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Usually fannys apartment was quiet, not just because of her often absence but because of how the bunny made surprisingly little noise, despite a very loud look, and presence in the room you couldn't ignore she herself was unusually quiet, didn't speak much and her footsteps were simply not there as if she snuck around all the time
Yet today, on a windy saturday so mundane that even the sky was lacking colors there was an unusual lots of thumps whams and ah’s coming out of the rabbits abroad
Fanny held up a heavy box in her hands, her knee supported it from bottom as she tried her best not to make its meeting with her desk too harsh yet- WHAM …the heaviness of it did its own thing
she sighed hoping nothing inside was broken before taking a look herself not knowing what exactly was in it, there were few books, photo frames, bracelets and clothes inside messily put together
Fanny thought on where to start with it, for moment wondering if she shouldn't just put it back in the back of her closet allowing it to be forgotten once again what was inside was useless junk, the clothes didnt fit her anymore, the photo frames were left empty with rere exceptions of photos she did not want to see, the bracelets were unfitting not just in size but by her fashion sense as well, they all looked overly tacky and shined too brightly even with the little stale light from outside while the books…most likely held up better?
She reached into the box making the items inside mangle more before pulling out a dusty book, the mild red color on its own brought back foggy memories she didn't fully recognise yet, her grip tightened
After turning it around she could read and see the title “the little re-” she showed the book back inside the box
the hold and intensity of it was similar to holding someone's head underwater, it tightened more and more unnaturaly so until the item as well as her hand became shaky from mere pressure put on, her arm started stinging from it and after long 3 seconds gave out on its own
Eyes wide she stared at the box
That was NOT book she expected
Its insides were much… older than assumed, the bracelets were barely a decade old, and she couldn't make out all the clothes inside but assumed they were all similarly old coats of hers yet the books…
Were in too good of condition for their Age.
she sat on her desk ignoring the chair right in front of it and let out a groan, she was right about putting the box back in its place, let it collect dust, it was useless old garbage inside that she took out for no reason! like a moron. thinking it was maybe worthy to be checked on? to be even acknowledged in the apartment?
She looked around what was usually an almost tidy living room…or office… it depended on usage-
There were random items scattered all around the floor with little space left for walking, everywhere were old clothes or different boxes, candles, collectables, instruments, posters, papers, pictures and so on, the most random of random layed around the place and brought up pollination levels ridiculously high, you could even see dust in air
She got up from the desk and scooched over them to the main hall
through the window she saw the sky, it was white out, completely empty, you couldn't even make out clouds covering it, not even a little texture on it
Gods even the sky couldn't lighten up the mood now could it?
Of course she took out all that trash for some reason! Of course now she will have to spend the rest of her day cleaning it up and putting it all back in its rightful place! Of course! Of course she threw her free time away on it, because of what? Getting sentimental about the old times? there was nothing to be sentimental about!
she shouldn't even remember where half of that trash came from!
All this made her head spin and the dust she inhaled didn't help, maybe drinking it down would get rid of it? she could feel it all around her throat and nose and it was not pleasant
Click, she put on a kettle, and screamed through the fridge in the kitchen, there was some meat that uh…definitely aged, some veggies, a new ecosystem inside a jar and- leftovers! She took a peek inside the paper bag, there was still good pasta with some sauce on it, certainly not at its greatest but still good from yesterday, she put it in a pot with little fire underneath
And now waited for it and water to heat up
…
It was again quiet, outside the kettle and low simmering coming out the pot there was no noise
Was it always like this? There were usually some cars outside making noise or people chatting but with how lifeless the sky was it and the overall peace of today it made sense no one was hanging out, whats even there to do?
Thump thump thump thump!
…what was that?
Thump thump thump thump!
It sounded like someone coming up the stairs?
Thump thump thump thump
In an awful hurry
Wham!
Suddenly something hit the other side of her door entry door, almost like a full body slam. Her ears went down and nose started twitching. What the hell?
“Fanny! Fanny you there? If you are i could use a little help now-” a clear distress overtook whoever was outside the door, they sounded familiar but muffled by the door, she looked around in panic you're supposed to pretend not to be home in those situations-
She stood like a deer in headlights looking around the kitchen for somewhere to hide
“cmon its me oswald!”
