A/N: 'Sup, everybody? Erricane and Silver here.

E: This will be the last chapter for this story. I know last one took so long. The reason why was because… I was slacking off… So, I have no excuse. Because of that I apologize.

S: That's why Erricane decided to make the next story QUITE different this time. Someone managed to persuade him into writing it and it will be about Max's real parents. There's a reason why he didn't want to write it. Because he felt it was too dark. But in the end, he decided to give it a go.

E: That is why, the next story will be last story and it will be my BEST story too. The reason why it's because I've already written the manuscript and am prepared to write everything down. Until then, I have no guarantee about coming back here. But it would be nice to chat with all of you too since your interaction really means a lot to me.

S: Without further ado, let's finish up this last chapter.

6am in the morning… And Max was heavenly sleeping in his room, snoring quietly. After what happened last night, he had never felt so exhausted in his life…

Julie was WAY to hyper when dancing. In fact, she was mostly taking the lead and was probably the only one who mammals were paying more attention to. Like, she kept swinging themselves a lot with full force and was even jumping everywhere when dancing almost as if it was a disco even though it was suppose to be a waltz dance.

But it never bothered Max once thought which was the reason why she was so happy. But of course, everything has consequences and in the fox's case, his energy. The moment everyone went home after a memorable dance (mainly due to Julie), he went up to his room without taking a bath and plummeted himself on the bed, falling asleep with his suit still on but gloves off.

And to top it off, Sophie never even got the chance to dance with him. However, she wasn't mad about it since this was the first time she has seen her little sister happy. Even her siblings parents were surprised to see the young hare's behavior that night.

So anyway, Max was sleeping like a log in his room, front facing on the bed, his chin being laid on the pillow. It was as though he was dead too. Max wasn't much of a heavy sleeper. But for tonight, it was special.

The door to his room opened slowly with a creak. He didn't even budge. A figure with long ears entered his room and sat next to him on his bed. It was Sophie. She looked at him and tilted her head just to get a good angle of his face.

She smiled and brushed her fingers on his furry cheek. "Julie had a lot of fun today…" she said even though he was asleep. "Everyone was so surprised too. Thanks…" She leaned in closer to his face and kissed him on his cheek.

And just after, he frowned and rolled his body, his back now on the sheets. He moaned a little before his face relaxed.

The hare giggled and stood up before leaving his room. "Merry Christmas…" she whispered one last thing to him.

And after the door was closed, Max opened his eyes and blinked. He sighed. "Merry Christmas…" he said before shutting his eyes and going back to sleep.

As the sun rose along with the falling snow, the young fox was laying sprawl on his bed. His fur was becoming even messier and his beautiful suit was getting all wrinkly. From a third person's perspective, it looks as if he was sleeping like a NEET. His mouth was hanging opened and a little saliva came out of his mouth but yet… No snores. Even though he was but none of them can be heard even.

"Max?" Sophie's voice sounded behind the door. "Wake up. It's Christmas."

Not a muscle moved from the fox.

She opened the door and peeked in to see Max still sleeping. She sighed and walked into his room. "Seriously? Are you THAT tired?" She sat next to him just like last night and looked at him.

The fox shut his mouth and moaned, turning his head to the side before leaving it hanging again.

Her lips pulled across her cheek into a slight smile. "You're ruining your suit, you know…" she said, looking at his new suit being wrinkled. "Seriously now," she said, pouting trying to straighten it just a bit. "At leats take off your jac…" She stopped half way when she was pulled into an embrace by him. "Eh…?" she thought. "Ehhhhhhh?!" Sophie began to blush furiously. "N-No way! Is he awake?!" She looked back at him to see that he was still snoring. "Still sleeping?!"

Max then rolled to the other side, still cuddling her in a spoon position without even realizing.

"W-wh-wha-what should I do?!" She began to panic while being unable to move. "I… I don't wanna wake him up… Then again…" She moaned softly. "He's… So warm…" She began to relax a little and decided to just let the embrace go on.

She could feel his hot breath touching behind her ears and her body began to shook.

