I do not own Zootopia, that belongs to Disney. This a fan work made solely for the sake of amusement.

Interspecies Relationship Support Network- Tri-Burrow Chapter

Chapter Twelve: Aftermath

By: Gabriel LaVedier

"Heave!" Some time later, the site of the old barn had been cleaned, smoothed, prepped and was being revitalized. The insurance money had been of great help, along with donations from Zootopian Network members and the wider Zootopian population who heard about the bigoted attack and the major news of a shakeup connected to news still fresh in their minds, concerning the Meadowlands mob. The whole thing had been put together by hired professionals and the Network members themselves, or family members if appropriate. Thus it was that Big Daddy Dreyson was putting his considerable bulk into hauling a line attached to one wall. "Come on, if I'm doing it y'all can! Heave!"

"Yes, Big Daddy!" All his children cried out, hauling lines alongside him.

"Don't strain yourself, dear, you might be strong, but you're not young anymore," his wife grunted, hauling a line right beside him."

"Are you alright, Mr. Marten?" Dr. Arctos asked, pulling up the back wall beside others, including Jaguar and Mr. Marten.

"I've put up barns before. Smaller ones, but I've done it. Just takes focus and stubborn dedication," he replied.

"The same warning to you, too, Martin! Don't strain yourself!" Attie cried out. She was sitting on a picnic blanket with other members of the Network, including Princess Weaselton, Sylvia, Kenneth, the Demilops and the Spikels. "That man needs to learn he doesn't get younger every day, he gets older."

"It's why we need to hire more folks on the farm," Nancy Demilop chided in her husband's direction. She was quite the striking figure, with curled-back goat horns and a dangling goatee on a wolf's head. Her whole body was a wolf's body, with shaggier fur and hoof caps at the ends of her fingers. "Maybe we can hire some of the Hopps kids."

"That's a conflict of interest. Or that's what dad likes to say," Kenneth noted, leaning casually against Sylvia, who had a very, very slight swelling of her belly.

Nancy's husband Thomas shrugged a bit and chuckled softly. He was a very white rabbit, though his eyes were a dark blue, indicating he wasn't an albino. He was a squat, thickly built rabbit, much like a younger Stu Hopps. As befit his last name his almost-comically long ears were half-lopped in the middle but mostly stood tall. "We'll have enough kids to run our little farm, we just need to give them a little time."

"Children..." Rose Spikel sighed, gently patting her hedgehog husband's cheek. The petite pig woman was resting comfortably in a loose white sundress with strawberry print all over it. "It seems cruel to say, but even if I did love him, I wish my George had left this life a little earlier. I would have loved it if I had had just one little one with you, Simon."

"Well... we did have that... time together, just once, before your Isadore was born. Nancy's brother proves children aren't always a looks-mix. We can never really know," Simon said with a soft laugh, stroking over his wife's shapely and mature form.

On another blanket, slightly away from the first group there was a little impromptu concert going on. Hayma Sanda, wearing a casual red pinafore dress and a white blouse, was cross-legged on the ground with her beautifully ornamented saung harp laid across her lap. She plucked the strings with dexterity and skill, occasionally showing off with a third-hand pluck by strumming the top or two top strings using one fang and a quick dip of her head. She was playing along with Jenny, her small harp amplified by a small wireless speaker set in front of her knees. Accompanying both of them was Bobby, who had turned his classic Catsio into an extra-large keytar which he played like a stand-up bass. He moved his right hand wildly up and down, hitting the standard keys while his left worked several custom buttons, toggles and bars on the neck which controlled sound variations, reverb, an imitation pedal sustain, and bass chords or fixed, repeated bass segments.

Watching and listening to the performance were Buck, Beatrix, Rimppsie and Peony. "Ahh, you play beautifully, Hayma. Neat little trick with your fangs there."

"Thank you very much, raeehcarr!" Hayma called, fang-plucking the strings again. "My grandmother taught me this technique. She's too old to do it anymore, and my mother doesn't play like she used to. It's up to me to carry on this tradition."

