Hey guys Price here and welcome to Chapter 8 of Tooth and Claw! I have wanted to do this for a little bit, but I needed to get Chapter 27 done for Zootopian Assassins – still need to get ahead again – so I haven't had time. This Chapter is gonna have Lance confronting his mother as teased last Chapter. I plan to have some major conflict between them for a long while after this Chapter, and which likely won't be resolved until Nick dies, if ever. I have completed the very last Chapter of this story, not counting the Epilogue of course, so I know – as I always have – how this whole thing ends. It isn't happy, as I said in the beginning, and I'll give hints as to everything that may or may not transpire. The confrontation between Blake, Lance, and Ghost is much different than teased, and slightly similar to what I had in mind. So look forward to that, I suppose. Anyway, this is getting long enough, I think it's time to get...onto the story!
"Before anybody says anything, I have a question. Okay, Judy, I can understand you being here...but why the hell did you let my mother in?" I asked, keeping my gaze on the Vixen who looked just as surprised by me being there as I was that she was there.
"I was already here-"
"Shut up! I was asking Judy!" I shouted, both mammals looking shocked at my outburst. "Well?" I asked, turning my gaze to the Doe who looked beyond terrified at the drastic difference in how I usually was versus how I was now.
"Well, she was already here, and I figured you'd want to seek some comfort from your family." I snorted at Judy's answer, shaking my head.
"Yeah?" Judy nodded in confirmation. "Well I don't. Get out." I jerked my paw over my shoulder towards the door as I stepped over and picked up my shirt. I glanced up when nobody moved. "Well?"
"Well what?" My mother asked, making me sigh.
"Maybe I wasn't clear, mother." I spat out the word with obvious contempt, Judy looking between me and the Vixen with a horrified curiosity. "I want you to leave, and never come back." My mother blinked in shock, her mouth hanging open slightly.
"But, Lance, I ju-" I raised my paw and jabbed a digit in her direction as I took a menacing step forward, lips curled in a snarl.
"I don't care why you're here, I just care that you aren't leaving." I growled, my mother glancing at Judy briefly.
"Officer Hopps, some help?" She inquired, and I snapped my gaze to the Doe, as if begging her to get involved.
"Sorry, Miss Whitney, I think this is between you and your son." Judy said as she hopped down from the chair, walking between us and down the hallway. She paused by me. "I'm sorry, Lance." My expression softened considerably as she looked up at me, and I rubbed the top of her head reassuringly.
"It's okay Judy, you didn't know." I said, smiling at the Doe. She smiled back briefly, then resumed her walk and stepped into mine and Nick's bedroom. I stared for a few seconds and she walked back out, stepping into the bathroom. "There ya go." I said quietly to myself, turning my gaze back to my mother with loathing clear.
"Lance, we need to talk." She said, causing me to growl.
"Really? I kinda figured you'd said all you needed to the last time we spoke." I remarked, my mother wincing.
"Lance, please. I talked to a few of the...others like you I know, trying to see if there was anything I could say to either make you reconsider or at least try to gain some understanding between us. I wish I could be happy for you, Lance, I do, but you make it so hard when you just yell and scream and rage at me if I try to talk to you about it." She said. I slammed a paw against the wall, making her jump.
"Because you can't seem to understand! You ask me why and how but you never, not even once, stopped to consider that I don't know! I was just as surprised as you when I realized I was attracted to Nick, but you treat it like something to be cured or something, and how could I not be pissed at you!? Do you honestly think I chose to be attracted to Nick!? No, I didn't, but I wouldn't trade him for anybody! Especially not-" I cut myself off, my voice carrying the hurt I still felt from what I'd almost mentioned. My mother's expression softened. "Eight years, mother. I loved her for eight years and I gave her everything I comfortably could. But as soon as I tried to be sensitive about what that bastard grandfather of hers did, she left me because I wasn't acting like a boyfriend. After that, can you really blame me for getting curious what it'd be like with another Todd? Because yes, I entertained the thought, but I never actually considered it. But then I met Nick and everything changed. So far he has been the only mammal that I have found I can trust during my weakest moments, and that means a lot to me. So if you can't accept the idea that maybe I love Nick because he's good both for and to me, I want nothing to do with you." I finished, turning my back pointedly. "You can come out now, Judy." The Doe hesitantly exited the bathroom, her gaze switching between me and my mother uncertainly. I heard the Vixen take a step closer to me hesitantly, but I ignored it. Then she decided to open her mouth.
