One of my largest concerns in writing is making sure I am conveying information and keeping my characters in character. I may not respond directly to a post but rest assure I am reading them all and noting them in here. We all have tics- they make us individuals and can be a good or bad thing. The events of peoples lives have a significant effect on how those tics make us think because they become events in our lives. Not only will it affect our thinking, but our actions. It is difficult to be objective after someone reaches a certain age. People in power can be monsters or miracles, depending on their own tics. Tics can make or break someone, or someone else influenced by another persons tics.
What most people do not consider openly is that people in our lives as we grow have a significant impact on who we become as they teach us. We may never put all the connections together or why things happened like they did, why they are teaching us certain things or why they think the way they do. We may never understand why those ticks are in place, or even that it was a tic that caused us to be taught or learn a particular lesson. We may never understand why it makes us who we are, but all the things we learn from those around us who have touched our lives with their tics- does make us who we are. If we cannot continue to learn and grow, we cannot overcome the things that become our own (flawed) tics, or help others overcome theirs.
This is why we should all think like a fox ;). Yeees- I considered splitting this story in half with this being the title of the first section. A significant factor, not the overall point.
WARNING; SEX- if this bothers you stop reading! Everybody does it- young couples, married couples, old couples, people who aren't couples, married and single, and even stupid young people who shouldn't be- it's part of life. Nothing graphic here though.
Disclaimer; I do not own Zootopia or its characters.
Chapter 4; Family Ties
NICKELBACK; Feelin' Way To Damn Good
Nicholas pulled into the driveway, his chest feeling lighter than it had been in weeks as he looked at his wife while she was unbuckling the small kit in the back seat. His head turned and ears perked when he heard the familiar hiss of the school bus at the end of the block. He tapped Rose's shoulder to get her attention. "Looks like we're just in time" he nodded his head towards the corner and the vixen turned smiling as she picked up the smaller fox and left the car, closing the door behind her as she set him on the ground and pointed at the bus. The smaller tod perked his ears up when he saw the red kit leaving the steps and landing on the sidewalk. He looked back to Rose who smiled at him and pointed her finger as she nodded at him before he took off running to the other kit.
Nicky dropped his book bag not far from their driveway when he saw the smaller tod "BRADLEY!" he screamed. The smaller tod tackled him and Nicky barely caught him as they tumbled to the ground giggling. Nicholas stood next to Rose and wrapped his arm around her shoulder when she leaned her head into his chest as the two boys had some kind of heated conversation while they chased each other around. His tail curled around her legs before Nicky approached them with Bradley in tow. "Dad" he asked as the smaller tod kept trying to hop up and chew on his ears making him giggle and swat at the smaller fox. "What's a fin- nick?" he asked and Rose giggled. "I think he likes that name Nicholas." Her husband smiled at her before he looked back at his son.
"The judge gave him a new name today. His name is Finnick Bradley Wilde." He said as his chest puffed out. Nicky's eyes went wide "He's my brother now? For real? Forever?" he asked his father as he jumped up and down.
Nicholas grinned at him "Forever kitto, no one will ever take him again." Nicholas chuckled as he watched his son pick up the smaller kit screaming 'I have a brother! I have a brother!' Both kits giggling as Nicky ran through the front gate with the smaller tod before they began chasing each other around the yard squealing. Rose picked up the bag Nicky had dropped and took her husband's paw, leading them into the yard as well. The smaller tod rushed Nicholas and he picked him up tossing him into the air slightly as he squealed again, he was giggling before he stuck his fingers in his mouth while Nicholas nuzzled into his cheek "I have been blessed with two sons." Nicky ran into his legs slamming into him with an oof.
"Mama!" the little tod said as Rose approached them from behind.
Nicky's eyes went wide again "Dad! He talked! He talked!" Nicholas chuckled at his son again as he picked him up, one kit in each arm as Rose hugged around them.
"Can you say Nicky?' the red kit asked as he looked at the other tod in his father's arm.
Nicholas shook his head and the smaller fox grabbed his lips watching his teeth and playing with his mouth as he spoke "Give him some time kitto. It's not easy to learn how to talk." Nicholas gave the little tod an affectionate lick of his fingers just before he nibbled on them with a playful growl. Nicky laughed when the smaller tod squealed and started giggling, only to join him when his father turned and gave him a playful nibble of his own ears. Nicholas leaned down and pressed his nose to his wife's. Both kits leaned over his shoulders and started paw wresting over the back of his neck as he let out a contented sigh and rubbed muzzles with Rose. He readjusted the two tods in his arms getting ready to go inside, but made a nod towards the limo that was sitting across the street from his home before his wife wrapped around him and they walked into their home.