"Gaaaaaahhhh!" she yelled in her thoughts. "He's… So close…!" She shut her eyes tightly and tried to swallowed but was barely abled to. Her face was forming redder and redder at every breath she felt from him. Eventually her body became so weak that it wasn't shaking anymore from resistance. She looked back at him. Which only made her more nervous.

His sleeping face… It had such an innocent look yet she was in such a wrong position. He was so handsome and it only made her even more embarrassed. And just as she closed her eyes, she realized something. The door to his room was not closed! It would be even more embarrassing if someone were to catch them like this.

"Oniichan!" Too late. "Merry Christmas!" yelled Julie, stepping into his room.

Max snorted and moved a little, pulling Sophie closer to him.

Sophie couldn't move anymore the moment she heard Julie in the room.

"O… Neechan…?" Julie responded when she noticed her sister being cuddled by Max. The younger hare placed her paws on her mouth. "How mean! I want a cuddle from Oniichan too!" And with that, she pounced on top of Max causing the predator to be awaken.

His eyes opened quickly and sat up straight. Drawing out his claw and scanned the room while growling.

The claws on his right paw was so close to Sophie and this was the first time she's seen it so up-close. Though, she was a little surprised, but her flushed face still remained. He looked as if he was protecting her. Just like… 10 years ago…

Max looked down to see Julie hugging him tightly. He calmed down a little and look to his side to find Sophie's face close to his claws. His face then turned from calm to a slight panic look. He put down his paws, drawing back his claws and patting Julie on the head. Luckily, she was too busy hugging him that she never noticed his weapon.

"Ohayou, Oniichan!" she greeted in a happy tone, still embracing him and even tightening it.

He patted her on the head. "Morning…" he said.

Julie pulled back and looked at him with a smile. "It's Christmas! Everyone is preparing gifts already!"

The fox smiled and nodded. "Let me get changed first…"

"Hai!" she said, saluting and getting off of him. "Also…" She glanced at her older sister. "I wanna be cuddled by you too while sleeping," she said in an innocent tone.

"That'll never happen," Max replied bluntly. "Leave now."

She pouted and did as she was instructed, leaving the couple in the room.

Max sighed and looked to his side to meet with Sophie who was still blushing. "Did I hurt you…?" he asked.

"Huh?" she responded after snapping out. "Oh. No. No." She was merely remembering of what happened 10 years ago. The view she had just now… Was the same of how he protected her when they were kits.

"Why were you here…?"

"I was…" She looked away. "Just waking you up."

"No, I mean…" He looked at her. "Why are you in bed with me?"

"Eh…?" Her head creaked slowly to face him and began turning red. "Um… You…" She faced down in embarrassment. "You… Just… Grabbed me and held me close…" She looked back at him again and could see a little redness forming on his cheeks as well.

"I didn't hurt you, did I…?"

"No," she answered quickly, holding his wrist. "And even if you did, I'm okay with it. Just… Stop… I don't care about what happened last time… Now is different…"

Max slowly blinked. "I know it is… But I just can't help it…" He looked back at her. "It may take some time but… I don't know when that time will come…"

"Enough…" She tightened her grip. "I know how you feel… But believe me… I don't care anymore, okay…? Even if you hurt me, I won't run away anymore… Just…" She wrapped her arms around him. "Stop reminding yourself that, you stupid fox!"

All Max could do was stare at her. He knew she was serious. And it was the same for him. But, he sees it in another way. He held her paw and sighed. "Okay, okay…" he said. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. "Please leave my room? I need to change first."

Sophie sniffed and loosened her grip. "Okay…" She got out of his bed but only to be pulled back by the arm. She turned around to see him, holding on to the sleeve of her shirt.

"I'm sorry…" he said, not facing her. "It's Christmas. And I shouldn't be talking about stuff like that. So this one is definitely my fault."

She smiled at his comment. "Well… As long as you get it. And I'm serious. No matter what, I won't be scared of you anymore."

He smiled faintly before looking at her. "Okay…" he said with a voice as if he was about to cry. He let go of her, following to her exiting his room.

Later…

The gift exchanges were already taking place. The whole household was taking part of it. Staffs were even on break and were even wearing casually. Everyone was definitely in high spirits and the only thing that could be heard were laughters and cheers.

