"Rev, wake up son," Ralph whispered loudly, gently shaking Rev's shoulder to wake him. Rev groaned tiredly as he turned to see his father standing over him. The younger roadrunner rolled over and looked at the digital clock and saw the time was 5:45 am. "Pa, it's not even sunrise yet," Rev moaned, "Remind me why we have to get to the station so ungodly early. Even Tech doesn't usually get up this early." Rev rubbed his eyes and placed his crocheted spider David onto the bedside table.
"Well, I guess we can only hope your… friend manages to roll out of bed in time to meet us down at the station before the train leaves." Ralph said nonchalantly. "Oh, don't worry," Rev chirped, "I know Tech well enough to know that he won't let us down. He'll be there with time to spare." Ralph just rolled his eyes as Rev let out another yawn before standing up and stretching his arms over his head, only to wince in pain and wrapped his arms around his gut. "Ow, dang it."
"Are you alright, son?" Ralph asked worriedly. "Ugh, yeah, I'm okay," Rev groaned, "I'm just not used to having my movement so limited. It stinks." Rev looked around and spotted his tote bag over by the foot of the bed with his clothes neatly folded on top of it. Rev trotted over and snatched his outfit and tote before walking into the bathroom, "I'm going to get dressed really quick. Then we can grab some breakfast before heading to meet Tech and the others at the Bullet Station."
"Yeah, about that," Ralph said hesitantly, "Are you certain that bringing your coyote friend home with us is a good idea?" "Pa, are we really going to have to have this conversation again?" Rev said with a frustrated sigh, "I thought we were past this already. Besides, we had a deal. And it's like you always say: A deal's a deal." "I know, son," Ralph said as he walked over and changed into his daytime clothes, "But I can't help but be concerned. You remember what happened to great-grandpa Runner."
"Yes, Pa, I know about what happened to Grand-Pappy," Rev sighed, "I still don't see what that has to do with Tech. I mean, that was decades ago, and it's not like Tech was the one who attacked him. Heck, Tech's grandparents probably weren't even born yet." Ralph turned as Rev emerged from the bathroom, dashing over to the bedside table and picked up David, giving him a quick snuggle before placing it in his tote. Ralph scanned up and down Rev to get a good look at his outfit, cringing as Rev bent over to place the tote bag onto the floor and placed his folded pajamas into it.
"Is something wrong, Pop?" Rev asked, looking up at Ralph. Ralph paused, thinking for a moment before he just shook his head, opting to bite his tongue. Unfortunately for him, Rev wasn't buying it. Rev looked at his dad and folded his arms, asking, "You really don't want Tech to come with us, do you?"
Ralph sighed and pinched the space between his eyes. "Son, look," Ralph walked over and placed a hand on Rev's shoulder, backing up a little as Rev flinched, "Your friend is a good guy. But our neighbors might be uncomfortable with him around. You know the majority of our town is avians, and prey species at that."
"So? What difference does that make?" Rev asked with a shrug, "Tech might not be a vegetarian but he is civilized. He doesn't even eat bird meat, hasn't for a long time. At least that's what he's always told us." "And you… believe him?" Ralph asked. Rev's feathers fluffed up angrily, clearly offended by Ralph's question. "Son, you and I both know folks like him aren't exactly welcome back home, and for good reason. I'm just concerned about how his presence might make them feel. Especially… well, you know."
"What? Wait, are you talking about all of our neighbors? Or is this about Mr. Mathewson?" Rev let out a bitter scoff, "Why the Meep should I give a care about his feelings? The guy's a raging racist; of course he'd disapprove of Tech being in the neighborhood. Heck, he'd probably disapprove of the fact that Tech even exists!"
"Son, please. You know that's not what I meant," Ralph said holding his hands up defensively. "Don't lie to me, Pop," Rev hissed, "I know exactly what you meant. And I meant exactly what I said yesterday. You agreed to mine and Tech's terms, dad; don't back out of it now. Please," Rev clenched his chest and panted hard, walking over to the bed and sitting down with a pained sigh, "Just… don't do this to me," Rev pleaded, "Not again… not like this."
Ralph sat down next to Rev on the bed and gently placed a hand on his back, slowly patting it to try to comfort Rev as he choked back tears. "Alright, son." Ralph sighed, "Alright. Besides, it's not like he's going to move in with us, right? It's just for a few days, right?"
Rev gave a forced smile and nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes. Ralph yelped as Rev wrapped his arms around him and whispered, "Yeah. It's just for a few days." Ralph gently returned Rev's embrace, patting his shoulder softly whispering, "A few days."