Hey guys Price here and welcome to Chapter 2 of Tooth and Claw. I hope you guys liked Chapter 1, and yes I did purposefully leave out a Prologue because those are for setting up stories and I wanted to get right into this story's...well, story. This fic will mostly be Hurt/Comfort, because Lance is still kinda upset about Nick dying despite ten years having passed. I'm trying to go for a sense of connection and love that only people who have felt that kind of connection would really understand. For Lance...Nick was the first mammal to believe in him in years, and that meant a lot to Lance. Even after twenty years, Lance never tired of how much Nick cared for him. So, yeah. Lance has a lot of demons to go through as well, which will be explained when the past starts to be explored. And I'm sorry for last Chapter, if it made anybody sad or cry or anything. I know it wasn't the best, and I apologize it wasn't better, but I don't really do emotions well. So if there's supposed to be Angst, prepare for either a lot of really mediocre Angst or a little bit of decent Angst. I'll explain a bit more in this Chapter and the End AN. Oh, just thought I'd do it for some comedy, but this Chapter's beginning has a bit of an awkward scene for both Lance and Blake. Anyway, this is getting long enough, I think it's time to get...onto the story!
I rolled over in my bed, still somewhat asleep and my mind addled by the sleepiness. I felt something warm at my back and rolled over, wrapping my arm across it and drawing myself closer.
"Mm, hey Foxtrot." I said sleepily, the warmth drawing away at my voice.
"Sir!?" My eyes snapped open, and I took in the surprised expression of Blake Wilde.
"What." I couldn't even form a complete thought I was so shocked. Fortunately, Blake wasn't as unlucky. He sprang away quickly, falling out of the bed and thumping off the floor.
"Ow." He said, his head appearing as he stared.
"Why...are you in here?" I asked, slowly sitting up and shaking my head.
"Um...I was...cold?" He said helpfully, his voice awkward.
"You could have just woken me up and told me so, I would have given you my spare." Blake flushed at that, realizing this whole mess could have been avoided.
"I...I'm sorry, sir. It wasn't my intent to come onto you or anything, I just...I don't know, I guess I was still kinda asleep and I was drawn into a familiar...scent." He furrowed his brow in confusion, then sniffed the bed. "It...smells like...safety. Like my brain recognizes your scent as family or something." I tilted my head, and Blake just looked even more confused.
"You know what, I need something to wake me up some more. I'm gonna go get something, you're welcome to join me if you want. Anybody asks, we don't know. We both know nothing happened, so we have nothing to worry about." I said, standing up quickly. I wobbled a little, regained my balance, then walked out of my bedroom.
I stepped into the kitchen, opening the fridge and shielding my eyes against the bright light. God, it was like having a flashlight shined into your eyes after sitting in a pitch black room for a few hours.
I grabbed the jug of tea, checked the expiration date, and poured myself a cup of tea. I opened the microwave and heated it, waiting for the beep that would signify it was done.
When the microwave beeped, I opened it and gingerly picked up the cup.
'Hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot!' My mind screamed, and I quickly spun and set the cup down on the island behind me, then shoved my paws in my mouth to alleviate the burning.
Blake chose that moment specifically to stumble out of the hallway, and he just stared.
"Uh..." He tilted his head questioningly.
"Cup was hot." I mumbled, though it likely sounded like something I couldn't be bothered to identify.
"Okay..." He turned to head into the living room and stopped, his gaze locking onto a spot in the hallway wall. Curious, I stepped closer to see what he was looking at. "What...what's the blood from?" He asked, and I sighed as I pulled my paws from my muzzle.
"That's from...mine and Nick's first marking." I said, Blake flushing awkwardly. Normally, it wouldn't be noticeable, but being a Fox had its perks. Mostly night vision, though that was a small boon at the best of times, and a double edged sword at the worst.
"Oh." Blake said, and I shrugged.
"Actually, I still have the scars if you want to see them." I offered, Blake arching an eyebrow. "You know, if you're curious what they look like after a while."
"Well, if it isn't too weird..." Blake trailed off, and I waved negatively.