And through them, they could hear something being dragged into the hall. The turned to the hallway and saw the honored guest dragging two sacks filled with presents towards them.

"Yo," Max said tonelessly. "Morning, everyone. And Merry Christmas." He stopped the moment he was before everyone and dug through his sack. "I made sure I tagged everyone's names on each of them. And don't worry. I made sure everyone has one." He picked up the first two gifts and hands them over to the head chef of the mansion, who is a mouse, and the butler, who is a deer. "Merry Christmas, Chef Louis and Stephan."

The parents of the Glaces laughed while their kids look in confusion. All except Sophie who was doing the same.

Julie tugged on her sister's sleeve which brought her attention towards her. "How does he know them?" she asked. "I don't remember him talking to everyone?"

Sophie just smiled. "I guess it must be before he left to buy all those presents," she answered. "But that's just the kind of person he is… He's that considerate…" Sophie looked down and began remembering what he said when she moved in with him.

(Flashback)

"By the way," Sophie said, putting down a box on the floor. "Do you ever think about going back to being… You know…"

"A criminal?" Max finished who was holding on to three boxes then placing them down. "Sometimes… I only did it because it was the only thing I can do. Why ask?"

Sophie began to chuckle. "I was thinking… Maybe you could teach me a few tricks about what you did back then?"

"You're basically saying that you wanna get killed," he added.

She bonked her own head lightly. "I just thought it was cool."

Her boyfriend sighed. "Well, you can't," he said. "And I'm not saying it because I'm worried about you. More like… I just don't see preys are fit to be criminals…"

Her ears drooped. "Hey now. That's almost like saying all predators are bad guys."

Max laughed a little. "Bad guys, huh? Whoever says criminals are bad guys?" He sat down on the floor to catch a breather. "To me… There are no bad nor good guys… Just mammals with different sense of justice." He hugged his left knee. "Some would say, predatorial freedom is not justice, the others would say it is. It just goes to show everyone is an individual. So honestly, what I do is indeed a crime. But is it really bad if it's for a good cause?"

Sophie blinked and tightened her fists. "You… Should be a philosopher!"

"Huh?"

"That's so deep! I never even thought of that! I know a university where they need a philosophy teacher too!"

The fox chuckled. "Hold on there, Miss Future-Zero," he said patting her head. She even blushed when he called her that. "Everyone should find out who they are. Not follow what others believe. That's how I find who I am."

She blinked. "If you don't mind… What do you think you are?"

He smiled. "I'm not a bad guy. Nor am I a good guy. I just do things if I feel like it's right. And honestly, I don't know if what I do is what you call 'right'. I'll just do it if I feel like it. Nothing more."

(End of flashback)

"If he feels like it, huh…?" Sophie thought, looking at her boyfriend giving presents to everyone. "I guess he's just feels too much… Not that that's a bad thing."

"Sophie?" Max called, walking towards her with a small rectangular box in his paw.

She shuddered and shook her head, realizing she was dreaming away earlier. "Y-yes?!" she exclaimed.

He smiled and handed her his present. "Merry Christmas."

She then quickly took out her present. It was a small square and flat box and she presented it to him. "Merry Christmas!" she sai proudly.

They both swapped the gifts in their paws and everyone cheered all of a sudden.

"I guess everyone is that happy, huh?" Max commented with his tonelessness returning.

"Perhaps…" his girlfriend agreed, laughing.

The fox came face to face with Damien, the elder brother. He slowly raised his arm to hand him his present over. "Merry Christmas," he said sounding a little cold.

Damien accepted it, taking it forcefully. "I'm sorry," he said. "But I don't give gifts to predators."

"Doesn't matter. Just take it anyway."

And as the hare opened the box, he froze in place as he stared at what he got. It was a black rock and he picked it up. "Oi… What's the meaning of this?" he said, showing it to the mammal who gave it to him.

"Looks can be deceiving," Max answered. "Besides, just be glad you have that. That thing is said to give the person good fortune when it comes to love. I happen to find it when I was in Japan and the priest told me about it. Thought it might fit you perfectly who's never been loved properly."

