It had been 7 fox-months since Ash said his sincere, slightly awkward, and poorly assembled apology to Kristofferson. The sewers were developing nicely, all things considered, and more and more animals were moving in. All but Kristofferson's own father.
Kristofferson sat quietly in the room of concrete and brick, deep in medititation. He didn't quite mind, thinking his father was getting better and eventually would move to the sewers with them. He still sat in near silence with his quiet humming.
In an adjacent room, Ash was reading the latest iteration of 'The White Cape' although, with less interest. His idea of fun had changed dramatically with his recent adventure of saving Kristofferson and escaping the farmers. His growing body and mind were less excited by a new issue.
The room he lay in reading was barren of his old room's posters, night lights and such. Only a salvaged painting by Felicity hung on the wall, and the only difference between his room and Kristofferson's was a thin cardboard wall covering half the room, for visual privacy.
They hadn't talked too much since their last trip to the supermarket. Ash had become quieter since then and was distancing himself. Ash stopped practicing meditation thinking Kristofferson had been spending so much time with Agnes, but he had little knowledge that they had broken up in a couple weeks before for reasons unknown.
His attempts to distance himself only worked so well under the circumstance of the close living quarters. The attempts Ash made was pushing Kristofferson into melancholy, if only slightly, as Kristofferson was growing more attached to the shorter fox, especially after Agnes. He felt content with being around Ash, he knew Ash cared for him, and he cared for Ash.
"Hey Kristofferson," Ash shouted, from behind his comic book. Then with less zeal "Do you want to make a run to the market tonight?"
"Umm, sure... but I don't think we should sneak out if your parents are still here." He contradicted his thoughts with his answer, he was afraid that the owners would ramp up security or set traps if they kept stealing and making messes. However, he was still excited to do something with Ash, after waiting in their rooms for anything to happen out of the daily routine.
As Kristofferson was in his thoughts and silent, Ash looked at him with annoyance and confusion.
"So is that a yes? or a 'maybe if I wasn't scared'" Ash said with a smirk.
Kristofferson looked back, trying to hide himself from looking insulted, because Ash was right. Kristofferson was scared.
"Yeah, let's do it!" He overcompensated with aggressiveness to seem more macho, but it was evident that he was nervous.
"Okay, here's the plan. Come closer so no one can hear us."
Kristofferson sat closer on the ground to Ash's bed, and instinctively warped his legs in a form from meditation.
"Do you always have to do that?"
"No, but I'm more comfortable doing so."
"Okay, whatever. So tonight we are gonna go to the market very late at night, after everyone else is asleep. We can't go through the main pipe to it, because that would wake everyone nearby up."
"So what do we do?" Kristofferson responded quizzically.
"A couple of days ago I found a tunnel that puts you on the far side of the supermarket. It's a long walk to the ladder, but there aren't any other animals living near it."
"So why is it so important we go there tonight?"
"Because... " He couldn't think of a convincing reason for Kristofferson. "So we can, uh, find some more..." He was at a loss of words.
"Ash! Kristofferson! Dinner is ready!" It was Felicity calling them.
"Oh cuss, we better get some food, come on!" Ash said, trying to hurry Kristofferson to drop the subject. Ash wanted to go to the supermarket to explore the town outside of it. He didn't want to scare Kristofferson away, seeing how last time he followed Ash, it ended badly for him.
While at their table, Kristofferson and Ash didn't say much to each other or anyone else. Dinner was quiet, barring the adults talking about their neighbors and the on-goings of the sewer.
After dinner, Ash and Kristofferson returned to their rooms. Unsure of what was to come next, they lay motionless.
"You could either stay up until we go, with me, or go to sleep and I'll wake you."
"I'll be awake, just tell me when we are leaving."