Forgive Me, My Love ~ ReddNook

Chapter 49

It was late at night. Redd was sitting in his living room and drawing his third - or fourth? - painting. In three days he had to have the 40,000 bells. Otherwise ... he didn't want to think about how he would fare then.

If he sold enough of his pictures, he'd be fine. Hopefully. He had sold the tarantula, he had caught, to Flick. With that he had earned a lot of bells. But unfortunately not enough.

Redd checked the clock. It showed 2:34. He was so tired. His eyes burned and his head throbbed painfully. He badly needed sleep. He would finish the picture tomorrow. If he was tired, he couldn't concentrate anyway.

Redd stood up, stretched his stiff limbs, and cracked the back of his neck. He left the living room limp, too lazy to put away the painting supplies. He was even too lazy to prepare something to eat even though he was hungry. The only thing he wanted was sleep. As long as he could.

The next day, Redd was sitting outside under an oak tree, finishing another painting. His paws ached now and he was still tired from having hardly slept last night.

What a stress. All because of that bastard. Redd rubbed his eyes, it was getting dark. How long has he been sitting here?

"Uncle Redd!" The fox was startled when two little tanukis with happy faces ran towards him. "Hey, kiddos!" He hugged them both tightly. "How was your day?"
"Great, as always!" Timmy said happily. "We sold a lot today!" Tommy added proudly.

Redd patted their heads. "That's great, boys." He pricked up his ears when Tom joined them. The tanuki looked exhausted. His eyes were almost closed. "Nooky, my love!" Redd wagged his tail in delight.

"Hello, Redd." Tom hugged him and kissed his cheek lovingly. He leaned against the fox wearily. "Had a rough day today, huh?" Redd remarked. "It's Monday, what do you expect?" His boyfriend muttered. "Everything hurts."

"Aww, poor Nooky," Redd whispered and scratched him behind his ear where he liked it most. The tanuki gave a pleasant hum. "Uncle Tom is getting too old for this job!" Tommy mocked. "Yes, he should retire!" his brother agreed.

Tom twitched his tail, offended. "Hey, how mean! I'm not even forty yet." Redd snorted in amusement. "Hmm. I think your fur is already graying." Tom was startled. "What really?!" The twins started laughing.

"Yes, I can already see gray hair here!" the fox teased and ran his paw over Tom's head. "I hope you are kidding," the Tanuki said, horrified. Redd giggled. "Of course! I'm just joking, Nooky!" He kissed him gently.

Tom let out an annoyed growl, but returned the kiss. "Tom and Redd, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Tom blushed with shame. "The two seem to be in a good mood today," Redd noticed, amused.

"Yeah." He looked lovingly at the children. "Let's go home, hm?" Tommy looked at the fox. "Are you coming with us, Uncle Redd?" he asked. "I'll come later," he promised the boy.

Tom made a thoughtful face. "You've been painting a lot lately." Redd twitched the tip of his tail nervously. "Yeah ... I enjoy it."
I am basically forced to do it... The tanuki smiled slightly.

"But don't overwork."
"You have to say that!" Tom rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. I get it." He leaned forward and kissed him one last time. Redd wanted to deepen the kiss, but before he had the chance, Tom broke away from him.

The fox grumbled offended. Tom grinned teasingly. "Not here in public."
"How mean ..." The Tanuki turned away from him. "See you later!"