The last part of Julian's recovery, all taking place on February 24th, the last day of their break.

Co-written with Shane_Rufus qovapryi & bossbull

Characters and FBA belong to their respective owners.

(another photo by moi)

===========================

“Well Jay, time for new bandages...”

“Yeah, yeah, same old same old...”

The canine laid down on his bed while Scoonie was getting the equipment ready. Before the now routinely habit happened, the doorbell rang again. Really? No one told about a visit this time today?

“I’ll survive while you answer, Scoons...” replied Julian, prompting a snicker out of his friend, who went to attend the non-stopping doorbell.

“What the… Alfie! Man!”

It was quite the odd yet pleasant surprise. Truth be told, he never thought the british rat would’ve been as likely to visit Julian. He was wearing his usual attire: tee, vest, jeans and boots, the mohawk never missing at that as well.

“Oi, Scoonie! Th’ fuck ya doin’ ‘ere, eh? Isn’t ‘iz Julian’s crib?”

“Well...yeah! Taking care of Jay ‘till he can get better care of himself. He’ll be happy to see you too!” the lutrine smiled. “I was just about to change bandages, guessing you can wait a while?”

“Ain’t like I got nowhere else t’ be, eh? Fuck’s sake ‘e should be ‘appy I showed up.”

“You haven’t changed, Alfie” Scoonie laughed, letting him in. The house’s size was a far cry from the rodent, as it was pretty fit for one man. Small, but felt cozy, some the decor Alfie kind of expected of the guy, except all kept relatively tasteful. It was the opposite of the Norwich household in a way, much smaller, but more reflecting of the guy who lived here. The rat took off and set his now trademark boots aside per request (and heavy insistence) and got in the dog’s bedroom.

“Oi, y’ git.” he looked down at the canine, topless and bandaged. Julian wasn’t expecting it.

“Wow! Em... Salut Alfie...”

“Cut th’ prissy...” the burly rat jested. “...Jus’ wanted t’ check on ya. Y’ made th’ other rookies crap ‘eir pants. ‘Ow y’ holdin’ up?”

“Good enough...” he gestured. Norwich was the VIP seat on how the almost daily deal was. Almost like a live med class. He took notice of the wounds (“Oi? Wound’s jus’ THAT lil’ thing?!” before getting explained of the disease and the procedure), as well as the whole plethora of designs he grew used to in the locker room. Once patched up, the three decided to chill a bit more,

“Oi, you got Newwkies!” The saluki barely got time before giving Alfie permission after he popped the cap with his teeth and took a swig. the other two tattooed friends passing on one.

“Heh… I can do the same with these...” the saluki pointed to his lip piercings. Alfie thought he’d be more down than that, then again he was told about some improvement on the attitude.

“So...’ow is th’ recovery thing and ‘at crap?” He asked, propping his bare paws up on an unoccupied chair. Teammates and acquaintances were relieved Alfie was doing the effort of being more social, but those who knew him couldn’t quite shake the feeling of oddity off. Julian knew the rat meant well, and after one too many classes of “how to deal with Alfie for rookies”, he rushed the trust a bit. Truth be told, he preferred a team full of “possibly speciesist and volatile rats” than his old university team every day

“On the way. Peu à peu...” The rodent tilted his head. Right. English. “Little by little. Docs say It wasn’t as bad as they thought and that I’d be up and around for the next Montana game.”

“Oi, good t’ know..” “...But why y’ did that mate?” The canine turned to the rat, who took a swig of beer, almost half the bottle actually. “I mean… y’ got all the playas and trainers tellin’ y’ere too pushy, too focused, too much of a fookin’ blockhead!” The canine sighed.

“Alfie...” Scoonie nudged the rat’s arm, to barely a response.

“Sorry mate, but ‘at was some dumbass shit!”

“Alfie,c’mere...” the otter stood up and lead the Brit

“Wut now, Scoons?!” he said, unaware of the implied discretion.

“Alfie dude, Julian these last days has been… how do I say it? Um...” the rat stared blankly in return. “...not himself lately.”

“Th’ fuck now?”

“Let’s put it this way… What do you do when one of your mate’s down or sad?”

“Give ‘im a cold one?”