"Maybe the children will have fangs. They can carry it on," Buck mused, drawing a chuckle from Beatrix.

"You can't predict that sort of thing. You just love the children you get. Though given the prevalence, males or females, it's almost certain our children will have most impressive antlers, isn't that right, rakastettu?"

"Oh, yes, kultaseni, wolves with large antlers, the boys and girls. Or impressive bucks and does with sharp teeth. They will really enjoy fish then, right Deputy?" Rimppsie said with a hearty laugh.

"I know I know. Deer eat meat too, and that's alright. I can grow past my upbringing," Buck said with a laugh.

"It's a good thing... but not all upbringing needs growing past. Rob Hopps grew past how he was raised," Beatrix sighed.

"More like withered," Buck noted.

"Being twisted, warped and stunted is still growing. He's going to learn a lesson in Murkmoor Penitentiary. A long, painful lesson. He, Seedcache and his group can try to make something out of themselves," Beatrix said.

"Those freaks should have been locked up at Imboca Bay. They're crazy mammals," Buck snorted.

"Crazy or not, they broke the law, and they're getting what they deserve. Anyone that didn't actually commit a crime is finished, socially. However old fashioned some of the Tri-Burrows may be, those mammals are unacceptable. I don't hold out much hope for Lawrence Grange's election chances, or anyone who runs against me."

"How are you managing out there at the farm, Miss Seedcache?" Buck asked.

"Well, a few of our orchard workers quit, and have moved out of the county, and I can guess why. But we have eager helpers so we're hiring and training new ones. Will has been around, helping out. I know the management stuff but he's been doing the day-to-day stuff, the fine details I don't know. Big Daddy is glad to let him do it. We're probably going to merge the companies after we get married. It's hard to believe daddy's gone but... I always knew he wasn't a good mammal. I just thought he was a purist. It's still a lot of take in," Peony answered.

"Well, you've got Will to help, emotionally. Loved ones really help out," Beatrix said, giving Rimppsie a tight squeeze.

"More food's up, y'all!" Gideon called out, coming around the bend in the road to the property. He was carrying a large tray of pies and tarts. Beside him Sharla was carrying a tray of sandwiches and two large gelatin molds, one with vegetables floating in it, the other with shrimp and fish pieces floating in it. Behind them came Pepper and Zeke O'Pogo, both of them carrying trays of cold drinks, in bottles, cans and pitchers. "And cool drinks for all y'all when yer finished!"

"I'd imagine it's thirsty work. I'd help but I'm not that kinda rabbit," Zeke noted as he watched the walls being supported by many paws while heavy bracing screws and bolting plates were put on each corner of the put-up walls.

"You're a sight taller than Jake Hopps but he's out there helping out," Pepper said with a laugh.

"Taller but not that strong. And I'm okay with that. Besides, I'm pretty sure he's out there showing off for Princess," Zeke said.

"Well, go out there and show off for me," Pepper insisted.

"Don't gotta, I already got you down the aisle," Zeke retorted, getting a light hip-check from his wife in response.

"Well that's no excuse! You should keep impressing your wife all her life," Pepper chuckled.

"Different things impress different gals. If I keep learnin' and showin' off that I got more than custard fillin' fer brains Sharla's happy an' impressed," Gideon noted, getting his own hip-check.

"I want this for you, so others know just how smart I know you are, and can appreciate all that you do," Sharla chided.

"Well, it makes ya smile, too. Reason enough fer me," Gideon said with a good-natured chuckle.

"I'll take it. It keeps you acting on your smartest impulses and proving your intellect every day," Sharla chuckled.

The food and drink were laid out on a board suspended between two saw horses, paper cups put beside the pitchers of lemonade and peach fizz. Gideon started with the biggest glasses, pouring out a drink for Dr. Arctos. "Looks good, folks! Got it up right quick, too!"

"Helps when professionals put most of the frame up and construct all the walls and lay down the floors," Dr. Arctos laughed, taking a big swig of peach fizz. "All the holes were drilled, everything was ready for us to do the actual raising."

