Work Text:
Luther (Male Wolf) was laying in bed at 7 am in the morning. An hour later than he would usually do so and had even skipped his usual morning constitutional. Instead, he had been focussing and trying to delay leaving the room.
His husband had already left to go downstairs at 6 to get things ready, but Luther wanted to delay going down for the moment. Normally, he wouldn’t mind his Birthday. His husband, and the pack were more than enough for him during these times, and they haven’t really sprang a party on him for the past 3 years.
But they had a cub now, and unfortunately for this Wolf who dislikes being in the spotlight, his birthday was the only Birthday until the cub’s.
A cub that hasn’t experienced a SINGLE birthday party before, so he would be studying and learning about them from this SINGLE experience.
Which meant that it needed to be good and PERFECT so their cub, Nekos (Male Lynx), would have something to look forward to when his birthday came along.
But that means that EVERYONE will be milking this for all it’s worth. He knew his parents would be visiting, and after Nick’s message to the grandparents confirming everything, they will be taking full advantage of showering him in affection that he found uncomfortable as a pup himself.
Thankfully, Harlan had sent him a message after the threat to confirm that he would understand WHY they would want to do so when Nekos’s Birthday came up. He understood. He didn’t LIKE it, but he understood the urge to shower affection on his pup. His muzzle twists. Yeah, the knowledge that he needed to be aware of the pups boundaries was at war with the desire to shower affection was a challenge. He was thankful that Nekos didn’t mind hugs. He also had a new-found appreciation for his own parents now, knowing that they had always been respectful of his boundaries for his life and didn't overly dote on him growing up.
They can have this one day.
He had also spotted the deflated balloons and birthday decorations last night before heading to bed, and knew that this party was going to be colourful and bright. And loud.
Nick (Male Fox) had been smirking like he caught a huge prize all week, and he knew his patience was going to be tested by his packbrother. He was praying Judy (Female Bunny) would reign him in a bit, but she won’t be able to stop everything when Nick gets something into his head. He was so thankful that Pawbert had nixed inviting more mammals than the immediate family as well as Clawhauser and Bogo, citing that Nekos still wasn’t used to crowds. It at least meant that they avoided the chaos of Peralta joining them.
He may have made out with his husband after that in gratitude.
A ping on his phone has him pick it up, and his ears lower a fraction. His husband had texted, saying breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. So with a resigned sigh, he gets up off the bed. He was already dressed and ready, so he approached the door to his room, took a deep breath and opened it. He blinked at all the colour and lights, and could feel an eye twitch at how much was there.
He knew Nick was behind it, but he decided to just get breakfast sorted out. It smelt like Pancakes, but he wondered if Nick had cooked one because he could smell a slight burn to one from here. So he goes downstairs, the banners and lights everywhere, on the walls, on the bannisters.
More banners everywhere downstairs, lights and signs. At least these downstairs ones were organised in a way that wasn’t an affront to the senses. It still was a lot, but he could tell Judy had been organising these, so he took solace in that, even though there was some glitter on some of them. He swore that Nick would be cleaning that up with his paws, hopefully that’ll be punishment enough.
As soon as he was within sight, Nick called out a loud “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Judy and Pawbert (Male Lynx) gave their own “Happy Birthday!”
His ears pinned back at the exuberance from the fox, but his gaze caught Nekos at the table, watching so he gave a smile, fighting the grimace at the action, and tried to keep his voice even. “Thanks”
The pup looks at Nick and the others, then at Luther and seems to realise he was meant to say something as well, giving a hesitant and questioning “Happy Birthday Uncle Luther?”
Luther gave a nod and a more calmer smile to the cub. “Thanks Nekos.” A reminder that he was doing this for his pup.
He approaches the table and spots the pancakes. He could see that they were all different shapes, and could see the slight burn on one of them. He stares for a moment, not sure if he should be affronted or not. Pawbert puts a pancake onto a plate and hands it to him with a smile. “Nekos made breakfast.”