"Lance, I just worry that you're wasting your time-" I spun, lashing out violently and catching the Vixen across the side of the head. She stood there, staring into space in shock, and I snarled as Judy stared in horror.
"Don't you dare go there." I warned, my insides blazing with more anger than I knew what to safely do with. "I swear to god if you really say that and believe it, I will do so much worse than a slap!" The vixen took a step back at my words, her eyes wide as she held a paw to her cheek. Her eyes moistened and she spun around, walking out the door with tears in her eyes. My chest was heaving, and I nearly lashed out again as I felt something touch my arm. I stopped when I saw it was Judy, staring at me with fear in her eyes and twitching nose, and I froze. I slowly lowered my arm and let it drop to my side, horror overcoming my anger briefly. "I'm sorry." I said weakly as I turned and leaned against the island, barely keeping myself from digging trenches in the wood. I looked down when I felt something touch me, and I smiled when I saw Judy's arms wrapped around my waist comfortingly.
"I know, Lance. I'm sorry for letting her in." Judy said, and I lowered a paw to hers.
"You didn't know, Judy. I'm not mad at you, I promise." I said as I removed her paws and turned, squatting down. "Just be sure to ask me next time you decide to do something involving me, yeah?" I paused to consider what I said. "Unless it's like, a surprise party or something. That's fine."
"I understand, Lance. Sorry I let her in." I frowned at the apology, then shrugged as I stood and turned.
"You did what you thought was right. I won't hold it against you...if you stop apologizing." I looked down with a friendly smirk, Judy smiling back.
"Deal." She said as she climbed up into a stool next to me, laying her head down on her arms. A comfortable silence settled between us, and I shivered. I looked down and realized I was still shirtless, and I glanced over to see Judy steal a glance towards me. I grinned.
"You know, if you want to stare, you could have just asked." Judy flushed, and I laughed as I pushed off from the island to go put some bed clothes on. "Be back in a second."
"Okay." Judy said weakly, her embarrassment extremely obvious. I shook my head in amusement as I stepped into the bedroom and pulled open the drawer.
I stepped out a minute or so later with a pair of pants and a shirt that was perhaps a little too snug, but it was comfortably so for me so it's what I was wearing. I leaned against the counter again as I took the spot I'd been in a few moments ago. I saw Judy glance at the shirt, and I shrugged.
"Get used to it. Snug shirts are all I got." I said, Judy blinking.
"Isn't that uncomfortable?" She asked, making me snort.
"Not really. May not be obvious, but ADHD and maybe – me and my mother never found out for absolute certainty – a very small amount of Autism says otherwise." Judy looked surprise at my words, and I chuckled. "I know, right? If I didn't tell you, you'd never know."
"I...well, not to seem rude or anything, but you don't seem like...that." Judy said, drawing a small smile from me.
"Oh, it's not a very noticeable amount, just enough to affect me. So, snug shirts." I said, pulling on the fabric a little. "Plus they're soft. I like soft things." My tail flicked absentmindedly and Judy glanced down at it briefly. "Always loved c-I mean, adorable things as well. Bonus points if they're soft too."
"You know you're allowed to say 'cute', just not call a Rabbit or Hare cute, right? But calling other things cute or just saying the word for general purposes is fine in our presence." I nodded slowly, digesting the information before a small grin touched my muzzle.
