A.N: Finally, another chapter! This is what I get for having up to three stories in progress all at once xD

Anyway, enjoy! :3


It wasn't long before the motel motel came into view from Flippy's truck, and as he turned in to park his car in the carpark, he noticed a familiar blue blur already strolling through the sliding doors. There was a tiny voice in his head telling him to drive as far away from the motel as possible. But on second thought, his growling stomach spoke louder than that voice, leaving Flippy with no other choice but to make his way into the motel.

As per usual, Lumpy was slumped back in his seat behind the reception desk, snoozing his way out of his duties. Flippy rolled his eyes at the lazy sight, 'And he wonders why he's no longer paid the full salary...'

As he stood before the desk, the bear smacked his palm down onto the bell, and its abrupt chime managed to rouse the moose from his sleep. Lumpy woke with a startled snore and focused his sleepy gaze onto the green blur until it was clearer.

"Fl...Flippy! Oh, uh...can I help you?" Lumpy mumbled, resisting his need to yawn. Flippy frowned with disinterest, "You can start by doing your job right."

Lumpy propped his feet up on the counter, ready to sleep again, "What's the point when we barely get anybody coming here. You're the practically the only person with a reservation in this place." Flippy turned to leave for his room, "Well that's your problem. Not mine."

The only time Lumpy's sleeping habits pestered Flippy the most was when the moose was oblivious to who had a tendency to stroll in and out of the motel. And that very person was obviously here again to get on Flippy's nerves; likely having nothing better to preoccupy his boredom. Thus, he continued towards the stairs to unhappily make his way up to his room, cursing through his stress and praying that his fridge wasn't currently being raided.

He reached for the door handle, held his breath and twisted it. Of course it was unlocked. Flippy had given him his spare key when he first moved into the motel.

With every bit of his composure lost, Flippy swung the door open, "Splendid!" there was then a crash of kitchen utensils sounding from the kitchen, and the said squirrel peeked through the doorway with a startled expression, and stuffed mouth. After chewing in a hurry and swallowing his, well, Flippy's food, Splendid flashed a kind smile, "Hey, Flip! 'Sup?"

"Don't you 'sup' me, Splendid. What the hell are you doing here?" Flippy fumed, scowling at the so-called hero. Splendid awkwardly shrugged off Flippy's anger and remained calm and collected as he hopped over the couch to land softly on its cushioned seats, "Just thought I'd come visit my best friend, why else would I come here?"

From the now trashed kitchen, Flippy shook his head with grief at the inside of his emptied fridge, "Oh I dunno, probably to devour the entire contents of my fridge." he sarcastically grumbled, loud enough for Splendid to hear from the living room.

Flippy entered the room to join his best buddy with a bottle of booze in hand; surprised that he had any left considering they were in plain sight when Splendid savaged his fridge. The bear slumped down on the other side of the couch and flipped the bottle cap off with his thumb so he could take a swig. Splendid went to reach for the television remote on the table in front of them, but Flippy's was quick to trap his hand under his boot, earning a yelp of surprise from Splendid.

"Jeez, man! What's gotten you so grouchy?" The blue male scoffed, snatching back his hand to rub away its pain. After pushing the remote away from Splendid's reach, Flippy sat forward to pick it up for himself, clicking the power button despite lacking the interest watching any TV, "It's not a matter of what, but a who," he then shot Splendid an inert look, "I hope you haven't forgotten whose room you're in, Splendid."

"You were the one who gave me a key, and besides, I recall us agreeing on being roommates a while back." Splendid stated, propping his feet up on the small table.

Flippy didn't know where this sudden irritation was coming from, but he presumed it was due to his want to be alone for tonight. Regardless, the bear wasn't going to be a jerk about things and shun Splendid out of his motel room. He placed his empty beer bottle on the table and stood with a stretch, "Roommates or not, this is still my room that I pay for every month. Not you."

