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Chapter 11: Fox and Rabbit

Flora didn't get much sleep that night, tossing and turning with anxiety. After being

awoken by the fox three times, Cynthia asked Flora to move her to her own bed for the

remainder of the night. Flora started awake at the sound of her phone's alarm the next morning,

feeling haggard. She quickly brushed her fur, donned her red Willowdale Pirates t-shirt, and

stuck her nose out in the hall: Pete wasn't waiting yet.

"He's not out there," Flora fretted to Cynthia after closing the door. "What if he isn't

coming? I have to know how he feels!"

Cynthia looked concernedly up from her tiny bed where she was buttoning a black denim

skirt around her hips, "It's early. We don't usually leave for another twenty minutes. Did you

sleep at all?"

"Some," Flora returned anxiously. "But what if I scared him off? I, um, the last thing I did

before I left him last night was kiss him. Could that have been too much?"

"What kind of kiss are we talking about?" Cynthia asked titilatedly. "Did you use tongue?"

Flora nodded nervously.

Cynthia gasped, "Really?! You stuck your tongue in his mouth the very first time!?"

"Wha-at? No! I, I only licked his nose!"

Cynthia's excitement was quelled, "Oh. I doubt he got too upset then, unless he thought

it was weird. You licked his nose?"

"Was that wrong?"

"I don't know. Lots of people touch noses. I've never heard of licking it."

"A little lap is a very common sign of affection for canids," Flora defended herself. She

frowned worriedly, "I suppose Pete wouldn't know that either."

"You can explain it if he was confused. As long as you didn't say, 'You taste good,'

afterward, he probably wasn't too freaked out."

"I hope not," Flora fretted.

"I still need to use the restroom. You go too. Then we'll go get him if he hasn't shown

up," Cynthia directed.

Flora watched Cynthia leave then hurried down the hall to pee. Pete still wasn't waiting

when Flora returned, and she paced the room impatiently whilst she waited for Cynthia to make

it back from the basement bathroom. Finally, the door swung inward, and the mouse followed.

But Flora didn't stop pacing.

"Was he waiting?" she asked anxiously.

"It's still early," Cynthia replied.

"Are you ready? We should go make sure he's alright!"

"I am if you grab my bag. Why wouldn't Pete be alright?"

Flora grabbed her bag and Cynthia's then scooped up the mouse. "I just want to make

sure," she explained.

She hastened down the hall, through the stairwell, and down the next hall to room 328.

Clutching Cynthia to her chest with one hand, Fora rapped on the door. It swung open to reveal

Pete with his powder blue vest three-quarters buttoned down his white belly.

"Flora? What is it?" Pete whispered anxiously.

"Eh? What that fuck? Who's pounding on what?" the groggy voice of Pete's roommate

emanated from the room.

"Pete, I-"

Pete quickly stepped through the door and shut it behind him, "C-can we talk

somewhere else?"

Flora nodded, but it was difficult not to blurt out her question. She led Pete back to her

and Cynthia's room and set Cynthia and her things on the bed before removing the bag from

her back and setting it on her desk. She turned back to the confused rabbit and stared into his

blue eyes probingly.

"Pete, um, I wanted to know, um," she swallowed, suddenly nervous to ask. "Do, um, do

you like me?"

Pete smiled at her shyly, "I do."

"I know you're my friend, but do you like me like, like; would you want to be my

boyfriend?" she blurted the question.

Pete's eyes widened while his ears turned red, and he quickly looked at his feet. Hands

behind his back, he nervously kicked at the carpet with one furry foot, "Would you want me to

be?" he murmured sheepishly.

"Yes!" Flora chirped emphatically. "I want to hold you, Pete! I want us to be together!"

Pete looked up with a shy smile, "I-I want that too, Flora. I just didn't think, um; I thought

maybe foxes just, you know. I wasn't sure you felt the same way."

"I do, Pete! I, I know it might seem strange, but I love you! I'm sure that's what this

feeling is!"

Pete looked back down at his feet, still smiling shyly, "I n-never thought I'd even have a

friend like you, Flora, but, um, ever since the first time I saw you, I, uh, I knew there was s-

something different: the way my heart skipped a beat and I felt faint. I, um, I didn't understand

why you made me feel like that, but, but now I know it's because," he looked up bashfully.

"Because I love you too. F-from the very first time I saw you, I knew I was meant for you; I just

thought, you know."

"We're meant for each other then, Pete," Flora breathed. She stepped toward the rabbit,

"Can I pick you up?"

Pete nodded shyly, and Flora stepped forward to grasp him under the arms and lifted

him so that they were eye-to-eye. She was so elated, she hardly even noticed his weight. Pete

wrapped his arms around her neck, and they pressed their noses together. Then Flora pulled

back to give his nose a quick lick.

"That's a way we foxes give the people we like a little kiss," Flora told him warmly.

Pete pressed his nose against hers again, "I guessed that's what it was," he murmured

back with tender amusement.

Flora set Pete down, and he wrapped his arms around her middle, pressing his nose into

her fur. Flora hugged him back and touched her nose between his long ears.

"You two are adorable, but we're going to miss breakfast if we don't leave," Cynthia

squeaked.

Flora and Pete broke apart, and both regarded the mouse embarrassedly. Flora had

almost forgotten Cynthia was present. Pete ran back to his room to grab his bag, and then they

hurried to breakfast.

Flora noticed during breakfast that Pete kept stealing glances at her as if he thought she

might suddenly disappear. Flora herself felt the urge to pinch herself just to make sure it was all

real. She caught Pete glancing her direction again and smiled blissfully. If she could feel this

happy simply eating next to someone, then they must belong together!

They took Cynthia to her class then strolled through the warm September morning air

together, with Pete's left hand clasped in her right. It was still early and not between classes, so

they only saw a few other students. They got some confused looks, but Flora felt like she was

gliding through the clouds and couldn't be bothered to notice them. After a while, they sat,

pressed together, on one of the sun-bleached wooden benches beside the tan brick path. Flora

held Pete's hand between both of her hands in her lap.

After a minute, she turned and nosed the base of his ear, "I'm so happy, Pete," she

murmured. "I love you."

"I love you too, Flora," he whispered. After a moment he went on, "I don't care what

anyone else thinks. If anyone thinks it's wrong, they just don't understand."

Flora nuzzled his ear again, "Don't worry about that now. We'll show them that they're

wrong. They'll have to see how right we are together."

"I hope so," Pete murmured worriedly. "I don't think my parents will."

"I'm sure they want you to be happy, Pete."

"They'll probably think it's a matter of alive or dead," Pete muttered darkly. "Everything

they told me about predators was wrong, but I don't know why they would have said it if they

didn't believe it."

"Let's just take things one step at a time," Flora soothed. "We won't change their minds

overnight, but eventually, they'll have to admit that you're still in one piece. Then they'll see how

happy you are."

Pete leaned his head against her shoulder, "You're right, Flora. Eventually, they'll have

to see that you aren't how they said."

They sat silently for a few more minutes before Flora spoke again, "When is your writing

section?"

"It's at ten."

"Mine is in fifteen minutes, but I'll see you at lunch at eleven, okay?"

"Okay."

They stood and slowly walked back across campus until they got to the building Flora's

class was in. After a quick hug, Flora glided inside, still on clouds of bliss.

Class had been going for a few minutes before Flora noticed that the red foxes were

directing even more attention toward her than usual. They whispered to each other and cast

shocked, or even appalled, glances in her direction. Isabelle glared at her with open disgust. Dr.

McLaughlin, as usual, was blind to all of it, droning on about the themes of this week's reading.

They were currently studying the portrayal of foxes in fantasy. Red foxes were frequently

cast as benevolent wizards or, even more unimaginatively, as wise monarchs. One thing Flora

noticed was that they seemed forces more for stability than for justice, which, she supposed,

made sense. The book they'd read actually had a gray fox character, an affable thief, but little

class time was devoted to him.

Flora didn't let this lack of attention to her species bother her because she felt the entire

class was a waste of time, given the lack of critical analysis of the themes and stereotypes

portrayed. Occasionally, one of the other students tried to criticize one of these themes or

stereotypes, only to have the red foxes jump down their throat. Playing the part of false

neutrality, the professor did nothing to stop this, so the only points that were critically discussed

were those less than flattering to foxes.

Flora was gratefully heading toward the stairs after the end of the drainingly dull class

when she caught a blur of auburn fur. A split second later, she was forcefully shoved against the

wall, her head bouncing painfully against the hard marble. She stared up into the snarling

visage of Isabelle.

"Do you think you can just sit there after flaunting it for everyone to see?!" Isabelle

snarled in rage.

Flora struggled to pull away, but the larger vixen gripped her shoulders tightly as she

held her pressed against the wall. Her sharp claws dug into Flora's skin, and hot tears blurred

Flora's vision in response to the piercing pain.

"I knew you were a sycophant to prey, but I never imagined you were such a

degenerate!" Isabelle growled. She spat the last word in disgust.

"Leave me alone!" Flora cried. "I-it's none of your business! Help! Please help!"

There was a patter of paws, and then four red foxes, two tods and two vixens, seized

Isabelle by the arms and pulled her off of Flora. Flora crumpled to the floor with a sob of pain,

her head throbbing and shoulders burning. She could feel hot, sticky blood seeping into her fur

where Isabelle's claws had raked her skin.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," someone snapped reproachfully.

Flora looked up and realized they were speaking to her, now recognizing one of the

vixens holding Isabelle as Katrina. Flora looked up at her dumbly, unsure how to respond.