The shrew in the car let out a chuckle seeing the family playing in the yard and felt his heart warm as they all huddled together before going inside. A female voice cleared her throat and he turned to see the smiling face of his beautiful wife sitting next to him, their daughter barely able to sit in her lap with her swollen belly. "Did you do that Love?" she asked in a sweet voice.
The shrew chuckled again as he let the driver know to take them home, the vehicle pulled away from the curb as he smiled at his wife. "Not this time my sweet. They just happened to get Judge Mastiv. No one can corrupt that old hippo. I just let them know about the date."
She smiled at her husband "You know he'll try to give the money back to you." The shrew hmmd and shook his head. "You didn't become who you are today by letting others force you to do anything. He's always such a happy fox and seems to need so little to be that way, he's a good male. Don't make him feel small Love" she said in an almost chastising voice.
The shrew turned in his seat and placed a paw on his wife's belly as he sighed. "Then I will accept it if he brings it to me my sweet, how could I refuse such a noble request from my own family when I have seen how much happiness his also brings to him?" she smiled when her husband gave a small start at the kick he felt from their unborn son as she shifted their sleeping daughter in her arm.
"I think he approves" she said as she smiled. The shrew chuckled again as he nodded his head smiling at is wife.
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8 MONTHS LATER
Rose sat on the bed looking at the briefcase sitting next to her when Nicholas walked out of the bathroom. She looked to him and asked "What are we going to do with it? Can you give it back to him?"
Nicholas sat down next to his wife and picked up the case, sliding it back under their bed. He turned to her and scratched his neck nervously as one of his cheeks lifted into an uncomfortable grimace looking at her "I have been given the impression that it would be an insult to return it. Everything has been going so well that I really don't want to do anything to cause problems." He shook his head.
"What is it Nicholas?" she asked.
The fox sighed as he spoke to his wife. "Things have been going so well Rose. I just keep waiting for the hammer to fall." She placed a paw on his cheek and ran her thumb over the side of his face before she began to talk again.
"Nicholas, the adoption was finalized several weeks ago. Nicky had a wonderful birthday. Mr. Melgic comes and sees Finnick every week and both the boys are getting along well. What could make things any less than they are now?"
The fox chuckled as he shook his head "I still can't believe he actually wants everyone to call him that."
Rose grinned at him "Why wouldn't he be proud of his father's name?"
Nicholas smiled as he pulled Rose closer to him and licked her nose. "We have to get rid of that money Rose. As much as I appreciated the gesture from Mr. Big and what it meant if we had needed it for Finnick, it is still blood money. We can't just keep it lying around. One of the boys is going to find it and if we get caught with it somehow it would cause us all kinds of problems."
Rose nodded her head and thought for a few minutes. "Could we give it to the-
"You know we can't Rose. It was one thing when we were taking supplies to them, but that much cash would raise too many eyebrows. We couldn't even deposit a smaller amount into the bank without it causing someone to start asking questions. Until Nicky is old enough to start helping us we are out of the loop, and I worry he may not be able to understand what we are doing anyway. He has a good heart, but doesn't seem to have the disposition for it."
Rose smiled at him again "You could start teaching Finnick."
Nicholas' jaw dropped "He's six! I thought we agreed not to start teaching Nicky until he was twelve!"
She gave a soft giggle towards her husband "He is a very sweet little tod. But he's only that way with us and the ones he knows he can trust. The few times I have had him out he has shown me that he is a fighter, definitely a little Knight in training. He doesn't trust anyone and lets them know how he feels if they get to close. What ever happened when they took him from us changed him. I keep having to remind him not to bare his teeth and growl."
Nicholas shook his head "You really should be the one that teaches them Rose. You are better than I am."
Rose lifted her shoulders "It is a fathers place to teach his sons how to become males and fight. That is where they get their intelligence, their character, their charisma, talent and strength."
Nicholas raised a brow at her and smirked as he lay back on the bed and lifted himself on his elbows as she watched him. "I think that strength and intelligence is definitely coming from you Sweetheart. You taught me -remember?" she looked away with a bashful smile. "How is the business going?" he asked when she turned back to him.
Rose sighed "A little slower than it had been before. Trying to keep Finnick entertained during the day and teaching him has bit into my time in the shop, but he's a clever little fox. He's actually learning at the same grade level as Nicky. Ms. Ambrosh set an appointment for him at the speech clinic four months ago. It's tomorrow evening but it was the only time they had open and we would have had to wait another three months if we hadn't taken it. I know you're taking the Big's to that banquet and Nicky is supposed to go to that Jr. Ranger Scout initiation but I barely scraped up the money to buy his uniform, they said I couldn't make him one because it was against their rules."
Nicholas chuckled "Yeah, he's been talking about that for a few weeks now. He has that whole book memorized. I'm surprised Finnick didn't want to go with him."
