Driving back to the beach house, the only sound between Lina and Cresta was the city and the roar of the large V8 of the truck. Glancing sideways at Cresta, seeing him staring out of the window. Deciding to break the silence, she finally spoke, “soooo,” Lina started and gently nudged his shoulder with her elbow.
The raccoon gave a slight start, and pulled his attention back into the cab at the nudge. “So what?” he asked, his ears twitching.
“So…Blake?” She finished simply and smiled. “I think he’s smitten with you.”
“I-I kind of got that…” Cresta mumbled and glanced back out the window, “I don’t get why, He’s seen my aggressive side AND how Father commands my life. Like he’d ever want to get mixed up with that.”
“You never know, Fuzzbutt,” Lina said with a smile and glanced at him as they pulled up to a stop light. “Listen, some people, like Vic, can't handle it, but I’ve seen you after your worst. He saw you today, and while it’s not the worst you’ve been, guess what, he was still hanging out with you all night. When I found you two behind the equipment shed, he didn’t want to leave you, he wanted to help.” She finished as the light turned green.
“I guess.” Cresta brought his focus to the dash of the truck. Flicking his tail tip accidently against her side as they approached the beach house. Lina chuckled and batted it away without looking away from the road. “Sorry,” the raccoon gave a light chuckle back and held his tail in his paws. “I just don’t want him to get hurt. In this whirlwind of…whatever you want to call this,” he waved his paws around, gesturing at himself.
“He seemed ready to take what comes at him.”
Cresta gave a soft half-hearted chuckle as they parked in front of her beach house. It was empty again, telling him the party was good and over. “Thanks, Lina. I hope I can be ready too…” he muttered as they closed the truck doors and walked around to the front.
“You’ll do just fine, Cresta.” The human hugged the male tightly in a sisterly embrace.
“Thanks,” the raccoon said again and returned the hug. He started feeling butterflies in his stomach. “But it’s not going to help me relax this weekend, now.” Cresta joked and stuck out his tongue as they went up to clean up after the party.
Saturday was spent at the beach house, just the two of them. They played video games, watched movies, and went for walks by the water. Doing whatever they could to keep Cresta’s mind occupied. Everything except talking about Blake again.
On Sunday morning, they drove back into town, Cresta’s tail patting the bench seat as he looked out the window at the passing buildings, the thrumbing of the engine was once again the only soundtrack they had going. “If you need an out or anything, I could come in, or just call, or something?”
“It’s just coffee, I’ll be alright.”
“I know, I’m just saying…” Lina said with a polite smile.
“Thanks, Lina.” Cresta gave her a half of a hug and leaned against her before letting her focus on driving again. “I'll call and let you know how things go, I’ll use his cell since mine’s still at school.”
“And so I’ll have his number, Tricky Raccoon.”
“Am not, you’re the cheeky one here.” He stuck his tongue out. “But you'll be able to reach me.” he smiled at her.
“Guilty as charged.” She played along as they pulled up to the small two story house that was converted into a café. “I’ll see you later, let me know how things go, and you be safe, alright, Cresta?” She pet his tail before he left.
“Will do, Lina.” He said after a deep, calming breath in and out, he left the truck and went into the coffee house, Lina watching over him like an overprotective mother.
The bell jingled as he entered. Sasha, the grey wolfess at the counter greeted him, “Hey, Cresta. The usual?”
Smiling softly, he nodded. “Please and thanks, Sasha.” He looked around after moving to the side to let the next patrons order. Blake was nowhere among the throngs of humans and Furkin. He waved his tail behind him madly, his mind racing. He was pulled out of his thoughts as he heard his name nearly shouted at him. “Ah,” his ears lowered in embarrassment.
“Everything alright, Cresta?” The wolfess cocked one ear to the side as she pointed the other directly at him.
“Ye-yeah, I just got lost in my thoughts a bit…” Cresta admitted and took the Lumberjack Latté, “thanks again, Sasha.”
“You’re welcome, Cresta. Let me know if you need anything, alright?”
