The next day, Finnick was at his locker. With his big ears, he couldn't help but overhear something.
"Hey Akeelah, why don't you give me another chance, huh?", another animal said.
Finnick looked over and saw a male lion talking to Akeelah.
"I told you, Leo, I'm not interested in dating you again", Akeelah said.
"Why not?", Leo asked.
Finnick barred his teeth. He then calmed down and started walking over to them.
"It just didn't work out, let it go", Akeelah said.
"C'mon, baby, give me another chance!", Leo said.
"The lady told you to leave her alone!", Finnick warned.
Leo was shocked. He heard a deep voice coming from somewhere but couldn't hear where it came from.
"Down here!", Finnick said.
Leo looked down and smirked when he saw where the deep voice was coming from.
"You really think you can put on some fake deep voice and threaten me? I'm a lion and you, whatever you are, are barely bigger than a rat!", Leo said.
"Fake? This voice is all-natural, baby!", Finnick said then barred his claws, "As are these. And I'm not afraid to use them!"
Akeelah was shocked. She couldn't believe Finnick would put his life on the line to save her.
"Yeah? Well I can-", Leo started putting his foot over Finnick's entire body, "Do this-".
Akeelah wasn't sure what to do. Leo was about to step on him when Finnick used his claws to scratch Leo's foot. Suddenly Leo yelped and started hopping around.
"What the hell, ya little bastard?!", Leo whined.
"Well that's what you get! You should've left Akeelah alone", Finnick said.
"This isn't over. I'm gonna tell the principal on you", Leo said.
"Really? You want to be known as the lion that was beat by the smallest student in school?!", Finnick asked defiantly.
Leo thought about it and decided his ego couldn't take that.
"Whatever, Akeelah, you're not worth it. You can keep your little freak of a boyfriend!", Leo said then left.
"Are you okay?", asked Akeelah.
"Are you kidding?! I feel great!", said Finnick.
"Thanks for saving me", Finnick said, "I told you I can protect myself".
"Yeah, you sure can", said Akeelah.
"Just out of curiosity, how long has that guy been bothering you?", asked Finnick.
"Oh, he was my boyfriend last year. But I thought he was a bit immature and just said some really sexist things, I couldn't really take it and broke up with him during the summer. But he never really let it go", said Akeelah.
"Some mammals are just stupid like that. No matter how many times you tell them no-", Finnick began.
"They won't listen to you", Akeelah finished.
Finnick and Akeelah paused, realizing they have some things in common. Akeelah then thought about it.
"Hey, would you like to have lunch with my friends today?", Akeelah asked.
At lunch, Akeelah was sitting with her friends, Stripes, a zebra, and Helen Horn, a gazelle, amongst others.
"So Akeelah, where's this friend of yours?", Stripes asked.
Suddenly they heard steps but didn't know where they were coming from. Then Finnick jumped on the table, took out a book from his backpack, put it on an empty part of the seat, and sat down, all to the friends shock.
"Oh, I didn't realize you were so...", Helen started, only for Stripes to clear her throat.
"Quiet?", Helen said awkwardly.
"I know what you meant", Finnick grumbled. He then cleared his throat. "But it's nice to meet you. Finnick, what's your name?"
"Umm...Helen".
"And I'm Stripes".
"The famous Stripes, I heard about you", Finnick said.
Helen, Stripes, and the other girls at the table gave Finnick odd looks, as they couldn't believe Akeelah made friends with a fennec fox.
"Akeelah, can I talk to you?", asked Stripes.
Finnick could tell they couldn't really accept him, which just made him sad.
Stripes and Akeelah walked outside the cafeteria.
"What's up?", asked Akeelah.
"You really made friends with a fennec fox?", asked Stripes.
"What's wrong with that?", asked Akeelah, "I mean you know my ancestors probably ate your ancestors, right?"
"Yeah but...", began Stripes.
"But what?", asked Akeelah.
"It's just the way you talk about him, it sometimes sounds like it's gonna one day lead to being more than friends", Stripes said.
"What do you mean? You think I'm in love with Finnick?", asked Akeelah.
"Earlier today, you went on and on about how grateful you were of him scaring Leo away", Stripes pointed out.