Luther blinks, and re-catalogues the misshapen pancakes as something more important, as the pack’s pup had made it and it WAS the first thing he had cooked. Nekos gives a shy smile, so Luther gives the pup a nod. “I’ll enjoy it. Thank you.” He takes a look at the pancake, the one with a slight burn on it and decides that whilst it wasn’t uniform or perfectly cooked, his pup's efforts made up for it. He gave a soft smile, before adding some blueberries to help cover it up and began to eat. It was almost as good as his husbands, but the effort made them taste a bit sweeter.
Once breakfast is almost finished, the doorbell rings. Luther’s heart dropped, wondering who would be arriving so early, before he sighed. He knew EXACTLY who would be arriving this early (and was honestly surprised it wasn’t earlier).
For the mammals that would happily come and visit at any time. And whilst he knew they would be respectful, this would be the first Birthday that THEY could pamper him properly (their words, not his).
His nose twitches as the scent of his parents comes from the door, even before Nick called out an excited “Maris! Harlan! What a nice and UNEXPECTED SURPRISE!” Nick finally saunters in, one of the biggest shit-eating grins on his face as he escorts Maris (Female Wolf) and Harlan (Male Wolf) Pawthorne into the dining room.
Nekos had perked up, ears going alert and a smile on his face at the sight of his grandparents coming in. His mother gives a bright smile, and he knew she was looking forward to this. “Lute! Happy Birthday!”
Luther closes his eyes and puts on as bright of a smile he could, considering the circumstances. “Hello Mother. Father. It’s good that you came.” Maris places a box that most likely had the traditional Chocolate cake in it onto the table whilst Harlan places the bottle of wine on the bar.
They then both come and give him an overly affectionate hug, usually content to respect their son’s boundaries on any other day, but since this was showing to Nekos that love was going to be loud and determined (Pawbert’s words the night before), they were both taking advantage of it while they could.
His Mother, most likely still not entirely forgiving him for forgetting to inform her of a grand-pup, gives a gleefully exaggerated and loud “And how IS my Birthday boy!”
Luther gives a sigh from the tight hug, then grits his fangs to utter out a “Excited, Mother.” She still pecks his cheek with a kiss while his father gives him a hug. Thankfully they separate to greet the rest of the pack.
As Maris hugs the pup, Harlan asks “How has everything been so far Nekos?”
Luther was interested as well, hoping that his acting has made it worth it. Nekos brightens from his hug. “It’s all nice Pop. Everything’s so bright and I helped make pancakes!”
Maris lets him go so Harlan could give him a hug, looking down at her grand-pup and smiling brightly. “Did you have fun? Birthday Breakfast is a good time for everyone.”
She gives Luther a grin, which got a silent sigh in exchange but Nekos continues with an excited “I did Nana! Uncle Paw helped me cook the first two, but I did the rest on my own.” He looked so proud of himself, so Luther gave him a soft smile at that.
Pawbert sniffling grabs his attention, as well as everyone else's as the older Lynx was looking away. Maris’s eyes soften. “Memories?”
Pawbert gives a nod, turning back to the pack so they could see his eyes were bright and wet with emotions. “Nice ones. I think I have an idea on what my Mother felt when I was helping cook with her.” Luther felt his heart strings pull, and he got up to join his mother in marching over to hug his husband. Harlan, Nick and Judy were giving smiles at the realisation that something that a Mother passed onto her son was being passed onto his son. Nekos joins in on the hug a moment later.
Breakfast had passed, and then there were stories and games played. Nekos was watching the entire time, so Luther was pulling forth all his experience and expertise in undercover work to accomplish one goal.
To NOT throttle the others in the pack.
Nick and his Parents were milking this, heavily, as was Judy and even his own husband was getting in on the action. He couldn’t really do anything about his parents, but he had internally sworn vengeance against Nick and Judy.