Katrina sniffed disdainfully, and then the four red foxes led Isabelle away, speaking to her in

soothing tones. After a few seconds, Flora forced herself to her feet with a wince of pain. She

was going to have a nasty lump on her head, and she needed to get her shoulders cleaned up.

But first she had to collect Cynthia from the study room downstairs. Flora stumbled to the

elevator and pushed the button for the basement.

"Flora! Oh Zeus! What happened?!" Cynthia cried as Flora limped into the study room.

She grabbed her crutches and hurried over to her from the mouse-sized area.

"Isabelle happened," Flora muttered darkly.

"Are you alright?" Cynthia squeaked in distress.

"I guess so. She slammed me into the wall, and her claws scratched my shoulders. I just

need to get cleaned up."

"You need to get checked out!" Cynthia disagreed. "Sit down! I'll get someone to help!"

Taking Cynthia's advice, Flora slumped in one of the chairs at an empty square of four

desks. Cynthia returned to her seat and got busy with her phone. Five minutes later Chester

arrived, quickly followed by Lance and Becca.

"Are you alright, Flora," Chester yowled anxiously.

"I think so," Flora murmured embarrassedly.

"Lance, Chester, you help her walk," Cynthia directed. "Do you know where the wellness

center is?"

"I do," Chester replied. He and the wolverine stepped up beside Flora's chair and helped

her to her feet, each supporting her under one arm.

"I-I think I can walk by myself," Flora murmured embarrassedly. The bump on her head

was still sore, but her daze after the attack had worn off.

"Let us help you just in case," Lance soothed. "We don't want you to fall and hurt

yourself again."

Flora didn't offer any further protest. Lance slung Flora's bag over his other shoulder,

and Becca gave Cynthia's things to Chester before she hefted the mouse over her shoulder like

a sack of rice.

"I think someone else should carry me!" Cynthia protested.

Lance briefly left Flora with Chester and gently plucked the mouse off of the stoat's

shoulder in one enormous hand. He returned to support Flora under her right arm. "Alright, let's

go."

They made their way across campus as quickly as they could in the awkward

arrangement and led Flora into the lobby of the wellness center. A great horned owl at the front

desk turned their head toward them as they entered, studying them with piercing gold eyes.

"Who is this? What is her medical condition?" they probed urgently.

"I'm Flora Mason. I, um, I was-"

"She was attacked!" Chester yowled. "She needs to see a doctor!"

The owl snatched up a phone with their wing and pecked the keypad. "Hi Celeste, I have

an injured fox here who needs immediate attention."

...

"Alright, I'll send her in." The owl hung up and swept a brown and black-flecked wing

toward the hall into the back. "Dr. Satin is through the third door on the right."

"Thank you," Chester meowed.

They quickly led Flora down the hall and into the exam room.

An arctic fox in a white lab coat that contrasted sharply with the dark gray of her summer

fur waved them in, "I'm Dr. Satin. Sit her down over there," she gestured to the padded

examination table.

Chester and Lance helped Flora up onto the table, and she sat on the crinkly tissue

paper.

"Alright, I assume none of you are family, so you'll need to wait in the lobby unless she

needs you with her."

"I-I'm okay on my own," Flora murmured self-consciously.

"We'll be waiting," Chester promised.

Flora's friends filed back out of the exam room, and the arctic fox closed the door behind

them. Grabbing an otoscope, she crossed the room to the examination table and stepped up

onto a footstool. She was smaller than Flora, roughly two-thirds her size. She removed the

conical tip of the otoscope to shine the light in Flora's eyes.

"Tell me what happened," she requested.

"I, um, another student attacked me," Flora murmured embarrassedly. "She shoved me

against the wall, and her claws scraped my shoulders."

The doctor checked Flora's head, "Any ringing in the ears? Dizziness? Nausea?

Headache?"

"The lump hurts, but I don't have any of the others."

"I don't think you have a concussion, but if you start to feel confused or experience any

other symptoms, I want you to come right back here, okay? Were those your friends? Can they

help you again if you need them?"

"Yes."

"Good. Can you take off your shirt?"

Flora complied, and the arctic fox examined the scratches.

"They aren't very deep, fortunately, but I'd like to clean them up."

Flora nodded. The arctic fox hopped down from the stool, collected peroxide and cotton

pads, and returned to carefully clean Flora's scratches.

"Keep them clean. But if they look inflamed or start to smell funny come back, and I'll put

you on antibiotics."

The doctor completed the exam by listening to Flora's heart and lungs, taking her blood

pressure, peering into her ears and mouth, and feeling her abdomen.

"You should be okay, but don't hesitate to come back if you notice any other symptoms.

Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Flora shook her head.

"Alright, you're free to go."

Flora slipped off of the table and plodded back out to the lobby.

As she exited the hallway, Pete dashed up to her, "Flora! Are you alright?!" he yelped.

"I'll be okay," Flora murmured softly. "Thanks for coming, Pete."

"I-I had my phone on silent, or I would have left class when Cynthia texted!" Pete replied

anxiously.

Flora stepped forward and hugged the rabbit, and after a moment he hugged her back

tightly.

"I-I'm glad you're okay, Flora," he whined. "I-I can't believe, w-why did they attack you?"

"It was Isabelle. I suppose I wasn't enough of a fox for her," Flora muttered grimly. "Don't

worry, Pete; I won't let bullies like that tell me who I can love."

"I-it was about me then?" Pete whined.

"It was about her being a closed-minded bigot," Flora returned firmly. "It wasn't because

of anything you did. Maybe I was partially at fault for making her an enemy to begin with, but

you didn't do anything."

"I-it wasn't your fault either," Pete replied. "I don't believe you'd do anything to deserve

this."

"Of course it wasn't Flora's fault!" Cynthia squeaked indignantly from Lance's shoulder.

"That jerk has had it out for Flora since she got here! If, if I were a wolverine instead of a mouse,

I'd give her something to think about!"

"If I'd been there, I would have given her something to think about anyway!" Becca

declared. "Like my teeth in her tail!"

"Like I say, stoats are fierce," Lance teased.

"Please don't do anything to confront her," Flora begged. "I don't want any of you to get

in trouble."

"We won't," Chester agreed. "But I think you should report it to campus security. She

shouldn't get away with something like this."

"Will you come with me?" Flora asked anxiously.

Chester nodded.

"Of course we will!" Cynthia squeaked.

The campus security office was next door to the wellness center, so they proceeded

directly there. A coyote and bobcat in black uniform tops were stationed at the front desk. Flora

was surprised to actually see a canine on campus; she'd gotten so used to their absence.

"Can we help you?" the bobcat meowed quizzically, eyeing the large group of students

with confusion.

"I-I need to report an attack," Flora murmured nervously.

The bobcat leapt up, "What kind of attack? When?"

"We ought to take her somewhere more private before we ask her to give details," the

coyote corrected. She glanced at Flora, "Sorry, Frank just started last week."

"I-I can tell you here," Flora murmured. "These are my friends."

"Alright, tell us what you can. Start with your name," the coyote requested calmly.

"My name's Flora Mason. It, uh, it happened right after my nine o'clock class in the

literary arts building. One of my classmates, my former roommate actually, attacked me. She,

um, she shoved me against the wall until some other foxes pulled her off. My friends helped me

get to the wellness center."

"Can you give me your classmate's name?"

"Isabelle Bouillier."

"Did you know any of the other foxes?"

"One is named Katrina. I don't know the others' names, but I think they're all in the class

I had before."

"What's the name of the class?"

"Vulpines in Vulpinevan literature."

"That's a class?!" the bobcat asked incredulously.

"I told you they were particularly fox-centric," the coyote responded. She turned back to

Flora, "Could you tell us why she attacked you?"

"I was just leaving class; I didn't even talk to her," Flora replied uncomfortably.

"So you don't have any idea? Why did you switch rooms?"

"I, um, I think she was angry about who I like," Flora mumbled. "We didn't get along

because I'm friends with prey."

The bobcat and coyote exchanged a confused look. "Alright, is there anything else you

can tell us?" the coyote queried.

Flora shook her head.

"We'll do what we can," the coyote concluded. "Take care and call us if she confronts

you again."

Flora nodded. She led the others out of the office.

"Y-you could have told them it was because you like me," Pete told her anxiously.

"They might have agreed with her," Flora murmured morosely. "At least now they'll

investigate. I doubt it will do any good though; Trevor told me she's the heiress of some rich

family."

"Hopefully, she'll get reprimanded somehow even if she doesn't get expelled," Chester

meowed. "Can I get a clarification though? You two are dating now?"

Flora blushed, realizing only Cynthia had been present for any of her and Pete's

romantic escapades. "Er, yeah, we are."

"Cool! I'm sorry we had to find out like this, but I want to wish you luck! I bet you're really

sweet together!"

Lance chuckled softly, "Huhuhuh, I guess I see why I wasn't your type."

"That has to be the fastest one-eighty in the history of dating!" Becca piped amusedly. "I

mean, he was terrified of you a few days ago!"

"I, erm, just didn't understand w-what I was feeling," Pete responded embarrassedly.

Flora slipped back past Lance and Chester and took the rabbit's right hand, squeezing it

gently. "Now we both know," she murmured affectionately.

They made their way to the cafeteria, which was bustling with students due to it being

closer to noon than they usually chose to eat. They found Rosemary at a table by herself.

"Where have you-all been?" the black squirrel asked confusedly.