"Oh he did," she signed "they said he was too young and needed to wait another two years. I didn't think it was a good idea with him not really talking yet anyway. I'm not crazy about Nicky walking there and home alone."
Nicholas grabbed her paw and stroked her fingers. "He'll be alright and he'll have fun. You're right Sweetheart. We are doing well right now. I'm making enough that we aren't struggling with the bills anymore and you're still managing to keep everything here held together. The boys are happy and no one is going hungry. We have a warm roof over our heads and no one is going without anything they need." She let go of his paw and began to stroke his tail, feeling the fur that had begun to grow back as he started rumbling at her. "You're going to get yourself in trouble if you keep doing that Vixen" he said as he grinned and lowered his lids at her. Rose stood and let go of his tail, watching as it fell over his thighs. Nicholas smiled when she hiked up her purple skirt and placed a knee on the bed, sliding her other over him as she sat and straddled his hips. She shoved his shoulders and caused his elbows to give out as he fell back into the bed locking her muzzle with his in a passionate kiss that left him panting before she pulled away smiling at him.
"What do you want?" he asked in a mocking voice he knew she could feel through the paws she had rested on his chest. The vixen shot forward and grabbed some of the skin around his neck in a nibble that caused him to start rumbling again as his ears flipped back and he turned his head to give her better access while he gripped her hips. Rose sat back up when she felt her husband's body stiffen and looked at him curiously as he tipped his ears forward and raised his head slightly towards their bedroom door. She turned just in time to see Finnick standing in the hall outside their room. "Mama!" Rose let her shoulders slump as she turned back to her husband collapsing into him with a groan as her head fell into his neck.
Nicholas chuckled as he wrapped one arm around her and extended the other towards the door "Come on little male." He rose slightly and motioned with his fingers to the little tod. Rose slid off his lap and sat next to him with her legs crossed as he reached down and picked up the kit after he ran to him and Finnick was chewing on his fingers again.
Nicholas looked over his shoulder back at his wife as she gave him a patient, but disappointed look. "Don't look at me like that- You started this" he said with a smirk as he turned and the little tod jumped into her lap. She wrapped an arm around him and gave her husband a condescending grin as she lifted her finger in a 'wait for it' manner.
"Dad?" Nicky said as he walked into the room. Nicholas shook his head as he motioned for his son to come to the bed.
He looked back to see his wife snickering as she signed "I did not start that."
He rolled his eyes as he stood and picked up Nicky. "Touché," he said as he looked at his wife and then to his son "Guess you're both still having bad dreams hu kitto?" Nicky nodded and yawned. "Oof boy, you're getting just about too big for me to lug around anymore." He pulled the covers back and Rose scooted up on the bed and pulled her side down as they crawled under the blankets.
Finnick let out a few whimpers and Rose shook her head as she reached into the drawer next to her bed and pulled out a little red pacifier. Nicholas raised his brows at her as Nicky snuggled into his chest while he propped his head up on his paw with his elbow under him "Don't you think he's a little big for that Rose? I've heard they aren't good for older kits teeth." The vixen smirked at him after she handed the kit the pacifier and her husband's brows went up again as he began knawing on it.
"Oh be quiet you," she grinned as she talked to him. "I'm the Mama here, and besides, he's not sucking on the thing. He just chews on it because his adult teeth are coming in. I've been trying to get it away from him but I think he likes it because his mother gave it to him. He just gave up carrying around that blanket everywhere."
Nicholas smirked back at her as Finnick snuggled next to her after she mirrored his position. "I don't think he's chewing on it anymore Sweetheart." Rose looked to see the small kit had closed his eyes and was happily sucking on the pacifier in his mouth. She turned her eyes back to her grinning husband and raised a finger at him as she shook her head.
Nicholas chuckled at her "I would never dream of telling you how to raise our kits Sweetheart." She nodded her head smiling at him before he pulled them all together giving her an affectionate nuzzle before he cupped her cheek and licked her nose. He let out a sigh as they laid down and flipped the lamp off, knowing he wasn't going to get a good night's sleep with two kicking kits in bed with him and his wife again as Nicky curled up beside him…
Nicholas woke the next day feeling more rested than he had in months. Working the late shift at the Limo service tonight was an added benefit to the fact that Rose had let him sleep in that morning. He wondered how she had managed to get the kits out of the room without waking him as he made his way from the bedroom. He found her walking away from him down the hall towards the boy's room with a full laundry basket resting on her hip in one paw. She set it inside their door and let out a startled yelp when she turned to find him right behind her. She huffed a few times and narrowed her eyes at him as he chuckled at her. He looked around confused for a minute as she folded her arms over her chest. "Where is Finnick?"
She pushed past him into the hall way and turned "Mr. Melgic takes him to the park once a week in the morning for a few hours since he retired. He always takes him and gets him ice cream before he brings him home."