That later became vengeance to his husband as well when Nekos was handed a little party hat, and when he looked at it in confusion, Luther was handed one as well by his husband and he could barely suppress the look of betrayal from his face. But when Nekos looked at him, eyes wide and curious, Luther pushed the thoughts of what he was going to do to his husband that night after Nekos went to bed out of his head, to show how to put it on with all the tactical efficiency he had.
It was slightly reassuring when Nekos went to put it on, and whilst it was a little lopsided, it was on his head and he looked up at Luther to confirm he had done it correctly. He could see the various phones recording the scene, so he gave Nekos a smile and told him he did it great (he did look rather adorable with the hat on, even if the lop-sided position was a little grating). Pawbert gave a brief adjustment so it was between his ears (it was much better now that it was properly positioned), before whispering something to Nekos.
The pup gives a serious nod, then moves towards Luther and his parents. A brief moment where the pup contemplated where to sit, before climbing onto Luther’s lap for a picture. Deciding to give in to the unspoken demand, he reached for the pup to hug, before looking up and forcing a smile for Pawbert and Judy. Then his parents who both stood up to join in the picture taking.
The Pup resumed looking around at everything, so he takes this moment to hiss to his husband that he would be paying for this later, to which Pawbert gave a grin and said he was expecting it, to which Luther was now seriously considering withholding it just to throw his husband off.
The doorbell ringing around lunch brought Vivian Wilde (Female Fox), Bonnie (Female Bunny) and Stu (Male Bunny) Hopps to the party, where he got two more bottles of wine which were placed at the bar in the corner. He had noticed Nekos watching with a strange expression, curious but a little confused as well, so he made sure to shuffle closer and kneel down to whisper. “No alcohol until you’re 16.”
Nekos had looked at Luther and nodded. “Kay Uncle Luther.” With that bit of responsibility accepted and research on what was appropriate for 13 year olds reinforced, he was distracted from Vivan, Bonnie and Stu approaching to give him and Nekos a hug in greeting.
Chief Bogo (Male Cape Buffalo) and Clawhauser (Male Cheetah) joined mid-afternoon. He got an overly enthusiastic greeting from Clawhauser, but at least Chief Bogo just gave a nod in affirmation.
He didn’t know if the Cape Buffalo realised how much it was appreciated that he wasn’t partaking in torturing the Wolf, but he made a mental note to get the Cape Buffalo a good bottle of Wine at some point as thanks.
He spotted Pawbert kneeling next to Nekos to whisper something, to which the pup nodded in agreement to whatever was told so he set that aside as well.
The afternoon continued on, socialising and conversations flowing and Luther got an affectionate nudge and hug from everyone, although the latter was mostly done by his mother, his husband and Clawhauser who was soaking in the atmosphere and reacting to it with the others. Nekos didn’t join in a lot, but he was always watching. Every now and then, Pawbert managed to make his way over to Luther and squeezed his paw.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was when Nick brought out some balloons, and started to blow them up. The first one was handed to Nekos, he held it in his paws with wide eyes. Then he gave a gentle squeeze. Several phones had come out and pictures were taken, causing the cub to blink at the flashes but he was suitably distracted from the flashes from the balloon.
A glance at Nick who was blowing up another balloon, before turning to Nekos. “Hey, Nekos. Look.” Once the kit’s eyes were watching, Nick threw it at Bogo. The kit’s eyes watch the balloon floating, before looking down and releasing his own balloon and watching it float down and bounce on the floor. A soft aww from several mammals recording it as he seems to focus on the balloon coming back up, going to grab hold of it.
Pawbert seems to realise what was going to happen before anyone else did. “No Claws!” It clicked why he did it as Nekos’s claws came out to grab hold of it, like he was grabbing the rug and wanted the extra grip. A loud pop as the balloon bursts in the cub’s paws and he jumps, ears flattened in shock at the sound. The pup looks at everyone, an expression that looked like he was surprised and alarmed, as well as betrayed that something so bouncy would make such a noise.
Several chuckles came out, but it seemed like it was enough to calm the pup down as Pawbert kneels down to explain how to avoid using his claws to hold the balloon. Whatever advice he gave, was pretty much ignored as the pup used the back of his paws to bat at it now, refusing to grip it and risk it popping again.
