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Chapter 13: Difficult Conversations

After breakfast Saturday morning, Flora, Pete, and Cynthia found an open table in the

library and quietly worked on their homework together. After a break for a late lunch, they

returned to the library to use the study room Cynthia had scheduled for 2:00. Alex and Trevor

arrived soon after. They went through their outline, deciding who would present what and

practicing their delivery. It was a short presentation, and Flora felt confident they could

remember everything by the end of their practice; although, the prospect of presenting in front of

the whole class was still daunting.

Next, the three of them took a break from studying to stroll around campus together.

"That's the tree we sat under that one time," Cynthia remarked after they'd been walking

for about ten minutes.

Flora turned her head to the left and spotted the familiar spruce.

"Let's sit under it again," Cynthia suggested. "I'm getting hot."

They crawled under the evergreen tree onto the soft bed of needles that surrounded the

trunk. It was indeed cooler in the shaded grotto than out in the afternoon sun. Flora slipped off

her green book bag and sat, leaning against the trunk. She set Cynthia close beside her on her

right. Pete sat pressed against her on her left, and Flora wrapped her arm around his shoulders

then touched her nose to the top of his head. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes

before Pete spoke.

"I, um, I talked to my mom about you last night, Flora," he admitted shyly.

Flora squeezed him close with her arm, "That was brave, Pete. I'm going to talk to my

mom this evening. I hope it wasn't too hard to explain things to her."

"I, er, didn't tell her we're in love," he clarified embarrassedly. "But she was shocked

anyway, just that I have predator friends. I think she believes what she taught me: she told me

you are just playing with me, Flora, because you know you have me in your claws."

Flora lifted her left forearm and caressed her index finger across his cheek, "Well, one of

those things is true," she teased. "You're literally 'in my claws', but I wouldn't play with your

feelings, Pete."

"She's worried that you'll eat me eventually," Pete explained. "I told her you'd never hurt

me, but I couldn't convince her."

"It's alright; we'll convince her eventually," Flora replied placidly. "I talked to my friend

Charlotte. She was surprised, but she didn't suggest you might eat me," Flora added

lightheartedly.

Pete turned his head and nuzzled her shoulder. "It's not fair anyone would think that

about you," he murmured. "I know you wouldn't hurt anyone."

"That's not entirely true, Pete," Flora replied.

He looked up at her questioningly.

She smiled down at him softly, "If someone tried to hurt you or Cynthia or any of our

friends, I'd bite and claw them as much as I needed to. I'd fight until they went away, or I

couldn't fight anymore."

Pete scooted closer and slid down, tucking his head under her arm. His fuzzy white nose

nuzzled the light brown stripe that ran down her side between her white and gray fur. "I know

you'll keep me safe, Flora," he murmured contentedly.

"Can I sit on your lap, Flora?" Cynthia squeaked.

Flora scooped the mouse up onto her left thigh, and Cynthia beamed up at her

affectionately.

"I know you would protect me too, Flora," she piped. "You've already helped me a lot,

and I know you'd do more if you needed to. We'd all help you however we could too, even if it

wouldn't be much in my case."

"You helped me a lot the other day, Cynthia," Flora replied warmly. "I'm lucky to have a

friend like you."

They cuddled a while longer, Cynthia curling up next to Flora's belly and quickly dozing

off. Flora watched the rise and fall of the napping mouse's tiny side. After some minutes, she

glanced over at Pete and noticed he was also asleep. I guess he wasn't so nervous about falling

asleep near me. Flora wondered if he had fallen asleep with her yesterday; he hadn't warned

her of their club advisor's approach after all. Pete's anxiety might get the better of him

sometimes, but in his heart, he trusted her. The thought sent warm affection flowing through her

like a soothing elixir. Flora watched over her napping friends until it was time to head to dinner.

They were on their way back to their rooms to drop off their things before proceeding to

the cafeteria when Flora spotted Moxie and a red vixen, who Flora thought she recognized as

Stella, trotting down the tan brick path toward them.

The sandy-colored swift fox waved, "Hey, Flora! We were looking for you!"

Flora stopped, and Pete darted behind her. She watched the pair of vixens

uncomfortably as they approached. They stopped a couple steps in front of her, Moxie smiling

amiably but Stella looking embarrassed. Flora was relieved that the red vixen, who was similar

in size to Isabelle and at least a head taller than her, didn't look hostile. However, she kept up

her guard.

"We tried your room a couple times today, but I guess you weren't there," Moxie

explained. She turned her head to smile at Stella encouragingly, "Looks like luck was finally on

our side, Stella. Go ahead, I'll be right here."

Stella smiled at Flora nervously before beginning in a hesitant tone, "Ahem, hello again,

Flora."

"Hi, Stella."

"You've been doing well for the most part, I hope, neglecting, ah, certain unpleasant

encounters."

"I'm fine," Flora answered tersely.

"I, uh, I hope you weren't badly injured in the incident with Izzy. I heard you had to go to

the wellness center. I'm sorry anything like that happened."

Flora nodded perfunctorily in cool acknowledgement, "I'm okay now. The scratches and

bump are mostly healed. Being attacked makes it harder to feel safe, but I'm more worried

about what would happen if someone were to attack Pete instead of me."

Stella grimaced uncomfortably, thrashing her bushy tail agitatedly behind her. "I truly am

sorry. Nothing like that should have happened. I take responsibility for my part in it; I should

have talked Izzy down before she went to class that morning or, um, any time before that. I let

things get out of hand when I could have tried to ameliorate the situation. It was clear to me

she'd developed an obsession with you, but I didn't wish to become the focus of her ire."