The wave of fear almost instantly washed over, she loudly sighed and rushed up to the door, opened them and pulled the shorter rabbit in
he looked back at her and sighed visibly letting some stress get out as well, she walked up to him and suddenly grabbed him by the cheek before moving his head around looking for injury “Woah! Uhhhh…fanny?” She kept looking but his face and head seemed okay so she pulled his arm also there weren't any visible issue- “Fanny!” He yelled taking her out of it “Im looking for injuries! What happened? Can you see and hear me well?” She questioned, he quickly pulled his hand away to himself
“I'm fine! Geez just needed somewhere to” he looked back at the door and backed up quietly “hide for a moment”
Hide? Fanny had a funny expression on, Usually oswald had no trouble getting into a fight or taking on some stupid challenges but running and hiding was only for special occasions Like the landlord visiting
She whispered looking between the door and him “hiding from what?”
Thump thump
It seemed the answer was just making its way up the stairs
She shot Oswald a questioning look but he only backed up until he entered the dusty living room… or office , it depended!
There was loud painting on the other end of the doors, whoever was chasing the bunny must have not been a fan of it
Knock knock knock
Both were quiet, didn't even move an inch
“excuse me!…police!” the other end panted out
Fannys head moved so fast it made a little crack sound, she stared at oswald like owl at its prey, despite not saying a word awful threats and questions made their way to him
Fanny sighed, and came up closer to the doors, despite oswald harshly moving his head left and right “hello uh who is it again?”
“m-morning miss! police here! i-am looking for a small rabbit in blue pants ra-ran into this building up the stairs, ha-have you seen him?” the police man panted out trying to catch his breath, fanny fully turned around and put her back to the doors while making a direct eye contact with oswald
“oh no i haven't seen the coward” oswald rolled his head at that “but i, heard someone run upstairs, probably him” fanny tried making her response as light sounding as possible
“well miss, would you mind letting me in to che-’ “No.” she cut off
Quickly panicking she had to think of something to add to make that guy scram she knew how this story went too well “I'm terribly sorry sir, but you see i'm actually just visiting- eh my mother and you'd understand how rude id be to let someone in without her knowing?”
The explanation was simple, very simple a bit too simple maybe and wouldn't work if this bum was here before but-
“ Oh for crying!- understandable miss have a great day” was all the other added, she could hear the footsteps of going away
She held up her palm all fingers out and slowly put them down 1, 2, 3, 4-
She turned around making Oswald jump up and try hiding in the living room but getting caught off by the mess in it, she fastly made her way behind him before aggressively shaking him by the shoulders whisper-yelling “What the hell!?”
Oswald smiled awkwardly, the type of smile you have when something bad happens and you should not be smiling but are anyway “well- it's pretty simple!” She stopped the shaking, yet still had strong grip on his shoulders, almost towered over him keeping him close to make sure he's not running away while looking straight into his soul through wide open eyes demanding answers for not only coming in unannounced but bringing a police man out here!?
“well uh…you know how cops can get”he started looking away “yes i know but i also know they don't run after someone up a building for no reason!” Oswald didn't respond, busy checking out the ceiling “Well!?” she shook him “Augh I'm sorry it was like the universe sent me a mission!”
He breathed out
fanny raised an eyebrow more confused than than angry “imagine a brick placed perfectly in front of you, im talking your hand level, visible spot, briefly lightened up by heavens Right in front of a police car” he took a pause
“fanny i had to do it” ended his explanation that only raised more questions
Fanny took a solid ten seconds to process what were the words he just said let alone what they actually meant put together “oswald?”
“Yeah”
“did you throw a brick at the police car?”
“No”
Unfortunately for oswald fanny didn't have an “oh thank god” moment he was hoping for, where she sighs and calms down, she still stared at him not as intimidating as before demanding answers…a nd deserved them too for once, uuughh
“I did hit it enough to leave a dent though”
Fanny seemed to relax at that making him almost chuckle “okay that- thats not what I thought” she leaned over the door frame “Expected worse?” he laughed
“Honestly yeah i thought you broke a window or threw it at him” she explained, oswald only shook his head “no” to it before looking at the living room covered in mess
“am I actually interrupting though?” fanny stiffened looking in the same direction
For a moment she thought if she really wanted him around right now, he did caught her in rather… personal time
But…
But that might be exactly what she needs right now! Yeahh, yeah! Spending too much in trash and getting all mushy about it isn't needed right now, looking over it should be doing it enough charity, staying here, in her house , in her rooms, that's enough for it, if it needs more than that it truly is all just burden she should throw out eventually- yeah thats all this is!
