Sharing the shower.
"Okay, think Nick, there is always another angle!" The fox thought as he eyed the cheetah in front of him and then looked over her shoulder. All he could see was his reflection in the large mirror that was covered in smudges.
"Firewatcher?" Came Lylah's voice from down the line of shower stalls.
"Wait! Firewatcher is here?!" Emma spat out from the stall next to Nick.
"Oh yeah!" Tammy said playfully as she put a paw on her hip and looked directly at Nick. Her eyes lowered to the stall door, hiding Nick's more natural look. Nick instinctively put his paws down to cover himself, grateful the stall door did all the work, but the only thing separating him from Tammy was a small piece of wood on some hinges. If she wanted to all she would have to do is step forward and push.
Nick gulped in fear as he examined the cheetah. His expression must have given him away as the cheetah's expression softened slightly. Though her eyes still held a rather suggestive nature.
"Okay is he mute now or something?" Lylah asked from down the stalls.
Emma and Tammy both began to laugh at the tigress's question. Nick realizing he hadn't said a word. He had a feeling he had one chance at this. He had to think of something good. His next words could either be his last or get him out of the situation.
"Sorry, didn't recognize you with the towel on!" Nick blurted out.
"Okay, so I guess this is where we die!" Nick thought.
Tammy suddenly blushed and gripped the towel a little tighter. A roar of laughter came from Lylah.
"He speaks!" Emma teased from the stall next to Nick's.
"Hey foxy!" Lylah said, her tone changing to one of curiosity, "Settle a bet for me-"
"Its average size," Nick blurted out. "Okay that was a little too bold, even for you!" He thought. The fox then realized that he was just reacting to his audience though. Yesterday the two felines had laid the flirting on pretty hard. They reacted to one another's suggestions to playing with the fox. So he decided to go along with it. To show he was comfortable. The chances of being taken advantage of would drop, not by much, but still.
"Oh my gods!" Tammy said as she put a paw to her mouth. Emma started wheezing in the stall next to Nick and Lylah could be heard gasping for air.
"Where was this fox yesterday?!" Lylah asked playfully.
Tammy was shaking her head as she looked at Nick, her eyes fluttering down to the stall door once more. Nick cocked his head slightly and gave the cheetah a sly shake of the head. Telling her not to even try it.
Nick was back in his element. He didn't know where this confidence was coming from but he had to keep it up.
"He was too busy stopping you lot from burning down the whole forest!" Nick barked.
A silence fell over the three ladies. Tammy looked at the ground nervously, still holding the towel and shampoo bottle in her massive claws.
"About that," Emma began, her tone sounding a little off.
"Yeah, that was kind of stupid of us…" Tammy admitted.
"I blame the beer!" Lylah shouted, "Speaking of which! Foxy! Help me out! Did you take some of our booze?"
"Shit," Nick thought as he remembered he may or may not have taken some of the ladies drinks as payment for making him walk all the way to the lake. "I have no-"
"We aren't gonna be mad!" Lylah cut him off, "But the girls keep accusing me of drinking it all behind their backs and say they will drag me to an AA meeting when we return to the city! Come on! Back another predator up here!"
"We are all predators here," Tammy pointed out.
"Shut up Tammy!" Lylah spat at the cheetah. "I mean come on and help another orange furred-"
"Excuse me? Fox standing right here!" Emma interjected.
"Shut it Emma!" Lylah said in the same tone. "Foxy just back me up here! I will buy you a drink myself if you admit it!"
"Listen, if you all leave your drinks unattended that's your own fault. Never know who might be lurking around here and take a bottle…or two…and maybe some of the cans. Speaking of which you ladies have sucky choices in beer!"
"Called it! Totally called it! You two owe me an apology!" Lylah cheered from down the row of stalls.
"Naw I'm good," Tammy said playfully as she turned and looked just out of Nick's view.
"Same, still think you have a problem!" Emma joined in.
"Yeah, gotta go with the experts here," Nick chimed in. Tammy looked over at Nick and gave him a wink.
"Hate…all….of….you!" Lylah groaned.
Nick gave off a soft chuckle as Tammy rolled her eyes.
"So listen, about yesterday," Tammy said as she looked directly at Nick, "That was kinda not right of us. Like in all ways…"
"Oh hush! The fox got to see all of us naked! Bet he didn't mind it!" Lylah said sternly. "Also where is that shampoo?!"