Nicholas grinned at her "We're alone?" He saw her tail swish a few times as she nodded. "How did you get the boys up this morning without waking me?" he asked and she giggled at him.
"Oh it was so cute!" she said as her paws waved. "Finnick was curled up around your neck and Nicky was on top of your chest." He quirked a questioning brow at her "You were snoring!" she signed and he narrowed his eyes at her as he put his paws on his hips.
"I do not snore."
Rose started laughing and shaking her head. "You were so tired you didn't even notice when I picked up Finnick or when Nicky crawled off you. You just grunted and rolled over!"
Nicholas gave her a disbelieving look "I do not snore." She just laughed at him again as he stepped closer to her. "Was I really?" he asked. The vixen bit her lip and nodded her head as he smiled at her "I would have helped you this morning, but thank you for letting me sleep in." She smiled back at him. "So… we are really alone?" he asked as he watched her start chewing on her lips and looking up at him as she nodded her head again.
Rose let out another startled yelp when he suddenly pressed her into the wall and wrapped his jaw around her throat rumbling. She lifted her paws around his neck and ran them over his muzzle folding his ears back into his head. The extra silver fox lifted his head and nuzzled her neck marking her cheek before pulling away so she could see his face. "My beautiful white Rose, my Wild Rose." She groaned as he wrapped his paw around the base of her tail and ran his claws through the length of it. He rumbled again when her eyes fluttered and he lifted her off the floor as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The two locked into a passionate kiss before they started marking and nipping each other while he carried her back to their room and closed the door behind him…..
Nicholas and Rose lay in each other's arms panting as they stared at each other. She licked his nose before she pulled away just enough to free her paws for his view. "You haven't done that in years" she said as she smiled at him.
The tod gave her a lopsided smile and huffed a few times "Are you complaining?" She shook her head vigorously and he laughed at her. "I didn't think so," he pulled her to him again and sat up. "We should get cleaned up before they get back Rose." Rose looked at the clock and took a deep breath agreeing with him before she slipped out of the bed and into the bathroom. She turned the shower on and adjusted the water before she looked back to see her husband heading into the room and slipped into the shower while he grabbed their clothes. A few minutes later she felt the door slide open and him step in behind her.
Nicholas ran his paws down her shoulders slipping them under her arms as he started running his claws through her fur. She turned quickly putting a finger on his nose as she tilted her head at his mischievous grin. "What you are doing defeats the purpose of getting clean Nicholas" she motioned with her paws. The tod only gave her a knowing look before he lowered his head to her causing her eyes to widen before he flipped her around and pressed her into the wall, latching onto the back of her neck with a possessive growl. Nicholas watched as her ears folded back and rumbled against her back as he felt her let out her own feminine rumble in response. He slipped a paw around her waist and pulled her down to the tiled floor as he mounted her from behind and grabbed the base of her tail moving it to the side. He looked to see her looking over her shoulder at him with an almost bewildered look on her face.
She smiled at him when he bounced his brows several times and shook her head "What has gotten into you today?" She asked with some difficulty as she had her paws above her head. When she looked back again he was wearing a shit eating grin as he spoke very slowly. "I think… the question is… what am I about to get into… again?" He watched her ears flip back against her head as she licked her lips and he took her again. Her shoulders fell and she let her head fall against the floor, closing her eyes and moaning as his claws ran from the base of her neck all the way back to her hips where he took a firm grasp….
Nicholas gently turned his wife and sat back against the wall as the water ran over them. The vixen in his lap panted as she nuzzled and nipped his neck causing him to chuckle before they ended up in a heated kiss. She pulled back with her eyes sparkling at him and pressed her nose to his. "I love you" she signed before she settled into him. He pressed his chin to her head and hugged her for a moment before he reached up and grabbed a bottle of shampoo from the shelf and poured a small amount into his palm, then gently rubbed it into her fur as he began to wash her. She chirred with the sensation of his claws again and he smiled when she picked up the soap and started to clean him, lathering under his chin and around the back of his ears as she scratched in an affectionate manner that made him rumble again.
The two finished cleaning themselves and hastily dried off getting dressed in a rush as they expected Mr. Melgic and Finnick back at any time. As they made their way down the stairs Rose went into the kitchen to start lunch as Nicholas stood in front of the mirror and fixed his tie. Rose came back in to see him struggling with the stiffened fabric and took it into her own paws, quickly flipping it a few times into a knot she tightened at his collar. The tod simply stuffed his paws into his pockets as he affectionately watched his wife. His ears perked up and he turned his head when he heard a familiar squeal. Rose followed him out the front door to find Mr. Melgic walking towards their gate with Finnick giggling on his shoulders as he clutched the smiling meerkat's head. Nicholas and Rose walked to the gate to meet him.