Realising she hasn't responded “No! you can stay!” She yelled out, it sounded like an order, oswald tilted his head, something in fannys voice there didn't sound very fanny like and made him wonder if he really should
Before either could continue a weird smell appeared, something smelled Gross like it was burning
Fanny suddenly let go of oswald and sprinted over to kitchen, took the pot off fire and aggressively stirred insides with a small metal spoon she took ignoring the big wooden one right next to it, the simmering slowly calmed and she looked inside
It visibly burned, but still eatable
“you sure you don't mind me staying?” again asked oswald from behind her
She quietly thought of the answer for a moment before interrupting her own track of thoughts with the abrupt answer
“No.”
Fanny put a old leather jacket in a box, filling it to brim, she gently closed it and put it down to the floor
“Mmgm, so you really used to wear these?” Oswald asked munching on an old hot pocket he found somewhere and declared it'll taste better a bit aged, Looking back she saw him pointing at a white dress with yellow flowers on it, it wasn't so white anymore and barely looking at the thousand layered cheap material made her skin itch, hopefully the hot pocket aged better it
“if there's a single person here, who can't shame for fashion since it's you” she defended making him choke “I wasn't shaming just asking!”
Oswald looked around trying to get a better look at randomized items sitting besides him, the clothes all seemed like they belonged to different people, long leather jackets, puffy flowery dresses, fancy and ripped pants, overly detailed shirts and a suit all layed next to each other, they looked more like they belonged to an unlikely friend group rather than one person let alone fanny, but everything changes over time…and it looked like its been a long long time since any of these were worn
On the usually empty small coffee table squeezed between the couch and a bookshelf were a bunch of glass animals, some rocks and jewelry, mainly shiny pearls
But out of everything one thing, stood out to him, there were framed photos next to him sitting on the couch upside down with exception of 2 making him feel awkward, almost as if someone he didn't know was there, he didn't look at them, in fact he didn't touch anything at all but still wondered, what could be on them?
It was weird to admin but he kinda forgot fanny had to be someone and somewhere before what he got to know now
but you couldn't blame him for it!...not fully…she never talked about herself let alone what she was doing before, never spoke of her family, her hometown, old friends, how she got here, how she became a nurse despite being so damn proud about it and he never asked but wondered why has it always been just been her, her alone without anyone besides her?
“Hey…mind helping a bit?” she suggested, pulling him out his thoughts, usually there was a weird banter before either would ask anything of each other, their prides crashed like that, straight to point just wasn't their rhythm they didn't beat around the bush they beat around the forest, but today fanny didn't look like she'd appreciate the usual back and forth and honestly? Oswald felt a bit weird about it but didn't push it
“Sure...Just eh how?” He asked, only so far looking at the “junk” as described by fanny “put anything you see into boxes” she explained in usually deadpan tone pointing at an empty box behind the couch he didn't notice earlier, she turned around strongly adding “carefully” closing a box she herself just finished packing
oswald showed the last piece of…not that good hot pocked down his throat and looked at less fragile things, like the clothes and started putting them into squares to take up less place in the box “You don't seem to like anything here” he pointed “of course, thats why im putting it back” she snarked like it was obvious obviousness, oswald put the dress into his box “its all junk” she quietly affirmed, more to herself than him, he couldn't see but she was frowning looking at an innocent bracelet as if it ruined her life
“if you hate all this, why wont you sell it?”