He made a note not to include too many balloons in the cub’s party.
As the day progressed, Luther was happy that Pawbert was taking a moment to hold his paw every now and then, as the comments and attention was starting to get to him. He wasn’t quite sure if that made it worse or better, but it helped. Nick commented on something that had him grimace, which did have the Fox pause, realising that Luther was approaching a limit and started to dial the exuberance back a bit, whispering a “Too much?”
Before either mammal could say or do anything else, he felt a small paw holding his and looked down to see Nekos holding his paw. The pup had been watching and learning, and had seen his husband squeezing his paw every now and then, so of course he would try as well.
Luther gives a soft sigh and then smiles down at the pup. It wasn’t quite like his husband, but it was equally as helpful. Nick at least started to tone the teasing down, noticing that the teasing may be getting a little out of hand and could be putting the wrong thoughts in the pups head based on how worried the pup looked.
He glances up in time to spot his husband and mother taking a picture on their phones at the scene while Nick goes around to let everyone know to tone things down a bit.
Luther was going to have to go through the pictures later on to see all these snapshots.
All too soon it was approaching dinner, so Pawbert, Judy and Nick were in the kitchen, having looked at Luther and telling him to sit. He gives a grimace, but sits down to listen to the conversations. Nekos wanders into the kitchen as well, and he figures this would be a great excuse to escape so he follows.
He was barely a foot into the kitchen when Pawbert had pointed at the door and gave Luther a look. His ears went down a degree in complaint, but Pawbert didn’t waiver so he sighs in resignation and rejoins the party. The grin everyone was sending him made him regret attempting. Thankfully he decided to join Chief Bogo and his Father to avoid anything else his Mother, Vivian, Stu, Bonnie or Clawhauser would do.
Whatever they were talking about dies off once Luther approaches. Chief Bogo glances at the kitchen, then the Birthday Wolf. “I’ve been told this is the first birthday party he’s seen.” Luther pauses, then nods while his father closes his eyes at that reminder. “That calf has been through a lot.”
He pauses as the Wolf’s ears flick at that, as did the Wilde Matriarch and Bunnies in the room. “You and my Detectives should really START to use up your vacation days you have all accumulated at some point once he’s out of school.” Luther blinks, then narrows his eyes, about to say something but pauses at the raised hoof. “You have all had family emergencies. Those do NOT count as vacations, and were not logged as such.” Luther closes his mouth, swallowing at that. “I do not have my Officers, Detectives or Agents using up their vacation days for family emergencies. Having a calf is not something to be punished for.” He narrows his eyes. “As long as it’s not abused at least. So don’t give Wilde any ideas.”
Luther closes his eyes, but the corners of his mouth quirks up at that. “I won’t. Thank you, Chief.”
All too soon, the scent of pasta and olive oil started to come from the kitchen, as well as various protein and vegetable accompaniments. Nekos, Nick and Judy brought in bowls and plates, then various serving bowls and platters while Pawbert brought in the pasta.
Luther’s gaze flickers over everything. The pasta in Olive Oil was a nice touch, which was something that he was familiar with. The various vegetable platters were spread across the table so everyone had something, and he could see that some of the vegetables were cut unevenly so the pup had helped as well. There were several fish and bug dishes as well since over half the room were predators.
Food was eaten and Luther could feel some of the stress easing as conversation became more limited as food was eaten. There were still some conversations, but not nearly as much as food was consumed. Nekos was watching everything as he had his pasta, veggies and some tuna that was in his bowl. Luther had noted that he was being deliberate about how much he was eating, reminiscent about his earlier days with the pack but he knows that he was told to leave room for dessert.
They locked eyes, and Nekos gave a smile as he chewed on his food, as if he was reassured that he was ok. Luther had a feeling that Nekos was sensing how uncomfortable he was about the whole thing, so he tried to grin at the pup who looked a bit happier. Once dinner was mostly eaten, Pawbert, Nick, Judy and Nekos all helped bring in the dirty cutlery and dishes to clear the table.