"And more insurance money can be used to rent the crane to lay down the roof, with more professionals. Then we can have a proper first meeting here, safe and secure," Jaguar added, cracking open a can of sparkling water.

"You'll be very well protected, with the Sheriff and a Deputy there to keep the peace. Isn't that right, Deputy?' Beatrix asked, strolling up and grabbing a fishy-smelling tart for herself and one for Rimppsie.

"Absolutely, sheriff! No purist or bigot is going to mess with the organization as long as I'm there," Buck said, picking up some sandwiches bulging with different kinds of cress.

Sharla cut into the big fish mold, laying a slice onto a plate with a plastic fork. "Deputy, would you like some of this? It's Gideon's family recipe for fish aspic, in mold form, with steamed shrimp and grilled trout."

"Well..." Buck looked aside at Hayma, who was smiling at him, showing off her lovely, pearly fangs. "Why not? Load me up with two slices, Hayma and I can share it under a tree."

"New discoveries and new love, it's a beautiful blessedly bountiful thing," Pepper sighed happily, pressing up good and close to Zeke's body.

Hayma cut off a small piece and ate it, chewing slowly. "Mmm, delicious Mr. Ovine. It's so flavorful, but it just melts away, with the treat of finding the fish or shrimp. Here, raeehcarr..." She cut off another portion and brought the fork up to Buck's lips.

Buck hesitated a moment but opened his mouth slowly, taking it in and chewing it thoughtfully. "Mm, that's nice, there. Good on you, Gideon. Great taste on the gelatin stuff, and those little pieces are good, too.

"You just need some patience for a good relationship. Sharing and developing, together," Zeke said, hugging Pepper tightly.

Princess dashed up to the refreshment table and snatched a can of the sparkling water, shaking it up as she approached Jake. She popped the top and sprayed the cold mist of bubbles all over his chest and face, soaking his white sleeveless shirt and splattering excess onto his knee-length cutoff jeans. "Here ya go, Cookies-and-Cream!"

"Hey! Ah! Princess! What are you doing?" Jake cried, holding his hands up, shielding his face and getting most of it onto his shirt.

"What? It's like one of those sexy soda commercials, hard-working guy getting sprayed down and all," Princess cooed, dropping the can and slipping sinuously up to Jake, wrapping her arms up under his, almost seeming to use a full nelson hold to keep herself pressed against his soaked body. She hooked her fingers onto his shoulders, her beautiful engagement ring glittering on her finger. "Besides, I need you a little clean before I come up for one of these." Her head tilted and she went in for a huge, powerful kiss. Hew jaw opened slightly, twitching a little as she held the deep lip-lock, eyes fluttering closed in bliss.

Jake wrapped his arms slowly around Princess' long, slender body, squeezing the weasel jill tightly to his lithe form. His hands slowly drifted up and down her back, tracing along her mobile spine, following along as she slowly writhed and twisted in the secure hold. He bounced on the toes of one paw, having to stretch a bit to overcome the height of her platform sandals, his other paw thumping rapidly on the ground.

They broke their kiss after a long press, mouths popping apart with a light glisten of saliva, tiny threads of gossamer connecting their lips before snapping as they moved slightly apart. "Princess..."

"Six months? I still can't believe it. Dad didn't pay you for six months?"

"I was being a little overindulgent. Custom piece or not it wasn't worth all of that. I'm sure that your dad kept whatever was left over for a down payment on the wedding, originally, or a house."

Princess chuckled softly, resting her head on Jake's shoulder. "Even so, it'll be a little small. There's not much money for that kind of thing. The Convocation Hall should be good for it but it still runs into bucks."

"Dad's paying for the wedding," Jake whispered, kissing Princess' ear after.

"What? Your dad? Why?"