"Because I am, so what?", Akeelah said.
"You talked about how sweet he was, how much you loved how much he loved protecting himself and others, how much you loved how spirited he was, how you two have things in common! I'm just saying, you've talked a lot about this guy for someone you just consider a friend", said Stripes, concerned.
"Don't worry about it, he's just a friend. I mean, he's a freshman and I'm a sophomore. And, yes, the height difference would be a little much. It's nothing, really, I swear all we are is friends", Akeelah tried to assure her friend.
"Okay, if you say so", said Stripes.
Finnick was at his locker, getting ready to go home, while his friends were standing at his locker, waiting for him, all ready to go. Suddenly Akeelah walked towards them.
"Hey Finny, are you ready to go?", said Akeelah in a rather flirty manner.
"You bet, Akeelah Beelah", said Finnick, just as flirty.
"I gotta go to the ladies room but see you soon!", said Akeelah as she walked away. Nick, Honey, and Flash gave Finnick odd looks.
"Are you sure your just friends?", asked Honey.
Suddenly Finnick got embarrassed.
"Of course, why would a fennec fox and a lion ever be in love?", said Finnick rather quickly.
"Hey, interspecies relationships are a thing", pointed out Honey, "My uncle is dating a skunk right now".
"Yeah but they're the same height. It would never work out between Akeelah and me", Finnick tried assuring his friends.
"C'mon Man, you're blushing. You love Akeelah, don't you?", Nick mocked.
"No, I don't Nick!", Finnick said angrily.
"Finnick and Akeelah sitting in a tree, trying to K-I-S-S-I-N-G", Nick mocked. Finnick then cut it by slamming his locker and looking at Nick angrily.
"Funny I'm the one people always call a baby when it's YOU who needs to grow up, Nick! You're in high school for fuck's sake!", Finnick said. "Anyway, let's leave it alone and go".
When Finnick and his friends were outside, Akeelah joined them.
"Hey", Akeelah said to Finnick in a flirty tone.
"Hey", Finnick said back, just as flirty.
"What are you planning on doing this weekend?", asked Akeelah.
"Well Bad Mammals 3 is out, I kinda wanted to see that", Finnick said.
"Oh, I love those movies!", Akeelah said.
Finnick then had an idea.
"Hey, what if we go on Saturday?", asked Finnick.
Suddenly his friends perked up.
"Umm, isn't it Rated R?", asked Akeelah.
"God, you're such a goody two shoes! We can just buy a ticket to some kids movie and sneak in. It'll be fine", said Finnick.
"Well, sure, I'll go with you. It's a-", Akeelah was about to say the word then changed her mind, "Hangout?"
"Yeah, uhh, hangout", Finnick said awkwardly.
Suddenly Akeelah's bus came.
"There's my bus but I'll see you on Saturday", said Akeelah.
"Yeah, see you then", Finnick said awkwardly.
Akeelah left and suddenly Nick made kissing noises.
"Shut up", Finnick said.
Finnick was getting ready for his date. He was standing on the sink in his bathroom, looking in the mirror while putting on his nicest shirt and jeans. He sprayed perfume on himself and then jumped down from the sink. He took a chair near the door, jumped on it, and then opened the door. He then jumped off the chair into the living room. Suddenly his little sister Vulpe, who was, unfortunately, a foot taller than him, walked to him and looked at him in a rather condescending way.
"Aww, is the little man going on a date?", Vulpe cooed.
"A.)It's not a date, I'm just hanging out with a friend and B.)Stop talking to me like that, I'm your older brother!", Finnick warned.
"But not my big brother", Vulpe cooed.
Even at home, amongst other fennec foxes, Finnick was made fun of for his size.
Finnick was waiting for Akeelah by sitting on the couch. Suddenly the doorbell rang and his Mom came out.
"I can't believe it, my baby is going on his first date", Finnick's Mom said.
"IT'S NOT A DATE, MOM!", Finnick said.
"I know you're a bit shy but I know a date when I see one and this is a date", Finnick's Mom said.
Finnick leaped off the couch.
"Can't a man and woman just be friends?", Finnick asked as he walked to the door. "Come in, it's open".
Suddenly Akeelah walked in, much to Finnick's Mom's shock.
