(DISCLAIMER: I know I'm super late with this and wanted to get this done by/before Christmas, but I couldn't finish it in time. So, I'm sorry and I'll try to do better with the next holiday one-shot in either November or December of this year. Anyway, here's some belated JackXSkye fluff for what was supposed to be for the holidays...but here you go! And Happy New Year!).
-Welcome back to the ZNN Holiday Report! With your hosts, Fabienne Growley and Peter Moosebridge!
-Good evening and happy holidays Zootopia! It's that time of year again when everyone comes together to see friends, and family, and to celebrate Christmas.
-How right you are Fabienne! With tons of holiday activities and events happening all through the city, this will be a holiday season to remember for years to come!
-Sadly, not everyone seems to be in the holiday spirit. Earlier today, super-villains, ShockClaw, Shocker, and newcomer Shadowpaw, went on a non-stop rampage through Tundratown! Causing havoc and destroying everything in their path!
-Luckily, Spider-Yena swung to the rescue and made quick work of the villainous trio with ease. However, the friendly neighborhood superhero was met with an angry mob and a barrage of snowballs as he incidentally caused tons of property damage to the displays and The Great Christmas Tree that sits in the center of Downtown. This tree has been part of Zootopia history for the past fifty years…and it's currently covered in a pile of webs…*sigh* …terrific…
-Fortunately, nobody was hurt in this minor disaster and all holiday activities shall hopefully resume once we've got the all-clear from the authorities.
-With that being said, This concludes our holiday report! I'm Peter Moosebridge!
-I'm Fabienne Growley! And from all of us here at ZNN, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas~
-And a Happy New Year! Thank you!
Over in the Sherwood District…
Multiple houses and businesses were riddled with Christmas lights and decorations up the wazoo. Most of the residents were either mingling with their neighbors, drinking eggnog or hot coco on their porches, or singing carols at the local homeless shelter. While all of this was happening, Agent Jack Savage and his boss/girlfriend, MCB Director Skye Winter, were on their way to spend the holidays with Jack's family at his childhood home.
Along the way, Skye took the time to make sure that she and Jack had everything they needed for their stay; some of these things included gifts for the family, a couple of pies, and a baked veggie casserole. While she was doing that, Jack was currently driving through his old neighborhood, feeling huge immense nostalgia from his childhood; from waking up Christmas morning to open up presents with his mom and siblings to having snowball fights in Tundratown with Nick, Finnick, and the Big twins, Fru-Fru and Sophie. But before he can reminisce more about his childhood, the rabbit's thoughts are interrupted by a gentle boop on the nose.
"He-Hey!" Jack giggled as he scrunched his nose. "Is there something you need, ma'am?"
"Sorry, you kinda went all 'Space Cadet' for a bit," Skye laughed. "But it's nice to finally see you relax for once."
"I couldn't agree more," Jack replied. "After last year's events and all of the recovery efforts we made, we all deserved some time to relax."
Skye couldn't help but smile at her lapin lover before giving him a peck on the cheek. "I love you~"
"I love you more~" Jack blushes as he keeps his focus on the road and tries to resist the urge to ambush his snow vixen with flurries of kisses. Maybe later though.
After a few more minutes of driving through the neighborhood and checking out the various lights and decorations throughout the area, Jack and Skye finally made it to their destination. The Savages' Family Home; the house itself was painted in a hue light blue while the front door and the window frames were painted in a hue salmon pink. Along with this, the house was decorated from head to toe with carrot-shaped light bulbs and an assortment of red, green, and gold ornaments.
As they pulled up to the driveway, Skye noticed a few other vehicles parked in front of the house. Some of these include a blue jeep, a black convertible, and a silver minivan. But before she could continue with her silent observation, it was Jack's turn to snap his arctic vixen back to reality as he gently rubbed his paw on top of hers, "Are you feeling okay?" he asked concernedly. "You look a bit nervous."
"Yeah, sorry," she replied bashfully. "This is my first time spending the holidays with a much bigger family. Normally, it's just my parents and grandfather."
"I get that," Jack nodded. "But listen, just focus on having a great time, be yourself, take plenty of deep breaths, and step out if you need to. Okay?"
"Okay, Jack, thanks," Skye replied, feeling a little bit better.