"Nah. You're family, so it's fine." Blake still looked unsure, and I sighed. I shook my head as I turned and stepped back behind the island and next to my cup of tea. I lowered my muzzle to it, feeling the heat from the liquid. Nope, still too hot.
"Thank you for letting me stay for the night, sir, but I think I'll be going now." I rolled my eyes.
"Blake, I told you, call me Lance when we're off duty. I'm only the Chief when I'm in uniform." Blake shook his head, and I blinked.
"I know that, but...you never did tell me that story." I groaned, slapping my paw against my forehead.
"God, I'm sorry Blake. That's on me. I meant to but I got distracted and forgot." I said, shaking my head. I felt a bubble of anger rise, and I pressed it down and slowly clenched and unclenched my paws, which were just out of sight of Blake when lowered.
"It's Sunday, you know. I'm off and yo-" I sneezed suddenly, and the squeak that followed it caused Blake to struggle not to laugh. "Oh my god." I laughed at his tone, and that broke Blake's resolve. He doubled over as he let out his barking laughter, and had to steady himself on the wall when he almost fell.
"Okay, was not expecting that." I muttered, Blake snorting in amusement as he slowly got his laughs under control and stood.
"Okay, that was hilarious." He said, and I nodded after a moment of hesitation.
"Yeah, it was. Let's keep it between us, though. God knows what Mike would do if he found out I could still squeak like that." Blake arched an eyebrow at that, and I already knew what was coming.
"Still?"
"Yep. I've always had a bit of range. Woke up Nick once, actually, with what could best be described as a screech to shake the heavens." Blake snorted at the mental image that caused, then winced.
"I find that both amusing and disturbing to imagine the pain that caused to any mammals' hearing in the immediate vicinity." He said, and I shrugged.
"It woke up Nick and left him clutching his ears for a few minutes. Judy didn't seem all that disturbed, for some reason. Hm." Blake chuckled, and I tilted my head.
"Maybe you screeched so loud it entered the Whistle range." I groaned in disgust at his words, scowling as I imagined that horrid device.
"Jeez, kids these days still use that? God, don't they know that can damage your hearing after a while?" I asked, Blake shrugging.
"Not sure. I wanted nothing to do with that stuff growing up. Not sure why they're legal, since they can be used as a weapon if one used one on a mammal in order to rob them." Blake said, and I blinked.
"Huh. I actually never realized that." Blake arched an eyebrow at that, likely finding it surprising.
"Hey, can't remember if I asked or not, but what were you singing at the cemetery yesterday?" I paused as I thought back, wondering if he had asked or not. Not finding anything in my memory, I shrugged to myself.
"Just a song from a series me and Nick liked. Kind of a sad song, if you get deep into the lyrics, but overall such a good piece of music. It was actually mine and Nick's little thing. Anytime we'd feel down and the other didn't know, we'd hum the song quietly for a little bit. We usually picked up pretty quickly when we heard the song. Hell, Nick wouldn't even accept any advances for a whole two days after he would hear me humming, no matter how much I begged. It was impressive, but also a little annoying." Blake nodded at that, though I could see any discussing mine and Nick's private lives made him awkward.
"That's...interesting. But you're getting distracted again." Blake said pointedly, and I growled in annoyance.
"God dangit!" I shouted in frustration, Blake looking panicked for a moment at my outburst. I took a deep breath and held up a paw to signal I was okay. "Can I tell you later? I need to relieve this anger before it gets to be too much." I said, Blake nodding.
"Of course, Lance. To the Precinct?" He asked, and I shook my head.
"Nah, I know an instructor who teaches mammals to fight. Her and her mate are extremely formidable together, let me tell you. Come on, it ain't far." Blake looked startled at my invitation, and I paused.
"Sorry sir, I should head home and get ready for work." I scoffed, and Blake realized his mistake.
"You're off today, remember? Think of it as a bonding exercise." I tried, Blake sighing.
"And by bonding you mean have our tails handed to us, I presume?" Blake inquired, and I shrugged in a 'what can you do' kind of way.
"Do you know a better way?" I asked sarcastically, and Blake rolled his eyes.