The squirrel exhaled out of slight resentment, and ignored the temptation of burning laser holes through Flippy as he wandered into his kitchen with their empty bottles at hand. For once, Splendid would like to feel welcome in his motel room, and not feel like a unwanted bother to be around. And considering they were supposedly the best of buddies, that wasn't quite present with Flippy; it hasn't been for a while if Splendid could recall trying to pay him a friendly visit last week. Just like today, the veteran seemed to try and reject any sort of communication with Splendid, and went about avoiding him by all means.

He heard Flippy's solemn voice from the kitchen, followed by the slam of a metal bin lin, "I'll be going out later on to meet up with Sneaky and Kouse, so you can either leave or stay here. But just...leave my kitchen alone." Splendid's eyes haplessly rolled, figuring Flippy would come out with something like that again, "Sure thing, buddy." he sarcastically spat as a response.

With the T.V. off, Splendid let his attention roam elsewhere in the living room. Nothing much has changed since his last visit; despite Flippy practically owning the motel room, he hasn't bothered to give it a little personal, housewarming character. Splendid was beginning to question if the bear was even happy at all. Ever since he was spitefully rejected from the heart of his own home town and lost almost all of his childhood friends, Flippy's level of happiness was gradually crumbling down into nothingness. For all Splendid knew Flippy could be succumbing to his degrading illness, and become a full-blown psychopath within a matter of days.

He paused in his excessive thinking with a straightened face - of course Flippy wasn't going to do that.

An odd, and out-of-place glisten caught his eye as he looked over at Flippy's bed. He wasn't mistaken as the sun's light from the window bounced of the piece of jewellery resting on the night stand. Curious, Splendid went to inspect it, but peeked over at the kitchen doorway to check for Flippy. He was still in there, so Splendid picked up what appeared to be a bracelet, and sat back on the couch. Judging by the exquisite shine that reflected off each small, white diamond attached to the silvery brooch, it was undoubtedly expensive. Not to mention, a little too sparkly, delicate and
..well...too feminine for Flippy to wear. Or have in possession for that matter, and this led questions to seek for their answers.

"Sooo...who else has been staying here, Flips?" Splendid spoke in a taunting tone as he entered the kitchen. Flippy was quietly sat at his dining table with a cigarette between his fingers, "What are you talking about?" the bear mumbled, disliking the smug smile growing on the blue male's face as he dangled a bracelet in front of him. Wait...that's not his.

"Where did you find-" before he could even ask, the sudden realisation dawned on him; he knew exactly who that bracelet belonged to, and did not want the likes of Splendid carelessly fiddling with it like a child.

So without a word of warning the bear swiftly stood to snatch the jewellery from Splendid whilst he was still obliviously dangling it loosely between his fingers. Although, due to the hero's keen reflexes, Flippy wasn't quite quick enough to grab it. Splendid only took Flippy's abrupt reaction as a better reason to tease him to no end. Flippy was definitely hiding something from the hovering squirrel.

"Tell me who the lucky lady is and I'll give it to you!" Splendid stated, with a large grin. Flippy's face twisted with aggravation, "Stop being so immature, and before you assume anything there is no lucky lady."

At that moment, Splendid ceased his mockery and landed down on his feet to hand over the brooch, "Then why did you have an lady's bracelet on your nightstand?" the question finally came out clearer, with less of the jesting this time.

"Well...I'm not gonna lie, I did let a girl stay in my motel last night," Flippy watched as a smirk tugged at Splendid's lips, "but before you even dare to ask: no, nothing happened." the squirrel simply raised his hands up in defence and grinned, "Hey I wasn't gonna say a thing! Your business is your own, right?"

Flippy only wished his business was really his own without the likes of Splendid doing what he could to snoop his nose into every little thing that happened in his life. As Flippy left the kitchen to take a seat in the living room once again, Splendid followed closely behind, happy that the grumpy bear couldn't see the guilty smile tugging at his lips.

"So tell me, who is this lucky lady?" the squirrel started with a coy grin as he set down onto the couch beside Flippy. Just witnessing his friend's obviously bold interest in the situation on a whole irritated Flippy, "For the last time, there is no lucky lady…" he paused, looking down at his knees before answering his question, "…her name is Flaky."

