AN: Dear Contrite's, before you begin reading any further, I just wish to warn you that in the near to semi-distant future, this story will be changing to Mature 'M' rating, for some chapters can contain more detailed scenes of a violent, depressing, abusive and self-harming nature. Any chapters containing this type of content will be appropriately marked with a warning author's note, as well as a small interjectory warning in Bold both before and after those specific scenes should you wish to avoid them. If you are not comfortable reading these scenes, then please, feel free to avoid them and skip the marked sections of writing.

~Courtney's Home~

The police car pulled out beyond the small house, and from the road it turned up onto the domains driveway. Back seat of the vehicle was the sky grey fox, laying asleep against the backrest of the smooth fabric, in comfort within the realm that was his subconscious imagination. The female at the wheel stepped out after removing her belt and withdrawing her keys from the transports ignition, before stepping back and opening Caelum's door, noting the young vulpine was sleeping soundly, she unclipped his seatbelt and carried him into the house, shutting the door of both the car and her home with he left foot-paw. A soft smile was plastering itself upon her muzzle as she carried the young one to his bedroom to be, however said smile instantly dropped as she took into account how bare the room actually was. Her home was a small two-bedroom house, and she had never had to use the spare.

"Guess I'm sleeping on the couch" It bothered her little, for Caelum was the bigger importance. She had been really close to his mom, closer than possibly anyone else, save his father, and her death had hit them both hard in its own way. She dealed with it by way of using all her will to block out the reality of her passing, but she was unsure of how his dad handled the grief. Stepping into her bedroom, she laid the sleeping fox down to bed and covered him up with her blanket. Her room was mildly decorated, with some white and black paw-print wallpaper, a double bed - currently all decorated with a Sahara brown bedset - even though she lived alone, and a second door which connected to the en-suite bathroom. Once he was covered, and sleeping soundly, she proceeded downstairs to begin making some food for her and him, some sythentic meats for the both. It was a wonder, the things Zootopian food scientists could develop, sythentic meat for the predatory and carniverous species of the planet, that was completely unharming to the consumers, and tasted amazing.

Food cooking, she took her time to relax on the sofa in her connected living-room, her ears twitching with her nose occasionally as she heard the food sizzle or pop ocassionally. The heat from the kitchen, coupled with her police uniform and the rest of the warmth the house generated was proving a little infuriating for her to handle, and she decided to change into something more reasonable for being at home. Remembering Caelum was still in there, she ensured he was still asleep before she fully entered and retrieved better clothing before leaving and changing, then going to check on the food. She heard the soft pat of paws on her bedroom carpet, and the opening of her door as Caelum made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Need any help?" He offered, but she kindly declined his request.

"No thanks, Caelum, I got this, it'll be a while, why don't you go have a shower? It'll liven you up a bit, you seem a little distracted and tired. It's upstairs, just go through the door in my bedroom to find it."

"Oh ermm, ok, sure" He nodded and made his way back upstairs and into the en-suite bathroom, sighing sadly upon noticing there was no lock on it. It was your standard bathroom, only complete with a fancy shower and glass door. He was reluctant to shower, for one reason only, well, two reasons, but one was bigger than the other. He didn't want her to notice the cut - how would he explain it? Would he lie and say it was an accident? Or would he tell her the truth? Trying to calm himself, he stripped and climbed into the shower, washing the dried spots of blood, and the occasional spot of dirt out of his delicate fur, being extra mindful of the many small cuts and brusies that lay now almost unnoticeable across the surface of his chest and stomach. Supressing and a irritated hiss and painful whimper when he applied soap that stung his cut, he tried his best to avoid his injured paw as best he couldAs the time passed, soon approaching dusk, Caelum ate in a comfortable silence at the dinner table with Courtney, savouring the taste of the food she had prepared for them both. Quickly, however, the silence began to unnerve him, and he opted for some form of conversation with his guardian instead of the quiet and stillness of the room they ate in. "Ermm Cou-Courtney?"

"Yes Caelum?"

"Where am I going to sleep? Like, is there a second bedroom?"

"Well, yes and no"

"I don't f-follow"

"Yes there's another bedroom, but you're not sleeping in there because it's literally empty, it doesn't even have a bed.. Hmm not really a bedroom com e to think of it.. Anyway, until I can get you a bed sorted, you can sleep in my bed"

"Ok, with you?"

With a blush flushing to her cheeks she laughed nervously at the young one's assumption, then quickly composed herself and clarified the information she assumed was unspokenly clear. "No, we're not going to be sleeping in the same bed together Caelum.. Thats just.. Not cool. I'm sleeping on the couch in the living room"

Caelum nodded in understanding but also confusion glinted in his eyes at her nervous reaction and the red tint that adorned her fur at her cheeks. Noting both plates were finished, he got up and collected both plates before taking them over to the sink and beginning to wash them before Courtney could even say a word in protest.

"I'll handle these, you should go take a shower, you smell like you haven't had one for two months" Caelum joked softly with a smile, to which Courtney responded in mock offense.

"How dare you, I'll have you know I had a shower yesterday, and two days before that. I smell lovely" then, she pretended to sniff her scent "I smell ok" another fake sniff "Nope you're right I stink" She joked back, before getting up and walking to the kitchen door, turning back before she left "You gonna be ok?" She sounded alot more genuine this time, no joking about whether he'd need her to come to the rescue or something like that, like she was genuinely concerned about his well-being. Caelum looked back, and nodded with a smile that told her the answer that she wanted to hear, which brought a smile to grace her own maw before she walked off upstairs, and for possibly the first time, Caelum found himself smiling a genuine smile that stayed with him even after Courtney could no longer see it - instead of the fake one he was accustomed to forcing upon his features..

"There's always hope Caelum"