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rinpoo-blog · 3 months ago

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You’re Where I Belong.

Stuart sat melancholily atop a grand New York City Highrise. He had flown up to the top hours ago and daydreamed about his future choices.

In the eight or nine years since the Littles adopted him, he refined himself through schooling and aviation, yet this unspoken uncertainty prevented him from action.

Now that it was time for him and George to apply for university and begin the next chapter of their young lives, Stuart found no motivation to do anything about it.

It wasn’t difficult to understand why, given that Margalo was the only thing ever on his mind. This August, like every other, she was to leave with the rest of the birds, and every time, it felt like a piece of his soul was torn from him.

Their bond was different…. Special…. In ways that Stuart still struggled to understand. True, by the time of her second or third return to stay with the Littles for the spring and summer, he had told her he loved her.

Her expression at the time was shocked, but her body language was accepting. A hug happened then, and tonight, in the dwindling heat, he could still feel its warmth.

A mouse with a canary girlfriend….

Was it absurd?

Was it more absurd than a family of humans adopting a mouse?

Perhaps…. However, the drastic things that Stuart was contemplating these past months made those absurdities look downright standard normalcy.

“….”

As Stuart exhaled and felt the chill of the approaching fall blow over him, he knew it was time. His family knew it was time….

Sadly, Margalo didn’t know it was time….

The difficulty in bringing it up to her had driven a wedge between them this visit, and he inexplicably and unintentionally found himself distant from her.

He could tell it was hurting her, but he genuinely didn’t know how to get what was in his mind out.

Turning his gaze forward, he stared at the rhythmically blinking red lights atop the skyscrapers that alerted human planes to their presence.

Glancing down, he saw the microscopic people going about their nightly lives.

“….”

Strange…. How this change in perspective made him feel like the giant one. It made him realize that he had outgrown his fear of being too little and was ready….

Stuart stood up, about to turn to his plane, but frighteningly, his vision went completely dark.

Because of the sudden shift, he tried to get his bearings, but when he heard Margalo’s voice speak gently, he immediately calmed down.

“Guess who~!”

Her voice was playful, and Stuart could feel her gentle feathers across his face, blocking his vision.

Rather than be dour or distant, he decided that since she took the time to find him, he would return her playfulness.

“Hmm… Let’s see… Is it Snowball!?”

“Nope~!” Margalo chuckled.

Stuart couldn’t help but smile and responded jokingly. “Is it you, Mango?”

Margalo became playfully annoyed and sighed. “Mango? Really, Stuart?”

Now Stuart laughed and responded, “Well, you are yellow and sweet, so it is an easy mix-up….”

Margalo removed her wings, and when Stuart glanced at her, he saw her grinning. After gazing into one another’s eyes, Margalo became sad and stared at the ground.

“I… That’s the Stuart I have been looking for since I got back….”

Stuart only stared. Seeing how hurt she felt was agonizing, but he was still struggling to express himself.

Eventually, Margalo became angry and shook her head. “Well, at least I got to see him before I leave tomorrow…. It is just a shame that he wasn’t here when I first came….”

Stuart placed his hands in his pockets and shook his head, and then Margalo became angrier and expressed her hurt directly.

“What’s going on, Stuart…? Everyone is happy to see me but you…. I see you here; you speak to me, but it is as if you are gone…”

Stuart was still tight-lipped and fidgety, which made Margalo look defeated. “What did I do, Stuart? This is always my favorite time of year….”

It was at this point that Stuart became afraid and cut her off. “You did nothing, Margalo! Really!”

“Then what’s going on?” Margalo said, relaxing her posture.

Stuart really only had two choices: tell the truth or lie. After all the hurt he’d caused, he spoke openly for the first time.

“Margalo…. Look, I am…. Having trouble with you leaving…. I…. It is just so hard to do….”

“….”

Margalo’s heart felt like breaking, but she stood silently, allowing him to speak.

“Margalo…. I don’t want to sit here while you leave…. I want to migrate with you this year….”

Margalo’s eyes were wide and full of terror. Of all the things she was expecting, this was not one of them.

“I… Stuart… I don’t know what to say….” Margalo’s voice began meekly and then became stronger as she continued.

“I just…. I don’t know how you would…. I couldn’t carry you all the way there….”

Margalo glanced at his old plane and shook her head. “We both know that won’t make it….”

Stuart understood her reasoning but spoke matter-of-factly about this. “I… I have been thinking about this for years now…. Every dollar at my part-time job I have earned has been put into going….”

Margalo was speechless. She could see how serious and difficult this was for him to do and ask. While it worried her deeply, the thought of having him all year almost made her explode from sudden excitement.

Before she could find words or Stuart could continue, she thrust herself forward and wrapped her wings around him.

“….”

Stuart wrapped his arms around her and spoke gently through slight tears. “I…. I am sorry, Margalo, I never meant to hurt your feelings…. I just…”

Margalo only squeezed him and then spoke gently into his ear. “I trust you, Stuart, if you want to come, you can come… Well, so long as your family thinks it is a good idea…. You’d be leaving behind a lot.”

Stuart only spoke back as the two began to walk and turn slowly as if in an intimate dance. “It’s okay. My family knows I want to do it…. I feel I am ready to do it….”

Margalo pulled away while holding him with her wings and stared into his face. “Tomorrow morning, then… Shall we take off from your home?”

Stuart nodded. “Yeah, tomorrow morning… I will get packed, and then you can show me the way….”

When they broke apart from the hug, they realized how long they longingly awaited this, but trepidation kept seeping into their good feelings.

“….”

After staring for a bit, Margalo beamed and began to climb into his plane.

“C’mon Stuart, it’s been a while… Let’s head back home and get you ready….”

Stuart only nodded and jumped in the cockpit. As the engine started, he could feel her wings rubbing his shoulders from behind.

When the two took off, Stuart finally realized that this was it. It was yet another small adventure that would lead him to new horizons.

“….”

…

The next morning, Frederick, Eleanor, George, and Martha Little gathered to see their dear family member off.

Everyone expected it, and despite the trip's dangers, they knew Stuart had prepared well in the few years since he began thinking about doing it.

Of course, George was hurt that the brother he was closest to was leaving and not joining him for college. Still, he wanted Stuart to find happiness, so he gave him money as a parting gift.

Elanore and Martha offered him delicious food for the trip, just the right size for himself and Margalo to enjoy if she wanted to.

When it came time for Fredrick to offer something, he only placed his hands in his pockets and gave Stuart something intangible: the family's love.

“Stuart, it warms my heart to see you ready to find your path in life…. While we will miss you dreadfully, we know you will return with Margalo this spring. Please take care, and contact us every chance you get….”

Margalo sat perched on the side of the roof they stood on and watched while Stuart sniffled and responded.

“I love all you guys, thank you for everything…. Thank you for letting me do this….”

Fredrick laughed and shook his head. “No, Stuart, we aren’t letting you do this, we are happy you are doing this…. You are following your heart and feel bigger than you ever have….”

With that, Stuart moved away, and after entering a hollowed-out, defunct air conditioning unit, a small engine could be heard humming.

Once the new plane emerged, it was clear to Margalo what Stuart meant by “prepare.”

It was more than just a toy plane, and it was apparent that Stuart had extensively modified it over the past few years.

It was bigger and held more cargo than the old one, and solar panels were attached at critical points to ensure extended and emergency power. The two seats featured a pullable plastic dome that kept out inclement weather if it was needed.

Once Stuart shut the engine off, he held his arm out and smiled at Margalo. “Well, what do you think?”

Margalo was impressed and flew over to sit behind him. While this new plane was more expansive, she found she could still reach for him if she wanted.

“It’s incredible Stuart…. I didn’t realize you were….” Margalo began.

As she paused, she realized how much Stuart thought about her, and it made her heart soar higher than her wings could ever take her.

“….”

Stuart looked back at her and was about to turn on the engine again but was stopped by Frederick.

“Stuart?”

“Yeah, Dad….”

Fredrick pulled something out of his pocket and dangled it above Stuart.

“Don’t forget this, now….”

Stuart’s eyes widened, and he quickly grabbed the small leather pouch above him. Then, he quickly pushed it down onto the floor, out of sight.

“Thanks….”

Stuart appeared anxious, and it made Margalo speak.

“What’s that Stuart?”

Stuart shook his head, glanced back, and answered. “Oh, it is something essential for the trip…. Can’t forget it….”

Margalo nodded, understanding this new plane had many things she did not know about. Once relaxed behind Stuart, there was only one thing left to say.

“Little hi, Little low~!” Both Stuart and Margalo called from the plane.

“Little hey, Little ho~!” The Little family called simultaneously to their special greeting.

“….”

With that, Stuart roared the engine to life, and within seconds, they were off sailing into the sky.

…

Margalo was impressed by the new plane. It was much quieter than the old one and seemed far more powerful. Once they reached an altitude above the city, Margalo called out to Stuart.

“There! That is the roof we usually meet on!”

Stuart looked, and it was easy to spot a congregation of birds gathering atop one of the roofs. With precision, Stuart turned the plane and landed it with little effort.

Once the engine was cut off, the birds stared at Stuart as if he were an alien, but when Margalo jumped out, they all greeted her pleasantly.

“Heeyyy, Margalo~!”

“Margalo is here~!”

“Woo!!”

Margalo grinned and looked back at Stuart, who had climbed out for the greeting.

“Everyone,” Margalo began. “This is Stuart. He will be joining us for the migration this season.”

When introduced, Stuart waved his fingers, a tad intimidated, and spoke. “Uh, hey guys….”

The birds looked at each other and seemed doubtful. “Uhm, Margalo?”

Margalo became defensive and shook her head. “You let me join? What’s wrong with Stuart?”

When she said that, a giant pigeon walked in front of the group and spoke bluntly: “Because he’s a mouse, he can’t come. He will slow us all down, and it’ll be miserable flying….”

The birds began chattering amongst themselves, but Margalo spoke loudly and clearly.

“Stuart is coming; if he is not allowed, I’m not going!”

The group looked at Stuart and his plane, and he could only offer a meek refutation of their skepticism.

“I…. I won’t be in the way, I swear…. Please, give me a chance….”

The birds chattered some more, and eventually, the giant pigeon grumbled. “Fine, he can come, but he’s your problem, Margalo. If anything happens, we aren’t risking ourselves to help.”

“….”

With that, the birds readied the formation, and the pigeon barked at Stuart. “Line up, and try to keep up! It’s a long trip!”

Stuart merely nodded and responded. “I know…. Thanks for letting me come….”

The pigeon ignored him and moved to the front of the organizing birds. Margalo, on the other hand, spoke to Stuart lovingly.

“I’m sorry about that, Stuart…. Peppy can be a tad….”

Stuart merely waved his hand and didn’t let her finish. “Don’t worry, Margalo, just lead the way, and I will follow… Ok?”

Margalo was extremely worried but decided to trust him. She took her place in the back of the formation so Stuart could easily see her, and he took to his own plane.

As the lift-off began, all the birds could do was get distracted by Stuart. In a way, they admired he would do this, but in another way, they thought he was extremely foolish.

If that plane hit the ocean somehow…. There was no getting him to safety….

Stuart sat in the cockpit with the engine on, and Margalo was in front. After some tense waiting, Margalo gave a thumb-up motion with her remiges and put on her goggles.

As she took off, Stuart did also. With quite a bit of delicate maneuvering, Stuart got into the formation with the birds and skillfully followed without an issue.

His flying was impressive, even to Margalo, who could tell he had practiced flying much of the year when she was away.

On their way out of the city, Stuart and Margalo eased up. It was looking like this might be far easier than previously thought….

“….”

…

In a few hours, they were making way reasonably fast. Stuart was doing well at keeping up with the group and was only motivated more every time he saw Margalo.

Even as the sun set, Stuart couldn’t help but take in the breathtaking sights that appeared before the evening. The deep reds and golden hues that assaulted him were beautiful and felt like a lifelike natural painting.

Hours more came and went, and Stuart was somewhat tired; the flying schedule was unlike anything he’d done. Fortunately, Margalo kept checking up on him as they flew.

It must not have been until midnight that the bird group slowed, and Stuart landed for some rest. At first, it felt normal, but Stuart could hear Peppy complaining to Margalo about already having to stop.

Stuart felt terrible, but his feelings diminished when Margalo admitted she was exhausted. He couldn't be sure whether she was lying to Peppy or not, but he appreciated it.

“….”

The birds ate and hung out together, but Stuart stuck to his plane and pulled some food from storage. Quietly, he watched the group while he ate, and it wasn’t until Margalo came to join him that he spoke to anyone.

“Sorry, Margalo, I guess it is way more difficult than I thought….”

Margalo only smiled sweetly and then responded while climbing into the passenger seat. “Don’t worry about it, Stuart…. Peppy is being…. Well, he’s being difficult….”

Stuart watched Peppy grumpily speaking to other birds but couldn’t hear him from this distance. Eventually, he looked at Margalo and asked the next logical question.

“I… Why is he like that? I just met him….”

Margalo fidgeted and then eventually sighed. Stuart deserved to know the truth.

“It’s because he, well… he ‘likes’ me, Stuart…. He has tried to spend time with me every migration….”

“Oh….” Stuart cast his gaze on the dashboard of his plane.

“Sorry….”

Margalo became angry and spoke directly. “Sorry for what? That is his problem, not yours…. I… I love you, Stuart…. If it weren’t for you, I would still be trapped in my old life….”

When he heard that, Stuart felt strong and responded, “I love you too, Margalo... more than you can ever know….”

Margalo only laughed and touched his back with her remiges. “I think I do know. You are a mouse migrating with a massive flock of mixed birds….”

Stuart had to chuckle at his predicament and relaxed in the cockpit. “I…. am really sleepy after food…. I am going to rest, Margalo….”

Margalo also shut her eyes and breathed, “Then I will sleep behind you…. It is nice to…. Have you here with me….”

Stuart only mimicked the sentiment and shut his eyes. It was everything he had dreamed of and more.

At least, for now….

…

At least five weeks passed and the group eventually found themselves in Florida along the Atlantic flyway. During this time of travel, Stuart was being run ragged, and Peppy was pushing for longer and longer travel times.

Eventually, Stuart realized most of the birds there were upset by his presence. Peppy endlessly blamed him for their slow flying, and they were convinced that Stuart was ruining the trip.

Margalo was unhappy about it, but nobody was confronting her or Stuart. It was a simple vibe that she and Stuart could feel, and it didn’t let up. Even as Peppy proposed they take a more dangerous route to make up for lost time.

Rather than circumnavigating the land masses, the group could fly straight south over the ocean. There would be no rest points, but it would shave much time off the trip if they made it through.

“….”

“We can’t do that, guys! It is dangerous!” Margalo protested loudly when the plan was introduced.

Peppy became fierce and rebuked her. “Dangerous for who? We have drug your little mouse this far. Tell him to go home if it isn’t safe for him!”

Margalo was about to begin arguing, but the other birds cut her out.

“Yeah, I am done with the mouse!”

“I just want to get there….”

“Margalo, we need to get a move on….”

“….”

“You see!?” Peppy began. “They are done with this nonsense…. Come with us, Margalo, send him home…. For his own safety….”

Margalo was speechless; she knew that Stuart might die, and she wanted that never to happen. With the whole group against her, she considered genuinely asking Stuart to turn around.

Unfortunately, Stuart spoke out of turn before she could. “I know everyone, and I am sorry for the hold-up, but I know I can make it.”

“Stuart….” Margalo began, but Peppy shouted her out.

“Very Good then! We take the quick route over the ocean. Let’s move fast!”

“….”

Margalo could only watch Stuart tiredly trek back to his plane. At this point, she felt like she wanted to turn around with Stuart, but her hesitancy was too much to resist.

Stuart and Margalo readied to fly before dawn without words or an attempt to converse, uncertain of precisely where this bold move would lead them.

…

The group readied, and it took only minutes for them to take off. Stuart struggled to keep his eyes open after the first hour of the trip.

It wasn’t until the sun came entirely up that the sky over the ocean was painted a deep red.

It looked gorgeous, yet ominous.

Stuart sat mesmerized. The only thing more beautiful to him than that sunrise was Margalo.

Pushing forward for hours more, the only thing that appeared besides the endless ocean was deep grey clouds that blanketed the sky.

Anxiety rose as it began to rain—slowly, then harshly. The waves below crashed and moved violently, mercilessly throwing anything unlucky enough to be caught in them.

Stuart liked the rain splashing on him, but soon, he used his hand to close the window hatch he had built. It kept the rain out but at the cost of being able to hear anyone speak.

The turbulence became heavy, and some birds were so spooked that they turned around for safety.

Margalo’s small size worked against her, as the winds made it challenging to stay on course.

Stuart’s plane was experiencing turbulence, and the rain was beating down on it so rough that he feared it would be damaged.

The larger and more skilled birds had flown on ahead without concern for him, and after moments of rough riding, it became apparent that he’d been left behind.

Barely able to see through the storm, Stuart anxiously kept his wits about him and decided to focus on his one genuine concern. Carefully navigating the roughness, he approached a struggling Margalo.

She was flapping violently and was utterly winded. The fierce winds buckled the plane and even tore some of the plane's solar panels off.

Glancing over, Margalo could see Stuart close by with the cockpit window up. He waved his free hand for her to get in but quickly put it back on the steering as he nearly lost control.

Margalo flapped as hard as possible until she was even with the plane. Then, she flew towards the empty seat….

Unfortunately, she miscalculated the distance and missed.

She grabbed hold of the side with her wings so as not to fall, but she was rapidly losing her grip.

Stuart reached out at the last second and grabbed her blue scarf. Over the rain and wind, the only thing he could hear was Margalo screaming.

“Ahhh! STUART!!”

The plane jolted, nearly knocking Margalo’s grip off, but Stuart pulled as hard as he could on her scarf. His fear of losing her was so great that his adrenalin yanked her halfway into the seat before the scarf became undone.

Once unfurled, Stuart threw the scarf at his feat on top of the leather pouch and put both hands on the steering to stabilize the plane.

Margalo forced herself into the plane, sat safely on the seat, and began gasping. She could no longer see any of the flock she traveled with.

“….”

Stuart could barely see because of the rain, so he pulled closed the plastic cockpit covering. Once it shut out some of the noise and all the rain, Margalo expressed extreme gratitude.

“Ah…. Stuart, I would have fallen if I didn’t have this shelter…. Thank you so much….”

Stuart heard snapping plastic on the plane and cried to Margalo, “HANG ON! THIS IS GOING TO BE A WILD RIDE!”

Before they knew it, they were flapping everywhere as Stuart fought with all his might to keep the plane in the air.

“You doing ok, Margalo!?” Stuart cried out.

“Yeah! I am fine, Stuart…. keep going!”

Stuart bucked around in the plane and kept it as level as possible. The rain was so overwhelming that the plastic dome protecting him and Margalo was impossible to see out of.

“Rrrrr, COME ON!” Stuart cried.

Margalo held his back with her wings and felt fortunate to have shelter. This was way worse than she could have imagined, doubly so since Peppy meant what he had said earlier.

“STUART!!!” Margalo cried as she felt parts of the plane breaking off.

Stuart kept focus and drove himself forward. There was no way out but through, and he hoped the plane would make it to the other end.

Lightning flashed, adding further fear to the small animals, and then roaring thunder boomed so loud that it made them jump.

Despite everything, Stuart managed to fly for a tense fifteen minutes, at least, until he heard more plastic snap and the plane lost altitude.

As Stuart realized what was happening, he cried to Margalo, “HANG ON!!”

Before Margalo knew it, they were flapping everywhere as Stuart fought with all his might to keep the plane in the air.

Sadly, it collided with the ocean water and was pushed to-and-fro by the waves.

“Are you ok, Margalo!?” Stuart cried out when they crashed.

“Yeah! I am fine, Stuart, but I can feel water seeping in. We need to get out of here!!”

Stuart could also feel it around his feet as the water began to sink the downed plane. The plastic cover over the cockpit was already cracked from the crash, so Stuart forced it open to allow Margalo a chance to escape.

“GO!!” He cried.

Margalo stood up in the rapidly sinking plane and was about to fly but stopped when Stuart dove underwater to search.

“STUART!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!? WE NEED TO GO!!!”

Stuart frantically looked everywhere but only pulled up Margalo’s blue scarf from the plane floor. After he tossed it aside, he dove back under before Margalo could convince him not to.