"Oh, Nick is going to be so glad to hear that. Seriously, have you got any idea how many times he's had to hold his tongue around you? Some times literally, with his teeth, it's pretty funny to watch." I said, Judy looking horrified at the words.
"Oh god, I should not have told you that." She groaned, and I let out a laugh at how despondent she sounded.
"Probably not. Hey, think Operator Keto is free?" I asked, Judy arching an eyebrow.
"Uh, why?" She asked, a tad suspiciously, and I rolled my eyes.
"Well, I may not seem like it, but I am still pretty pissed and I have no way to blow it off. Keto is the only one I know who I won't hurt no matter how hard I try." Judy looked offended by my answer, letting out a huff of annoyance.
"Uh, why don't you think I can handle you?" She asked, and I closed the distance until our noses were almost touching. I tapped her on the nose with a digit, surprising her.
"Because you are not an Operator. No offense, but they're better than any of the beat cops. So I trust myself not to hurt her when I'm trying more than I trust myself not to hurt you on accident." I answered, Judy frowning. She sighed.
"I suppose that makes sense." She grumbled, and I shrugged as I raised myself back up to my regular height. Judy looked down and thought, then tilted her head. "Hey, quick question, but why do you always have your feet angled outward?"
"Huh?" I asked, surprised by the suddenness more than the actual question.
"Your feet. They never face straight. Why?" Judy asked, and I shrugged.
"Just how they are. Having my feet straight is uncomfortable. So, therefore, they angle outwards." I answered, Judy letting out a thoughtful hum. "So, shall we see if Keto is available?" Judy nodded after a moment, and I turned and headed for the door. The clothes I had on would be fine for going out, even if the pants were obviously to be slept in and not worn outside.
"Hey, where's she live, anyway?" Judy asked, and I paused in thought, raising my gaze to the ceiling as I tried to remember.
"Tundra Town." I answered after a few moments, opening the door. "You wanna go with me or go home? I don't really mind either way."
"I guess I'll go with you. Make sure nothing goes too far." I arched an eyebrow at the last bit, and Judy hastily backtracked. "I mean, you know, nobody gets too hurt or anything." She said, and I nodded in understanding.
"Probably a good idea." I said, turning to wait. Judy hopped down from the chair and stepped out the door, and I followed her. I shut the door behind me and glanced around before stepping onto the sidewalk. I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolled through the contacts. Lumi had given me her number a few months back in case I wanted to talk to her about anything or just had a question she could help me with. The Vixen picked up on the first ring.
"You need something, Lance?" She asked, and I hesitated as Judy glanced towards me from whatever she was doing on her own phone.
"Yeah. My mother came over and...well, I need to hit something otherwise I don't know what." Lumi chuckled at that, and I frowned.
"You need to hit something...and thought to call me? An Operator?" She asked, her tone incredulous, and I sighed.
"Yes. I trust myself not to hurt you more than anybody else." I answered, silence falling between the two of us for a long moment. "Oh, bring something for armed combat. I'm feeling particularly...you know what, ignore that last bit. I can't think of a word." Lumi laughed, which drew a chuckle from me.
"I have a few training knives I like to practice with, if that's fine." The Vixen said, and I couldn't stop the excited grin that formed.
"That will be perfect." I remarked, Judy glancing up at me.
"...You know you're freaky at times, right?" Lumi asked, and I let out a small noise of amusement.
"Oh, you better believe I know it. It's amazing the way people will leave you alone if you threaten to kill them in a perfectly straight and bored expression and tone." The was dead silence from both Judy and Lumi at that, and Judy just stared in shock. "Not that I ever would, but you know." I hastily added.
"I repeat: you are freaky. Probably why you're so much fun to hang around." Lumi remarked, drawing a surprised hum from me.
"Me? Fun to be around?" I asked, the Vixen scoffing.
