Nick sat with his elbows resting on his knees and head bowed. His fox ears twitched as they picked up the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the hospital around him. Judy had told him that it wasn't as busy as it had been the nigh he had been brought in with a gun wound, but it still seemed overwhelming. All the voices and footsteps...
And the waiting. The waiting was frustrating. They had been barred from entering Aeron's room after he started gagging and being unable to breathe. A nurse had quickly told them that they would be updated on his progress but that had been forty five minutes ago.
Nick pressed his palms against his eyes as he felt a wave of anxiety rush over him again. In the end had they been to late? It seemed like he was going to be fine but now...
Nick felt a lump forming in his throat. There were only three mammals in this world that he could say were really important to him and now he was running the risk of loosing one of them.
"Nick?" Nick jumped slightly as his thoughts were interupted. Blinking a bit at noticing his vision was slightly blurry, he straightened up to look at Judy.
"Carrots..." she gave him a weak smile as she saw through his attempted poker face and handed him a cup of the hospital's coffee.
"I thought you might needed some," she explained as Nick just blankly stared at the cup. Slowly a weak smile like hers crossed his muzzle as he took the cup.
"Thanks Carrots. How's Claw doing?" Judy's face frowned as she carefully hopped up onto the seat next to him.
"Not good. He won't talk to me or even look at me. He just keeps staring through the window out into the parking lot." Nick sighed as he took a sip of his coffee.
"This has to be hard on him right now. Their relationship is still new and yet they have to go through this." Judy nodded as she took a sip of her own coffee, her ears drooping slightly.
"I wish there was a way that we could cheer him up though. It's so weird seeing Ben like this." Nick nodded his agreement, a frown creasing his lips as he looked over to where the cheetah stood. His back was turned towards them, his tail so low it was touching the floor and still, his ears lowered as low as they could.
Nick's ears perked up as he heard the sound of a door opening, his eyes lifting just in time to see a blur of black and white hurrying out of Aeron's room. Confused, Nick sat up as he watched the doctor sprint down the hallway to disappear through double doors leading deeper into the hospital.
"Officers Hopps, Wilde." Nick's head turned back to the door leading into Aeron's room; seeing nurse Gianni Haze standing in the door way. His eyes were just as warm and friendly as the day that Nick had left the hospital but his usual smile was missing as his head turned in Clawhauser's direction. "Officer Clawhauser."
A few seconds past before Clawhauser's head finally turned in their direction then a few more past before he walked over to join them. Once he was sure he had their attention, Gianni gave them a faint smile and spoke.
"I apologize that Dr Blackz had to rush off so quickly; another one of her patients needed her." They all nodded their understanding as Nick noticed Judy resting her paw over Clawhauser's.
"How is Aeron?" She asked, Nick hearing the fear in her voice. Gianni's eyes focused on her as his smile turned more gentle.
"Your friend has stabilized but the fire has caused a lot of damage to his lungs. He will need to be on oxygen for awhile and there is a possibility he will need it for the rest of his life. He also has two broken ribs and bruised body from being thrown and has some serious burns. We have a new treatment that has done wonders on healing burns and even having fur grow back. However, with how scarred he is we aren't sure how much of the hair will come back." again they all nodded, Nick feeling as if something was squeezing his heart.
He knew that Aeron was lucky to be alive after that hell, but it still worried him how injured he was. Not just physically but mentally as well. He knew how self conscious his scars made him and now with the burns...
"Can we see him?" Clawhauser's soft voice yanked Nick out of his thoughts in time to see Gianni nod.
"Yes. However, I do ask that only one of you go in. We had to sedate him due to the pain and his anxiety so he's a bit out of it and I feel that all three of you might be a bit to overwhelming for him at the moment." they all nodded as Nick rested his paw on Judy's shoulder, gently pulling him against her.
"Then you should go on in, Claw. We'll wait out here." Clawhauser's ears perked slightly as he looked at them both sheepishly.
"Y-you sure?" Nick nodded as Judy smiled at him.
"Go on, Ben. I'm sure that he would really like to see you." Clawhauser nodded still a bit sheepish but Nick could see the desire to see him burning in the cheetah's eyes. Gianni gave his friendly smile as he stepped out of Clawhauser's way.
Nick watched the two walk in, the door closing behind them before letting out a sigh as he returned to his seat.
"Nick?" he looked up into Judy's concerned eyes. He smiled weakly at her as he held out his paw to her, her quickly taking it.
"It's nothing, Carrots. Just been a long day." she nodded her understanding as she squeezed his paw, moving back to her own seat.
"Yeah. At least he's alive." Nick nodded as he felt the relief of that statement rush over him. Still, the road to recovery was going to be rough for Aeron.
"Hopps, Wilde." Nick nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden sound of their chief's voice.
"Chief! What are you doing here?" Judy verbalized Nick's surprise as they both looked up at the sol um form of Chief Bogo. He arched an eyebrow at their reaction as he motioned around them.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm checking on the victims of the fire!" his voice was gruff as usual but Nick could pick up a slightly more stressed tone. Nick watched as his eyes looked towards the closest room, his eyes softening slightly.
"How is Haimes?" Nick glanced at Judy, her meeting his eyes as they silently discussed on who would answer, the agreement being her.
"He's stabilized but he has two broken ribs, a bruised body, and some severe burns. His lungs were also damaged by the smoke." Bogo nodded his head slowly as he crossed his arms.
