("This is going to be a short, quick drabble fic." ~Famous Last Words, TheLilyoftheValley, 2020)

Disclaimer: I do not own Animal Crossing, the "New Horizons" game, or any of their characters. This came to me at 3 in the morning one day, so I figured I'd write it out.

Brushstrokes

As the strands of the brush ran over the canvas, the deep blue mixing in with the layer of light blue, the artist let out an exhausted sigh.

The sun had set hours ago. Had the kitsune not invested in some decent lanterns, midnight shadows would have been draped along the walls and blanketed the inside of the trawler in pitch darkness. Even now, the light of the lanterns seemed dimmer and fainter, as if even the light was aware of the ungodly hour of time it was.

Redd's eyes blinked back sleep. He squinted as he fought to keep his focus, eyes centering on the vivid colors of the paints. Only a little longer now…

His conscious nagged at him, reminding him that it would be a lot longer rather than just a little longer.

As much as he scammed people for Bells, Redd wasn't exactly rich. When it came to money, there were so many things that needed the cash he got from people. The care and uptake of the new trawler he had purchased; bribes for the black-market salesmen that helped him get his authentic products; bailouts for friends (and sometimes himself) when the cops got way too close to comfort…

And that was to name just a few.

The kitsune couldn't really afford a fancy gift. His pride wouldn't let him buy a cheap gift; heavens help him if Redd gave him a cheap gift. It would be an insult, and a bad taste ran over the kitsune's tongue as he tried to picture his old partner's face at opening up a second-rate present.

Tom didn't deserve that.

As the brush slowly ran over the canvas again, Redd's eyes drifted closed. Sweet nothingness began to fill his mind, the heavy weight of the day just starting to slide off his shoulders-

Ears whipped around wildly as Redd shook his head. His paw was careful to avoid messing up the painting, and as the kitsune forced his burning eyes to stay open, he took a moment to study the overall picture.

The fiery oranges and reds of the setting sun rested just beyond a watery horizon. A long, sandy beach laid just below a starry sky, the first stars beginning to dot the light and deep blues. On the beach, holding hands and walking under the sunset, two little creatures trotted along the shoreline. Water lapped at their feet as the little tanuki and kitsune's tails curled around each other's, the two locked in a romantic date that would never get any further than the moment pictured.

There was still a lot to do. Still a lot of highlights and lighting difficulties that needed to be sorted out, and minor errors that needed to be cleaned up…

Redd hoped Tom would like it.

Sleep prodded his tired limbs, and his head lolled to the side as an exhausted, raspy sigh left him. Just one hour. That would be enough to refresh his mind and re-center his focus.

But the present wouldn't have enough time to get to Tom right on his birthday if he slept. Tardiness in a birthday gift felt repulsing, and his pride would never allow it.

Though if he continued, he risked messing up the painting and possibly needing to start it over.

A part of him knew Tom was going to throw it away like he had the others. Redd had seen some of the other gifts' remains when he would visit a day or so after Tom's birthday, glimmers of old gifts clear in the dumpster trash.

Was it worth it to make a gift that he would just throw away?

Warmth filled his chest as he remembered the times when he and Tom were just starting to get to know each other, the faint touch of their hands sending a jolt of giddiness through the kitsune. The nights when one of them would work later than the other, and the other would carry the sleeping creature as best they could to a bed where they'd cuddle up for the rest of the night…

Yes, it was worth it. No matter what.

His paw shook as he held up the brush, only for his hand to drop back down. The chair he was in wasn't the comfiest thing in the world, but it was decent enough to sleep on.

"Come on… just a little longer… five more minutes…"

A strong burn grew under his eyelids, and even when his free paw rubbed harshly at his closed eyes, nothing stopped the pain of keeping his eyes open. Redd's mouth cracked open, then widened as a yawn cracked his jaw. The kitsune slumped back in his chair, sinking into the cushioned seat and throw pillow against his back.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Redd's muzzle tipped toward the ceiling. Tense muscles, sore from hours of sitting still, relaxed into the cushions. His eyes blinked quickly, at first trying in vain to dispel the reigning desire to rest then slowing once sleep began to win the battle.