Jake smiled, rubbing his nose along Princess' jawline. "Many's the time your dad walked into the back with a crate of Hopps family produce and carefully cataloged it, coming back up front a while later to see he had forgotten to stock some essentials that a growing family might require. Plenty for plenty. He told me, 'Son, a wedding is a trifle. A new family member is a new generation. I throw a few coins out and I get to harvest a pile of grandkittens. That's a deal I'd be a fool to pass up.'"

Princess dug her fingers into Jake's shoulders, holding herself tighter against his chest. They stood there, embracing, while other members of the Network regarded them with smiles as they got their refreshments.

o o o

Happytown was a pseudo-district in transition. Plans were sketchy at best regarding how to revitalize it, especially with gang presence in the location. Chief Bogo had presented a number of proposals to the City Council, drawn up by a mammal that wished to remain anonymous. The Councilor from Little Rodentia, Cecil Seedsworth, had been aggressively proposing motions to start an investigation into the viability of the proposals, but he was always brushed aside by Mayor Mousawitz, though he had had increasing support from Councilors Fanak and Tatu. Councilor Macadam was also on the fence, ready to provide a voting majority with more information.

The only policy that had gone from Bogo's suggestions, through Councilor Seedsworth and out into active policy were hard and unflinching anti-gentrification policies, that spanned the whole city. No one was being priced out of their homes and slumlords were finding themselves marched into prison cells when they tried to cut services to maintain a their profit margin at the expense of their tenants. That made housing less of a concern, allowing even those with thin budgets to at least have a place to live that was reasonably secure and livable.

Duke Weaselton lived in a small but cozy apartment block, that was somewhat built like a motel, with all the doors on the outside of the building, with solid walkways around each of the upper floors. He had the good fortune to have one of the ground-floor corner apartments, which he considered a big thing. It didn't make much sense to be so proud of a random thing, but it was something to him.

It was a lazy Asterdas afternoon, a time when Duke would normally be out hustling his questionable wares or picking up change or something equally profitable. Instead he was rolling his lithe, sinuous form around in bed, his breath heavy and quick, but slowly dropping to a more normal level. He was looking with a kind of smoldering happiness that wanted to be disbelieving in direction of the woman sharing his bed of mattress lumps and threadbare sheets.

The dingy room with scattered, very old cans of different beverages and materials for making his various huckstered wares was not the surroundings for the lady. She exuded an aura of regality. The chinchilla was a put-together marvel of perfect grooming, her incredibly dense coat fluffed to utter perfection. She had the shimmering silver tone that spoke of one of the old families, her coat's unblemished nature telling her social pedigree. Her figure was heavy and shapely, in the manner of a wealthy matron. She looked distinctly older than Duke, though merely mature and not elderly. She was on her back, eyes closed, her face looking utterly transported in post-coital bliss. Her nose twitched slightly and her long, silken-furred tail flicked occasionally during a slow, sensuous wave.

"You don't belong here, doll... I don't belong here with ya..." Duke mumbled, shutting his eyes tightly and dipping his head. A strange but familiar sensation ran through him, like little rivulets of ice tracing along his veins. Guilt. He felt guilty that he had been drinking in the sight of her. It was as though he was committing some crime just looking on her, and it was the one offense that actually struck him as wrong.

"It's my choice, Dukey. I choose to be here, I choose to be in this bed. Nothing can drag me away," She whispered, opening one eye a crack, still hazy with diminishing lust. "Look at me. I want you to look all you want. I'm here, and I'm yours. Please, don't restrict yourself. You love me. So look at me like you do."

"No other way I c'n look at ya, Muffin..." Duke admitted, with a surprisingly soft tone, his accent making the statement sound odd. His eyes opened and he once more drank in the sea of plump, silver beauty. "If I'm dreamin' jus leave me. I can't get enough."

"I'm dreaming," Muffin breathlessly said, reaching out to stroke over Duke's smooth, shimmering coat. "I can't believe I ever met someone like you. I don't want to linger on it too long, this might be a fantasy that could end."

"I'm kinda every lady's fantasy," Duke said with a smug look, turning mild, half-lidded eyes on Muffin. "They c'n think all they want. But you got me."