Cresta nodded and went to find a seat by the window, he waited for Blake to show. Staring out the window, he began mumbling to himself. “You’re alright, Cresta. It’s just coffee,” his tail twitched about behind him, brushing against the chair and its occupant behind him. Apologising, he curled it into his lap. His ears stuck flat against his head, he breathed out another steadying sigh.
Sipping his latté, he grumbled. “Dammit, why did Lina have to say that stuff,” he gave another sip before just breathing in the scent of the coffee, pleasurably growling at the comforting warmth it gave.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
Before he turned around, he was already answering. “Y-Yes, he’s com–” he cut himself off as he saw Blake standing there with his own coffee in his hand.
“Hey, Cresta. Waiting on someone?” his tone of voice told Cresta he was questioning him playfully.
“Hi, Blake,” the raccoon responded in embarrassment, flushing lightly under his fur. “No, I was just waiting.”
“With a fair bit on your mind?”
“Uhmm, Nah?” He said quietly and non-too-sure of his own answer. He used his footpaw to slide the chair out across from him. “Are you doing alright?”
Chuckling softly, he took his seat and nodded. “Yeah. I'm still a bit jazzed up from Friday, surprisingly.” he trailed off at the end, “and I was up most of last night.” Blake admitted after a bit of silence grew between them.
“It was quite a party.” Cresta smiled softly. It was obvious Blake wanted to say something, his pale cheeks turning pink with blush. Cresta drank a sip of his latte before he decided to take a risk. “I guess nerves played a bit of a part in that?”
Blake only nodded as he sipped his own coffee, a mocha by the scent of it.
“Is - do you–” He paused and licked his lips nervously. “At the lake house, were you talking about me?” He finished with a more straightforward question.
The human nearly choked on his coffee, splashing some down his chin and on his shirt. His blush darkened as he grabbed napkins and dabbed up the mess. Cresta was quick to jump in to help. “Wa-Was I–? I mean–” He cleared his throat to break his stammer. “Was I that obvious?” he whispered, a shy half-smile spread on his face, only looking at the table in front of him.
Cresta sipped his coffee and smiled back, his cheeks growing red and warm with blush. “I mean…I was kind of assuming,” he paused for a second, “but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. At least until I thought about it.” Sipping coffee again, Cresta set it down and let his paw rest gingerly on Blake’s hand. “Are you sure?”
“Yes!” Blake responded a bit quickly, “I mean – yes.” Blake paused and looked down at the larger hand over his.
“Even with everything? My Father and my anger issues?”
“I-I think I can handle it.” Blake’s voice had lowered into a whisper. He looked down at their hands and then rolled his over so they held hands. “I wasn’t sure, I mean – just finding the courage to even talk about it.” Blake admitted and bit his lip. “Do…you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I-I want to, but,” Cresta sighed, “after my ex-boyfriend, I’m scared that I’ll hurt you or lose you,” the raccoon's ears fell back, “that my father or brothers are going to try and interfere.” Cresta almost mouthed the last words.
The mull of the café grew as they sat, more students flooded into the coffeeshop. Letting things sink in, each had a few sips of coffee before Blake spoke up, “I want to be boyfriends,” he smiled at Cresta, “and if you need more time, I can wait.”
Looking the human in the eyes, he saw sincerity, even though the disappointment also shone underneath. “Thanks, Blake,” Cresta said and waved his tail. Still holding hands, he gave a light squeeze. “Still good friends till then?”
“Yeah.” Blake said, his voice soft and smile still kind, even if it didn’t hide the disappointment any better than his eyes.
Cresta felt a knot in his stomach, his tail swayed back and forth behind him as they sat once again in silence. Opening his mouth to speak, he was beaten to the first words by Blake.
“It’s okay, Cresta. I guess we’ve only known each other for a few days. It's probably for the better if we get to know each other first.”
Biting his lip, Cresta gave a gentle nod. “If–” He started, hesitating and taking a sip of his latté to wet his dry muzzle. “If you don’t mind?”
“I can wait,” Blake smiled and squeezed Cresta’s paw again before he leaned back in the chair, their hands separating. “It’ll let me get to know the real you.”
“You want to know more of what you saw Friday?” Cresta replied.
“I know that’s not the real you.”