"Is just… five minutes…"

He would get the present to Tom in time. Just five minutes of rest, and Redd would be set to finish the painting…

"Delivery for Tom Nook."

Said tanuki looked up from his computer, currently on the final page of paperwork of the day, and over to the help desk where he discussed changes with the Resident Representative. His eyes narrowed in confusion, and his paws froze over the keys on the keyboard.

A delivery dog stood just beyond the counter, a clipboard in his hands.

He… hadn't ordered anything recently.

With a tilt of his head, Tom looked to the dog. "Didn't you deliver the mail here early this morning, Rufus?"

Rufus rolled his eyes and sighed. "That's what I told the guy. Said I got all the packages and letters delivered in the wee hours of the morning. I tried to let him know that I'd give the gift to you tomorrow morning, but this guy made a stink of the whole thing and about rammed five thousand Bells into my paws insisting that this be delivered before the day ends."

Tom shuffled out of his seat and over to the counter, the confused expression on his face growing as another delivery dog stepped into Resident Services, a large painting in their arms. Green wrapping paper covered every inch of the painting, little leaf icons exactly like the Nook Inc. logo stretching over the delicate wrapping.

"Where do you want this, sir?" the other dog asked, their head tilting down to the painting in their arms.

Tom Nook stretched out his arms. "Er, well, I can take it, yes."

He could feel Isabelle's eyes on him as the delivery dog trotted over to the Construction Consultation counter and gently gave the wrapped painting to the tanuki. Once the gift was laid comfortably on the desk, the other delivery dog stepped back as Rufus stepped forward with his clipboard. The sound of the door opening and closing filled the room as Tom signed the papers.

"I'm sorry you were forced out here, Rufus. If there's anything we can do to repay you for your time…"

Rufus shook his head, his long, black-and-white spotted ears flopping against the sides of his head. "Five thousand Bells is enough, Mr. Nook, and as long as the fellow back at the office doesn't make another fuss, then delivering one more package to this beautiful island is no sweat off my back." He scoffed, eyes rolling again as he scooped up the clipboard and pen from Tom's outstretched paws. "You should've seen this guy. Wouldn't listen to a word I said. Only insisted that I get your gift to you before the end of the day and practically pushed me out the door with the painting in hand."

"Oh, I know those people quite well, yes." A chuckle left the tanuki as past memories of customer service ran through his mind. "I wish you luck in dealing with this strange animal when you get back."

"Thank you, sir!"

Rufus turned away and headed for the doors. About halfway there, just as Tom began to look over the wrapping, the dog whipped back around, fear in his blue eyes.

"Oh fleas, did I wish you a happy birthday this morning or did I think I did? Headquarters ran out of coffee this morning and the early hours are nothing more than a blur to me. I don't wanna just come and go without wishing a pal a happy birthday."

Tom chuckled again, his eyes still on the green leaves. "I don't think you said it this morning, but you're fine. It's been pretty quiet here all around the island today, and I don't hold silly grudges against people that don't wish me a good birthday."

The delivery dog breathed a relieved sigh, then turned back towards the doors.

Something was… off about the wrapping paper. At a closer glance, the leaves looked very similar to the Nook Inc. logo, but the stem of the leaf didn't have a smooth curve like the real logo had. Little crinks in the stems gave off a different aura to the gift, like a fake trying to look authentic.

It reminded him a little too much of a certain kitsune…

The sound of the doors echoed in his ears, and as Tom looked up, Rufus slipped out the door. A little hum came from the tanuki as he looked back down. Even though confirmation would have been ideal, Tom had a feeling he didn't need to ask who the "strange fellow" was that had been causing such a fuss for Rufus.

Silence filled the building. The dying afternoon sunlight crept along the counters, long shadows resting over the fine wood.

Little shuffles came from beside him, and Isabelle leaned against the counter beside him, both her elbows pressed to the light brown wood. "Well, Mr. Nook… are you going to open it?" she asked, a comforting smile gracing her face.

Tom shrugged. "Hm, maybe now, maybe later… Not sure if I'm up to feeling it."

