It was almost 1 am. Tom was finally putting Timmy and Tommy to bed, while he stayed up to make sure the islanders had everything they need. He was about to grab a book, when he heard the rustling of his tent opening. "Can I help you with anythi-" He stopped abruptly when he saw who was walking into his tent. "Redd!? What do you think you're doing here! I told you to never show your face around me again."

"Come on, is that how you treat your old partner?" Redd said quietly. "Besides, isn't your whole think helping your residents? Well, I live here now. You have to help me."

"And what would I help you with. Scamming people? You already made me do enough of that all those years ago. You think I'm gonna help you after doing that right under my nose?" Tom said. The sound of betrayal in his voice was heartbreaking for Redd

"It's true I did some bad things in the past, but right now I really do need your help..." Redd said even more quiet than before. "I need your help, ok?"

"Fine... What do you need Redd?" Tom muttered.

"I got..." Redd started to say something, but got so quiet Tom couldn't even hear what he said.

"You got what?" Said Tom, clearly irritated

"I-" Tom started before passing out on the floor.

"Redd!? Oh my gosh what's wrong? Redd!?"

"Come on Tom, why are you mad at me... You know I meant it as a joke..." Redd said to Tom's door. "Can I at least hug you before you lock the door for the rest of the day?"

"Fine." Redd heard rustling inside of Tom's room for a few moments before a very flustered Tom Nook opened the door. "But this doesn't mean I forgive you."

"I'm sorry ok?" Redd muttered before pulling Tom into a hug "It was just a joke."

"Yeah, sure. Telling everyone about it was a joke." He let out a sigh. "Ok fine. I forgive you. Just don't do it again." Tom pulled away from Redd, and pecked him on the cheek. Redd then pulled away and did his happy boyfriend dance. "Damn it Redd, why do you have to be so adorable."

"You LIED to me." Said an infuriated Tom "You said you stopped this. But now you're pulling me into it?! I trusted you... I guess my friends were right when they said you should never trust a fox."

"What?" Redd quietly said

"I'm done. Goodbye Redd."

"Wait..." Redd whispered.

"Oh, and Redd? Never come back. Don't even show your face around me. We are going our separate ways." Said a now tearful Tom.

Tom left Redd that day. He left him in a puddle of his own tears. A crying mess.

"Oh Redd... what am I gonna do with you..." Tom was looking a a huge cut across Redd's chest. How he didn't notice before was beyond him. But all he knew now was Redd was going to die without his help. "Where did I put that damn first aid kit..." Tom looked around frantically for the first aid kit. In his struggles Timmy and Tommy woke up.

" ? What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Just go back to bed."

"Are you looking for something ?"

"Yes, the first aid kit"

"Oh. Uhm. We uh. Kinda sold that to the island representative."

"UGH! Ok, I'll be right back. Just go to sleep" Tom then ran out of the tent, and to the island representatives house as fast as possible.

"Sam! Sam wake up!" Tom said out of breath. After a few moments the door opened

"Tom? What are you doing here so late?" Sam said yawning.

"Do you still have the first aid kit Timmy and Tommy sold you?"

"Yeah, but wh-"

"Can I borrow it?"

With the kit in hand Tom ran into his tent taking out disinfectant. He found some cotton balls and got to work

Tom must have fallen asleep after taking care of Redd, but he was woken by quiet whimpers.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I didn't mean too, I'm sorry..." Redd was whimpering in his sleep.

"Redd?" Tom whispered "You ok?" After all these years Tom still couldn't help but worry for Redd. "Wake up..." He said while gently shaking him awake.

"Mmm?"

"I need to check on your wounds. Wake up."

"Thank you Tom. I don't know what I would've done without you." Redd said, thanking Tom.

"..."

"You ok?"

"uh huh."

"Why are you being so quiet?"

"I don't know Redd." Tom said looking right at him. "Maybe it's because you showed up out of no where after 23 years. For the first time in 2 decades I'm seeing your face again. Even after I told you to stay away. But now that I'm seeing you again, I don't want you to leave."

"That's why you told me to stay away in the first place. Right?"

"Exactly."

"... Maybe I should have just let myself die. I deserve it after what I did to you."

"Don't say that. What you did was horrible, but not worthy of death." They were both silent for several minutes. "I've missed you , you know? Your smile. Your laugh. Especially your hugs. But you need to know, I can't forgive you unless you give me a reason to."

"I know Tom. I know." Redd seemed sad, but he clearly understood.

"Alright. I promise, if you work to change your ways, then I will forgive you. But for now, you need rest." Tom said, pushing back Redd's ears. He reassured Redd in a voice he hadn't heard since they were an item. It made him happy to know he still had a chance to make things right.