Scoonie couldn’t help to smirk. “Yeah well, that works, but he can’t drink so… what can we do?”

“Oi, ‘at’s weak...”

“Yeah, Jay knows he screwed that’s for sure, but would you like for everyone to remind you of your on slipups right after you did them?” Alphonse grunted. “Like ‘ell I’d like it.”

“Exactly. Just… try to be of support, man.” they chatted as they sat down.

“House is small. Heard it all...” replied Julian. Scoonie looked concerned at the reply, but unexpectedly, the saluki chuckled at the two. “You’re a couple of big blockheads...” he laughed, spirits up. “Yeah, it was my fault. I was, and maybe am, in a dark place, and that didn’t make me see stuff rightly… but I appreciate what you’re doing. Sincèrement...”

“J, just… damn...” the rat huffed. “Iunno. Can’t tell y’ that’s bad. I mean, ‘ell do I know ‘ow many times I git fucked up over dumb shit!”

“That many?”

He shot a look at the french dog, who snickered. “Yah I mean… All kinna dumb crap in the combine an’ stuff I did as a lil’ rat. My muzzle used t’be straight like dad’s yanno. Me Mom was all upset I got it fook’d up at a fight and shit, heh.” It was both refreshing and interesting seeing Alfie opening up. Even though some would see the case as blind leading the blind, truth of the matter is it was working, all three of them having truly a good time.

“Yah, the thing is I’m worried about what Wilmer might say?”

“Wilmer? Th’ bastard’s gun’ forgive ya. He ain’t fuckin’ heartless. Yah you did dumb shit, but there was worse t’ be done and y’ still a newbie. We’ll seeya on th’ court soon.” he patted the canine on the shoulder, quite strongly. A good while (and another round for the rat) later, it was deal done. He got up towards the porch and strapped his bare paws inside his boots, wavingthe pair goodbye.

“Yah, learn from this. This time ‘twas yourself. But y’could be harmed or worse if y’ keep it this way...Seeya y’freaky tit!”

“Merci… Alfie! House open anything goes!” The rat gestured before eh made his leave.

“Well dunno how you did it Jay, but the bastard actually came! Now if that ain’t a sign’ll all be okay, what the hell is it?”

“Yah, I was surprised too. But...” he sighed. “...Dunno with WIlmer. I’m glad people are supportive and shit, but, let’s face it, you never know...”

Scoonie looked at him. “Look pup, I don’t know what he’ll do either, but he’s a smart man. He’ll keep you. No worries. Wanna walk thru the city? Lunch? That ModExpo at the MaunaKea Hotel?”

“Alright, alright!” he snerked. “Get to the car, I’ll get ready...”

=====================================

Sun was starting to set in the Hawaiian skies. many were relieved the saluki's down mood seemed to be withering away and that the Julian they all knew was slowly resurfacing. It wasn't long after the saluki returned to his house after a whole afternoon of hanging out with his friend, finally more comfortable and lively enough to leave home. The doorbell rang; the tattooed otter getting it as the canine had to go to his room at that moment.

Wilmer had been holding off on going to see Julian; things weren't easy having one of his rookies out, and he had been rather angry when the doctors had given him their reports. This wouldn't have happened if Julian had listened to his trainers. He was trying not to frown as he stepped up to the apartment door, knocking firmly. His mood slightly changed when he saw the otter instead of the saluki, inviting his boss in and giving him the briefing of these last days, the physicals and the mood swings he was in. The deer greeted Scoonie calmly enough as he entered the apartment, listening to everything he was told as he offered to take care of his player. The canine walked in the living room and froze at the sight of his manager, big pit in his stomach, almost a pain jab like the ones that were how almost a habit.

Wilmer’s ears flicked towards the sound of footsteps. Looking up, he spied Julian coming out of the hall, making him cock his head a little bit. "Mr Cross-Kiraly. Glad to see you up and about." He said calmly enough, though there was no trace of his usual fatherly smile.

Scoonie stepped out of the room politely when he was asked, leaving the ungulate and the saluki by themselves. All the support from players and reassuring from his agent didn't quell the anxiety at all. He didn't utter much outside the greetings, taking a seat in the sofa opposite to his manager.