Flora offered her a small smile, "I accept your apology. I understand that there may not

have been an easy solution for you. Isabelle's actions were her own, but others helped her

spread rumors. I don't expect apologies from all of them, but I'd appreciate it if someone could

convince her to leave us alone."

Stella nodded anxiously, "I'll endeavor to do that. I, I have been trying since Thursday's

incident. She's determined to dislike you, but I believe I can convince her to turn her attention

elsewhere."

Flora's smile brightened a little, "Thank you for trying. I don't expect her to like me;

leaving us alone is enough. I've told Moxie this before, but if the two of you wanted to sit with us

at lunch or dinner sometime, we might have seats available."

Stella smiled embarrassedly, "Maybe sometime. I wouldn't want to inadvertently cause

more strife between you and Izzy by making her think you were turning us against her. I don't

understand her preoccupation with you or your, ah, relationship. Who you date is your business,

but I don't believe it would be prudent to disregard her now. Only the Fates know what she

might become if Katrina and Orion were her only friends. Whether she's suited to the position or

not, she's going to have quite a lot of influence one day. Someone should endeavor to ensure

that it's more positive than otherwise."

"I understand," Flora replied amicably. "I guess we'll see you around."

Stella awkwardly glanced at Pete, who was peeking around Flora's left side, before

smiling at Flora politely, "I hope we shall. Good evening, Flora."

"See ya!" Moxie chirped.

The swift and red vixens trotted by them, and Flora, Pete, and Cynthia continued to their

rooms and then to dinner. Dinner was uneventful. They chatted with Chester, Lance, and

Rosemary while they ate then returned to their dorm, stopping outside of the girls' door as

customary.

"Let me get Cynthia settled. Then I'd like to talk to you, Pete," Flora requested. She took

Cynthia into the room and set her on the edge of the mouse-sized bed.

"Don't you want me watching this time?" Cynthia squeaked cheekily.

Flora blushed, "I want to talk to him alone."

"Anything I hear, I keep close to my chest," Cynthia swore. "But I understand if you don't

want a mousie voyeur."

"I won't be long," Flora stated embarrassedly. She pulled open the door and stepped out

where Pete was waiting. "Do you think your roommate will be in your room?" she asked him

quietly.

"I-I don't think so," Pete murmured nervously.

"Let's go there for a minute."

Pete nodded and led her down the hall and into the rabbit-sized double. Flora stepped

by him into the room and turned to regard him shyly.

"I, um, I've been thinking about what it would be like if we lived together," Flora began

self-consciously. "I know that, um, we can make it work, but I wanted to know if that's something

you've considered too."

"N-not really," Pete answered bashfully.

"It might not be until we were out of school," Flora acknowledged. "So maybe we don't

need to think too much about this or that. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, 'Do you think you'd

want to?'"

"Yes!" Pete squeaked anxiously. "I do, Flora. I love you!"

"I love you too, Pete, and I know that, while we're here, everything can work. We have

our friends to support us. Eventually though, it would just be you and me, alone together, every

night. Are you sure you want to live your life in a vixen's claws?"

Pete took a step toward her, "Yes, Flora," he replied fervently. "I want to be with you. I-I

don't mind that you're a fox; I love how you are."

"You wouldn't feel too helpless, Pete? I don't want you to feel trapped. No matter how

much you know that I love you and that I wouldn't hurt you, it will always be true that I could eat

you. It's a physical possibility, even if the likelihood is infinitesimal."

"I-I'll take that chance, Flora!" Pete averred determinedly. "I-it's not as one-sided as you

think. There are ways I could hurt you--I'm not helpless--but we know we can trust each other.

E-even if the chance were five percent or ten, I'd take it! I'd take that risk for you, and I know it

isn't that high!"

Flora stepped toward him; they were now only half a step apart. "I don't think I could be

as brave as you, Pete. I was nervous about dating Lance," she murmured embarrassedly.

"I-I don't have to be brave to trust you, Flora," Pete squeaked self-consciously. "Be-

besides, I don't mind being 'in your claws'."

Flora smiled softly, "You like being a captured rabbit, do you, Pete?" she teased.

"I like to know I'm yours," Pete murmured shyly.

Flora stepped close and wrapped her arms across his back to gently hold him to her

chest. She gazed down into his crisp blue eyes and grinned toothily. "I'll just have to keep you

then," she returned fondly. "You can be my pet!"

Pete frowned worriedly, "Your pet?"

Flora snorted back a laugh. "Alright, my partner then," she teased. "Either way, you're

my sweet bun."

Pete nuzzled her chest, "That's all I want, Flora," he murmured into her fur.

Flora held him, petting his head, for the next couple minutes. Her heart ached with love

for her brave, sweet bun. "Can I kiss you, Pete?" she whispered. "Properly this time?"

Pete looked up from her fur shyly, "Okay."

Flora crouched so that they were eye-to-eye. Pete's blue-ringed, jet black orbs stared

back bashfully, and she smiled softly. She tilted her head to the right to allow their mouths to

meet and slowly parted her jaws. She began to lean in, but Pete's hand came up between his

mouth and hers, his warm pink palm pressing against her cool black nose.

"W-wait," he stammered nervously. "Just a second."

He removed his hand, and Flora straightened her head to look at him quizzically. Pete

stared at her snout for a few seconds.

"Alright, I'm ready," he murmured apologetically.

Flora tilted her head again, and Pete tilted his reciprocally. Parting their jaws, they slowly

leaned in toward each other. Flora's long canines gently grazed Pete's cheeks as her longer

jaws reached around his. Then their mouths locked together. This is my first kiss. Who would

have thought it would be with a rabbit? Hesitantly, Flora slid her long tongue into Pete's mouth.