"Didn't you get my text?" Cynthia squeaked from Lance's sturdy shoulder.

Rosemary yanked her phone out of its holster. "Aw fuck, it's dead," she groused. "I knew

I forgot to charge it yesterday." She looked up at them questioningly, "What happened?"

"We'll tell you while we eat," Flora offered self-consciously.

* * *

"And that's why we should abolish the monarchy and all of these rich fucks!" Rosemary

concluded irately when Flora had updated her. "Can you imagine getting that upset about who

someone you don't even like dates?! Imagine being that obsessed with some absurd

'superiority' of foxes!"

"It's ridiculous," Flora agreed. "And gross. I wish she would grow up. I don't even care if

I'm 'less of a fox' than her! Why would I care about that at all?"

"You're not less of a fox; you're just not a bigotted asshole!" Rosemary declared. "Unless

she thinks those are the same thing!" She huffed and scowled, crossing her arms. After a

couple seconds, she glanced at Pete, who was seated on Flora's other side next to Chester,

and her scowl softened to a wry smirk. "You know, I can still hardly believe we're even in this

situation. Not from your side, Flora, but who would have thought Pete would even be sitting with

us a week ago?"

"I wouldn't have guessed it," Flora admitted. "I just know that we're right together.

Whether it's fast or weird or whatever, I don't care because I know it's right."

"I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to meet Flora," Pete added shyly.

"It sounds like a fairy tale romance," Rosemary remarked amusedly. "But if you're both

happy, then I guess that doesn't matter."

"I wish it were a fairy tale; then we'd just live 'happily ever after.' But especially after what

happened this morning, we know it won't be that easy," Flora replied.

"I'm sure it won't," Rosemary acknowledged. "But you'll have your friends to support you;

we're not going anywhere!"

Flora smiled at the squirrel affectionately, "I know that."

Pete had organic chemistry lab after lunch. Flora walked him over in case someone with

the same prejudices as Isabelle decided to target him instead. Flora was heading back outside

after dropping Pete off when she bumped into Trevor on his way in.

"Flora!" the silver fox yelped concernedly. "I heard what happened! Are you alright?"

"What did you hear?" Flora asked nervously. Did they know what had precipitated the

attack? How would this fox, who'd expressed their own romantic interest in her, react to learning

about her feelings for Pete?

"I heard that Miss Bouillier attacked you without provocation," Trevor responded. "Were

you injured?"

"I'm alright," Flora told them. "Did, um, you hear why she did it?"

He looked away embarrassedly, "About you and the rabbit? Yes, I heard. I, ah, I don't

pretend to comprehend it fully, but," he turned his head back to face her. "But I'd be honored to

call myself your friend. I told you you're an intriguing vixen, Flora. I'd like to get to know you

better, even if my affection isn't welcome."

Flora regarded the silver fox embarrassedly for a few seconds then nodded, "You're still

welcome to join us for lunch or dinner any time you can find a free chair."

Trevor smiled in happy relief, "Thank you, Flora. Perhaps I'll find the time to join you this

evening. I'm afraid I'll be late for lab if we speak any longer. Good afternoon, Flora."

"See you."

Flora watched the silver fox bounding toward the lab, their bushy black and silver tail

bouncing behind them. Maybe Trevor wasn't as annoying as she'd thought. Chester had

returned Cynthia to their room, so Flora returned to her dorm to finish her homework for Friday.

At six that evening, Flora, Cynthia, and Pete headed to dinner together. They were

checking to see whether anyone else was present when Trevor bounded in front of them. Pete

quickly ducked behind Flora at the sudden appearance of the silver fox.

"My apology!" Trevor chirped embarrassedly. "I was hoping I'd catch you. I'd like to join

you for dinner if the invitation is still open."

"Flora, does he know, um," Cynthia began hesitantly.

"It's alright, they know," Flora told her. She smiled at the silver fox awkwardly, "We're still

looking to see if any of our friends are here."

"Oh! Excuse me!" Trevor stepped to the side.

Flora returned to scanning the cafeteria and spotted Rosemary at a table with Becca. "I

see them," she chirped. "Follow me."

Flora led the way through the crowded dining area until Pete, apparently spotting the

table himself, bounded ahead and quickly sat beside Becca. The stoat looked at him in surprise

before turning and spotting Flora. Becca waved. Flora stepped up behind the empty chair to

Pete's right, and Trevor stepped up on her right.

"Hi gals," Flora chirped. "This is Trevor. They're in our group for o. chem. I told them they

could sit with us. Is that okay?"

"As long as they're chill," Rosemary replied nonchalantly. She glanced at the chairs,

"We're going to have to start sitting at a bigger table," she noted.

Rosemary helped Flora get Cynthia's food, and when everyone had theirs, they returned

to the table. The meat station had sesame chicken whilst the vegetable station had vegan mapo

tofu. Flora and Cynthia got the latter along with white rice and steamed bok choy while Trevor

got the chicken with rice. Pete got some bok choy and a large grass and dandelion salad with a

sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Trevor sat on Flora's right, leaving the only empty seat between him

and Rosemary.

"My name's Trevor as Flora told you," Trevor stated to the squirrel. "He/him or they/them

are acceptable."

"I'm Rosemary, she/her or they/them," Rosemary replied.

"Becca, she/her," Becca added.

"Are you nonbinary too, Rosemary?" Trevor asked genially.

"Yeah, I don't really mind what people want to call me, but gender isn't a binary. I just am

who I am, you know?"

"I feel similarly," Trevor returned. "I don't mind how I am, but I don't really feel I'm a tod

particularly."

"You two are lucky," Becca groused. "Dysphoria sucks. I can't even look at pictures of

me with my sisters because I'm so much taller than them! I wish I were an inch shorter."

"You want to be smaller?!" Cynthia squeaked in shock.

"Size is relative," Becca returned grumpily. "I guess if I were a miracle stoat the size of

Lance it wouldn't mean much, but as it is, it's a reminder that I went through the wrong puberty

the first time. I hate it."

"It sounds tough," Trevor replied sympathetically.

Flora didn't know what to say. She hadn't realized Becca was trans, and she was too

embarrassed to mention it. Maybe that's why she always wears a skirt. Flora felt a little awkward

that Becca had never mentioned it to her before, but she pushed aside these feelings. Becca

had the right to just be herself without explaining herself to anyone. Flora realized that the fact

the stoat had mentioned it now meant she felt comfortable enough to let her know this personal

information, and that realization helped dissolve her less pleasant emotions. Becca trusted her.

Amber arrived a few minutes later, taking the last seat between Rosemary and Trevor

and prompting more introductions. Flora was glad that Trevor was getting along with the group. I

guess I was a little hard on him initially. The silver fox was certainly awkward when it came to

courtship, but aside from their somewhat stilted manner of speech, they didn't seem to be so

awkward generally. Flora turned her attention to Pete to see how he was getting on with the

new predator at their table, but the rabbit looked calm, cutely munching on his salad.

"You didn't get any of the mapo tofu, Pete," Flora noted. "Didn't you want to try it? It's not

bad."

Pete eyed the tan cubes of tofu in dark brown and hot pepper red sauce on Flora's plate

dubiously, "What's in it?"

"Soy beans, hot pepper, ginger, and other spices. It's plant-based. Do you like spicy

food?"

Pete nodded, "I guess I could try it."

Flora scooped up a squishy cube on her fork and held it in front of Pete's nose, "You can

try mine!"

Pete stared at the cube cross-eyed with his nose twitching. Then he hesitantly opened

his jaws and leaned his head forward to take fork and cube in his mouth. He pulled back from

the fork and regarded Flora embarrassedly as he chewed.

"Good?" Flora asked.

Pete nodded.

Flora smiled and scooped up another cube, which she ate herself. "Mmm, it tastes even

better with a little rabbit spit," she teased.

"I-I could have gotten my own," Pete stammered self-consciously.

"If I was worried about catching anything, I wouldn't have offered. I assume you have

your shots."

Pete nodded.

"And I doubt many viruses will even transmit between us."

"I guess that's one advantage to dating outside of your order," Rosemary remarked

amusedly.

When they were done, Flora took her and Cynthia's plates to the conveyer. Pete took

his, and Flora waited for him to get back so that they could walk back to their dorm together.

"I'd like to thank you all for allowing me to dine with you," Trevor spoke politely. "I do

hope I'll be welcome again."

"Sure," Rosemary answered. "Anytime."

Trevor glanced at Flora uncertainly, and she smiled and nodded. Pete returned to the

table, and then he, Flora, and Cynthia returned to their dorm. Pete stopped briefly at their door.

"I-I'll run and get my notes!" he squeaked.

"I'll be waiting," Flora replied coyly.

Pete bounded down the hall, and Flora took Cynthia into their room.

The mouse plugged her earbuds into her phone and reclined in her bed, "Don't stay up

too late before you exam tomorrow," she teased suggestively.

"How did your physics test go?" Flora asked embarrassedly.

"Pretty good, I think. How do you feel about your bio. exam?"

"Alright. I don't think it's going to be too hard."

They were interrupted by Pete's knock on the door. Flora let him in, and Pete quickly

stepped into the room and stared up at Flora with nervous excitement.

"A-are you ready?" he squeaked.

"One second." Flora crouched by her bag and removed her own notebook, which was

bound with a greenish gray paperboard cover that advertised '100% recycled'. She stood and

set it on the desk before pulling back her chair and plopping down onto the grayish blue

cushion. She adjusted her green and pink skirt, which she had exchanged for her blood-spotted

t-shirt after lunch.