Nekos came back in after a bit with several smaller plates in paws, while Pawbert, Nick and Judy came in with dessert forks. Maris and Pawbert swap places, his mother heading to the kitchen to get the cake while Pawbert comes in to sit down. At a signal, Nick flipped the light switch off.
Nekos looked confused, but he was lifted up and pulled onto Pawbert's lap and had a whispered conversation, most likely explaining what was about to happen. The Foxes and Bunnies' ears all turn to the pair of Lynx’s, and Luther had a feeling that he knew what was going to happen next as Nekos looked up at his cousin with a serious look and a nod. Harlan stands up to take out his phone, recording the scene. Glancing at the act, he sees his father inclined his head at Nekos so Luther dipped his chin in acceptance.
Maris brings in the cake next, the homemade chocolate cake that was three layers and slightly lopsided, a Luther Pawthorne tradition that has been maintained for his entire life. There were 37 candles on the top, creating a lot of light, and a vivid reminder that he was approaching his forties. A glance at Nekos and Pawbert showed that the pup was staring at the candles in confusion, but no questions so it was something he was filing away to ask about later.
The cake was placed infront of him, and then they ALL started singing Happy Birthday. His ears twitch, and whilst he accepted the singing stoically, he could also hear the pups attempt, a little off-key but fairly good for a mammal that hasn’t really heard it before. He wondered if he had been practicing, and made a mental note to ask Nekos about it in the morning, especially as he was bashful afterwards.
Then Nick, with another grin tells him to make a wish.
Luther stares at the cake, then sighs. “I still have everything that I would want to wish for.” He takes a deep breath, ready to blow out the candles when he spots Nekos and Pawbert sitting, the pups eyes watching and learning and an idea comes to his mind.
His mother, catching on that something was different from the delay to him blowing out the candles, asks “Lute?”
Luther closes his mouth, looks at his husband and pup, and closes his eyes and smiles. “Actually. I do have a wish.” He opened his eyes, and could see the looks of confusion on everyone’s face. The eyes that were all watching him, and whilst he would hate the attention normally, he let the discomfort fall off his back as he looked at his husband and pup, both confused as well. “I wish, you will understand how much we all love you.”
His husband catches on what the wish was, eyes starting to tear up as he gives their pup a squeeze, as Luther blows out all the candles with a controlled exhale, then turns to watch the results.
A glance around and he spots the wet eyes from every mammal in the room, everyone realising exactly what was happening. Nekos seems confused for a few more moments, then his ears pin back and he flushes, a look of surprise on his face.
Then the pup covered his eyes with his paws, a thing the pack knew he did when he was embarrassed and was trying to hide but still not quite aware that he could physically do so. The soft and wet “Awww” coming from Judy, Bonnie, Stu, Maris and Clawhauser had some pictures taken.
Harlan, Bogo and Nick let out a sniffle at the emotions, and Luther felt a sort of vindictive pride that he managed to hit everyone in the heart with this wish, whilst also proud that his pup seemed to understand as well from the shyness he was feeling.
He slices the cake into equal slices, then slices another in half so Nekos could eat it without leaving any behind, using knowledge he had acquired over the month they have had him and on how much he had for dinner. The calculation worked out perfectly as Nekos managed to finish his whole slice, the pup's eyes were wide at the taste.
Some more conversations occurred, and then Chief Bogo and Clawhauser said that it was approaching 7 and that they’ll see everyone in the office in the morning. A paw shake to the Chief and a hug from the Cheetah, before he watches them both leave, Chief Bogo on his crutch.
Luther had said he would organise a room for the Hopps, Vivian and his parents, but was stopped by the pack who said they already sorted out the rooms in the morning while he was hiding. A nod in confirmation and pushing the disappointment he couldn’t retreat for the moment so he sat back down, although Stu asked if he wanted a beer. Luther gave a disciplined nod, but couldn’t help the slightly desperate “Please”.