She felt it slip over his back molars and withdrew it slightly. She needed to be careful not to

choke him; she didn't want their first kiss to end with a mouthful of rabbit vomit. Pete's smaller

tongue slipped by hers. Flora pushed her tongue underneath his and twisted her tongue around

the wriggly muscle. Pete looped his arms around her neck, and Flora brought her left hand up to

hold the back of his head. Locked in this intimate embrace, they drew at each other's essence.

Passionate love coursed through her as she drank Pete's being into her own and felt herself

melt into him as well. In that moment, there was nothing else, only her and Pete, adrift in an

ocean of bliss and contentment with love as powerful as the pounding waves that shaped

Vulpineva's shores. They were a rabbit and a fox, but Flora knew that nothing could ever be

more right.

At last, they drew apart, dizzy with the intensity of the passion and bliss they felt. Flora

wiped her black-padded palm across either side of her wet, whiskered muzzle. They stared at

each other, without the words to express everything they'd felt.

"I love you, Pete," Flora breathed.

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

"Were you alright?" Flora asked shyly. "With, um, with my fangs, I mean."

"It t-took a moment," Pete admitted bashfully. "But I was fine. After a moment, they felt

right. I love you, Flora, fangs included."

Flora smiled fondly, showing the pointy tips of her upper canines, "Fangs especially,

maybe," she teased.

Pete smiled bashfully.

"I'd better leave before your roommate comes in and has a heart attack," Flora stated.

"Goodnight, Pete. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Flora."

Flora returned to her room, where Cynthia was waiting expectantly.

"Well? How'd it go?!" the mouse squeaked excitedly.

Flora blushed, smiling softly, "We kissed, for real this time. I love him so much. I know

we're meant for each other."

Cynthia let out a long romantic sigh. "I'm so happy for you, Flora."

"I need to tell my parents!" Flora chirped excitedly. "Do you mind if I call them in here?"

"Go ahead!"

Flora swiped her cell out of its holster and picked 'Home' from her contacts.

After a few rings, her mother answered, "Hello, Honey!"

"Hi, Mom! I have something to tell you! I," she paused, realizing the gravity of what she

was about to say. She was in love! This wasn't a childish crush; she knew with her entire being

that this was a love that could endure.

"You sound excited about it," her mother put in enthusiastically. "Did you meet a nice

tod?"

Flora suppressed a grimace. 'A tod.' That was what her parents expected. She'd gone to

a college filled with foxes, yet she was about to tell them she was in love with a rabbit. She

hoped they wouldn't be disappointed. "His name is Pete," Flora replied nervously. "But, um, he's

not a tod; he's a buck, a rabbit."

There was an extended pause on the other end. "How do you mean 'a rabbit'?" her

mother asked numbly.

"He, uh, he's about Olivia's size, mostly black with a white nose and belly," Flora

answered uncomfortably. What else would 'a rabbit' mean?

"You never seemed interested in rabbits before," her mother returned helplessly. "Aren't

there any nice tods there?"

"Th-there probably are," Flora admitted embarrassedly. "I haven't met that many. Pete's

special though. I love him."

"I just want you to be happy, Sweetheart," her mother returned concernedly. "I know you

make friends more easily with prey, but it's a little different when you're looking for a mate. You

can't have kits with a rabbit."

"I-I know that!" Flora yelped indignantly. "I'm not five! If we wanted kits, we could adopt! I

don't even know if I want them! What I know is that I'm in love with Pete!"

"Are you sure he feels the same way?"

"I know he does! We're meant for each other!" Flora proclaimed.

"How long have you known Pete?" her mother asked awkwardly.

Flora's stomach clenched anxiously as she considered the answer to that question. It

was true that she'd been aware of Pete since before the start of class, but had their first real

conversation really only been Monday this week? So much emotion was packed into those days

that it was almost impossible to believe their relationship had begun so recently.

"We, um, we started talking on Monday," Flora admitted bashfully.

Her mother sounded relieved by this information, "You've only just started your studies.

You have lots of time to meet different people. Get to know Pete, but don't expect your first

relationship to last forever. I dated my share of tods before I met your dad. I even dated a

bobcat tom for a little while. We'll accept whoever you end up with, no matter their gender or

species, but don't be discouraged if your relationship with Pete doesn't last."

Flora felt her mother's lecture was patronizing, but she also felt a little foolish. Maybe

she was naive. Just because we haven't been together long, doesn't mean we won't stay

together, she told herself. However, it was possible, even probable, that she was merely

infatuated with the rabbit and that her attraction to him would subside. It feels so real though!

She might be naive, but that didn't mean she was wrong!

"What if it does last?" Flora pressed. "What if Pete and I get married?"

"Then we'll accept him as part of the family," her mother returned placidly. (Flora could

tell she didn't think it was likely.) "How are your classes going?" her mother inquired. "Did you

do well on your tests this week?"

"I got A's on the first two. We won't get the results for biology until next week, but I think I

did well," Flora answered mechanically.

She'd wanted to share her happiness with her parents, but her mother didn't take her

feelings for Pete seriously. Worse, Flora couldn't deny that her mother could be right. She'd

never been in a serious relationship; maybe they all felt this way at the beginning. She doesn't

know how we feel! Flora wouldn't let her mother's skepticism poison their relationship! She

knew how she felt now! She couldn't know whether her feelings would change, but she wouldn't

allow that uncertainty to decrease her confidence in her present feelings.