Pete hastily stepped forward, laid his heather gray notebook beside hers, and spun

around so that she could pick him up. Smirking affectionately at the rabbit's eagerness, Flora

leaned forward and hefted him under the arms to set him in her lap. She wrapped her arms

across his chest and gave him a gentle squeeze.

"I like to hold you, Pete," she told him affectionately. "I hope it makes you as happy as it

makes me."

"It does, Flora," he breathed. "I, I wish you could hold me forever."

"In my clutches forever, hmm?" Flora teased. "What a compliant bunny." She nosed the

base of his ear. "It really doesn't bother you at all anymore? That I'm a fox?"

Pete was silent for a few seconds. "I, um, I guess there's a part of me that's just, uh, j-

just a little afraid," he admitted. "I-I trust you," he added hastily. "But, um, it's hard to get rid of

the thought that, um, you know." He put his hand over her right hand and grasped it around the

side, reassuring her with a tone of conviction, "I trust you, Flora. I feel safe with you, and even,

um, even if I thought it was dangerous, I couldn't change how I feel. I love you."

Flora nuzzled his long, velvety ear, "I love you too, Pete, and I understand if you get

anxious sometimes about being with a fox. But I'll do anything I can to help you feel safe, and I'll

never do anything to hurt you." She glanced at the notebooks sitting idly on the desk, "Should

we try to study now?" she asked softly.

Pete nodded.

About an hour later, Flora laid her notebook back on the desk. She reached her arms

down over Pete's shoulders to his lap, where his hands rested on his thighs. Flora slid her

hands over his and curled her fingers between his more delicate digits. She could feel the rise

and fall of his chest as she held him securely with his head tucked under her jaw. His long ears

brushed her cheeks as he turned his head to nuzzle her right arm, and his fingers curled

together with hers. They sat silently in this position for a few minutes with only the sound of the

other's breaths and heartbeats and the warmth of their embrace to communicate their feelings

to each other. Flora was steeped in warm contentment, and she could feel Pete's reciprocal

affection and happiness radiating into her chest. She brought her left hand up to stroke Pete's

cheek, his fur kit-soft on the furless pads of her fingertips and palm. She ran his velvety black

ear through her hand then traced her clawed index finger down between his eyes and over his

fuzzy, twitchy nose.

"Flora?" Pete murmured hesitantly.

"Hmm?"

"Are those your high school friends?"

Flora glanced at the pictures on the back of her desk and smiled warmly, "Yes,

Charlotte's the squirrel, and the rabbits are Ellie, Sam, and Olivia. You'll like them."

"D-do you think I'll meet them?" he asked.

"Of course. You'll have to come meet my parents eventually, and you can meet them

then."

Pete was silent for several seconds. "I don't think my parents would let me do that," he

murmured apologetically. "Not if they knew who I was going with."

Flora considered this dilemma for a couple seconds before responding, "You're

eighteen, aren't you, Pete?"

"Yes."

"In a couple years, we'll both be twenty, full adults, but even now, we're old enough to

make our own decisions about who we go home with."

"I-I guess, but, um, I wouldn't want them to kick me out," Pete returned anxiously.

"It wouldn't make much sense for them to kick you out because they thought you were

putting yourself in too much danger, but if they did, you could come live with me. There's lots of

room since my brothers left."

"W-would your parents be okay with that?" he asked worriedly.

"I'd convince them," Flora assured him.

Pete contemplated this silently for a couple seconds. "Do you think your friends would

like me?" he asked nervously.

"I'm sure they would once they got to know you," Flora told him warmly.

"They'd probably think I'm a coward," Pete murmured sadly. "Everyone does."

"I don't think that, Pete!" Flora rejoined firmly. "Look at how much progress you've made

in just the last few days! I think you're very brave, and I think our friends would agree."

"I only feel safe because I'm with you," Pete admitted shyly.

"That's still progress, Pete. There's lots of time for you to learn to feel safe on your own.

I'm not going anywhere."

"I d-don't want to be a burden to you," he replied worriedly.

Flora ran his ear through her hand. "You're not a burden. I care about you, and I want to

be there for you." She ran a finger over his nose and smiled amusedly, "Besides, I don't really

mind the idea that you need me," she teased. "It just means I'll have to keep you."

Pete nuzzled her arm, "That sounds nice," he murmured.

Some minutes later, Flora glanced at the time on her phone. She set her cell on the desk

then gave Pete a squeeze. "I think it's time for me to take a shower. I'll see you in the morning,

alright, Pete?"

"Alright, goodnight, Flora."

Flora lifted Pete off of her lap and set him on the floor before standing herself. Pete

turned to face her, and she looked down at the rabbit affectionately. Flora bent down to press

their noses together then gave Pete's nose a loving lap. After a moment of hesitation, Pete

returned the gesture, his warm, slimy tongue quickly brushing over her cool, damp nose. He

smiled at her bashfully, and Flora smiled back warmly.

"Goodnight, Pete," she murmured.

Flora stood straight and watched the black and white rabbit fondly as he left the room.

"You two are really cute together," Cynthia squeaked.

Flora turned around to regard the brown and white mouse, who had removed her

earbuds and was grinning up at Flora with apparent titillation from her tiny bed.

Flora blushed, "I'm sorry. We should find someplace more private."

"I can find somewhere else to hang out if you two need to be alone," Cynthia replied. "I

can even ask Rosemary about spending the night with her if you want me to."

Flora's already warm ears flared red hot, "I-I don't think we'll need you to do that! Not

anytime soon anyway!" she yelped.

Cynthia grinned cheekily, "Alright, but if you need more privacy, just let me know."

* * *

Pete was ready and waiting when they left their room Friday morning and joined them for

breakfast as was the new norm. Class was uneventful, and Flora's biology exam was no more

difficult than she'd expected. She was waiting for Pete outside of the classroom after completing

her test when Moxie exited the room. The swift fox stepped toward her anxiously.

"Flora, I-I wanted to talk with you!" she yelped.

Flora regarded the sandy-colored fox hesitantly. As far as she knew, Moxie and her

roommate Stella were still part of Isabelle's inner retinue. However, the swift fox was only a little

over half Flora's size, and her expression was nervous rather than aggressive. Flora nodded.

"Let's talk somewhere we won't disturb anyone finishing the test," Flora suggested.

She led Moxie down the hall to the side hall where she'd tried to talk to Pete on the first

day of class. She sat on the maroon-cushioned bench and patted the spot on her left. Moxie

hesitated a second then hopped up beside her.

"I, um, I heard what happened with you and Isabelle," Moxie stated awkwardly.

"Who's version?" Flora asked tersely.

"I don't agree with what Isabelle did," Moxie returned self-consciously. "Or why she did it.

She's wrong, and you should be with whoever you want."

Flora turned her head to regard the swift fox carefully.

"I've, um, I've tried to rationalize how she's acted until now," Moxie admitted

embarrassedly. "But I can't do that anymore. If, uh, you wouldn't mind, Stella would like to

apologize too. She's been friends with Isabelle longer than me, but she doesn't agree with what

she did either. We should have done more to make Isabelle stop before she hurt you. I'm sorry,

Flora."

Flora contemplated Moxie's words for a few seconds before replying, "I don't think it was

really your fault, but I accept your apology. I'm willing to listen to Stella's too." She regarded the

sandy-colored vixen another couple seconds then added, "You're still welcome to come eat with

us sometime. Do you have plans for lunch?"

Moxie shook her head, "I, um, not really. You're sure it's okay?"

Flora smiled softly, "I'm sure. Let's go find out if Pete has finished his test. Then we'll

fetch Cynthia."

They found Pete waiting outside of the classroom, his ears pricked anxiously as he tried

to locate Flora.

Flora waved to him and piped, "Over here, Pete."

Pete bounded toward them, but stopped a few steps away, regarding Moxie nervously.

While the swift vixen was significantly smaller than Flora, she was still two-thirds again Pete's

size.

"Moxie is coming with us to lunch," Flora explained. "I'm sure you've seen her sitting next

to me in class."

Pete smiled at Moxie nervously, "H-hi."

"Hi," Moxie returned awkwardly.

They headed outside with Pete leading the way. Once they were on the tan brick

sidewalk, Moxie trotted up on Flora's right, and Pete moved to Flora's left side, carefully keeping

her between him and the unfamiliar fox.

"Cynthia is your mouse friend, right?" Moxie piped genially. "I guess you're still helping

her get around."

"That's right. She still has a few more weeks until her cast comes off," Flora replied.

"She's also my roommate, if you remember."

"Right! You get along so well with prey! I wish I knew more, but hanging out with Stella, I

only really get to talk to predators." She laughed embarrassedly then added, "Mostly red foxes."

Maybe it was a good thing Flora and Isabelle hadn't gotten along; otherwise, she might

have had the same experience. If she'd fallen in with her roommate's friends, she probably

wouldn't be experiencing any of the antagonism she was now, but she also probably wouldn't

have any of the friends she did. Isabelle didn't like me helping Cynthia. Even if we'd gotten

along at first, it couldn't have lasted long, Flora reflected. Pete's hand bumped hers, jarring her

from her contemplation. Flora turned her attention to the rabbit and grasped his hand, giving it a

comforting squeeze. I would have had to meet Pete eventually too; we're meant for each other,

she thought blissfully.

Flora collected Cynthia, and they headed toward the cafeteria.

"You met Moxie before, Cynthia," Flora reintroduced the fox and mouse.

