One year ago today, I decided "Why don't I make a quick Who Framed Rodger Rabbit reference?"
I had no ideas for any real type of AU - no plans at all for anything other than that one joke. Now, one year later and I've essentially have a whole extended AU with wonderful friends and an amazing Waifu that I wouldn't have gotten if it wasn't for these little critters.
I know I'm not as active here and slow to respond, but thank you everyone. Let's see what happens next, shall we?
Context, I had intended this to be multiple chapters - or to go on longer. Not exactly much shipping but hey!
Hope you get a kick out of it nonetheless, as they are meant to be the end goal.
Copying and pasting from my phone, so the fic is under the cut!
The island representative was always an odd on to Tom Nook. Their appearance had wildly changed throughout their time on the small island of Dragon Bay, their behavior almost aggressive yet highly supportive of any and all residents that lived within their little island.
Their choices... Well, Tom found them to be questionable yet he was certain that even the most bizarre request came with good intentions. That's what he'd like to believe, but this time it just left a sinking feeling of dread as he looked over the document left for him on his desk. The document itself was nothing new, a simple request of residency with a short letter of recommendation from the island representative. Usually, these were easy to sort out and arrange a new home for their latest villager. This time, the name that was written on the paper stared at him, almost mocking his very being.
A Residency Request for Redd.
Tom quickly glanced at the signatures, in a fleeing hope that this was merely a joke done in poor taste. Yet he recognized each one perfectly well. The messy handwriting of the island representative, and the stylized writing of the kitsune. From what he could see, everything was in order and the document looked professional. The letter of recommendation was practically glowing, listing many points as to why the island representative thought he would be a good fit for Dragon Bay.
"I should talk to them first thing tomorrow..." His gaze drifted to the clock hanging on the wall. Four AM.
Surely, they must have been deceived by the kitsune. There is no way anyone who knew of Redd would ever invite him near their wallets, let alone their home. Tom knew all too well what happened if you let him too close.
But it was late, and he hadn't slept yet. Thankfully Isabelle was caring for the twins while he pulled another late night...
"Yes, yes. It'll be the first thing I do."
With that, he took another swig of his coffee and packed up his things for tonight. Tomorrow morning, he would have to sort this out. He would convince the island representative to reconsider.
He took one last look over the request, unable to stop his worrying. It was bad enough that the representative submitted the request, but the most concerning part was Redd even signing the forms. Had he simply been offered and took the opportunity to sell more fraud works? Or even worse, he was the one to suggest it. What could that tricky kitsune even want on their peaceful island? Those thoughts continued to nag him as he locked up the Residence Service building for the night.
From here, he could easily see the Nook's Cranny right across the path. It was a simple building, but one he was most proud of. It was a modest shop downstairs, with a small sales floor for his dear nephews Timmy and Tommy to take charge of. Upstairs held extra stock and a little clubhouse for the twins, while the back of the shop contained their small home.
As usual, Tim took the back entrance to their home and was greeted to the sight of Isabelle fast asleep on their sofa. A book in her paws with Timmy and Tommy on either side of her, quietly snoring. A warm smile spread across Tom's face as affection swelled in his chest. He may have been stressed, but the sight of his dear twins never failed to comfort him.
He walked over, easily picking them up - one tiny tanuki in each arm. He carefully brought the two to their room, gently tucking them in before making his way back to Isabelle.
{Insert later: Nook wakes up Isabelle and tells her about his plan. He then heads to bed. Stress dreams}
When morning came around, Tom found himself slowly waking up as he felt the warm sunlight across his body. There was soft chatter of other residents outside, a pleasant rustling of tree leaves and -
His tired eyes shot open, his body immediately sitting up. There was no way the island should be this lively early in the morning, or the sun's light to hit his bed at this hour, unless...
11 AM. He overslept. When was the last time he ever woke up so late? He couldn't recall, aside from the days of his reckless youth. Another question entered his mind as well. Why did the twins let him sleep for so long? Yes, Isabelle was kind enough to help the two get ready for their jobs, but surely they would have woken him!
He got dressed and ready as quickly as he could, not wanting to waste another moment. There was so much to do, too much to worry over. He needed to find a way to convince the island representative. He needed to shred that cursed document. Hell, he needed to keep Redd away from his island.
As much as he wanted to say hello to Timmy and Tommy first, he knew he had to hold off on that for the moment. He could apologize later on today, when he was finished with all of this. He tried to hold on to his determination, not wanting his worries to drown him once more.