When he'd mentioned the girl's name, Flippy expected any sort of remark from Splendid. But what he'd received was nothing of his expectations. The blue male's eyes widened with skepticism, and his jaw dropped almost instantly, "Flaky?!"

"…Yes…Flaky is her name…" Flippy slowly said, doubtingly eying his friend's change in attitude. Now over his surprise, Splendid grinned with beguilement as he continued to buzz over Flaky's involvement, "Red porcupine? Kinda short? Cute as hell?"

At his words, Flippy lowered an eyebrow, "Yeah…wait- how do you know her?" he asked, baffled just knowing that the squirrel knows something about Flaky. Splendid looked away from the bear to ponder, "Well as far as I can remember, Flaky moved into to town not long after you'd left for this motel. She settled after a month of hiding away in her apartment, she was shy to the bone."

With a flurry of rising questions floating around in his mind, Flippy narrowed his eyes, "I see." Splendid easily took notice to the bear's odd display of grief and offered a kind smile, "Dude, what's the problem?"

"Nothing," he quickly responded, sweeping away his gloom to look at least a little happier, "I just didn't expect you to know her at all. Mainly because you'd said you haven't been in town since I left."

"I did? Oh…well, I admit that I made a few visits now and then, just to see old friends, y'know?"

Flippy understood where Splendid was coming from when he spoke; he'd love to be back in town too, living the life he used to before the shattering aftermath of his previous time served in the war. Thinking of the subject more, he wondered how many of his friends missed him. Or even cared to remember him at all. Flippy shrugged out of his thoughts and smiled back, "I know what you mean. I kinda miss it myself."

At this, the hero perked up, "Then why not drive into town today? I'll come with you." the blue male gave him a look as if to say he wasn't going to take any rejections as answers, and Flippy practically had no choice but to comply, even though Splendid had completely disregarded the plans he'd mentioned earlier; he could always call Sneaky and MK later on, "You know, that doesn't sound too bad actually. Why not?" despite his 'yes', Flippy would have easily shook his head and wandered off into the kitchen again if it wasn't for his secret hope in seeing Flaky in travels, and the old friends he'd actually seen eye-to-eye with in terms of his mentality.

So after the few minutes of tidying after themselves and readying to leave, Flippy grabbed his truck keys and locked up after them once they'd exited the motel room.

The drive back into town seemed longer than usual, due to their lack of conversation, and Flippy's mixed up feelings about visiting his hometown after such a long time of rejection. Whether or not the citizens of Hapetry town would welcome Flippy's return with open arms was questionable, and the anticipation that built up inside him left his stomach in knots. He thought about Sniffles; his friend, and personal therapist, hoping he'd be able to look at him the same way. His ex-girlfriend, Giggles, also came to mind, and Flippy presumed that the chipmunk had moved on from their broken relationship to find someone that isn't a walking hazard. As he thought over more and more names that popped into his mind, past the hazy wall of forgotten ones, the veteran was distracted by Splendid's voice suddenly sounding from the passenger seat.

"So," he started, "where do wanna go first?" the bear went blank at his question, with no idea whatsoever, "Not a clue. Any ideas?"

Splendid thought for a moment; where could they go for Flippy to unwind after being cooped up in a motel for so long? The answer was an obvious one in that case, and Splendid knew the perfect place for Flippy, "Perhaps a good ol' diner and bar is our best bet, and I know a good one. What do you say, Flip?" he said with a friendly grin. Flippy smiled a little at his friend, "Sure."

Little did Flippy know that Splendid had hidden a very good reason as to why he was directing him to this particular place.

…~x~X~x~…

"D.B.D.?" Flippy halfheartedly spoke, boring his eyes into the orange neon sign of the diner. Splendid patted his hand on the bear's back, "Yes indeedy, my friend. Lets just say a good friend of ours got his hands on a couple of bucks and bought the old warehouse!"

Flippy cocked an eyebrow in thought - an old friend? The bear quizzed curiously, "Who?" only to hear Splendid sigh, "Lets just go inside and find him, he's usually serving behind the bar."