The older male gave them a knowing smile that caused Rose to look at her husband with a furrowed brow. "Mr. Melgic," Nicholas asked as he finally made it to the gate. "He didn't give you any problems did he?"
The old male laughed as the tod tried to bite one of his ears and he shook his head as he pulled him down into his arms "No, no. Not at all." He said as Rose reached for her smallest tod. He watched as the vixen started talking to the smaller kit and she waved at him before she turned to take him in for lunch. Finnick waved over her shoulder at Mr. Melgic, he waved back smiling at him.
The retired male stuck his paws in his pockets as he rocked on his heels a few times. Nicholas gave him a questioning glance before he started laughing at the fox in front of him. "We was here about forty five minutes ago Nicholas. I made a hasty retreat back to the little park around the corner so I wouldn't have to explain the noises to your son." Nicholas' eyes went wide before he scratched the back of his neck nervously and he cleared his throat before he adjusted his tie. The retired old male chuckled at him as he slapped him on the shoulder. "Aint that how it works tod, she keeps you happy, you keep her happy, yes?"
Nicholas let out a nervous chuckle and the old male winked at him. "Ciao" Mr. Melgic said before he turned. Nicholas watched as he turned and walked down the street whistling. He shook his head as he went back into his home and made his way to the kitchen where he sat down to eat lunch. Rose sat a plate in front of him and he looked to see Finnick munching on fish sticks in the seat next to him. The little tod leaned into his paw when he reached over and scratched behind his ear.
"I'm surprised he eats anything if Mr. Melgic takes him for ice cream before lunch."
Rose sat down next to him and gave him a look before she motioned to the kit still stuffing fish stick in his mouth. "He will eat anything you put in front of him. I haven't found anything he doesn't like yet and he eats until he is full."
Nicholas looked at the small kit who stopped eating and smiled at him. "You're going to be a strong one eating like that aren't you kitto? Where are you keeping all of it son?" The small tod giggled and kicked his feet several times letting Rose know he was done eating. She stood and stepped around Nicholas unbuckling him from the chair and wiped his mouth before setting him on the floor. The small tods ears perked as he looked up at her and pointed to the other room. Rose raised a finger to Nicholas as she stepped out and he heard the television come on before she came back in the room.
"He watches TV?" Nicholas asked as she sat back down.
Rose nodded her head. "Nicky got him hooked on a few of those learning shows for kits after he told him it would help him learn to talk faster. He usually falls asleep and takes a nap after he has gone with Mr. Melgic. I'm not sure what the old guy does but he wears him out and it gives me a bit of a break."
Nicholas smirked at her. "He's a pawful then?"
Rose smiled at him "Nothing I can't handle. He's just different than Nicky was at that age. He was always so quiet and a little shy. He kept himself occupied and loved attention. Finnick loves attention, but he is a bundle of energy. He's always asking questions and bouncing off the walls, constantly moving. Nicky was always in a book and entertaining himself."
Nicholas finished his sandwich and wiped his paws before he stood. Rose picked up the dishes and sat them in the sink as she began to run water for washing them. He wrapped his paws around her waist and gave her a squeeze as she turned. "I should be home around ten. I'd like to get there a little early today so I'm heading out. Do you need anything before I leave?" he asked as she picked up his paw and placed it to her cheek shaking her head. "Tell Nicky I said good luck and have fun tonight?" She nodded her head and he turned leaving the kitchen. He walked towards the couch and saw the small tod bundled in a blanket and turned towards the door. Just as he turned the knob he heard a thump and turned to see the kit rushing to his legs. He bent at his knees in front of the kit who stopped in front of him with a surprised look on his face. "I'm sorry Finnick, I thought you were asleep or I would have said goodbye" he signed in front of the smaller fox. Nicholas hit the floor a few times to get Rose's attention. "Did I forget something else?" he chuckled when the little tod pressed his nose to his and he leaned in and marked the small fox. Finnick grabbed around his muzzle and hugged his face. A pair of big eyes staring at him as he stood with the little tod attached to his muzzle.
"I'll be back later tonight Kitto. I'll come and say goodnight to you before I go to bed OK?" Finnick shook his head and scrunched his lips together.
"Da-Dad" he said in a wobbly voice.
Nicholas' eyes grew misty as he stared into those big eyes and his mouth fell slightly. "Oh God I'm going to be late" he muttered just in time for Rose to walk in and see him say it. She stomped a foot to the floor to get his attention.
"Nicholas what's wrong?"He looked at her partially stunned as he pulled Finnick away from his muzzle and turned. The kit saying the word Dad again as he held him up close to his head. Rose's paws went to her mouth as Nicholas laughed and marked the giggling kit again just before he stuck his fingers in his mouth. Nicholas nuzzled the kit as he sat on the couch with Rose. He wrapped the little fox in the blanket again as he pet his head.