"No worries," Jack replied before planting a few smooches on Skye's cheek. "And there's more where that came from~"
"Behave yourself, Agent Savage!" Skye says jokingly as she gets out of the car and starts grabbing some of their luggage.
"Yes, Director!" Jack winked back as he followed suit with unloading the car.
Once they got everything out of the car, including the food and gifts, Jack and Skye stood in front of the door and held each other's paws before knocking on it.
*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*
"Coming!" a soft but older voice exclaimed.
Jack immediately recognized the mammal's voice as he grew a great big smile and was trying his utmost hardest to not pull a binky. Mainly in fear of dropping the fresh-baked pies that he and Skye spent the last few weeks baking.
As soon as the door opened up, a female white rabbit, who was wearing a "My Kitchen, My Rules" apron with an ugly Christmas sweater underneath, and a pair of blue jeans gasped in complete shock and awe before screaming, "AHHH! JACK YOU MADE IT!"
"Merry Christmas Mom!" Jack replied before giving the lapine matriarch a one-arm hug. "Good to see you."
"Oh…it's good to see you too baby," she gives Jack a quick smooch on the cheek and notices the white fox next to him. "And who might this pretty fox be?"
Skye introduces herself with a warm smile and says "Hi, I'm Skyla Winter. Jack's girlfriend and boss at the MCB. It's nice to finally meet you, Ms. Savage."
"It's nice to meet you too dear!" Ms. Savage smiles back. "And please, just call me Hannah~"
With all introductions out of the way, Hannah invited the two inside and led them to the living room. Along the way, they decided to catch up with one another. "So, how did you and my little Skippy meet?"
"We met about ten years ago…" Skye started. "He and I were part of an elite task force that focused on international threats. He was VERY green at the time…hehe."
"And you weren't!?" Jack laughed, "You tried to act all tough and mean to all of the guys we captured and interrogated! But your voice kept cracking, your tail got all frizzy, and-mmph" Before he could continue with his side of the story, Jack was immediately shot down by a very flustered Sky who quickly covered his mouth with her tail.
"AND…that's enough out of you, Skippy." Skye laughed as her ears and cheeks were burning a deep shade of pink.
Hannah just smiled and laughed as she listened to her son and his girlfriend's banter before finally reaching the living room; inside was a medium-sized Christmas tree, which was decked up from head to toe with ornaments, candy canes, and a mountain of presents sitting underneath it. Next to it was a fireplace and on top of it was two little incense and a picture of a burly buck who had the same fur color and stripes as Jack. Hannah looks up at the photo and her demeanor changes from happy to somewhat somber.
"Hey, Frankie…look who's here?" She tearfully says as she signals Jack to come over.
"Hey Dad…" Jack waves as he tries his hardest to stay strong and not start crying. "It's great to see you…your 'Little Skipper' is all grown-up now. I saved the world a few times, got an amazing girlfriend, and…and…a-and…" he starts to choke up and lose his grip on the deserts.
"It's okay, Jack…it's okay…" Hannah rubs her youngest buck on the back and grabs the pans of pies from him. "Here, I'll put these in the kitchen, and leave you and Skye be. Okay?"
"*Sniff*...Thanks mom…" Jack nodded as the stream of tears began to stain his fur.
As she begins to walk away, Hannah shoots Skye the look of a concerned mother. Understanding the visual message, Skye replies with a simple nod before going over to Jack and wrapping him up in a warm and safe embrace. "I'm here Jack…I'm here…" she says as she nuzzles his head. With that being said, the buck finally lets go as the tears come out in full force. The arctic vixen stays quiet as she lets her boyfriend take all the time he needs to cry and grieve over his late father.
"I-I'm sorry," Jack sniffles as he starts to regain his composure. "It's Christmas Eve…we're supposed to be here having fun, and I'm sitting here crying like a-"
"Shhh…shhh…don't apologize," Skye says as she wipes away the remaining tears from Jack's cheeks. "You're allowed to express your feelings and cry if you need to. You're not alone."
Jack just nods as he becomes more comfortable in Skye's arms and goes, "It's been twenty-four years since we lost him…he died from pneumonia when I was eight."
"Oh, Jack…" Skye tears up.
"Hey, hey, no more tears," Jack says as he turns to his fox and wipes away her tears. "It'll be okay. We'll be okay. And knowing my old man, he wouldn't want either of us to be sad before Christmas. Right?"
