Welcome back, my lovely reader~
If this is your first visit to the L&L series,
STOP
go read the first one 'Love & Lattes: A bunny's bounty' to get the best experience. This is a direct sequel and I
STRONGLY
recommend reading the first one so you're not lost.
Take your time, I'll wait for you to catch up. :3
♥
And with that out of the way...
Welcome back my lovely reader~
Man do I enjoy writing these two, they're quite a departure from Karen and Isaac, huh? I hope you're having fun with this story so far.
This episode will be all about bonding and development, but rest assured our fox and calico will still be getting into some interesting situations. (Interesting means sex, shh!)
Alright, let's jump right into it then!
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Episode 3
Don't change for me
Ivory and Joseph left her apartment and started back towards work for their afternoon shift together. They made it about half a block before she felt him reach for her handpaw and take it. The cat gave him a playful grin at the action but was more than happy to gently clench her grip to his while they walked.
"I've got to be on shift an hour before you, what will you do to kill time?" Ivory spoke out while flicking her tail back and forth.
"I should probably see you off at the cafe then head back home for a fresh change of clothes. I didn't exactly expect to be out all night." The fox gave her a toothy grin, feeling her tail brushing his own while they walked.
"Did you let your family know you were safe... well as safe as you could be trapped with a sex-crazed cat?" Ivory purred before pushing up to the dog's chest for his scent and warmth.
She felt him release her handpaw and slide an arm around her shoulder, keeping her held to him while they walked. "I sent a text to my mother, she will be pissed but at least she knew I wasn't dead."
Ivory winced at the words. "Hmm... sorry if I caused you problems."
"Nah... it will be fine. Part of my paycheck goes to help with bills it's not like I'm freeloading. She will get over it," The fox huffed the words sounding fairly confident in the situation. Ivory nodded and kept close to him, sighing happily and enjoying his scent while they made their way to work.
Once at the shop they parted ways after more than a few hungry kisses and Joseph left her to begin her shift while he made for home. The walk to his family's small house was only about twenty minutes. Still, he had to be at work in less than an hour. He would have to change and probably take his car today.
Walking in the door of the small two-bedroom home he was greeted by his mother who had a look on her face like it was time for a talk. She was a red fox like him and even though his father had been a grey one, he took all of his mother's coloring and eyeshade. She was slightly taller than him, for now, he would probably outpace her once he got into his twenties.
"So, what kept you out so late, honey?" His mother asked the question skeptically, imagining parties or drugs, typical teenager stuff.
"I went home with a girl I liked," He spoke the words matter-of-fact as he put a handpaw on his hip and looked at her with a flat look.
"You're joking right?" The vixen moved over to him and huffed near him to smell him. Joseph knew he wouldn't get past her sense of smell so he had just opted to be painfully truthful with her.
"I'm not. I've been interested in her for a while now, last night just kind of happened and we sealed the deal." The fox shrugged like it was no big deal.
His mother looked confused, then concerned, finally, she looked a bit cross. "Joseph... This isn't like you, you're normally a very good boy!"
He gritted his teeth, recalling how many times Ivory had praised him, calling him a good dog and a good boy last night and this morning. He huffed and shot his mother a glare before responding. "Mom, don't act like it was some girl I picked up from a bar or a prostitute. It's someone I've liked for over a year, it wasn't some random flight of fancy."
The vixen folded her arms under her chest and scowled at the words but she knew little could be done about it now. "Tch... did you at least use protection? You didn't take any drugs did you?"
The fox rolled his eyes, he loved his mother and rarely argued with her, but he didn't have time for this today. "Look, mom... I have to get ready for work, I don't have time for this right now. There were no drugs or drinking involved. It was a legit mutual thing between us," He huffed the words and sidestepped by her to move towards his room.
"So what kind of fox was she?" The question his mother asked made him freeze in his stride, his father had always been a staunch advocate of races shouldn't mingle. She wasn't so heavy-handed with the mentality but it was still there.
He huffed through his nose and looked back, his tail flicking in agitation before he responded, "She would be a pretty odd fox since she was a calico."
His mother's large red ears perked up at the statement and her cheeks darkened, "Joseph! You slept with a feline?! What would your father have said?"
He rolled his eyes. "Dad was a bigot Mom, I loved him but... seriously, times are different now. It's no big deal."
"What do you mean it's no big deal?" The vixen huffed the words and put a paw on her hip.
"Well at least she is a predator, my co-worker a rabbit, recently married a wolf." He shrugged referring to Karen. He could only imagine how her reaction would have been had he made something work with her.
His mother frowned and looked genuinely concerned, "Barely! Cat's are sneaky and underhanded things that-"
"Stop!" Joseph snarled out at her, heat in his voice now as his teeth showed. "Your prejudice is showing, Mom. I love you, but I'll not stand here and llisten to you talk like that!" He snapped the words and stomped into his room snarling to himself and slamming the door.
The fox scowled and looked over at his shelf where he had an old picture of him with his father. He clenched his teeth and quickly moved to his dresser to get a change of clothes. He set out a pair of jeans and black t-shirt, along with some fresh socks. He also snatched up his gym bag and put some extra clothes in it.
Once changed with a fresh set of clothes on he grabbed the keys to his car and opened his door stepping back out into the living room. His mother was standing there obviously waiting on him. He gave her a look and flattened his ears, "What is it, Mom?"
The vixen sighed and brushed a lock of her own reddish-brown hair from her face, you could see the faint showing of white starting to move through it. "I'm sorry, Joseph, I just worry about you. If you say she is a good girl I will trust you, regardless of what she is."
The fox looked away from her, casting his eyes downward, he felt awful for snapping at her even if he was right. It was his mother and he always had cherished her. "T-thanks, Mom. I apologize for raising my voice to you."
The vixen grinned and moved over, gently embracing the young fox and pulling him against her chest. Joseph felt his tension ease at his mother's familiar scent, comforting and soothing to him as it had always been. "My little pup is growing up, it breaks my heart you know." She whispers the words gently into his ears, as they flick in response and he nods.
"I should get to work, Mom." He huffed out hesitantly and felt her kiss his forehead before stepping away.
She notices the gym bag and flicked her tail up as she put a handpaw on her hip. "Again?"
Joseph blushes and looked away, "M-maybe... W-well probably. I will let you know if I won't be making it home..."