"I have you..." Muffin sighed, drawing in closer and pulling Duke into a puffy, warm embrace. "I have you, except I don't. I take the train line into Downtown then another to outside Happytown and a Zuber to your door. You visit me as often as snow falls on Sahara Square. I don't have you, Dukey, I have the illusion or you. It's only really tangible when I have your slim and powerful shoulders in my grip, when my toes are twined and grasping desperately, holding your slim hips in place like I was praying. I'm in Sanctuary every Frededas begging the great bounty of the universe that I'll wake up next to you. And I don't. I don't, Dukey, do you understand that? I don't!" Her last few words caught slightly, a hiccuping sob rolling through her and into Duke.

The ice lashed though his blood, colder and sharper than ever. Guilt was a terrible thing. Even though he hadn't been in a chamber in years he felt the sudden need to fall down on his face in the full moon's light, squeaking and moon-talking while a Convoker pronounced anathema over him, giving him a splash of bug juice and his acts of penitence. "Muffin, doll... Do ya know where ya live? Ya live in a place that has nice housing. Canyonlands. Hyenahurst in Canyonlands, even. Doll... look at me... look. At. Me."

"I've looked. Over and over. In dim light coming through frosted glass in a Tundratown hotel, through filtered sunshine at The Palm while a sandstorm howled outside the window. Under the moon on the roof of this building. What am I supposed to see that's wrong, Dukey? I just see my handsome weasel."

"Ya see what all the nice ladies see. A scruffy, seedy pred, a weasel hustlin' on the street corner, sellin' fake DVDs and cheap watches. I'm just some nice lady's naughty fantasy. Y'r kind come by, imagine what I look like without my second-paw shirt and track shorts, and walk away. I ain't a real mammal, I'm what ya want at night and don't need durin' the day. Just another hustler."

"I should walk out that door and never come back. I should leave here and never see your bent whiskers again. But I know that doing that would feel like ripping my heart out of my chest," Muffin whispered, a small tear rolling down her snout. "Is that what I am to you? A cliché? I suppose I never did anything that showed I really do care? Never made you a hot meal even if I wasn't good at it, never ate your cooking even if it was just what you had to paw? That I never held you tight when we walked out in public? Did I go away when those polar bears told me I could leave you to them? I stood in front of Mr. Big and gladly gave him account information to take any amount of money he wanted. I didn't care. He told you that I bought your life from him. And I didn't ever ask for anything. I want you to come live with me. I want you to have the nice things I can give you, good food, nice clothes, a job and a home where we can both be happy together."

He needed to go away. He had to hide under a rock like the other bugs. He had to dig in the dirt like the filthy insect he was. She didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve her. "Ya love me like this," he said, more firmly than intended. "Ya love that I'm like this, ya love me when I'm dangerous. Ya love that I'm a hard, thug ex-con. It makes ya hot f'r me, and ya'd never wanna give that up."

"You did six months, for fraud, and spent most of it faking sick to keep out of your cell," Muffin countered, squeezing him further into her puffy body, swallowing him in her generous fluff. "I understand. You've lived on your own. You're a macho rock. You don't want some rich 'chilla dressing you in fancy clothes and sweeping you off to awkward social situations, or treating you like less of a hob. I won't. I wouldn't. I know you love that independence, the thrill of being free, the danger of living on the edge, not sure if you can fund your next meal. I know it. But while you like that fear... what you dare is your life. If you lose, I lose. If you care about me, if you love me you'll understand that I'm a part of you now. I need to at least say something.

"I won't try to control you. You're my wild weasel. I could never. But I'll be open and blunt, since you live by audacity and forwardness. This life is a gamble you can't win. You can hold on, but eventually you might need Mr. Big again. You'll struggle, you'll run into the law... you'll starve. I know, I know... you're a professional. But the game doesn't end. You get older and older, my wonderful weasel. You'll falter. Are you going to make me come here one day and see them renting the apartment out already, and keep a vigil at a nameless plot of land or a section in a wall? Why can't you just see... you've found your bounty. Your peace and plenty has come to you. You had your time being desperate and scrabbling. You don't need to now..." Muffin whispered, tears streaming down her face, head buried under Duke's chin.