"One second! Trying to make nice here!" Tammy shouted. She then returned her attention to Nick. "We realized after sobering up we may have made things super awkward..."
"It's alright," Nick said.
"No it wasn't," Tammy said softly, "We got drunk, I mean that part was fun! The fireworks though…that was stupid..."
"And then the skinny dipping…"Emma's voice came from the other side of the wall, "Yeah…that wasn't a good idea either."
"Did wonders for my fur though," Lylah teased.
"So we wanted to say we were sorry…" Tammy said softly.
"Yeah sorry..." Emma joined in.
There was a silence for a few minutes, "I aint sorry!" Lylah joked which earned her a laugh from the other mammals.
"Well its ok, I did take your booze so I am not completely innocent either," Nick admitted.
"Think of it as a peace offering!" Tammy said happily.
"Yeah, very generous to offer up my booze!" Lylah grumbled.
"Last thing you need is more liquor there drunky!" Emma suggested.
Nick had a sudden realization. The image of his destroyed tower flashed through his mind.
"You ladies didn't happen to swing by my tower last night? Did you?" Nick asked inquisitively.
"Is that an invitation?" Tammy said in a flirtatious manner.
Nick shook his head, his expression serious.
Tammy took the hint and tilted her head, "No, why?"
"It's nothing…just missing some stuff is all..." Nick grumbled.
Tammy suddenly threw up her paws, "Woah! We didn't do anything at all! Promise! After the beach we headed to our campsite and just hunkered down!"
"And drank!" Emma added.
"And got cozy in our tent!" Lylah said playfully.
Tammy turned a bright red.
"I knew it! I thought some mammal was outside of my tent getting murdered last night! All that groaning! I was terrified!" Emma shouted.
Tammy managed to create a new color of red as she put her head in her paw.
Nick was laughing at this point that his sides started to ache. It was an interesting sightseeing the cheetah in front of him look so embarrassed.
"Seriously though, we didn't go near a tower last night!" Tammy groaned.
Nick shut off the shower and shook some excess water from his fur before reaching for his towel.
"Just wondering, probably forgot it somewhere," Nick lied, knowing full well his tower had been intentionally vandalized. He could tell though that the ladies were telling the truth about last night's events. He thought better than to press the matter. He didn't want to sound like he was accusing anyone.
He was still on somewhat thin ice being in the presence of the three female predators. Though they were playing nice now Nick still kept his guard up.
Tammy looked at the fox and then her eyes went wide as she realized she was still loitering around his stall. She beated a hasty retreat back down the rows and towards a shower stall more her size.
Nick dried himself off as best he could then put some clean clothing on before exiting the stall. He took a peak down the row of showers and couldn't help but notice that only two showers were active. There was a small giggling coming from the farthest stall and Nick realized where Tammy had wandered off to.
Nick shook his head, thinking it was best to not say anything and just get out of the comfort station as quickly as he could. Though he was grateful they had apologized for yesterday he still felt somewhat awkward around the other mammals.
Unfortunately for Nick he wouldn't escape till all the ladies were done. He heard the water behind him stop. Knowing Emma must be done cleaning herself up.
Nick braced himself. The memories from yesterday still fresh in his mind. The sight of the vixen had stirred some painful memories of a certain mammal from his past. It wasn't Emma's fault and Nick was sure she was a nice fox, but all the same.
Emma came strolling from the shower, a towel wrapped around her body. She had gone with a different approach than Nick. Leaving all her clothing on the counter. She tip toed over to the pile of clothes, trying to keep her eyes on the ground. She froze however mid step and looked at Nick.
He froze as he detected Emma stopping close behind him. He didn't want to look up but he couldn't stop himself. His eyes went to the mirror and he noticed Emma was sniffing the air in his direction.
She took a step closer which made him look over his shoulder. She looked at Nick and gave him another sniff. A friendly smile crossing her face. She took a step closer to the male fox and leaned closer. "Glad you got rid of it."
"Got rid of?" He asked in a confused manner.
Emma gave him a sweet smile, "The mark."
Nick's eyes went wide and his paw instinctively went to his throat. He rubbed the fur and realized he had thoroughly rubbed himself down all over before the ladies had arrived. He hadn't done that since…well since a certain event. What made him do that?! He had been so careful to keep it! It was the last thing he had of hers!
A thought crossed his mind, "Why do I need anything of hers…?"