With the plane almost entirely under now, Margalo knew it would be difficult to take off without a platform if she let it get under that far.

In her contemplation, she glanced about and was quick to realize that there was a shoreline not too far away from her. It was barely visible, but she was sure it was there.

Taking to the air, Margalo struggled to look into the distance. It seemed relatively close; she was sure she could make it if she tried.

“….”

She glanced down and saw Stuart resurface for precious oxygen, and to her surprise, he rapidly dived right back under.

Margalo realized she needed to snatch him the next time he came up. She couldn’t allow this to continue.

Bombing downwards, she flapped heavily to stay near the area Stuart was diving. The next time she saw him burst up, it was clear that he had that leather pouch with him, but holding it made him unable to swim.

“STUART!!! DROP THAT STUPID THING!!!” Margalo cried out.

Stuart refused to let go, so Margalo grabbed his arms with both feet and pulled him from the water with every ounce of strength.

Up they went…. Margalo knew she couldn’t carry them forever, so she headed in the direction she thought the shore was blinded by rain.

Her wings struggled heavily, and she felt the burning in them. By this point, she wasn’t even looking; she was shutting her eyes and flapping, trying to get as far as she could before she would inevitably crash.

As she went a bit further, her wings gave out, and they fell from an indeterminant height. “AHHHHHH!!!”

They were going to die. Margalo was sure of it… She’d reached the end of her ability to weather the storm.

“….”

Margalo and Stuart crashed on something solid but surprisingly soft.

“….”

As they lay on the ground, Margalo sat up. She saw that she and Stuart had landed in what appeared to be some home garden.

The plants and soft earth had cushioned them….

A glance to the left showed a traditional South American home. Margalo had made it so far inland that they were safe.

“….”

In this quiet reprieve, as the rain softened, Margalo realized that Peppy and the other birds had abandoned her and Stuart.

…

The two sat there in shock while the storm cleared and the sun began to re-appear. It was so difficult to believe they were still alive, and Stuart could only sit there and cradle his soaked leather pouch.

“….”

As Margalo stared at him, her pain got the better of her, and she tiredly forced herself up and over to Stuart, who sat there looking up at her.

“Stuart! What were you DOING back there diving for that junk!! You almost died!”

Stuart pushed himself to his shaky feet and spoke. “I… Look, I know Margalo…. I am….”

“Stuart, ENOUGH! This has been a terrible disaster…! I’ve lost everything! All because I selfishly wanted to bring you along with me!”

Stuart hurt more and more as she began to sob. She was overwhelmed by barely surviving that horrible event and the shock of being abandoned.

Eventually, Stuart could not bear it any longer, so rather than clinging to the leather pouch, he threw it on the ground at her feet.

“….”

“No Margalo….” Stuart’s voice quivered with pain as he cried slightly. “I am so sorry…. It was my fault…. All of it! I should have just been content with seeing you when you migrated back …. I just… I couldn’t bear the thought of not being around you always…. I just…. I don’t know….”

Margalo stared at him as Stuart silently cried. She knew what he meant by his words because she felt the same way.

This, though, this adventure wasn’t possible…. He’d lost everything….

Eventually, Stuart turned away and sighed. “Look, I am sorry, Margalo… You should finish your migration…. I can check in with that house. I will ask my family for help getting home….”

Margalo immediately understood that there was a chance he wouldn’t be able to speak to anybody there. Still, in her flabbergasted state, she could only watch as he sauntered solemnly towards the home.

“….”

Her mind raced with confusion, and her heart wept. She knew she couldn’t continue without him, no matter what, and his sudden actions stunned her.

She stared at the soaked leather pouch for the longest time, and as she did, her need to see what was inside grew.

“….”

Eventually, she used her foot to rip the button on it and opened the flap calmly. In a moment more, she pulled the slender object hidden inside and let it begin to sparkle in the afternoon sunlight that had returned.

The golden hoop nearly blinded her as it shimmered, and the diamond that hung downward was instantly recognizable to her.

As her heartbeat pounded roughly against her chest, she realized it wasn’t a ring but one modified by a jeweler in the fashion of a parrot collar.

In disbelief, she moved her head down, and it easily slid onto her. Clearly, it was fitted for her measurements….

“….”

Looking at Stuart near the house, she immediately took flight with a burst of adrenalin and tiredly pushed herself to get to him as quickly as possible.

…

Before Stuart knew it, he was outright stopped by Margalo landing in front of him wearing the jewelry.

Seeing her wear the modified ring made him freeze, but she only opened her wings for him as she stood there, blocking his way.

Soon, he thrust forward and was smothered by her bird hugs and held tighter than ever.

The two began to cry, and Stuart trembled. “I… I am sorry, Margalo…. I really wanted to make it, to prove that we could be… Together….”

Margalo only used her free wing to pull his head up to face her. “Stuart…. Whether you made it or not…. I don’t care…. We can find a way…. I…. I accept….”

Stuart brightened instantly and kissed her beak. “Really?”

Margalo only nodded with a smile, and the two held each other quietly.

“….”

Eventually, Stuart and her broke the embrace, and Stuart rubbed the back of his head.

“Well, I don’t know what we will do now…. I lost my plane and food….”

Margalo smiled, and with a flap of her wings, she pulled him up in the air abruptly.

“Whoa!”

Her profound excitement superseded any exhaustion, and after a quick rise, she dropped Stuart on what appeared to be a wooden plank.

After Margalo perched next to him, Stuart glanced about, finally realizing they were in front of a handmade birdhouse.

Stuart got the idea and spoke. “I… don’t you have more to fly?”

Margalo shrugged her wings and responded. “Close enough….”

Without anything else needing to be said, the two entered the birdhouse and made themselves cozy on the hay stuffed within.

They snuggled and kissed for some time as they watched the golden rays of the sun’s last light disappear over the horizon.

“….”

As night fell and the two dreamily recovered and dried, Margalo could only ask the next logical question.

“So, since we decided to stay here, how will we migrate back without a plane to carry us?”

Stuart only smiled and looked over at her from his place beside her.

“Don’t worry, Margalo, I think I have an idea to make this easier for us….”

Margalo could only see Stuart’s smile, which was enough confirmation for her. Rather than say anything more, she cuddled close to him and looked down to admire her “engagement collar.”

“….”

…

When spring came again, Stuart and Margalo sat in a giant plush seat. Many people moved around them as they traveled down the aisles of the big airliner.

Stuart held onto her wing and spoke softly to avoid disturbing the other passengers. “See, this makes it easy for both of us….”

Margalo beamed. She felt sad she wasn’t flying freely in the open spaces, but she was endlessly willing to accept this compromise if it meant Stuart could always be with her.

As the pilot reiterated the trip from Chile to New York on the speaker, Margalo and Stuart felt contented.

This was their migration to share now; whatever happened from here on out, it would always occur together as husband and wife.

“I love you, Mrs. Little….” Stuart bashfully said.

Margalo smiled and kissed him gently. “I love you more, Mr. Little….”

“….”

#Stuart Little/Margalo Little #Romance #fanfiction #Stuart Little #Margalo #cute #healthy relationships #orphans #sunshine #gold #interspecies relationships #interspecies romance #aviation

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rinpoo-blog · 3 months ago

Text

Something Warm.

Click below to go to chapter 1.

Buster Bunny was finally free of another stressful semester on the crisp, new summer’s day of late June. Much to his immense delight, summer vacation was the longest stretch of time off until it was back to the grind of study and anxiety.

Fifi La Fume walked beside him while wearing a tie-die summer ensemble. To say that she’d taken on the appearance of a hippie was an understatement. From her sandals to her shorts to her long, colorful shirt and circular chic sunglasses; she looked quite sharp in the antiquated clothing.

“Oh, Bustair! I am so happy to beings done!” She celebrated loudly while other toon students that were passing by called out to her in commiseration that break was finally here.

Buster only grinned and grabbed hold of her hand. “Yeah, but you must admit, our act was on fire this semester. We had a standing ovation from the live crowd and everything!”

Fifi only giggled and nestled close to him. “Ah, Oui, to think that our magics are like the ballet! A duet of two hearts mesmerizing and captivating all~!”

Buster laughed loudly because of her adorableness and felt at peace. “So, you think we can handle the invite to partake in an early advancement to the master’s level classes and next year’s magic competition?”

Fifi giggled alongside him and responded with her usual brand of confidence. “Oh, but of course! How are you to thinking the crowd could resist, moi?”

Buster only smirked and wrapped his arm around her back above her beautiful, bushy tail.

“Nobody could, least of all me….”

Fifi beamed. “Oh? Is that to being so? Well, I have yet to see proof of this, Mr. Bunny~!”

Buster enjoyed her playfulness and fully wrapped his arms around her, stopping her from moving. With her now trapped in his embrace, he leaned in and kissed her deeply.

Fifi felt her inner core rise, and when the kiss broke, she wiped her mouth and spoke. “Ah, you are to being the most intoxicating. You make me to shutter with your caress, Mon Cher….”

Buster happily rubbed her back as the two resumed walking to his and Babs’ car.

…

“Oh, Bustair? Did you be to working things out with Hamton? He is to be joining us for the break, yes?”

Buster nodded but became a little glum. “Yeah, he is, but Plucky couldn’t come…. He had to return home to visit his family….”

Fifi frowned. She knew how hard it was for Buster to split or be away from people he cared about. She merely consoled him with rubs to the back of his red t-shirt.

After a brief silence, Fifi once again spoke. “Well, we are having a free spots in the car? Is there perhaps to being someone else you would like to bring?”

Buster shook his head but looked none-the-less appreciative of Fifi’s attempt to brighten his brief dip in mood.

“Aw, nah…. I told Hamton since he was letting us stay at his aunt’s cabin, then he could bring whoever he wanted….”

Fifi locked arms with Buster and could already see Babs and Sweetie waiting by the car in the distance. “Oh, Oui, he is to doing us a favor, then…. Though, it seems like he is taking you up to your offer, as he is not here at the car as of yet.”

Buster could see who was waiting and merely mumbled grumpily under his breath. “Assuming he hasn’t locked himself in the closet again….”

Fifi burst out in thunderous laughter and squeezed Buster’s arm. “Oh, you, shush! You do not want to be jinxing him at the time like this!”

Buster chuckled. Hopefully, they would not have to go in search of him. It was a long drive, and given that the place was supposed to be remote, he wanted to be there before the light was completely gone.

“….”

…

When reaching Babs and Sweetie, Fifi was forward with her loving greeting to Babs.

“Bonjour, sœur chérie!”

“Sup, Sis~!?” Babs said while she leaned her back against the rear car door.

Sweetie landed on the roof and seemed to be getting really impatient. “Geez, it is taking forever for Hamton to get here….”

Buster ignored her complaining and calmly checked the open trunk to ensure he wasn’t forgetting anything. It was crammed with everybody’s stuff and a food cooler, but there was enough space to shove in more if need be.

While the group waited, Fifi opened the front passenger door and sat inside with her legs sticking out. She wanted to ensure she had her seat since Buster was driving them all the way there.

…

It took roughly ten minutes before the group saw Hamton sauntering up alone. He had his stuff under his arm and seemed to be rather anxious.

When he made it to the car, Sweetie began to gripe once more. “Bout time… Sheesh….”

Hamton politely bowed his head and responded with his light southern drawl. “I-I, well, I am very sorry. I was asking somebody to come with us…. It was… Well, it was kind of last-minute….”

Buster took his friend’s packed bags and commented as he began shoving them in with the rest. “I guess they couldn’t come?”

By the time Buster turned, Fifi, Babs, and Sweetie all looked in shock. Their mouths were slightly agape, and their ability to speak was lost for a moment.

“…”

Hamton proudly stood up straight and responded to Buster’s comment. “Oh! W-well, no…. Nothing like that. They just had, well they needed to pack….”

Buster was now confused but became less so when a girl walked up to the group, and it now made sense why the others looked so surprised.

“Whoa~!” Shirley immediately spoke upon noticing Fifi. “That outfit gives me such good vibes…. I can see you are keeping your karma within the cosmic alignment.”

Fifi only beamed and nodded. “But of course! I take my wardrobe very seriously! The summer is the season of free spirits.”

Buster scratched the back of his head and eyed Hamton, who now looked completely shy.

Of all the people to ask a girl here…. he was the last one they expected ever to do so. Not only that, but he asked somebody completely unexpected to go for a potentially “wild time….”

Babs cocked an eyebrow as she thought, then she got a devious smile on her face. “Nice! I am happy you are here, Shirley; that makes this easier without needing to be introduced! Also, it is always good to have a trio of couples on a trip so nobody feels left out~!”

When she said that, Hamton began to stammer and act frantic. “I-I-I…. We-well, I, we ha- a-aren…., uhm….”

Before he could get too far in his rambling, Shirley calmly placed her only bag in the trunk and spoke. “Relax, little guy…. Remember to let go, and count to ten….”

As Hamton began counting down from ten, the rest of the group glanced at one another knowingly. After that, Buster shut the trunk and called out.

“Alright! Everybody in! We have a lot of driving to do!”

With the call given, Babs, Sweetie, and Shirley entered the car, and Fifi shut her door. Hamton walked over to Buster and handed him a paper with the street name of their destination written on it.

“I, well, you will lo-love this place. My aunt P-Petunia said we can use it as long as we want.”

Buster took the paper and patted Hamton on the shoulder while imputing the coordinates on his phone. “Thanks! Hamton, you are really making this trip for us!”

Hamton again became sheepish and shook his head. “O-oh, naw…. What good is a ca-cabin without close fr-friends to share it with!?”

With that, Hamton crammed in next to Shirley, who already appeared happy and at peace. When Buster got in the car, he made sure everybody was comfortable by glancing behind himself.

It was fortunate that Sweetie was so tiny, as her sitting on Babs’ lap gave much more room for Hamton and Shirley.

“Everybody ready!?” Buster called with excitement.

“Oui~!”

“Yep!”

“Let’s get a MOVE ON!”

“R-ready as I’ll e-ever be!”

“Readiness is a state of mind that I have already achieved.”

…

With that, Buster turned on the car and pulled out. It wasn’t long before the group was heading along the highway to their summer destination.

…

The group was in high spirits for the first few hours of the trip. They took turns picking the radio station and then played simple games like “I Spy” to help the time run by quickly.

It was somewhere about the four-hour mark that fatigue began to set in, and the group just wanted to be where they were going already.

Additionally, Buster and Babs were extra tired from having to wake up so early for their final exams. Buster was breathing heavily but was losing steam on the long stretch of road that was no longer populated.

Babs and Sweetie inevitably gave in, and both fell asleep together in the back seat.

Hamton watched as the trees and, every once in a while, a car passed by his window.

Eventually, Fifi piped up about Buster when she caught him struggling not to yawn.

“Oh, my poor baby…. I am to thinking we need a rest. To drive like this is being unwise….”

Buster glanced over and then nodded casually to her statement. In this affirmation, Fifi broke out her phone and began to search for the nearest place to stop.

“….”

Shirley seemed unphased by the long trip in any way, and so it caused Hamton to speak on it.

“I-I am impressed you are so ok with th-the ride…. It has been boring for hours now.”

Shirley only looked over and gave him a gentle smile. “The physical limitations of my body do not prevent me from traversing the astral plain. There is always something to see there.”

Hamton frowned and commented. “We-well it must be nice….”

Shirley could sense his desire to go and only reached out her hand to grab his, which shocked him. He turned red and was about to start stammering fiercely before Shirley spoke.

“Free yourself from everything, and close your eyes with me…. I will take you on a journey….”

Hamton did as he was told, but he was sweating profusely holding her hand. Eventually, his nerves calmed, and after ten or so minutes of muting everything but Shirley’s touch and his mind, he became lost in the exercise.

“….”

Buster put his hand to his head, and Fifi spoke. “Oh! Oui! I have found a place for us to stops.”

Buster nodded tiredly and then smiled. “Thanks for finding a place and keeping me in check, Fifi…. I really did need to stop….”

Fifi only caressed his arm with her hand and directed him to the rest stop she had picked.

…

In roughly another hour, Buster eventually landed at the gas station Fifi had found. As sure as anything, it would be a good place to get some extra supplies, fuel up, and rest for a few.

Once they had pulled into the fueling station, he and Fifi exited while Hamton and Shirley went on their spiritual journey, and Babs slept with Sweetie snoring on her lap.

…

Buster began to fill up the car while Fifi watched, then, he spoke to her.

“Hey, Fifi, can you get the gas can that was lying by your feet and fill it completely?”

Fifi pulled out the relatively big, red container and then responded.

“Oui, are we to be needing it in case of emergency? I thought we were to filling to full here?”

Buster shook his head, and as she began to do as he asked, he spoke. “No, before ever coming out here, I remember Hamton saying having gas at the cabin was important. While he might have forgotten, I didn’t.”

Fifi grinned with delight as she filled the whole can to the tippy-top. Locking it tightly, she placed it back where she got it from while Buster finished filling the car.

Now, with both tasks done, the two lovers took to the store while their friends stayed in the car.

“….”

…

Buster handed Fifi the amounts to be paid for gas and his card. After that, he went through the limited selection of things available to buy. At the very least, there was caffeine for him to drink….

Picking up snacks, Buster loaded his arms with junk food and stuff to keep himself awake. Putting it all on the checkout counter, Fifi handed him back his card while the gas station attendee rang everything up.

Quietly glancing at everything, Buster took a lighter from the counter display and added it to the pile of snacks.

Fifi was unsure why he would need one, but Buster felt that in such a rural area, it might be wise to have….

After completing the purchase, Buster and Fifi returned to the car, with Fifi taking the bag of goodies to hold for everybody who would want something.

Buster took the lighter and put it in his shirt pocket. Then he grabbed a soda and got back behind the wheel.

“Are any of you to be needing a snack?” Fifi asked behind herself.

Babs and Sweetie were dead to the world, and Hamton and Shirley were locking hands and completely ignoring it.

“….”

Fifi turned with a sigh but giggled slightly as Buster stole a kiss by surprise.

“Ah! That is not being fair!”

Buster laughed and turned the car on again. “All is fair in love and kisses, Fifi.”

“Oh, Oui, it is, huh?” Fifi got a sly smile.

Before Buster could even put the car in drive, Fifi grabbed him and began to kiss him passionately on the mouth.

He caressed her as she absolutely demanded his full attention. Their kiss lasted longer than expected, and Fifi only exhaled happily when it ended.

“C’est magnifique~!”

Now satisfied, Buster took to the road. Refueled on gas, love, and caffeine energy.

…

By early afternoon, Buster found that even soda could not keep him going. The redundancy of the area's scenery made him begin to nod.

When he raised his head again, he finally heard Babs speak with a yawn from the back of the car.

“Ahhh, Buster…. Pull over, I can take it from here…”

Buster considered not bothering, but as Fifi prodded and Babs insisted, he pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped.

With an exhale, he looked back and could see Babs was in an energetic state. Babs quickly got out, with Sweetie beginning to fly, and spoke to Buster through the open door.

“Here, you get in back and get some rest….”

Buster could only nod as he was so exhausted and merely exited the driver-side door. Fifi was quick to evacuate her side as well so that Sweetie could take over as co-pilot.

Moving to the back, Buster practically collapsed into the seat, and Fifi sat herself on his lap. When the door was shut, she rested her head against his shoulder and nuzzled into his neck while he rested his head back against the seat and passed out rapidly.

“….”

Babs adjusted the mirrors and seat to suit her height and then looked back. Fifi and Buster were snuggled cozily while Shirley and Hamton appeared to be in some trance.

Sweetie appeared happy as she went picking through the bag of snacks especially when she landed on some pumpkin seeds to eat.

“Awww, heck yes! I was starving!”

Babs was handed a soda and took to the road much as Buster had done for the past five or six hours.

…

After a long stretch of road, the car became surrounded by dense, large trees. The sun was now beginning to disappear over the horizon, creating an eerie yet beautiful scene.

By now, Shirley and Hamton had returned from their spiritual journey, and Hamton spoke to Babs as she traversed the empty road.

“A-Alright… Slow down, the tu-turn is easy to miss. I will tell you when it is time….”

Babs slowed to a crawl, and about ten minutes later, Hamton pointed to the side towards the trees.

“Th-there…. Turn right there!”

Babs stopped and looked. She didn’t see much at first, at least until she zeroed in on the ground. Barely visible in the disappearing light was a path that led into dense woods.

