A/N: And here's why I've been told by some that I need to add 'angst' to the genre list. Hope you enjoy.

I've got more views than I have words! That's pretty cool. Shoot me your thoughts on how I'm doin, guys!

Disny, contact me when you want me to write Zootopia 2. You know you want to. I'll get you in touch with my agent. *mental note, get agent*

Chapter 22 - Recollections and regrets

*40 years prior*

Stuart finally slipped from his parent's watch after being stuck in front of them for the better part of forever. He was going to see the fair how he wanted to, not his overprotective mom and dad. Every year it was always the same. The family would head to the fairgrounds for the annual Carrot Day festival and he would be watched constantly. Stuart was from a smaller family in Bunnyburrow, a rarity around there. Stuart only had 97 siblings because of a problem his mom had developed that made her unable to have more. It was something that always upset her whenever the talk of baby bunnies would come up. Because of that, they had become much more protective of the last litter they had had, which Stuart, to his chagrin, was a part of. All twelve of the last brood were monitored at almost all times, especially when outside. But taking the opportunity of one of his brothers tripping, he managed to slink away unseen.

Finally! I get to do what I want for once. If I can get lucky, maybe the entire day! Stuart's face was becoming numb at how long he had the giant grin across it. All he had to do now, was pick a place to start. It didn't take too long as the smell of the fair food vendors reached him. Dashing from stall to stall, he soon walked away with an apple pie, a few cones of cotton candy, and even a nice toffee apple. He had never had this much junk food in his life but that wasn't going to stop him.

Unfortunately what did stop him was the 3rd ride on the spinning teacups. All of that junk food, which was delicious going down, did not want to stay down. Clutching his stomach in his paws, he swayed a little, trying to reach the trash can before emptying his stomach into it. Someone started thumping his back, seeing he was coking on some of the apple from before. After he was done sputtering, he turned to thank his helper. It was a little red fox. Although he could tell they were about the same age, the red fox was slightly taller, which was to be expected. "Thanks buddy. I wasn't doing so good on my own. What's your name?"

The fox looked a bit shocked that the little rabbit hadn't screamed or yelled or ran away from him. Normally that was always the response he would get. After all, it's what foxes were supposed to get, according to rabbits around there. Maybe this rabbit would be different, he thought. Grinning, he joined the conversation. "Name's Caleb. I haven't seen you here before. New to the area-…I'm sorry what was your name?"

"Oh. Stuart. Stuart Hopps. And no, we've lived here all my life. I think longer but I'm only 8 so I can't tell ya."

"8 huh? Well I just turned 9 yesterday!" The fox puffed out his chest with pride. "But I won't hold it against ya, Stu."

Stu? Huh. That sounds way better than Stuart. "Well it's only a couple weeks away, although I wont really be celebrating."

Caleb was a bit confused at this. "Why not? I always get a birthday party."

"It's just how bunnies are," Stu said. "We have kits in big groups so birthdays are just basically 'Happy birth month, here's your new hand-me-downs.' Gets kinda depressing after 8 years, you know?"

The young fox scoffed. "Tell me about it. I only have an older brother but all I get are hand-me-downs. And he's twice my size so everything is loose and I trip all the time." Stu and Caleb both chuckled. So, uh, how come I've never seen you here before?"

Stu sighed. "I'm part of the group that's overprotected by my parents. Have to be watched at all times. It's so boring."

Well you're free now!" Caleb cried. "I have an idea. Let's see if we can do everything they have in one day!"

"I'm in!"

*6 years later*

"You totally have a crush on her."

"I do not!"

"C'mon Caleb. We both know you've been looking at Cynthia all week. I bet she's the reason you have that flower still in your backpack," Stu teased.

"Shut up, she'll hear you," whispered Caleb.

Stu rolled his eyes. "Caleb, I can barely hear us and I'm a rabbit. There's no way a vixen is gonna hear us across the room. It's Study Hall anyways. Nobody cares who's talking about what."

Caleb let out a long sigh, wishing he could get up the courage to go talk to her. You know what? Why not? I'm best friends with a rabbit, it's not like I haven't done insane things before. This is it, I'm making my move. He stood up and walked confidently towards the pretty vixen. She hadn't noticed him yet as he swaggered past the other desks. I'm doing it! I'm doing it! This is I- nope. Can't do it can't do it can't do it. Grimacing he walked past her and out the door. Ugh, I hate myself. I'm such a coward.