"Foxes never lie. I will be back later tonight and come and see you before I go to bed, and I won't leave again without saying goodbye even if you are sleeping OK?" The small fox watched Rose signing as he listened to his dad talking and then nodded his head. Nicholas pet his head again before he handed him to Rose. He gave her a chaste kiss before he pet the small tod again and left for the door. Rose watched him leave as she snuggled the little tod in her arms. Finnick yawned before he closed his eyes and fell asleep, and Rose gently laid him back on the couch so she could tend to her chores…..
Nicholas rushed to the Limo service and clocked in just one minute later than he should have. Mr. Big came through the door, held in the paw of a massive polar bear that towered above the fox. The shrew raised a brow at him "Problems at home Nicholas?"
The fox puffed his chest out and smiled "No Sir."
The shrew smiled at him as he leaned forward "Then do explain that grin Nicholas since you pride yourself on being here promptly or before you are scheduled."
The fox beamed at the shrew "I left today without telling my younger son goodbye as usual. I thought he was sleeping and had to explain to him that foxes never lie and that I would be back later and tell him goodnight before I went to bed and goodbye each time I left even if he was sleeping. He understood what I was saying without sign language and spoke when he called me Dad."
The shrew sat back up chuckling "A good reason to be smiling" he said as he nodded his head. "Carry on Nicholas" he waved his paw at the fox and Nicholas bowed slightly before he walked to his service vehicle…
Rose adjusted the red neckerchief on her son before Nicky took a proud pose in the mirror and she tickled him. The kit giggled before he turned and hugged his mother. "Are you sure you will be alright to walk there and back after? It will be dark outside," she asked before she straightened her son's collar. "I could ask Mr. Melgic or one of the Hayward's to take you."
Nicky set his brow in a straight line. "Mom I'm nine! I can walk there and home by myself!"
She nodded her head and sighed. "OK. I know you're growing up. Finnick and I will probably be back by the time you get home and I'll have dinner waiting for you. Dad said to have fun and good luck, and… I said I Love you." She signed as he smiled at her.
"Thanks Mom!" She watched him rush out the front door and shook her head when she peeked out to see him running down the sidewalk. Rose stomped her foot to the floor and waited a few minutes until Finnick came running down the stairs to her.
"Are you ready?" she asked and he nodded his head. She took his paw and they walked to the nearest corner and waited until the bus stopped, making their way into the seats that would take them to another district….
It was just after nine P.M. and Rose had waited until well after dark for her oldest son to return home and he still hadn't arrived yet. She was pacing the floors when she saw Finnick's ears perk. She stepped in front of the door smiling but her shoulders fell when she saw her son walk through it. His tail was dragging the ground and he had his eyes cast towards the floor as his feet shuffled over the threshold. She walked to him and knelt in front of him as she tried to find out what had happened. The red tod refused to meet her eyes until she grasped his shoulder and turned his head toward her to look him in the eyes. As soon as his eyes met hers he wrapped his arms around her neck and sobbed. Rose held her son as he cried and Finnick came and crawled into the embrace. Nicky had his head in his mother's neck as Finnick snuggled in close to him. She wrapped her arms around them both as she rocked them from where she was sitting on the floor….
Nicholas arrived home around ten forty five. When he made his way inside he found his wife slouched on the couch in the dim light coming from the kitchen appliances. He walked to her and sat next to her as she looked up at him. Her face was full of worry and confusion as she shook her head at him. "Rose?" he asked as she looked up at him.
She sighed before she began speaking to him "I don't know what happened Nicholas. Nicky came home and was so upset. He was so excited about being part of a pack. He said nothing happened. It was too late for me to try and have someone call anyone to find out what happened. He's never been like this. He won't talk to me, he wouldn't eat and he just went upstairs without saying a word. Finnick followed him to bed, but I don't know what to do."
Nicholas blinked a few times before he stood up straight and took his wife's paw, leading her up the stairs to their son's room. He flipped the light on and saw Finnick sit up on the bottom bunk next to Nicky, who didn't move at all. The older tod went and sat next to his sons, placing a paw on his older son's shoulder that led him to turn over and look at his father "What happened Nicky?" The smaller tod shook his head and he rolled back over saying 'nothing'. Nicholas motioned for Finnick to scoot over and Rose to take a seat as he pulled his son off the bed and onto his lap. Nicky folded his legs over his father's as he kept his eyes down. "Nicholas," his father said as he raised his sons head to him "Foxes do not lie." Nicky squeezed his eyes together as his tears began to fall and shuddered as his father ran a comforting paw over his head.
