Finnick stirred in his crib as soft morning light filtered through the nursery windows. For once, he felt surprisingly well-rested—no aching arms from harvesting, no mid-night fussing, just the deep sleep of a long, cookie-filled day followed by a splashy bath. He stretched his stubby legs and let out a big yawn.
The crib rail lowered with a soft click. Bonnie leaned over with her usual sunny smile, already dressed for another busy farm day. "Good morning, my little sugar bun! Did someone have a good night's sleep?"
Finnick rubbed his eyes, sitting up with a sleepy grumble. "...Yeah. It was alright." He glanced down at the sagging seat of his diaper and blushed. "Don't say it."
Bonnie chuckled warmly as she lifted him out and laid him on the changing table. "Too late, sweetie…you must have slept like a log based on the condition of that diaper." She made quick work of the change—wipes, powder, and a fresh Foxy Cut diaper taped snugly into place—while humming an old farm tune. "There we go. All fresh for breakfast. Let's get you in something comfy."
She placed him back in his sleeper, then set him on his feet. "Kitchen, young man. We’ll change you into your daytime clothes after breakfast. Your papa and mama are already helping set the table. Go on now—I'll be right behind you after I get these other sleepyheads up."
Finnick pitter pattered down the hallway on bare paws, ears twitching at the growing noise from the kitchen. The burrow was already alive with the sounds of a Hopps family morning.
Judy guided him to a sturdy high chair at the big kitchen table and lifted him in, clicking the tray into place with practiced ease. "Sit tight, Finnick. Breakfast is coming right up."
Judy set a sippy cup of milk in front of him while Nick slid a bowl of warm oatmeal mixed with mashed carrots and a drizzle of honey onto the tray. "Eat up, kiddo," Nick said with a wink. "Gotta fuel up after all that splashing last night. You really turned the bathroom into a water park."
Finnick poked at the oatmeal with his spoon, ears perking at the sweet smell. "It wasn't that bad. You just got soaked 'cause you're slow." He took a bite, trying (and failing) to hide how much he liked the taste.
Before he could take another spoonful, chaos erupted. A diaper clad toddler bunny—little Braxton, no more than two—came streaking through the kitchen at full speed, his discarded pajamas swinging wildly over his head like a victory flag. "No pants! No pants!" he squealed triumphantly, diaper crinkling with every hop. One of the older siblings tried to grab him but missed, sending a chair scraping across the floor.
"Braxton Hopps, you get back here!" Bonnie called, half-laughing as she chased after him with a fresh pair of overalls. At the same time, a high-pitched shriek split the air. A bunny girl named Ellie came charging past the table, brandishing a bright plastic spider toy in her paw. "I'm gonna get you, Jasper! The spider's hungry!"
Her brother Jasper bolted ahead of her, tears streaming down his face as he weaved between chairs and nearly collided with Nick. "Nooo! Get it away! Mamaaaa! Ellie's being mean!"
"Am not! It's just a toy!" Ellie giggled, waving the spider closer as Jasper dove under the table for safety, still sobbing dramatically. Finnick nearly dropped his spoon, staring wide-eyed at the madness. A glob of oatmeal dripped from his muzzle. "What the—? It's too early for this circus!"
Nick leaned against the counter, arms crossed, thoroughly amused. "Welcome to breakfast at the Hopps house, Finnick. This is why we have high chairs."
Judy swooped in, scooping Jasper up from under the table while trying to suppress her own giggles. "Ellie, no chasing your brother with spiders at breakfast. And Braxton—pants on, mister!" She handed the crying bunny to Bonnie, who had finally managed to wrestle the pajama-waving toddler into his clothes before taking Jasper.
Braxton immediately flopped onto the floor in protest, kicking his legs. "Nooo! Free bum!"
Finnick couldn't help it—he started snickering, then laughing outright, nearly choking on his oatmeal. "Free bum? Kid's got the right idea. Maybe I should try that."
"Don't even think about it, mister," Judy warned, pointing a spoon at him with mock sternness. "You've already half way there anyways with your lack of pants privileges.”
Nick ruffled Finnick's ears as he passed by with more bowls. "Careful, buddy. Laugh too hard and you'll end up on the other side of diaper duty cleanup with me."
The kitchen descended into further delightful disorder: spoons clattering, bunnies hopping in every direction, Ellie still sneaking spider threats under the table, and Braxton now running circles around everyone's legs in his freshly dressed overalls. Stu poked his head in from the doorway, shaking his head with a fond grin. "Another peaceful morning on the farm, I see!"
Finnick took another bite of his oatmeal, watching the pandemonium with a reluctant smile. The noise, the chasing, the ridiculous energy—it was a far cry from quiet street scams or lonely nights in his van. Messy. Loud. Overwhelming. But still… kinda nice.
He wiped his muzzle with the back of his paw and reached for his sippy cup. "Pass the honey, Papa. These carrots aren't gonna sweeten themselves."
Nick grinned, sliding the jar over. "Incoming!"
Finnick grabbed the jar and enjoyed the rest of his breakfast amongst the chaos.
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