“I wish I could see it that way.” Cresta mumbled and lowered his ears with a weak chuckle. There was another small pause in the conversation before Cresta spoke, draining the last of his coffee. “Let’s go back to my place.”
Blake opened his eyes wide, sitting back upright. “Your…”
“If you want to?”
Nodding slightly, Blake smiled. “Of course I want to. I’d love to see your place.” Blake chuckled.
“Then it’s settled. Let’s get going then, it’s a little bit of a walk if that’s alright.”
“That’s fine.” Blake grinned and stood up with the raccoon, walking out into the fresh, cool air.
The two walked through the city, tall skyscrapers lining both sides of the road as they made their way towards Cresta’s house. There was a good bit of chit chat between them. Slowly the city began to thin out. Buildings shrunk into townhouses as they neared the edge of the city. As the space grew between residences, so grew the houses into mansions.
They were giant houses with dozens to hundreds of windows with great spacious gardens. But apart from a few groundskeepers, they seemed empty. “Are…these not used, or something?”
Cresta smiled and shrugged. “A few of the neighbours are away. Holiday or business. But…” he sighed and looked around. “It’s showmanship if anything. The bigger the business, the bigger the house. You can probably guess which one is mine easily.”
Blake’s eyes widened as they came up to a manor that looked more like a palace. Protected by massive fences that ran the perimeter of the property with a single, giant ornate gate that had a large ‘R’ at the top barred anyone entry. Under the arch was a guard house, a burly bull Furkin sat at the window, idly glancing at security cameras between reading articles in the latest newspaper. Spotting Cresta, he quickly stood up and tipped his hat. “Master Cresta.”
“Phelin, would you let us through, please.” Cresta said back with a light bow of his head in return.
“Of course, sir.” With another tip of his hat, Phelin pressed a buzzer on the surface of his workstation and the door clunked and unlocked, swinging wide to let them through. There was another thunk as the electronic lock was re-engaged after they stepped into the property.
The garden spread across several football pitches’ in both length and width. Between the gates and the house, vivid green grass and shrubbery were bordered by red brick paths. Furkin busied themselves with gardening, only glancing up and nodding from their work as the two passed by.
The cobbled road came up from the gate and led to a small round-about in front of the house while another path went away to an underground carpark hidden under the house. Blake’s eyes were wide, trying to take everything in. “How…I mean this is…” He stuttered.
“A bit much?” Cresta asked as the passed topiaries of feral, lions, rhinos and tigers.
“I was going to say beautiful.” Blake said.
“Ah, yeah. It’s not bad.” The raccoon said as they reached the front door. Opening it, Cresta smiled. “After you.”
Blake walked into the manor house, his unblinking eyes drawing in every detail of the great hall that stood for their entrance. Polished marble floors stretched wall to wall, eccentric wooden doors separated the rooms. Furkin dressed in uniforms went about taking care of the house; dresses for the women, suits for the males.
A ferret morph with a smart, white suit walked up to them, his striped tail curled low and motionless behind him. “Master Rashi, you’re home.” He said plainly. “Your father would like you to meet him in his office.”
“H-His office? I thought that he was in Japan?”
“His meetings were cancelled, he’s moved them to later this week,” the ferret said, again, in a plain manner, “he’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Cresta gave a frown and nodded slowly. “Listen, could you just tell him you didn’t see me if he asks?”
“You know there are cameras, young master.”
“Then…can you tell him that I'll be up in a little while?”
The ferret paused before giving the slightest of bows. “I will, Master Rashi.” He walked off, his tail still as stiff as a board.
Cresta gave a slight sigh and turned to look at Blake, his tail curling and uncurling uncomfortably, ears sticking out to the side. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, if it’s better I can go home?”
“No!” Cresta’s tail suddenly puffed and his paw lashed out to hold the human’s hand. “Uhm, no, there’s no need. I wanted to show you something real quick. It’s just the kitchen…but it’s where I feel most…comfortable.”
“Okay.” Blake said calmly and smiled caringly as Cresta held his hand. “Let’s go, then.”
Cresta took a tighter hold onto Blake, his breaths came quick, short panicked pants. The raccoon’s tail lashed behind him, not paying attention if he hit one of the working Furkin or Blake. Moving around the grand staircase, they ducked into a passage hidden behind the plain wooden door.