"They said they'd never trust a fox without a m-muzzle….they pushed me down an-and…" he sobbed as his father pulled him into his chest. Nicholas caught Rose's wrist as she growled and tried to bolt from the bed. He shook his head at her as she sat back down. "Nicky, were there any adults at this meeting?" he asked as he stroked his son's head. The smaller tod shook his head and Rose slumped as her face fell into her paws. He wrapped his arms around his son as his tail curled around him. "Oh my boy, I had hoped we wouldn't have this conversation for a few more years," he sighed. "But, I guess this makes you old enough to start learning how to Fox." He said after looking at his gesturing wife.
The kit in his lap perked his ears up and he sat up straight as he wiped his face off sniffling. "Really?" he asked.
"Really," his father said as he ran his paw over his head again and pressed his nose to his sons. Nicky looked to see his mother smiling at him and his father opened his other arm and pulled Finnick into them, "Both of you." The little red tods stomach growled and his father grinned at him when he frowned "But I think first we should go have dinner, sound good to you kitto?" Nicky nodded his head and his father stood, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the upper bed as Rose led the way back to the kitchen. He set both of them down and helped Finnick into his chair as he took his own seat. Rose gave him an affectionate nudge before she turned to start reheating the food she had cooked earlier.
"OK, first things first," he said and looked at Finnick. "Can you understand everything that I am saying without signing?" The smaller kit tilted his head before he smiled showing several more gaps in his mouth than teeth before he stuck his fingers in his mouth- again. "You little stinker," Nicholas said as he tickled the tod making him squirm and giggle. "Rose," he motioned to get her attention and she came closer to the table. "Finnick, who is that?" he asked as he pointed at his older son. Nicky perked his ears as he looked at the smaller tod. Finnick squinted his eyes before he made a few unintelligible noises and then managed to spit out the word Nick.
"He said my name!" Nicholas nodded his head in approval as Rose beamed.
"OK, this is the first rule of Foxing. We always help each other, so Nicky I want you to help Finnick start talking. I'm not here a lot and your Mom can't, so can you do that for your brother?" He nodded his head as he smiled at his father.
"There are a lot of rules for Foxing. Some you aren't old enough to understand yet. But it isn't just family we help. We foxes help each other. Most mammals think we are loners, and in most ways we are, but we all stick together when it counts and help the ones who need it the most or can't help themselves." He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "The thing is boys, most mammals also think we foxes are bad in just about every way there is. They think we steal, we lie, we cheat, and even kill others or will do something nasty to someone just because we are foxes. We are treated badly because of that. It's called prejudice or speciesm, and we aren't the only ones, skunks, weasels, ferrets, you name it, just about every species has something against them. But a lot of mammals see us as the worst. The second rule of Foxing is- Don't be the worst. No matter what anyone says to you or does to you or takes from you, never prove them right by lashing out or giving in."
The smaller red tod shook his head "How do we do that Dad?"
Nicholas smiled at his son and Finnick perked his ears and leaned over the table. "If someone is rude to you, be nicer to them than you would be to your own mother. If someone hits you, don't hit back. If someone takes something from you, let them have it unless it is irreplaceable."
"Why?" Nicky asked as he scrunched his brow.
His father leaned forward. "Because nothing in this world is worth dying over if it can be replaced. Because nothing is worth letting someone else make you feel like you are less than what you really are. Nothing is worth being put to your knees for. Nothing is worth letting someone see that they get to you. Be bigger than everything the world sees you as, even if you know you are the only one who knows you are. Never knuckle under pressure and cave in to prove you are the worst in their eyes. The next most important rule in Foxing- stay hidden. Don't draw attention to yourself. Keep your family and your business private from other eyes. We don't draw attention to ourselves because of how the world sees us. If they really see us, they will try to tear us apart, just like they did with you tonight Nicky."
The younger tod frowned as he looked at the table. "Finnick already knew son." His father shook his head when his son looked back to him with sad eyes. "It's not right Nicky. It will never be right. But there are some things in the world that just won't change kitto." He said as he ran his paw over Nicky's head again, then reached and did the same to Finnick. Rose sat a plate in front of each of the foxes before she sat back at the table and gave Nicky a compassionate look as she scratched behind his ear. "But, it can also be fun," he said with a smirk. Both boys perked their ears towards him in curiosity.
Rose looked at him smiling as she shook her head "Tell them to eat Nicholas, we can't stay up all night." He chuckled as he picked up his own fork. "We better eat boys, we don't want to upset your mother do we?"
Nicholas perked his ears and turned his head when Finnick started gobbling his food "Didn't you two eat earlier Rose?"
The vixen rolled her eyes as she nibbled on a small piece of chicken, "Yes, this is a midnight snack for me, him" she signed before she pointed at the smaller tod "it's just another meal." He looked to his left when he heard Nicky giggling.
"He eats all the time Dad!" The older tod shook his head as he looked back to the younger kit "You're going to be a brute boy!" Finnick grinned as he shoved more food into his mouth and Nicholas shook his head again as he started to eat his own food…..
