Goodbye.
This word itself can be the most heartbreaking word known to every mammal on the surface of the world. It could mean a definite thing, where we are sure we will never see the other again. Hearing it from a loved one in this context can and will make you ugly cry. No one really wants to hear it in a definite manner. No one wants to say goodbye to a loved one and know that they will never see them again. They are called 'loved ones' for reasons and not having them in your life ever again can hurt even the toughest of mammals.
What about the indefinite goodbye? When there's a chance that you and the other will see each other again. Usually, it's used as a way to part by the end of the day so you can see each other the next day, or even later on the same day. In that case, it's no big deal. Even if it would take you more than a day to see each other again, the reassurance that it will happen eventually can make things easier. Sure, there would be a kind of longing and missing here and there, but it's much better than to be a final goodbye.
But…
There are rare occurences, when it's mixed with other emotions, and the indefinitive becomes more unbearable than its counterpart. For example, as parents, your kids leaving the house for college, or to just simply move out to their own, bound to make you an emotional mess, no matter who you are. Of course, you will be happy seeing your children grow up and start living their own life as you taught them, but the fact that you won't be seeing their faces everyday, that you won't share a good natured breakfast in the mornings, that you won't share the joy of nitpicking a new movie on nights, that you won't share the awkward moments when your child starts babbling about their favourite things when you ask them and you don't understand a single word they say but you still nod and be supportive… you miss those stuff. And when you realize that from now on, your child would share these moments with other mammals, you tend to become selfish and want them to stay.
But deep down, you know that a new chapter in your and in their life has started, when your child becomes your equal in a virtual way. In a technical way, you will be their most treasured loved one and will always have some kind of authority by some unspoken rule that the 'parent' title pinned on your forehead. But in this chapter, you will have to accept that your children have grown up, they have their life to care about and make do everyday, and you will only get to be a supportive actor in their story. Of course, they will treasure you the most and would not hesitate to land a helping paw shall the need arise, but it won't be the same. The days, where you and them will have each other in your life every single day, has come to an end.
So you can imagine that there were tears, even from Nick, when they had to say this kind of indefinite goodbye to both their children. 20 years, two decades of being together, sharing moments of joy, sadness, fear, anger and disgust, and it stopped that day. Manliness went out of the window as the dispatcher of the Zootopia National Airport alerted the passengers of the planes to Nippon and Wolfska, that they should start getting on to their respective aircrafts. Aaron, with the Wolford blood in his veins, started openly weeping without a care. His precious prince and princess, who they saved from a chemical fire decades ago, and raised with all the love a poor wolf and a fox could muster, are going to start their own lives in college as exchange students in Nippon and Wolfska. Nick wasn't fairing well either, the fur under his eyes were damp and he was sniffing and hiccuping too, but he was still not breaking down. He wanted to, his body and heart ached upon seeing Amelia leave to Wolfska to the most prestigious Art University while Mateusz's plane has already departed towards the Eastern country of Nippon where he would keep on studying the most advanced technology possible.
Don't get them wrong, both wolf and fox were proud immensely, Mateusz promised to use all his knowledge to make the world a safer place by his inventions while Amelia promised to make the world a happier and prettier place by her works. These weren't empty promises either, and their parents knew it. They promised to keep in touch, but it won't be the same. When Amelia's plane has taken off too, Aaron and Nick, who was accompanied by their friends and family, had to sit down and just let it all out. Every other mammal who passed them could see a group of multi-specied mammals, some weeping, some looking sympathetic, and in the middle were a wolf and a fox hugging and crying and just being there for the other. These were happy cries just as much as ugly cries, but it was a heartbreaking scene.
As both Nick and Aaron (and Rufus and Clawhauser and the Wolford triplets and so on) finally calmed down and could stand without tripping, they left the airport, and with a final glance at the sky towards the tiny silhouette of both planes, they left to go home. No one was with them in their car since everyone agreed that they would leave the pair of canines for the rest of the day. Their friends and family could see the Wildeford car idly sitting there in the parking lot as they left to go on with their own day.
Only the wolf and the fox knew that they were leaning on the other and were looking at the picture in Nick's pendant. The picture of their family when both children were just 7 years old. Those bright and innocent smiles, those eyes that screamed intelligence and compassion looked at them back…
…
''Y'know… I'm not one to boast and rub things under others' nose… but I told you so." whispered Aaron while slowly gazing down at his fox, who haven't lost his beauty since their first meeting. If everything, he got more dashing and handsome as he reached his 50's.
Said fox looked up at Aaron with a curious expression and urged him to continue wordlessly.
''It's just… I remember when I proposed the idea of having kits, and you were so sure that you would make a horrible parent, while I would be the deity of all fathers… I think we both agree you were wrong." said Aaron, getting a snort and a ghost smile from Nick.
A peaceful silence overtook the car as they resumed looking at their family photo in Nick's pendant. Aaron was right in every sense, and Nick couldn't deny it; their children turned out to be well-mannered, clever kits, and Nick had a major part in making that happen. A bad parent couldn't have done things like this, but Nick knew who was the real reason that urged Nick to be the best parent.
''…Thank you, Wolfie." whispered Nick softly without looking at his wolf.
''Thank you for making the life of some sneaky fox bearable, thank you for keeping with me at all times and thank you for loving me. You gave me a purpose and for that, I want to be with you 'till our last breath." said Nick sincerely.
After he finished, a pair of paws locked around his hips and soon he found himself in the lap of his wolf, facing said mammal as neither said anything while they looked into the other's beautiful eyes and just looked. Words were useless in this moment as they entwined their fingers and held paws in-between their bodies. Two smiles and two small drops of tears escaped their features as they kept on looking at each other's eye. Those eyes, that held a soul, literally born on that faithful dance on their wedding, when their souls became one and started sharing a piece of it. 20 years, and that soul still reflected in both eyes, alive and well.
Like there was a magnetic force, they started leaning towards the other and met halfway in their billionth kiss, but just as important and precious as the other kisses they shared throughout the years. Neither noticed, but they were smiling; a happy smile. Because in the end, they had no reason to be sad.
And they still had many years to be happy. Together.
Wooo Boy! Was this a joy ride. The official last chapter of Canine Love. I would like to thank everyone who supported me and reviewed the story. Seriously, there were times I was actually thinking of giving up, but your reviews helped me immensely. I started this story as a kind of experiment and things just happened after that. You guys made it happen in the end, so you can be proud of yourself.
Special thanks for Melior, TheAuraWolf and Seanwolf520 who supported me and provided me with help and their insight throughout the story.
A sequel will come, but as I mentioned in the last chapter, I will start two more projects simultaneously. I hope you will find them just as enjoyable as you did Canine Love.
Anyway, thank you again, and off to the worlds of San Fransokyo, Zootopia and Berk.