Turning the car lights on, Babs turned off the abandoned road and over to the dirt trail. It was a bumpy and jostling ride, so much so that it woke Buster and Fifi, who began to groan and rub their eyes.

…

“Sorry guys…” Babs said as they went under the trees.

Glancing out, it was noticeably dark, but since Buster and Fifi had been sleeping, their eyes were somewhat adjusted.

“….”

…

For about five minutes, Babs followed the trail until, at last, they reached the end of it. The car’s lights shined against the rustic cabin as they pulled in, and it looked as if it hadn’t been used in years.

Once the car was shut off, Babs spoke happily. “Well, we’re here! Everybody out!”

The car emptied, and Buster glanced above the cabin at the sky. The breaks in the trees showed the last bits of orange on the horizon, and the sky was already beginning to be filled with stars.

Popping the trunk, they all began to grab the personal things they’d need for the cabin while leaving the cooler for later. Buster stopped by the passenger door and used his free hand to grab the full gas container before shutting it.

“You re-remembered!” Hamton said with relief.

Buster smiled and then let the pig lead them to the front door. Plantlife and vines decorated the entire building, and the porch wood creaked beneath their feet as they approached.

Fifi tried to open the door the second she got close but found it locked. “Oh, it appears to being locked….”

Hamton nodded and then eased her concerns. “Don’t wo-worry Fifi. I know how to get in.”

Moving to the side of the door, he lifted the board that was part of the porch, reaching in, he pulled out a plastic bag with a key in it.

“I-I know where the spare key is hidden!”

Fifi grinned while Hamton unlocked the door. Once it opened with a squeaking sound, Hamton turned the knob on an old-looking lamp that sat within.

The flame barely illuminated the entryway, and Buster placed his tote bag on the floor. “I see…. So, this place runs on fuel….”

Hamton shook his head and turned the knob on another lamp, providing more light. “N-no, it has electric, but the generator for the power is in the basement. Th-those are ker-kerosine l-lamps.”

Buster watched as the girls put their stuff down, but he continued to hold the gas can. “Alright, let’s go get power to the place….”

Hamton agreed, dropped his stuff, and then turned to the girls. “Y-you guys wait he-here. We will have lights on in a moment….”

Fifi only kissed Buster quickly and spoke before he was to leave. “Be careful, Mon Cher.”

Buster kissed her and then disappeared off into the shadows of the cabin.

“….”

…

With the boys gone, the girls stood in the barely visible den. The lamps did a little for them, but truthfully, they couldn’t wait for real light.

Fifi looked around, slightly worried, as Sweetie broke the silence.

“Man…. This is like a horror movie…. I wonder if it will be a monster or a murderer that attacks us….”

Babs eyed her while Fifi scowled.

“Non, to be please shutting up! I do not need to have the nightmares tonight….”

Sweetie only grinned while Babs rolled her eyes. For once, she had to agree with Fifi over Sweetie. This place was creepy enough without her adding to it….

Shirley seemed unperturbed by the eeriness or the comment and merely adjusted her glasses. “The spiritual energy of this place is tranquil…. If a murderer were here, I would totally be bummed right about now….”

Fifi breathed in and was about to speak, at least, before the bright lights in the room shot on and startled everybody.

“Ah!”

“SACRÉBLEU!”

“Whoa….”

“Protect me, BABS!”

After a moment of processing, the girls looked at one another and could see that Sweetie had hidden behind Babs’ ears.

Now, with everything visible, Fifi breathed a sigh of relief and began to chuckle at Sweetie's behavior. “I am to seeing you worked yourself into the fright…. Ça t'apprendra!”

Sweetie looked annoyed but didn’t say anything in return. After a moment more, Buster and Hamton re-emerged from down a dark hall.

“That takes care of that!” Buster said and glanced around the den where the girls stood.

A red throw rug was in the center of the wooden floor before a sizable cushy sofa. It all sat facing a large, unlit fireplace.

“Whoa, I can’t wait to light that!” Buster said while pointing his thumb at the fireplace.

Fifi grinned and walked over to him while Hamton stretched out and spoke. “I-I will go out to the car and ge-get the cooler to stock the fridge while you guys get cozy….”

Babs and Sweetie glanced at one another, and Babs' cheeks became hot as Sweetie spoke.

“Well, Babsie and I are gonna go look around…. Maybe get a lil comfey….”

Buster raised an eyebrow and watched the two disappear down the hallway he had emerged from earlier.

“….”

Shirley sat Indian-style on the throw rug before the unlit fireplace and exhaled happily. “This is truly a place to be at one with the universe…. No distractions, only good friends and silence….”

Buster fell back onto the cushy sofa while Fifi placed her hands behind her back and rocked on her feet. After some thought, she decided to have her own bit of fun.

“Oh, Oui, bein amis…. You and Hamton….”

The comment made a smile creep onto Buster’s face, and Shirley turned her gaze towards Fifi.

“Hamton is… uhm….”

For the first time, Shirley did not have some extensively sophisticated response to give, and Fifi began to giggle.

“Ah-hah! I to knew it! Vous adorez Hamton~!”

Buster also laughed, and Shirley merely closed her eyes and tried to ignore the teasing, but ultimately, she was unsuccessful.

“I… You are reading far too much into my invitation here….”

Fifi grinned deviously and only doubled down. “Oh! Oui, I am to be reading l'amour in l'air ce soir!~<3”

Shirley glared at Fifi, and it was clear she had no comeback. When she turned to Buster, she could see him grinning like Fifi.

“….”

As she considered what to say, Hamton came back in and startled her by speaking.

“I… Got the cooler…. Wh-what’s so funny, g-guys?”

Shirley’s eyes widened as Fifi touched her hips and spoke playfully. “Oh, Shirley, why not tell Hamton what is to being si amusant~!?”

Shirley was speechless and could only sit and stare at Hamton as he politely waited for her to let him in on the secret.

“I…. uhm….”

“….”

Eventually, Shirley stood up abruptly and began acting out of character for her. “Well, why don’t I help you with that cooler? Yes, c-come on….”

Before Hamton could register her dodging of the question, Shirley grabbed the cooler from him and began to walk in a random direction.

“H-hey!” Hamton called to her.

Shirley looked back anxiously and expected him to pry again into what was said.

“Yes….?”

“W-well, uhm, that is not the ri-right way…. The kitchen is this way….”

Shirley blinked and then turned to look in the opposite direction. Further down, she could see the dark doorway that Hamton was pointing to.

“Oh… Well…. So, it is….”

Reversing direction, Hamton began to lead Shirley away from the den.

…

Once they were gone and out of earshot, Buster spoke to Fifi with a chortle.

“That was mean, Fifi….”

Fifi plopped down next to him and snuggled close. “Oh, was it, Bustair?”

Buster chuckled more. “Yes…. Though, it was nice to see Shirley left speechless for once….”

Fifi only nodded as she nuzzled into his neck. “Oh, Oui, and now we have this cozy den to being all to us for right now….”

Buster caressed her, and then they looked at one another.

“So, what does that mean?” Buster asked timidly.

Fifi smirked seductively and then responded by pushing herself forward and kissing him.

Rather than break apart after the kiss, the two deepened it. It was clear to them that the others would be busy with their own things for a while.

“….”

…

As Shirley and Hamton entered the kitchen, they flicked the light on, and Shirley quietly wandered over to the fridge. For the life of her, she was hoping that Hamton would not try to pry again about earlier.

As she opened the icebox, she began to load all manner of drinks and uncooked perishable food. It was awkwardly quiet, and it was beginning to make Shirley sweat, but she merely pushed up her glasses and grabbed another can to shove in.

“….”

After a bit more silence, Hamton eventually spoke, and his voice came out sympathetic and calm.

“I… Are you ok, Shirley?”

Shirley eyed him and wasn’t sure what to say; she knew she was acting odd but didn’t know how to stop doing it.

Eventually, Hamton sighed and spoke again.

“I-I, we-well, Fifi was teasing you, wasn’t she…?”

Shirley froze in fear and then stared at him. She felt like she might die if he’d heard what was being said.

“….”

Hamton rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and continued on. “She, well, she g-gets really playful…. There’s nothing m-mean about it…. I-if that is what is bothering you….”

Shirley stared for a while, and in a weird way, his words did make her feel better. She didn’t respond and began to load the fridge again. After some more silence, she eventually felt at ease enough to speak in a vulnerable manner.

“I… Well, thanks for telling me… I know it wasn’t meant to be mean…. I… being teased just brings back bummer memories, that’s all….”

Hamton had never seen her like this and placed his hand on the open fridge door. “I’m s-sorry to hear that… You ca-can talk to me about it if you feel you need to vent.”

His tone had a disarming warmth, which made Shirley exhale. She eventually grabbed another food item and began to speak.

“I guess… well, you can say I’ve always been weird. Since I was little, I have been interested in astrology and the supernatural or spiritual. If I wasn’t made fun of for my appearance, I was made fun of for being crazy.”

Hamton stood patiently listening as Shirley continued. “It eventually got to the point where I just leaned into it. I decided to let go of physicality and embrace the abstract…. Because of this, by the time I was a senior in high school, I was no longer Shirley McLoon; I was ‘Shirley the loon…’ to all of my peers.”

Hamton picked up a can of soda and opened it, after which he responded. “I-it mu-must have been really lonely…. I always viewed you as someone who’d mastered your emotions, and n-now I feel like a heel for not realizing you w-were hurting.”

Shirley breathed in and felt a semblance of peace over his kindness. “It’s ok, little guy. I am not so lonely anymore with you around….”

As she let that slip, Hamton’s eyes widened, and Shirley’s face went hot. After a moment more, she tried to correct herself but failed miserably a second time.

“I… Well, what I mean to say is… that I feel a strong connection with you, well uhm, you know…. the kind….”

As she tried to find her words, she uncharacteristically stumbled and appeared lost. Although she was proficient with matters of the cosmos, she was cutely socially awkward when it came down to it.

Hamton didn’t say anything and just placed his hand atop hers as she rested it on the fridge door beside his. When she looked at him, he smiled weakly.

As socially inept as Shirley might be at times, Hamton was ten times that. Though, like him, she found it endearing.

Eventually, she removed her hand, put the last can in, and shut the door. Hamton looked extremely anxious, clearly in fear of having overstepped his bounds.

Looking at him, Shirley thought and eventually decided that maybe it was time to try something different now that she was invited to a special place with her peers for the first time.

Eventually, as Hamton readied to evacuate the kitchen, he heard Shirley speak.

“So, uhm, I could use a quiet bedroom to meditate in…. Where are you and I sleeping tonight?”

Hamton stared blankly at her and then expressed excitement. “I-I know just t-the place, come on…. The ma-master bedroom is right this way….”

Shirley merely nodded politely as she felt butterflies for the first time in so long. Normally, she could easily subdue such feelings, but tonight, she decided to experience the moment fully with Hamton.

Rather than controlling her emotions or living on another plane of existence, she would let them free to lead the way while she navigated this uncharted social territory.

“….”

…

Babs and Sweetie passed Hamton and Shirly as they were wandering through the hall, and as they both stopped to greet one another, Babs confidently brought up an issue she’d noticed in her brief exploration.

“Uhm, Hamton, I just noticed there aren’t enough bedrooms for everyone…. Even if we share two to a room….”

Hamton nodded and merely answered. “I-I know… Fortunately, I already anticipated that.”

Babs seemed confused, but Hamton clued her in promptly. “I-I brought this up w-with Buster before we left, and he said he would stay with Fifi by the fireplace. H-he figured you and Sweetie would like a room, and uhm….”

Hamton trailed off when he realized that he and Shirley were sharing a room with one another suddenly.

As he began to sweat. Sweetie and Babs just looked at one another, and then Shirly saved Hamton by speaking in his place.

“It is quite fine… Hamton has offered me the other bedroom. He said he would pull the cot out and sleep in the kitchen to allow me space to cleanse my aura.”

Babs and Sweetie smiled. It seemed that everybody knew where they would be. Without any more worries, Babs and Sweetie went to the small bedroom across from the bathroom.

…

When they were gone, Hamton chuckled quietly and spoke as he led Shirley the rest of the way to the master bedroom. “Th-that was a g-good one… I d-don’t even have a cot here.”

Shirley grinned, feeling good about herself. She knew anxiety was his biggest enemy, so relieving him of any and all of it was not only an easy task for her but one she enjoyed.

Once the master bedroom door opened, the two disappeared inside. With a soft click, it was locked, and now nobody would disturb them as they turned to matters of shy social bonding.

“….”

…

Babs and Sweetie were touching one another in the small bedroom, and it was about here that Sweetie playfully spoke to her girlfriend.

“Heh heh… So, Babsie…. Ya wanna’ get snuggly in the bed?”

Babs smirked and began to undo her shirt, then responded casually. “I dunno’ I could really use a shower because of the heat…. Care to join~?”

Sweetie chuckled and responded as she landed on Babs’ shoulder. “Such a bad girl…. With everyone still awake~?”

Babs laughed and opened the door. “Shhh…. We need to keep it quiet….”

As she entered the hall, she did a brief glance to ensure nobody was around to see what they were planning.

Sweetie began to nuzzle her head into Babs’ neck as the two crossed the hall into the tiny bathroom.

Once inside, it locked, and the two quickly undressed one another to enjoy the warm shower that was awaiting them.

“….”

…

Hamton stood by the oversized bed as Shirley glanced out the dark window. It was exceptionally peaceful, and once Hamton moved to turn on the kerosene lamp by the locked door, it created a gentle flickering.

It was both warm and romantic in Shirley’s mind, and there was a bit of hesitation on both their parts. Neither really knew what was supposed to come next….

Shirley had blocked out needs and desires, and to feel them so suddenly again felt overwhelming.

Hamton eventually found the ability to speak and put forth his best effort to do so.

“I-I We-well, if you wish to ha-have the bed, it is all yours….”

Shirley stared and then tried to deny the gesture. “It is your place, my friend…. You should be entitled to it…”

Hamton shook his head and insisted. “N-no, I insist that you take it….”

Shirley felt awkward but blurted out her thoughts spontaneously, not wanting to have an endless back and forth.

“I… It seems the size is adequate for both of us….”

Hamton turned red, and Shirley also did, as they both looked at the floor. Neither knew if they were doing well in this interaction.

“….”

Eventually, Hamton sighed in exasperation and decided honesty was always the best policy.

“Shirley… I-I am sorry…. I am not good at this. Th-the truth is, I really like yo-you…. You get rid of my anxious feelings and show me such interesting things….”

Shirley stared blankly, and it seemed she read this compliment as a confession. In truth, there was more to her relationship with Hamton that compelled her dig further in.

“I… Hamton, I would like to inform you that I feel our spirits are already intertwined. Since the day you came to me looking for help with your anxiety, I felt a connection that baffled my senses, and since, I have tried to suppress it.”

Hamton could barely understand and rubbed the back of his head as her words slowly sank in. “I… S-so you are afraid?”

Shirley was silent for a moment and then nodded. “I am used to rejection by my peers…. At college, it has been very different…. I find it all so overwhelming, even if I won’t admit it to myself.”

Hamton moved forward with more confidence and stood before her. After which, he grabbed her hands in his.

“Sh-Shirley McLoon…. I-I would lo-love it very much if you wo-would trying going out with me…. Uhm, please?”

Shirley stood with her hands in his, and their eyes were locked. His timid sweetness was irresistible to her, and rather than fight the feelings, she merely bent in and began to kiss him.

It was slow at first, but then it became rough. Eventually, they twirled, and Hamton fell onto the bed with Shirley climbing atop him and continuing the kissing assault.

After a while more, Shirley broke the kiss. “Ah… T-take me on a journey of your feelings, Hamton….”

She didn’t need to say any more than that. Hamton began to kiss her with much confidence, to her surprise. Now, with him leading the way for once, Shirley felt as if she could see the love energy he had within himself.

It was so incredibly bright to her that she had to close her eyes to concentrate on their physical interaction.

“….”

…

As Buster sat on the couch, Fifi stopped kissing his neck and sat beside him. The two were out of breath but ultimately satisfied with their kiss transaction.

The sound of running water was apparent in the hall to the side of them, and in their reprieve, Fifi spoke casually.

“Ah, it is to being getting later, Bustair…. Shall we start the fire and get snuggly for bed?”

Buster eyed her with a smile but then held his phone out to check it. After a moment, he glanced over at her and made a counteroffer.

“Say, how would you like to take a little walk? It is a beautiful night.”

Fifi was unsure, and glancing out the window, she saw it was really dark.

“Are you to sure that is being wise, Bustair? I would fear getting lost out there….”

Buster rubbed her back and then nodded. “Yep, I checked the area around here before even coming out this way. I think there is a nice place to go about an eight-minute walk from here.”

Fifi pondered and then gave a pensive nod. She trusted Buster, even if she was uneasy about the walk.

Buster stood up and turned his phone around to activate the flashlight on it. “Don’t worry, we have light…. Let’s go~!”

Fifi could sense his excitement, and it was infectious to her. By the time they had turned off the central den light to conserve gas and lit the kerosene lamp by the door, she was already pumped about what he wished to show her.

…

Once outside and on the barely visible trail, the two used the phone’s light to guide them. The moon would normally provide ample light, but the thick trees surrounding them blocked it from view for the time being.

The light pollution was nonexistent in this place, and Fifi only became more excited the closer they drew to the trail's end. Linking her arm with Buster’s, the two cautiously navigated beyond the low-hanging branches and bushes.

Further on in the dark distance, the two could see the shimmering ephemeral light of the moon as it cascaded inward to create a path of heavenly light before them.

The wind calmly susurrated as the two reached a small clearing, and the temperature dropped to extremely comfortable levels.

Fifi stood and took in the sight that sat before her. They were at a massive lake, which the moon’s light reflected off of, creating beautiful serenity.

“Wow~! Bustair, it is incredible!” She said.

The two were cloistered away in the thick trees as if they were on their own private summer beach. Fifi sat down on a huge log that had toppled over, and Buster began to grab rocks and sticks while she admired the view.

In about ten minutes, Buster started a campfire using his lighter and joined Fifi on the log. The two sat by the light and warmth as they admired the scenery together.

Eventually, Fifi looked at Buster with a grin and kissed him on the cheek. “Oh, you were to being so right, Bustair, this is gorgeous~!”

Buster smiled back and rubbed her fluffy cheek. “Now you know what it is like when I gaze upon your beauty….”

Fifi’s whole body became hot as she rubbed her feet on the ground. She was enamored with her boyfriend and the beauty she was now lost in.

There wasn’t room for words, only a loving embrace. As the two fell into it again, Fifi was struck with powerful desires and emotions that had never been part of her before.

Looking up at Buster, she could see how the moon’s light reflected off his blue fur. At this moment, he looked almost divine to her.

As her stomach became queasy, she now understood how deeply she loved him and how special this bond had become. It was like no other experience she’d ever had.

“….”

When Buster caught her staring blankly at him, he laughed shyly and then spoke.

“Hah, I don’t have anything on my face, do I?”

Fifi shrank a little bit, and it was utterly uncharacteristic for her. After a moment more, she spoke rather timidly.

“Ah, non…. You are to being fine…. I was just, uhm, thinking that swimming would be nice….”

Buster chucked and let go of her as she stood up. “Yes, I think it would feel rather nice at this time….”

Fifi stood before the fire, and placed her hands at her sides, and then Buster felt her anxiousness passing onto him.

“I… well…. Uhm, I suppose we could return and grab our bathing suits….” Buster offered.

Fifi coyly hid her face, and quietly, she began to lift up her tie-die shirt.

Buster watched as she placed it neatly on the log, then did her shorts. As his pulse quickened, Fifi spoke tacitly about where her mind had gone.

“We…. Well, you are to being my truest of loves…. So, I am fine with swimming without bathing suits if you are liking….”

Buster was shocked but didn’t need to hear any more than that before he stood and yanked off his clothes. By the time Fifi had borne herself fully before him, she was already slinking into the water.

Buster rapidly joined her in a moment, and when the two were finally in the water together, they floated before one another timidly.

Eventually, Buster pushed forward and was inches from her face. After that, he spoke.

“I… Love you, Fifi…. I have…. well, I never expected something like this….”

Fifi smiled, grabbed hold of him in the water, and pressed his nude body against hers. They were now caressing one another as they floated there, and Fifi spoke earnestly in an outpouring of emotions.