"How are you and your roommate getting along?" her mother asked.

"We're friends," Flora answered. "We're really close."

"That's good. I'm glad you've been able to meet some nice people. Just try not to give up

on gray foxes, alright?"

"Alright," Flora muttered. It was hard not to feel like her mom wasn't satisfied with the

friends she had. She knows her own experience, but I'm not her.

"Have you done anything else exciting?"

"I'm still in swing dancing, and we went for a hike with the outdoors club yesterday."

They chatted a while longer about what Flora had been doing in and outside of her

classes, and her mother updated her on what was happening in Willowdale.

"Thanks for calling, Honey," her mother concluded. "Call us anytime!"

"Alright, goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight. I love you!"

"I love you too. Bye." Flora hung up and set the phone on the desk. She needed to take

a shower, and she hoped the hot streams would help soothe her stress after the frustrating call.

"I'm going to take a shower," she told Cynthia.

"Alright," the mouse squeaked. After a moment she added, "I think you and Pete are

right for each other. I can understand why your mom would have doubts, but I can tell how

happy he makes you. You deserve to be happy, Flora."

Flora smiled softly at the little mouse, "Thanks, Cynthia."

The shower did make her feel a bit better. When she was dry, she returned to the room

and read a chapter of her book: she was reading Emma by Jane Austen. Then she scooped up

Cynthia and crawled into bed, tucking the wood mouse into her favorite spot at the base of

Flora's neck. Cynthia snuggled into her soft, warm fur. Flora gently placed her right hand over

the warm little mouse and petted her head with her index finger.

"Thank you for being a supportive friend, Cynthia," Flora murmured fondly.

"Always, Flora," Cynthia squeaked affectionately into her fur.

Flora stroked the mouse with her finger until her acute ears could hear that Cynthia was

asleep. Then Flora shut her eyes as well. She had her friends to support her. Whatever

happened between her and Pete, she knew that would be true.

* * *

Flora, Cynthia, and Pete completed their homework for Monday Sunday morning and

spent the remainder of the day hanging out with Rosemary, Becca, and Alex. It was a mild

September day, and they spent it relaxing outside. They strolled to a nearby city park, where

Rosemary and Flora climbed some trees, and they lay on the cool grass in the shade. They

dropped by a local deli for lunch and returned to the park to eat. Flora watched her friends

eating in calm contentment with frequent affectionate glances at the rabbit seated close by her

side. The doubt she'd felt after her phone call with her mother was gone: just as she knew

Rosemary, Becca, Cynthia, and Alex were her friends, she knew she was in love with Pete and

that he loved her back.

Pete's roommate was in his room after dinner that evening, so Flora satisfied herself

with an exchange of nose licks outside of his door. However, she longed to kiss him deeply

again and found it necessary to relieve certain tensions alone in the shower afterward.

* * *

Flora and Cynthia were getting ready for calculus class that Monday morning when Flora

was startled by a small ball of crumpled paper bouncing off of the back of her left ear. She

turned her head to see who had flicked the paper and spotted Quincy in the row behind her,

diagonally to the left. The red tod didn't look at her, pretending to study the professor's desk in

the left front corner of the room.

However, he spoke under his breath, "I heard you were talking to Stella."

Flora turned back toward the front of the room and nodded slightly. She believed the tod

could see her out of the corner of his eye.

Whether he could or not, he went on, "Izzy heard too. I wouldn't talk to her again, for

both of your sakes, and Moxie's. She's who Izzy blamed. If you can avoid her too, I would."

Flora didn't know how to respond to the tod's warning. What had happened? Was she

supposed to switch her seat in biology? Was Quincy warning her in good faith, or was he trying

to enact Isabelle's revenge himself? Moxie's been friendly with me; I won't just ignore her!

Whether the warning was sincere or not, Flora had no intention of letting Isabelle decide who

she befriended. If Stella or Moxie asked her to stay away, that was one thing, but she wouldn't

listen to the suspect words of one of Isabelle's cronies.

Flora pushed aside these concerns for the duration of calculus and chemistry; however,

her trepidation flared again as she sat down next to Moxie before the start of biology.

"Hi Moxie," she greeted as cheerfully as she could.

Moxie glanced at her nervously then tore a piece of lined paper out of her notebook. She

quickly scrawled a note at the top, I can't talk to you.

Flora eyed the paper uncomfortably for a second then withdrew a pencil from her bag

and wrote underneath, Quincy told me Isabelle wasn't happy about you talking to me. What

happened?

Moxie glanced furtively around the room then took the paper back and scribbled, She

said if I talk to you, Stella and I won't be welcome to sit with them. I'm already not allowed until

next week.

I'm sorry, Flora jotted.

Dr. Whitman started class, but Flora was unable to push aside the agitating conflict

again. Isabelle was nothing but a bully! She shouldn't be able to deprive Moxie of her friends for

having a conversation with someone she didn't like! However, Flora wasn't sure what she could

do. Despite knowing it was Isabelle's fault and not hers, she couldn't help feeling a little guilty for

her role in Moxie's ostracization. After she missed something Dr. Whitman said for the third

time, she decided to simply copy Pete's notes later and closed her notebook. She withdrew a

piece of loose-leaf paper from the cyan folder in her green book bag and hurriedly scrawled

Moxie another note.

Moxie,

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I feel partially responsible since it was your

friendliness toward me that got you in trouble with Isabelle. I know that you value your friendship

with Stella, and I don't want to disrupt that. However, I also feel that what Isabelle is doing is

cruel and wrong. You and Stella are still welcome to sit with us whenever you like. I understand

Stella's reason for wanting to remain in Isabelle's circle, but I don't really think letting a bully

have her way will help. Maybe if you show her that she can't treat you like this, she'll have to

reconsider how she treats her friends.

