A/N:
And so, we come to the end, at least for this portion of the story. I will be revisiting this AU in the future, but I want to wait until I can do it justice. In the meantime, know that the vampire fox and were-bun are not gone. They're merely napping before the next adventure begins.
Nick was extremely apprehensive. The eventual, inevitable meeting with the parents was something he had no desire to be a part of. Regardless of the type of relationship, he never wanted to meet other mammals' relations. That made them real. Real mammals tended to be harder to ignore, or con. Unfortunately, he was in a bind. He'd been raised to pay his debts and he certainly owed not only Judy but her parents and family. Also, Judy had been so anxious when she asked him, he couldn't disappoint her. The trouble was that he had no idea what he was being introduced as.
He'd also spent almost two months without a change of clothes while living in a log. Vampires didn't get sick any more than lycanthropes did, but it was an appearances thing. If he was going to meet these rabbit-were-buns whatever they were, he at least wanted to make a good impression. Difficult to manage when caked in dirt and wearing glorified rags in a floral print. He was hardly naked, but he did not like the recently-risen, island-zombie look.
Judy, on the other hand, was unconcerned with his state of disrepair. She was also completely indifferent to his nudity, as she demonstrated by dragging him to the river, stripping him out of his clothes and shoving him in. Nick was immobilized by the frigid temperature long enough for her to hop in after him and start scrubbing him with pawfuls of sand. Once he was thoroughly brutalized to her standards of cleanliness, she allowed him to scramble out of the water. While she gave his clothes a rough cleaning on a rock, he shook himself dry-ish and sat in a mix of pouting and anxiety. Despite the chilly bite of the water, the air was the easy warmth of midsummer and too quickly for the fox, both he and his clothes were dry.
Too soon for his taste, Nick found himself approaching a massive compound. The huge house dominating the center was surrounded by more outbuildings than he felt comfortable with. Judy was blithely pointing out features and points of note for the farm; barracks, barns, silos, shops, shacks, and fields. All very pastoral. All very obvious cover for her own nerves.
For a moment, Nick wondered how often it happened that a male vampire fox got to meet the family of their were-rabbit friend while looking like a hobo while she was completely naked.
Da da da! I'm dead!
Judy was not surprised that everyone was hiding. Early evening in summer was the most active portion of the day, after dawn. The littlest kits would be a frantic mass of tumbling activity as they spent the energy from their dinner, while the older rabbits would be occupied with homework, socializing, reading, or other pastimes. The yard was empty. A touch eerie, even for the eldest were-bun of her generation. However, with a stranger coming to visit, and a strange one at that, most everyone would hide until the stranger was made welcome, or dead. Judy knew half a dozen of her lycanthropic siblings were waiting just out of sight in case anything went wrong.
Her mother had cornered her days previously about her secretive behavior and the unusual guest residing in the Hollow. Both of which had been investigated by her, personally. The initial terror Judy had felt for her friend had quickly been assuaged. The fox was not about to be slaughtered as a matter of course. Bonnie acknowledged that her daughter would never allow him to stay if he was a genuine risk to her or her family. Her Beast was a failsafe in absolute terms, on that account; the primal personality often being a better judge of character than the mammal. It was a boost of confidence to Judy to hear that the trust she placed in him was enough to gain him a chance to plead his case, such as it was, to her parents. It gave her the confidence to ask him, after a couple days of negotiations with her mother.
The meeting was an absolute requirement. The reception depended on him. Judy's part was simple. She had to bring him to them and make him presentable. That was as far as their respect went, but it was far more than she had hoped for.
The doorway opened, spilling light onto the porch where they stood. An anxious pair of rabbits emerged. To Nick's eye, one was a tubby, very strong and male. Obviously, Judy's father and by far the more anxious of the two. The other, who could only by the mother, was matronly and sweet looking, except for the eyes that bore through him like a diamond drill.
"Mom. Dad. Um… This is Nick."
The female spoke first. "You've done as we agreed, Judy. You brought him here and he looks as presentable as he could be, considering where he's been living." Nick gulped at the firm, even tone of the doe's voice. A moment later, he was stifling a giggle. "You, on the other hand, seem to have forgotten all your manners. You're twenty years old. Where are your clothes?"