"Who would believe that nonsense?!" Damien yelled, gripping the rock tightly. "Honestly! Do you have no respect towards others?!"

"Sorry, but I'm not looking for respect. Only understanding. And trust me, nonsense are the one of the things that I'm not good at telling."

"You…!"

Everyone was watching the whole thing and eventually, the jack quiet down.

"Fine then… But don't think I'm grateful if I even do find love by pure coincidence."

"Never even thought of it in the beginning."

Eventually, the commotion was settled and everyone in the mansion got their share of presents. The staffs were apologizing to their honored guest about not getting him a present however, he said he wasn't even planning to exchange them. It was more like him being Santa for the holidays.

Julie received a limited edition figurine of an anime character. Silvia's gift was a new necklace. The parents got a new tie and scarf. The little ones just got some new toys. And as for Sophie, she has yet to open hers.

Max on the other hand said that he will opening them once he and Sophie gets home. Though, they were persuading him to open at least one, he kept declining it. He was only grateful that they went through the troubles for getting him presents and that was enough for him to be satisfied. Eventually, the family Christmas only lasted for the morning and around 2 in the afternoon, it was time for the couple to leave.

As soon as the two exited their rooms, they bumped into each other, heading down the stairs. Sophie laughed softly while Max just smiled before they continue their way down. "Guess it's time for us to go before the new year huh?" he said.

She nodded. "I hope it wasn't boring, staying at my family's."

"Oh no. It was VERY boring."

That answer immediately made the jill jump in surprise.

"But, it was interesting at the same time. At least your family is nice. Otherwise, I would probably lose it."

"As in?"

"Nothing. It was a joke."

Sophie giggled. "Because of your tone, I really can't tell whether or not you're joking," she commented.

"Depends on who knows me well. I think most of my old comrades can."

(Sorry, but I'm skipping this… I'm too tired and I can't write the rest since there's nothing interesting at this point. -E)

As the couple finally arrived home, from the cab, to the train and then another cab, the first thing Max did was tossed his bag as close to the sofa and he lay down, sighing with his eyes close. "What a week…" he said.

"Max, don't be a bum," Sophie said, entering the house. "Unpack it yourself."

"Later… I'm tired…" He took out Sophie's present from this morning out from the pocket of his hoodie and placed it on the table. "Wake me up whenever I care… I'm too tired…"

She shook her head and laughed. She took out his present out too and placed it next to hers. She leaned close to his face. "Let's open our present together tonight, okay?" she suggested.

"Whatever…" he responded, turning his back on her before snoozing off. She kissed him on his cheek and left him while heading for their room to unpack. Of course, she didn't bother bringing his bag along since the two of them were independent on this sort of things.

Max's ears move a little, listening to her footsteps going down the stairs to their room and he took another thing out of his pocket. The note that was given by Nick last night. A clue to his real family. He looked at what was written there.

'Name: Marilyn Fanger, Location: Vulper'

Max reread it a lot, memorizing the two topics and crumple the paper, throwing it into the closest trashbin. Only to fail.

He clicked his tongue and looked up the ceiling. "I'll do it later…" he said to himself, before dozing off.

That night, around 7pm, the young fox slowly opened his eyes from the smell in the kitchen. His sneezed after waking and wiped his nose, sitting up straight. He looked over at the counter in the kitchen to find Sophie cooking something. It smells like… Green beans fried in olive oil. He rubbed his eyes and groaned.

"How long did I sleep…?" he said.

Sophie turned around and smiled. "Rise and shine, sleepyhead," she greeted. "Not too long. Maybe… 4 hours? Less even. Hope you don't mind me cooking. I was thinking I should do it sometimes and not always depend on you."

Max licked his lips to prevent them from getting dried. He rubbed his forehead and sat down properly. "So… When are we opening the presents?" he reminded.

"Maybe after I'm done cooking?"

He shrugged. "Guess I'll go unpack then…" He picked up the bag that he tossed earlie this afternoon and walked towards the trashbin and threw the paper properly this time.

"What's that?" Sophie asked, noticing it.