Flora

Flora folded up the paper, and at the end of class, she slipped it to Moxie, who accepted

it nervously. Flora collected Pete, and the two of them made their way to the physics building.

At lunch, Flora confided in Cynthia, Pete, Amber, and Rosemary, "Moxie is having

issues with Isabelle. She and her roommate, Stella, talked to me yesterday, and someone must

have seen because Isabelle found out. Now, Moxie is banned from their table, and if she talks to

me, Stella will be too. I feel partially responsible, but I don't know what to do about it."

"You're not responsible. Isabelle is a jerk," Rosemary replied matter-of-factly.

"Besides," Amber cut in. "I don't think it would be smart for you to get involved. Isabelle

already attacked you once. I'm sure Moxie and Stella can take care of themselves."

"But what Isabelle is doing is wrong!" Flora protested agitatedly. "And she's doing it

because they talked to me! I'm already involved."

"And if you get more involved, it will only make her angrier," Amber argued. "If Moxie and

Stella are willing to placate her, that's their prerogative. You'd only make it harder."

"I know it sucks, but I agree with Amber," Rosemary added sympathetically. "You

wouldn't want to make it harder for them."

Flora sighed gloomily, "You're right. I'd only make it harder for them to get back in

Isabelle's good graces. I told Moxie they could still sit with us, but they probably won't."

"It sucks that their other friends are going along with it," Rosemary stated. "They'd be

better off with new friends whether they sit with us or not. Maybe this is a chance for Moxie to

make some. We could introduce her to Trevor if they don't know each other."

"I don't know that they do," Flora replied. "I don't think Trevor gets along with Isabelle's

clique. That's one reason he was interested in me."

"Maybe they'll fall in love," Cynthia squeaked dreamily.

Rosemary rolled her dark eyes, "You spend too much time with Flora and Pete," she

stated dryly.

Flora blushed.

Flora, Cynthia, and Pete returned to their respective rooms after lunch to work on

homework. Flora was able to focus for the most part, but she decided she needed to ask Trevor

if they would sit with Moxie. She felt guilty thinking that Moxie might have to eat alone for the

rest of the week. Additionally, she wasn't sure whether Trevor had other friends. He's a bit odd. I

wouldn't be surprised if he's had trouble making them. Moxie was easy-going, almost to a fault,

so perhaps she'd get along with the eccentric silver fox. They might not fall in love like Cynthia

imagined, but they might be good for each other. Once she'd completed her calculus problems,

Flora emailed Trevor. Trevor replied about half an hour later to say they'd keep an eye out for

the swift fox eating by herself.

I can't say I won't enjoy stepping on Miss Bouillier's paws if I do, he added.

Flora was able to finish her chemistry reading with the satisfaction of knowing she'd

thwarted Isabelle's cruel punishment. Trevor is much nicer than any of Isabelle's snobby group

anyway! Flora only hoped Trevor wouldn't try to "test" Moxie the way he had her when they'd

first met.

* * *

Flora didn't see Moxie again until Wednesday in biology lecture. She hesitantly made

her way to her seat on Moxie's left. Trevor hadn't updated her, so she was anxious to find out

whether the two had met and how it had gone.

Not wanting to get Moxie in trouble if she was still obeying Isabelle's edict not to talk to

her, Flora jotted a quick note, How's it going? Is Isabelle still angry?

Moxie glanced at the note, offered Flora a friendly smile, and then wrote back, I'm still

not allowed to talk to you, but I'm okay.

Did Trevor talk to you?

Moxie smirked and nodded before adding, We met yesterday at dinner. He seems

interesting. I appreciate that you were worried I'd be lonely, but I'm okay.

I'm glad you're okay.

They had lecture. When it had concluded, Moxie said goodbye to Flora with a friendly

wave. Perhaps Flora had let herself worry too much about the spirited vixen. Isabelle's

punishment was cruel, but Moxie seemed to have decided to take it in stride. Moxie, after all,

had moxie.

Flora and Cynthia had a busy afternoon of homework, compounded by the fact that

Tuesday organic chemistry lab left them little time to work on the reading and essays assigned

in their writing sections before they were inundated with another full set of reading and problems

from calculus, chemistry, and biology. Despite her resulting exhaustion, Flora practically

bounced back to their dorm with Cynthia in hand and Pete in tow after their dinner with Lance,

Chester, and Rosemary. Pete had told her that his roommate stayed out late on Wednesday

nights, which happened to be the popular night for midweek partying, so he and Flora would

have his room to themselves! Flora's heart pounded excitedly as they climbed the stairs to the

third floor, her fur tingling with anticipation.

"I'll be out in a minute!" she chirped to Pete as she pushed through the door. Flora

bounded over to Cynthia's bed and deftly deposited the mouse on its edge, "Is there anything

you need before I go?"

"Nope, have fun!" Cynthia piped genially. "See you later! Or in the morning if you decide

to spend the night," she added cheekily.

Flora blushed, still smiling down affectionately at the little mouse, "His roommate will

come back sometime, plus, his bed is probably too small for me."

Cynthia grinned toothily, "Good point. You'll have to bring him back here. I won't mind

sleeping in my bed if you want to," she teased.

Flora's blush flared hotter, and she swished her tail, smiling shyly, "I don't know if we're

quite ready to sleep together, even if we were only sleeping."

"You already took a nap with him," Cynthia reminded.

