Oh Goodie, a new chapter!

I felt kind awkward after putting up that previous chapter. So I forced myself to write through writers block to get this done. Unfortunately those of you that wanted to see a rough character for Wolf will have to settle for a Concerned Wolf for now. But at least he's in the story!

I really wanted to write more for the scene between Fox and Wolf in the bathroom, but I wanted to get this story moving to a cliff-hanger. So you'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out what happens to Wolf and Fox. *Trollface*-Redderton

Rival or Enemy

~Chapter 4- The Heart's comfort~

It felt like years. Years of the pain of being forced into that room and sold away to whomever pays. Fox learned that if he didn't want his dept with Falco to increase and along with it the pain that he felt every chance Falco had with him. Fox worked it out, if the regular customer pays as much as he did the first time every week it would take him six months to work away his debt. Absentmindedly Fox dropped his tray causing the ivory cups to break and the liquid contained inside to spill on the floor. The fox quickly tried to pick the pieces up before his boss could see, but he wasn't as lucky as he felt a large hand grip his causing Fox to whimper and tense up as his reflexes have learned from all the rough grabbing he went through. "What the hell is going Fox?" the large lion said as he helped Fox clean up the mess "That's the third tray you've dropped this week alone, and the week isn't even half over." He sighed before he felt at the fox's bandages on his cheek and neck "listen, if he's giving you that much trouble why don't you just leave?" the lion said in a concerned tone "I'd be glad to help you pay off the dept" but all Fox did was push the lion's hand away "n-no thanks" he said with a hint of fear in his voice "I-I'd just be moving the dept to the one thing I need. I don't want to work here for the rest of my life " the fox said before the lion gripped his wrist and looked down the fox's sleeve seeing bandages wrapped around different spots of the arm "Fox" Indigo said "please tell me these are from what he did" the lion said as he looked straight at the fox's eyes as Fox looked away with tears in his eyes before the lion pulled Fox to the back room "listen. I want you to get that bird out of your life." Indigo said in an angry tone "He can't do anything if you don't let him" but fox simply shook his head and undid his shirt and opened it to show his torso which was covered in bruises and cuts "H-he hires people to find me and show me to be obedient" Fox said before he started to sob and cry into his hands "H-he spends more and more to keep me in line so if I am in line I can pay that off. It's all a cycle" Fox said as tears fell down his cheeks and wet down his fur. Indigo shook his head and stroked the fox's head.

When the work day was done Fox walked home careful to not be jumped by Falco's latest scheme to convince Fox to work for him after the cafe closed for the day. Fox never would agree to something so degrading. But as he walked a grey wolf reached out an arm to stop the fox. Fox whimpered and tried to run away as the wolf grabbed Fox's arm to keep him from moving "L-listen I told Falco I don't want to work for him at nights" Fox tried to explain before he saw who gripped his arm as Wolf stepped out "What are you talking about?" Wolf said, confused with what the fox had said "I was just checking to see what your boss saw" he said before he tugged down the sleeve as the fox protested revealing various bandages down the forearm of the fox causing Wolf to gasp "wh-what the hell happened to you?" he said as he felt the bandages causing Fox to flinch "your boss mentioned a man caused you to do this. Did Falco have anything to do with this?" but before Fox could answer a bunch of footsteps were heard before a gang surrounded the other side of Fox "Hey there Fox" the center one said, the alligator that became Fox's regular "Falco is upset that you still won't work nights so he sent us to convince you, but I think this is prime time to get a free night" he said with a chuckle before he looked at Wolf and then back to Fox with a smile "and after that we could tell him about how you're cheating on him, I'm sure we'll get a big bonus" group laughed before they took wolf's hand away from Fox before completely surrounding the fox, the alligator taking the time to reach down and grab the fox's rear causing him to jump into the other gang member, a large German Sheppard who held him close and gripped his rear as well "you weren't kidding, quite the ass on this one" he said before a blindfold was put on the fox. Then Fox heard yelling and shouting before he was tossed to the ground and he heard more shouting. Fox took off his blindfold to see the gang was gone and only a beat up Wolf sat nearby. Fox quickly lifted Wolf onto his shoulders and took him home.

When Wolf finally came to he was sitting in Fox's bath as Fox was cleaning his wounds. Without his shirt Wolf could see Fox's bare chest which would have been a sight if it wasn't covered in bruises. "Fox" Wolf said before he tried to get up, a jolt of pain causing him to stay "Wolf! Don't try to move suddenly." Fox said as he started to drain the tub "What are you doing?" Wolf asked as Fox pulled him out and started to dry him off "Well I had to do something nice for my hero" Fox said with a smile "Who knows what would have happened if you didn't stop them." The fox said before hugging the dry wolf. Wolf flinched but just smiled and hugged the fox as well "That was the first time I've seen you smile in a long time" Wolf said to Fox "I'm glad I could to that for you" He said before he put on his clothing and tried to leave "And where do you think you're going?" Fox said with a smile as he stood in front of the door "you're injured, risked your life to save me and you're just going to leave?" he said as he began to push Wolf back a bit "you're staying here for the night, it's the least I can do" but Wolf wasn't convinced "I should really go to my home, I'd hate to be a burden." He said before he felt the fox hug him tight from behind "don't go" he whispered "Falco might come himself" Wolf turned around and held Fox close "what are you talking about?" he said before Fox pointed to the couch "that's where he beat me then took advantage of me" he said with a whimper "I-I know you're injured, but" Fox then held tight to Wolf "I-I just don't want to be alone after that" he said with a sob.

Fox was nestled close to Wolf as he laid there in the bed. He reached over and held the fox close as he softly whispered "don't worry. I'm here for you" he said before a loud knocking was heard from the front door. Wolf looked at the clock then got up and got dressed before he sat at the edge of the bed. No one would be knocking at the door at one in the morning for a good thing. Wolf was right as soon as he heard the door open, Fox must have been forced to give Falco his spare key "Foxy, I heard you have a new toy to play with. Well you better pay up if you want to keep him you little bitch" a voice said as wolf reached down to Fox who had clearly woken up by the knocking and was shaking with fear "don't worry" Wolf assured him "I'll make sure he never hurts you again" he stroked the Fox's head "You're not alone"