Stu slapped his paw to his face. He knew his friend was going to choke. 15 years old and he could barely let out a squeak around the opposite sex. He cracked his knuckles. Time to play matchmaker. Grabbing the flower he moved quietly through the room, heading to the fox in the front row. Taking the seat beside her, he noticed a few odd looks from his classmates before they buried their heads back in their books.

Leaning over he tapped Cynthia on the shoulder. She looked up, startled. "Cyn, we have a problem."

"What is it, Stu?"

"He still can't take the plunge." Stu whispered.

"Ugh!" Cynthia threw her hands up. "How much more do I need to do? I've flirted. I've wandered around him enough to know he has to smell my scent. Do I need to just go grab him by the balls to get his attention?"

Stu snickered. "Cyn, you have his attention. Look," he placed the flower on the desk. "He's had this in his bag all week, he's just too damn shy to do anything."

Cynthia looked at the Bellflower on her desk. He knows my favorite flower but he can't read the damn signs? I guess I'll have to be the alpha for both of us. She winked at Stu who grinned before heading back to his desk. As Caleb came around the corner and passed Cynthia's desk, she casually stuck her foot out and tripped him, letting him fall right on top of her. He stared at her in horror, mumbling apology after apology. Cynthia grinned before placing her paw against his mouth. "I knew it was gonna take a bit for you to fall for me Caleb, but c'mon," as she kissed him.

Stunned, Caleb could only glance around wildly until he saw the flower on her desk. Casting a glance at Stu, he watched as the rabbit smiled like an idiot and gave him two thumbs up. Making a mental note to beat the rabbit later, he kissed Cynthia back.

*2 years later*

A very drunk fox sat in a worn armchair. He fur was matted and there were tear stains down his cheeks, his eyes bloodshot from crying. Luckily his parents were out of town or they'd have beaten him senseless for getting into his dad's alcohol. A knock on the door brought the fox out of his stupor. "Come…innnn," he slurred.

A pair of rabbit ears appeared at the door before a full figure walked in. The smell of booze made the sensitive nose on the rabbit's face twitch violently. "Dude, it reeks in here." Stu opened a couple windows, futilely trying to air out the room. "I got your call, what happened?"

Caleb shuddered before raising the bottle to his lips. "Cynthia."

Stu grimaced. "Did she break up with you?"

Shaking his head a little too fast, the fox felt the room spin. "No, she didn't dump me. I caught her cheating on me. They were…mating."

Stu was speechless. He knew foxes only mate once and then that's it for life. After 2 years Cynthia randomly decided to go with another guy? "Did she tell you why?"

"Doesn't matter." Caleb tossed the empty bottle across the room. "It's done now so whatever. She wants him and I'm just some piece of shit second place loser." He grabbed another bottle of bourbon and struggled with the top.

Stu snatched it out of his hands and sat in the armchair next to him. Popping the top off, Stu looked at the bottle before throwing it back and taking a good swig.

"What are you doing?"

Stu wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "Well I can't very well let my best friend drink away his pain alone, now can I?"

*1 year later*

Stu sat in silence in the living room. It was late and most of the family had gone to bed. His older brother Bobby was still up, filling out application forms for the local college. Every so often Bobby would look up and see Stu just sitting there looking depressed.

Clearing his throat, Bobby tried to get his brother's attention. "So Stu, how come you ain't cruisin' the town tonight? Aren't you normally out past midnight with a lady friend or just hiking in the woods?"

Stu shrugged. "Just not feeling it."

Bobby frowned. "It's been a long time you've been 'just not feeling it.' What's happening? Where's Caleb? Usually he's involved with your prison break schemes isn't he?"

Stu's face became stoic. "I haven't seen Caleb the last few months."

This was shocking news to Bobby. The two had been inseparable since they met at the fair nearly a decade ago. The longest they had ever been apart was when Caleb went to visit relatives in Zootopia for a week. For them to not have talked in months was unheard of. "Well, I'm sure he'll come around soon. I'm gonna head to bed. You coming?"