“Bustair…. I have never been like this with a boy… I want us to share everything…. Please….”

Buster rapidly moved forward and they began to kiss passionately under the moonlight as they began grabbing and exploring one another’s bodies in a fiery loss of control.

Moans and gasps broke the silence, and the two wrestled with one another in the water. Dunking, swirling, hugging, twisting, they swam and played as if they were Adam and Eve in the paradise of Edan.

The coolness of summer night was intermixed with the warmth of their love. They spent so long in the lake that eventually, coldness began to overtake them, and the moon hung high above them from where it’d once been.

Dragging themselves from the water, their sopping fur accentuated their features. The two sat on the log beside their discarded clothes and held one another.

The fire slowly dried them as they continued to rub one another intimately. Eventually, Fifi smiled at him, and then asked him a personal question.

“Bustair? Was to seeing me as I am fully…? Is it being everything you thought?”

Buster looked at Fifi's cute face and saw a vulnerability in her that was not often displayed. She knew she was attractive and flaunted that fact.

However, here, in this place, his eyes hungrily went over every curve of hers. She wanted to know if she pleased him completely.

Buster only had to shift his leg, and she could see that he was adequately invested in her present state.

“….”

Before long, the two were kissing again, and shortly thereafter, they were dry enough to reapply their clothes.

Now, the moon was high, and the two were sat by the fire. The chilliness of the night and their dip had fully gripped them, and Fifi had to wonder if perhaps they should return.

Buster clearly felt the same as her and stood to extinguish the fire. Once done, the two grabbed hands and decided to navigate back to the cabin and get fully warm and cozy with one another.

Both had never viewed the opposite sex in such a way before and surely, both could think of nothing else but what they’d seen the entire way back to the cabin.

“….”

…

By the time they made it back to the cabin, both Fifi and Buster were greeted with nothing but darkness and the singular kerosene lamp they had lit before leaving.

Checking his phone, Buster could see it was past midnight. They had swum and cuddled naked together for hours….

Not that he was complaining, though….

…

On the couch, in the dim flickering light, they could see that somebody had left heavy blankets and pillows for them to sleep on.

Whether it was Hamton or Babs, Buster wasn’t sure, but he decided it ultimately didn’t matter. They were all family here at this point….

Fifi began to disassemble the couch cushions as Buster loaded the fireplace with wood and started a fire for them.

By the time it was fully lit and strong, Buster turned and was greeted by a makeshift bed before it. The four couch cushions act as a mattress, and the blankets and pillows are set for sleeping together.

Fifi was sitting in the center, waiting for him, so Buster climbed on directly before her.

As they sat shyly before one another, Fifi wrapped her arms around him, and they began to kiss deeply.

Before they knew it, they were rolling around all over the sleeping area with the fire blazing right beside them. Their pants and kisses became fiercer, and their hands went everywhere that they could find.

Eventually, Fifi spoke in her love-fueled ecstasy and began to pull his shirt from him.

“Oh…. Bustair, I love you like not another person…. Let us please experience love…. for the first time….”

Buster merely nodded and nervously began his work of kissing her while pulling off her clothes. Eventually, he was atop her, and their hands were linked.

Before either knew what was happening, they began to move and pant with one another as their fur soaked through with sweat.

Under the blankets, they moved as Fifi exhaled and squeezed Buster’s hand tight. Inevitably, after some time, Fifi found herself on top, and then they eventually collapsed into a sweaty mess next to one another.

“….”

After the event, the two held one another, too tired to do anything but snuggle and stare at the fire.

Neither had ever done something so embarrassing before, but despite the act, it felt like the right thing to do.

Buster and Fifi lay before the fire, bundled in blankets and barely awake. They quietly listened to the beat of one another’s hearts as midnight gave rise to early morning, and the two lovebirds fell into a deep sleep in one another’s arms.

…

Hamton awoke with a yawn as he sat up in the giant bed. The sun had been up for some time, but he and Shirley had spent so much time kissing last night that they went to bed late.

Shirley was sleeping calmly on the pillow next to him, and Hamton was almost beside himself with joy that he had her here.

She’d helped him so much with his anxiety without wanting anything in return. From the very beginning, he knew that he liked her more than a friend or acquaintance.

With a stretch, he stood up and figured that maybe he should make breakfast for her…. That might be fun….

In his quiet excitement, Hamton left Shirley asleep and wandered through the hall. As he turned the corner to head towards the kitchen, he froze in complete shock at the scene before him.

Buster and Fifi were cuddled together under the blankets, but their clothes and underwear were strewn all about the floor.

“….”

As he stared, he started to sweat, and his anxiety went up to ten. In a moment more, Fifi opened her eyes and yawned, after which she saw Hamton looking at them.

As her mind processed everything, she quickly realized why he looked so pale. Her heart began to pound, and she clung to the heavy blanket to keep herself hidden.

The sudden jolt woke Buster, who sat up alarmed.

“Ah… Fifi! What’s wrong?”

Fifi was frozen, and when Buster looked back and saw Hamton, he felt extreme shame wash over him.

Hamton opened his mouth to speak, but Fifi abruptly wrapped the blanket around herself and ran past him into the hall. The next thing they heard was the closing of the bathroom door.

“….”

Buster, now left with a sheet over his lap, stared at Hamton, who eventually found words to say.

“Uhm… L-late n-night, huh?”

Buster only nodded, and Hamton merely turned away and entered the kitchen without acknowledging what he’d seen.

“….”

After Buster got his clothes on, he grabbed Fifi’s discarded outfit and knocked on the bathroom door.

“Oh, non! I am never to be coming out of here again!” Fifi cried through the door.

Buster gently responded through it to try and ease her. “Fifi, it’s alright…. Here, I brought your clothes….”

The second he said that the door abruptly opened, and Fifi’s hand grabbed them from Buster’s grasp. After which, the door shut again.

“….”

…

Once Fifi was dressed, she walked out into the den and saw that Buster was sitting on their “bed.”

When Hamton walked by her with a plate of warm food, he said nothing about what he knew. In that, she felt a semblance of relief that nobody would tease them over this….

Eventually, Buster stood and wrapped his arms around her tightly, and she returned it gladly.

“I… Love you, Fifi….”

“Oh, Oui, I am to loving you too, Bustair….”

With another set of new experiences, the two grew ever closer, and the warmth of which they’d experienced last night would be felt forever within the recesses of their souls.

“…”

Scene fanart by Clok-Roo

#tiny toons looniversity #buster bunny #fifi la fume #fanfiction #drama #romance #college #sweet #babs bunny #sweetie bird #tiny toon adventures #hamton j. pig #Shirley McLoon #camping #pg sexual imagery #Buster/Fifi #Sweetie/Babs #Hamton/Shirley

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rinpoo-blog · 9 months ago

Text

Penfriends.

Cover made by: Connie the Wolf, on Furaffinity, give them lots of money.

Synopsis: In 1894, 17-year-old Olivia Flaversham had been writing to a long-distance penfriend named Fievel Mousekewitz for almost five years. This past year, she is left waiting for Fievel's following letter to arrive, but it never comes. Seeing her heartbreak, her father pays his savings to allow Olivia to go and see if her friend is well.

Olivia sat in pensive silence as the train bounced and shook on the westward rail line. Between both of her hands sat a handwritten envelope dated the end of last year.

Running her thumbs along it, she felt a pain in her heart and a tense anxiety through her whole body. She'd never believed she'd find herself here, but the closer she drew to the destination written on the envelope, the more uncertain she became.

She'd written to Fievel for years, and she felt she'd developed a strong bond with him through those years. She'd never met him, nor did she think she ever would, but it didn't stop her from fantasizing repeatedly about doing so.

With her father having moved around so much after the incident with Ratigan, she found friends challenging to maintain. It wasn't until the advent of the penfriend's board in East London that she found that opportunity.

While humans were restricted only by their mechanical toys, the mice had the aid of birds. All it took was a simple exchange with them for far-off mail delivery, and one could talk to any mouse in the world if one wished.

Thinking back, it was on that cluttered board that she set her address to be taken elsewhere. She never expected to hear back, but was elated when she received a handwritten letter in the winter of 1890.

It was the beginning of a long correspondence that extended far past the ocean and struck straight through to her heart. She'd never say it, but as she spent more and more money sending letters to Fievel, the more she felt like she "loved" him.

It was a stupid thought in her mind: how can someone love another if they've never met them? Still, the fact that Fievel faithfully responded and continued through every address until the last meant that she felt she did know him well.

He told her everything, as did she… Their fears, their family, their wants, and their tears….

Olivia sighed and wiped the wetness away from her eyes with the back of her hand.

She was scared for him; for the first time in his life, he'd not responded to her for almost a year. She sent dozens of letters, some pleading for a reply, but he never wrote back….

Did he hate her all of a sudden? Did he find someone else to spend his time with?

She didn't know; not knowing was far more painful than accepting any possible truth. She'd become so crestfallen over the affair that tears wet her pillow nightly, and her hygiene plummeted into disrepair for a time.

As Olivia remembered the pain, she glanced out the window containing the endless expanse of gorgeous desert space.

"…."

It was her father who eventually came and spoke to her. She didn't know why he suggested she come here to see Fievel, but the mere suggestion of it had made her eyes sparkle so brightly that he only hugged her lovingly.

"You're growing up so fast…." She whispered her father's words while resting her chin on her hand.

She had grown and spent many years improving her intuition and problem-solving skills. Basil had rubbed off on her, and her competence was likely why her father was not concerned about her traveling so far alone.

"…."

As the locomotive began to slow, one of the servicemice on the train called out to passengers in her tiny train cart.

"Next stop, Green River, Utah!"

His voice was thunderous, and it jolted Olivia from her thoughts. Standing up, she slid the envelope into her leather side bag while picking it up and then straightened her long, blue coat and plaid dress.

Despite the area, she was dressed in similar attire that she'd had as a child. She always kept her favorite color and the beautiful red bow gifted by her dear, departed mother.

As the train pulled to a complete stop with a screeching sound, she quickly left and stepped outside onto the train platform with the many other humans and mice stopping there.

Immediately, the sun blinded her, and she squinted hard to dull the pain. The rays were hot against her, and she began to sweat immediately.

With a huff, Olivia walked beneath the ticket window for shade and, from there, was able to better see the entirety of the quaint western town before her.

Mice and men walked around in the sun, and many seemed to be at work. To her right was a billboard with various sheets of paper containing many different informational tidbits.

Some of which caught her eye….

Penfriends signup! Come meet mice from around the world!

Olivia smiled somewhat as she looked at the board full of numerous addresses, names, and locations. Indeed, she could only imagine Fievel walking here and grabbing her letter to nobody….

Turning, she was about to leave when another poster caught her attention immediately.

Greetings, New Arrivals! Job Opening! October 4, 1894:

Looking for a skilled typist and an investigator with experience.

See Sheriff Fievel Mousekewitz for an interview!

…

"That's only weeks ago!"

Olivia's heart pounded, and excitement nearly stole her breath. Quickly looking about at the many mousey establishments built into human ones, she could see the one labeled "Sheriff" fairly easily.

Pausing briefly, she thought over her options, and it was then that an idea came to her.

She could erase all of these turbulent feelings if she went in for the "interview" instead of as herself…. Fievel did not know what she looked like, so if it was clear he was too busy for her, she could let him go without making it complicated….

Sure, she told herself that, but as she walked out into the sun, she found her bravery lessening with each step. Standing before the establishment labeled "Sheriff," she heard an old man's voice greet her.

"Well, hello M'am, haven't seen you roun' here before."

Olivia turned to see a mining mouse standing with his pick over his shoulder.

"Oh, yes…. I am here to see Sheriff Fievel. Is he in?"

The older mouse tipped his hat and responded kindly. "Sure is, though. I hope ya ain't gonna ask him to climb no mountains or nothin'; boy's havin' a rough time of it…."

Olivia became terrified and so tried to keep her worry hidden. "Oh… Well… H-he's, ok? Isn't he?"

The man laughed and nodded. "Yep, just needin' help, but not findin' the right kind, I s'pose."

Olivia nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that is what I am here for… To, erm… help…"

The old man grinned and spit on the ground. "Well, then, Missey, welcome to Green River! I look forward to seein' yer pretty face roun' here!"

Olivia was silent and watched the man walk away. He was friendly, but her mind could concentrate on nothing but Fievel.

Turning to stand in front of the entryway, she breathed in to calm herself and slowly opened the door. Gently, it moved, and as she peeked in, she could see a young mouse sitting at a desk.

His white hat glistened in the sun through a small hole in the wall, and his hand wrote shakily on a paper set before him. Taking his white coat and form in, she zeroed in on the Sheriff's shimmering gold star as it reflected in the sunlight.

"…."

Olivia's immediate thoughts were how handsome he was, even more so than her imagination allowed. Though he was so young, she was always surprised that he was the central acting Sheriff.

Pushing in, Fievel was oblivious to her presence. He seemed preoccupied and struggling. Glancing down at his papers, Olivia could see his hand trembling and that his handwriting was exceedingly poor, unlike the nice pen strokes he usually produced when writing her.

Glancing at his expression, he seemed forlorn and sad but dutiful regardless. Olivia was now beside his makeshift desk admiring him, but then she self-consciously felt like a creep for doing so.

"…."

Perhaps…. Perhaps it was time to talk to Fievel…. Even with her planned cover, she felt unbelievably uneasy.

"Uhm…. Ah-Hem…" Olivia muttered as she placed her hand to her mouth and made a sound.

It finally broke Fievel's concentration, and he glanced up. Immediately, he placed his fountain pen down, and it seemed he could not break his stare on the sudden company.

"I… Well, hello…." He began. "Is there something I can help you with?"

His voice was calm and masculine but oozing with unbridled empathy. He was as kind as his letters portrayed, Olivia could tell…

"Uhm, erm, well, uhhh…." Olivia lost her nerve as she bashfully ran her shoe across the wooden planks.

Fievel placed his left hand underneath his hat behind his head and scratched, then laughed nervously. "Well, I haven't seen you in Green River before…. Did you travel here and now need help with something?"

Olivia cleared her throat and then timidly lied in her subtle Scottish accent. "Well, I… I am here about your poster..."

Fievel looked confused, but then it seemed to snap into his mind. "Oh! Well, I haven't had too many come in for those positions, so it is good somebody finally decided to show…."

He laughed a bit more, then returned the pen to his right hand. "Go on, have a seat! We can discuss how you can help."

Olivia quietly walked before the desk and sat in the wooden chair made from a discarded toy block. From her new vantage point, she could clearly see the right arm of his coat was severely torn, and he had bandages creeping out of his coat sleeve above his hand.

"…."

Fievel looked down at a form atop his messy desk and placed his pen on it to fill out the essential details. Olivia watched as he struggled and hid his pain through subtle, deep breaths.

His handwriting suffered immeasurably, so she broke the silence with her immediate thoughts. "Uhm, it looks like you are having a hard time writing…. Why don't you use your left hand instead?"

Fievel frowned and then held up his right hand, after which he responded. "I am right-handed, and believe it or not, this hand still writes better than my left…. If I want to be able to read what I write later, then I need to use it."

"…."

Olivia watched him as he began writing, and then she spoke again. "What happened, Fievel?"

Her direct utterance of his name made him look up at her, and his cheeks turned slightly pink in the sunlight. She spoke as if she cared about him, and it was flattering from someone so drop-dead gorgeous.

"I…" Fievel began. "Well, we have been having a lot of trouble with rising crime and cat bandits recently. My friend Tiger is out looking for them now, but I got severely swiped a few months back… It has been slow healing."

It made sense to Olivia now, and she watched as Fievel went back to writing with his injury. Overworked and clearly suffering, he likely hadn't written her because of how serious things were for him presently.

She gazed at the floor and watched her feet. She felt like a selfish, despicable mouse. Not just because she was lying to Fievel right now but because she ever even thought he would abandon her.

"…."

After a moment longer, she heard Fievel speak.

"Ok, Miss, all I need is your name, and we can discuss your abilities that will help around here."

Olivia stared blankly at him as he readied his pen to write on the paper again. Now, she knew she could slink away with him never knowing, but she also felt obligated to tell him that she was finally here.

Glancing over at his plethora of messy papers strewn about the desk, Olivia caught a glimpse of lines he had clearly been drafting for a letter to send her at some point.

"…"

"Dear, Olivia…. Sorry that I have not responded…."

"Olivia, I do not know how to say this. We have spoken for so long, and because of that, I am afraid to…."

"Olivia, I do not want to worry you, but…."

"Olivia, please, forgive me for not writing…. I hope that you won't be mad…."

"Olivia, you are my best friend…."

The last one, in particular, got to her so much she couldn't read anymore, and she wiped her eyes to keep them from sprouting tears.

It was at this point that she heard Fievel speak again.

"Miss, are you alright?"

She nodded slowly, trying to hide her sentimentality, and just responded. "Sorry…. now, what was it you were saying?"

Fievel merely grinned kindly and responded playfully. "I asked you your name, silly. I haven't learned it yet!"

Olivia stared, and when Fievel looked down at the paper again, she spoke softly to him.

"I… My name is Olivia Flaversham…."

Fievel absent-mindedly began to write the name in awkward handwriting, but by the time he'd finished "Olivia" and made it to "Fla," his pen slipped right off the page, leaving behind a trail of ink.

He looked up and stared directly at Olivia, his mouth agape and eyes wide. It was clearly a mixture of awe and terror.

"I…. Olivia?!" He choked out.

Olivia could only give him a dopey smile, and she nodded her head to his question without speaking.

Fievel immediately got up and looked down at her from his standing position. When she mimicked him, she stood straight and decided to try and speak through her trepidation.

"I… It is so go…." She began but was abruptly silenced.

Fievel had spontaneously thrust himself forward from around the side of the desk, and before she could even think, she found herself with his left arm wrapped around her, brought into an intimate hug.

She wasn't frightened or offended by the sudden gesture…. She wanted this more than he could possibly imagine.

She inhaled his scent when she wrapped her arms around his frame and placed her head against his chest. It was intoxicating to her and was making her knees weak.

They stood in the Sheriff's office while the sun beamed onto them from the mousehole window. Their eyes were shut, and they felt that their strong bond had been infinitely tempered beyond any ability to destroy it.

"…."

After some time, Fievel removed himself and looked her over. Then, he spoke honestly.

"Sorry about that, Olivia…. I don't know why I did that…."

Olivia shook her head and smiled. "No, it is good to meet you too. I… Well, it has honestly been a dream for me to do so for a long time now."

Fievel agreed and beamed brighter than she'd seen him since she'd gotten here. "I feel that way, too…. I really can't believe you are here…. Come to think of it, how did you get here? What brought you all this way?"

"…"

There was absolute bashfulness in her reasoning, and now, it was her face's turn to go soft pink. Glancing up towards Fievel's face, she eventually explained that her father had given her the money…. However, when it came to admitting her reasoning, she was avoidant.

"I… Well, I always wanted to visit here, and uhm… I figured I could see you while I was at it."

Fievel nodded and simply tipped the brim of his cowboy hat. "Well, you are always welcome to spend time here with me whenever you'd like…."

Olivia's heart skipped an entire beat, and part of her wanted to jump for joy. Even though she was utterly unwilling to admit her deep care for him and her worries over his not writing to her, she would allow herself all the space in the world to feel this way privately.

"…."

As Fievel turned and sat at his desk, he held out his left hand and prompted her to sit back down. "Shall we continue with the hiring process?"

Olivia merely gave him a smirk and shook her head. "You know that I have been working every day to be more like Basil, so I am pretty sure we can skip the paperwork…."

"Fair enough," Fievel began, then got back up and stood before her. "Uhm…. Olivia?"

Olivia looked over his solemn expression and then answered hesitantly. "Y-Yes?"

Fievel sighed and then let out what he wanted to say. "I am incredibly sorry I didn't write you…. Things happened, but that is no excuse to ignore somebody I care about."

"Oh…." Olivia cast her gaze away from him.

Hearing him say that lifted her spirit, and she felt entirely at peace again. Shifting her bag slung over her shoulder, she tried to express her feelings over his words.

"I… Fievel, I want…." There was a pause as a loud noise grumbled audibly from the center of her torso.

She put her hand on her stomach, and Fievel chuckled at her stomach interrupting her. "Well, someone's hungry…. Come on, why don't we get something to eat?"