Judy flushed slightly in embarrassment and glared at Nick before haring off to the barracks structure to quickly dress.
In her absence, Nick was left with the two rabbits. Both of whom, he was plainly aware, could tear him into meaty chunks in a heartbeat. That only gave his amusement at Judy's expense a slightly hysterical quality, when it slipped out from behind his paw.
"I swear. That girl…" The doe rabbit sighed, before turning back to the uncomfortable fox. "I am Bonnie Hopps. This is my husband, Stu. And you are Nick…?"
"Wilde. Nick Wilde, ma'am." Nick hesitated. "I'm not sure how you'd react to me offering a pawshake and I'd rather not die from a faux pas."
Both rabbits blinked at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.
The buck, Stu, finally found his voice. "Alright. I see why."
"See why what, sir?" Nick asked, uncertainly.
"Why she didn't kill you, or at least run you off."
"I'm glad you know. I certainly don't."
Bonnie piped up. "An odd thing to say. Don't you know why she spared you?"
"At first, she didn't." The confused looks he got were not ones he liked. "Um… I can't speak to her reasons for sparing me, but I'm glad she did."
Bonnie hummed and cast a considering look over her guest. "That remains to be seen." Nick swallowed audibly.
Sensing the mildly sobered mood, Stu took the lead. "What are your intentions towards my daughter, fox?"
Nick's eyebrow raised while Bonnie face-pawed. For a moment the two shared a look. Nick felt a touch less like a dead todd walking. "Uncertain, sir. I admit we've managed to reach a common ground, but I'd say we're somewhere between acquaintances and friends at the moment. It's far too soon for me to say more."
"A sensible response and I can smell that you're sincere." Bonnie sniffed. "And scared."
"Just a lot." Nick smiled weakly.
Stu bulled on. "I still want to know why Judy spared you."
"You'd have to ask her Beast, I think. She was the one who stopped."
Now, both rabbits were staring slack-jawed. "You know about her Beast?"
"Judy had to explain after we met."
"Had to?"
"The conversation was really hard for me to follow until she explained there were three of us involved in it. Especially with the whole double voice thing."
At that moment, Judy chose to return. She wished she hadn't almost instantly.
"Mom? Dad? Is everything ok?"
Bonnie found her voice first. "Judy. Transform. Now."
"I just got dressed!"
"Transform, now, young lady! He knows about your Beast and I will see with my own eyes how your wiser-self regards this fox."
Nick was petrified at the sudden change in tone.
"Yes, ma'am," she grumbled as she stripped.
She was much more self-conscious of her nudity. Especially, as she had just been admonished for it minutes ago. Getting naked in front of her parents and Nick was exceedingly embarrassing. Blessedly, it wasn't for long. As soon as she was out of her clothes, Beast surged up and took control.
Beast had been paying rapt attention to the goings on around her and had been displeased at leaving the scene on the porch for something as pointless as clothing. Upon returning, She had been impatiently awaiting her turn to express her opinion of the vampire. Just as both Judy and Nick suspected She would, Beast made immediately for Nick and glomped him, pulling him into her chest and snuggling in. Judy was thankful for not being in charge for such an embarrassing display.
Nick, on the other hand, was resigned. Despite himself, he had gotten used to the extreme forms of affection that Beast made a part of their lives. The hugging, cuddling, and trilling were nothing new to him. He patted feebly at the enormous rabbit's head and smiled wryly.
Bonnie goggled.
Stu fainted.
The rest of the household, who had been eavesdropping, poked their noses out for a better look.
The rabbit kits who were too young to understand fear crept out between legs and over furniture, moving closer to their sister and her suddenly much less intimidating guest. Nick wasn't exactly surprised. It was hard to look even slightly intimidating when being cuddled by a rabbit several times one's size. It helped that Judy in Were form appeared to be a combination of the Incredible Hulk and a tribble. By comparison, Nick looked exactly like what Beast always called him. A dolly.
First, it was one. Then, it was seven. Then it was several dozen kits all hopping up to touch him. Beast obligingly sat down, so her siblings could have an easier time of it. As soon as she was seated, the fluffle swarmed forward. Tiny paws touched, petted and sniffed him from every angle. Especially his tail. Nick wasn't exactly surprised but quickly became somewhat claustrophobic.