"Literally anything else." He said, though he followed me when I headed for the door. "Oh, don't forget your tea!" He said, and I immediately turned and walked back over to the cup. I grabbed it, didn't experience excruciating pain immediately, and proceeded to drink it. A few seconds later I placed the empty cup down with a content sigh, and Blake just stared.
"Dear god..." He muttered, shaking his head in amusement when I flashed him a smile.
"Come on." I said, tossing the cup in the sink over my shoulder and heading for the door. I opened the door, then stepped aside. Blake dipped his head and stepped out, and I closed the door behind me and locked it.
As we walked, I noticed a few mammals would glance at us, but otherwise ignored us.
"You normally get this much attention?" Blake asked, and I shook my head.
"Last time I got this much attention was when I started going out with Nick. Well, and when I became Chief, but I don't really view that as a proud moment." I said, Blake frowning in thought.
"You are just making me even more curious." He remarked, and I laughed.
"I'll get to telling you soon. But first, there are two silver platters with our names on them just waiting to be served." Blake chuckled at that, and a comfortable silence settled between us.
Only a few minutes, no more than five really, later, my eyes brightened in obvious joy.
"And there it is! The Keto and Larsson Self Defense Course building." I said, Blake following my gaze.
"Huh. I expected something a little more...clean looking." Blake remarked, and I scoffed.
"You better hope the owners don't hear you say that. They take great pride in their lessons. They don't get anything fancier because they don't need anything fancier. They can teach you all you need to know in just that little building." To be fair, the building was kinda rundown looking. Though as any mammal who went in knew, the quality of the building did not in any way reflect the level of skill the mammals inside possessed. I said as much to Blake, and he just tilted his head curiously.
"You are just full of surprises."He said, and I laughed.
"You'll only be surprised if you expect too low." I pointed out as we approached the building, and Blake shrugged. We stepped inside, and Blake visibly relaxed at the cool air that blew over us.
"Ah, that views good." He groaned out, and I chuckled at his relief.
"It isn't that hot outside, Blake." I said pointedly, the Fox shrugging. He was about to answer when a loud grunt echoed throughout the room, and a Cheetah impacted the wall a few feet away. He slumped to the ground, and an angry sounding voice had Blake jumping in shock.
"Get up, horatsu! You think any paskiainen on the street is gonna let you get up when you're winded!? You inva kullin lutkuttaja! Get up before I turn you into a tuhkamuna! Paras osa sinusta valui lihaven äitisi sisäreittä pitkin!" I hissed into my teeth, already knowing the owner of the voice was in a bad mood.
"Oh this should be fun." I muttered as I braved the force of nature that was a pissed of friend of mine.
"Lumi, calm down. He made a small mistake, that's it. It's okay, he's still new to this." I relaxed a little at that voice, glad that the voice of reason was still alive and well.
"Sillä rakkaus Äiti Teresa huppu Mercedes Benz, saada hänet pois täältä!" I stepped into the room, catching sight of an angered and pacing Arctic Fox Vixen.
"Swedish?" Blake asked quietly, and I shook my head.
"Finnish." I said, Blake nodding. "Very lovely mammal when you get to know her, I swear. Hey, Lumi!" The Arctic Fox whirled at my voice, and her stance immediately softened as she recognized me.
"Lance, how are you? God it's been forever!" She exclaimed, stepping closer.
"It's been a week." I said, the Fox enveloping me in a hug.
"Jeez, I can't believe you're fifty one..." She trailed off, pulling away and looking me over.
"Says the sixty five year old." I said, Lumi huffing.
"And I can still take mammals down who are a third my age." She reminded me, and I laughed.
"Yeah, I see that." Blake spoke up, turning to where the Cheetah still lay. Lumi glanced at him, then frowned at me.
"Jeez Lance, not even ten years have passed and you already got another piece of tail?" Blake flushed at that, and my jaw dropped open in both shock and horror.
"Lumi! I'm his uncle!" Lumi stood there with the same frown, though that slowly morphed into an expression of horror as she realized I was serious.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry! He looks so much like Nick, I should have guessed!" She exclaimed, and Blake tilted his head.
"You...think I look like Nick?" He questioned, and Lumi hesitated as she glanced at me. I shrugged.