They both pushed through the doors to face a rather calm crowd of people, all scattered about the welcoming diner, minding their own business. That was until someone faintly recognised Flippy. Then as one whisper was passed from person to person, various pairs of fretting eyes were latched onto him as he walked in. No doubt people remembered the bear, but it was far from happy memories that sprung to their minds.

Nevertheless, Flippy and Splendid passed through the area between the entrance and the bar, avoiding eye contact and ignoring the few rude utterings of unsettled people. They took a seat on the stools by the bar, and Splendid scoped around in search for their friend, then when he found him,

"DB! Hey!" the squirrel called out. Within seconds, a ginger afro popped up from behind the bar, and Flippy blinked with surprise - it's been a while since he'd seen Disco Bear.

"Disco Bear? You own this diner?" the green bear asked with raised eyebrows. The light brown bear's eyes awkwardly shifted from left to right, and he completely disregarded Flippy's question due to the unexpected visit, "…You're, uh….you're back, Flippy?"

"I am back, yes. You're surprised to see me again?"

Disco Bear was hit by sudden nerves, and he muddled over the right words to say, "Well, not in any bad sense, it's just- we thought you were never coming back…" he then smiled in hopes to ease the veteran's between and betwixt expression, reaching over the bar to pat his shoulder, "…don't get the wrong impression, the vast majority of us have missed you, Flip!"

"Thanks, DB, it's nice to be back. Even though I haven't had quite the warm welcoming." as Flippy stated this, he gestured his eyes and head to the many people behind that showered him with unpleasant stares upon entering.

The afro-haired male rolled his eyes and chuckled with agreement, "I know what you mean, just give the other folks some time, they'll eventually come around and leave you alone," his attention was then snatched by a waiting customer inches away from where Flippy and Splendid stood, "hold that thought, guys- …uh, what's your poison, brother?"

The two males drifted away from DB and the thirsty customer to make up a different conversation. The glint of grief in Flippy's eyes was noticeable to Splendid, and he could only imagine how he was feeling in a place where he was unwanted by many. So he offered a kind smile, and a playful pat on the back.

"Don't let it get to you, Flippy, after all you didn't serve our country with the intentions of coming back like this, did you?"

Despite Splendid's helping share of words, Flippy's hard expression didn't budge, and the squirrel was clueless at that point. Seeing the bear in his usual grumpy mood had always had an impact on his own mood, and Splendid would go out of his way to cheer him up. But at times like this, the only option would be to give him some space to find his own better mood again. The blue male looked off to the right, where Disco Bear had finished handing out several drinks, only to spot something that might just push away the moody cloud above Flippy's head. As he noticed their approach, Splendid decided to leave Flippy on his own.

So clearing his throat, Splendid gave the bear a nudge and stood from his stool, "I gotta take a leak, be back in five."

"Sure." Flippy responded, oblivious to the red figure that now stood before him until she quietly spoke up, "Would you like anything to drink, sir?"

Careless to any eye contact, Flippy simply waved off the offer, "No thanks, I'm-"

"Flippy?"

The sudden mention of his own name perked his ears, and Flippy spared the woman a glance, only to then easily recognise the porcupine. Her tilted expression held an inquisitivity, and yet she still extended a small smile to the bear.

The same stunned smile she had tugged at his lips, and his furrowing brows raised from their frown, "…Flaky? You work here?"

"I-I do, yes." she bashfully replied, slightly growing intimidated by his intent gaze. Flippy soon realised he was staring, and blinked out of the trance, "I never would have expected someone like you to work in a place like this."

Flaky took his comment into thought, and shrugged a little, "You get used to it after some time, and the drunk men learn to leave you alone when Disco tells them to." she finished with a giggle, painting another warm smile on Flippy's lips, but then a thought occured.

"About Disco Bear," he started, hardening his eyes a little, "he isn't a bother is he? I've known him for quite some time, and he can be quite the annoyance for most women."

"R-Really? Well, I-I've never had any sort of problem with him before…he's a-always really nice to me." Flaky stated, failing to hide her typical stutter.