He spots Maris putting a paw on Nekos’s shoulder and whispers something to the pup. Nekos gives a loud “OH!”, grabbing everyone’s attention, but then the pup was shuffling off Pawbert’s lap and then running out of the room with silent steps.
Luther gave his mother a look as she pulled out her phone. “Mother?”
She gives a smile. “Just wait, Lute.”
He looked around at the others, noting that Harlan had pulled out his phone and was standing in the other corner of the room, as if they were recording from two different angles, whilst everyone else also looked confused, but had the dawning realisation about that Nekos had a gift for him. Nekos comes back down after a moment, almost as noiseless as he came back from where he went, but he was clutching something to his chest.
Seeing his pup approaching him, Luther kneels down. Since Nekos had something for him and resigned himself to loving whatever he was given (it wouldn’t be hard, he’s been loving everything the pup does).
Nekos flushes, but holds the card to Luther to take. “This is for you Uncle Luther.” Luther takes the paw-folded card, and looks at it.
The drawing on the front was of 5 figures in a Quincunx formation, and despite how crudely they were drawn, they were unmistakable in who they were. The top two was of him and Pawbert, the Wolf-shaped figure was coloured dark grey with a black top and black dots for eyes and a dark grey blob for his tail while the other was Lynx shaped, coloured grey with a green top and yellow dots for eyes and little black blobs for the ear tufts.
Underneath them, in the center was Nekos, a small Lynx-shaped figure, coloured grey with a blue top and had yellow dots for eyes as well with black blobs for the ear tufts.
Underneath the Nekos-figure, was Nick and Judy. Nick was under Luther’s picture, the fox-like shape was orange with a green top and green dots for eyes and an orange blob for his tail, whilst Judy was under Pawbert, the Bunny-shaped figure grey with a blue top and purple dots for eyes and grey points at the top for her ears.
The figures were carefully coloured and drawn smiling, mostly in the lines but a few colours had gone out of the black outline he had done for them all, but the effort the pup had put in was blatantly there and he could feel tears prickling his eyes.
He hesitates, admiring the picture, before opening the card to a simple message in the center.
It was carefully written and done with the pups best paw-writing, showing that it had been improving in the month he has been at school, but still had some grammar mistakes in it. A comma was missing in the first sentence and a full stop between the next two, but that was knowledge his mind had taken in and filed away, before the emotions took over.
He whispers out the message to a silent room, correcting the wording in his mind but unable to stop how wet it sounded. “Happy Birthday, Uncle Luther. Thank you for being there for me. I hope you have a great day.” A slight quiver in his voice. “Love, Nekos.”
He looks down at the pup, tears threatening to fall while the pup looks shy, but explains himself. “Nana and Pop said that you don’t really WANT things. That you prefer to be with others. But Fanyan and Zack said that you usually give a present on someone’s birthday and they suggested something I made myself, like a Card. Nana and Pop said that anything I do would be good.” Luther does his best to hold back the tears as he listens to his pup. “Is. Is it Ok? Fanyan and Zack helped show me how to fold some paper to make a card, and I tried my best to draw everyone. I’m not good at drawing still, but Fanyan and Zack said a home made card was what they gave to their parents and gave tips on what to write and colouring between the lines. I wrote down the message a few times to practice and used my best paw-writing.”
Luther shakily nodded his head, still just about holding back the tears because this was pure devastating, emotional assault he was being inflicted with. Nekos, seemingly deciding that he wasn’t crying hard enough yet (or sensing that he was a bit overwhelmed), holds his paws up to be held.
Obliging because he really was feeling the emotions, he pulls the pup into his arms and stands up to hug him. “Happy Birthday Uncle Luther…” Luther was starting to fail to hold back the tears, then the pup hit his heart, hard with a whispered “I love you” that still echoed throughout the silent room.
Luther freezes, deciding that was it. He was now crying in front of everyone. Nothing was going to top this moment, even as the pup looked at Pawbert for guidance on the crying Wolf, then turned to Luther.