Olivia was ashamed over the noises her belly made but had little time to really dwell on it. Before she could even answer, she felt Fievel grab her hand with his left one and pull her gently out the door into the sun.

The shame and anxiety she'd felt previously now felt like a living dream. Growing up, she'd fantasized about doing this with Fievel, and as this fantasy turned into an actual event, she was left with the undeniable revelation that she did and had loved him far more than she ever allowed herself.

Olivia now realized there was no shame in it; she'd known "who" Fievel was for so long that coming here wasn't like meeting a stranger at all; it was like a reunion with a very dear friend.

"…"

…

Olivia squinted again as the two made their way out into the overwhelming sunlight, but as the two walked, her eyes adjusted better over time.

Glancing at the quaint western town, she was charmed by how different it was from England. The rustic wooden structures matched the desert scenery well, and the many establishments made by human settlers had since been expanded to the many mice that migrated here.

Glancing down at her hand touching Fievel's, she preserved her feeling of floating off the ground and only broke her grasp on him when he stopped and directed her to what appeared to be a restaurant.

Curiously examining the establishment, it was apparent it was connected to some human inn. The closer they got to the hole in the wooden porch, the more detail Olivia could see on the tiny old sign before her.

"Mouse House!"

Olivia only vaguely recalled reading about it from Fievel some time ago and looked at him curiously.

After interpreting her expression, he spoke on it to refresh her memory.

"It is a place where they serve quick, good food. I never saw anything like it before it came here, so it will be a nice treat for you to experience.

Olivia nodded quietly, then entered the establishment with Fievel. The place was packed while looking very homely and well-furnished with repurposed human trinkets. There was an overwhelming scent of delectably cooked meat and vegetables wafting throughout the place.

The room was waited on by a plethora of gorgeous mice in distinct, white, and black starched skirts. Olivia was surprised by the civility and atmosphere of the place and followed Fievel to one of the only empty tables, where they both took a seat.

…

It was only mere minutes before one of the girls came over and spoke to them. "Hello, Ma'am, Sheriff Fievel! What can I get y'all to drink today?"

Fievel leaned back in his chair and spoke his routine favorite. "I'd like an iced tea, please."

"Right," the waitress began, turning his already set China cup upside down and letting it tilt off the saucer.

"And you, Miss?"

Olivia thought, and tea did sound delectable right about now. "I'd like a hot tea, please…."

The waitress smiled and turned Olivia's cup upside down on the saucer. "Right, now, what would you like to eat, or did ya need me to return in a moment?"

Olivia was uncertain, but Fievel spoke for himself and on her behalf. "I'd like some beef and vegetables, and Olivia likes seafood…. Do you have anything nice in stock?"

Olivia beamed and merely stayed quiet. Fievel had remembered that she liked fish and seafood. Trendy dishes in England…. He seemed to remember even small details she'd written him.

The waitress nodded in Olivia's direction and responded. "Well, she's in luck. We have a catch of fresh oysters brought in from Maine this mornin'."

Olivia had never had oysters, but her curiosity was piqued as it sounded like somewhat of a delicacy to her. "That sounds lovely, I will try that…."

With their orders given, the waitress was off, and Fievel, sitting across from her, was relatively lax.

Even though she was here experiencing this, it still felt unreal…. It wasn't until a few moments later, when another waitress came by and set up their China and poured their preferred drinks without a word, that she could speak.

"I… This is really neat…."

Fievel leaned forward and then took a sip of his cold tea. "Yeah, this place is really great…. I come here all the time and dine while I write to you…."

Olivia blushed again and then shook her head. "I meant, sitting here with you…."

Fievel had his moment to turn hot, and he looked at the table. "Yeah, I…. Uhm…."

Olivia raised an eyebrow curiously and then encouraged him to continue. "Yes, Fievel…?"

Fievel rested his injured arm on the table and just shook his head. "I dunno', I just feel like I have things I want to say, but I am not sure I ought to…."

Olivia felt similarly, but as she was about to tell him she wanted to hear it, the waitress returned and placed their meals directly in front of them.

Olivia was shocked by the sudden interruption but still captivated by how it was presented. Her oysters were on a decoratively painted plate that resembled that of an oyster shell.

Their composure and smell were delectable, and as she forgot what she was about to say to Fievel, she decided to try her meal.

Fievel quietly cut a small sirloin strip and observed Olivia as she tasted her oysters. At first, Olivia seemed unsure of the texture, but as she settled on the flavor, she found it highly palatable.

"Mmm…. This is just as good as English cod…."

Fievel laughed and took a bite of his meal. "Well, I am extremely overjoyed you like it. Please, enjoy yourself. It is my treat."

Olivia was speechless, not because of the gesture, per se, but more so because this now resembled dating and courtship to her.

"…."

Fievel was utterly unperturbed by how others might interpret this, so she merely acted as if she didn't care either.

By the time the two were rounding down their meal, a call from beside them broke their gaze on one another.

"Fievel! Hey, and who is this, huh!?"

When they looked over, they saw a dolled-up mouse girl not quite as tall as Fievel. At first, Olivia felt anxious, but then Fievel dispelled all of it by speaking.

"Tanya…. Don't you have a show right now!?"

Tanya walked over happily and shook her head. "Well, no! It was canceled…. That still doesn't answer my question, though!"

Olivia recognized the name, and she spoke before Fievel could introduce her. "Tanya? Fievel's sister?"

Tanya frowned and then looked at Fievel before playfully teasing him. "Been talking about me, are you?"

By their interaction, Olivia could tell they loved one another dearly. Indeed, he had written a lot about Tanya to her, and to finally see her felt like an honor.

Fievel shook his head and responded. "No, this is…. Well, uhm…. How do I put this?"

Tanya put her hands on her hips and responded directly. "How about her name? She seems to know mine!"

Fievel rubbed his right hand with his left and then spoke. "Well, you probably won't believe this, but, well, this is Olivia…."

Tanya stared as if she'd blown a fuse, and then, when she looked over Olivia, her expression turned to shock. "You mean…? YOUR OLIVIA?!"

Hearing Tanya raise her voice with those words made Olivia freeze in utter fear, but Fievel only confirmed it with a "yes."

Tanya went over and scrutinized Olivia and then quickly grabbed a seat from a newly emptied table and dragged it over. With her now sitting next to Olivia, she began to speak.

"Wow, I can't believe she's here! You've been talking to her for several years now!"

Olivia grinned at Tanya's developed gregarious demeanor and responded. "Yes…. I am here, and it is a pleasure to meet you, Tanya…."

Tanya shut her eyes and chuckled, then leaned back before deciding to humiliate Fievel. "Well, good thing you are, Fievel does nothing but talk about 'Olivia this,' and 'Olivia that…' I feel like I know you even though you've never been here."

Fievel pulled his hat down slightly, seeing where this was going, and hid his gaze from them behind the brim of his hat.

"…."

"Oh…" Olivia was caught off guard, so she ended up saying more than she had intended.

"I didn't know he thought about me as much as I do about him…."

When she uttered the words, Fievel raised his hat slightly to glance, and Tanya had a knowing look on her face before speaking again.

"You two are made for one another, I am oh-so sure…."

"…."

There was an awkward silence between Fievel and Olivia, so Tanya just rolled her eyes. After that, she raised her hand and called over the waitress.

Within seconds, a dried fruit pie had been ordered on Fievel's dime, and when it came, the three beginning to eat had cushioned the anxiety of the two.

Tanya began to ease into a conversation and genuinely showed interest in Olivia, her father, Basil, and England.

…

Hours went by, and the three continued bonding. When Tanya had her fill, she decided to let Olivia and Fievel have the time they truly deserved.

When the check came, Fievel paid the 70-cents for their dinners and pie, as well as left a generous 20-cent tip for the server.

…

By the time they made it outside, Olivia was surprised by the massive drop in temperature at night. It made her feel happy she'd worn her clothes from England.

Once they made it out onto the dusty trail, she was wholly entranced by the clear presence of night. The gorgeous sky was so absent in light that she could see the stars and galaxies beyond them in a way that defied expectations.

Fievel timidly spoke after the two walked in silence next to one another for a while.

"So, if you'd like, I can put you up at an inn, or you can stay with me for the night…."

The offer came off as more of a request to her, and Olivia's immediate thought was the latter regardless. "I'd like to see your home…."

With that, nothing more needed to be said, and Fievel led her along the now sparsely lit roads of the town.

"…."

…

By the time Fievel and Olivia made it to his home located under the porch of the human Sheriff's office, she was surprised by the modesty of it. It was cramped with various things but decently organized.

She watched as he lit a small lantern made of scrapped tin, and then took his hat off for the first time. His unkempt head fur was adorable and made her smile.

Placing it on a dull human fishing hook that he used as a hanger, he took her bag and set it beside it. After that, he struggled with his jacket until he finally pulled it off and hung it. Olivia could now see how badly he had been hurt; indeed, it looked agonizing from her perspective.

Bandages ran along his upper arm, down through his forearm, stopping at his wrist, and he was very slow to use or move it. Olivia placed her hands to her mouth and, for the first time, really felt deeply sorry.

Seeing her, Fievel frowned, and walked up to stand right before her. When she looked up at his face, he spoke.

"Don't worry, Olivia…. I… Well, I am ok…. I figured out that you are here because you were worried…. I really am sorry for that."

Olivia's motivation was now transparent to him, so rather than deny it, she responded. "I was so scared you stopped talking to me forever…. I am sorry for doubting you…. Really, Fievel…."

Fievel raised his left hand and rubbed her cheek, which she did not bother to try to stop. The dim flickering light of the small lantern made the mood tensely intimate.

Fievel eventually sighed and then spoke once more. "As I was trying to say earlier…. I have so much I want to tell you, but I…. It is like, now that I have the chance, I feel unsure and unable…."

Olivia's eyes sparkled with the light of the flickering flame beside her, and her pulse quickened. As Fievel drew his face closer to hers, she mimicked him. Then, when she could feel his warm breath on her face, she responded.

"Just…. Say what you need to, Fievel…. What's in your heart…."

Fievel stared, and the moment felt like an eternity. Before long, he moved closer until their noses practically touched and spoke.

"I love you, Olivia Flaversham…."

That was all he needed to say and all she needed to hear. Without a bit of hesitation, the two pressed their mouths together. It was slow at first but quickly escalated beyond their control.

Pent-up feelings exploded forth from years of childish fantasy and personal experimentation. They'd both dreamed about this, what this could be like, and now that they had a face to add to those fantasies, it only inexorably propelled their desire for love.

As they awkwardly added their tongues to the kissing, Olivia let out a moan, which caused Fievel to vigorously push her against the wooden wall of his home.

She shut her eyes and kissed ever harder as he used his left hand to hold her up against the wood. Her hands began searching his body and found his sides. Softly, she caressed them as the two freed their imprisoned passion for one another.

Eventually, the infinitely long kiss broke, and they were gasping for oxygen. Looking into Fievel's eyes, Olivia stated the obvious because she felt just as much of a need for it as Fievel.

"I… Love you too, Fievel Mousekewitz…."

…

With undeniable desire, Olivia touched just about anywhere she could while they hugged. Inevitably, Fievel moved in due to the good feelings that were being shared and began to kiss along her exposed neck.

She gasped in excited titillation as she shut her eyes. After returning the love that she had given him to her, she squealed with delight and then commented on his prurient behavior.

"Fievel…. I… This is e-embarrassing…. You are experienced with this?"

Fievel stopped kissing her neck, then gazed into her eyes again. "N-no… I…. I've never even courted a girl before…. I just…."

There was slight hesitation to continue, but Olivia just waited patiently, which inevitably caused Fievel to spill his private thoughts.

…

"Well, every time you would write me, I would get so excited…. The writing started at a time when, uhm, I was becoming more interested in girls…. I guess you could say, I liked you so much that I could only dream of you above all else."

Olivia found it sweet, and so shyly reciprocated. "Well, it is the same for me…. When I realized I felt that way, I felt stupid for liking someone I never met in person…."

"…."

Fievel stood there admiring her, feeling as if they were identical. After a bout of sentimental silence, it wasn't but a few moments later, that Olivia whispered into his ear. Her mind made up about where she wanted this to go.

"What kinds of things did you dream of, Fievel?"

He became nervous and stammered heavily. "M-marrying you, uhm…. S-some other s-stuff…."

"What other stuff?" She grinned mischievously.

"…." Fievel refused to speak any more on it.

With assertiveness, Olivia moved forward and whispered again to him.

"Show me…. Please…."

…

It didn't take more than that for Fievel to begin touching her body with his uninjured hand, and then, before they knew it, it was a whirlwind of unadulterated ecstasy.

Moving back and forth, groping, moaning, and then, the clothes they wore were shedding all about the floor. Neither could stop it, but at this point, neither wanted to.

When they inevitably made it atop Fievel's bed made out of an old human matchbox. They began to roll all over its covers until Olivia found herself on top positioning herself...

"…."

…

Sometime after their thrillful fling, filled with adulation, need, and a desire for experience. They wound up under Fievel's covers by the flickering of the lantern light.

Their nude bodies soaked so through with passion-laden sweat that their fur was damp. Olivia's hand rested atop Fievel's bare chest, and he used his left arm to hold her body against his.

The boisterous sounds of the quaint western town had ceased long ago, and given them the solitude to feel inner peace.

Olivia moved in and kissed Fievel, after which he spoke.

"Olivia…. Thanks for coming…. It has made me the happiest mouse that ever lived…."

Olivia giggled slightly and then shook her head. "No, you've made ME the happiest mouse that ever lived…."

…

There was a drawn-out silence, and then Fievel spoke in a more reserved and somber manner. "Well, whenever you need to go, I will pay your way home…. I make quite a bit as a sheriff in town…"

Olivia frowned at first but then returned to a smile when she began to speak. "I… Well…. I think I will stay here for…. for a little bit. You are looking for help, and I…."

As she trailed off, Fievel rubbed her bare shoulder. "What of your father?"

Olivia sighed. That was the hard part, but ultimately, she recognized she needed what she had right now in her life more than anything else. "I can write him, as you did me…. Our home has been stable for a few years now, so it should be ok…."

Fievel nodded and then pecked her cheek. "Well, my home is yours, so long as you want it…."

Olivia collapsed onto him and nuzzled her head into his neck while lovingly holding him. "Forever and always, is the answer to that…."

With that, the two new lovers spent the night contented. Rather than reading their most recent letter received over and over and over again, they now could speak extempore to one another while experiencing the unbridled joy of physical contact.

"…."

#fanfiction #romance #sweet #friendship #an american tail #the great mouse detective #fievel mousekewitz #olivia flaversham #crossover #true love #long distance relationship #western #first date #first love #first time #soulmates

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rinpoo-blog · 10 months ago

Text

Something Sweet.

Click below to go to chapter 3.

Babs Bunny stood in the Looniversity kitchen daydreaming, feeling lost. It had been weeks since Buster had failed to attend the Halloween party, and it was upsetting her greatly by now.

School was hectic, she was passionately infatuated with her new girlfriend, Sweetie, and finals before winter break had been killing her.

When she'd finished her test, she'd found the time to return to her kitchen duties, and so, had been excited at the prospect of finally seeing Buster again.

Unfortunately, like the Halloween party, he didn't show…. To say she was despondent was an understatement, but she also felt angry.

Was this his way of getting back at her for spending all her time with Sweetie?

Surely, he knew about them, and she hoped his jealousy would not sour their holiday together.

Quietly looking around, Babs exhaled, then used the low lunch traffic of finals week to pull out her cell phone.

"…."

Speed dialing his number from her contacts, she felt extreme guilt when recognizing she hadn't bothered to call him all this time, but still, it wasn't like he reached out to her either….

When there was a noise on the other end, Buster spoke in a somewhat timid and reserved manner. "Uhh, hey… Babsie…."

Babs blinked and then responded. "Buster, what's up? It has been weeks, and we haven't spoken."

Babs hid her displeasure over this, but Buster merely apologized nervously. "We-well, sorry, Babs… Everything has been busy, and I have my final today with Merlin, so…."

Buster was acting really different, but perhaps it was his stress.

"Well, yeah… I have been busy with schoolwork and with… uhm… Sweetie…" Babs responded.

Buster was quiet for a second, and Babs thought she detected animosity but was caught off guard by his positive acceptance of it. "Well… I heard, and that's good. I am happy for you…."

Babs was speechless and, after some thought, just spoke to him directly. "Well, we must ride back home together since my final has been done since yesterday, and yours ends today. What time shall we meet up?"

Buster became anxious and then responded. "Oh, today? You want to leave already?"

Babs pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it in a perplexed manner.

What was going on?

She placed it back to her ear and confronted him. "Buster, why are you acting so weird…? Look, if you are upse…."

Buster quickly cut her off before she could go on. "No-no… It is nothing like that…. My final ends at one p.m., so we can meet at the car around two…."

Babs sighed and then confirmed. "Two it is…."

"Hey, Babs?" Buster said.

Babs was becoming put off by his weirdness, but at the very least, let him finish his sentiment.

"Yes?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something…. It's not an emergency or anything, I just…."

Babs did as Buster did earlier and cut him off when she noticed some students were choosing to get lunch.

"Look, Buster, if it isn't an emergency, just tell me at the car…. I have to go…. Since you didn't show, I am the only one here to serve the food."

Her voice was bitter, but she didn't take it further. She merely hung up the phone and returned to serving the sparse few that came.

After this, she would spend her last few hours with Sweetie. Two could play that game if Buster wanted to be distant and odd.

"…."

…

Buster sighed and then lowered his phone. He felt awful for not helping Babs or speaking to her.

He knew she was busy with classes and Sweetie, but the truth was, he was busy with more than just school.

Fifi….

She had consumed his life after the night they spent together, and indeed, it was a matter of unadulterated passion, as well as what he believed to be "love."

He fell hard and fast and was almost sure it was the same for Fifi.

They weren't overt with the love affair in front of other students, but when they were alone… He could only say that Fifi raised his grade in kissing from a D- to an A+ in mere weeks.

He felt no shame for liking her so much, and truth be told, their pseudo-secrecy with it made it an excitingly playful game that they both joked and teasingly flirted with one another about.

"…."

Just thinking about it made him hot, but he knew it was no time to get lost in that type of thing. He had intended to do something special today, but Babs was too against him to speak to him about it.

Usually, he would reconsider his plans without Babs' consent, but when it came to Fifi, he decided to move forward without her blessing.

"…."

Raising up his phone again, he thumbed through his contacts. After a moment's search, he found one labeled "Mom."

Pressing it, the phone began ringing, and he placed it up to his ear.

…

"Hey, if it isn't my little Buster~!?" His mom answered jovially, already knowing it was him from the caller ID.

Buster scratched the back of his head and then responded. "Hey, Mom…. Uhm, I am sorry to bother you, but…"

"Oh! You are never a bother to me, honey…." She interrupted.

Buster gulped slightly and then spoke. "I know, Mom. I mean to say, " I need to ask you something."

"Well, go on, shoot." His mom said as she waited patiently.

"Uhm… Well," Buster began. "I am calling to ask if it would be ok with you if we had a… well… a guest come stay with us for the Christmas holidays."

His mom was quiet for a moment, then, when she responded, she had a deviously playful tone. "Oh, Buster, does it happen to be a young lady, by chance?"

Buster's face was so hot and red that if his mother could see it, she would laugh.

"Well, uhm…. yeah…."

His mom became excited, and she spoke enthusiastically. "Of course, she can come! Anyone my son adores is certainly welcome in this burrow~!"

Buster felt relief hearing it out loud but could already see his mom's excessive teasing would be the cost he would pay to accomplish this.

With appreciation, he responded. "Thanks, mom… You don't know what this will mean for her…."

"Anytime, sweetheart! You know when you, Babs, and your little girlfriend will be arriving here?"

Buster thought and then responded. "Likely before dinner. I have my final to do first."

His mother smiled to herself. "Well, good, I will get things ready by then."

"Thanks again, mom… I need to go…."

"Hold it, young man… You can't leave until you tell me her name~!"

Buster felt ever more embarrassed and sheepishly grumbled her name. "Fifi…"

"Ohhh, what a lovely name. I am so thrilled! Love you, sweetheart, byeee."

"Love you too, mom." Buster finished the call and hung up the phone.

It went as well as he expected when it came to his mom.

