Forgive Me, My Love ~ ReddNook

Chapter 36

Dazed, Redd followed the tanuki and wrote down in his head what to say - how to even start the conversation. Maybe he rushed it. After all, he had only just re-established a connection with Tom again. What if Tom saw him only as a friend and nothing more? How should Redd deal with it? Would Tom even still want to be friends with him then? Unlikely.

Redd barely noticed the cool sand under his feet and the rushing sea, that sloshed on the shore. There was a mess in his head. He couldn't get a clear thought anymore. "Redd?"

The fox winced at Tom's voice. He played with his fingers and avoided eye contact. His throat was so dry it was impossible to pronounce a word. "I ... wanted ... wanted to tell you ..." There was a long silence. But Tom waited patiently.

His blue eyes were focused on Redd. And ... was there a glimmer of hope in his eyes? "I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for being here on Te Fiti."

Stop! That just went completely wrong. Although he was speaking the truth, he actually wanted to say something completely different. Tom smiled. "It was my pleasure." He hesitated and scratched the back of his head.

"Well, maybe not at first, but now I know for sure that it was the right decision. If only I had known earlier." Redd grinned uncertainly. "You don't need to feel bad. I suspected that you wouldn't receive me with joy. After everything I've done to you, your behavior was understandable."

Tom looked at him sadly. "Nonsense. It was wrong to treat you like that while I wasn't honest with you myself." Redd blinked, perplexed. What did he mean by that? The tanuki hugged him tightly. His paws clung to his back.

His pleasant, soothing scent brushed Redd's nose and clouded his senses. "I missed you so much, Redd," Tom breathed, snuggling close to the fox. "I tried to forget you. To remove you from my life."

Redd slowly wrapped his arms around Tom's body and listened speechlessly to his words. "And then you suddenly appear on this island out of all places. How is that possible?"

"I wished to see you again," Redd said with a smile on his face. "Seems like my wish came true. I was so lonely without you." Tom broke out of the hug and held Redd's paws tenderly. His eyes were full of affection.

"Me too, I just never wanted to admit it," the tanuki said. "I felt a great emptiness in me. I thought that I could be happy with Sable again, but I was wrong." Redd chewed his lips nervously. The blood rushed in his ears.

"I need you, Redd. Because ..." Tom hesitated, but didn't break eye contact. "Because ... we've been through so much ... and ... and ..." Tears welled up in his eyes. "Damn it! I don't want to lose you again!"

The tanuki buried his face in Redd's chest, sobbing. He cried. Redd was startled. It hurts so much, to see him crying. "Tom," he muttered, gently caressing his back. "Please don't cry. I won't leave you anymore!" He pulled him into a loving hug and kissed his head.

"I need you a lot more. My life has no meaning without you." Tom looked up. His watery eyes were as big as moons. Tears rolled down his cheeks and for a moment he looked exactly like Timmy or Tommy.

Redd gently brushed the tears from Tom's eyes and giggled. "Never thought I'd ever see you cry again, Nooky!" He grinned cheekily. "Even you have a sensitive side." Tom sobbed and looked offended. "Shut up, you idiot."

He grabbed the fox by the shoulders, pulled him closer and kissed him softly. Redd wagged his tail and returned the kiss passionately. His heart leaped for joy. He hadn't been so happy in a long time.

Since Tom had left him, he thought he would never find happiness again in his life. But now he was with him. The tanuki he had always loved had returned to him. Tom pulled away and looked up at Redd, who was a head taller.

He ran a paw across his face. "How embarrassing," he muttered and sniffed. "I vowed not to cry."
"You don't have to be embarrassed in front of me!" Redd said with a smile. From the plaza he could hear the cheering as soon as K.K. Slider played another song.

"We should go back again," the fox said, pointing behind him with his thumb. "Otherwise they'll be wondering where we are for so long." Tom nodded in agreement and again wiped his paw over his eyes.

Redd hugged him. He rubbed his cheek against Tom's. "I love you so much, Nooky." He felt Toms strong arms embracing him and felt protected. "I love you too, Redd."