Duke lay there, still, arms wrapped around Muffin's puffy form. He had always pushed his own chance of failure away, robbing next week to pay for today, always thinking he could dodge and defer. Then he met her. Then he touched her. Then he kissed her, and more. Everything changed. She really did buy his life from Mr. Big. She owned his life. He had never wanted to admit but he acted supremely ungrateful in his bluster and swagger. "Ya know, doll... hustlin's not forever. I mean... I still love it, I'm still good at..."

The statement was interrupted by a pounding on the door. It didn't sound big enough to be a polar bear but it was strong enough to be a very angry mammal no matter the size. A small space of time passed before more pounding came, but no one spoke.

The third hammering at the door got Duke of of bed, slipping on his underwear and nothing else. "Hold y'r fur, I'm comin'! I got y'r money, whoever it is! I'm payin' down all my debts," he cried out, a sour expression on his face. He reached the door and yelled, "Who's there?!" As he called he looked through the peephole by climbing on a box beside the door.

He saw ears, just eartips, really. Dark-furred eartips. Rabbit eartips. "Judy Hopps! Open up right now, Weaselton!"

Duke shuffled back too fast and clumsily when the next powerful knock rang out. He made a mad dash for the bedroom and hastily crammed himself into his track shorts, getting both legs down one hole initially. He flopped and floundered, almost looking like he was going full woozle and throwing out a weasel war dance.

"Dukey! What's wrong?" Muffin cried, crawling over the bed to look down on Duke.

"It's that bunny cop that tried to get Big to ice me! Okay so I accidentally almost crushed his daughter but I needed to get away! I dunno why she's here, I ain't done anything wrong lately! Not since ya helped me. I mean I have a lot of stuff it could be but that's old news!" Duke cried, finally having gotten his shorts on. He rushed to his bedroom window and pushed it up. "I'm so sorry, doll, I gotta go. I'll be back when she's not here, promise! I promise, doll!" He flicked a couple of latches on the security bars outside the window, letting them swing out. They had been intended for emergencies and it certainly felt like one.

The shirtless weasel had hardly hit the street before he felt powerful paws on him, shoving him against the face of the building. "Did you think I would fall for a trick like that? I knew you were in there and that you'd make a run for it! I'm a professional!" Judy was not in uniform. She was dressed in her usual walking-around clothes, jeans and a pink gingham top. Her eyes were hard and her nose was twitching a mile a minute.

"Wait! Wait! You ain't in uniform! Oh sweet silver, is this a shakedown? Did Wilde put ya up to this? Oh no... did Big put ya up to this? Please! Please! I got it good now! Not like this! Not like this!"

"Shut it, Duke! Just shut it! This is important!" Judy shouted, shaking Duke firmly.

"Don't do it! Please, whatever it is, I'll clear it all up. I-I swear I can cover whatever he owes you!" Muffin cried, crawling from the bed and covering herself in the threadbare sheet. "Don't hurt him, please don't hurt him, Officer. He's no threat to you!"

Judy flicked her eyes up to Muffin and snorted. "What's this? Scamming some rich lady to get her to pay off your debts? That's low even for you."

Muffin scoffed and stuck her head out of the window, almost pressing her face against Judy's. "How presumptuous! I am his lover by my will. He's no gigolo, and I'm no naïve and swooning society matron taken for a ride. I love him and will do anything to keep him safe. I do have some connections, Officer. This is highly irregular and your superiors will hear about it. You'll regret this immensely."

Judy stared deeply into Muffin's eyes for a moment before she cracked a smile. "Oh she's fiesty. I never would have predicted, but it looks like some things run in families." She extended a paw to the chinchilla and smiled. "Judy Wilde-Hopps, ZPD."