"It's different when it's dark and in bed," Flora returned embarrassedly. "Besides,

wouldn't it make you uncomfortable?"

"No," Cynthia answered simply. "I'd miss curling up in your fur though. Maybe I shouldn't

be encouraging my heated fur blanket to find a new sleeping partner," she joked.

"One day your 'fur blanket' is going to roll over and flatten you," Flora threatened

facetiously.

"You love me too much to squish me," Cynthia quipped cheekily.

Flora smirked back fondly, "Probably," she agreed amusedly. "See you later, mousie."

Flora exited the room, gently shutting the door behind her, then took Pete's hand. She

led him to his room and lifted the back of his hand to the proximity scanner to unlock the door.

She smirked at him mischievously as she pushed in the door, "Thank you, Pete. I will

come in."

She led him inside, allowing the door to thump shut behind them, and momentarily

releasing his hand, turned to face him and took both of his hands in hers. She stroked her

thumbs over the soft-furred tops of his hands as she gazed lovingly into his inky, blue-ringed

orbs.

"I want to kiss you again," she murmured.

"I'm ready," Pete breathed.

Flora crouched down and tilted her head to the right. They leaned toward each other,

and then their mouths met. Once again, their tongues entwined, and Flora was swept away to

that illimitable ocean of bliss on a zephyr of Pete's sweet, herbal scent. She closed her eyes to

allow his scent, the heat of his body, and the feeling of his tongue dancing with hers to saturate

her senses. Flora released his hands and wrapped her arms around him, the left crossing his

back and the right reaching up to hold his head. She pulled him in closer until his chest was

pressed tightly against hers, his head leaning back to accommodate the forward press of her

long muzzle. Flora raised herself slightly to realign their mouths fully, and releasing his head,

she wrapped both arms around him, hugging him firmly against her chest and belly. Pete's arms

reached around under hers, and he held her just as tightly.

After an indeterminate period adrift in each other's essence, they broke apart. Flora

stood, her thighs burning from maintaining the unnatural stance, then pulled Pete back in

against her, hugging him as she stroked his head and ears. Pete hugged her back, his lithe

arms squeezing her around the middle, and nuzzled her chest.

"I love you, Pete," Flora murmured. "I could hold you like this forever."

"I wish you could," he mumbled into her fur. "I could live just on your scent."

Flora smiled fondly, "You smell nice too, Pete, my sweet little thymy bun."

"You smell like flowers," Pete murmured. "Lilacs."

"My conditioner is supposed to be honeysuckle," Flora told him amusedly.

"It must be your natural scent."

"Or a combination. I don't think I'd smell all that sweet if I didn't bathe," Flora jested.

Pete responded by nuzzling her chest again and letting out a contented sigh. Flora ran

his ear through her hand.

"How about we sit down, and I'll hold you another way," Flora suggested.

"Anything you want, Flora," Pete murmured contentedly.

Pete's bed was about at his waist height. Flora sidled over to it with Pete still in arm and

plopped down. She scooped up his legs and tucked him up on her lap, over her pink and green

plaid skirt, with his thick-furred feet in the air. Smirking amusedly, Flora tweaked his fuzzy, black

and white scut. She spotted another white protrusion below his furry black thighs and blushed

embarrassedly, glancing back toward his serene visage. He blinked up at her and smiled shyly.

"Are you sure you want this, Flora?" he asked softly. "You're so strong and beautiful, and

I'm just a rabbit."

"You're my rabbit, my sweet, brave bun," Flora returned lovingly. She caressed his soft

cheek with her right thumb. "As long as you're sure you feel safe with me, there's no one I want

in my arms more."

"I feel safe," he breathed. "Even if you put your jaws around my throat, I wouldn't be

afraid."

"Are you tempting me to test that?" Flora teased mischievously.

Pete's ears pinkened, "N-no, I just meant that I feel safe no matter how vulnerable I am

with you."

"I'll try not to chew on you then," Flora teased. She reached her left forearm between his

legs up to the bottom of his dark gray vest and unbuttoned the bottom button. "I like your vests,

Pete," she remarked softly. "Do you have any silly t-shirts, or did you leave them all at home?"

She unbuttoned the next button.

"I, um, I don't really have any," he answered embarrassedly. "M-my mom says that if

you're going to wear clothes, they should be nice ones."

Flora unbuttoned the middle button. "That makes sense, I suppose. We don't really need

to wear them." She unbuttoned the next button. "Of course, if we didn't wear anything, then

there wouldn't be anything to take off."

She unbuttoned the last button and ran her hand down from where his white fur started

at the base of his neck to his soft belly. She kneaded her fingers through his kit-soft fur, her

sharp claws gently grazing the skin of his tender abdomen. Pete's abdominal muscles tensed

reflexively against the disturbing sensation. Smirking with tender amusement, Flora ran her

fingers backwards through his fur back up to the sharp peak of white just below his throat. She

ran her index finger the rest of the way up his neck and jaw to his pink nostrils, stopping with her

fingertip partially covering the slits of his twitchy nose. Pete stared at her finger cross-eyed then

took her wrist in his hands and laid her hand over his heart, where he held it gently underneath

his. They watched each other for a minute or two, gazing fondly into the other's eyes as Flora

felt the pitter-patter of Pete's racing heart.

"I'd like to kiss you again, Flora," Pete murmured.