"Sure. I mean, you got the same eye color and everything. Your fur color matches, at least visually. Plus, to top it all off, your voice is a little similar." Blake just looked surprised at that, and he finally nodded. He looked over his shoulder, then gestured with his thumb to the still unconscious Cheetah. Lumi growled.
"Is! Get that cute, fuzzy little tail in here and get Perlman out!" She shouted, and I glanced at Blake.
"Coming sweetie!" Came the voice of the less aggressive mammal in their partnership, and I chuckled.
"Brace yourself." I warned, nudging Blake. He looked confused before a Hare almost the same size as Lumi – if you counted the ears – came out of the office.
"Oh. Wait, are they...?" He turned towards me, confusion on my muzzle.
"Yeah. And don't worry, Lumi gets a Cute Card." I said, Blake just looking more confused.
"Cute Card?" He questioned, and I whistled sharply. Lumi turned towards me, her gaze flicking between me and Blake.
"Blake wants to see the Cute Card." Lumi glanced at Is, and he nodded. She patted down her pockets, then finally found the right one and pulled a slip out. She extended her paw, Blake tilting his head as he approached.
"Huh." He said when he was close enough to read it, looking a mix of impressed and surprised.
"Bunnies and Hares use these for mammals who aren't their species. It's a sign of acceptance, and the mammals become honorary Rabbits or Hares. As long as they use the C word as a term of endearment or jokingly, there aren't any issues." Blake nodded in understanding, and Lumi put the card away. "Now, what are you guys here for?"
"I need to spar. Blake...I basically just dragged him along for bonding time." I admitted, and Lumi arched an eyebrow.
"There are better bonding courses." She remarked quietly, though it was still loud enough to be heard, and it was obvious she wanted it to be so.
"Lumi, for christ's sake!" Is exclaimed, and Lumi shrugged.
"I'm just saying." She said, clapping her paws together loudly and stepping over to a mat. "Paws or knives?" She asked, staring straight at me.
"Paws first, knives later." She nodded, and I gestured at Blake to go with Is. He cast a worried look at me, then complied when I nodded reassuringly. When he and Is stepped into the office and were behind the glass, I faced Lumi and raised my paws defensively.
We began to circle, slowly coming closer to each other with each step until we were within striking distance. When we were, I brought my knee up and to the left, Lumi dodging to my right and right into the kick I cast out. She stumbled a small bit, then grinned in delight.
"I see age is treating you kindly." She said, and I shrugged.
"Less so than you, but yeah." I responded, Lumi dashing forward once more. I blocked her kick and took a right to the jaw for my troubles, but I turned the stumble into a spin and took her out at the legs, Lumi landing hard on her back. She wheezed, and I hesitated, thinking maybe she was in pain or something. With a small smile, she was up and in my face before I'd realized it was a trick. "Oh no." I swung out, and she ducked under it and sent a paw into my chest, sending me off my paws and onto the mat a few feet away.
I winced and grasped my chest, slowly raising myself up and coughed a few times. Lumi looked worried, and approached.
"You okay, Lance?" She asked, her tone soft as she spoke. It always amazed me how she went from an ancient Roman God level of rage to a flower's level of gentleness in the span of a few seconds. Granted, those were Is' words and not mine, but they were pretty accurate.
"I–" cough "–I'm fine." Another pained cough, and Lumi scowled.
"Lance, you are not fine. You need a rest, and you will." I stood defiantly, and Lumi matched me gaze for gaze. "Fine. You want to keep going, do so with that kit. I'm not going to fight you when you're hurt like you are." She said, and I grimaced.
"Blake!" I called, turning to the office. The Todd looked confused, and I jerked my head. He glanced at Is, then stepped out and approached.
"Yes?" He inquired when he was within a few feet, glancing between me and Lumi.
"Your uncle here is determined to keep fighting. Have fun." She said, clapping him on the shoulder as she stepped past him. He turned with her, shock his expression of choice.
"Now wait, why won't you fight him?" He asked, and Lumi just ignored him. When he turned, he saw me raising my arms and sighed. "Fine. I'll try not to hurt you." I grinned at that, feeling amusement bubble up.