Just as Tom was about to reach the door of Residence Services, his tired eyes spot the island representative. His paw slipped from the doorknob and immediately he made his way towards them instead. A part of him felt embarrassed to try and meet them so informally, however, this was an emergency after all.
His legs could only carry him so quickly, so he was left to a brisk walk as he watched the human in front of him rush along the terracotta paths. At least they were easy to spot, with their wild outfit and a black kitsune mask covering their face. Or at least, they should have been easy to keep track of.
As Tom followed them up the stairs along the north path, they simply ran through the trees and vanished off the trail. Perhaps they were going to thin out the cluttered trees today? Tom could briefly recall Isabelle mentioning that...
However, he could immediately see the results of the island representative's last project. A staircase down to the tiny beach that was tucked away in this northern section of the island. From here, Tom could easily see that wreck of a boat. The cliffs here could almost hide it, but the dark smoke floating up into the air was a dead giveaway of the kitsune's presence.
Normally, Tom liked to think of himself as a reasonable man. One to see both sides of an argument, to give a poor soul a chance. Had it been anyone else, anyone at all, perhaps Tom would have discussed this all over a call. However, Redd wasn't just anyone.
Before he even realized it, Tom found his way walking towards the boat. Up the ramp, past the curtain, and making his way down the dimly lit stairs. There was much to take in. The whirring sounds of a strained engine, the faint smell of smoke from the boat itself, and the suffocating sensation of the kitsune's magic. Though Tom was sensitive to such things, it still shocked him how residents couldn't feel the same type of aura radiating off of Redd. Then again, many seemed to turn a blind eye to his own presence as a tanuki.
"Here to sign the paperwork, Nook?"
He wasn't even fully off the stairs and he could already feel his annoyance growing. As he rounded the corner, there he could see Redd.
The kitsune had a smug look across his face - not an unusual sight for him. His blue apron looked rather clean, unlike the usual wrinkled or paint stained one the Tom could recall. Redd's tail swayed happily, the four spilt tail tips twitching sperate from each other.
"What are you doing here, Redd?" That was a safe question to open with. Something to stop himself from throwing accusations, or flooding the fox with a neverending stream of questions.
"Aw, come on. Isn't that obvious?" Redd gave such a wide grin, wasting no time to get in Tom's personal space. "I've been to this island a few times now, and I've gotta say... I like what I see."
The dim lights seemed to a reoccurring trend below deck. The lights had a faint tint, which made it that much harder to get a good look at the many pieces of "art" the kitsune had to sell. All fakes.
"You seem to be doing just fine scamming my residences from your boat. Why do you want a house here?"
"Did you even look over the plans my cousin gave you?" A laugh, followed by Redd hooking an arm around Tom's shoulder as he pressed against his side. "I want a store, selling my paintings to the kind folk of Dragon Bay."
"There is no way that I'm going to allow you to bring the black market to my peaceful island."
"Ouch, such a harsh accusation! I'm hurt, Nook." He pulled a paw to his chest, though his smile remained unwaivering.
"This isn't a game, Redd." Tom frowned, his eyes narrowed as he shoved the kitsune away from him. "I want you off my island, and I want you to stay as far away from my residences as you possibly can."
Redd let go of him, a more serious look now on his face as if he actually thought over Tom's words. It only annoyed Tom further, as this look was usually meant the kitsune was hiding something.
"You just don't get it." Redd shook his head, his grin faded from his face. "I'm simply playing for keeps."
What did that even mean?
"Get off my island, Redd."
"Make me."
The dim lights of the poorly made boat continued to flicker, allowing the brief glimpses of darkness to elongate their shadows against the wall. A little glimpse of what they really were.
For a moment, the only sound between them came from the annoying humming of the lights - or the gently sounds of the waves against the ship. He needed to take a deep breath and not fall into another fight.
As he continued to stay silent, Redd's expression faded from a defiant glare to something Tom couldn't quite place. He can't recall the last time he's seen such a face on the kitsune...
I ran out of time with the second drawing, but I absolutely had to try my hand at @crazycakeparrotart 's DogDay and CatNap! (Their AU is also stunning btw)
I hope you don't mind that I had my toon versions interacting with them >u>;
Thank you to everyone who submitted a suggestion! I actually had more people asking for various fandoms - unfortunately I struggled drawing some of those characters, but I do appreciate everyone's suggestions!
So! Here's Bobby x Hoppy, DogDay x CatNap, DogDay x Craftycorn, and then my choice - DogDay dealing with multiple crushes.