"I'll tell you later… I just failed to shoot a hoop is all."

She laughed while continuing to cook while he prepares himself.

While she was busy doing so, Max unpacked everything and separated the gifts he got from everyone at the Glace's on the shelves and the clothes he brought along back into the dressing room. He walked into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror.

He began to wonder, who he really was. The fact that he finally has a clue about where he came from, makes him at unease. But though, it was something he should be facing himself. He was planning to meet his real family alone since he has no idea who they really were. Not to mention, it was an unknown name too. What would they think about their son who is was an ex-high profile criminal. He shook his head and turned on the shower, putting the questions aside.

After getting dressed up, he walked back up to the living room to see Sophie sitting at the counter with some ice tea on the side.

Max tilted his head a bit. "Bored waiting?" he asked.

Her ears jumped up and she turned around, sighing. "Yea… Can't believe in just 20 minutes, I already miss you."

"Stop it. You know I don't like that sappy love talk."

The jill laughed. "But it's true though. I really do miss you already."

At this point, the fox can't help but smile. "Alright, alright. If you say so. Shall we open the presents first?"

"Yes," Sophie answered quickly. "I've been itching to see what you got for me." She picked up the present he gave her this morning and he picked up hers.

"On three," she said.

But it was already too late as Max already tore off the wrapper. He paused the moment she said that. "Oops…" was all he said.

She laughed. "Oh whatever. Three!" She also began to unwrap her present to see a solid thick black box made of leather. Her ears began moving a little out of curiousity. She lifted the lid up and saw a locket necklace. She took it out of the box and opened it to find a picture of both of them during their time in the carnival when she first came to visit him after 10 years.

"Merry Christmas, Soph," he said, placing his paw on her head. "Been wanting to give this all this time actually. I just couldn't find the right time."

She clenched her fist on the chain and looked down on it, slowly forming a smile. "I love it…" she said softly.

Max nodded and can't help but smile as well before opening her present. And inside were two keychains with the Fairy Tail symbols, one red and the other pink. He stared at it as he picked both of them up. He looked at her and gave her the pink one. "I only need one," he said. "That way we'll match."

She took it hesitantly. "Are you sure?"

"You DO realize what you bought was the couple Fairy Tail keychains, right?"

"Eh?! No wonder they charged for one!"

Max laughed. "Well, then, I'll keep this, you keep the other. Deal?"

"But… It's like I got two gifts this year…"

"Well, duh…" Max leaned in closer. "Because it's your birthday today remember?"

She looked up at him and stared at him in the eyes. "You… Remembered…?"

"Of course. I know there are some mammals who wouldn't care about their birthdays especially if it was during the holidays. But I thought it might be better to give you one now as a present. Guess there was no need to buy you another gift after all."

She looked at the keychain and the locket, keeping them close to her chest. "Thanks…"

Max looked away and a drop of sweat was formed on his head. "Actually… I just remembered and I totally forgot about it…" he thought. "I'm so sorry, Sophie!"

"Ah, now that we're done, let's have dinner."

"Yep…" Max sighed in relief. Luckily, he was able to fool her. "Forgive me, Sophie. But I promise I won't forget again."

A/N: And so there it is.

E: I think this is the longest chapter we've ever written. Yes, Sophie's birthday is on Christmas as well. In case you all don't know, Sophie is based from one of my ex who died of cancer. I based her personality, her life and her name even to give Max someone that he can love. Because she was special to me, I thought it would be an honor to always remember her this year. Yes, her birthday is also on Christmas.

S: And because of that, Erricane has some bad news. Let's hear it.

E: The next story will probably be my last Zootopia fanfic. It will be purely focus on Max's real family. I have put a lot of thought into it and decided that it will happen. There was a reason why I never thought about writing it but this time I thought because the next one will be my last, I might as well post it soon.

S: And afterwards, we both will be writing some other fanfics on other franchises. But for now, Erricane will be taking the reigns to write ONE LAST STORY of his OCs.

E: It will be a 26-chapter story and will only be OCs. If possible, I'd like to add your OCs too as thanks for staying with me all these times. See you soon.