"I feel like that's my line." I said, Blake opening his mouth to say something when I dashed forward. He raised his leg over an attempted sweep, then leapt at me. I rolled onto my back, placing my hind paws against his chest and flinging him over me and flipping into a stand. I turned as Blake placed a paw on the ground, then kicked out with his left paw and swung around as he came up, facing me and ready.
I narrowed my eyes, then slowly advanced. Blake remained where he was, and when I was within striking distance I quickly jabbed with my left paw. Blake deflected it and kicked out, and I blocked by raising my knee. I kicked out, catching the younger Todd across the midsection and sending him stumbling back into the wall.
"Jeez, you can kick." He said, rubbing where I had kicked him and wincing slightly.
"You're welcome." I said, backing away and letting him recover. What he didn't know – and what I wasn't going to let him know – was that the kick was designed to apply such force to the chest that it stopped the heart. I'd just used less force and aimed lower. Of course, it could also be applied to the throat or below the belt if you wanted, but the heart was the preferred target for a lethal strike.
After a moment, Blake took a deep breath and glanced to his left. He tilted his head, then approached the table a few feet away. He turned, glanced at me, and I approached.
"Hard plastic knives?" He questioned, holding one of the mock weapons up.
"Yeah, for those who want to practice the art." I answered, and he tapped his muzzle with the flat of the blade in thought.
"You know it?" He asked, and I nodded.
"It's come in handy once or twice, yeah." I said, chuckling lightly.
"Show me." He said, extending the plastic model towards me. I glanced at the fake blade, my mind calculating all it could on the weapon.
'Standard Kukri design...sixteen inches long...likely somewhere around–' I picked the blade up '–two pounds...yep.' I twirled the blade effortlessly, trading practicality for flare in some of the ways it moved. After a moment, I nodded, satisfied, and looked at Blake.
"KA-BAR Tanto, please. I'll try this out later, when Lumi can show me the ropes with it." I said, handing the blade back. It was a nice blade, even though it was just hard plastic, but I didn't have enough experience with it to provide Blake with a good challenge.
"Huh?" Blake asked, turning back to the table to place the blade down.
"Looks like a miniature katana, basically. Sort of, anyway." I said, Blake nodding. After a moment, he held up a blade and turned to me questioningly. "Yep, that." I said, Blake handing it over. "Now, pick your own blade. Something easy like a KA-BAR Tactical or Combat model would be my recommendation." I said, gesturing to the two different models.
"They look the same to me. How can you tell them apart?" He asked, and I chuckled.
"That's where Lumi keeps em." I answered, Blake nodding after a few seconds of pause. He picked up the Combat model, and I backed away to a distance I preferred to start at. I flicked the mock blade in my paw into the air, waiting for a moment. It landed in my paw with a meaty thwack and blade pointing to my left. I tightened my grip and flipped over my paw, the blade now pointing to my right in a reverse grip. I raised my arms, my left acting as my shield and gripping limb as Blake raised his own blade.
"Do I just...come at you?" He asked, obviously unsure of what to do.
"Something like that." I said, Blake hesitating for a moment before nodding briskly. As he rushed forward, I glanced at the way he held the blade. A small scowl found its way to my lips, and I simply leaned back as Blake sent a swipe at me. I tilted my head and smirked in a mocking way, and Blake lunged. I sidestepped, gripped his wrist, and easily ran the blade across his arm at points designed to make somebody drop the blade and sent two quick jabs into his side, towards his left lung. He just stared, surprised by how easily I had beaten him.
"How...?" I released him, stepping back and flipping the blade into a normal grip.
"You're inexperienced. It was easy." I said with a small, reassuring smile as he sighed.
"Very well. Bet I could outshoot you." Blake said, and I grinned.
"Hm, maybe we'll see if Nick's self proclaimed 'natural Wilde marksmanship' actually is hereditary." I said with a smirk, Blake snorting.
"I assure you it is." He said, and I stepped past him.
"Hey, quick question, but...think you and I could beat those two together?" I asked, though I already knew the answer myself.
"Yeah. We're cops. Should be easy." He said, and I held back a snort as I placed the blade down back where it'd been removed, knowing Lumi would have my hide if I misplaced it.