The Shih Tzu giggled and turned back to her desk, stepping away from the counter and picking up the little trash bag by her desk. "I think that's my cue to give you a moment." As she lifted the plank on her side and headed for the main door to the building, she gave her boss a cheery smile. "I'll be right back," she said, turning her head back towards the double doors. "Going to do a quick trash run and then see about picking up our usuals from Brewsters."

"Ah, yes, thank you!"

The moment the double doors shut behind her, claws tore open the wrapping paper. Green scraps fell to the terra cotta tile, the tear of the paper slowing with each new bit of the painting being revealed.

It was… them. And it was utterly beautiful.

Numerous colors flooded the canvas, each so soothing to the eye Tom couldn't imagine looking away. Stress melted away from his limbs as he gazed down at the serene scene, a careful claw running its back over the setting sun.

The little brown tanuki and the tiny orange kitsune, their hands linked and their tails lovingly intertwined, captured the majority of his attention. They looked so at peace, and while Tom couldn't see their expressions, he could see from their body language that this was a normal and romantic ritual for them.

His right paw touched his muzzle, and the heart he thought had hardened against the kitsune broke.

It was like looking into a time that could have been.

In the bottom left corner, a small letter laid taped to the outer edge of the painting. Tom slowly peeled the letter off, then swiped a nail across the top. Paper crinkled as he pulled out the message inside.

Nook,

I know you don't like when I make you these, but I can't go a year without getting you something. It doesn't feel right, and I hope you have a happy birthday today.

And again, I'm sorry.

~Redd

Yeah… Tom hadn't needed Rufus' confirmation.

Emotions ran through the tanuki, from anger to annoyance to longing to finally… numbness. The painting touched a sore nerve, and Tom softened the longer he looked at it.

He moved, lifting the painting off the desk to take it to the dumpster out back. It was automatic, like the previous years he had gotten a birthday gift from Redd. Another thing to throw away and move on from…

The tanuki looked down at it again, and another pang of longing shot through his body. His throat tightened, and tears pricked the back of his eyes as he stared at the happy couple.

A time that could have been…

As he hugged the painting to him, the canvas easily stretching in length from his neck to the bottom of his stomach, Tom let out a tired sigh and closed his eyes. Part of him wanted to believe it, to sink into the fantasy of the painting and wander away. Another part of him, this time a lot quieter than it had been in the previous years, told him to just throw away the painting like he had with all the other gifts Redd had sent him.

Still there. Just quieter than it had been before.

Maybe the painting was starting to get to him.

He sighed again as he lifted the canvas away from his chest, his eyes looking back to the two little figures. His thumb ran over the long edge of the painting, thoughts a mess and his feelings even messier.

Minutes passed in dead silence, the sunlight draining away fast and twilight gracing the island.

And as the sun fell, so did Tom's resolve to throw away Redd's gift.

Tom shuffled over to his desk. With great care, the tanuki leaned the painting against the wall, the back of the canvas facing him. Set at an angle it wouldn't fall from, nothing under it that could rip the canvas, the scene away from Tom so he wouldn't focus on it-

His paws ran over each other as he looked at the back of the painting. More of his resolve softened, until the small ball of warmth turned to mush in his chest.

He leaned forward again and turned the painting around, letting the scene with the two figures capture his attention.

A time that could have been, and if Redd really wanted to try and mend fences and make up for the scam he pulled in the past… it might be a time that could be.

As he settled back into his chair, his attention still on the painting, Tom mumbled a few words to the canvas. With no one there, the tanuki could speak as loud as he pleased. Instead, his words came out in a soft whisper.

"Thank you, Redd…"

Song Inspo: "Stuck With U" by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.

Publishing two stories almost back-to-back days in a row? Lmao, when I say that the ReddNook writers inspired me, I mean they write stories that give me a five-course meal and then give me extra dessert. Y'all are feeding me with this good content and oml I am so inspired by all of it!

I hope you all enjoyed the story! Not an AU, but I had a ton of fun working on this. I thought it was going to be a drabble at first, but FGHJYH I started writing and then it ran away from me. Mmm, I really like writing this couple. They're getting me through quarantine right now, which is surprising but not unexpected for those that know me.

I hope to write some more ReddNook soon, but until then, thank you for reading the story! :D

XD