Moxie gave Cynthia an awkward smile, "Hi again."

"Hi," Cynthia returned politely.

"I invited Moxie to have lunch with us," Flora explained.

After a second or two, Moxie chirped, "Can I ask you a question, Cynthia?"

"Okay."

"What's it like being roommates with a carnivore?" Moxie inquired curiously. "I mean, it's

one thing to have her carry you while you're awake, but do you have any issue sleeping so

close to her?"

"I did at first," Cynthia admitted. "But not anymore. We still sleep together most nights

though."

Moxie blinked at Cynthia bemusedly, "I would assume so; you're roommates. Where

else would you sleep?"

"Occasionally, I sleep in my own bed," Cynthia replied matter-of-factly.

Moxie stared at the mouse in utter confusion, "Where do you normally sleep?"

"I told you: with Flora."

"You mean in the same bed?" Moxie clarified disbelievingly.

Unable to bear holding her tongue any longer, her ears burning with embarrassment,

Flora cut in, "Cynthia usually sleeps next to my neck. We like to sleep next to each other, that's

all!"

"It's cozy!" Cynthia squeaked cheerfully. "And Flora's fur is soft!"

Moxie ogled the mouse, completely flabbergasted, "I, I'm sure it is, but," she paused and

glanced up at Flora awkwardly before looking back to the mouse in Flora's hands. She

whispered furtively, "But what if she just, you know? One gulp, and you'd be gone! You wouldn't

even have time to wake up!"

Cynthia stared at the swift vixen in surprise for a couple seconds and then erupted into a

titillated giggle. "Heeheeheeheehee, oh no! I hadn't thought about that! Heeheeheehee, gulp! I'd

wake up in her belly wondering why I was so wet and slimy! Heeheehee!"

Flora's ears burned with embarrassment again, "I don't think I could manage that in my

sleep," she murmured self-consciously.

Cynthia grinned up at her slyly, "Maybe you've just been waiting until I get my cast off,"

she teased. "You'll let me take a proper shower; then bye-bye mousie."

Flora stuck out her tongue, feeling a bit queasy, "I wouldn't want you squirming around in

there." She glanced at Pete, who was eyeing them all disconcertedly. "I'm sorry, Pete," she

apologized contritely. "It's not something we usually joke about."

"Er, I'm sorry I brought it up," Moxie added uncomfortably.

"I know you were asking me seriously," Cynthia squeaked genially. "But I just know Flora

wouldn't do that. Lots of bad things can happen when you're as small as me. I feel safer with

Flora than I do on my own."

"I hadn't thought of it like that," Moxie admitted. "You must feel lucky to have a friend like

her."

Cynthia smiled toothily, "Of course! Plus she's really nice! She doesn't treat me like a

burden even though she's been carrying me around for over four weeks."

"You're my friend, Cynthia," Flora responded warmly. "It makes me feel good to see you

safe and happy. You'd never be a burden."

Cynthia beamed up at her affectionately, "I know, Flora. You're a true friend."

"You're all very lucky," Moxie murmured wistfully. "My friend Felicity and I were close like

that. Stella's nice, but she and her friends all feel so unreachable. I know I'll never really be one

of them no matter how cordial they are to me."

Flora felt a wave of sympathy for the swift vixen. Isabelle had tried to tell Flora that her

prey friends would always view her as the other, but the truth was that the haughty red foxes

were the ones who acted as if they were above everyone else.

"Maybe this is a chance for you to meet some new friends," Flora replied warmly.

They found they were the first of their friend group to arrive in the cafeteria. After getting

their food, they sat at a six-seat table near the center of the prey side with Pete on Flora's right

and Moxie on her left and Flora facing the entrance so that she could spot their friends as they

entered. The cafeteria was serving chili and cornbread muffins. Flora and Moxie got the chili

made with ground beef, and Cynthia got the chili made with quinoa. Cynthia got hers with

spaghetti noodles and cheddar cheese, and Moxie got hers with sour cream whilst Flora ate

hers with saltine crackers. Pete had a hearty salad.

"I like to watch you eat, Pete," Flora disclosed fondly when they had been eating

together for a few minutes. "You look so cute, and you remind me of my friends back home."

Pete paused his munching to glance at her embarrassedly before continuing, his ears a

bit pinker than before. After a few minutes, Rosemary arrived, followed by Amber. Flora

reintroduced Moxie to the black squirrel then introduced her to the fox squirrel.

"Did you-all get the email from the outdoors club?" Rosemary queried when the squirrels

were both seated. "They have a bus, and they're driving out to a wooded park this afternoon."

"I think I did see that," Flora responded. "Did you have to sign up?"

Rosemary shook her head, "Just when you get on the bus to make sure everyone who

goes comes back. I think there should be a lot of interesting trees to climb and trails to hike if

you wanted to go."

"I think I'd like to. We don't have anything else planned for this afternoon," Flora noted.

"What do you think, Cynthia?"

"Sounds fun!" Cynthia piped.

"You could come too, Pete, and you, Moxie," Flora suggested. "Can swift foxes climb

trees?"

"Um, not really," Moxie answered embarrassedly.

"I-I can't climb either," Pete added anxiously. "B-but I'd like to go if you are, Flora."

"Let's see who all is going," Flora offered. "If you need me to, I'll stay on the ground. How

comfortable do you feel with Lance? He might be going, and I know he doesn't climb."

"I, um, I guess I'd be alright with Lance," Pete murmured nervously.

"I know he's big, but you've seen that he's friendly," Flora soothed. "But just say so, and

you and I will do something else." She turned to Moxie, "Are you thinking about coming?"

"Erm, I kind of need to catch up with Stella after this. Maybe another time," Moxie replied

embarrassedly.

"Alright, if you want to hang out some other time, just let me know."

After lunch, they returned to their dorm. Flora promised Pete she'd text him before they

left, and she and Cynthia worked on their homework while they waited. The bus was leaving at

12:45, and Flora completed a few integrals before it was time to head to the student union,

where the bus was waiting. Flora also changed out of her pale-yellow sundress and into a green

t-shirt, which was emblazoned with a picture of the Earth circumscribed by a pink heart.

They found Chester, Lance, and Becca seated on the bus when they arrived. The seat

sizes decreased from front to back, so Flora and Pete sat in a pair of seats between the pair

Lance and Chester were sharing and Becca's seat. Flora held Cynthia on her lap. Students

continued to slowly filter onto the bus, and shortly, Rosemary and Amber arrived along with

Alex. Alex sat in the front while Rosemary sat beside Becca and Amber in the seat in front of

them. Finally, a lanky red vixen strode up the steps and motioned for the driver, a portly beaver,

to close the door. Flora recognized her as the professor who had administered their chemistry

placement exam and realized that she must be the group's faculty advisor.

The red vixen, who wore a bulging, light gray fanny pack and large, tortoiseshell

sunglasses, held up a scanner in one hand. "I need to scan everybody in so that no one gets left

behind when we leave," she declared.

She stepped next to the first occupied seat and scanned the first student in. About a

minute later, she stepped up beside Flora's seat. Flora and Pete held out their hands, and then

Flora held Cynthia up so that she could be scanned in as well. The red vixen scanned Cynthia's

hand but then stared at the three of them enigmatically behind her dark sunglasses. Flora was

beginning to feel uncomfortable when the vixen smiled cheerfully.

"I remember you two," she chirped amiably. "How's organic chemistry going for you?"

"Alright," Flora answered awkwardly.

The vixen smiled pleasantly, "That's good." She continued toward the back.

"I thought maybe she recognized me and Pete," Flora murmured under her breath to

Cynthia when the vixen was a few seats behind them.

"The professors probably aren't really up on the rumors," Cynthia replied. "It would be

weird if they gossiped with their students about other students. I suppose they gossip among

each other though."

Once everyone had been scanned in, their advisor found a seat, and the driver put the

bus in gear and pulled out onto the street.

They arrived at the park about half an hour later. The paved parking lot was adjacent to

a small clearing with a few picnic tables and a color-coded map of the park's trails carved into

an information board. On the other side of the clearing was the forest. Beyond the lush

undergrowth at the perimeter, the dense wood was dominated by towering deciduous trees of

many species, their canopies verdant in the hot September sun.

Flora and the other students exited the bus and crowded around the board. After a

minute or so, Flora was able to push close enough to the board to read it properly. The map

showed a long perimeter trail, fifteen miles in length, along with a trail dividing the park up the

middle and several smaller trails connecting or looping off of these two.

"I don't think we'll want to do much more than up and back the middle trail," Flora

commented to Cynthia and Pete. "Maybe if we start back, we can decide if we want to take any

of the other trails when we get to them."

She took a picture of the map with her phone and stepped over to where Alex was

standing to let other students view the map. Shortly, the rest of their group joined them.

"There are loads of awesome trees here!" Rosemary declared when they, Becca, and

Amber joined the others. "Why don't we just start back until we see one we really like?"

The others agreed, and they started their leisurely hike back into the dense forest. Other

groups of students started off around the perimeter or also took the middle trail, walking in front

of or behind their group depending on their speed.

"That one looks nice," Amber remarked after they'd been walking about ten minutes. She

pointed toward an ancient red oak several yards off of the path. "It has some lower branches to

help the less skilled climbers, but it goes right up to the canopy."

Rosemary contemplated the tree for a few seconds then shrugged, "There are too many

nice ones for me to decide. If you like that one, let's climb it."

