Freezing with a Side of Arson

Disclaimer: I do not own Animal Crossing, the "New Horizons" game, or any of its characters. It's been far too long since I posted a ReddNook story, and some of my friendos from my main fandom actually asked for this. Made after too many freezing mornings in my room.

Freezing with a Side of Arson

Two little tanukis trembled under their massive fluffy throw blanket, the sounds of their chattering teeth filling the apartment's living room.

Timmy held onto his brother, trying in vain to pick up what little warmth the other twin produced. His tail curled tight around his legs. Brown eyes squeezed shut as little fists sank into his brother's thick winter jacket, nails blunted to not rip precious fabric, and little whimpers burned in his throat. The tanuki nestled in further in the blanket cocoon, and shivers wracked his body.

Tommy was no better. The other twin was focused on playing a little game on his handheld game system he had bought with his allowance, but his claws shook violently with each passing moment. His tail was tucked tight around his feet under the blanket. Part of the blanket bunched around his shoulders, but with the opening in the little bundle, chilly morning air sank through the layers of fabric and settled on the soft brown fur underneath.

Both of their mouths clacked with the harsh chatter of their teeth.

"Oh Nookie... why couldn't we just turn on the heater...?"

Across the living room, near the hallway where all their rooms were, a freezing kitsune paced back-and-forth. Several layers of jackets covered the orange kitsune, wrapping him in a large ball of fabric. At least two pairs of sweatpants covered the poor kitsune from the waist down. Fluffy socks, all yellow with the green leaf of the Nook company decorating the sides, covered pacing feet. With each lap back-and-forth, Redd muttered to himself under his breath.

"Can't turn on the heater because it costs too much... Freakin' cold as... When I get my claws on him..."

Timmy looked up towards his other uncle. "Un-un-un-cle-cle R-r-redd? Do we ha-ha-have any more bl-bla-blankets le-le-left?"

Redd paused in his walk, and Timmy watched as the gears whirred in the kitsune's head.

Grumbles left the bundled-up kitsune as he lifted a hand and ticked off his claws. Nothing audible reached Timmy's ears, and after a long pause, his uncle spoke.

"Nope. No more blankets or jackets." A heavy sigh blew out of the fox as his tail flicked to the side, a sign of annoyance. "Unless I run down to the Able Sisters' shop, which won't have any jackets or warm pants left because everyone's freezing in this weather, we don't have anything else to keep us warm."

A groan left Timmy as he buried his head against his twin's arm.

"H-h-h-hey! W-w-wa-watch it!" Tommy cried, sad music coming from his game system. "I ju-ju-just ju-jumped off the l-l-ledge right bef-f-f-ore I got the Sh-Sh-Shine!"

"You wa-wa-watch it!"

"Don't start fighting, kiddos," Redd called out. "It would warm you up, but Tom won't be happy if he comes home and finds you both covered in bruises and scratch marks."

Both twins perked up instantly.

"It co-co-could wa-war-warm us up?!"

"...warm us up?!"

Redd stood stock still as the twins slowly looked to each other. Before either could throw a punch, the kitsune clapped his gloved paws together. "Alright!" he shouted, quickly getting the twins' attention. "I give up on being a responsible parent. Timmy, how confident in you in your lock-picking ability? I say we crack open the thermostat and turn this house into a sauna!"