. "On the house. I couldn't charge a mammal in need."
Chow blushed. This guy was sweeter as any treat he had on sale. "That's nice of you, but I can pay."
"I won't accept it. Just enjoy, alright?"
Chow flashed him a toothy grin and took a bite from the pie. As the filling touched his tongue, he felt as if his soul had left his body and danced on the moon.
"This is really amazing, Gideon! You're a miracle worker!"
The fox blushed. No one has given him such a compliment after just meeting him. "Aww shucks... Was nothing to it, really. I don't believe I got your name, partner." He held out his paw.
"Chow Devower." The bear shook the outstretched paw.
Chow took this time to examine Gideon. He looked a bit pudgy, but not fat: his fluffy red and black tipped tail wagged back and forth as their hands stayed connected. The thing that caught Chow's attention was the fur above his eyes that looked like it took hours of styling to look so good.
"It's much too late to be working on that car now. How about you stay with me tonight and I'll have you off to Zootopia by the crack of dawn."
Chow couldn't form words so he just nodded. Something about Gideon locked his tongue in a sound proof box.
"Don't forget the pie."
Chow slowly took bite after bite of the pie, letting the crust, silky filling and apples melt on his tongue.
This entire situation had him caught off guard for the first time in a while. He wasn't in control and he didn't mind one bit.
"I have to lock up the shop, but you stay here and enjoy the pie." Gideon hopped over the counter with surprising ability and scuttled towards the door.
Chow wrote it off and kept eating. Foxes were supposed to be agile creatures, even pudgy ones.
Once he finished with the pie, he felt a pair of paws on his shoulders. "Done yet?"
"Just finished." Chow handed Gideon his plate and sat on the counter. You've really helped me out tonight."
"I'm just being a decent mammal. Nothing to it, Chow." He smiled back at the bear. "Let's get going."
"OK then."
The drive to Gideon's house was quiet at first. Both parties were nervous and had no clue what to say. Chow decided to break the ice.
"Gideon..."
"Yes, Chow?"
"Why'd you really help me out back there?"
"Well I told ya already partner, it was the right thing to do."
"You see, I can tell when people are lying. Call it a gift."
"What did I lie about?" He tried keeping calm, but he began to fidget.
"I'm not mad, just curious. I mean you're letting me, a random stranger, shack up with you. I do have the right to a bit of curiosity."
"Well I... You see umm... The thing is..."
"If you don't want to tell me, I can respect that. Just a heads up, I sleep in my boxers with the door unlocked."
Gideon went beet red. The rest of the ride was silent until they reached Gideon's house.
The driveway was a simple dirt road, but the house looked like something out of a home and decor magazine. The freshly cut lawn was lit by small torches that ran directly down the cobblestone path from his driveway to the front door. A line of flowers guarded the edge of his house.
"Your home is beautiful..."
"It's nothing. You should see Mr. Hopps' house. His has 4 stories."
Chow assumed 2 story homes were the norm around here.
They walked up the path and entered the interior of the house.
The lights cut on and Chow's jaw dropped.
"This all looks great! Who's your decorator? I need to get them to do my new house."
The fox went crimson in the face. "Your flattery has me looking redder than a barn door."
Chow waved him off. "How is a guy like you single? Nice, charming, great house, you own a business. You're the total package."
"I just haven't found the one..." Gideon began to rub his arm.
"So where can I sleep tonight?"
The fox scratched his chin. He sure was an expressive person. "I think my guest room should do. I just cleaned it up last week. Pretty proud of myself."
"It couldn't have been that dirty." Chow rolled his eyes.
"Oh, the stories I could tell you."
Gideon led him up the steps, each one as silent as if there was no weight on them as they ascended to the second floor.
"The room at the far left is the guest room and there's an attached bathroom."
"Gideon..."
"Chow, whenever you say my name like that, you scare me."
"Sorry." Chow crossed his fingers. "I've noticed something since we entered the house."
"The lack of pictures."
Chow grinned. "We're finally on the same page. Now my question is, what happened to your family?"
Gideon began rubbing his arm again. "I-I can't tell you."
"Another touchy subject. It's fine." Chow gently squeezed the fox's shoulder. There were some thick walls on this one. "I'm gonna turn in. Good night."
"Good night, Chow."
Chow was looking straight up at the ceiling of the guest room. He couldn't sleep. The shaky past of the fox down the hall kept picking at him.
He wanted to know. He wanted to help. He didn't know or care why, but he couldn't bare seeing the frown on Gideon's muzzle whenever he asked a question.
He turned on his side and looked out the window. Nothing but pitch black streets and a small street lamp graced his eyes.
His blanket lifted up and a furry arm stretched across his torso.
"I knew it."
"I don't want nothin serious."
"Cuddle buddies it is." Chow turned and pulled Gideon into his chest. "That's what you want right?"
The fox nodded shyly into Chow's chest fur.
"Then that's what you'll get."
They both relaxed into the embrace and quickly fell asleep.