"Right," Skye smiles as she nuzzles Jack on the cheek. "And I'll always have your back."
"That's why I love you."
Meanwhile in the backyard…
The holiday festivities were in full swing as members of the Savage Family were enjoying themselves; all of the adults were chatting amongst themselves while enjoying some spiked eggnog, the teenagers were taking pictures or playing various party games with their cousins, and the little kids were either running around the yard playing tag or trying to sneak a quick snack before dinner. Which only lasted for a few seconds as Grandma Hannah was on the prowl for any naughty or sneaky kitts. Along with this, she had her two eldest daughters, Jo and Madison, as a backup team while they finished setting up the table.
While this was happening, Hannah's other five children, Phoebe, Casey, Owen, Darren, and Brandy, were all busy making last-minute touches to all of the dishes and sides. All while trying not to kill each other or create a giant mess in their mother's kitchen…again. While everyone was all over the place, Jack and Skye finally made their presence known to the rest of the family. Both were equally nervous as they weren't sure about how the family was going to react to one of their relatives being an inter and dating a predator. Fortunately, Jack and Skye didn't have to wait so long for an answer.
"HEY! IT'S UNCLE JACK!" exclaimed one of the kits. "AND HE HAS A PRETTY FOX WITH HIM!"
"Brace yourself," Jack smirked as held on tight to Sky's paw. "You're about to get the Full Savage Experience."
"Bring it on, Skippy," Skye sassed with a smirk of her own.
As soon as those words left Jack's mouth, he and Skye were instantaneously swarmed by his colony of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jack was used to the commotion, whereas Skye was new to being around such a big family. And of course, all of these young and adolescent kits had a plethora of questions for their uncle/cousin and his "friend".
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"How long have you known Jack?"
"Can you get Spider-Yena's autograph for me?"
"Do you work for Spider-Yena?"
"Do you carry a gun, Uncle Jack? If so, can I hold it?!"
"When are you gonna give us some cousins!? And can they all be girls!?"
"How long have you two been a thing?"
"What made you fall for a fox?"
Fortunately for Jack and Skye, they were given a lifeline in the form of Hannah reeling in her grandkids, and telling them all to wash up for dinner and to stop overwhelming their relative and his guest with all of their questions. They both blew a sigh of relief as they knew that the questions were just gonna keep coming and that they weren't gonna be able to answer all of them.
"So, baby brother, what's it like working for Spidey?" Darren gibed as he pretended to shoot webs.
"Hilarious," Jack rolled his eyes as he went to hug his older brother. "And for the record, I don't work FOR Spider-Yena. I work WITH Spider-Yena."
"Likely story baby bro," Darren chuckled as he hugged Jack back.
While the two bucks continue with their sibling banter, Jo and the rest of her brothers and sisters introduce themselves to the arctic vixen. Things were going well for the most part as they exchanged funny and embarrassing stories about their little brother to Skye, which gave the usually serious fox a good laugh and blackmail material for later or potential endeavors. Along with this, they thank her for being there for Jack and being a great girlfriend to the striped buck. Skye just smiled and was gratefully honored to meet the other members of the Savage Family and get to know them better. However, before they could continue with their conversations, Hannah bellows to them that dinner was ready and it was time to eat.
When it comes to family dinners, Skye is mostly used to the quiet abundance of just her and her parents. However, when it comes to having dinner with Jack and his family? It's quite the experience. Everyone was laughing, stuffing their faces with delicious food, drinking until they were pink and red in the face, and trying to get the kids to stop play-fighting with their food and eat it.
Skye was enjoying every minute of it and couldn't help but smile at Jack as he was currently in the middle of an adorable tickle fight with his nieces and nephews. As she watches on, a wandering thought keeps playing in her mind: "I hope Jack and I become parents someday…"
Cling!* *Cling!* *Cling!* Echoed throughout the table, signaling everyone to not only be silent but to also give their undivided attention to the matriarch of the Savage clan.