"Scoonie told me you've been recovering well?" Wilmer stated calmly, his fingers threaded together in his lap as he watched Julian closely; this entire situation was quite serious in his mind, and he knew he had to talk to the saluki about it.

"Yes. Reacting favorably to treatment...And prognosis is very positive, and I’ll be up in the court very soon." he managed to say. He was almost paralyzed by fear, veering his focus slightly away, tail fixated between his legs, as Wilmer had the final say on his future.

"Good, good. Now, tell me...how did this come to happen?" Wilmer asked as he leaned back in his seat casually, but his expression was still firm and serious.

His sigh shaky, a while of silence. "I... I just... I had to prove myself..."

"Prove yourself to whom, exactly?"

The saluki looked down. Screw this small talk. "Sir... No sense in dragging this... Guess I'm as good as out..." his voice shaky.

"Out? You? I was never going to say that. But know that changes will have to be made before I will have you back on that court, Julian."

He poured out. "I know I've been a pain to you, always fucking everything up. Being me or being focused... always... flat on my face. No other way to look at it..."

"Julian, if I haven't gotten rid of a guy like Alphonse for all the crap he's pulled and other managers only smile and nod at some… occurrences that have happened, I sure as hell wouldn't get rid of you for this."

"You sure? 'Worse than Alfie'? Remember yourself saying that? I do..." It was almost like Julian wanted the worst outcome to use his defenses.

"If I did say that, I likely said it in anger. But this WAS an incident that could've been prevented, Julian, if you'd simply listened to the concern of your teammates and trainers."

"Coming out of a fucking fiasco like ASW and the rejection of everyone. I had to be on top. I had to show that I take this seriously, and I have to do double, triple what everyone else does to do so..." he almost entered that depression again, but it was the point they needed to hear.

"Showing that you take this seriously is simply a matter of working hard and doing as you're told, not running yourself into the ground! You're a good player! Bloody better than many Top 24! But rather than working out at the pace required, you ran yourself into the ground and NOW you're stuck here rather than on the court. Do you see the backwardness of your logic?"

"When I awoke in that hospital, my future fucked, I did... Told you I know I'm a pain to you know..." he wiped his face of some tears coming down.

"Getting rid of you due to illness would make me look like, for lack of a better word, a 'douche'. And that's not the image I want to give off. Listen to me: you'll heal and be more than welcome back on the court in Kahunas colours."

Julian became lost in thoughts and emotions, veering away, trying to maintain himself stable enough, in one moment covering away, the crying now evident. (("I'm... sorry")) he managed to say. He was ‘safe’ so to say, but he wasn't over this blue moment.

"I'll need more than an apology, Julian. I took a chance on you. You’ve been doing well, but this barrier won’t work for the long term. When the time comes for you to get back training again, I need you to listen to the trainers and coaches, listen to your fellow players, for we all want the same thing and want the best for each of us. This is a team, Julian. We're all here to help each other, no one’s out to get you." He leaned forward, putting a hand on Julian's forearm. "You're not alone in this, and putting your trust in here will prove more than anything else ever will."

He nodded slightly. "May I tell you something... sir..."

"You may."

He reminisced, not shying away from emotion or trying to cover up "It was some years ago... My first ever college game. It was official, it was my very first real basketball experience. I was on a court, I was ready... Even if I didn't have a lot of time that day, I only remembered my uncles assisting, and congratulating me. Aunt Nicki said 'You were amazing, you are born for this!'... In that moment I felt... complete. This was the future I'd choose. This was the place where I can thrive and where I belong... I felt accomplished..." the ungulate listened carefully, nodding at some parts, evidently the canine bottled this up for long. "It killed me when she didn't live through my FBA draft declaration, but I always remember that day to give me the emotion and remember my love for this, my passion, my... happiness... And I feel these last months, all the rejection and the tension, what I had, that emotion I held for many years as my driving force.... kind of got lost..." he hung his head low, voice breaking.

Wilmer listened in silence to the canine, a frown of concern on his features as he leaned back in his seat once more. Sighing softly as the canine finished, he shook his head softly. "Julian, if that is what drives you, CLING to it. No matter WHAT happens in your career, cling to what drives you, to what maintains your passion. Crap will happen and it will feel terrible, but you can’t lose it. Had I given up all those years ago, I wouldn't be where I am today. And I would've given up if not for a single driving force in my life. You can't let yourself be dragged down like this, Julian."