"It should have acorns too," Amber added cheerfully. "Tasty but not too hard on your

teeth and jaws."

Rosemary snorted in amusement. "That's another reason. Don't tell me you're going to

spend the whole time throwing shells and caps down on us."

"I'm only going to have a couple!" Amber rejoined indignantly. "Don't pretend you don't

want some too!"

"I'm certainly not going to turn down fresh acorns," Rosemary acknowledged amusedly.

They made their way to the red oak. Flora got Cynthia situated in Rosemary's backpack

then turned to Pete.

"Will you be alright with Alex, Lance, and Becca?" she asked.

Pete nodded.

"We'll walk back the middle and come find you on our way back," Alex stated

nonchalantly. "Have fun climbing."

Pete hopped forward and hugged Flora tightly. Flora returned the hug, and then Pete

followed the mountain goat, wolverine, and stoat back toward the path. Flora turned back

toward the tree to find that Rosemary and Amber had already scrambled up. Chester was

waiting, and he smiled at her cheerfully.

"Let's hurry before the acorns start raining down," he meowed amusedly. He took a few

steps back then raced at the tree and scrambled up with his retractable claws.

Flora watched until he made it to the squirrels' branch. Then she turned, trotted back for

a running start, turned back, and raced up the tree after them.

Amber collected some acorns, shoving the elongated, capped nuts in her ample cheeks,

and returned to their branch. She offered a couple of the acorns to Rosemary, who accepted

them. The two squirrels set about gnawing at the woody shells. Rosemary gave part of her

acorn meat to Cynthia. Flora watched the three rodents munching the nuts with a mixture of

fondness and amusement. She hadn't realized their hike would entail a mid-afternoon snack.

"Do you want any?" Amber offered her. "I can go grab more."

"No, thank you," Flora politely declined.

"I'll try one!" Chester meowed genially.

Amber scrabbled back up into the canopy and returned a couple minutes later with her

cheeks once again stuffed with acorns, perching between Flora and Chester. She deposited

one in her hands and offered it to Chester. Chester shoved the acorn between his back teeth

and gnawed at the nut. Flora winced at the unpleasant sound of the cat's sharp teeth scraping

the shell. After a minute, he gave up and dropped the nut back in his hand.

"I can't crack it," he stated apologetically.

Amber took the acorn back, popped off the cap, and gnawed the shell with her large

incisors. When the hole was large enough, she extracted the meat with her fingers and dropped

it in Chester's pink-padded palm.

"Thank you," he meowed gratefully. He popped the nut meat in his mouth and crunched

it enthusiastically, but his expression quickly soured. He gulped it down then gave his hand a

few licks to help remove the flavor. "Bitter," he commented. "I don't want another, thanks."

"They take some getting used to," Amber acknowledged. She returned to her spot

between Chester and Cynthia and shared the rest of the acorns with Rosemary and the mouse.

When the acorns were gone, they sat silently, enjoying the tranquil view of the sun-

dappled forest and the cool breeze that blew through the boughs of the trees and relieved the

radiating heat of the September sun.

"I love trees," Rosemary murmured serenely after an indeterminate amount of time had

passed.

Chester yawned languorously then murmured amusedly, "I never would have guessed.

You aren't a squirrel, are you?"

Rosemary scoffed softly. "Funny," she muttered dryly.

Flora let out an extended yawn of her own, curling her long tongue. "I wonder where the

others are. I hope they didn't get lost," she remarked sleepily.

"I don't think it's been that long," Rosemary murmured.

Flora checked her phone: 2:04. The bus wasn't scheduled to leave until 4:00. "It's only

two," she noted.

"I'm afraid if I fall asleep, I'll fall," Chester stated. "Do you want to climb down and walk a

little bit, Flora? We might bump into the others."

"Alright," Flora agreed. "Do you want to come, Cynthia, or are you okay here?"

"I'm okay," Cynthia squeaked drowsily.

Flora and Chester scrambled down the tree tails first, finally dropping onto the leaf-

strewn forest floor. They strolled back toward the path then turned the way the others had gone,

moseying along side-by-side.

"You and Pete are still getting along, I see," Chester remarked amiably after a few

minutes.

"We are," Flora confirmed genially. "You and Lance are too, right?"

"Yeah, he's a lot of fun. He can come across as a little intimidating or a big goofy furball

depending on his mood, but he's very gentle when the need arises. It's good to be with

someone you can trust and who you know accepts you for who you are."

"I'm glad I didn't get in the way of that," Flora murmured. "Not for too long at least."

Chester grinned affably, "Don't worry. He wasn't devastated for too long," he joked.

"Luckily, he found a kitty who was almost as pretty as the vixen who caught his eye."

Flora glanced at the beige tabby embarrassedly. As far as she was concerned, Chester

was much more beautiful than she was with his sleek fur and intricate black swirls and

splotches. "Pete's still a little nervous about being with a fox," she disclosed. "But we're working

on it. He might be timid, but he's very sweet." She paused a moment before admitting, "I don't

really mind that he's timid because I know he trusts me."

"He seems worlds better than before you met or even the first time he ate with us,"

Chester meowed. "He's still a little high-strung but nothing like before."

"He honestly believed you or I would eat him, so I suppose it wasn't unreasonable,"

Flora remarked. "His parents are to blame."

"It might be rough dealing with his parents if they're that prejudiced," Chester meowed

concernedly. "I've never even heard of someone so extreme they just tell their kids that

carnivores want to eat them, but I guess there will always be messed up bigots. I had a friend in

high school whose parents kicked him out because he was gay. It's hard to believe wackos like

that still exist, but they do."

"That's horrible!" Flora cried. "What did he do?!"

"He was able to move in with his grandparents. Apparently, at least one side of his family

was okay."

"People like that shouldn't be allowed to have children!" Flora fumed. "I told Pete that if

his parents kicked him out, he could move in with me. I'm sure my parents will let him if I

explain."

Chester glanced at her sidelong, "How are your parents going to react to you dating a

rabbit?"

Flora frowned uncomfortably. She assumed it would be okay, but what if it wasn't? Her

parents had always encouraged her to have prey friends, but dating wasn't quite the same

thing. They certainly had never suggested she date prey. In fact, they've been pretty annoying

about pressuring me to find another gray fox. Flora reflected that most people ultimately married

their own species, especially if they were straight and wanted kids. Whether she wanted kids

was a question she wasn't ready to answer, but she obviously couldn't have them with Pete. We

could always adopt. In fact, her older brother Jamie was married to a serval tom, and the couple

had adopted a pair of European wildcat kittens.

"My brother is married to a serval, and they have two adopted kittens," Flora told

Chester. "It isn't that different being with a rabbit."

"In one sense, yes, but in another sense, it's completely different," Chester countered.

"We coexist peacefully now, but a few centuries ago, we didn't. Pete might even be able to trace

back his ancestry to rabbits who were eaten by foxes. There's a history there that you'll have to

confront, especially with his parents how they are."

Flora's stomach churned with anxiety as she considered Chester's words. Was it not

enough that she loved and wouldn't hurt Pete? What did it mean to confront the way her

species, along with other predators, had subjugated and slaughtered people like Pete? She had

been upset and even offended when Pete had, at first, responded to her advances with terror,

but wasn't it only natural he should fear species who had eaten rabbits for countless millennia?

That predators and prey could coexist at all was an even greater testament to the adaptability

and courage of prey than it was to the adaptability of predators.

"I should have been more understanding when he was afraid," Flora murmured guiltily. "I

only wanted to help, but I should have tried to understand how hard it could be to overcome his

instincts. I only thought of it as a wrong thing he believed, not a struggle against millions of

years of evolution."

"On the other paw, that kind of means you kicked evolution's butt," Chester quipped.

Flora turned her head to regard the cat in surprise, and he grinned roguishly.

"Don't worry about it too much. The fact is you and Pete like each other, and he seems a

lot less nervous than before. You shouldn't feel bad about that; it's beautiful that you two can be

together!"

Flora turned her head forward, smiling softly. Chester was right: it wasn't just 'okay' that

she and Pete could love each other; it was something to celebrate! No longer mortal enemies,

members of their species could be friends, and they could even share romantic feelings for each

other. What mattered was that she loved Pete, and he loved her. They'd get through everything

else, together.

About five minutes later, they crested a hill to see Alex and the others approximately a

hundred yards down the trail. Flora waved and bounded down the hill to meet them. She

skidded to a stop in front of the group and panted to catch her breath and cool down after the

sprint.

"Is something wrong?" Lance asked worriedly, glancing past her at Chester, who was

sauntering down the hill to join them.

Flora shook her head breathlessly. Catching her breath she added, "No, I was just

wondering when we'd find you."

"How was the tree?" Alex asked placidly.

"Nice! It was so nice Chester and I felt like we might doze off and tumble off the branch,

so we decided to walk until we found you."

"I was also thinking," Chester meowed as he approached. "That maybe you and I should

spend some time together, Lance, while we're out here in the wild wood."

The wolverine grinned at the cat suggestively, "What did you have in mind?"

"Let's find someplace quiet to discuss it," Chester replied archly.

Lance set down Becca, who was perched on his shoulder, and he and Chester

meandered away into the trees.

Flora watched them go, then turned to Pete, blushing shyly, "Would you like to walk

together too, Pete?"

Pete smiled embarrassedly, "Th-that sounds nice."

"We'll meet the others at the tree, and we'll see you two back at the bus or whenever,"

Alex stated nonchalantly. Xe crouched down and gently scooped Becca up onto xir shoulder.