Emma picked up her clothing and scurried back to the shower stall. Though she had had no problem being naked in front of Nick yesterday, this more sober vixen seemed to want to maintain some form of decency.
"Hey Nick, you done skinny dipping?" Judy's voice suddenly filled the comfort station. Her transmission echoed throughout the large hall.
"We have a name!" Tammy said playfully from the far stall, her voice trailed off into a soft moan seconds later.
"Why do I have a feeling that comment is at our expense?" Emma teased from her own stall.
Nick grabbed the radio quickly and turned the volume down before transmitting, "Hey boss!" Nick began to say.
"Oh it's his boss!" Tammy teased, "Quick everyone act professional!"
"Just finishing up at the comfort station!" Nick said nervously. Waving his arms about to try and get the ladies to quiet down. He couldn't explain why but he felt it would be a bad idea for Judy to know he had run into the skinny dipping mammals from yesterday.
"Who was that?" Judy asked with a hint of jealousy.
"Just his lake lovers!" Tammy teased. Nick was grateful he hadn't keyed up yet.
"His harem!" Lylah joined in.
Nick looked at Emma who opened her mouth and was about to speak but Nick let out a soft growl.
"Oh! Foxy's got some bite to him!" Lylah teased.
The two felines were apparently not very familiar with fox's. Emma having reminded them at the lake that Nick wouldn't have been into some fun because "that's not how fox's operate."
To most mammals growls were just that, a growl. A low sound that came from the back of the throat. However some canines managed to pick up what a growl meant. Foxes of course could understand perfectly. It was a matter of pitch. Some pitches meant different things.
The growl that Nick let out caused Emma's eyes to go wide with intrigue. It was one given off when protecting a mate. He wouldn't have done it for any of the ladies in there, which was obvious since they had just met. Emma however was smart and understood almost instantly.
The vixen's eyes looked down at the walkie in Nick's paws, then to his throat, and finally to his bright green eyes. She gave him a knowing look which caused Nick to nervously look at the walkie and then back at Emma.
"Nick?" Judy's voice came back.
"Say anything and you both walk back to Zootopia!" Emma shouted sternly.
"What? Aww come on!" Tammy protested before letting out a gasp.
"Little busy to talk!" Lylah said, her mouth sounding full for some reason.
Emma then nodded at Nick, giving him a form of silent promise that they wouldn't interrupt.
"Just some campers using the comfort station," Nick said, it wasn't exactly a lie. The ladies were campers and they were currently using the comfort station. Mind you Lylah and Tammy seemed to be using it a little differently than the designers had intended.
"Hope they don't give you as much trouble as the ladies from yesterday!" Judy teased.
The ladies lost it and the comfort station filled with laughter.
"Oh no! They are all very well behaved model citizens!" Nick informed, eyeing Emma. The vixen getting the hint and nodding.
"On that note, I have to return to my tower," Nick informed the ladies.
"Later foxy!" Lylah said.
"Cya Firewatcher!" Tammy moaned.
"Bye Nick," Emma said kindly with a nod.
"If you ever need any help at all," Nick began, "stay away from two forks tower!"
The ladies let out another series of laughter and giggles as Nick excused himself.
"So making friends?" Judy asked playfully. Though he still detected a hint of jealousy from the walkie.
"Yeah, you could say that," Nick said softly, "But they aren't anything compared to my favorite otter!"
"Awww," Judy came back, her voice sounding somewhat relieved. "I'm your favorite otter?"
"Are you an otter?" Nick asked eagerly.
"No! But I am glad I am your favorite!" Judy teased.
Nick rolled his eyes as he continued up the path to his tower. He scratched his throat randomly, satisfying an itch that had been forming for a moment. He let his paw linger though as he ran his digits threw his fur.
"Glad you got rid of it!" Emma's voice echoed in his mind.
"Glad you're here..." Judy's voice came next in his mind. "Because I have you to talk to..."
More and more of the sweet things that had been said between Nick and Judy flooded the fox's mind. He felt lighter for some reason. Also a little embarrassed.
"What are you getting yourself into?" He thought nervously. "You are only latching onto her because she is being nice!"
The thoughts quickly soured as Nick continued to his tower. He had only just met Judy. Correction. He had only just heard her voice a little while ago. He had never met this stranger. That's what she was a stranger! She was just being nice to him. She was stuck out here just like him. Alone, bored, wanting to talk.