The halls were tiled with white stone, having a gleam that made the hallway glow from the light of the wall lamps that ran down its length. Sounds of pots and pans bubbling and sizzling echoed from a wide door part way down the corridor. Freshly cut herbs and produce and cooking meats were overwhelming. Turning into the wide doorway, a little over a dozen Furkin were all busy preparing dinner for the Rashi Family and the workers that lived on the premises. Stainless steel tables stretched down the middle of the room where most of the chefs were busy handing the food to platers who handed the prepared dishes to a few who carried them out five plates at a time on large trays.
Blake’s attention shifted back to Cresta. The raccoon was still hyperventilating with a hand against his chest as he tried to get his composure back. “Are you alright?” Blake held Cresta’s hand gently and watched the tail flail madly.
“Y-Yeah I’ll-I’ll be alright…” he mumbled as he looked up to meet Blake’s eyes gripping the human’s hand tightly in return.
“Cresta, my lad!” A sudden, booming voice came from across the tables. A large bodied badger came around the table and gave the raccoon a rib crushing hug, making Cresta squeak. The chef was a head shorter than Cresta and almost twice as wide with his stout, broad shoulders. His fur was the usual black, white and peppered fur of his species, grey on his muzzle showed age. “How’re you, my boy?” He asked as he let him go before eyeing Blake. “Who’s this?” He nodded towards Blake with a knowing smile.
“Blake,” the human gave his name with a more subdued smile.
“He’s a friend from school.” Cresta chimed in and crossed his arms to rub his side gently.
“Well, any friend of Cresta’s is a friend of mine,” the badger held out his paw. “Balin. Head Chef of Rashi manor and Cresta’s mentor.” Balin introduced himself.
“You cook, too?” Blake asked curiously and looked at Cresta.
“Only a little.” A shy smile appeared on his muzzle.
“You never give yourself enough credit, Cresta. You’re just about ready to open your own restaurant if you wanted to!” Balin interjected before he returned his attention to the cooks. “I’ve an extra grill open if you want to cook Blake and yourself something special for dinner. Show him how well you cook.”
Cresta’s cheeks were red by now, even through his tan fur. “I-I couldn't…uhm not while you’re getting dinner ready.” Cresta mumbled, his anxiety built into a meekness Blake hadn’t seen from him before.
“Cresta!” A loud, irate voice bellowed from behind them. Everyone in the kitchen froze and turned to look at Maximillian. Stepping forward his eyes were locked onto his son. “Everyone back to work.” He waved his hands at the frozen Furkin, the silence quickly filled with chopping and sizzling again.
“F-Father.” Cresta mumbled softly, his tail starting to twitch nervously again.
“I gave you orders, Cresta. You disobeyed and yet I find you breaking more rules by bringing in,” He gave a sneer towards Blake, “into the kitchens. And ignoring when you are called to my office.” He reached up and grabbed the raccoon’s ear and pulled him unceremoniously towards the door before pushing him forward into the hall ahead of him. “Balin, I want you to escort him out of the property.” Max gave the badger the final order before he followed Cresta down the hall.
~
Shutting the door with a sharp snap, Maximilian pointed to a chair as he stomped around the desk at the centre of the room. “Sit.” He snapped before sitting down at his own desk.
Cresta sat awkwardly in the chair, his tail being forced to the side, having nowhere to go in the solid backed chair. “Father, I–”
“Where have you been this weekend?” At this point Cresta remained silent to Maximilian’s questions. “Your brothers found your phone in your locker at school.” He picked up a phone out of a drawer in his desk and slammed it down on the top. “So I’ll ask you one more time. Where. Were. You. This. Weekend?” He started daggers into Cresta as he punctuated each word with a heavy jab of his fingers on the hardwood surface.
Cresta hesitated for a moment before he answered “I was away with Lina at her lake house.” Cresta did his best to hold the anger he felt out of his words. “We left to–” he paused for a second, debating whether the truth or a lie would be best. Deciding neither would quell his father, he finished as calmly as he could, “to get away for the weekend.”
