Mother's Here

Happens after Fox’s collapse after the Belmont

Reply: No Matter What...

Fox’s collapse after overheating and exhaustion sent more than just Antrium into panic. At first, the world had erupted in cheers not only for him managing to finish the race in the top three but also for Blue coming in first, effectively matching him as a rival after Fox’s derby win. Blue had taken Centre spotlight for all the right reasons then Fox stole it back for all the wrong ones. 

Seriously, Blue, Fox would’ve rather you kept all the attention, because he felt like he had one hoof in the grave as he lay on the dirt track, Percy fretting above him looking truely terrified and his beloved ginger cradling his head as his vision darkened. 

Fox was no stranger to vets and ambulances. He’d actually been in them a few times when he was younger but he didn’t really remember beyond they smelled weird. It was one reason he so expertly avoided ever having to go in a trailer. This occasion was the worst he’d ever experienced, for all he couldn’t remember most of the event, he could remember shapes, shadows, blurred and muffled sounds and sharp, chocking smells and dear sweet Secretariat he felt ill. Sick, shaky, like he couldn’t move but at the same time he was falling, his chest hurt, make it stop, make it stop. Soon everything went black and he couldn’t remember anything else, he didn’t want to. 

When he next woke and could think clearly it was two voices that greeted him: Percy, who had made the sacrifice to become his pillow, and Abyaz, his father, who stood at the gate looking out at the others as they passed. When Abyaz saw his somewhat favourite son was awake he turned and walked over, pressing his muzzle to Fox’s and asking how he was. Fox was honest: he felt awful. Abyaz chuckled lightly and told him to sleep again, that he was home safe and sound and that he would wake him when it was time to eat something. Fox, being young and stubborn resisted for a time, talking with with Percy about what happened, enjoying the fact that Percy’s threats were outright obsolete at present, as his little brother could not and would not beat him while he was down and certainly not with Abyaz there. It also felt good to have his brother there. 

When he next awoke he was alone, his stall seeming impossibly larger without another full grown Thoroughbred and a bossy Shetland in it. He sighed deeply as he hurried his head back into the soft bedding - he’d been given extra deep bedding this time and he was loving it, honesly, why couldn’t he have this all the time?

The next thing he knew he heard hoofbeats on the stable floor, echoing down the corridor. In his drugged state he didn’t recognise the stride and didn’t care to try; if they were here to visit him they’d introduce themselves shortly. It was likely one of his many sisters or brothers, perhaps Argo, who he’d become considerably closer to since they’d raced in the same show, though different classes. Perhaps Snow, or Juls, we’re coming to visit. Or Juliet, he liked Juliet, but she was busy with his nephew. He was busy going through all the names of his siblings when the visitor called out to him in a gentle voice, full of worry and relief. 

Fox, recognising the voice, lifted his head up and grinned when he saw who it was. 

“Mother.” 

Ghost, free of any halter or tack, was stretching her neck out to him, though there was no way he could reach her she didn’t seem to mind. Her humans and let her come and visit him after his collapse and he was very, very happy to see her. They waited until one of the humans, Fox didn’t catch who, found them and unlocked his door so Ghost could join him. She curled around him, replacing Percy as his pillow and, comforted and safe, Fox drifted off again.