"Well, what would you rather I say? It would be a lie if I called you annoying...well, mostly. Usually you're more a refreshing kind of annoying, though."
"I don't think that's a thing..." I said a bit unsurely.
"Shut up it is now." Lumi said, and I pulled the phone from my ear and stared, a bit surprised.
"Okay..."
"Lumi, who are you talking to?" I tilted my head at Is' voice.
"Lance. Go back to sleep mister 'five minutes'."
"Hey! I'll have you know that's impressive for Hares!" I flushed as I realized what they were discussing, then pressed the speaker option and held the phone out a bit from me. "What's the Todd want, anyway, that he has to call at such an ungodly hour interrupting mandatory cuddle time?" Judy stared in horror at the phone and I smiled.
"Hey guys, perhaps I should have mentioned this first, but you're on speaker." The was a moment of pure, unbroken silence from both me and Judy and Lumi and Is, until Is decided he didn't quite like that information.
"Why did you put us on speaker you son of a b-" I quickly pressed mute, waiting a long moment before hesitantly clicking it again. "-Dra åt skogen and släng dig i backen you sladdertacka!" I arched an eyebrow and glanced at Judy, who shrugged.
"Yeah, you're gonna need to speak Common, otherwise the insults are lost on me." I said, a sigh escaping the phone – possibly Is, though it could have been Lumi – and I glanced at Judy again.
"I'll meet you at the Precinct. Be there in the next five minutes." I frowned.
"Don't you live in Tundra Town?" I asked, my tone surprised.
"...We're at a hotel." Lumi said after a moment, and I tilted my head.
"Uh, wh-"
"Do you always question everything?" Lumi interrupted.
"...Pretty much, yeah. Probably a reason only like...three of my teachers liked me." I answered, Judy having an eyebrow arched when I glanced at her.
"Is that...a specific grade or...?"
"Out of all of them, yes. From kindergarten to tenth grade." I answered as I began to walk to the Precinct was, Judy right behind me.
"Well okay then." Lumi said, possibly to herself, and I huffed in amusement. "I'll see you in a few, Lance. Try to get there in one piece."
"Hey!" I said in mock hurt, Lumi snorting before disconnecting the call. I chuckled as I pocketed the electronic device, then looked over at Judy. She hesitated, clearly wanting to say something.
"Uh, if you don't mind me asking, but who were you talking about earlier? When you mentioned 'eight years'?" She asked, and I hesitated, though more from indecision than actually not wanting to tell her. "You don't have to explain, if you don't want to, Lance."
"No, no, it's fine. I guess I might as well tell ya." I said, shaking my head slightly. "So my mother and me – back when we were still on good terms – went over to a friend's home, which was more an apartment, but it was a decent sized apartment. They were Tigers, and, believe it or not, I met the cub and I had a crush, instantly. After a few visits I found out it was mutual. I was only seven at the time, but jeez was I smitten. Fast forward eight years of being together and her grandfather..." at this point I trailed off, uncomfortable with the word I wanted to use. "He did things. Things no grown mammal should do to a cub, especially their own granddaughter. I, after being told, wanted nothing more than to be locked in a room with him. I figured I could show him just what kind of mistake he'd made. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately in this case, he got arrested before I could find out more. I tried to be subdued, be sensitive about subjects that would still be uncomfortable for my girlfriend, and she decided I wasn't interested in her anymore and – behind my back when I'd never even called another mammal except my mother beautiful to show I only had eyes for her – began to see somebody else and only told me a little while later. To say I was heartbroken is an understatement. I became even more socially withdrawn. My mother was worried I'd become depressed, so she was careful about what she said and did. I think she was secretly relieved I'd stopped seeing a Tigress, but I never had the stomach to confront her about it because she never brought it up or anything." I finished, Judy looking torn between comforting me and being angry about something probably having to do with me, though whether it was the story or something else I wasn't quite sure.
