En: Cht [ White Chrysanthemum ] 

by RandomCanis

Contact – Part 2

Rough, numb, and harsh on his eyes. The swift fox frowned as he caressed the scar above his left wrist. His arm twitched every time his paw pads traced it. Breathe, hold, count, and release. He reminded himself as the memories tried to flood his mind. His right calf spasms as the pain of those nails flared into his mind.  Breathe, hold, count, and release.

Breathe, hold, count, and release. Breathe, hold, count, and release. The hand landing on his shoulder made him jump. The fox turned with a yelp, whining softly when he saw his father behind him. “Dad!" The older swift fox chuckled softly. “Sorry, sorry… Just wanted to check on you." Konnor said with a soothing pet on his son's ears. Rutherford grumbled but leaned into his father's pets. The older vulpine felt a bitter smile grow across his muzzle. No parent would've wanted to see their child struggle to breathe like his son was moments ago.

So he stood behind his son's seat. Giving comforting pets just the way his son loved them. Rutherford sighed, heart slowing and the lingering pain fading. Releasing one last breath with a sigh, he licked his dry lips. “Thanks, Dad." “Just looking out for my kit," Konnor spoke softly. He moved over to sit down on the seat beside his son. His brown eyes lingered on his son's scar before he shifted them back to his son. They stayed in comfortable silence. The older swift fox waited to let his son get his bearings. And once he does, a playful smile he held back finally grew on his muzzle.

“So… Saw any cute guys or gals?" Rutherford snorted in surprise. Sputtering with a small blush he groaned. “Good lords… Dad!" His blush grew deeper at the roaring laugh from his father. “What? I'm just asking." “At least give him a little warning, Elskling." The swift foxes looked over to the silver fox that entered the room. Her muzzle quirked with a small smile as she walked over to Konnor. “Now where's the fun in that?" The older swift fox yipped when a flick met his ear.

Ilse rolled her eyes as her husband scooted over. The vixen's eyes settled on her son, “Are you feeling all right, Vennen?" Her son fidgeted slightly, she didn't miss the rub he gave to his wrist but her eyes didn't stray. “Dad helped. So yea, I'm feeling better now Mamsen." He fidgeted less and his fur laid flat again. So she nodded with a relieved smile. “The teasing didn't help."

Rutherford deadpanned. Konnor giggled which earned him another flick to his ear. “How do you even stand all the teasing, Mamsen?" “You'll grow used to it." She answered. “I haven't." Her son replied. “That's because I'm dialing it up the more you grow." Her husband chimed in. Chuckling when his son groaned louder into his paws.

The skulk of foxes idled about afterward. Visiting some places, and eating lunch outside until daylight faded away. Until the two older foxes climbed into their car and their son stood by on the sidewalk. “Now remember, call us or your grandparents when you need something." Konnor started from the passenger seat, his wife giving him an amused glance. “I know, Dad. I'll be fine." Rutherford stopped for a moment. “Well… I'll try my best." His father frowned but shook it off when his mother brushed a finger against his shoulder.

“And that's all we're asking for." His mother chimed in. “Isn't that right, Mr. Mother-hen?" She quipped with a playful glance at his father. “I take that job very seriously, Madam," Konnor replied with a dramatic clutch to his chest. Rutherford's tail wagged as he chuckled, giving his parents a nod. His mother turned the ignition on, and their old faithful sedan purred to life. “Oh! And don't forget to use protection too!" His father said it louder than he should have. Because giggles danced into the hybrid's ears and the resulting blush warmed him up on the chilly spring night. Ilse tugged at Konnor's ears this time. Though the quirk of her lips and the sparkle in her eyes, along with the broad grin on his father's face that screamed: “Worth it." Made him groan loudly and made him want to curl up and shrink into the ground.

The bed groaned as the swift and silver fox hybrid fell into it. More of them accompanied the vulpine as he shifted about. Until he settled and closed his eyes. His luggage was strewed about on the floor. The room's barebones as its last inhabitants left some months ago. The boarding school was nice. He didn't like it at first. But it grew on him the longer he stayed. Not many people were around at the moment. Only those taking remedial classes like him were about. So he had the room to himself for… A month or two at best. Until the new semester started. A small win, he thought.

“Ah, back to study more I see." The fox's eyes flew open. Hackles raised as dread filled his heart. His breaths were short and his chest grew tighter. A glance to his right confirmed his fears. Beige and cream fur glowed in the dim room as she glanced about. Until her amber eyes landed on him. He trembled as he stared back. His lips and tongue were dry, hearting beating up his throat, and his vision blurred with spots. The room spun, the scars burned, and he closed his eyes. Unable to move or breathe.

Warmth settled on his head, between his ears. It calmed him, but he refused to open his eyes. Because there was no one else but them in this room. And an unsettling pit grew larger in his stomach as comfort embraced him. “Don't fret, little seed. I mean no harm this time." His eyes did open at that. What the hell does that mean, he thought. And he regretted it even more when he saw her eyes. Bright, powerful amber highlighted with gold. Her gaze was on him, but it didn't feel like it. Unfocused and disinterested. That made him squirm away a bit.

“Seeing as that we'll be seeing each other more… I thought I give a name to be remembered by." She smiled pleasantly. He shrunk into his bed more, the dread was gone from his body. “Can't tell my True name…" The wolf hummed, “I suppose Sawyer shall suffice for now." Her paw withdrew from his head. The warmth she left behind lingered. But it was fading and he could feel his heart hammering quicker again.

“That's all for now. Till next time, Liraeti." He saw her smile more, pleasant but cold. And when he blinked, she was gone. No loose fur, no lingering presence, or her scent. Her scent, he realized, didn't exist. It felt wrong. The whole thing felt wrong. His breaths grew short again, far less overwhelming and far more manageable. Her touch was still seated in his mind. It also felt wrong. Especially the comfort that flooded him through the touch.

“What the fuck just happened?"