Page 10 of Becoming One
He blew out another breath of relief as the fox landed safely on the same branch as him, only a few feet from where he sat.
“I’m not trying to upset you, little one. I was just hoping we could find a way for you to forgive Nelson. He never meant to hurt you or scare you. When Nelson saw Fallon there, ready to harm those he loved, his anger at Fallon for taking his life away—your life away, for so many years, and everything Fallon had done to him—just took over and he needed to stop the evil fairy,” Orion explained softly.
When anger filled the fox’s eyes and his lips curled in a growl, Orion wasn’t sure if it was directed at Nelson, or the reminder of Fallon, but he knew he had to talk quickly.
“You’re right for feeling hurt because Nelson ignored you and your feelings at that time. Hell, I was just as pissed at Nelson for putting you guys in danger, but I had to remind myself of something. Nelson honestly didn’t do it because he doesn’t trust you or your advice. He didn’t do it because he didn’t believe I could help. He just needed his revenge on Fallon so he could move on, and in that moment, what he did was the only thing that came to him.”
The fox took a few steps closer as he kept his gaze locked with Orion’s. When he reached Orion, the fox lifted his front paws and rested them on Orion’s thigh. Relief of maybe getting through to the other half of Nelson’s soul, thrilled him.
“I know what you’re going to say, that revenge is wrong, but in certain circumstances it’s very understandable. If Fallon had done to me what he did to you and Nelson, I would have made the bastard suffer more before I took his life. At least Nelson made it quick,” Orion said with a shrug, and he could swear the fox rolled his eyes at him.
They remained quiet for a moment, before the fox moved closer and hopped up on Orion’s leg completely. Orion placed his hands on either side of the little creature’s body and adjusted himself until he was sitting cross-legged, making a more stable place for the fox to sit.
“You’re so soft. May I pet you?” Orion asked, and the fox’s mouth opened, that little pink tongue coming out again, and his eyes filled with happiness as he nodded.
Orion gently ran his large hand over the critters head and side. Never in all his years had he seen something as adorable as Nelson’s fox or felt anything as soft. Nelson’s beautiful skin did come close though.
As Orion petted the fox, the animal slowly relaxed, then melted into the touch, pressing his body against Orion’s torso. He wasn’t sure if the fox would let him get away with what he was about to do, but he was going to give it a try.
Orion slid one hand under the fox’s bottom and lifted him, holding the cutie against his chest as he continued petting him with the other hand. A smile came to his lips as the fox nuzzled against his chest and that cute rumbling noise, like a purr, started again. He could feel the vibration against him right into his heart. In that moment Orion new he was in love with all of Nelson, not just the human part of him, but the animal as well. This critter was the soft side of Nelson as well as the fierce side. The fox might have been small, but he was brave. Orion could tell just by seeing all his actions since meeting him in person.
They remained just like they were for a few minutes before the fox shifted around. Orion got the picture and stopped stroking the soft fur, as he looked down at the fox. “You’re just a cuddly bunny, aren’t you?” Orion asked in a whisper.
The critter stood up, pressing his hind feet into Orion’s palm, then raised his top half and placed his front paws on Orion’s chest by his collarbone, bringing them face to face.
“That was very nice, thank you. And yes, I love to cuddle. I am not afraid of you, mate. I am angry with my human. And… and… I… miss him too.”
He heard the cute little voice inside his head. It was a lot like Nelson’s, but softer and just a bit higher in tone. When the words entered his mind, Orion wanted to freak out from surprise and excitement, but he kept himself calm, not wanting to spook the fox.
“I see, and I get that too. Nelson and I both understand that you’re unhappy with him, but I’m hoping you can find it in your big heart to forgive him. Not just because Nelson and I would like to claim one another and the three of us to become one, but because this chasm between you is only hurting you both, and it makes my heart sad to know that two creatures who love each other so much can be at such odds.”
The fox’s eyes appeared sad as his chin dropped and he looked up at Orion through his thick lashes. Ones that matched Nelson’s.“But how can I trust him again? I told him not to use so much power. I told him it would hurt him and in turn hurt me, but he didn’t listen. My job, any shifter-animal’s job, is to keep their human half safe, and Nelson pushed me away and ignored me.”
The deep sadness in the fox’s tone broke Orion’s heart and he just wanted to hold him tight and make him feel better and to protect him. “Oh, I know that, Cuddle bunny, and I’m sorry that happened. I’m not sorry that Nelson destroyed Fallon, but I am sorry you were hurt in the process. But, you need to know that Nelson is also sorry and misses you deeply. He wants the two of you to talk so you can get past this. Do you think you can do that and maybe forgive him?
“Yes, but… I don’t trust him right now and it may take a while.”
Orion smiled and ran a hand down the fox’s back. “That’s okay, Cuddle bunny, and totally understandable. But now do you think you could come back with me to Nelson and not hide from him anymore, so the two of you can try and work this out and be happy again?”
The fox huffed, then nodded. He quickly placed a paw on Orion’s cheek.“Okay, but don’t expect me to just trust him straight away. It may take some time.”
Orion leaned in and kissed the little fox on the tip of his nose. “That’s all I ask. And you will forgive him and trust him again when you’re ready.”
“Will you claim us and make us yours?”the fox asked in Orion’s head.
Orion smiled and answered honestly. “I would like nothing more than to see you and Nelson make up and be one again. Then yes, I want to claim you both so that we can be together for eternity. You are a part of Nelson and I love him with all my heart. Which means I also love you with the same depth and intensity. You and Nelson are one and you are my mate. I want you by my side always.”
After that the fox agreed to leave and Orion carried him out from under the willow tree, then made his way to the shed where he found Jewel and Nelson waiting. Half way across the field to the shed it stopped raining, but it was still overcast and windy.
Orion opened the door and Nelson immediately came to his side, his gaze fixed on the fox in his arms. “Can you forgive me, Sweetie? I’m so, so sorry I didn’t listen to your warnings. I’ll never ever do that again, I promise. Do you think you can come back to me so that we can work this out and maybe you’ll forgive me some day?”
“Our wonderful mate explained so much to me and I understand why you felt like you needed to do what you did, and… and I forgive you. It may take me some time to trust you again, but yes, I’ll stop hiding and come back to you,”the fox said in their minds.
Tears spilled from Nelson’s eyes as he held out his hands and without hesitation the fox went to him. Nelson brought the creature close to his chest and nuzzled his cheek against his head, then peppered kisses on him.
Orion felt his own eyes burn with tears as he watched the touching reunion. His heart filled with joy as he saw the two most important beings in his life come back together.
“I heard him in my head. That was so cool. I’m so happy for the two of you,” Jewel said.
Nelson looked up and met Jewel’s watery gaze and smiled. “I think we’re ready to go home now.”
“And have our alone time with our mate. Right?”
Nelson laughed, “Yes, little one. We are definitely going to have our alone time with our mate. It is long past due.”