Stu sighed. "Yeah, I probab-" both rabbits ears perked up at a sound coming from the front entrance. Scratching sounds accompanied broken glass before the creak of the rusty hinges betrayed the door opening.

The two brothers moved cautiously towards the hallway, trying to be silent so as not to give away their presence. Approaching the kitchen, they saw a shadowed figure inside a room off the right.

"Dad's office," Bobby mouthed to Stu. Stu nodded as they crept up behind the large animal. Stu got ready to pounce when Bobby flipped on the light. Stu froze as he saw the would-be intruder.

"C-Caleb?" He managed to choke out.

The shocked fox stood up straight, squinting his eyes at the bright light above him. The first thing Stu noticed is that Caleb had gotten thin. Very thin. As if he had stopped eating for a long time. He saw patches of fur torn out and what was left was all matted. His clothes, which he took great care In maintaining, were torn and dirty. All of this mattered greatly to Stu, until he saw the bag Caleb was holding. The bag that he had emptied the family's safe contents into.

"You…You're robbing us?" Stu was stunned. "Why Caleb? You know we would try to help you with whatever you needed! You didn't need to become a thief to get it." Stu was rewarded for his words with a look of hatred from the young fox.

Bobby ran at him but Caleb threw out a right hook that knocked him down and he wasn't getting up. Caleb moved for the doorway, but Stu leapt in front of him. Caleb let out a snarl, showing teeth and his claws. "Move."

Stu shook his head. "You know I can't do that."

Growling, Caleb raised his right paw high and slashed it down on Stu's side, his sharp claws easily tearing through his t-shirt. Stu felt something warm trickling down his side and saw two very long and deep cuts in his side. The blood was pouring freely and he started feeling light-headed.

Grabbing the bag again, Caleb started to leave when felt a paw grab his leg.

"Caleb. That's all my family has. We'll be homeless." Stu pleaded with him. "Could you really do that to your friend?"

Looking down at the injured bunny, Caleb's mouth twitched before he sneered. "Why would I ever want to be friends with some stupid rabbit?"

*Present*

"That was the last time I ever saw him. I had passed out shortly after due to blood loss. My brother managed to get me in the truck and take me to the hospital. I was in there for two days." Stu lifted his shirt showing Nick the two very long scars lining his side. "We told my parents it was an accident with one of the harvesters. They believed it, or at least they said they did. The robbery hit us hard. We eventually had to leave the burrow. The family split up going to different relatives houses. My mother was never the same after that." Stu grimaced before continuing. "I found out later Caleb had joined a gang and this was his initiation. I don't know why he felt that making his best friend homeless was the first thought he had, but it happened and there was no use dwelling on it. A few years later, before I met Bonnie, I tried to find him again. Ask him what had happened between us." Stu paused. "I found out he was killed in a drive-by from a rival gang a few days before his 21st birthday."

Stu looked over to see Nick sitting in shocked silence. He sighed heavily. "Look Nick. I don't have anything against you. I really don't. I see that you make my daughter happy and I'm incredibly grateful to you for that. It's just…hard…for me to not see that old 'friend' reflected back at me whenever I see a fox."

Nick swallowed hard. "And then, with Gideon?"

"Yeah," Stu nodded. "Having my little girl mauled by a fox the same way I was made it even harder to deal with. And then that same little girl tells us she's mated to one? It's just so overwhelming." He stood up. "I'm trying Nick. It's just gonna take some time. But I want you to know, I'm gonna double down on it. Do whatever I can to make this work. For her. And for you." Stu held out his paw to Nick, who took it. Putting out the fire, they headed back to the house.

Sneaking into the bedroom, Nick quickly shed his clothes before crawling next to his bunny. She murmured his name softly before snuggling up against him. Nick wrapped his arms around her and hauled in her in tightly. I won't let anyone hurt you like that, Judy. he swore. Ever.

Stu walked in to his bedroom to see Bonnie up waiting for him.

"That took a long time. Are you willing to tell me what's been going on?"

Stu looked at his wife for a long time. "Yeah. I think it's time I did."

Post A/N: The part where Caleb was in a gang didn't copy over properly but it is crucial to the story so I updated it. Thanks to Onyxrose777 for making me catch that.