The tiny shred of discipline he had left was promptly destroyed when the pup added a tentative “Always?”
He freezes at that. The word, the promise that the pack all made, the word that was EVERYTHING to him and Pawbert, the word that meant EVERYTHING. He could barely hear when the pup asked Pawbert “Did I do that right Uncle Paw? I remembered the word, but wasn’t sure if it was ok.”
It was only due to his training that he could register that everyone was looking at Pawbert now, and had identified the tears in his husband's eyes as happy ones as the older Lynx states “You did. And it was PERFECT!”
Nick, holding onto Judy who was sobbing at the scene (as was Vivian, Stu and Bonnie), had turned to Maris and Harlan, sniffling in emotion and commenting, “We NEED a copy of that video, Maris.”
Maris gives a watery smile, tears dripping from her eyes, knowing how important this was to the pack. “It’s going into the Archives. Pawbert should know how to access it.”
Luther couldn’t control himself. His body was shaking, his tail wagging without permission and bringing his hindquarters with it but couldn’t find it in himself to stop it as the joy was too much to contain.
He just knew that one more adorable thing happening would crack his fragmented armour, and he would erupt in a howl and he was fighting it with every fiber of his being.
Then his husband breaks through it all with a simple, yet wet “Lute?” One word that was full of LOVE and CONCERN, and he couldn’t stop it now.
The sound, low within his chest, swells beyond normal means. He throws his head back and howls. A real howl. One that was ancient and joyful, that has been stripped of any real notion of words as words couldn’t describe what he felt. The sound of a wolf that was flooded with so much joy and love that it was the only way to tell it, and let it out in a way that his ancient ancestors did so.
Maris and Harlan join in as well, and he has no choice but to let it all out, knowing that it’ll continue until finished. It lasts for over half a minute, of over 30 seconds of pure joy belting out of him and only tampers it down afterwards as the joy stops being overwhelming enough to reign in his instincts and calms down his howling.
He pants, looking at everyone, embarrassed at howling, but since everyone had tears, no one really said anything about it. He still can’t help but lean his muzzle down to nuzzle his snout against Nekos’s neck, marking him in front of everyone as his pup, feeling too much love to care about doing so in front of everyone. At least Nekos giggles at the feeling.
He then sets the pup down, then marches to the fireplace to put the card up on the mantel, shifting everything around so it was the centerpiece. He did have to shift the Heist trophy to the side so the card was centerpiece, but he had a feeling the 99 would understand (they had no choice in the matter regardless, it was happening and if they have any complaints they can tell Nekos and suffer the sad look from the cub).
Afterwards, he may have kept Nekos nearby for the remainder of the night, but eventually his phone pings that it was 9 and it was time for Nekos’s bed time. The pup ran upstairs to get into his pyjamas and do his evening rituals.
He was glad no one was commenting on the howl, and whilst he regrets that there is now video evidence of it, he couldn’t bring himself to make a token request for it to be removed. Whilst his mother would have refused anyway (because she loves her son and wouldn’t allow a memory to be deleted), the fact that Nekos had said he loved him and used the pack’s Always, meant that the video was now more than a memory.
It was HISTORY.
The pup comes down a few minutes later, in his blue pyjamas, teeth and fur brushed and giving the good night rounds to everyone, now including all his grandparents for the first time. He was stopped from going upstairs for pictures in his pyjamas from all 5 tearful grandparents, but he was eventually allowed to head to bed, a smile on his face that at least reassured everyone that the mission for the day was successful.
Half nine rolls by and all five grandparents head upstairs to bed, wanting to be up early to see the kit before he goes to school, which leaves the pack, sans Luther, to tidy up. Luther was just sitting on the settee, recovering from everything.
Once the room is mostly cleared, Pawbert suddenly pauses as a thought hits him, and he suddenly looks nervous. The pack all look at the Lynx, who in turn looks at Luther, a sheepish expression on his face. “You know, thinking about ALL of this. I just realised we probably COULD have just told him that EVERY birthday party is DIFFERENT.”
