Someone special in Zootopia

58.- Problems with a solution

Ryan raised his head, with big eyes, and made the decision. "Okay... I'm going to tell you everything..."

The confession began. The kangaroo told him what had happened, the incident with that other child and how he tried to help, but even so, he was afraid of hurting someone he didn't want to hurt, so he distanced himself from the children who worried about him. When he finished, he sighed deeply and lowered his head.

"...I understand." That was what Vol ended up saying, who listened to absolutely everything Ryan told him attentively.

"I didn't want to hurt him, I just wanted him not to hurt me and... he hurt himself... I-I didn't want to, Vol..." The marsupial's nerves returned again and he began to shake.

Seeing how Ryan was, the fox rushed to reassure him with a calm look. "It's okay, calm down. I've understood everything that happened." The kangaroo looked at him. "You're not to blame for anything, these are things that happen, just accidents. What matters here is how you reacted, something you did well, since you went to help him and ask how he was." Vol smiled. "And that's something a good mammal does."

Although the vulpine's intentions were the best, Ryan's inner feeling prevented him from seeing beyond. "B-But he got hurt... b-because of m-me."

Vol shook his head. "That's not how you say it. What happened is nothing more than an accident, besides, it's not wrong for you to prioritize your well-being over the rest. You have to take care of yourself." The fox's calming tone of voice helped Ryan feel a little better.

"So... I-I did well by h-helping?" The kangaroo's eyes were now full of hope for a possible positive response that would reaffirm his actions.

Vol nodded. "You helped, you cared about him and you stopped the game, you did great, Ryan, really." His smile gave the kangaroo a good feeling, now more relieved.

But another problem entered his head. "I-I'm sorry... for not telling you anything." Embarrassed, he lowered his head again. Even though part of his thoughts were resolved, there was still another part to fix.

The fox dismissed it with a light gesture of his paws. "You don't even have to worry, I know that we all have secrets and things that we don't want to tell. I understand that you didn't dare at that moment..." He put his paw on his chest. "But I don't care, the only thing that matters to me is helping you." Even so, he looked into the kangaroo's eyes. "There's one more reason why you didn't tell me, right?"

Ryan nodded shyly. "I didn't want you to... worry and not concentrate on your work for me... That's why I didn't tell anyone..." He looked to the side, feeling a great shame in his body for the path he took at the aforementioned moment.

"Ryan..." Vol answered softly and stood up. "Come here." He opened his arms, accompanying his insistence with a half smile. The kangaroo stood up and approached, only to be hugged by the vulpine, to which he responded in the same way. "I want to worry about you. I knew what I was getting into when I started the whole adoption process... I know what it entails, I know that I have to sacrifice and help you when you need it." He looked at him directly again. "Let me worry about you, I want to solve your doubts and problems, remember that I can help you when I have to." He sighed, but smiled to give him a better feeling. "I can promise you that I will help you in any way I can. Remember that."

Ryan stared at Vol the whole time, what he said left him stunned. It's true that he said he would take care of him and try to make sure he had a better life, but even so, it was hard for the kangaroo to believe it, not because of distrust, but because it was the first time he felt affection since the souls of his biological parents left their bodies and found eternal rest. So many years of lack of love took their toll on him.