Fanny crashed, “no!” She yelled, surprising them both, it got quiet as they both looked stunned at each other, yet somehow it was her that looked more hurt and distressed. She panicked and added “I uh…eh It's…its a long…” she thought of what to say “who would even want this trash?” was what she menaged
Oswald looked at the clothes scattered around him, all were in great condition maybe not perfect but still…honestly some of the coats looked like they could outmatch those in fancy overpriced shops, he wanted to argue with her but the afternoon has been strange, and the thought of arguing over this made him feel…weirdly bad? So he bit his tongue
“yeahhhhh” he stretched
There was tension in the air, but not between the two rabbits like usually, it wasn't as lighthearted? And It somehow was between fanny and all those random old stuff she hogged over years, on one side there was just so much resentment, anger, frustration and more things he couldn't read off her, but on the other was nothing, it were just unalive objects he didn't know the story of
He’s here now, might as well get himself kicked out or break it up a little because he swore the air became thicker and thicker not just because of the dust “So…is there anywhere you'd like me to put it?” He said picking up his box “No…just leave it on the ground” she answered, busy packing her own box
“So…is all this just your stuff or did someone elses “trash” get mixed in as well?” he chirped, behind her back making air quotes at the trash part “no, its all mine” she deadpanned “I never took you for the type to like ripped jeans” he laughed at the thought…honestly she probably wouldn't look half bad…she did have the legs to pull it off when he thought about it more-
“because I didn't” ah
“You know how you don't like wearing suits but still do on fancy occasions?” She asked, her back was turned on him, he opened his mouth ready to answer but
“because you wanna impress the people?” interrupted
Oswald didn't really do that, not being an owner to anything fancy except maybe a bowtie and a vest, but he got the concept though ripped jeans didn't seem connected to it in any way
“yeah I guess? Honestly I don't think they look that good, lack the color” he looked over at apparently fannys old grayish suit with light stripe pattern…
“Sometimes everyday is a “fancy occasion” her voice sounded almost sad saying it, oswald didn't have a snarky response to that
Or any response in fact
Again he glared at the upside down photos while packing in the clothes “hey uh…how old is most of this stuff anyway?” it didn't seem that old “depends…somes 5 somes 30” oswalds ears went down in confusion before clarifying “ years??” fanny hummed a “mmhmm” confirming
Damn! his clothes from last year look more worn out than this! Though she did say its range rather than clear age, for a moment he looked back at the wooden frames on the couch again and asked “so are these baby photos of you or something?”
Fanny stopped in her tracks and came up to the couch from behind instantly noticing the upside down photos, having no reaction she picked one up to see its content “no…there a bit old though” was all she said, that was the only item he expected her to rightfully have hatred or resentment towards, photos normally capture memories more than objects, yet surprisingly was the most inoffensive judging from her reaction, it almost seemed to calm her in a weird way
After putting his box somewhere where it wouldn't get under feet he jumped up to the couch and took one of the frames holding in a photo he couldn't help but assume answered some of the questions he didn't have few hours ago
with a shaky hand he picked up the first photo, on it was fanny but a bit younger looking, she was in a tight long black dress held up by pearl straps, she was posing next to a tall coyote man both were smiling and making jazz hands in motion to each other, next to them but out of the picture he could see a bit of another woman unfortunately only her gloved hand and a bit of her dress and leg made it to the photo, He made sure to look at the background as well, there were outside some building he could only assume was a Cinema
Looking behind himself, he noted fanny was now carefully putting the glass animals between even more old soft clothes, He slowly took another photo in hand. “You know that dress didnt look half bad on you, any reason you're not wearing it anymore? Still seems like your style” He asked
“Didnt have time to grab it” she explained, looks like her mood began shifting in a better direction “what? Were you running from something and dropped it on the way?” he laughed “kinda”
Not questioning that he looked at next photo, there was a very young looking rabbit in this one in the white dress with yellow flowers he just stopped packing, she looked almost like a teenager, shyly she held her hands together on her chest while looking at the camera almost scared of it, the background was overtook by the sky and long green grass sometimes interrupted by a flower or two, her fur was lighter than fanny’s most likely brown and there was a white pattern going down from her face down to the torso spreading to arms and legs only ending where the limps did too
“Hey you didn't tell me you had a younger sister!” he chirped in looking at her from the couch, she again stopped packing the box and came up to him confused looking at the picture before even picking it up saying “because I don't?” this confused oswald on the identity of the rabbit, a friend perhaps? She did look like a different species but he always assumed fanny was well a cottontail , but just won the genetic lottery of black fur
Waiting for continuation he finally asked ”then who is it?” not missing a beat she answered “me”
Oswald almost feel off the couch yelling “WHAT!?” processing that
“What- uh feh what do you mean!?” he looked at her like she was trying to recruit him into some cult, she looked almost embarrassed “it was a long time ago alright!” oswald looked at the photo again “never in my life would I guess you looked like THAT as a teenager” fanny shocked yelled “teenager!? I was 27 in that one!”
“WHAT!?”