"Hey. Are you Finnick's Mom?", asked Akeelah.
"Uhh, yes, are you Akeelah?", Finnick's Mom asked, a bit scared.
"Yes I am", Akeelah said warmly.
Suddenly Vulpe walked into the room. Vulpe and her mother gave each other looks that read "Is this a joke?"
"We should get going, babe. I'll see you later, Mom. Vulpe. Bye now", Finnick said as he and Akeelah left. Akeelah then closed the door.
"If Finnick gets eaten, can I have his room?", Vulpe asked. Their Mom's look then went from shocked to angry and she gave Vulpe a dirty look.
Akeelah and Finnick walked to Akeelah's Dad's car. Akeelah's Dad was confused because he was unable to see Finnick.
"Where's your friend?", Akeelah's Dad asked.
Finnick grunted, ANNOYED.
"Down here", Finnick said in an annoyed tone of voice.
Akeelah's Dad looked down to see Finnick and was surprised.
"You didn't tell me he was so tiny", Akeelah's Dad said rather bluntly, "I would have gotten a car seat".
Finnick just growled. Akeelah quickly stepped in.
"Dad, Finnick. Finnick, Dad", Akeelah said.
"Nice to meet you, young man", Akeelah's Dad said.
"Likewise", Finnick said, grumbling.
Akeelah opened the door. Finnick then hopped up onto the seat. However, considering it was a car made for lions, he had a long way to hop but he was able to do it.
Akeelah then got in and sat next to Finnick.
"I don't mean to embarrass you, Fin, but it might be better if you sit on my lap", Akeelah whispered.
"What?!", Finnick whispered, not believing his big ears.
"I'm just saying, if something were to happen, you could get seriously hurt. But, if you were on my lap, that would be less likely to happen", Akeelah whispered, pointing it out.
Finnick sighed.
"Fine", Finnick whispered then went to sit on her lap.
Akeelah's Dad pulled into the theater. Akeelah walked out, holding Finnick.
"Okay, you kids have fun now, you hear!", Akeelah's Dad said.
"Thanks, we'll do", Akeelah said. Then her father drove away.
Akeelah put Finnick on her shoulders and walked to the ticket taker, all while giving Finnick a piggyback ride. Of course there was a line but it wasn't too long. Once they were up next, this happened.
"Aww, what a cute kid you got there!", the ticket taker said, adored by Finnick's cuteness yet also somewhat weirded out by a lion having a "baby fox".
Finnick groaned, jumped off the table, and onto the ticket booth, looking at the taker, who was a panther, straight in the eye.
"I ain't no little kid, lady! I'm 14 years old!", Finnick warned.
"Sorry, my mistake", the ticker taker said, correcting herself.
"Anyway two for, uhh,-", Finnick scanned, looking for something at least PG-13 to buy tickets to. He then saw one movie around the same time as Bad Mammals 3, "Wreck-it Rhino 2. Yeah".
"Okay, that'll be $31.50", The ticket taker said.
Finnick sighed.
"Jesus, movies just get more and more expensive", Finnick said as he took out his wallet and paid for both their tickets.
"Do you have the money? I can pay for my ticket", Akeelah said.
"Nonsense, the man always pays for the lady", Finnick said in a flirty manner.
"I thought that was only for couples?", Akeelah flirted back.
After Finnick paid, she picked Finnick up and placed him on the ground. They then started walking to the theater of the movie they were ACTUALLY going to see, Bad Mammals 3.
"You want something to eat?", Finnick asked.
"I'm good. How about you?", Akeelah asked.
Finnick went on the line. Akeelah joined him.
"Of course", Finnick said.
When he and Akeelah got up to the snack bar attendant, a wolf, Finnick began-
"I want", But the attendant was confused because he couldn't see him. Finnick just sighed and jumped onto the snack bar.
"Excuse me. I want a large popcorn and a large soda. Do you mind holding it for me, Keelah Beelah?"
"Of course, Finny Binny", Akeelah flirted back.
Finnick paid for his snacks, both of which were much bigger than him, while Akeelah held it. They walked inside the movie. Akeelah started walking towards the back.
"Wait, where are you going?", Finnick asked.
"It's easier for me to sit in the back", Akeelah said.