He took some deep breaths, composing himself. "It's just... discouraging and frustrating not having any voice of support, and saying how I'm always wrong, accident or not. I know I can make you proud and really play a good game... but... why can't my brain let me...forget past shit and put fucking trust where I should? (("Fucking... idiot I am..."))"

"It can be hard to move on from the past. Sometimes you have to find something new to cling to. There are people here that care about you, Julian, that want to see you succeed."

"I think I can count them with one paw..." he sighed. "...I'm trying to stay true to who I am, let people see who I am... And these days, I just felt like shit, like I let you down. I want to prove to you this is for me. You gave me this chance and I feel you wasted a bullet...." he wiped his eyes. "...You trusted in me and I was only... a fuckup through and through." he slouched.

"Hey!" Wilmer said sharply, stomping a hoof for good measure. "Enough of this negative attitude! I won't have anymore of it!" The stag said with a heavy snort. "Beating yourself off won't help you with your game! Don't worry about making me or anyone proud, worrying about making YOU proud."

"I-" he muttered before he went silent, grunting a bit. Dammit, another wound ache. "I'm ok!" he insisted, when the deer asked what was happening.

"Julian, if your wound is bothering you, please go and rest. I won't keep you."

"No no... it happens from time to time. Don't last long..." he breathed a few times, returning to his usual stance once it subsided, "I know I have to pave my way and that way will guide me to success... I guess I felt outcasted and alone and thought, in that moment... that was how it really was… having to face stuff… by myself"

"Just... make sure to take care of yourself. If your wound bothers you, then rest. You won't heal if you push yourself too much."

They both stood up, deed was done, both had their say. "Sir..." the deer's ears flickered at the saluki's voice before he headed to the door, turning towards him calmly with a raised eyebrow. . "I just want to say... thank you... for trusting in me, for not giving up.... I trust in you as well... So many adults in my life gave up on me through my life leaving me to fend for myself, but you kept on despite everything... I'm... merci..." he extended his hand subconsciously, wearing a small, yet content smile.

The red deer smiled, reaching out to take Julian's hand only to pull the young man into a hug and a pat on the back. "You'll do me proud Julian. Just focus on getting better and you’ll be back on track in no time." He reassured one more time after letting him go, giving him one last pat on the shoulder before he turned to leave. The dog took a deep breath knowing everything was now safe and returned to his room.

Scoonie sat on the bed next to him. “You see, Jay? Told you it was going to be alright.” he smiled as he nudged the dog, trying to cheer the dog up.

“Yah I guess. Just me trying to brace for impact like always” he snickered.

“There’s no impact here to be paranoid about, don’t get too worried. Though gotta ask you one thing dude...” he shifted. “Do… your parents know about this?”

He sighed. “You know I don’t have a relationship with them and I don’t talk to them. Period” he stated plainly. The otter furrowing his brows at the reply.

“Dude like… fights or not they’re still your parents. I’m sure they love you and really want to know you’r-” through the comment, the saluki was shaking his head and refuting the information.

“Jay really. if anything, don’t you think they at least deserve to know? That you’re…alive or ok?” Julian veered away. Great, more lecturing. “I know the story and that you’re mad but dude...” a webbed paw on his shoulder made him look at him. “...I bet all the fish in Hawaii they were deadly worried at the news. Rebuild the bridge, or at least shoot them a signal if you feel it’s irredeemable.” Scoonie stood up. “So, hope you like Mahi-Mahi, cuz this Barrett recipe will rock you! Family loves it, chicks do too, haha! Rest now, I’ll tell ya when it’s done...” he stood up and left to the kitchen, the saluki left laid down in his bed. Not long passed before his cellphone rang. startling him a bit. Looking at the screen, he saw it was his uncle, always on time for his daily call before calling it a Canadian night.

((“Hello...Yah all good… Recovering, getting better, I’m off some meds now and getting better… Doctors say I can play very soon… How’s Celine? Amazing… Wait before you leave… text mom and dad and tell them I’m fine… Alright, bye...”))