The towering mountain goat plodded away down the path with the little brown stoat holding

tightly to xir fluffy white neck fur.

Flora smiled shyly at Pete and offered her left hand. He took it, and they started back the

way he and the others had come. Strolling in comfortable silence, they communicated their

tender affection via fond glances and gentle squeezes of the other's paw. Several minutes later,

they came to an intersecting path going to the left. Flora pulled out her phone to check the map.

She pointed to a magenta-colored trail that formed a curvy stem and loop off of the

middle green trail, "I think it's this one," she told Pete. "Do you want to head up it? We might find

somewhere nice to sit together for a while."

Pete nodded, and they turned onto the narrower trail. From the plants sprouting up from

the path and the fallen branches they had to scramble over or around, it was clearly less well

used than the central trail. Flora was hopeful that they could find a nice private spot to sit

together. However, she began to notice Pete lagging until it felt like she was pulling him along.

She stopped and turned to face the rabbit concernedly.

"Are you alright, Pete? If you're getting tired, we can turn back," she offered.

"I-I'm alright," Pete murmured nervously. "It's, it's just," he paused, looking back at her

embarrassedly.

"You can tell me," Flora reassured him comfortingly.

"It's just that we're alone and, um, in the woods," he murmured uncomfortably. "No one

else is around."

"Are you feeling nervous about being with me?" Flora asked sympathetically. "I guess I

can see how it feels less, erm, less 'civilized' out here. If you want to turn back, we will."

Pete stared at her hesitantly for a few seconds then shook his head, "I trust you, Flora. I,

um, I shouldn't let myself think like that."

"It's okay, Pete," Flora soothed. "I'm sure it feels strange to be out in the wild with a fox,

but I promise I won't turn feral, even if there's a full moon," she finished humorously.

Pete smiled shyly and stepped up next to her again. He squeezed her hand and looked

up at her affectionately, "Alright, I'm better now. Thanks, Flora."

"You can always tell me when you feel nervous, Pete," she replied warmly.

They continued until Flora spotted a stately beech tree with a comfortable carpet of

bright green moss around its trunk half a dozen steps off of the right side of the trail.

"Let's sit over there for a while, Pete," she suggested. She led the rabbit onto the moss

then sat down and leaned against the trunk. Her feet drawn halfway in, she patted the moss

between her legs, "Let me hold you," she requested.

Pete hopped up to her but hesitated embarrassedly for a moment before turning and

carefully sitting between her knees. Flora wrapped her arms across his chest and pulled him in

close against her belly. She lifted her right hand to caress his cheek and run his long, black ear

through her fingers. She touched her muzzle to the top of his head then gave the base of his

other ear a tender lap.

"I love you, Pete," she murmured.

"I-I love you too, Flora," he murmured bashfully.

Flora caressed his cheek again, "It's nice out here, isn't it? It's peaceful. It's just you and

me and no one to tell us we're wrong or give us funny looks."

"It's nice," Pete agreed quietly. "I'm glad I can be here with you, Flora."

Flora brought her right arm down to hug him with both arms. "Think about how lucky we

are," she murmured. "A fox and a rabbit, alone in the forest, and we can just be in love. For now,

that's all that matters."

Pete turned his head to nuzzle her shoulder, "I'm glad, Flora. I'd be happy anywhere with

you."

Flora curled her tail around her left hip and laid the bottle brush end in Pete's lap. Light

brown side down, the bushy gray and black tail stretched across his lap, tickling his white belly

and covering his upper thighs. Pete looked down at the fluffy tail, uncertain how to respond to

the odd appendage.

"You can pet it if you want, Pete," Flora murmured. "Our tails are very personal to us

foxes, so we only share them with people we're close to. People we trust. I know that I'm asking

so much more of you in trusting me, but I trust you too."

Pete gently ran his hand down the black stripe to the bushy black tip. He smiled softly

and stroked it again. Flora flicked her tail in his lap, and he smiled wider.

"I kind of wondered what it felt like," he divulged. "It looks so fluffy." He stroked it again,

"It's not as soft as I thought it would be, but it feels nice."

"It's softer on the other side, but our fur isn't kit-soft like rabbits' fur," Flora

acknowledged. "I guess that's another thing I get the better of; I could pet your fur for ages."

Pete scooped her tail up in his hand and ran his hand down the light brown underside.

"Your fur is prettier," he replied. He tilted his head to the side to look up at her with one blue eye

and smiled softly. "You're very beautiful, Flora," he murmured shyly.

"Thank you, Pete. I'm glad you think so," Flora returned lightly.

"You are!" he insisted. "I-I may be a rabbit, but I can tell that you are!"

"If you say so, then I must be," Flora replied warmly. "I'm sure I'm not as cute as you

are."

"It's different from cute," Pete tried to explain. "It's, it's imposing and, um, a little scary,

but you're radiant, Flora, striking. Your eyes and the lines of your face, the sheen of your fur and

the confident way you carry yourself, e-even your teeth."

"My teeth?" Flora asked amusedly. "You like my pointy fangs?"

"Th-they're scary, but they're beautiful," Pete returned shyly.

"I'm glad you can appreciate them," Flora teased. "I'll try not to be so scary and imposing

that you aren't comfortable being my boyfriend."

"Th-that's not what I meant!" Pete protested anxiously. "I love how you are!"

"And I love how you are," Flora returned sincerely.

"How's that?" Pete asked bashfully.

"You're soft and cute and a little nervous but very brave; you're my sweet bun," Flora

answered affectionately.

"I-I'm not brave," Pete murmured self-consciously.

"You are, Pete!" Flora asserted firmly. "You have a lot of fear to overcome, but you've

faced it very bravely. How else could you be out here in the woods, snuggled in a vixen's arms?

You even told me you think my fangs are pretty."

"I shouldn't need to be brave to be with you," he replied guiltily. "You're kind, and I know

you wouldn't hurt me."

"It's alright, Pete," she soothed. "You're still working on your instincts. It just takes a little

time."

"I guess so," he murmured. "Thanks for being patient with me, Flora."

Flora petted his head. They sat together silently for a few minutes on the soft moss with

the warm sun filtering down through the leaves and a cool breeze occasionally wafting about

their ears. The peaceful warmth brought back Flora's drowsiness, and she yawned

languorously.

"If we sit any longer, I'm going to fall asleep," Flora commented. "Do you want to walk

more, Pete, or would you feel comfortable joining me for a nap? I'll set my phone's alarm so that

we won't be late for the bus."

"Y-you can sleep, Flora. I'll keep watch," Pete replied self-consciously.

"If you want to," Flora agreed softly. "Don't feel like you have to stay awake, but I

understand if you'd rather keep watch."

She withdrew her phone from its hip holster and set the alarm for 3:20; it was currently

2:42, so it would be a short nap. She slipped her phone away, hugged Pete close, and shut her

eyes. Holding her warm, sweet bun, she quickly sank into contented sleep.

* * *

"Hey! Are you both alright?"

Flora started awake, also feeling Pete jump in her arms. She stared up at their club

advisor: the tall red vixen was staring down at them from behind her dark, tortoiseshell

sunglasses with her hands on her slender hips and her bushy, red-orange and white-tipped tail

thrashing behind her agitatedly.

"W-we're alright," Flora chirped nervously.

"You, rabbit, you're fine too?" she probed skeptically.

"I-I'm fine," Pete squeaked anxiously.

The red vixen frowned, not seeming entirely convinced, "Why don't you come with me?

We should be heading back to the bus now anyway."

"What time is it?" Flora asked shyly. Had her alarm failed? She hoped their advisor

hadn't been forced to come looking for them.

"A quarter after three. I think you should come with me," the professor replied firmly. "I

wouldn't want to have to come back looking for either of you."

"A-alright," Flora agreed embarrassedly.

She scrambled to her feet, and Pete leapt to his feet too. Still standing close in front of

her, with Flora's back to the beech tree, Pete grasped her right hand.

"I-I was really alright!" he averred anxiously. "We were only taking a nap!"

"Taking a nap?" their advisor returned dubiously. Her dark sunglasses made it

impossible to tell which one of them her eyes were probing.

"That's right!" Flora affirmed. "I, um, I got sleepy from walking."

The much taller vixen, who easily stood head and shoulders above Flora, regarded them

inscrutably for a few more seconds and then turned back toward the path. "Follow me," she

commanded impassively.

Obediently, Flora and Pete followed her to the path and back the way they'd come. Once

on the trail, Pete stepped to Flora's left and grasped her other hand tightly. Flora wasn't sure

whether he was trying to comfort her or looking for reassurance from her. She squeezed his

hand gently.

In front of them, the vixen's red-orange and white tail still thrashed agitatedly as she

walked. Flora suspected she was trying to decide what she had actually interrupted. Should I tell

her we're dating? Flora didn't think that was necessarily a good idea. The professor probably

had more self-control than Isabelle, but what would she say if she felt similarly to the other red

vixen? On the other hand, that might be less bad than the repercussions if she thought Flora

had been thinking about eating Pete. Would she report the incident to the school?

"Ma'am!" Pete called their advisor.

She halted and whipped around, causing them both to stumble to a halt and Pete to

duck behind Flora, to the extent that he could whilst still holding her hand.

"I-I just wanted to say," Pete whined. "That, um," he took a deep breath and stepped up

beside Flora before continuing more determinedly, "Flora and I are friends. N-nothing was going

to happen. I was alright."

"Friends?" the red vixen asked dubiously.