"I'm sorry you had to have that happen to you, Lance." She finally said, and I shrugged.
"Eh, I'm mostly over it now. I'm more still upset over what happened to her than what happened between us." I said, Judy humming in thought.
"Is that why you said you've never been in a relationship before?" I hesitated in answering the Doe, finally sighing.
"Something like that." I finally answered, Judy nodding to show she understood I didn't want to talk about it anymore. "Though we were still on pretty good terms last we talked, if it makes you feel better. More miscommunication than anything." Judy remained silent, and I didn't say anything else either, and we eventually arrived at the Precinct with only a few seconds to spare. As soon as we finished climbing the stairs Lumi came into view with her tactical suit and everything. I assumed she'd worn it to the hotel, though for what reason I wasn't sure. She climbed the stairs opened the doors, and we stepped inside. Judy waved to the Lion at the front desk and he waved back, albeit not very enthusiastically. Me, Lumi, and Judy stepped into the gym and the Vixen was quick to point Judy to the wall, just to be safe even if we would be in the center of the room.
"Alright, you ready?" Lumi asked as we stepped onto the mat, and I grinned.
"Been ready for the past few mi-" I ducked under a kick as Lumi spun about suddenly, aiming her sweep for my head. "Minutes." I finished, Lumi huffing at my reaction. She surged forward, throwing a quick jab at my head. I blocked it easily, sending a quick punch into her shoulder. She stumbled back and used the force of the blow to turn herself, a hard plastic combat knife in her paw when she was facing me again. I grinned.
"Bet you can't disarm me." She said, and I shrugged as I widened my feet a bit.
"Didn't anybody ever teach you not to make makes against odds with more than a ten percent chance of going in the other mammal's favor?" I asked teasingly, Lumi rolling her eyes slightly.
"Depends. Nobody ever teach you not to fight somebody better than you?" The question was clearly rhetoric, and Lumi charged forward before I could even answer with a smart response. I easily deflected the first swing and ducked under the next, closing the distance and gripping Lumi's wrist. I raised it above me and twisted, forcing Lumi to bend over as I pulled her arm behind her and ripped the knife free, spinning it in my paw and planting the point to the back of her neck. Lumi froze and I held the position for a few seconds before releasing her, stepping back in case she retaliated and flipping the knife into a standard grip with a slight grin on my muzzle. Lumi raised herself up slowly before turning to face me. "How...?" She trailed off, and my grin slipped as I realized she was shocked almost into silence.
"Well, I've always been good with knives. Ask Ursula and she'll tell you a story about the first time we did the disarm drill against a blade. I was the only one who had fun that day, though mostly because I got to show off. Don't get to do that often." I answered, shrugging nonchalantly as I glanced towards Judy. She was staring with just as much shock as Lumi. I grunted as, with my distraction of glancing towards Judy, Lumi charged forward and wrapped her arms around my waist, lifting me up and preparing to slam me down. I kicked the backside of her knees, forcing her legs to give out and sending us to the ground in almost a complete reverse of what would have been our positions. I straddled her hips and raised the fake knife in my paw, preparing to bring it down. With a sharp jab, I froze and slowly looked down. I groaned at the fake knife touching my stomach, frowning at Lumi before standing.
"One to one, Lance. Let's see those moves." She grinned as she stood, both of us backing away a small bit. I glanced at Judy again, saw her watching in awe at the relatively even fight, and I quickly turned back to Lumi as she charged, once more taking advantage of my being distracted. I felt adrenaline surge and time seem to slow as I took in as many things as I could to help myself. I noted the way Lumi kept her blade secure in her paw, the way her eyes focused on me and where they aimed, the speed at which she charged, and even the way her feet touched the ground as she came at me.