"Feel better?"Nicholas asked Nicky as his mother cleared the dishes from the table. Nicky nodded his head and tipped it back when his mother gave him a nuzzle before she walked around the table with a washcloth and cleaned off the food covered face of Finnick and the table in front of him. "Good. Now, we aren't going to get into a lot of detail tonight because it's already so late. But Foxing can be fun." Nicholas reached over and unbuckled Finnick, lifting him into his lap as he motioned for Nicky to scoot his chair closer. The small red tod leaned over the table as he listened to his father. "This may be hard for you to understand, you're a little younger than most foxes are when we explain this, but we live by the God of Mischief's example. We survive by out Foxing others."
Nicky furrowed his brow and looked confused when he asked his father "You mean we trick them?"
Nicholas nodded his head and smiled "In a way, Yes."
"That sounds mean Dad."
His father nodded his head at his son with a solemn face and sighed as he sat Finnick on the table in front of him curling an arm around the smaller tod as he leaned towards his oldest son "Was what they did to you tonight mean Nicky?" he asked and watched his sons ears dip back as he looked up at his father. Nicholas pointed at Finnick letting Nicky to know to pay attention. "Finnick, how much mean did you see when they took you away from us?" the little fox scowled and curled his lips up before he raised his paws and curled his claws growling as he tried to imitate some of the mammals he had been around. Nicky gave his father an almost pleading look "We aren't like that son. It doesn't work like that for foxes. We are always polite and there are rules to how we do things." He said as his sons looked at him "For one thing we never take from someone who doesn't have anything to give. Never take from someone who is sick, very old, very young, or in a bad place."
"How can you tell which ones they are?" Nicky asked as he tilted his head.
His father grinned at him. "Good question, and I will teach you how to tell them apart. You will almost always know if they are too young or too old, but a mammal in a bad position is hard to spot sometimes if they are sick in some way. Some may be sick in their body, and some sick in their head. But either way, you never take from them because when you take from someone who has nothing to lose, they can do some really nasty things. I'll have to show you how to see them though. The next rule to Foxing is to always have your bases covered. I'll show you how to do that too. Always make sure you never cross the line into doing something illegal. You have to make sure you have everything in order so that if someone tries to catch you, they end up having nothing to blame you for."
"Dad, can't we do things different than that? Did you ever try?" he asked as he looked between his parents.
Rose nodded her head and he sighed "I did once son," he smiled as he looked at his wife, but then shook his head. "I tried to do something I thought would be good and not trick mammals but it got me in a lot of trouble, so much trouble that we had to leave where we came from." Rose gave her son a sad smile when he looked at her.
"What'd you do Dad?" he asked with anticipation.
Nicholas sighed again "I had a theme park that was for predators," he smiled when he looked at his wife. "That's where I met your mother, but the prey mammals thought it was wrong and ran us out of town when they found out about it. That's why we moved here."
Nicky looked to the floor for a second before he turned back to his father "Was it bad?"
Nicholas shook his head "I didn't think it was." He looked to his mother and saw her shake her head "It was full of rides and games, places wolves could howl and cats could chase balls of string. Waterslides for otters, and roller coasters you could roar on. I wasn't trying to hide it, I guess that was my biggest mistake."
Nicky huffed and Finnick yawned "What about your job Dad? You don't do that now do you?"
Nicholas smiled as he motioned for Nicky to come to his lap and pulled Finnick into his lap after his older son had sat down and looked up at him. "I have been very lucky Nicky. The God of Miracles has granted me many wonderful things. Your mother, you, a boss who has treated us like family and given me a job most foxes couldn't dream to have. I also have been given another son, and you a brother. There is no other way to describe it other than miracles." Nicky looked to see his mother smiling at him from the other side of the table and Finnick curled into his father's arm as he hugged against his brother.
"OK Dad," he sighed "I think I understand."
Nicholas hugged his sons and nuzzled Nicky's neck when he yawned. "Tomorrow I'll take you to the Den and show you how things work. But for tonight I think it's time for bed." Rose took Finnick from her husband and waited for Nicholas to stand with Nicky.
"Dad?" he asked and his father looked at him waiting for the question. "Do they know we are tricking them? What do we tell them if they ask and we don't lie?"
Nicholas grinned as Nicky looked between his parents again while he perched on is fathers' hip. Rose giggled and nodded her head. "Well no, they don't usually know son, but if they find out we always tell them the same thing." He winked at his wife and she rolled her eyes "It's called a hustle Sweetheart."
Note; Disney Quote in this chapter- Yeaaah, you should know it! As for Nick, maybe everyone is just seeing the way he sees things from a different point of view? You never know the real story if you aren't looking behind the curtains. The arrogance of man is believing we know it all-when in fact, with all we know, we still know nothing.