Luther stares at his husband, horror on his face as he realises that he didn’t HAVE to have had this overly cheerful and enthusiastic celebration. Nick and Judy start to laugh, as he yanks the party hat off his head with a growl. “15 hours!” The laughter now included Pawbert, so he huffs out. “I’m going to make you all PAY for this. You won’t know when, but it’s going to be devastating."
Nick finally calms down enough to chuckle. “Looking forward to it.”
Luther glares at the pack as they laugh, then it softens, before turning into a smirk. That had the laughter trail off. “Oh, you ALL will. Especially since MY, PUP, LOVES, ME.”
Nick and Judy’s laughter dies down and they give a frown, now reminded that this was the first time the pup had said that to anyone. “Ok, that’s a bit unfair. It was your BIRTHDAY!”
Pawbert gives a bright smile, deciding to throw the bone back at his husband (pun intended). “It IS a good feeling when he says ALWAYS back to you.”
Nick and Judy both point a paw at him. “Nuh-uh! You don’t count. You had to EXPLAIN it to him. Of course he was going to say it back.”
Pawbert raises an eyebrow, but grins. “Still counts.”
Luther stares, reminded of Pawbert approaching the pack after lunch, and before they could head into the hospital, he had broken into happy tears as he had explained the words to their cub and had it said back. They were all waiting for the cub to say it to one of them, as it’s been almost 2 months since then and they were seriously wondering if it was a joke or if Nekos had forgotten what it meant.
Pawbert gives a contemplative “I suppose, he had been waiting for something big to say it.” Judy gives a huff, an annoyed expression on her face. “Ok, this is appropriately devastating. MY birthday was almost 3 months ago! It was 4 days before we even MET him!”
Nick looks at his wife. “And MINE was 5 months ago.” Judy pauses, realising that Nick would get his birthday party before hers.
Luther stares at his husband some more, and comes to a decision as he stands up. “Well, that’s Nick and Judy devastated, as sworn. But since it didn’t work on you Paw, I’ll have to do something different.” He pauses as Pawbert looks at his husband in confusion.
Luther tugs Pawbert closer before lifting him up and over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry as the Lynx yelps at the sudden motion, and hangs over the wolf’s shoulder. “I’m going to have my birthday present from YOU now. And there is a GOOD chance that you are going to have issues WALKING to work tomorrow and will be HIDING it from EVERYONE in the morning. Nick, Judy.”
Luther nods at the Fox and Bunny, while Pawbert flushes as the Wolf carries him upstairs to the east wing, then locking onto the Wolf’s paw as he was pulling out a brass key from his pocket, confirming exactly what was going to happen to the pack. “Wait, can we talk about this Lute? Lute!”
Nick looks at his wife as the pair leave. “How soundproof is that room?”
Judy flushes. “Absolutly since it was created. Scentproof?”
Nick nods. “Very. At least until the door opens up afterwards but his nose isn’t that sensitive.”
Judy gives a grin. “We’ll find out tomorrow morning if our parents heard or smelt anything. But I’m pretty confident they won’t since we couldn’t hear anything and you couldn’t smell much afterwards on that first day.”
They both stare as the Wolf and Lynx head to the room. “So, Carrots. How many plans have you got planned out to get our kit to say ‘I love you’, and ‘Always’ to us?”
Judy gives a hum. “Well, I have 6 plans on getting him to do so for me, 5 for you. For both of us, about 3.” She looks at her husband, leans on one leg and puts a paw on her hip. “What’s it worth to do the shared plan over an individual one?”
Nick stares at his wife. “No…”
She grins. “Hmm. I’m thinking, rope and one of the bigger ones with the machine they have?”
Nick stares at her in horror. “Don’t say it. Please don’t say it!”
She smirks, jutting out her hip in that way that usually riles him up. “It's called a hustle, sweetheart.”
Nick gives a groan. “The room is in USE! That’s not fair! You KNOW what that does to me!”