Maximilian glared at his adopted son, fire burning behind his eyes. “You will be doubling up your tutoring, I don’t want to hear you’ve skipped out of it again. Furthermore, you will be coming along to Japan to attend these meetings. No questions.” He stood up and curled his lip in a snarl. “And this new one: I forbid you to see him again.”
“But–”
“No buts!” Maximilian bellowed, “I have sent out to organise a wife for you, as well. You’re my last choice to carry on the family name,” his eyes narrowed slightly, “so you’re to father an heir.”
“You’re not forcing Leo and Rio to–”
Maximilian slammed his hand on the desk once, his heavy ring cracking dangerously against the surface. “Do not talk back to me, boy. Your brothers are both just lucky they can even call this home. They’ve all but tarnished the Rashi name with their…relationship. I’d have loved to give it to one of my boys had they grown into proper men. But now, you’re my last option.”
The raccoon was about to speak before being cut off again. “You’ll do as I say, Cresta, if it wasn’t for me you’d be out on the streets.” Maximilian glared at Cresta and gave a deep growl. “Any other…beast…would kill to be in your shoes.”
Cresta froze at the slur. The word ‘beast’ was just barely able to echo above the sound of his heart beating in his ears. It wasn’t the worst derogatory name, but to hear Maximilian say it out right to him made his fur stand on end as rage started to build.
“Now, get out of my sight. We’ll be leaving for Tokyo in the morning.” Maximilian finished and tossed the phone towards Cresta before walking out of a side door, slamming shut and leaving Cresta in total silence.
He picked up the phone and left the office. His paws shook the held back rage and a vague emptiness filled his core. Walking through the halls, his tail dragged the floor while his ears sat flush against his jet black headfur. Caretakers and maids moved past him without saying a word, but their ears fell at the sight of him, giving him a gentle sympathetic smile as they went along.
~
Opening the door to his bedroom, he glanced around the large room, his ears ringing in the silence. A walk-in closet stood to his right as soon as he came in and a large wall stretched along his left, drawings and hand-painted characters covering most of the surface. On the far wall was a large wooden work desk, piles of school work and textbooks scattered across its surface. A tower computer hummed gently while the old fashion ‘98 Windows maze screensaver played itself on the screen. Heaving another sigh, he walked around the edge of the closet to see his super king bed sat against the middle of the wall. Seeing Blake sitting on the edge of the bed made his heart jump into his throat.
“Blake?” Cresta managed to choke out as he dropped his phone to the ground and walked towards the human. “What are you doing–?”
“Balin brought me up here. Is – are you doing okay? I–I mean…” he managed before he was pulled into a tight hug by Cresta, butterflies quickly hatched in his stomach at the raccoon’s embrace. The raccoon’s head was buried against his shoulder, the spiralled tail curling around the human’s waist. Blake’s heart broke as he held Cresta in return, feeling him shudder and silently sob. “It’ll–it’ll be okay, Cresta…” He whispered and rubbed his back.
Sniffing and whimpering as he just barely kept from breaking down entirely. He was glad Blake was here. The raccoon felt safe with him. He held tightly onto the human and didn’t want to let go. His soft whining and sobbing eased a little, his face still buried in Blake’s neck, just finding the ability to speak. “I’m going to be gone for a week. Father’s forcing me to go to Japan with him. I wouldn’t mind going if it wasn’t Max I was going with.” He muttered into Blake’s neck. “I’d rather take you over there, show you things.”
Blake’s heart gave a slight flutter at the thought of travelling with Cresta. He gave a gentle breath out before continuing to rub his back as they held onto each other. “I can understand what you mean.”
“Ca-can..would you stay here tonight?” Cresta asked suddenly.
“I-I – my parents–” Blake stammered at the question, his heart suddenly beating in his throat. He was starting to feel woozy with how much his heart had been acting up.
“Oh, yeah. I understand.” Cresta said without moving his head away, but his tail drooped slightly from around Blake’s waist.
Blake gave a tight squeeze and nuzzled into Cresta’s headfur. “My parents will understand,” Blake said more decisively, smiling as the raccoon’s tail tightened once again around his waist. “I’ll stay tonight.”