With his final approaching, he knew he had one chance to get Fifi to come with him, and he would take it as soon as his final was done.

"…."

…

Buster wandered through a mostly empty campus and made it to the magical antics building where all manner of prestidigitation, voodoo, and spells were taught.

He moved through the hallways towards the auditorium's backstage door, where he needed to ready for his final. He was stopped in his tracks entirely when he saw Fifi was there waiting for him beside it.

"Ohhh! Mon chéri~! There you are to be being!"

Buster was initially excited but became worried when he stopped staring at her lovely face long enough to see she was dressed to leave.

Donning her rose haute couture trench coat and a matching beret with her suitcase by her side, the ensemble perfectly complimented her purple fur.

"Fifi, Uhm… What's up?" His voice came out fearful and less passionate than usual.

Fifi frowned but then let out a sad sigh. "I am here to catch you, so to say au revoir before I go to my home for the winters break. The snow is really coming down, and I worry I will be very stuck here if I do not to be leaving soon…."

Buster's heart froze, and he glanced up at the clock. There was no time to talk to her how he wished and needed to with the final beginning in moments.

Looking back, he could see Fifi was hurt by his lack of excitement to see her, but it was also apparent that neither wanted to leave the other.

"…"

When Buster failed to speak, Fifi did so instead. "What is to be troubling you, Bustair…? It is only to be several weeks…."

It was apparent that Fifi was trying to convince herself of that just as much as him so that her depression wouldn't take over.

With another glance up at the clock, Buster saw it was already time, so he blurted out a lie in a desperate attempt to try and keep her there.

"I… Well, it is my final!"

"Ohhh, Oui! I am understanding, do not to worry, you will certainly be fine. After all, you helped me raise my prank grade to the A, and I cannot thank you enough!" Fifi encouraged him.

Buster thought again and then frowned. "No, I… I know a way to ace my final, but… Well…"

When he trailed off, Fifi raised an eyebrow. "Well? What is it that you are needing? Perhaps I can be helping?"

Buster put on his best act and gave it his all. "Well, if I had an assistant, I could do grander tricks."

Fifi giggled and then put on a sly smile. "Oui, and you are not just saying this to spend more time with Moi~?"

Buster had been seen through, but he merely doubled down. "What if I am? Sides, I have a car. Anywhere you need to be dropped off, I can arrange."

Fifi was amused by his candor, but truthfully, spending more time with Buster made her feel relieved. "Oui… Then, on to the magics!"

With that, Buster walked towards the door and opened it. Once on the other side, he pointed Fifi towards a wardrobe room.

"You can find an outfit in there... I already have mine ready."

Fifi looked at the clothes hanging, and upon examining them all, she eventually pulled out a sultry and shimmering magician's assistant outfit that was clearly designed to accentuate the feminine form.

"Ohh, now I see why you really wanted me to help. Shame on you, Bustair Bunny!" She said exceptionally assertively and playfully.

Buster pulled his wand from his ear, and with a tap to himself, he poofed into a sleek, black uniform befitting of a professional magician.

After he was ready, he responded. "Not really, because you look stunning no matter what you wear."

Fifi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked down over the compliment. It was unlike her to get flustered, but Buster knew how to charm her in a way no one else did.

"…"

"Ok, get ready. You have seen the tricks I do often, so just follow my lead and ques."

Fifi began undoing her coat and then nodded. "But, of course, you can count on Moi."

…

When Buster walked out from backstage onto centerstage, he felt intimidated when he saw Merlin sitting there waiting. He had a pencil in his hand and a notepad in the other.

The second he noticed Buster, he began to scribble something down and then spoke. "You are late, Buster. You know how I feel about tardiness."

Buster nodded and then bowed. "I am sorry, professor. I was just readying my assistant."

Merlin raised an eyebrow but then got a smirk on his face. "Taking this very seriously, are you?"

Buster nodded and then pulled off his hat. "Very…"

After he said that, he reached into it and began to rummage.

Merlin watched and began to write something down. After that, Buster appeared to struggle to pull anything from the hat.

When Buster pulled nothing, Merlin frowned and shook his head. As he was about to begin writing, Buster threw the hat up, and then it landed on the floor in the correct, upright position.

Merlin paused, and Buster began tapping the hat with his wand.

"I would like to introduce you to my wonderful assistant…. Fifi~!"

Buster lifted the hat rim, grabbing it, and every inch he did revealed another part of a person from her feet until it popped off of her head.

Fifi grinned, and she stood shimmering in the show lights. Her tight uniform accentuated her beautiful curves, and she merely reached above her head to take the hat as it was removed.

Pulling it down, it fit her nicely, and Buster held out his hands to present her. "Voilà!"

Merlin couldn't help but smile as he wrote, and Fifi herself clapped to his use of French.

Once Merlin was attentive again, Buster went into a whole act with Fifi following his lead. She was as elegant as she was competent and proved a valuable asset to his show.

…

Both were tired when they rounded down to the last trick. However, Merlin looked highly content with the whole affair.

"I am impressed, especially with how well you two worked together. I am giving you an A, and I, well, I hope you consider joining me for intermediate magics next semester. You and your lovely assistant that is."

Buster and Fifi gave a bow, and with that concluded, they bid farewell to Merlin. Now utterly free from school, the two entered the empty backstage area.

Once there, Fifi grabbed Buster into a tight hug and spoke to him. "Congratulations, Mon amour!"

Buster instinctively wrapped his arms around her, and as he was about to speak, Fifi kissed him to keep him quiet.

The kissing was slow initially but really picked up as their feelings intensified. With nobody back there, the two just kissed passionately until their mouths were sore.

Both gasped once the long kisses broke, and Fifi wiped her mouth. "Très satisfaisant…."

After that, Fifi disappeared into the dressing area while Buster flicked his wrist to poof to his everyday attire. When she eventually returned, she was once again in her going-away outfit.

Moving towards the wall, she grabbed her suitcase and turned to Buster.

"Oui…. I must be off if the snow hasn't gotten to being worse. If so, I am deciding that I will let you go on your way to your home for safety. A ride is not necessary if I am to be staying here an extra night."

Buster pulled out his phone to look at it and saw it was thirty minutes to two. Now that he had time to speak to her intimately, he did so.

"Hey, uh, Fifi….?"

Fifi could see his expression, and it worried her. She quietly put down her suitcase and then responded.

"Oui, Bustair?"

Buster breathed out and then admitted the truth. "Look, I… really didn't need an assistant, though appreciate you helped, regardless…. I had another reason I tried to get you to stay here with me. I, well… I was deceptive because I needed time to speak with you like this."

Fifi felt anxious, but she allowed him to continue without protest or misunderstanding.

"I know you said you like being home…. It makes you feel safe because it is the one thing that's been there for you… but I, well, I don't think that it's right you be alone for the holidays."

Fifi was now wide-eyed and frozen in place, unable to speak on what she now knew was about to come.

"…."

"Anyway, I wanted to ask you to spen…."

Before Buster could finish the request, Fifi slammed herself into his body hard. So hard, in fact, that he nearly toppled over.

Buster held firm but could now feel Fifi shaking against his body. When he wrapped his arms around her, she quivered, and her voice came out broken between half-sobs as tears wet her cheekfur and ran off until they splashed onto his hoodie.

"I… I am to being overwhelmed…. I… this can't to be happening. I…"

She rubbed her face against Buster's warm hoodie and inhaled his scent. Then, she heard Buster speak gently to her.

"Hey, it's ok…. I already asked my mom. She's excited…. I am sorry I didn't ask ahead of time, but…."

Fifi shook her head, and as she looked up, she sniffled and gave him a genuine, loving smile. "Yo… you are to being certain you are wanting this?"

Buster just smiled back as he raised his hand to her damp cheek and rubbed it.

"Of course…." He said as he bent in.

Fifi slowly bent upwards towards him, and the two kissed in a reserved but still meaningful manner.

"…."

Eventually, the two broke the hug, and Fifi lifted her suitcase again. In truth, she was terrified…. This was something she'd never known before, but she'd be damned if she let it pass her by.

Once Buster reached out his hand. She grasped it tightly, and with that, the two were off to spend the holiday together.

…

Walking through the campus to the parking lot was calm. The dark grey sky blanketed the heavens and sprinkled numerous shimmering snowflakes down upon the two as they went.

The walkway lights had come on earlier, and their glow against the undisturbed, harder snow made it shimmer as if glitter were dumped atop it.

Further still, the two walked, and now, they could see it was primarily vacant in the parking lot.

People had left early, as Fifi intended to do, and the deep snow seemed to make Fifi somewhat uneasy.

"Uhm, Bustair? How will we be getting to your homes with this? I do not want you to be rushing on my account… We can stay here where it is safe for the night."

Buster eyed her as he walked up to an older, box-shaped Sedan. Once by it, he let go of her hand and responded.

"Don't worry about it. I am used to this weather and like to drive, so it'll be easy."

Fifi was unsure but trusted his word nonetheless. Buster pulled out the key and unlocked the passenger side door for her, and once she got in, he grabbed hold of her suitcase.

Moving to the back, he opened the trunk, which revealed Babs and his already thrown-in stuff from days prior. Moving some of his to the side, he crammed Fifi's in and slammed the trunk shut.

With an exhale, steam came out of his nose, and he walked to the driver's side. Opening it, he put the key in the ignition and turned it on. Shutting the door again, he returned to the passenger side door.

Fifi just looked up at him, and he pointed to a button in front of her. "Just push that in a few minutes and set it as high as you want. This hunk of junk is old, but the one thing it does have is good heat."

Fifi grinned while keeping the door open and responded. "Merci, Bustair."

As she watched him, she realized he was waiting for someone, and it was clear to her who. "So, are you and Babs to sharing the car?"

Buster smiled and nodded. "Yep, we both have a set of keys. She hates driving long distances, so it usually falls on me to do it."

Fifi turned her head and then pushed the heat button, after which she pushed the up arrow multiple times. "Oui, that sounds nice…. I do not drive because to be affording a car is out of the question, especially when there are the clothes to buy."

When hearing that, Buster sympathetically leaned in and rubbed her cheek as he did before. "Thanks for coming…. I just…. I really wanted to give you the holiday you deserve."

Fifi nuzzled his hand and shut her eyes. "I know…. I am being scared…. To act is something I do not know how…. Still, I am beside myself with the excitments."

Buster laughed and then pushed the door closer to her so it could be easily shut. "Well, keep warm, pretty soon you will be with your new family…."

Fifi stared up as Buster shut the door gently. They had only known each other for a few months, and already it was this serious?

Was it?

….

Did it even matter?

If it felt this right, then it was worth seeing what it led to.

"…."

…

Babs walked somberly as Sweetie kept talking her ear off, though, in truth, she was not listening. Her mind was preoccupied, and it became ever more evident to her girlfriend as time passed.

"Babs?"

When she heard her name spoken by Sweetie, she responded weakly. "Yes?"

Sweetie stared at her as she floated there and then called her out. "Where are you at, babe? You have been inattentive all day…. Did I do something wrong?"

Babs immediately tried to deny it, though it was unconvincing. "No… Nothing is wrong, honey… I just…"

Sweetie seemed upset and interrupted Babs to speak her mind. "You can talk to me… We are supposed to be close, and this is hurting my feelings."

Babs eventually looked at her and gave in. "Yeah, I am sorry…. It is just, Buster…. He is acting weird, and I am worried about him. I feel like I got carried away with spending time with you, no offense."

Sweetie understood and shook her head. "Well, let him be jealous…. I get you two are close and stuff, but it doesn't mean you can't live your own life. Sides, everyone has been busy and acting weird lately. Shirly is always gone, helping Hamton with his anxiety. Fifi is either glued to her phone or not around at all…. So, just enjoy the holiday. Catch up, spend time together."

Sweetie's long speech made her sweat, as she felt like an idiot doing this mushy stuff. A tough girl like her didn't like to show this soft side of herself.

Babs had absorbed the words, and it truly brought her comfort. Everyone was preoccupied, and this was the perfect time to catch up with Buster….

Like the old days….

"Thanks' Sweetie… I, that made me feel much better."

"No problem!" Sweetie responded, surprised it actually worked.

Eventually, the two stopped traveling, and Babs could see Sweetie's family was there to pick her up in the distance.

"Well, it's time to have some space, I guess…." Babs grumbled.

Sweetie moved in and rubbed her face against Babs'. "It will be brief…. I will text you every day, I promise."

"I… I promise, too." Babs moved in and kissed Sweetie on the head. "I… love you."

"I love you too, girl~!" Sweetie winked and then turned to fly off.

"Bye…" Babs trailed off as she began to trudge through the thick snow towards her and Buster's car.

…

As Buster waited, he could now see Babs at the end of the parking lot. She was rushing now that she was in the final stretch.

Once in front of Buster, she spoke. "Well, it's been a while, stranger."

Buster looked unamused and just responded. "Knock it off, Babs…"

Babs could see the car was running, and the windows were all completely obscured by ice and fog. When she moved towards the passenger door, Buster blocked her. "Sorry, Babs. The back seat is the only place with room."

Babs scowled and was confident Buster was doing this purposefully, so she just walked towards the back door and swung it open.

Pulling herself in, she slammed it as hard as possible and then nearly had a heart attack when she saw someone in the front seat.

"Hello, Babs, it is nice to have seeing you," Fifi said as she beamed.

Babs stared in disbelief and winced when scraping was heard as Buster removed the ice from the windows with a scraper.

"I…. Fifi. Er… well, I guess it is too cold out. It was nice of Buster to give you a ride."

Fifi held her smile not really understanding Babs, and then spoke. "Oh, yes. It will be a ride, certainly!"

The interaction between them was highly awkward, and when Buster got into the driver's seat, he fixed the mirror and put the car in drive.

"Everybody, buckle up!"

Fifi was already securely in, so Babs begrudgingly put her belt on as asked. Once everyone was ready, Buster slowly reversed and then hit the road.

…

Babs was staring out the window at the storm and felt lost. Even as they left town, she was perplexed why Fifi was still with them.

Moving her eyes forward, she could see Fifi speaking to Buster, but their words were muted to Babs' ears. It was as if the moment of realization was upon her, and she needed to stop it.

"So, uhm…" Babs began abruptly, interrupting the two. "Where do we need to take Fifi?"

Fifi looked startled and stared at Buster for help. She thought she was welcome, but Babs' recent demeanor made her feel different.

When Buster turned onto the main road, he glanced back at Babs and spoke bluntly. "She's staying with us. Mom already said she could."

"…."

Babs was utterly silent and felt really hurt. As she returned to shrinking inward, she saw Fifi placing her hands against Buster's arm.

It all made sense….

Fifi disappearing constantly….

Whenever she was there with the girls, she was too busy texting and laughing to herself….

Buster trying to talk to her earlier….

As it came crashing down on Babs, she found herself inside a pit of anger and despair. All the things she'd thought Buster had felt for her and Sweetie, she was now feeling towards Fifi.

…

After about an hour's drive, where Babs didn't converse, and ignored Fifi and Buster while they did. Buster pulled into a gas station by the side of the road.

Once they were stopped, he turned off the car and spoke to everyone. "Alright, I am going to get gas and hit the store, if you girls want or need anything, help yourself."

As Buster opened his door, Fifi leaned in, and Babs felt alienated when her brother was kissed right before her. She was just a third wheel now, during her family holiday….

…

With Buster gone, Fifi fidgeted. Babs' subtle animosity was not lost on her, and she felt terrible for being here. Eventually, she tried to open a dialog with Babs to ease herself.

"It has been some time since we have been hanging out, no? It is good to finally have it."

Babs was distant but still willing to converse, though not as nicely as she had intended. "Yeah…. We've all been busy, especially you, as it turns out."

Fifi's expression turned to a frown, and she fearlessly confronted Babs. "Oh, and what is that supposed to be meaning?"

Babs became more confrontational and then responded. "You are always leering at boys, and now I find you are hooking up with my brother. You didn't even have the courtesy to tell me…."

Fifi scowled and answered back in a mockingly haughty manner. "Oh, sure, then I shall remember the next time to be asking petite princesse Babs for permission, yes?"

Babs was now full-blown angry and spit back at Fifi's mocking tone. "Just shut up! You forced your way here, so keep your ignorance in check, will ya'…. This is my family, not yours!"

Fifi was crushed but would not be talked down to. She glared and then spoke bluntly. "The only thing ignorant in this cars is you and your sense of fashion. I am finding it to be as hideous as your personality, now…."

Babs just stared, and the beyond-hurt look on Fifi's face was getting to her. Before she could speak, though, Fifi opened the car door, got out, and slammed it.

"…."

Now truly alone, Babs felt a sense of shame. Fifi and she were never "that" close, but she did like her. Now, to be told she had a horrible personality and ugly clothes, even from an acquaintance, hurt.

…

When Buster returned to the car from the rest stop store with a paper bag in his arm, he was surprised to see Fifi out in the freezing cold. She seemed reserved, and he immediately opened a dialog with her.

"What's up, Fifi? You, ok?"

Fifi half-heartedly smiled when she saw him and then straightened her posture. "Oh, nothing, Bustair…. I, well, I needed a breath of the fresh air."

Buster could sense she was lying and pressed further. "Is it Babs? Look, I am sorry. Since I talked to her this morning, she has been a real Grinch."

Fifi looked frightened but then shook her head. "Non, Babs has to been great… We, uhm, well, we were having the nice conversation before I needed air."

Buster smiled slightly, hearing that. "Good, it is nice to hear Babs is finally coming around."

He pulled open the door for Fifi, and she got in quietly. Babs stared at her from the back seat, and she was ready for the lecture from Buster once he got in.

…

When Buster sat, he pulled open the paper bag and handed Fifi a paper cup that was extremely warm to the touch. Pulling another one free, he handed it back to Babs.

"Here, sis."

His voice was pleasant, and he was unaware of what had transpired. Babs took the cup into her hands with a pang of intense guilt and stared at it.

Abruptly, Fifi's voice rang out with delight as she sipped from the cup. "Le chocolat chaud est ma boisson préférée, Merci Bustair~!"

Buster laughed joyously and then drank some from his own cup. "Yep, I figured it would help for the home stretch."

He started the car and was quickly driving again. They then turned onto a backroad that looked like it was made of dirt and began moving along with the sleeping forest surrounding them.

It was getting dark and foreboding, but Buster was diligently keeping them safe.

Babs was sipping her hot chocolate and staring at Fifi from behind, still having mixed feelings about this affair.

Fifi was admiring the scenery in front of them in the headlights. The thing that had happened earlier still bothered her, but she managed it by ignoring Babs' existence.

"…"

…

After another thirty minutes, Buster pulled up to what appeared to be an electric lantern light on a post. It illuminated the now-black forest surrounding them, and once he shut off the car, he spoke to Fifi.

"Well, we're here."

Fifi was staring at the pretty light in a sea of utter darkness. It was like a beacon of salvation in the nothingness. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she was abruptly startled by Babs opening the back door and shutting it roughly.

The bang caused both of them to watch as she was seen walking towards the light. With a kick of her rabbit foot, the snow was brushed aside, revealing a wooden door. With a pull on the handle, she revealed a hole with a light coming from it.

Without looking back, she disappeared into it and shut the door behind herself.

"…."

Fifi looked at Buster, and he merely shrugged. After that, she spoke in a way that was riddled with trepidation.

"Well… Uhm, I am not to being sure how to handle this. This is your family, and I am…."

Buster reached out abruptly and touched her hand, which made her stop talking. He then spoke gently. "Fifi, it's fine…. Just be yourself. Heck, my mother would appreciate it if you did."

When Fifi timidly looked at his face, she uttered the only word that came to mind. "Pourquoi?" ("Why?")

Buster smiled. Having been around her constantly, he was picking this up a little. "She loves dresses and fashion, so I think you two could have a good time."

Fifi's eyes became bright, and her grin appeared in full force. "Ohhh, C'est incroyable."

After learning that, she felt her spirit's lift. This could be a dream come true to talk to a mom about things she adored.

Buster opened his door and shut it, opening Fifi's side so she could step out.

"Merci."

Buster then looked at the exposed burrow door and spoke. "Why don't you go in and introduce yourself…. I will bring your stuff in."

Fifi was intimidated, but she merely nodded. If it was his wish, then she would.

Quietly walking to the door, the pleasant smell of burning firewood wafted through the winter's air. Once she stood by a small metal pipe sticking out from the ground with smoke wafting up from it, she pulled up the front door to reveal the burrow hole.