Muffin blinked slowly, not sure how to parse the change in attitude. She took the paw slowly, giving it a limp shake. "M-Muffin Lanige, of the Canyonland Laniges, Hyenahurst."

Judy whistled. "Fancy. You really got lucky..." She turned her stern gaze on Duke again. "You know why I'm here, right?"

Duke cringed down, partially closing his eyes as though anticipating suppressant spray. "Th-the old... DVD bit? I'm out of the game..."

"Whatever it might mean, there's no getting around it. We're family," Judy firmly stated.

Silence descended, barely broken by the background noise of the city. No one moved, they hardly breathed. Duke's reply was tiny, squeaking, barely present. "Family?"

"I know you're a con and a huckster, but you have some sense of family. Your much, much better relations in Bunnyburrow must have sent you notice. Your cousin Princess is engaged to my brother, Jake. We're going to be first cousins by marriage."

It took Duke even more time to process the information, his face a mask of confusion for a moment. "Uncle Meister's kid? We don't talk much, we ain't that close because... ya know, I did a stretch in the jug. I'm dangerous."

"You did six months for fraud and I'm sure the Officer knows it," Muffin said with a shake of her head. "I understand why it would add to his pride in an odd way but he does go on about it."

"Well, least weasels have a chip on their shoulders, so Jake tells me, but that can be a good thing sometimes."

"I do love his bravado. He's such a brave hob, in his own way. It's all a front, Officer. His bravado and all is there to hide a stoic understanding of his precarious situation. He goes on when others would be crushed by the implications of his kind of life."

"Takes all kinds, I guess," Judy said with a small laugh. "So... now you know. I'll have them send you a formal invite... two of them. Dad's paying for the wedding, he can add two more places. I'd better see you at the wedding," She warned, releasing Duke and stepping away. "Miss Lanige, make something out of this fuzzy noodle, will you? There's family honor and reputation to uphold. If my brother is going to be a Weaselton the name should be respectable."

"Of course, Mrs. Wilde-Hopps. That's my intention. Dukey, say thank you to your cousin and come back inside."

"Thanks Flopsy... uh... Mrs... Wilde-Hopps," Duke awkwardly said.

"It's a start. Don't lean on it too heavily but after they go down the aisle you can throw out a 'Cousin Judy' or two. Your lovely lady friend can use them as much as she wants."

"Most generous of you, Mrs. Wilde-Hopps. I look forward to the wedding. I'll have him dressed in clothing designed for weasels and very well-oiled with Minky Shine to have him looking glossy and handsome."

"Not quite my place, but a friend of a friend swears by tropical scent Stoaty Sheen, which is a little cheaper but just as nice, suitable for someone you don't want to change too much."

"Ah, an excellent suggestion. My sweet Dukey is worried I'll change him. I will, but only to keep him safe and happy. Understand, your respectability is now a priority. Move in with me, let me buy you at least properly sized clothes, and allow me to help you get a job. No pressure, I just... want you there..."

Duke considered things, withering slightly under the intense gazes of the two. "Know what? Sounds great. We can pack tomorrow, you'll just need to stay overnight."

"I can wake up with you. Praise the bounteous blessings of the world, my prayers have been answered!" She leaned out of the window some more to kiss Duke on the cheek. "Come back inside. Sundas is going to be busy but it's still Asterdas, and we still have some... pysicality. Come along, Dukey."

"Be right there, doll!" Duke cried, slipping into the room and resealing the security bars, his eagerness drawing a huge laugh from Judy.

End Notes

What a ride it's been. Much like the Dawn story, this series had a much different initial trajectory. Among other things, Hayma didn't exist, Buck was more of a jerk and there was no Mr. Seedcache. But, things changed and I went along with them, for the best, I think.

I have three series in the works now. I'm going to take a couple of weeks off, to rest, build up buffer chapters, and buy cover art. Then I start posting one chapter a week again, but change up from which story, to keep it spaced well and allow for the stories to get finished.

Once more, thank you So much for going on this journey with me. I hope you enjoyed it.