Time resumed its normal speed quickly. I deflected a swipe calmly and ducked under a punch, spinning as I did so, and brought the blade up and sent a quick jab into Lumi's side. As I came up behind the Vixen I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her up and over me, slamming her onto the ground upper back first and flipping over to stand. She picked herself up and I sent a kick to the side of her head, spinning her around. She quickly faced me again, paws coming up into a ready stance, only to realize her paw was empty. She looked at her paw then back to me, and I held up her blade with a smug grin. She growled in annoyance, but nevertheless charged me again. I ducked under an angry swing, tripping Lumi up and quickly pinning her. I placed one of the blade tips against her chest and the other blade against her neck in a reverse grip, grinning down at her. She sighed.
"Well, there's my moves. How will you respond, Operator?" I asked, releasing Lumi quickly and standing. She stood and brushed herself off, then grinned at me.
"Take away the knives and what do you have?" She asked in answer, and I – with some minor difficulty from the bulk of the grips – held both knives in a single paw and showed off my claws. I clacked my jaws as well.
"Same as any other Predator. I'm not nearly as skilled in paw to paw combat as I am with a knife or some guns, though, so I think you've got the advantage there." I answered, Lumi nodding. "So, Judy, you been entertained?" I asked, turning to face the Doe.
"Yes. Definitely." She answered, staring in awe at both me and Lumi. "Remind me to never piss either of you off." She joked, and I glanced at Lumi.
"Hopps, if I have to remind you, it is being already too late." The Vixen said lightheartedly, clearly meaning it as a joke, but I instantly felt a little unnerved by the words. Lumi paused to consider she had said. "It is being funny the way you can say something in your head, and it sounds fine, but it comes out and it absolutely is not fine."
"Oh I know the feeling." I remarked, chuckling softly. "Seriously, you'd be amazed at how many fights I nearly got in because I didn't want to deal with some of my classmates in middle and high school that day. Punched one of them in the face, once. I did give him ample warning, though." Judy and Lumi blinked in surprise at that, but ignored it.
"Well, I feel like this is being enough for tonight. You okay, Lance?" Lumi asked.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine now. I'll see you whenever, Lumi." I said in farewell as I stepped out from the gym with Judy close behind. I glanced at her when she continued to follow me, but then remembered the Grand Pangolin Arms was in the same direction as mine and Nick's house. We parted at the apartment building, and I continued on my way home with a small smile on my muzzle. I'd certainly had fun with the little mock fight against Lumi. I wasn't even paying attention as I approached where the sidewalk deviated towards my house, only stopping when I bumped into something large and furry.
"Oh, sorry off-" the mammal cut themselves off when they saw me, and I looked up and felt my breathing begin to stutter in shock. "Lance?" They said in shock, looking me up and down.
"Si..."
And that does it for Chapter 8 of Tooth and Claw! The last line is not Spanish, it's a nickname, I promise. Yes, Lance's little backstory segment on the girlfriend he had is – much like a great deal with Lance – a mirror aspect of me. That same exact thing happened to me once, same timeframe and everything, but there's no animosity between me and her. I freely admit I could have been less subdued in how I acted around her, and she admits she could have done better to understand what I was doing. I was overly subdued; never told her I loved her, never hugged or touched her unless she initiated it, and I was overall just extremely awkward because I'm normally so spontaneous and forward that it was difficult to be considerate of how what I said or did affected her. But we're still good friends, so please don't say anything in critique of her. It's just as much my fault as hers, if not more so because she had no control over it, so if anyone deserves harsh words it's me. I loved – and still do – her deeply and I wish nothing but the best for her in life, because I know she deserves it after what she went through. I will not disclose names and I will be changing the name of the character based on her, just in case she ever finds this which is a bit possible. I did indeed want to absolutely murder that man when I found out, too, so perhaps it's a good thing they waited so long to tell me. The character he meets at the end is the Tigress, in case you guys are curious, but that's all I'll spoil about what happens next mainly because I have no clue and I need to work on other things like right now. Anyway, that's enough of that, I'll see you guys...next update. Word Count: 5,134