The Secret Life of Pets Aftermath

Getting Along For Once

"You boys play nice now, okay? I mean it Rascal," Ozone instructed, sending a pointed glare towards his son. Huffing, Rascal nodded his head and muttered, "I got it Dad." Smirking, Ozone gently head butted the kitten as he murmured, "Alright, have fun." Smiling back, the patchy young cat purred before running off to play with Tobias and Phoenix amongst the rooftop garden. Sitting down with a sigh of relief, Ozone meowed, "Thanks for letting him play with your kids. I figured he needed a break from the other kittens picking on him."

"You're welcome," Tiberius rasped hoarsely, his voice almost inaudible. Turning to the old hawk laying beside him, Ozone shuddered. The red tail was merely a shell of his former self. He looked tired, hungry, maybe a little sick and just depressed overall. It was so weird seeing this. Shuffling his feet, Ozone stuttered, "So... anything new?"

"Please, just don't. I know you're trying to see if I'm okay and I am," Tiberius muttered, lifting his head. Facing the hairless cat with his tired eyes, the old red tailed hawk added, "I don't need everyone to worry about me." Scoffing, Ozone rolled his eyes and pointed out, "Too late man, everyone's worried." Letting out a wheezing cough, Tiberius grumbled, "Great."

"What, you don't like being the center of attention?" Ozone teased. This earned him a deadpan look. Gazing down at the sad hawk laying beside him, the leader of the Alley Cats sighed softly before he spoke, "I get it, you're hurting. You're hurting pretty bad right now."

"Who says I'm hurting?" Tiberius questioned, keeping his gaze on the kids. Ignoring the hawk's question, Ozone continued, "I've been in the same place man, I know what hurting looks like. And it looks like this." He gestured to the red tailed hawk before he added, "I also know that things may seem hopeless right now. But everything will get better, I promise. You just have to let people in and help you."

"And what if things don't get better?" Tiberius mumbled, finally glancing up at Ozone. Draping his tail over the hawk's shoulders, the hairless cat replied kindly, "Then we'll be there to make sure things get better." Shocked by the amount of kindness coming from the stray cat, Tiberius could feel tears brimming in his eyes. Wiping them away, the old hawk purred, "Thank you Ozone."

"No problem Tiberius," Ozone quipped, patting him on the shoulder. Thinking for a moment, the leader of the Alley Cats suggested, "Go get some sleep, you need it. I can watch the kids." Humming to himself, the old hawk got to his feet. "That sounds like a good idea," he murmured, stretching. He turned, ready to go into the shed when he stopped and asked, "Chloe is Rascal's mom, isn't she?"

"...how long have you known?"

"A while. It was pretty obvious."

"God I hate you."

"Hate you too, alien."

"Get some sleep already, pigeon."