No that couldn't be true. Judy wasn't talking to him just because she was bored! She enjoyed his company! Because it was his! Right?
A war suddenly raged in Nick's mind. All of it focused around Judy. He had gotten rid of his mark for her! No that wasn't right! That couldn't be right!
He needed to get rid of the mark! He needed to forget…her...
That's why he did it. Not for anyone else! For him!
"So this is gonna sound kinda stupid," Judy began to say in a nervous tone.
"What's up boss?" Nick asked, his own tone not sounding like his own.
"Umm…okay, promise not to laugh?" Judy asked, sounding even more nervous.
"Alright, I will try, but if you call me bucko all bets are off!"
"Well…umm..." Judy began to say, "Never mind!"
"Oh no you don't!" Nick shot back, "You can't build me up like that!"
"No it's so freaking dumb!" Judy groaned.
"Even better!" Nick laughed, "Come on! Out with it!"
"I was jealous…"Judy said quickly.
"What?!" Nick asked, somewhat confused, "Jealous about what?"
"Just now…umm...when I heard another female voice on the radio...and you being at the comfort station…I..." Judy stopped her transmission, obviously unsure how to continue.
Nick felt amazing. The war of thoughts raging through his mind ending, an obvious victor standing tall.
"Change of subject!" Judy announced, obviously hating the sudden silence on the frequency. "I finished organizing the delivery for your new computer! It should show up tomorrow afternoon! They will have a tech swing by with a ranger to do the install. The ranger will also take a report about the vandalism and damage!"
Nick wanted to go back to the other subject but decided Judy had gone this route for a reason. It caused him to smile.
"Any chance they are bringing some new sheets?" Nick asked playfully.
"Oh that's right! Yeah I have them brining you some sheets! They gave me a list of choices of the ones they had in storage! Think you will love what I picked!"
"Oh gosh! What did you pick?" Nick asked nervously. The fox finally arriving at his tower took a moment to admire his new home. It was worn down and had obviously seen better days. To him though it was perfect, mainly because of a certain voice over the radio.
"You will see!" Judy said evilly.
"If it is bright pink with polka dots…I am leaving this tower!"
"Aww, but who will talk to me all summer?" Judy asked sadly.
"Oh I will take the walkie with me!"
"Woohoo!" Judy cheered which caused Nick to smirk.
Nick climbed the steps to his tower, taking his time to enjoy the view. When he finally reached the top he looked at the broken window. There was still some glass on the floor. He decided that this would be his task for the day.
He opened the door to the tower and tossed his backpack on the sheet less bed. Now that he was al cleaned up he felt like a new fox. Ready to take on the challenges that were thrown at him. Well as long as it didn't involve more naked mammals.
"Well I am back at my tower," Nick informed Judy. "Is there anything I can do about this window?"
There was a pause over the radio before Judy returned. "Yeah, most towers have a small supply of wooden board for just such an occurrence! There should be a pile of them down at the bottom of the tower. Also there should be a small lockbox of sorts that has some basic tools!"
"You couldn't have told me before I got to the top of my lookout?!" Nick asked jokingly.
"Awww, poor fox, have to climb up and down the stairs?"
"Hey! I should be taking it easy! I saved the forest from naked pyromaniacs yesterday!"
"Your medal is in the mail," Judy teased, "Now get down those steps and start fixing up the tower!"
"Can't help but notice I seem to be doing a lot of work for a firewatcher!"
"Yep! Aren't you lucky to have me for a supervisor?" Judy said happily.
"You have no idea," Nick muttered to himself before keying up once more, "Meh..."
"Oi!"
"So while I am adding an expansion to my tower, what is it you will be doing hmm?"
"Oh me?" Judy asked. There was some shuffling over the radio as Judy gathered some objects. "I will be drawing you!"
"What?"
"Yeah! It will be fun!" Judy announced happily.
"Once again, what?"
"Oh shush! "Judy began, "So Nick tell me! What kind of eyes do you have?"
Nick made it out alive! Go Nick!
Fox! Lylah! Thanks! :P
I have to say this story has been getting such a positive reception! I am very grateful for all the reviews, follows, and favorites! Thank you!
Cant wait to start on the next chapter. Mind you I have 3 other stories being worked on so it may be a while! This one though will be getting more attention as it has been a super fun writing experience!
-Blue