"Huh. Well, it's easier for me to sit in the front. In the back, everyone blocks my view", Finnick said.
Akeelah thought about it then came up with an idea.
"Do you mind sitting on my shoulder?", Akeelah asked.
Finnick sighed.
"Fine".
Finnick and Akeelah were watching the movie. As Finnick was sitting on Akeelah's shoulder, he was sipping from not only a large cup much bigger than him, but a straw bigger than him as well. When he wasn't doing that, Akeelah was handing him popcorn from a bucket so big he could make it his house.
"Y'know, this movie is awesome! I love all the car chases and shooting and banter and stuff! But do we need this boring love subplot with Wallaby Smith?", Finnick whispered. "It just slows things down".
"I don't know, I like it when things that seem tough on the surface show a sensitive side", Akeelah whispered.
Suddenly Finnick and Akeelah looked at each other, lovingly, and kissed. Suddenly they realized what they were doing and pulled away, embarrassed by what just happened.
Finnick and Akeelah walked out, quietly.
"So...about that kiss", Akeelah began.
"It was nothing. Our friends and family are wrong, we're just friends", Finnick said.
"Sure. Friends.," Akeelah said. "But do we have to be just that?"
"Again, look at you. Look at me. It would never work!", Finnick said.
"C'mon, Finnick, I know you want to be more than that. It'll be hard but I think we can make it work", Akeelah said.
Finnick thought about it.
"I guess we can try it out", Finnick said.
Akeelah's Dad picked up Finnick and Akeelah. As he was driving them home, he said-.
"How was the movie?"
"It was good", said Akeelah, "But we have an announcement to make. You mind if Fin comes home with us just to, uhh, make the announcement?"
The father was a little uncomfortable, realizing he knew exactly what the announcement was going to be.
"Okay", said her father uncomfortably.
Finnick was just as uncomfortable as her father was as he was nervous how her parents would deal with the news of a fennec fox and LIONESS dating each other.
Once they got home, Akeelah, her father, and Finnick walked inside. Suddenly her mother and her two elementary school-aged siblings, Molly and Lanie, walked up to them.
"Hi Mom. Hi Molly. Hi Lanie. This is Finnick, the boy who took me to the movies tonight", Akeelah said, introducing Finnick to her family.
"Uhh. Hi.", Finnick said, embarrassed.
Akeelah's mother was shocked by her new friend.
"Anyway, we have an announcement to make. But, before we do, I just have to use the bathroom real quick", Akeelah said then left.
"Hey Finnick, it's nice to meet you", Akeelah's Mother said.
"You too", said Finnick.
"Make yourself at home", said Akeelah's Mother, "I'm going to get some snacks for you".
"And I'm going to help", Akeelah's Father said.
Suddenly Molly and Lanie, who, as lion cubs, were a bit taller than Finnick. They circled around, looking at him.
"Hello girls, what are your names?", asked Finnick.
"You're no boy", said Molly.
"Uhh...yes I am", said Finnick, tense.
"No, you're a dolly!", Lanie said.
This caught Finnick by surprise.
"Wait, what?", said Finnick, confused.
Suddenly Molly took his legs and Lanie took his arms, further surprising Finnick.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO ME?!", Finnick shouted, "PUT ME DOWN!", He said as Molly and Lanie carried him away.
Akeelah's parents heard him shouting but didn't quite hear what he said. They ran back into the living room, only to find him gone.
"Where'd he go?", asked Akeelah's Mother.
Lanie and Molly carried Finnick all the way upstairs, as he wriggled, kicking and screaming, and walked into their room. They set him down on the floor. Finnick tried to run away as soon as they did it but Molly grabbed him by the tail. Then Lanie grabbed his little legs and pressed down on them. Molly then forced him onto the ground by his shoulders, as he screamed for help.
"Aww the baby's crying! I know what'll make the baby feel better!", Lanie said.
She then took out a toy pacifier and put it in his mouth. He quickly spit it out.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME, GIRLS?!", Finnick shouted.
Akeelah's parents were concerned. They heard noises but weren't sure what it was. Akeelah then walked out. Seeing Finnick wasn't there, she got concerned.
"Where's Fin?", Akeelah asked, concerned.
