Chapter Text
Charlie knew how to get what he wanted.
Carson had convinced himself he didn't know what he wanted.
Josh was just trying to focus on work.
——
"You have a bright future, everyone knows you're bound for the cabinet's inner circle.. if not that you'll certainly be our future king's royal advisor!" Their neighbor stood near the front door, just being let in making conversation with the youngest son of his colleague, who they waited on.
Tell him something he hasn't heard. Josh had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't believe it, but there was no point in potentially jinxing something he already knew full well he believed was a waste to speculate when he could be focusing harder on achieving it. Just when he thought he might deliberately abandon a guest, his father called out from the hall, already in a quick pace for the both of them from his office.
"Stuart! Good to see you!" The owl hybrid hugged the guest before affectionately ruffling his son's hair, minding the ears. Speaking in a quieter voice, "Thanks for getting the door, and entertaining our friend." He chuckled, knowing full well that Josh did hate interacting with guests, regardless of if they had known him since he was a child. Moving to guide Stuart back to his office so they could work.
"Oh I nearly forgot!"
Josh cocked an eyebrow, still tired, hearing shuffling noises as Stuart searched himself. Eventually hearing the distinct crinkle of parchment.
"A letter for you. I heavily suspect from a noble."
The brunette took the letter, immediately noticing the expensive silver border of the envelope and the bright seal, a color bordering on green and blue. If his education was right.. it was a courting signal. He hesitated. He was used to these; everyone knew that rabbit and hare hybrids alike were all fertile regardless of sex. And while he was used to having a target on his back because of it, he hadn't gotten such a formal courting request in quite a while, assuming his message of a focus in his studies had gotten around, so most local suitors stopped trying. And even then, none of them had been so blunt with the packaging; rather hiding behind some vague invite to 'platonic' dinners, or parties. God forbid they send the proposition to his parents, they wouldn't even blink before giving it directly to him to throw away. So he couldn't tell if the sender was bold or just stupid. Either way it seemed they didn't get the memo.
He waited until he'd made it back to his own office to open the letter. The expense was even clear on the paper.
'Bunny
I hope you're in good spirits, even better in good health. You're excelling well under the curriculum of the Prime Halls I expect, especially with your intelligence. I'd like to meet you in the eastern wing, after your classes are completed the day following your reception of this letter. Naturally we'll be meeting regardless, but this fashion of a rendezvous feels like a much more preferable meet than otherwise, as I fancy you romantically. I am hoping you find the time worth it.
Sincerely sound of breath and mind,
A Suitor'
He felt a twitch of annoyance at the greeting line, though it was something he'd certainly never received in a letter; only his parents called him that, and even then it wasn't at all frequent since he was well into his teens. Josh stared. They didn't even sign it.
But nevertheless it seemed he'd guessed right, they must've been unaware of his stance on courting. And it even seemed they were aware of his comfort level in these affairs, stating he could meet them in the study hall of the palace, instead of the stereotypical fountain or park rendezvous. Though this potentially only brought more worries. How did they know where he studied? Maybe it was a colleague? It would certainly be a barrier if this put a strain on his relationship with fellow students, and while there was always the possibility that the specific location was a coincidence, it was always best to be prepared. Because if none of the information on the card was a blind guess, then he could be at risk. And he didn't want Carson to suddenly be inseparable from him again, they couldn't have anymore rumors spreading, especially so close to his friend's examination.
He sighed. Would he still be dealing with this a few years in the future?
Despite their reproductive tendencies, stereotypes aside, there, ironically, were not many hare hybrids in the capital. The place his lineage originated was a further off country that had originally been overrun with rabbit hybrids, but had become quite dangerous in the last decade as surrounding countries began to take advantage of the population's lack of fighting affinity, often kidnapping them off the borders to use as rare gifts before switching to complete monopolization. So now, despite their rare qualities, upon being taken from their homes, their lives are treated with abandon as they are seen as tools.
Josh was a rare case though. He was a second generation immigrant by definition, yet neither him nor his parents lived difficult lives, and it was thanks to the country. His mother had fled to this country upon being hunted by traders; and to her unwitting luck, the country she'd come across carried no restrictions on pedigree or hybrid species. From there she got a job and was noticed by the imperial administration for her circumstances, receiving offers of support and a good education, which she did give an attempt before deciding it wasn't her strong suit and focusing on work. From there however she'd met an accountant with ties to the palace and fallen in love. Josh's father being a barn owl breed, their first 2 children his mom held in a small litter were owls as well, albeit the violent horned type; but they were family nonetheless, close too.
Josh on the other hand was a single kit litter, and the last. Though often doted on by his family for being the only other rabbit hybrid, and the youngest, the palace's offer of the highest education still stood because of his mother's circumstances, and he took it. Catching on quite well to academics, his own earned invitation to the palace's study halls lead to him eventually befriending the crown prince. His life had been well off for his background. Though that didn't stop the occasional bullying. While the country's ruling forces and principles taught against prejudice, that didn't stop the bullying. Harassment, class-shaming, blood shaming, ear grabbing.. That one was the worst; just thinking about it made him shiver; like he was made to be a damned toy, and others clearly must've felt the same.
Sometimes he preferred the death-glares. Better than the alternative. The stronger pheromones didn't help either, most days he wore suppressants designed for hybrids with particularly foul emissions, even though they heavily weakened his sense of smell. Though even when keeping to himself with the utmost efforts, it never failed to fill the hare with ire when it was all deemed useless by some passerby who couldn't do the bare minimum of returning the favor. God forbid some denizen decide the world should just watch as they walk about without even scent blockers while their rut hits.
He put the letter into a drawer he used for mail of a similar nature and left his office, heading for his own bedroom upstairs to contemplate if he knew the writer of the letter already or not for the rest of the night. Ironically only to wonder if it was even worth his time to think about.