"Sh-she's my best friend!" Pete replied.

Their advisor shrugged, "Alright then. As long as you were okay."

"I was," Pete repeated.

The vixen turned back around and continued down the trail. Pete looked up at Flora

anxiously, and she smiled back reassuringly then leaned over to touch her nose between his

ears.

"Thanks, Pete," she whispered.

Their friends were on the bus when they arrived. Flora and Pete found their seat, and

then they waited for the final stragglers to arrive. When it appeared that everyone was back,

their advisor scanned everyone in and checked the device's screen.

"Looks like everyone is here," she declared. "We can go."

She strode up from the back and sat in the seat immediately in front of Flora's, next to a

somewhat surprised wildcat. She turned her head to the side to glance at Flora and Pete and

looked back forward. She waved to the driver, and he shifted the bus into gear.

Flora and Pete spent the next half hour in awkward silence, uncertain what they could

say when the professor would obviously be able to hear them. Finally, the bus pulled into the

drop-off area in front of the student union, and they were able to climb off the bus and regroup

with their friends.

"Do you-all want to head to dinner?" Chester meowed cheerfully. "I really worked up an

appetite!"

Lance snorted in amusement.

"It was nice to hang out with you all," Alex commented placidly. "I'll see you around."

"Come with us!" Becca squeaked. "We, we can all sit at your table! Or on it if we need

to!"

The mountain goat smiled, "Sure, if you want to."

"Sounds good to me!" Chester yowled enthusiastically. "Let's go!"

They made their way to the cafeteria, and Alex found a large-animal-sized table near the

back left corner of the prey side. The table only had six chairs, but since Lance was the only

other person large enough to use one, the chair shortage was immaterial. They did have some

issue helping all of the smaller animals up onto the table with their food and drinks, but

eventually, Flora, Cynthia, Rosemary, Amber, Becca, and Chester were seated on top of the

table while Lance's head poked up from one of the seats and Alex sat at the seat to his left.

Flora's spot at the table was between Pete and Cynthia. It occurred to her that the other

students and staff might not appreciate all of them sitting on the table, but no one mentioned it

or seemed perturbed.

The meat station was having baked salmon, fried white fish, and roasted potatoes, and

the vegetable station was having fried soy patties, roasted squash medley, and asparagus.

Flora had selected some of each from the vegetable station and nothing from the meat station;

she wasn't fond of fish. The other carnivores got fish whilst the rodents also selected their food

from the vegetable station; although, Cynthia decided to get potatoes instead of squash. Pete

and Alex ate grassy salads with some asparagus on the side.

"Do you ever wonder why they put vegetables in the meat station?" Cynthia commented

when they had been eating for a few minutes. "It says 'Meat'. Why isn't it just meat?"

"I suppose it's to encourage carnivores to eat some vegetables," Flora replied.

"Otherwise, they would have to go through both lines."

"That makes sense," Cynthia accepted.

"Do carnivores need to eat plants?" Pete asked shyly.

"Some are good for us," Flora told him. "Besides, gray foxes are really omnivores, even

if we're part of Carnivora. Personally, I think plants are tastier."

"I guess everybody had different tastes," Becca commented. "I like fruit, but it gives me a

stomach ache. Most vegetables are gross."

"But, um, you still couldn't really eat grass or anything, right?" Pete asked Flora.

"That's right. I couldn't digest it like you can," Flora answered warmly. She poked his

belly teasingly, "I don't have your amazing little digestive system."

The insides of Pete's ears pinkened embarrassedly. "It's a little bit, um, rabbits have to,

you know," he murmured self-consciously.

"I know all about how bunnies process their food," Flora replied amiably. "Don't worry,

Pete. I already have lots of experience."

"Is there something weird about it?" Becca asked confusedly.

Pete looked down at his salad embarrassedly, "Um, I don't, uh-"

"I'll tell you later, Becca," Rosemary interrupted.

Pete looked at the black squirrel with relief.

Following dinner, Flora, Cynthia, and Pete returned to their dorm, as usual, stopping by

the girls' door.

"Do you want to come in for a while, Pete?" Flora inquired.

"I, um, I have to call my mom soon," Pete answered awkwardly. "We talk Friday

evenings after dinner."

Flora smiled understandingly, "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then. We won't get up quite

so early. So sleep in, and I'll text you, okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight, Flora." He started to turn down the hall.

"Wait, Pete!" Flora chirped anxiously. "Don't you want your goodnight kiss?"

Pete turned back smiling shyly, "Sorry, I, um, was thinking about the call."

"It can wait a few more seconds," Flora replied tenderly.

She bent down--with Cynthia forgotten, cupped in her hands--and Pete stepped

forward to touch his nose to hers. She licked his nose, and he licked hers back.

Flora smiled softly as she gazed into his limpid, blue-ringed black orbs, "Goodnight,

Pete."

She stood straight and watched Pete bound away down the hall then turned to scan her

left hand and unlock the door. She pushed her way into the room, letting the door shut on its

own behind her.

"What did you two do while you were off on your own?" Cynthia squeaked titilatedly.

Flora looked down into her hands embarrassedly, "We, um, we just walked and sat

together for a while. I was taking a nap, but our advisor found us."

"Oh? She didn't catch you in the middle of anything, did she?" Cynthia teased.

"In the middle of a nap, like I said. I set my alarm, but she woke me up a few minutes

early."

"What was Pete doing while you were napping?" Cynthia pried nosily.

"He said he'd keep watch."

"Aww, he was watching over you?" Cynthia crooned. "That's sweet."

"He might have been afraid to fall asleep," Flora admitted. "He was a little worried about

being out in the forest."

"Even if he was nervous, I'm sure he was very happy," Cynthia sighed romantically. "I'm

happy for you, Flora."

Flora lifted Cynthia and touched her nose to the mouse's warm little head. "I'm sure

you'll find someone too if that's what you want. You're a good friend, Cynthia."

She set Cynthia on the mouse-sized bed, but the mouse continued to beam up at her.

"I'm glad we're friends, Flora," Cynthia piped. "I can't imagine what this semester would

have been like without you."

"I'm glad too," Flora replied warmly. "I'm grateful for every friend I've made here but

especially you."

Cynthia blinked up at her affectionately, "You're special to me too."

Flora took a shower. When she was dry and back in her room, she contemplated

grabbing a book but reconsidered. Pete was talking to his mother, but it had been a couple

weeks since Flora had talked to hers. Maybe sometime this weekend. However, Flora wasn't

sure what she should tell her mother about Pete. I could ask the girls back home, she

considered. Although, what will they think when I tell them I'm dating a rabbit? None of the

rabbits in Willowdale had shown any interest in Flora, and she'd never really considered dating

them a real possibility. However, her friends here understood, so didn't that mean her friends

back home would too? Charlotte definitely would! Flora decided to talk to the red squirrel first in

case the rabbits would be more surprised about her attraction to a member of their species. She

grabbed her phone off of the desk, reclined in her bed, and texted Charlotte.

Hey, Charlotte! How's it going?

About a minute later, Charlotte texted back, Good. How are you?

Fine. I have something to tell you.

Something exciting?

I have a boyfriend!

Charlotte texted, That's awesome!! with three hearts.

His name is Pete, but here's the surprising part. He's a rabbit!

There was a pause. Then Flora saw that Charlotte was typing then another pause then

more typing and then, Really? He's a rabbit?

Flora hesitated uncomfortably then replied, Yes.

A rabbit-rabbit? Like our friends?

Flora considered how to clarify for a moment then texted, He's similar in size to Olivia,

black with a white belly and nose.

Okay, I'm glad you met someone.

Have you met anyone you like? Flora asked to divert the subject somewhat.

Yeah, her name is Ariel. She's a red squirrel.

Flora hesitated a few seconds before asking, Do you think it's weird I'm dating a rabbit?

Not really.

How do you think the others will react?

I don't know.

Anxiety fluttered in Flora's belly. It doesn't bother you, does it? Do you think it will bother

them?

It doesn't bother me. I don't know about them. You never dated any rabbits before.

I didn't think about it before. I thought I would find a fox.

You're still only interested in guys though?

Flora considered the question awkwardly for a few seconds and then replied, Yes, I'm

pretty sure I only like guys.

Alright.

Is there a reason you asked?

Flora watched Charlotte typing for several seconds only to get the reply, Not really.

Flora was pretty sure there was something Charlotte wasn't saying, but instead of prying

she asked, How are your classes going?

Good. Yours?

Good.

It was good to hear from you, Flora. I'm glad you met someone you like.

I'm glad you met someone too.

Is there anything else?

Not unless you had something.

Alright, take care, Flora.

Flora sent, You too. with a heart.

Charlotte responded with another heart.

Flora set down her phone. That hadn't gone quite as she'd hoped; she wasn't sure she

wanted to tell the others now. After all, she and Pete hadn't been together a week. There was

no reason to risk upsetting them so soon. When I know for sure, then I'll tell them, Flora

decided. Until then, she had her friends here, who she already knew supported her. Perhaps it

was different because Charlotte had known her so long and never suspected she'd be attracted

to prey. Or maybe I've changed, Flora considered. RCV was certainly much different from

Willowdale, and her friends were too: they were more diverse with a wider range of

perspectives. Back then, I was trying to do what everyone thought was normal, but now, I've

been able to think about things differently. Flora hadn't considered that she might outgrow her

old friends, but if she decided she was really in love with Pete and they didn't accept that, then it

might be time to go their separate ways.