"Go get em." I said, extending my paw. Blake slapped the mock knife in my paw, then headed for the office as I placed it back where it belonged.
I glanced up and at the office, seeing Blake talking to Lumi and Is. I rubbed my chest a little, frowning to myself as I watched. When Lumi finally nodded, my paw dropped to my side as I walked over to the center of the room, the other three mammals approaching. Lumi had a bit of a nervous look, probably more worried she would hurt me even more than she seemed to think she had.
"Blake tells me you want to go two on two." Is remarked, and I nodded.
"Seems like the best way to show Blake just what you guys teach. Go easy on the kid, for he knows not what he says." I said jokingly, Lumi looking curiously at the Todd.
"Uh...yes?" He inquired when it had gone on for a few moments, his awkwardness clear. Lumi didn't answer, just backpedaled a few steps then stopping and raising her arms. Is did the same, and I pulled Blake back.
"Don't hold back. They're more skilled than you think." I said, Blake nodding briskly. As we slowly circled, I knew it was going to be a fun few hours.
I stepped into my apartment sore and a little bruised, Blake right behind me. I'd convinced him to come over again, telling him I'd get started on the story. He had argued that, even if they were technically related, some of the other officers would be quick it was only legally and thus would think we were hiding something.
I just said he could leave if he wanted to, but he had been quick to assure me he wanted to hear the story. Who was I to say no?
"So, quick question, but where are you going to end the story at?" Blake asked as I stepped into the living room, plopping onto the couch lazily.
"Probably your first day. Why?" I said, Blake shrugging.
"Just curious." He answered, leaning over the couch and glancing down at me. "So, what was that whole 'Foxtrot' thing this morning?" I froze at that, feeling the awkwardness rise back up from where I'd stuffed it deep down.
"It...was one my nicknames for him." I finally said, Blake nodding. "Blake, I'm sorry, okay? I was still pretty much asleep and I just...forgot for a moment." I said sadly, Blake smiling reassuringly.
"I'm not mad or anything, Lance. Just...I don't know, you know so much about Nick and...gah, I don't know." I faltered at that, if only slightly, though mainly due to how he said it. He reminded me of Nick sometimes. Whether that was good or bad, though, I would find out at a later point. "I mean, if I do or say something that reminds you of him, just tell me, alright?" I nodded hesitantly, then sat up and scooted over, patting the spot I'd been laying in only a moment earlier.
"Sit down, this is a long story. Likely take me a few days to tell you all of it." Blake nodded in understanding, then sat down. "Before I begin, however, let me tell you something. There will likely be more than a few times that the story will get awkward. I'll censor out the more...explicit parts, but make sure to tell me if it gets too awkward." Blake thought for a moment, scratching at his chin for a few moments.
"Sure thing." He finally said, and I nodded in thanks.
"Alright, hope you're ready." I said, Blake scoffing.
"Born ready." He said, making me chuckle.
"I've heard that a few times." I said, shaking my head after a few seconds. "Sorry. Alright, it starts like this..."
And that does it for Chapter 2 of Tooth and Claw! I hope you guys liked the little inclusion of Lumi and Is there. Honestly, I have a faint idea of how I want the story to go, but a majority of the things will likely be made up as we go. Such as a few relationship things. I do have the ending planned, however, and hopefully it'll be both heartwarming and sad. Now, if you have any medical knowledge, feel free to tell me all sorts of issues that Lumi hitting Lance that hard in the chest, at his age at least, would cause. I'd love to hear them. Who knows, maybe I'll even use one at some point. But yeah, feel free to tell me if I got anything wrong in the short fighting bits, and definitely tell me if I write any stereotypes, preferably the untrue ones, with Nick and Lance's relationship. Keep in mind I'm still new to writing BL, but I do treat the relationships basically the same as straight relationships. So, tell me, do you think I'll have Blake and Lance get together at some point? Because I might, though I also might not. It depends on how many people want them to get together, honestly. And even then, I'll probably be cruel and have it be one-sided because Lance feels like it would be a betrayal to Nick. The next few Chapters will be in the past, by the way, and will pick up around where Nick and I left off. Anyway, this is getting long enough as it is, I'll see you guys...next update. Word Count: 5,282