"We don't know", Akeelah's father said.
"Wait, where are the girls?", Akeelah's mother asked.
They thought about it and ran upstairs. They then opened the door to find Lanie fastening a diaper onto Finnick, who also had a baby hat on, as he was trying to get out of Molly's grasp. Akeelah and her parents were shocked as to what they were seeing and ran to them.
"What are they doing, Fin?!", Molly asked, worried.
"They're-", Finnick started.
"We're playing with our dolly", Molly said.
"Girls, get away from him or you're grounded!", Akeelah's father warned.
Suddenly the girls stopped and Akeelah picked Finnick up.
"Molly. Lanie. He is NOT your dolly!", Akeelah said.
"Yeah, I'm not, I'm a mammal, just like you are!", Finnick said.
"You can't just play with him like he's a toy because he's smaller than you", Akeelah continued.
Akeelah then put Finnick on her lap and sat near where the girls had put Finnick's underwear and shorts. She took the hat off him. Finnick was wondering what he was doing. Akeelah then took the diaper off of him and re-clothed him. Finnick couldn't believe it. Not only had her sisters tried to turn him into some plaything but Akeelah, his GIRLFRIEND, was re-clothing him like he was some little kid who couldn't put on his own damn clothes.
"Say you're sorry, girls", Akeelah's father said in a stern manner.
Having been caught, Molly and Lanie felt remorse.
"Sorry, sir", the girls said in unison.
"Well, apology NOT accepted!", Finnick said, angry, then walked out of the room.
Akeelah was concerned and ran after Finnick.
"And you can forget about me being your boyfriend!", Finnick continued.
"Fin, they're just kids, they didn't know any better", Akeelah tried to explain.
"Oh yeah? They pinned me down, took off my shorts and underwear, and looked at my junk as they put a diaper on me. All because, just like everybody else, they just see me as a baby! It's bad enough when mammals who are older or my age treat me like a baby or a toy but LITTLE GIRLS?!", Finnick ranted.
"I know but they won't do it again, we promise", Akeelah said.
"They'll still see me as some little thing, just like everyone else!", Finnick said, angry. "And I mean everyone!"
"I don't", Akeelah said.
Finnick gave her a dirty look.
"If that's who you're related to, how can I ever know that?", Finnick said then walked away as Akeelah just looked at him with more remorse.
This encounter made him even more bitter than before. Akeelah tried several times to reach out to him and say hi to him in the halls or try to invite him to lunch but he kept ignoring her and never talked to her throughout the remainder of her time there. In fact, he never talked to anyone except for his friends and teachers. He also didn't bother trying out for the track team. If mammals were going to see him as some little, helpless forever baby, what was the point of doing the one thing that gave him some modicum of respect? He'd just be disrespected outside of practice, games, and once the season was over.
For the next 4 years, he mostly kept to himself and never talked to Akeelah again. He also didn't bother applying to college. Again, what was the point of getting any career when the employers either wouldn't hire him or do some bullshit about seeing him as an exception for his species or what not? Instead, he decided to just do odd jobs where he got to trick the idiots that kept being condescending to him any way they could. That would be nice, sweet revenge for how everyone treated him.
And he never talked to Akeelah again. Until 10 years after they almost became boyfriend and girlfriend.
Unlike Finnick, Akeelah had gone to college and got her Bachelors Degree in English. She had become an English teacher at the high school she and Finnick were at. One day, she was at the bar when she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey barkeep, over here!"
She looked and saw Finnick, standing right on top of the bar.
"Give me a beer. Your tallest glass! I can handle it!", Finnick said.
"Coming right up", said the rhino barkeep.
Akeelah smirked and walked right over to Finnick.
"Finnick?", asked Akeelah.
Finnick was surprised to hear the familiar voice. He looked behind him and couldn't believe Akeelah was there. Suddenly he sighed.
"What are you doing here?", Finnick asked, annoyed.
"I recently moved back. I got a job as an English teacher", Akeelah said.
"Huh. Small world I guess", Finnick said shortly.
"It's nice to see you again", said Akeelah, "Would you like to catch up?"
Finnick sighed again.
"Sure, why not. Barkeep, hold the drink".