Cresta gave a sniff and lifted his head. “Thanks, Blake.” His cheek fur was damp with tears, but his smile was genuine. “Sorry, I didn’t…want to make it sound like I was forcing your hand…and for the way our day went.” The raccoon wiped his eyes before they sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Don’t be, Cresta,” he said softly as he took the invitation to sit. He almost gasped at the softness and comfort of the bed as he sat next to Cresta. “I understood what to expect from how you described him.” He said with a weak smile and looked Cresta in the eyes as he rubbed Cresta’s forearms slowly, feeling the healing cuts under the soft fur. “Besides,” Blake paused as he tried to find something to comfort the softly whimpering raccoon.
Looking around the room, he smiled. “So you can cook, play tennis and draw, huh?” The human looked at the wall across from the bed.
“Just hobbies, I suppose. Things I’d much rather do than taking over Father’s company,” Cresta shrugged.
“Why don’t you want to take over the company? It just seems like it would be awesome being the head of a company.”
“I–I don’t know,” Cresta admitted, “I just – it doesn’t interest me. Being a company head figure.” Cresta responded and hung his head. “I never asked to be part of this family, obviously. My brothers would tease me about being Furkin and that I was a…publicity stunt by father to show he cared for my kind.” Cresta stood up and flicked his tail side to side. “Even if that’s not true, while I’m here, I’m under his thumb. While he still has control over me, I can’t do what I want to do.” Cresta sighed as he looked at the drawings before laying down on the bed, paws to his eyes as he finished his monologue, “I can’t get away even if I tried.”
Thinking on what the Furkin had said, he hummed softly and then touched Cresta’s knee to bring the raccoon back to the moment. “I can’t say it’ll be easy, but I’ll help figure something out.” He laid down, mumbling at this point as if he didn’t have much confidence, but he meant what he said.
“Thanks, Blake.” Cresta rolled onto his side and put a large paw on the human’s shoulder and rubbed gently. “I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.” He gave a light-hearted chuckle, letting his tail curl around the human’s waist.
Blake smiled and returned the gentle rubs to Cresta’s side. The butterflies in his stomach started to make him feel a bit queasy. “I – You’re welcome, Cresta,” Blake whispered as they laid together, “I’m just glad that I’m here.”
Cresta grinned, “Cause you’re here in my bed…and we’re all alone?” The raccoon teased him.
Flushing and pushing away from Cresta, he quickly tried to come up with a retort, but all that came out were sputters. “I-wha-buh.”
Chuckling he shook his head, “sorry, the twins kinda slipped out there...” he said with a weak smile. Suddenly, Cresta leaned forward and gave the human a kiss. It was a little awkward at first, between Blake’s mouth and Cresta’s muzzle. The best he could manage at the moment was a slight peck of a kiss before he pulled back. Blake was stunned by the kiss, blinking like he had been dazed by a camera flash. “Sorry again, I couldn’t he–”
“That’s not fair!” Blake was finally able to speak, his fists coming in soft blows against the raccoon’s shoulders. “You have to warn me or something!” He tried his best to sound genuinely angry, but his laughter couldn’t help but come through. “I thought–”
“I figured–” Cresta held Blake’s hand and looked into the human’s green eyes. “If you’re serious about this, then I’m ready for it, too.”
“Are you sure, Cresta? What made you change your mind?”
“You’ve just been so…helpful, so caring. Most people, apart from Lina, avoid me.”
“Well, you can add me onto that list.”
“Heh, yeah” Cresta smiled softly at the human. “I’m going to kiss you again, Blake.” Without another word, they kissed again. Cresta angled his muzzle to make it a little less clumsy as they both kissed each other.
Pulling back to breath, Blake gave a nervous laugh. “Can – I admit that was my first real kiss?” His cheeks were dark with blush.
“I’m glad that I could give it to you then.” Cresta smiled softly. “Thanks again, Blake. For being here.”
“I’m glad too.” The human smiled back and laced his fingers with the raccoon.
“Come on! Give us a show!” A shout from behind the wall sounded out, quickly followed by a thump and a curse from the same voice.
“Leo! Rio!” Cresta got up and pressed his ear to the wall and heard them shuffle along the wall. A false wall popped open with a light clunk. Rennard came out first, followed by Leon who was busy rubbing the top of his head with a pained expression. “How the-?”