Flora slipped her hands under his arms and lifted him into a sitting position. Turning on

the bed, she lay back with her head on the pillow, pulling Pete down on top of her chest. She

had to pull in her legs so that they wouldn't stick over the end. Then she pulled Pete forward

until they were nose-to-nose with his arms propping him up on her chest and his lower legs

extending between her thighs. Pete stared down at her embarrassedly then tilted his head to his

right and leaned in. Flora turned her head in response and parted her long jaws, allowing Pete

to lower his mouth and cheeks between the lines of dagger-like fangs. Their jaws fit together,

and then they were kissing again. Pete held Flora's head between his forearms, and Flora

hugged him tightly to her chest as they once again imbibed each other's essence.

When they broke apart again, Flora rolled them onto their sides, careful not to roll Pete

into the wall, and pressed her nose to Pete's as she gazed into the dark depths of his eyes. She

reached her top arm over him to stroke his cheek with the side of her left hand.

"We can kiss and cuddle till I need to leave, or we can do something else if you want,"

Flora murmured affectionately.

Pete's eyes widened, "S-something else?" he asked nervously.

"Nothing that we're not ready for, but say you wanted me to give you a massage. I'd be

comfortable with that."

"C-can I give you a massage?" Pete asked bashfully.

Flora smiled softly, "Of course."

"Can I, um, could I massage your feet?"

Flora blinked at him and frowned slightly, "My feet? I guess so." She'd been imagining a

shoulder massage.

"I've watched videos, i-including for foxes, I think I know how," he disclosed

embarrassedly.

"There are instructional videos for foot massages?" Flora asked in surprise.

"I'll massage somewhere else if you want," Pete offered awkwardly.

"No, if it will make you happy, then we'll try it. I can't say I've ever had a foot massage."

"You'll like it!" Pete squeaked excitedly.

Flora rolled onto her back and sat up, "How do you want me?"

"I-I'll get my reading pillow," Pete declared eagerly.

He scrambled off the bed and nabbed the dark blue pillow from his closet, setting it at

the head of the bed. Flora propped herself up against the pillow and looked at him

questioningly.

"Stretch out your legs, and I'll hold your feet in my lap," Pete instructed.

Flora complied, and Pete hopped up onto the bed. He was stepping over her legs to get

between her and the wall when a loud, ferocious growl from just beyond the door startled them

both. Flora jerked her head toward the sound, but Pete dove into her lap. He quickly clung to

her and hid his head under her jaw. Flora was lucky that Pete was light and that her legs took

the brunt of his impact; however, her left shoulder was a bit sore where his jaw had collided with

it. She wrapped her arms around his back and stroked him comfortingly.

"It's alright. They're out in the hall. You're safe, Pete," she soothed.

Another roar of a growl emanated through the door, and Pete tensed in her arms. Flora

continued to stroke him.

"What are they doing out there?" Flora asked aloud.

With the second growl, she'd noticed something odd about the timbre. She wasn't sure

what it was, but it didn't sound right. What species is that? A third growl solidified her conviction

that something was off.

"Something's not right here," she whispered to Pete. "You wait here. I'm going to

investigate."

Pete clung to her more tightly, "N-no, it's something big. It's too big, Flora," he

whimpered.

"If I smell a predator I don't recognize, I won't open the door," Flora soothed. "Something

is fishy though. I don't know who's out there, but I want a word with them."

She pried Pete off herself, set him to the side, and hopped off the bed. Stealthily, she

stalked toward the door and put her snout to the crack. Breathing deeply but quietly, she

surveyed the occupants of the hall with her keen sense of smell. Another growl issued from just

beyond the door, and this time Flora was certain. If that's a real predator's growl, then I'm an

oversized ferret! Her nose's assurance that the only animals beyond the wooden barrier were a

hare and a muskrat further bolstered her confidence.

Without any more hesitation, Flora flung open the door and leapt out in front of the two--

now very startled--prey. The hare was holding a silver, rectangular box, which Flora assumed

was responsible for the sounds.

She snatched it away from him and snarled, baring her teeth, "Who are you, and why

are you out here trying to scare us?!"

The hare and muskrat each took a fearful step back, staring at her in shock.

"I-I, we, we didn't know. Who are you?!" the hare stammered disconcertedly.

"I asked who you were first!" Flora snapped. "What were you trying to do with this?!" She

held up the box.

"W-we were just joking around," the muskrat whined. "We, we thought this was Pete's

room."

"It is Pete's room!" the hare shot back agitatedly at the muskrat. "Do you think I don't

know my own room?!"

"So you're Pete's roommate then," Flora growled dangerously. "I thought you looked

familiar."

Seeming to have recovered from the initial shock, the hare took a step back toward

Flora, straightening himself to glare at her defiantly. He was roughly her height and only a little

smaller than her by weight, his long ears stretching well above her own. The muskrat, who was

only Pete's size, stayed back.

"What were you doing in my room?" he questioned suspiciously. "Where is Pete?"

"He's inside. Don't pretend you're worried now after you were terrorizing him!" Flora

rebuked.

"B-Bill, I think we should leave," the muskrat whined.

"I'm not going to let this bitch tell us off when she's in there ripping him apart!" Bill shot

back defiantly.

"Fine. Have a look. It's your room," Flora returned coldly.

She stepped back and Bill quickly unlocked and shoved in the door. Flora heard a fearful

squeak from Pete, and she hastily stepped back in front of the door.

"It's alright, Pete! It was only your roommate and some other idiot!" she called.

The hare turned his head to glare at her loathingly, "He might be in one piece, but that

doesn't mean he would have been by the time I got back tonight. If anything happens, I'll know

who's responsible."

"And if I hear anything about idiots growling outside of people's doors, I'll know who's

responsible," Flora rejoined. She shoved the silver box into his hand and shouldered past him

into the room. "Pete and I would appreciate some privacy if you have something better to do

than make noise."