“Stop yelling what!” She pointed
“Listen…I looked stupid, like a dork but…I like to keep these” she pointed at the photos “as a reminder of how…” she drifted off into her thoughts for a moment and visibly brightened up “how far i’ve came”
“I…never thought about it that way” usually when he saw photos of himself from younger years he either cried or cringed remembering that phase, witch could be any phase from before he turned 30…and he was 32 so that made most of them-
But the way fanny looked at it was surprisingly optimistic, maybe he should try seeing it like it too? Less of a reminder how bad things were and more of a proof how better it has gotten since then, how much progress has been made over the course of time
“You look a bit different now” he pointed “you don't say?” she sarcastically asked
“Are all those just you but younger?” he was already taking another two photos in hands “I don't remember” was all she murmured before walking back to her box and continuing to put uncategorised things inside, now more gently
The last two photos in front him were of similarly shy looking man this time, his eyes had clear circles under them and god oswald fixed up his own posture seeing how bended his was, he was wearing a long black coat that actually might have been one he was holding in his hands few minutes ago, on one…weirdly cropped ? Photo he was clearly surrounded by much taller and bigger people he couldn't make anything but fluffy fur of, they were all just a little out the photos range, while the photo on the right had him standing outside of a house again looking so shy like he wanted to disappear despite having a picture taken of him, this time however the photo was whole and he was alone holding what looked like a watch in his hand
“Ahh I see, you looked alot more like your brother back then, say were you both afraid of cameras or something?” he commented, visibly throwing her off so much she again walked up behind the couch to take a look at the photos “I don’t think you’d reco-” before she could finish-
“out of you two you obviously got the looks” oswald interrupted
and for the first time today fanny chuckled “what? No offense but he just looks so…scrawny and tired” he continued, before realizing he probably should check in if she doesn't mind him talking like that, looking behind him he saw she was actually briefly smiling “really?” she asked amused…at him apparently?
“Why- yeah! Though since you also looked so shy id assume he followed in similar…personality path?” he continued having the end sound more like a question he knew she wouldn't answer “eh, in a way ” she rolled her eyes but still had that brief smile on, whatever he was saying was funny to her for some reason “I can see you're smiling! What? are my guesses that far off?” he asked also not helping but laughing a bit too…What was so funny though??
“Hahaha! No! no! you're not far off at all! In fact you're going in the right direction” she put her head on her hand and leaned over the couch, still looking at him and into his soul just a bit, yet this time it was a warm friendly look that didn't leave him looking back at night from time to while
“Hmmm so that means…I'm completely off!” he announced rather than asked “alright so he’s still a twig and shy like a mouse! You know i heard it's rather usual” he said “what?” she asked smile on her lips more and more visible “you know, i don't know if it's actually true but I heard somewhere that daughters change a lot more than sons over the years” he explained, most likely he overheard that at a restaurant but it sounded like it made sense
Fanny looked so happy all of the sudden, like he just sweet talked her, a thing to note to himself is that her smile made its way to her face way easier in privacy of her apartment, he almost never saw her smile outside but now she was smiling ear to ear for some reason, where no ones lucky enough to see…with exception of him right now, it just so happened some light made its to the room almost making her glow too, maybe she could somehow sense that the sun was making its way out after the whole day and it made her happy?? She could do that somehow right?
“What got you smiling like that?” he finally asked “ah nothing its just that” she turned her head away from him “this isn't a photo of either of my brothers” she softly corrected
Oh
Then who the fuck is it?
Oswald took up a photo and held it next to her looking between the two “so…a cousin?” maybe “no, closer” maybe not! Hmmm…”an unusually young uncle?” maybe? “how is uncle closer than cousins?” she questioned, eyebrow raised “eh i don't know! I guess like in genes you’d have higher chance to get something off him right?”
Fanny shook her head around almost pridefully so and walked up to the window, but she used it less to look at the fixing up weather and more like a mirror “eh…I don't think you could guess, he’s changed tons since then…and is much better now, so much better” if before made her look like she glowed, now she looked like she had an entire halo behind her, the room became a lot warmer and lively compared to what it looked like less than an hour ago…despite some items still needing to be packed
He got up from the couch photo still in hand quickly tap toed next to her to look at her reflection as well one last time he compare her to the photo
Not saying anything she took the it out his hand without a protest, now comparing herself to him, photo to reflection, there was so little to compare oswald started to theorise he wasn't family at all
Fanny looked at the photo studying it smile slightly dropping before she looked in the window at herself and smiled the brightest smile he's ever seen of her
Yeah…he had no idea who the man in the photo was but it and his bad assumptions were enough to make her brighten up after what looked like a rough day…so maybe he’ll bear the pain of curiosity for a while
“...a younger photo of your father then?”
“no, I'm the only rabbit in the family”