Very gently, he began to disentangle himself from Beast's clutches and wriggling his way to freedom. Beast didn't fight unduly, for once. Nick was too eager to get a little breathing room to think about it too much. As soon as he was free to move, he climbed up Beast's shoulder and popped his wings out. He made sure to glide slowly, so as not to upset anyone. He just needed a little space to breathe.
"Listen, kits. I don't mind getting to know you, but can you give me a little more breathing room? It's a little overwhelming when you come in a horde." Nick chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood a touch.
He feared his joke had fallen flat until one of the little ones squeaked, "He can fly!" then he was swarmed with requests for rides.
An hour later, Stu was dozing on the porch swing with a Mint Julip half empty in his paw. He'd come to long enough to see the winged fox glide by the porch with a squealing kit in his paws and nearly fainted, again. His hyperventilating was stopped after Bonnie summoned a mixologist from among her elder kits to fix him a drink. The alcohol combined with his elevated heart rate saw him calm shortly afterwards, leaving the fox busy and the girls to chat.
Bonnie and Judy were sitting on the stairs, watching Nick take the little ones for rides around the yard. Most of the older kits had taken the events on the porch and their parents' reactions as good things. A few still kept a wary eye on the flying fox, but otherwise, the yard had returned to its usual state of a summer evening. Anyone not waiting for a turn in the air was playing a game, lounging, or was otherwise occupied.
Nick was getting tired, but enjoying himself. The kits loved him. He had spent less than five seconds at a time on the ground since he'd first unfurled his wings. Judy's amusement was boundless as she watched him swoop another of her little siblings off the ground for a sedate glide around the yard, the kit squealing in delight the entire time.
"He's good with kits."
Her mother's words sobered her instantly. "What?"
"Your fox. He's good with kits."
"Why is that important?"
Bonnie side-eyed her kit with a weary smile. "Why do you think, Bunbun?"
Judy's eyes bugged. "It's not like that!"
"It could be."
"What?!"
"You enjoy each other's company. He's sweet and good with kits. He's a vampire, so he'll live about as long as you will. A lot of couples start with a lot less." Judy couldn't believe what she was hearing and her staring silence got her mother's attention. "Judy, you're a lycanthrope. Your father and I were so lucky to fall in love with each other. The sob stories of Were and mortal romances are so endemic. It can take decades to find a mate who will live as long as you will and you're a rabbit, honey. You have needs."
Naturally, Nick chose that moment to reappear.
"Carrots, I need a sip."
Judy barely heard him and held out her arm on reflex. "Here."
Nick addressed the admittedly smaller appendage than he was now used to, just as he addressed her arm in Beast form. Everything was the same, only smaller and less muscular until he bit. He was not prepared for the gasps. One from Judy, as her ears flushed. Another came from her mother. Between them came a chorus of smaller ones. Nick quickly swallowed and laved the wound.
"You ok, fluff?" Nick nervously asked. He was doing well, but he was by no means out of the woods, as far as he was concerned. Every eye was trained on them as he asked and he was certain his hunger-driven carelessness could see him dead if Judy said the wrong thing.
Judy's jaw worked a bit, but no sounds came out. Nick looked askance at Bonnie, who shook herself before smiling warmly and waving him off.
"She's fine, dear. Now, off you go. The kits are waiting."
Nick felt the tension bleed out of the atmosphere at her words and nodded his thanks.
Groaning, he popped his wings back out and took to the air, again, muttering, "Slave drivers…"
Bonnie chuckled. As soon as he was gone, she turned to her daughter and said, "You're lucky he's tired and distracted, or your little secret would be out."
"Secret?"
"Judy, your pheromone balance shifted the moment his mouth touched your arm. You liked that."
"I didn't!" Bonnie rolled her eyes in response. "He's never fed from me before. I wasn't thinking."
"What are you talking about, Bunb-" It clicked. "He's only fed from Beast?" Judy nodded vehemently, causing her ears to flop wildly. "Oh, my…"
"What? Mom, what?!"
"Well, sweetheart, it's not for me to say, really, but your Beast obviously likes him and trusts him enough to feed him. You like him, or at least part of you does. So, I have to wonder."
"Wonder what?" Judy squeaked.
"Why you're in denial."
"I've known his for a couple weeks!"
"It can happen faster."