Having met the orange bear three months ago, Flaky was showered with flattery from the sweet-talking male. She overlooked the stern advice from other girls regarding his tendencies to woe any female he finds attractive, and soon found herself working alongside him in his newly refurbished diner. Shifty had angrily claimed that she didn't need to work with all the money they have, but Flaky calmy proclaimed that she needed something to pass her time whilst he was out nearly everyday.

Flaky noticed Flippy's look of uncertainty, but had no time to speak when the previously mentioned bear rested an arm around her shoulders, "Ah! I see you've met our lovely barista, Flaky." he chuckled to the veteran with a wink, causing the said girl to break out in a blush.

To relieve her of any occurring embarrassment, Flippy calmly smiled at the porcupine, and frowned at the other bear, "Give Flaky a break, DB, don't mawl her." with a toothy smirk, Disco removed his arm from around the porcupine, "Someone's possessive…" this only made the unimpressed Flippy's brows lower over his eyes, leaving Disco Bear with no choice but to drop the joking act, "…I'm only foolin' around, Flips! Anyways, I'll let you two chat again, I need to see to more customers."

With that, the two were left in another silence - one that was slowly verging into an awkward one. Scratching the back of his head, Flippy silently shuffled in his seat, and Flaky began to twiddle her fingers, he hands resting on top of the bar. Tiny butterflies fluttered within his stomach whenever he glanced at her face, and he had to forcefully pry his eyes away to prevent staring like a fool again. The images of the previous night continued to surface into his thoughts; her tear-stained face, the bruise and cut on her cheek…the indecent dream he'd had. There must be something about the porcupine for him to have such a dream about her; she was undoubtedly kind, attractive, and sweet. But that didn't blind the fact that he knew very little about her; it only fueled his want to know more about her.

During the lack of conversation, Flippy soon became aware of a certain piece of jewelry that rested in his jacket pocket, and he quickly went to retrieve it, "Oh, by the way," he added to their silence, he then held out the bracelet for Flaky to see, "you must have left this in my room last night."

With a small smile Flaky took the glittering brooch, but instead of putting it on like he'd expected, she carelessly stuffed it into her pocket, "Thank you…I-I forgot all about it." this roused skepticism in Flippy - surely a bracelet that expensive should be handled with at least a little care.

Flaky seemed to notice the slight dubiety in his eyes as he watched her place it in her pocket, and thought it'd be best to reassure him that she wasn't a heedless girl, "Don't worry, it has very little value to me."

He didn't ever want to abruptly cross the personal line so soon, but Flippy couldn't withhold his curiosities. After all, he did witness her moment of heartbreak the other night.

So with a more solemn expression, Flippy rested and folded his arms on the bar, "Still having problems?" at his quiet but audible question, Flaky looked up at him to meet his concerned eyes, "…You could k-kinda say that…"

The sincerity in his words told Flaky that the bear understood whatever it was she was failing to hide. And yet she didn't feel the need to raise her defences as if he was invading the privacy of her relationship. Having been the one to see her fallout with Shifty, there was no surprise when he came out with such a question; the green male had reacted in a caring manner, whether or not he saw this, just by granting her the comfort and safety of staying in his motel room when she had nowhere else to go. Just thinking about brought a smile to her face, and when Flippy took notice of her sudden show of teeth towards him he raised a brow and smiled back.

"Um…m-my shift ends in another hour," the porcupine stated, timidly toying with the waist straps of her apron, "would you like to go somewhere? I d-don't really plan on going home so soon…" The war vet warmly smiled; looks like he'll be getting to know Flaky after all, "I'd love to."


A.N: Things are starting off slow, I know Dx but don't worry, more things and people will be introduced soon; such as Giggles, Lammy, other ships, and a few secrets perhaps...? x3

I don't mind Disco Bear - even if he is a bit of a jerk sometimes - but I think he deserves a bit of appreciation here and there :3

Let me know what you think thus far in your reviews! Where should Flippy and Flaky go? Give me some ideas! c:

~Loli x