"Privacy for what?!" Bill demanded.

"B-Bill, I told you what people were saying," the muskrat whimpered.

Bill turned his head to glare at the rodent, "And I told you it was bullshit! Pete couldn't

date a predator!"

"He is, and we are!" Flora snapped. "Now get lost!"

The hare's hazel eyes bulged, "What?! You mean you and Pete?"

Flora slammed the door in his face and groaned, "Idiots."

She half expected the hare to fling the door open again, but after several seconds, it

seemed that he'd decided otherwise. Flora turned, offered Pete a comforting smile, and trotted

back over to plop down on the bed next to him.

"So, do you still think you can handle my feet?" she chirped.

Pete smiled in relief and nodded. Flora sat back against the pillow and stretched out her

legs for him. Pete crawled down by her feet and scooted himself under them so that her ankles

were resting on his nearer thigh. Delicately, he took her right foot in his hands and began by

firmly stroking the top from ankle to toes with both hands. Flora watched him, at first feeling

awkward and resisting the urge to pull her feet away from the unusual sensations. However, as

Pete pressed, rubbed, and kneaded her ankle, pads, and toes, she began to enjoy them. The

massage was soothing, and she couldn't help but enjoy how enthralled Pete seemed with the

task. Flora suspected he was enjoying it even more than her. Flora relaxed against the pillow

and closed her eyes, allowing Pete to massage her feet to his heart's content.

When Pete finally finished with both of her feet at least half an hour later, Flora cracked

open her eyes and smiled at the rabbit softly, "I'll bet your fingers are tired. Did you enjoy

yourself?"

"Did you like it?" Pete asked anxiously.

"It was relaxing. You can massage them whenever you like."

Pete's ears perked excitedly, and he grinned toothily, "I can?!"

Flora smirked, "Why not? You seem to like them. I wonder how you'd like it if I just," she

raised her right foot and brushed it against his cheek.

Pete stammered flusteredly, "I-I j-just, erm, I, I like, um-"

"It's a harmless enough thing to like," Flora mollified. "But now I think it's my turn to do

something for you. Should I massage your feet?"

"Th-they're a little ticklish," Pete admitted embarrassedly.

Flora grinned mischievously, "Oh? I'd better have a look at them then." She sat up and

drew in her legs. "Lay on your belly with your legs out."

Pete complied, and Flora stood, stepped over his legs, and crouched down facing his

feet. She partially sat on his legs but kept much of her weight on her feet. She curled her bushy

tail around to her right, out of his reach, and grinned down deviously at his thick-furred black

feet.

"Let's see. How did you start?" Flora asked coyly. She took his right foot in her hands

and ran it between her fingers and thumbs as she squeezed it intermittently. "Something like

that, and then," she grabbed his ankle tightly. "We see just how ticklish you really are!" she

declared impishly. With that she began wriggling the fingers of her free hand in the thick fur that

padded the bottom of his foot.

"A-akk!" Pete squealed in surprise. "N-neeheeheeheehee! N-n-neeheeheeheehee!"

He squirmed frantically, trying to pull his legs out from under her as he giggled

uncontrollably, but Flora held his ankle tightly. She giggled fiendishly as she subjected Pete to

the irresistibly elating torment. She grabbed his other foot and switched her wriggling fingers to

that helpless target. Pete squealed and struggled beneath and behind her, but Flora was

relentless until finally she decided he'd had enough, released his feet, and stood. She turned

around, still standing over him, and gazed down at him imperiously.

"Looks like we both got to enjoy the other's feet," she proclaimed amusedly.

Pete rolled over onto his back and smiled up at her shyly, "I love you, Flora."

Flora crouched back down and dropped forward onto all fours, holding herself above

Pete. She lowered herself until her nose was only a centimeter from his; his hot, excited breath

washed over her muzzle.

"I love you too, Pete," she breathed.

She lapped his nose, and he lapped hers back. Flora gazed down at him a few seconds

longer. Part of her wanted to lower herself on top of him, but another part of her wasn't sure she

was ready to. Somehow, it was different holding Pete on her chest than it would be to feel him

tightly pressed underneath her. Besides, she might hurt him. She pushed herself up onto her

haunches and stared down at the rabbit pensively.

"I'd like to hold you again," she decided.

Flora returned to the head of the bed and sat against the reading pillow. She patted her

lap invitingly. Pete quickly sat up and crawled across the bed into her lap. Fora lifted him onto

her thighs, seating him sideways with his feet toward the edge, and tucked his head under her

jaw. She held him close, one hand gently caressing his cheek. Pete turned his head to nuzzle

her neck, and she sighed contentedly.

"You can tickle me whenever you want too, Flora," Pete murmured.

"No matter how much you squirm and squeal?" Flora whispered teasingly.

"I'm yours," Pete murmured serenely.

All too soon, it was time for Flora to leave Pete before his roommate returned. With a

nuzzle and a lap to the base of his ear, she slipped off the bed with him.

"I'll see you in the morning, Pete," she murmured. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Flora."

They hugged once more, and Flora exited the room, making her way back down the hall

to hers. Cynthia grinned expectantly when she came in.

"It was wonderful," Flora sighed dreamily, answering the mouse's question before she

could ask it.

"Is he joining us for the night?" Cynthia squeaked cheerfully.

Flora shook her head, "No, but I almost did ask him."

"Next time you should!"

Flora smiled softly, "I might." She grabbed her towel and toiletries basket and headed to

the shower, where she spent a little longer than one might have typically thought was needed.