"He's a fox!"
"A handsome one, too, isn't he?"
At that, Judy's mind finally stopped working. In the mental vacuum, she became aware of her surroundings. There were a number of her family that were watching the fox and not all with a calculating, or hostile eye. None were amorous, but many were curious. She was so intent on her surroundings that she missed the dual-voiced whine that escaped her throat in response to her mother's words.
Bonnie smiled to herself and rolled her eyes at her daughter. Waving a few of her children over, she set them to the task of helping her husband to their room. Then, she addressed Judy.
"Come on, Judy. We have a pair of guest rooms to make up."
"What? Why?"
"I think we can trust your friend enough to give him a better place to sleep than a log in the woods. The guest wing will be separate enough to keep the nervous ones calm, especially with you in the next room, and give him a little breathing room when he needs it. I'll send the boys over to collect your things and move you into your new quarters."
"Mom?"
Bonnie didn't stop walking and stifled her laughter as she heard her daughter scramble after her.
"Mom?!"
Hours later, very close to dawn, Nick was striving to relax enough to sleep. His wings were cramped from overexertion. Those kits had really run him ragged. He'd needed to feed four more times before it had finally gotten late enough for the kits to be herded off to their little beds. That hadn't stopped a few of the tiniest from camping out on his tail while he rested. They had been the last to be removed and he hadn't moved until they had been collected by Bonnie and her eldest kits.
If he was honest, he had no complaints. He'd survived, managed to make a decent impression and even upgraded from a log to a bed. He had a sneaking suspicion it was so they could keep a closer eye on him, but he had to admit sheets were a really, really nice change. He was also a little discommoded at the warmth of Bonnie's smile and the consideration of the others who de-kitted his tail at the end. They were surprisingly mindful, almost reflective.
There had been a few close calls, like the tiny kit who toddled over to him as he rested between flights. He'd been going for a while and hadn't had a sip, so he was feeling the hunger. Judy was nowhere to be found. The kit pulled herself up the stairs to sit beside him and looked up.
"You hungwy?"
Nick smiled at the little bunny and nodded. "A little."
To Nick's astonishment, the toddler pushed the sleeve of her romper up to her shoulder and offered him her arm. The whole yard went silent, waiting on his response. In retrospect, he was probably closer to death in that moment than ever before, but he was too tired to realize it. He also realized that was probably to his advantage. He was too tired to panic.
"Thank you, but no. I made your sister a promise that I would help keep you safe and I can't say I did if I bite you, can I?"
"You bite her."
"I do. She gave me very special permission. She can because she's a grown rabbit."
"And a were-bun!"
"And a were-bun." Nick chuckled. "Now, when you're all grown up like your sister you can do what she did, but until then don't let anyone bite you."
"Terry tries to bite me a lot. He's stupid."
"Who is Terry?"
"My brother."
"Well, don't let him either, ok?"
The little rabbit nodded enthusiastically and hopped back down the stairs to join her siblings at play, again. Only then did Nick realize that Judy had, in fact, returned with her mother. Judy looked like she was about to panic and bolt for some reason while Bonnie was giving her pointed looks. Several other rabbits were looked fawningly at him. He had no idea what any of it meant and he couldn't claim to care at the time. He was starving and wasn't dead. The oddness was an afterthought so long as he had flight duty on the farmyard.
The theme of peculiarity that had permeated the evening continued in the resurgence of Judy's embarrassment. She'd never had any problem with it before, so Nick assumed it was from all the attention they were getting. Judy's reactions only grew increasingly strained as the evening wore on. He'd fly until his power was spent, then he'd get a refill and head off again. He noticed her averting her eyes and keeping more of a distance, but wasn't overly concerned. The scrutiny was making him uncomfortable and he was busy most of the time. She had to sit on the sidelines and talk to her family.
By the time he had his last feeding everyone else had gotten used to him taking a sip. No one was thrilled about it, but they had stopped staring. If anything, they'd grown curious but were too polite to ask anything, just yet. Judy, on the other paw, had grown increasingly difficult to pin down so he even could take a sip. She'd been so speedy in her departure after the last one, she barely let him seal the punctures.
Nick shifted on his bed. All that was a concern for after sunset. He needed rest. Especially, as Wilde Airlines was booked solid for the foreseeable future.