Rio glared back at Leo as he motioned to the door. “Secret passages, we have them throughout the house.” He said with pride in his voice. “It was secret anyway until HE decided to open his mouth.” He thumbed towards Leo.
“I was just trying to have some fun!” Leo shrugged as he rubbed his head.
“I swear to gods, if it isn’t Father, it’s you two. Did he send you out to harass me?”
“Nah, all this was our idea.” Leo said and glanced inside the passage. “Heard that you came home with a friend. We just wanted to see how serious it was.”
“YOU wanted to see, you voyeur.”
“Don’t hide how you really feel, Rio” Leo said in retort and grinned, snaking an arm around his twin’s waist, kissing Rennard’s cheek. “Did look like it was pretty serious. Were you going–”
“I’m going to stop you pervs right there. Both of you get out.”
“We will.” Rennard said and leaned forward, dropping his voice to just above a whisper. “Max was so distracted with you, he didn’t see Blake come up here. So he’ll need a way out, if he wants to escape without any problems. That’s where we come in.”
Looking at the human on the bed, Cresta began wondering if he was going to catch fire with his ever growing blush. Cresta smiled softly at him before coming back to Rio and Leo with a sceptical look. “And secret passages are your answer to that?”
“That’s exactly it.” Leo said with a chuckle. “We have a couple of passages that lead outside the walls.”
“Max doesn’t know about them, so we can go in and out as we please.” Rio butted in and gave an exaggerated bow. “You can thank us anytime.”
Cresta’s tail lashed side to side in agitation “And for doing this, you want what from me?”
“Oh, brother, you wound us.” Leon exaggeratedly held his hands to his chest like he’d just been shot. Grinning unpleasantly, he continued. “We don’t want anything, it’s our little gift to you two. A sort of congratulation.”
Rio chimed in as he looked at Blake, “You two are free to use it and keep up your little Romeo and Juliet love story. Just don’t over do it, we don’t want Max to find out.”
Cresta looked at his brothers, his fur still on end. “You’re really not playing with me?” He asked once more. Both of them shook their heads and bowed once again. Sighing as his tail slowed and his fur began to settle over his body.
“Tomorrow before you leave, we’ll come up, escort Blake back to the outside.” Leo stood straight. “No strings attached.”
Cresta looked back at Blake and smiled softly, his ears sticking out sideways. “Is that alright with you?”
He looked at Rio and Leo then went back to Cresta. “Y-yeah, I mean if it means we can avoid trouble?” Blake smiled nervously as he spoke after some slight hesitation.
Cresta held his breath for a minute as he thought. “Alright,” he finally said and looked back to his brothers with an almost invisible smile, “but if I hear of any funny business, I’ll make sure you feel it tenfold.” Cresta’s eye twinkled with a warning gleam.
“We promise on our very lives.” They said in tandem and bowed exaggeratedly at the waist.
“Set your alarm for O-Three-Hundred. Max is set to leave around half-four.” Rio said as they walked back to the doorway to the passage within the wall.
“You boys have fun.” Leo added with a wave of his hand and closed the door with a gentle slap.
Cresta and Blake sat in silence for a moment before the raccoon moved over and rubbed the wall where they’d disappeared off to, barely able to see the crack this close up. Even he had to be impressed at their ingenuity. Returning to the bed, he sat on the edge and twiddled his thumbs together. “Soooo–” he started.
“Well at least they seem cool enough, letting us into their secret like that.”
“I suppose, I just hope they don’t use it against us.” Cresta gave a roll of his eyes and flopped down. “So much has happened today, I’m already so exhausted over it all.”
“We can rest and get to bed early, you have an early start tomorrow…”
“Nah,” Cresta grabbed Blake and snuggled against him. “I’d rather spend the night doing something with you. I won’t see you for a week, so I’ll sleep on the plane.”
“Romantic.” Blake responded as best as he could while being squeezed by the Furkin. “How do you suggest we spend the time then?”
“First, I was thinking I’d sneak back down to the kitchen and cook us some food. Then we can go from there?”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Blake smiled and kissed Cresta’s muzzle before letting him go to make lunch.