After that, it was only a matter of traversing down the cramped steps made of sturdy dirt.

…

Immediately, Fifi was taken aback by how warm and quaint it was. The décor was to her liking, and the place, even of hard dirt, was clean.

The lamps in the room were bright and inviting, and the Christmas decorations, as well as the tree, were set. In all her years, this was an experience she had only ever had in movies.

"…."

Standing in a daze, she was surprised when Buster's mom spoke from behind her.

"Welllll, you must be Fifi! Welcome!"

Fifi turned and quietly bowed politely, though forgetting she might not be understood by how she responded. "Oui, je suis Fifi."

Buster's mom grinned happily and nodded. "Well, you have such an adorable accent. You may call me Shara or even 'mom' if you prefer to."

Fifi could only stare in disbelief that this was happening. When she failed to respond, Shara continued on.

"Why don't you remove those damp clothes and give them here? I will hang them."

Fifi sheepishly unbuttoned her rather nice coat and removed her beret, after which she handed them off.

"…."

Shara examined them as she took hold and couldn't help but comment. "My, my… haute couture. I am jealous."

Fifi nearly exploded when hearing that and couldn't help but respond. "Oui, c'est haute couture…. I, er…. Well, I am happy you are to be liking it."

Shara just shut her eyes and gave a big grin, after which she took the clothes and hung them by the fireplace set into the wall. Comprised of compact stones, it was what funneled smoke through the ground to the pipe outside.

Shara turned and then blinked. "My, I got carried away with the introductions…. I forgot all about poor Buster."

Fifi giggled spontaneously and then shook her head. "Non, Bustair is not to be forgotten. He is getting things from the car."

Shara laughed and then nodded. "Oh, well, make yourself at home, dear. The couch is right there if you are thirsty. The fridge is that way…. Dinner is going to be ready in another hour or so."

Fifi continued to stand but nodded to show that she had heard what was said. Despite feeling more at ease, she was still utterly unable to act like a guest here.

…

After several minutes of waiting, Buster appeared, carrying his and her things. He was overwhelmed, so Fifi came and took some of it off of him.

"Thanks', Fifi…."

"Not to being a problem." She said sweetly.

Buster's presence made her feel utter comfort, which allowed her to not feel so alien here.

Buster looked over, then moved his head to the side to bid her to follow. "C'mon, I will show you to the guest room."

Fifi merely followed with her suitcase in her hands, but as the two passed the kitchen, Shara rang out when she caught them.

"There's my little man~!"

Buster froze and felt utterly humiliated, mainly because he heard Fifi laugh at his expense.

When his mom came over, she grinned deviously and placed her hands on her hips. "Well, nothing to say to your poor, old mom?"

Buster held his things and tried to escape the humiliation. "Ma… Come on, I need to show Fifi to the guest room, and I am carrying a lot of stuff."

Shara seemed delighted by his torture, so she continued on. "Oh, come now, Hunny Bunny…."

Fifi snorted when she heard that, and Buster became exasperated.

"MOM!"

His mom only laughed alongside Fifi, then decided to give him a break…. for now. "I already readied your room for her to stay in. It only needed a bit of dusting."

Fifi and Buster stared at one another, and then Buster timidly spoke to his mom. "My room…? but I thought…."

Shara took her hands off her hips and then turned towards the kitchen. "Buster, you are nineteen, not fourteen. Go spend time unpacking."

With that, she walked away, releasing him from his humiliation. However, despite that grueling treatment, he felt a deep sense of respect that he was being treated his age when it came to Fifi.

"Let's go, Fifi…. This way to my room…."

Fifi only smirked and responded mockingly. "Oui, lead the way, Monsieur Hunny Bunny."

Buster rolled his eyes as Fifi entertained herself at his expense, and then he led her through the burrow halls.

"…."

…

It took only a scant few moments until they found themselves at a wooden door nestled tightly against a stone frame in the dirt wall.

Moving his hand while trying not to drop everything, Buster turned the knob and thrust it open. Walking in, he messily dropped his things on the floor and turned on a lamp to illuminate the room.

Fifi walked in and shut the door quietly behind herself. The second she saw everything gave her a real sense of who Buster was while growing up.

Trophies adorned a row of shelves along the right wall, and there was a vast collection of VHSs and DVDs along several massive shelves. All of which had to do with classic Loony Tunes and Bugs Bunny.

Above his TV was a framed and signed poster of Bugs with Michael Jorden, kept utterly pristine. Moving her eyes to the left sat his bed, which was less a bed and more like a fat mattress on the floor without a frame.

Above that were dozens of pictures of Babs, himself, and his mother. All depicting various ages and events in their lives.

As Fifi scrutinized everything, Buster came over and commented on her examination. "Yep, Babsie and I did everything together…. It is…. Well, it is just a shame that going to college together brought distance between us…."

Fifi eyed him and frowned. She could tell how hurt he was by Babs' behavior truly angered her. Still, she didn't criticize and merely thought about everything absent in her own life.

It was in the story of the pictures that Fifi noticed something odd and, without thinking, commented on it. "Oh, I am seeing you are not having a dad?"

The second she said that he stared at her, and she immediately felt scummy for having said something so careless. "Non…. I am to being sorry, Bustair. I did not mean it in that way…. I just…."

Buster just shrugged and responded bluntly. "He abandoned us when Babs and I were babies. Don't really know why…. Can't say I care too much."

Fifi looked him over, and unlike what she expected, he did not care genuinely. "I… I am surprised. Not having the family is so hard…."

Buster placed his hand on her back and rubbed it. "You have it far worse than I ever could, Fifi. I had years to think about it and decided that if he didn't want to be my dad, the feeling is mutual because I don't want to be his son."

"…."

Fifi looked down and then eventually responded. "Well, even so, I understand how you are to feel about it at one point."

Buster smiled and just responded sweetly. "I know you do. That's why you are here. You deserve to feel the same way I do and not worry about what you don't have."

Fifi was sheepish and merely murmured her immediate fears. "But… Babs…."

Buster raised an eyebrow and then sighed. "I knew you lied to me at the gas station…."

Fifi was about to try to convince him otherwise, but he spoke again before she could.

"Look, forget, Babs, ok? If she is willing to treat you poorly, like because of me…. Then, I guess…. Well, I guess she was never the person I thought she was."

The pain-filled sadness of Buster's tone was distressing to Fifi, mostly because she knew it was the opposite. Babs was a laid-back sweetheart.

"…."

Before she could defend Babs, Buster turned away and then spoke. "Make yourself comfortable. I am going to go help Mom set up for dinner. I will come get you when it is ready."

Fifi watched as he left and returned to the pictures of Buster and his family.

No matter how happy she could feel, she knew deep down it was her fault for getting between Babs and Buster.

It hurt so deeply to feel like she was tearing them apart that she contemplated leaving before she could even settle in.

"…."

…

Babs lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling. Her mind ran through everything that had happened and changed. In the time since, she'd realized that she was acting out of line.

"…."

Though, she felt as if she was caught. She was too ashamed to apologize after so much antagonism, and even if she did, she feared it would not change a thing, given how far it had gone.

Even after hearing her mom calling for dinner, Babs stayed put with the door locked. Her phone buzzed through vibrate mode constantly.

She knew it was Sweetie, but a deep part felt she didn't deserve to talk to her. The way she let negative emotions take hold of her was so unlike her that it scared her.

"…."

Inevitably, she just shut her eyes and thought that perhaps sleeping would do her good. Turning away from her phone, she stared at the wall that connected her room to Buster's.

…

Late into the night, Fifi sat in Buster's bed while he slept soundly beside her. Dinner had been spectacular, and Buster's mom truly made her feel like she belonged with the family.

Still, a tense and sickening feeling had wracked her since bedtime. Try as she might, she couldn't sleep, and the more she got into her own head, the sadder she became.

"…."

Watching Buster sleep was usually so relaxing, but she was a ball of nerves tonight. Stuck in an alien place while the shadows danced by way of the dimply lit candle on his table.

After doing everything possible to try and sleep, she inevitably slid off the end of the mattress and stood up. Looking down at Buster, she felt her heart shatter.

It was a mistake to come here….

She longed for her small, cramped, trashy car. She longed to be away from this overwhelming sense of togetherness. Deep down, she felt she did not deserve it, and hiding that fact was becoming ever more demanding.

Sauntering quietly towards the room door, she looked back, and when she saw Buster was still zonked out. She opened it and left him behind.

"…."

…

Moving through the quiet burrow, the dim cracking of the fireplace burned its final embers. The tree was alight with beautiful decorations, and the sense of Christmas was beginning to make Fifi hyperventilate.

She became dizzy, and memories of empty homes and loveless holidays assaulted her. She began to feel tears streaming down her cheeks.

She choked back her sobs and rubbed her eyes furiously. Not wanting to bawl out her deepest emotions, she stumbled into the dimly lit kitchen.

On the table sat a giant candle that made it easy for late-night snackers to find their way. Fifi, on the other hand, just pulled out a wooden chair and plopped down into it.

Her dejection had come on full force, and despite how hard she struggled against it, her tears just began to flow out of her eyes and dot the tablecloth.

Deep heaves and sputtering gasps and moans accompanied them, and she could only think to keep herself quiet to not wake anybody.

"…."

Sitting there, she cried, and as she wept, she felt emotional pain. There was no catharsis to this, only a festering wound that had revealed itself the second she let the shambling wall she had built crumble.

…

Babs stood outside and was rummaging through the trunk of the car. She'd found sleep impossible, as well as talking to Sweetie. So, to get her mind off the bad feelings, she figured she'd unpack under the safety of the twilight hours.

The snow kept pouring, and it was so deep and freezing outside that Bab's heavy coat was not enough. Still, she determinedly pulled her bags out and slammed the trunk shut.

With an exhale of steam wafting out of her mouth, she watched it dance in the lanternlight provided out front. With a few steps more, she opened the door to the burrow and quietly made her way to the living room, shutting it behind herself as she went.

With her being so quiet, she knew she'd not be waking anybody up, but a soft noise startled her to the point that she nearly dropped her things.

Looking briefly around, she could see Fifi in front of the kitchen candle in the distance. However, any sensible person could tell she was currently under incredible distress.

Silently, Babs placed her things down and tossed off her unbuttoned wool coat. In the time it took her to reach the kitchen doorframe, Fifi was so preoccupied with sobbing to herself that she hadn't even noticed.

Standing there, watching. Babs' heart only sank further and further into her own stomach acid the longer the agonized emotions were expelled.

After long enough, Babs could take no more and spoke out gently into the kitchen. "Fifi….?"

Fifi was startled and stared wide-eyed as Babs caught her in such a vulnerable state. She quickly rubbed her eyes and stammered, but her fur was so wet that it was a pointless attempt.

"I… h-hello, Babs…. I am to being sorry…. I just was eating the late-night snack…."

Babs quietly walked in, and Fifi stared frightenedly at her, but all she ended up doing was sitting across from her.

"…."

"Fifi…. Are you ok?"

Fifi tried to compose herself further, and Babs' direct confrontation only made her resigned to her fate. With a few quivering heaves, she merely answered honestly.

"Non…. I…. I am to not…."

Babs stared and then rubbed the back of her head. Afterward, she said what she should have said to Fifi long ago.

"Look…. Fifi, I am sorry…. I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I just…. I guess I am just afraid of losing my brother…. Then, I realized after a lot of thought tonight that I was ok with losing him if it meant I was the one happy with someone…. I just…. I am a terrible person, like you said."

Fifi sniffled and then shook her head before speaking through partial sobs. "Non…. it… is…. not…. you…."

Babs didn't understand, so she reached out and placed her hand on Fifi's shoulder. Fifi couldn't smile, but the act had eased her crying slightly.

After a while of silent crying on and off, Fifi felt strong enough to speak, and so she did.

"I am to being very sorry…. I never wanted to come between you and your brother. I just…. Bustair really wanted me to come, so I did."

Babs nodded and eventually responded. "Yeah, I figured that out a bit ago…."

With another deep heave, Fifi had enough comfort to speak to Babs about what was occurring.

"I…. It is so hard for me to being here…. You all are wonderful, but Christmas has never been something for me…. I feel to be so weird and out of place. When all you know is alone, how can you find comfort with others?"

Babs was unsure precisely what Fifi was talking about but was getting the gist that she knew very little about her new friend.

Thinking on it, Babs removed her hand and smiled at her earnestly. "Well…. With help…. I know Buster has been doing his part…. I have been slacking, though."

Fifi wiped her eyes and smiled for the first time in a while, after which she sucked in her snot. Something completely out of character for her to do, but nonetheless, important. It showed she trusted Babs.

Eventually, Fifi sighed and continued speaking. "This is the first of a lot of things for me…. I have never been to Christmas in such a way, nor have I ever loved a boy as much as this…."

Babs smiled, and seeing her deep love for her brother made her feel good. Ultimately, she wanted Buster to be happy, and if Fifi was sincere, she knew that it would be the result.

Standing up, Babs moved to the fridge and pulled out two drinks. Walking back to the table, she placed one of the colas before Fifi and spoke. "Well, neither of us will sleep for a while after being so worked up…."

Fifi merely nodded and pulled the tab on the can, making it hiss.

"…."

As Babs did the same, she took a sip, then coyly made an offer to Fifi. "So, whata' ya' say, sis? Wanna watch a late-night movie?"

Fifi seemed shocked, but they both put on the same genuine smile after their eyes met. "O-Oui, soeurette. J'aimerais bien."

Babs didn't understand, but she really didn't need to. When Fifi stood to follow her, she quietly led the way to her room, leaving her bags and animosity at the door.

"…."

…

After spending hours together up through the morning, Fifi and Babs watched a stupid Christmas movie, and as the clock drew to 3 AM, Fifi finally yawned and spoke tiredly.

"I am to being sleepy…. It is perhaps the time that I can sleep…."

Babs let out her own yawn and then responded to Fifi. "Yeah…. You sure you will be ok?"

Fifi thought, but Babs' time with her had calmed her substantially. Standing, she stretched and looked down at the rabbit sitting on the floor.

"Oui, I will be doing ok…. I am going to head back to Bustair…."

Her voice was timid, but Babs merely grinned and then laughed. "Don't let his snoring keep you up longer."

Fifi only laughed, though Buster didn't snore. She enjoyed the playful teasing at Buster's expense.

With little more than a good night, the two parted ways. Less weighed down, Babs grabbed her phone and read the texts she had ignored from Sweetie.

After that, she began to type a text that began with her newfound feelings of excitement.

"Sorry, Sweetie, I was busy… You won't believe this, but it looks like I have a "new sister" who came to visit with Buster…. You'll never guess who…."

…

As Fifi snuck back into Buster's room, she felt lighter. Babs' acceptance and apology had raised her spirit, and the playful pseudo-sisterhood they shared tonight felt like it was only the beginning of new and exciting experiences for Fifi.

Sliding back under the covers and beside Buster, she wrapped her arms around him as he slumbered peacefully. With a gentle kiss on his lips, she whispered to him.

"Bustair…. It is only to being days until Christmas…. I am…. Well, I am wanting you to know this is the best present I have ever gotten…. You're the best present I have ever gotten…."

With her heart aflame with passion and her eyes barely able to stay open, she quickly fell into a deep sleep. Leaving the loneliness of her old life behind and embracing this newfound family without hesitation or shame for the first time.

"…."

…

Christmas had come rapidly, too rapidly for Fifi. With the dynamic changed. She and Babs began to bond in a way that drove Buster up the wall.

Now, with two girls to torture and tease him, it became all antics. Fifi and Shara bonded over clothes, and it only forced both women to show off some of their collections.

Of course, trades were made, and affection was shared. Then, as quickly as it came, everything had reached its inevitable end.

The gifts were being unwrapped, and the small family was sharing in on the festivities. Deep inside, Fifi was sad, but only because Christmas was finally here, and once it was gone, so too would Fifi.

"…."

As the group sat, Shara got up and set a camera atop the wooden dining table. "Alright, guys, it's time for the family photo~!"

Quickly and without warning. Buster and Babs got on both sides of Fifi, and then Shara pushed a button on the camera.

Standing behind the three, Shara sputtered. "Ok, Fifi, you're the guest. Pick the word to lead the way into the picture!"

Fifi glanced about as the timer ticked, but she didn't hesitate to do as asked, finally comfortable with her place in this family.

"Joyeux noël~!" Fifi cried out with a bright smile.

"Joyeux noël~!" Everybody emulated her as the flash finally went off.

Once Shara left for the camera, Fifi looked at Buster and spoke. "Well, this has been the best time I have ever been to having…. I am sorry that it is to be going away now…."

Buster looked perplexed and then glanced at Babs and his mom, who had just nodded their silent permission.

"Fifi, when we invited you to Christmas, we meant Christmas break, not just the specific holiday…. Well, unless you want to go sooner, that is."

Fifi looked around at the smiles and acceptance she was receiving, so she spontaneously hugged Buster. "Oui~! I am wanting to stay until school is to start again!"

Everyone laughed at the contagious happiness, and Shara quietly walked over and handed Fifi the picture that was taken.

"Here, Sweetie…. We have so many pictures, it is only fair you take this one…."

Fifi took the picture and stared at it, and the world around her seemed to melt. The family hugged her from every angle, and her bright smile was the centerpiece.

…

It was something she could never forget….

…

"Fifi?"

Fifi looked up from the picture that sat by her dorm room bed and saw Babs staring at her happily.

"Did you hear me, sis?"

Fifi placed the frame down and then responded. "I… Non, I am to being sorry…."

Babs just held her grin and repeated herself. "I asked if you wanted to spend summer break with us~! My mom said Sweetie can also come, so we will hit the beach and BBQ!"

Sweetie became excited and fist-pumped while floating there with her one wing. "Heck, ya~! I can't wait!"

Fifi looked at the photo one more time and then just nodded. "Oui…. After this semester, let us go to the beaches and lay in the sun."

Babs jumped for joy, but then Fifi spoke once more, albeit timidly.

"Just to be promising me…. I will get another pictures…."

Babs nodded and then responded. "This and every other family picture we take."

Fifi smiled appreciatively and then sighed. Not one of sorrow or dejection but of contentment.

She no longer needed her abandoned car. She finally had a place to call home and a family to share it with.

…

#tiny toons looniversity #buster bunny #fifi la fume #fanfiction #drama #romance #college #sweet #christmas #babs bunny #sweetie bird #tiny toon adventures

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rinpoo-blog · 11 months ago

Text

Something New.

Click below to go to chapter 2.

Buster Bunny sat alone in his dorm with naught but the silence and his thoughts to keep him company. The thick textbook on various magics and illusionary chicanery was the chain that locked him away from enjoying the fun so richly offered to him.

Autumn was in full swing, and the buzz of Halloween excitement was fast approaching. Gone were the days when his sister and he would hunt for delicious treasure and dispense devious tricks on unsuspecting toons.

Now…. It was just him and his book. His test looming overhead like a guillotine, and uncertainty pushing against his competitive, perfectionist nature.

The Halloween party that all had been invited to attend took everything in his being to say no to, and while it was really out of the ordinary for him not to be pressured by Plucky or his dear sister into attending. He had determined that he needed to change as much as his sister had in recent months.

Given the apparent nature of Babs' newfound infatuation with her roommate, Sweetie, it was difficult to describe how lonely and alienated he felt.

He and Babs had been together through thick and thin, and dating seemed far away from their minds throughout high school. Now, though, he was certain his sister desired more than friendship with her roommate.

Indeed, he approved of Sweetie Bird, but he realized that made him a third wheel, and he wasn't ambitious to take on that role.

Not ambitious at all….

Buster's mind swirled with intrusive and distracting thoughts, and as he glanced over at the clock ticking loudly in the silent room. He was taken aback by how much time his daydreaming had stolen from him.

With a reluctant sigh, he placed a marker in the book and slammed it closed. Perhaps… he needed a break….

Going to the party was out of the question, as he would never leave if he did, but maybe a walk around campus would alleviate his overwhelmed thoughts and feelings.

Taking his hoodie off of his bed, he slid it on and placed the book gently on the couch for his return. He quickly grabbed his keys and exited the boy's dorm onto the beautiful, well-kept Looniversity campus.