"I would like to make a toast," Hannah starts as she raises her glass. "Firstly, I would like to thank my eight wonderful children for taking the time to come and spend the holidays with their mother and making this time of year more memorable! Jo, Madison, Phoebe, Casey, Owen, Darren, Brandy, Jack…I'm proud of you all and I love you oh so much. And knowing your father, he'd be proud of y'all too~"
This brought everyone to tears, Skye included, as Hannah's words were full of love and wholehearted compassion. Jo, the eldest of the bunch, raised her glass and tearfully replied "And to the best Mom of the world! For being there for us when we were scared, sad, sick, or just missing Dad…and I know he's looking down at all of us. We love you, Mom!"
The rest of the family followed suit as they all raised their glasses in honor of Hannah.
"Love you, Mom!"
"Love you, Momma!"
"We love you, Mom!"
"Love you too Sis!"
"WE LOVE YOU GRAN-GRAN!"
"Love you, Auntie Hannah!"
Hannah smiled and teared up as she appreciated all of the love and reception from her entire family. With that being said, the matriarch raised her glass once more and loudly proclaimed, "Merry Christmas Everyone!"
*CLANG!* "MERRY CHRISTMAS! *CLANG!*
After dinner and dessert…
The entire Savage Clan got together for their annual family photo. With a few seconds left on the camera's timer, Hannah told Skye to join them because she's part of the family now and no one gets left behind. Everyone smiled and in unison yelled "SAVAGE!" *CLICK!*
Once that was set and done, half of the family decided to cozy up in front of the fireplace and rest up from all of the food and fun they had from earlier. The other half of the family, who somehow still had the energy to keep going, decided to take some of the younger kits for a walk through the neighborhood to look at the various decorations and get some caroling in before it got too late. While all of this was happening, Jack was on a video call with Nick as he, Judy, Luna, Victoria, Marian, Robin, and Little John were currently spending the holidays down in Bunnyburrow with the Hopps Clan.
"Glad to hear you crazy kids are having fun!" Nick smirked. "So…did you do the thing yet?"
"Not yet, buddy," Jack replies as he holds up a medium-small box in his paws. "But, I'm about to…however, though…"
"Jack…" Nick started in a worrying but stern tone.
"I'm not having second thoughts, Nick! Relax!" Jack replied. "I'm just afraid of her reaction…afraid she might say no…especially after everything that happened last year."
"Listen, I understand you're nervous about asking Skye. I do. But, you should already know what her answer is going to be. You two have known each other for years. Well, not as long as me…hehe. But seriously Jack! You've been talking about this non-stop! Hell, for over a year now! And as your childhood best friend, you have my full-on support. OW! *sigh*...and of course Judy, Luna, Vic, my parents, and Uncle John."
"Heh, thanks, Nick." Jack smiled, feeling a bit more confident with himself.
"You're gonna do great Skippy!" Marian called from the background.
"Don't screw up!" Robin and Little John chimed in unison. "We'll know about it!"
Jack just gave a little chuckle and shook his head before saying, "Thank you peanut gallery. I love you knuckleheads too! See you after the holidays." He ends the call and gets ready for his special moment with the mammal he loves.
Moments later…
After finding a mysterious note in the guest room that says, "Meet me above the mistletoe…I have a surprise for you 3 -Jack". Skye obliged by it and proceeded to walk towards the entrance of the living room, where the mistletoe was hanging from, and saw another note. It had two simple words: "Look down!". As she does so, Skye is quickly taken aback when she covers her mouth in shock and begins to tear up as she sees Jack kneeling on one knee and holding out a box that holds a predator-sized ring in the form of a Tulip Snow Crystal.
"Skye, my beloved," Jack starts, as he tries not to cry himself. "Not only have you been an amazing boss, but also, a spectacular girlfriend. For the past ten years…you have proven time and time again why I love you so much. Why I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication you put into keeping us agents in check at the MCB. And most importantly, I want to make sure I'm there for you and all of your future achievements and victories! I'm truly grateful to have you by my side! A-And I just have one thing to ask you…"
"Yes…?" Skye tearfully nodded.
"Skyla Neve Winter…Will you marry me?"
"Y-Yes…of course I will…" Skye cried tears of joy as she got down on one knee and gave her now fiance a deep and passionate kiss. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Savage-Winter~"
"And Merry Christmas to you too, Mrs. Savage-Winter~"
With that being said, the newly engaged couple shared another passionate kiss. Celebrating their newfound love for each other and continuing to spread the holiday cheer.
The End~