Finnick and Akeelah sat together at her table. Akeelah was sitting on a chair while Finnick was sitting on the table.
"So, what have you been up to?", asked Akeelah.
"Been doing odd jobs here and there", Finnick said, making it vague, not wanting her to know he was a con artist.
"Like what?", asked Akeelah.
"Uhh delivery jobs and running errands and stuff like that", Finnick said, trying his best to make his job sound "respectable". "Gotta make a lot of money to live here".
"Agreed", said Akeelah.
"How are the little brats doing?", Finnick asked.
"They're fine. They're juniors now. Gonna be really weird seeing as I'm a teacher at Zootopia High and all", said Akeelah.
"Yeah", Finnick said in an almost disinterested manner. "So what got you into being a teacher?"
"Well I've always wanted to help other mammals and I always had an interest in literature and English. I just thought being a teacher might be a good combination of the two things", Akeelah said.
"Well, as for me, I just haven't really, umm, figured out what I want to do. But I'm only 25, I got time", said Finnick.
"Sure, I know a lot of friends who aren't completely sure what they want to do. So where did you go to college?", asked Akeelah.
"Never went", said Finnick, "Parents couldn't afford it".
"Oh. Sorry, I didn't know", Akeelah said.
"It's fine, you wouldn't be able to, we haven't talked in 10 years", Finnick pointed out.
"True", said Akeelah. "You still keep in touch with your friends?"
"Nick is always working with me. The others I haven't seen since high school honestly", Finnick said. "Except for Flash. When I got my license, I saw him at the DMV. Hell he took my picture. Though he took forever, which just made it look like shit".
Akeelah giggled.
"Tell me about it, my driver's license also looks terrible".
Finnick smirked.
"Fuck the DMV, right?", Finnick asked.
"Hey, it's run by sloths, they're just very slow", Akeelah pointed out, "That's not nice".
"But it's true", said Finnick.
"Well, I can't exactly disagree", said Akeelah.
"See? You DO agree with me!", said Finnick flirting.
Akeelah chuckled.
"Okay, maybe a little", said Akeelah. "You know, it was nice to see you again".
Finnick smiled and looked at her.
"You too. You mind if I see your place? My place isn't much. In fact, you see that van over there".
He pointed to the red van with the wolf and fox painting on it.
"That's where I live".
"That's it?", asked Akeelah, confused.
"I told you the rent was too high", said Finnick.
"Sure. In fact, you can stay the night if you want", said Akeelah.
"Woah, one thing at a time, miss!", said Finnick.
"Sure. One thing at a time", said Akeelah.
Akeelah walked into her apartment, which was a little two-bedroom apartment that was big enough for a lion but wasn't anything too special. Finnick ran in.
"Well, this is much better than my place", Finnick said. He jumped on her couch and made himself at home. "In fact, this is probably the nicest apartment I've ever seen".
"Well thank you!", said Akeelah.
Akeelah then sat down next to him.
"I'm so glad we ran into each other. I felt so bad for what happened between you and my sisters. And it was even worse when you never forgave me for it", said Akeelah.
"Never forgave you? I forgive you, okay?", said Finnick, "I promise".
"Good", said Akeelah.
Then there was a moment of silence between them. Old feelings were starting to stir up again.
"You know, I'll stay the night if you want", Finnick said.
"That would be great. Thanks!", said Akeelah.
They stopped talking again, making things even more awkward.
"You know what we never did in the small time we were together?", Finnick asked.
"What?", asked Akeelah.
"Well, this is going to be awkward, and if you say no, I totally understand. But we never had sex", said Finnick. "You wanna try?"
Akeelah thought about it.
"Sure, I'd love to. Just lay back, Finny darling, and let's get started", Akeelah said flirtatiously.
Finnick perked up.
"ALRIGHT!"
Finnick laid down. Akeelah turned her whole body and gave him a rather seductive look.
"Let's just get you out of these clothes", she said as she took his pants and underwear off, almost looking like a mother about to change her baby.
Then she pulled her pants down and got down on her knees. She tried to be as careful as she could, so as not to squish Finnick by accident. She lined up her vagina with his crotch and held onto the end of the couch so she didn't go completely down on him.
Then they did it. They had sex.