…

Walking out onto the path, he was greeted by the last orange light hanging barely above the horizon. The dancing shadows as they moved across the landscape could only be described as capturing Halloween's entire essence and distilling it down into a moment.

The dead trees rattled as the colorful fallen leaves susurrated gently across the ground in the soft yet chilly breeze.

With an exhale, he looked down at the ground and felt happy. Despite being the only one out here, he found he wasn't as lonely as inside, but rather, calm.

He began to hope for his sister when he placed both hands into his hoodie pockets to keep them warm. Even if he had to be a tag-along from now on, he couldn't keep her to himself forever, and what better girlfriend could there be than Sweetie?

Acceptance freed Buster's spirit, and he smiled as he leaned against a stone wall that stretched across the beautiful landscape.

Taking in the scenery reminded him of days not long since passed, and it hurt to realize how quickly time came and went. He wasn't old by any stretch of the imagination, but the fear of adulthood intermixed with the uncertainty of the future was enough to make anyone yearn for the stability of childhood.

"…."

The sun dropped ever further, and Buster found himself unable to return to his dorm. He felt compelled to stand and watch the sun drop quietly as if it might be the last one he'd ever see.

"…"

"Here you are!?" Buster heard Fifi exclaim loudly from behind him.

The sudden voice frightened him, and he turned to glance at her standing on the walkway behind him.

"Oh, hey, Fifi…. What are you doing out here? I thought the party had already begun?"

Fifi padded across the leaves, crunching them as she went, and then spoke assertively. "Oui! I was looking for you when I did not to see you…. Everybody is there but you!"

Buster eyed the girl and merely frowned. "I thought Babsie told everyone I had to study for my exam tomorrow? That I couldn't make it."

Fifi seemed disappointed, but unconvinced as she spoke again. "And this is to be studying, Bustair?"

He turned away from her, unsure of what to say. It wasn't like he could tell her about what he was feeling. It made him feel stupid to be experiencing the emotions in the first place.

"…."

When Buster didn't respond, Fifi placed her arms on the wall and leaned next to him, then spoke. "Babs is to being very busy with Sweetie, and I am not to be hearing the news of you. So, I am sorry if I am interrupting."

Buster felt bad and shook his head gently. "Naw, don't be sorry, Fifi. Believe me, I want to be at the party, but I really did have to study for a test…. Things just distracted me…."

Fifi raised an eyebrow and stared at the dying sun. "Oui, I do find the beauty of nature distracting, as I do find the same in unique fashion."

Buster merely smiled at her, but then he became curious. Watching the orange light reflect across her shimmering purple fur was a sight to behold, and he had to wonder why someone so gorgeous was out here for him, of all people.

"Uhm….?" Buster murmured, getting her attention.

After that, he spoke.

"So erm…. Why was it so important I join the party? Usually, you have everyone wanting to talk to you at gatherings."

Fifi merely smirked and responded openly. "I am to be… how do you say? Bored…. Every boy talks Moi to death, that is, except for you."

Buster found that odd as a reasoning, so he merely scratched the back of his head. "Well, Sorry, I…."

"Non…." Fifi interrupted him. "I am quite relieved by it, as well as to be curious, why?"

Buster merely nodded and responded. "I just figured you didn't like being harassed all the time. It isn't like I was ignoring you, though. I asked you to go to the Bunniez II Rabbitz concert before I asked anyone else outside my family…."

Fifi got a playful smile on her face and responded gregariously. "Ohhh, oui! I didn't realize it was like that, Bustair!"

Buster became sheepish and shrank slightly. "I well, uhm…."

Fifi only laughed, and Buster responded with a hint of annoyance.

"Well, you said no, because you had multiple ex-boyfriends in the band, so it doesn't matter…."

Fifi merely leaned forward and frowned. "Oh, and is that to be being a problem for you, Bustair?"

Buster thought and merely shook his head. "No…. I don't care who you've dated…. I kind of just… really wanted to go with someone I like to be around…."

Fifi was entirely taken aback by his demeanor and attitude. True to her assumption, he was genuinely a thoughtful and kind person, if not a little over-passionate about certain things.

"…."

When she said nothing more, Buster turned away and merely spoke as darkness overtook the land. "Look, I am sorry if asking you brought up bad memories…. I…. I am just having a hard time with everything changing so fast. I know people can't understand, but it is hard not to have constant company, especially with Babs…."

The winds blew gently, and Fifi remained quiet. His difficulty was personal and painful, she could tell.

As Buster became increasingly anxious, he tried to eject from the situation. "I…. I probably should…"

"Non…" Fifi said quietly, her voice filled with sadness.

At first, Buster was ready to escape quickly, but seeing her dejected expression only made him speak openly. "Are you ok, Fifi?"

Fifi merely nodded as the area became illuminated by the lamps placed along the walkway. Now that the two were standing under a bright spotlight facing one another, she spoke.

"I am just to be understanding how you feel… All too well…."

Buster was surprised. Someone as outgoing and friendly as Fifi rarely showed this serious side of herself. As he waited for her to speak, she merely cast her gaze towards the ground.

"Oui… To be honest, I never told anybody that I am being an orphan…. I do not know my mother or father or whether I have siblings…. The loneliness, it is to be very tough along the holidays…."

When hearing that, Buster felt like a whiny baby, and he merely exhaled, then rubbed his arm. "Whoa… I… I'm sorry for whining, Fifi… That is…."

"Stop!" Fifi interrupted again, her voice an amalgamation of pain and anger. "I am to saying, I understand…. I have been feeling your loneliness…. It has been upsetting me to be seeing you absent."

It was now that Buster understood. Fifi was out here because she was worried about him because she cared about him.

It was no time for pity, sorries, or whining…. It was time to have gratitude.

"Fifi…. Thank you…." Buster began gently and continued. "It means a lot to me that you came to check on me…."

Fifi merely smiled and looked back at him in the chilly evening. Neither spoke words, but the gentle rustling of the trees seemed enough chatter to put them at ease.

After a moment, Buster spoke in a curious but kind manner. "So… Have you always been alone?"

Fifi merely nodded and spoke. "I was to be fortunate enough to live in an abandoned car during high school. I never had much, but I always tried to make the due…."

Buster felt pain on her behalf but shook his head. "Well, you certainly have a lot now."

Fifi beamed. "Oui, I worked hard to being where I am. I may be at a loss in romance and family, but am secured in my living…."

Buster could see she was proud of herself and deserved to be. He always had things she had lacked, which made her all the more impressive by his estimation.

With silence again taking over the two, Buster looked around at the night that had quickly befallen them. Perhaps he should offer to walk her to the party? That way, he could return to his work.

"Hey, Fifi?"

"Bustair?"

The two said at the same time.

"Oh… Excuse me."

"Excusez-moi!"

They uttered simultaneously once more.

Eventually, Buster just put himself aside and offered her to speak. "You first!"

Fifi looked at him and then nodded. "Oui… Well, I was going to ask if you would like spending just a teensy bit at the party? I am understanding your reasons for not showing now, but it might help you to be relaxing."

Buster was quiet. He, more than anything, wished to go. Even more so now that he was having fun speaking with Fifi. Still, his obligation and desire to not blow off his professor were at the front of his mind.

"I…. I can't, Fifi…. I am sorry."

Fifi looked genuinely crestfallen but merely accepted his response. "Well, then, I am to be supposing I shall head back to the party. First, though, what did you wish to be saying?"

Buster contemplated, and it was the perfect time to offer to at least walk her back. Still, as he looked her over, he had another idea creep into his head.

Confident he might be in many things, this might be too bold of a counteroffer. He feared she would take it the wrong way but, nonetheless, let it slip in spite of his worries.

"Well, I was, uhm…. I was gonna suggest that you come hang out with me while I study. I know it isn't as fun as a party, but…"

Buster trailed off when he realized how pathetic his offering was, but it only made Fifi grin almost deviously.

She put her hands behind her back and spoke confidently. "Why, Bustair! Inviting me to be alone with you in the boy's dormitory? Are you sure this is what you are wanting?"

Buster lost all nerve and shyly nodded, after which he spoke the only French he knew, having heard it from her countless times since she arrived. "Oui…."

Hearing him say the word made her giggle, and she responded casually to his use of it. "Vous pouvez parler français! Comme c'est excitant!"

Buster's utter confusion only made her laugh more, and she merely rephrased using words he could understand. "I accept your invitation… Let us to be going!"

Boldly, Fifi wrapped her arm around his and dragged him along excitedly. If Buster didn't know any better, she seemed more excited about going with him to study than to be at a swinging Halloween party.

"…."

…

When the two arrived at Buster's locked dorm, Fifi was taking in the quietness she was experiencing. Everyone was indeed at the party, and the peace here was quite a reprieve from the loud music near the girl's dorm.

After Buster opened his door, he held it and looked at Fifi as he spoke gently to her. "After you."

Fifi let go of him and responded as she entered. "Merci beaucoup, monsieur gentilhomme."

Buster smiled, getting the gist of the compliment, and then shut and locked his door behind him.

Fifi was glancing about and could see that the place was somewhat messy compared to hers. Eventually, though, her attention was distracted by Buster's sleeping area.

Looking up, she examined nearly all Buster's first-place awards for various toon-related activities.

"Ouah! You are to being quite accomplished, Bustair! I did not know you contained such accolades!"

Buster became embarrassed and stood next to her. "Yeah. Many of these are for Tooney Ball and pranking, my favorite high school class."

Fifi put her hand to her chin and examined the first-place pranking trophy. "Oui, I am to be impressed. I am always having trouble with pranking…. I suppose it is that I do not like to prowl around."

Buster smiled and then shrugged. "If you need help, I can tutor you. I have an A in pranking 101, so I think bringing you to that level should be easy."

At the mere suggestion, she became excited and spoke loudly. "Oui! I would love to have the help! I am not doing so good as I need to be in that class."

Buster nodded cheerfully and then walked over to the fridge. "We can walk together after class, and I can do my homework with you."

Fifi was as flattered as she was grateful, and Buster just pulled out some carrot juice and poured it into a glass. Once done, he offered her some.

"Freshly made~!" Buster said joyously, letting his guard down now that he had warmed enough to her to be alone with her like this.

Fifi came over and partook of the glass she was poured, after which her eyes lit up and she spoke her immediate thoughts. "C'est délicieux!"

Before Buster could even respond, she had the glass up to her mouth and was gulping it down. Finally, when she was finished within seconds and placed the glass on the counter, Buster couldn't help but smirk at the orange juice that colored the white fur on her face.

She noticed his look and seemed confused, but Buster admired her in such a vulnerable position. Fifi would be mortified to realize she looked foolish, but he found it sentimental and cute.

Like a private moment, he was only allowed to take part in.

As Fifi became unsure, Buster picked up a clean cloth from the counter and wiped her face gently to remove the excited mess she had created.

When the orange blanketed the cloth, Fifi indeed looked humiliated, but Buster just placed the fabric down and spoke. "I know you like to look pristine…. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody I saw it…."

His words were warm and inviting, and Fifi returned to a relaxed state. After that, she responded. "Merci, Bustair."

Having satisfied his thirst, Buster sat on the couch and picked up the book he had left there. Before opening it, though, he invited Fifi to entertain herself as she saw fit.

"I need to study, but help yourself to anything you want…. Turn on the TV, listen to music…. Whatever…. Just make yourself comfortable."

Fifi thought and then began to walk over to him. If he wanted her to make herself comfortable, she would indeed do so.

By the time Buster looked up to see what she was going to do, she had plopped herself right next to him and began looking at the text while invading his personal space.

The warmth of her made him shudder, and his pulse quickened as she pressed her bosom against his arm. "Ooo, what is it you are to be studying?"

Buster was so overwhelmed at their intimate proximity that he lost his mental faculties for a second and merely stared blankly at her with a dopey smile on his face.

Eventually, when she prodded him again by repeating her question, did he speak.

"Ah, well, it is prestidigitation for my mentor, Merlin. An entire section on illusion, sleight-of-hand, and imitation that I need to personally perform for him."

It sounded intriguing, and so Fifi asked a natural follow-up question. "Might I be seeing some?"

At first, Buster was against the idea, for he was relatively new to the concept, but the more he thought, the more he realized that this was a private audience.

A personal one that would allow him to perfect his showmanship in a way reading the technicalities would not.

After much consideration, Buster looked at the section of the book and then stood before Fifi. With the flick of his wrist, a silver coin appeared in his fingers before her, and she became visibly impressed.

After that, Buster began moving the coin back and forth on his knuckles, then tossed it in the air. Once he rapidly snatched it as it fell, he opened his closed hand to reveal the coin was missing.

"Très cool!" Fifi exclaimed as Buster held up his finger and waved it to silence her.

After that, he walked over to her and gently reached by her head. He placed his hand on her ear and pulled the coin free from it to present it to her.

Delighted and laughing, Fifi was happy and began to gently clap for him as he took a bow.

Soon, and like it became second nature, Buster began performing an entire set for Fifi. He would glance at the book, see what he needed to do, and then perform it.

While indeed the tricks were hit or miss in terms of adequately pulling them off…. Fifi remained engaged and supportive of each trick.

Her claps and smile were, if nothing else, a significant boost to his confidence. So much so that he began improvising tricks and going off of study material because he enjoyed delighting her so.

Before they knew it, the evening had turned to the twilight hours, and Buster had run the gambit of many tricks. However, as Fifi yawned due to how late it was getting, he began to feel like he wanted to do at least one more trick before sending her off to rest.

"I…. Fifi? Is it ok if I do one more trick for you before we call it a night? It isn't really for my test…. I dunno, I just want to do it…."

Fifi was immediately curious and nodded attentively. He had suddenly lost his confidence and was acting more skittish before her than earlier.

With her permission, Buster produced a wand by pulling it out of his long rabbit ear. Already, Fifi was smiling despite her tired expression.

Once he had the wand in hand, he told himself internally that this was "not flirting" and that it didn't "mean anything." His compulsion to do it was to just test it out….

As Fifi waited patiently, he swung the wand back and forth. After that, he pointed it directly at her so it was right before her nose.

She began joking and commented on his gesture. "Oh, Bustair, I hope you are not going to be turning me into the frog!"

Buster merely remained smiling and motioned his free hand slowly in front of her eyes.

One….

Two….

Three….

Fifi followed the hand intently with her eyes until it made the third pass. After which, it carefully ran along the wand in front of her nose.

Fifi giggled as she expected it to disappear, but she became surprised when it became a beautiful bouquet of roses instead.

Large, colorful, and smelling intensely of floral delight, the gorgeous composition was a spectacular surprise to her senses.

Fifi, at first, seemed unsure of how to read or react to them. However, as Buster kept them held out to her, she took them into her hands and gave them a big whiff.

They were as real as they looked, and she felt her heart racing faster than usual. Eventually, she held the roses close to her chest and spoke.

"C'était très magnifique! Merci, Bustair…."

Buster sighed tiredly and then plopped on the couch next to her. He didn't understand all the words, but her expression and tone said absolutely everything.

Sitting there in tired silence, he was surprised when Fifi placed her hand on his cheek and turned his gaze towards her.

"…."

The two were now staring at one another, and Buster was unsure what to do. He had convinced himself he wasn't being untoward or acting like other guys, but now he wasn't so sure.

Fifi gently placed the roses on the end of the couch and spoke softly to him. "Oui, Bustair…. That was to be my favorite trick of the night. I am thinking that perhaps I should return the favor with a trick of my own I am to be knowing…."

Buster was interested in learning she knew magic, so he nodded happily. "I didn't know you were familiar with illusionary tricks…. Sure, I will learn a trick from you if you are willing to show me."

Fifi got a grin that went from ear to ear and then responded calmly. "Oui, Oui, all that is to be required for this trick is for you to shut your eyes and count to the ten."

Buster was confused, but perhaps she was going to change shape, or maybe she was going to whip out some magical trinkets she had hidden in her sweater?

Still, even as his mind wandered about what she would do, he shut his eyes and began to count aloud.

"No peeking~!" Fifi said as the count began.

"One…"

"Two…"

"Three…"

As he reached three, he felt her hand caress his cheek, and as he moved on to four, he found himself suddenly unable to talk.

"…."

The feeling of warmth pressed against his lips, and he sat there frozen in fear. He felt hot, and as he began to sweat, he leaned forward, which caused the warmth to intensify on his lips.

There was a gentle gasp and moan from Fifi, as her lips parted, and their tongues found one another for the first time.

All in the blink of an eye, they began touching and feeling each other as Buster's exhilaration went into complete overdrive.

His body acted on its own excitedly, and his eyes remained tightly shut as Fifi took the lead of her little "magic trick."

After a moment more, their mouths parted, and Fifi gasped before speaking. "There, the magic trick is to be completed…."

When Buster opened his eyes, he saw her devilish smile and amused demeanor.

Still stunned by his first kiss, he just stared blankly at her.

After she wiped her mouth, she spoke. "So… Did you get the trick on your first try… or do you perhaps need another demonstration…?"

Buster turned pale and began to stammer over his words. "Well, I uhm…. You see…. Fifi…."

When his bashfulness took over. Fifi laughed, and she tried to calm his nerves down. "I am kidding, Bustair, kidding…. You don't have to be worrying about doing things you don't want to…."

Buster shook his head, and after taking a deep breath, he was honest about his feelings. "I… Maybe I do want to do it… more…. I, well, I have never kissed anybody before…."

Fifi only nodded and spoke. "Oui, then, are you being happy I was your first?"

Buster nodded slowly and responded. "I…. You are magnificent, fun to be around, and smart…. I am beyond happy…."

His stunned niceness brought some blush to Fifi's white facefur, and she looked him over. Of all the boys she had tried to have a crush on, Buster was definitely the easiest.

"Sorry, I am just overwhelmed…." Buster admitted and then continued. "I guess I just feel bad that I am terrible at that kinda' thing…."

Fifi shook her head and grabbed hold of his hand. "We all learn at our pace that feels comfortable. I may have kissed much and snuggled some, but it has never gotten beyond that…. I have always found the "true love" to be a difficult prize to obtain."

Buster was comforted by her words, and so he responded. "Thanks, Fifi…. For everything…."

Fifi happily nodded and then teased him again. "Well, if you are wanting to learn how to be kissing well. Then you have come to the correct professor…. I have practiced techniques with myself and others to perfection!"

Buster squeezed her hand and responded sweetly. "Only if you give me a chance to be more than just a friend…."

Fifi thought and then responded. "Why, Bustair Bunny! Are you asking Moi to be your girlfriend so quickly?"

Buster was uncertain now but ultimately spoke his mind. "I would like…. to try to be someone's boyfriend, as something new, I guess…."

With that said, Fifi leaned in and kissed his cheek. "When I first saw you, I thought you were just absolutely handsome…. Now, I am seeing the gentle soul that is also being inside…."

Buster was flattered and ran his thumb nervously along the top of her hand. "So, are you saying you have had a crush on me since we met?"

Fifi slyly smirked and then answered. "A girl is to never be revealing her entire hand, but let us just say, I have been thinking of you most often as of lately…."

With that stated, Buster felt satisfied and just sat there holding her hand. After more time passed, a glance at the clock showed it was nearly three a.m.

Upon realizing that, he let go of her and stood before speaking. "It is really late… should I walk you back to the safety of your dorm so we can get whatever sleep we can for afternoon class?"

Fifi stood up and ignored him, after which she flicked off the light of Buster's dorm room. "It is to being too noisy there, besides…. I am to be certain your bed can hold two people…."

Buster became excited, and when he felt her grab hold of him in the dark, he used his memory to guide them to his unmade bed.

It only took moments for both to find their way into it and for the covers to be over them. The still emptiness of everything was completely offset by the warm company one another provided to the other.

In the serenity, Buster felt Fifi wrap her arms around him and he heard her speak. "Merci, Bustair…. For being so nice…. That is to be what makes me the happiest about knowing you."

Buster ran his fingers along her arm that held him and responded back. "Thanks, Fifi… for making change far more bearable and exciting for me…."

With their words spoken, and sleep overwhelming them. The two lay in silence, images of different possible futures swimming around their heads.

For Fifi, she thought that perhaps this might be "the one." Completely different than any boy she had ever tried to date before.

For Buster, it was the excitement for a Christmas that would soon be upon them all, and with it, his chance to give Fifi a family to spend it with for the first time.

"…."

#tiny toons looniversity #tiny toon adventures #romantic #friendship #buster bunny #fifi la fume #college #sweet #cute

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