"After having the area searched, the fire department and the ZPD have agreed to label this as arson. What looked like a hand made trigger bomb was found. Hopps, your report said that Haimes smelled gas?" Judy nodded, Nick noticing her ears drooping slightly.
"Yes sir. That was what led him to try and run out of the apartment." Bogo again nodded his head as his eyes focused on Nick.
"We are also almost certain that your apartment was the target, Wilde. The question is, did the culprit get their target or were you the actual target?" Nick felt a shiver run down his spine as Judy moved slightly closer to him.
"It would make sense that Aeron was the target, sir. It's common knowledge that Nick is a day officer and wouldn't be home during the day." Bogo nodded his understanding as his eyes shifted to Judy.
"True. However, I still want both of you to stay on alert. The trigger might have gone off early or something else could have caused Aeron to be the victim rather than you." Nick nodded slowly as his brain processed that. It hadn't acurred to him that he could have possibly been the target rather than Aeron.
"Do we have any suspects?" Judy asked, Nick noticing her police mind quickly going to work. He knew that if he was the target she was going to do everything in her power to protect him and that both worried and comforted him. Bogo frowned slightly as his ears twitched slightly in discomfort.
"Nothing concrete. However, I am under the impression that this was done by a member of the Devil's Bite Gang." Nick nodded, having already come to this conclusion himself. They had been far to quiet and then Val shows up dead and then Aeron gets nearly killed. He was sure the two were connected.
"Nick and I agree, Chief. With it being so quiet and then suddenly Valentin showing up dead and, soon after, Aeron being attacked, they have to be involved." Bogo nodded as he fixed his gaze on both of them.
"However, they admitted to Valentin's death but haven't, at least yet, admitted to Haimes attack. Without their confession or some other proof we have to continue going with other theories along with that." his eyes soften as Nick noticed his eyes glance at Aeron's room.
"Though I do expect you both to be careful, I agree that Haimes was most likely the target. I have talked to the security here at the hospital about adding extra protection to his room just in case they try again." Nick let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. Sure he planned on being here when he could but none of them could be here all the time.
"We appreciate that, Chief," Judy said, her voice full of gratitude as she also relaxed a bit. Bogo gave one of his curt nods as he dropped his arms to his side.
"I plan on checking on the other victims as well. Wilde, you have somewhere safe to stay?" Nick nodded quickly as he felt heat warm his cheeks slightly.
"Yes. I'll be staying with Car-Judy." Bogo nodded again, Nick noticing his eyes narrow slightly as he eyed the two of them.
"A good plan. Remember, stay alert." they both nodded as they saluted him before he turned his back to them and marched off.
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Benjamin wasn't sure exactly why he was so nervous as he followed Gianni into Aeron's room. It was smaller than the one he had been in last time, the bed seeming to be more fit for his size. There were also more machines though and more wires hooked to him.
Aeron himself was awake, though his eyes were lidded. His arms were bandaged and so was part of his handsome face. Benjamin was sure that more of him was bandaged but thankfully the blankets covered the rest of him.
As Aeron's eyes lifted to meet his, he gave a weak smile as he gingerly tilted his head to the side. "Do I really look that bad?" Benjamin's eyes widened in surprise then he realized that his concern was probably plastered all over his face. In an attempt to chance it away, he smiled as he walked to him.
"No. I'm just being silly." Aeron's smile softened as his eyes glanced at Gianni, who was quietly standing in the door way.
"Thanks for letting him visit, Gianni?" a friendly smile crossed the hare's face as he nodded.
"No problem. I need to go check on my other patients but I'll be back." Both Benjamin and Aeron nodded their farewells as Gianni slipped out.
Benjamin jumped slightly as he felt Aeron's paw gently grip his, quickly relaxing as they both looked at each other.
"I'm glad you're here." Benjamin nodded, his eyes blurring a bit as a rush of love and concern threatened to overcome him. "Ben?" the gentleness of his voice broke Benjamin's resolve as he let the tears fall as he tightened his grip on Aeron's paw.
"I was so scared. When they told me that you were struggling to breathe I admit my mind went to the worst possible outcome. It terrified me." his whole body was shaking now as he released all of that tension, his knees wobbling so much he collapsed into the visitor's chair resting behind him.
Suddenly feeling like his body was to heavy to hold up, Benjamin bowed his head, resting his head against Aeron's lap gently. "I know it's silly to have become so close so quickly...but it felt like if I lost you I'd loose something vastly important." silence answered him for a moment until he felt a paw gently stroke the fur on top of his head.
"When I was trapped and couldn't escape, I found myself thinking of you. Thinking how I'd never see you again. How'd I never get a chance to really tell you how much you've meant to me." Benjamin felt his ears warm as his heart fluttered. Slowly he rose his head to look at him through blurred eyes.
"Really?" Aeron gave him the gentlest smile he could ever remember resiving as he squeezed his paw.
"Yes. In such a short time you've given me hope, Ben. Hope that I can be happy again. Hope that I can be a normal mammal." Benjamin's ears warmed even more as his smile widened as he lifted Aeron's paw to his lips, gently kissing it.
"The same for me, Aeron. I never thought that I'd find someone who could see me, all of me, and like what they saw." Aeron's smile lengthened as he lifted his free paw, resting it against his cheek.
"What a couple of saps we are." this made Benjamin laugh as he leaned into his touch. Thank goodness he was alive. The burns would heal. His lungs would heal. And if the burns left their mark Benjamin knew that he would do all that he could to let Aeron know how beautiful he was to him.
"At least, we can be sappy together."
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Finnick glared down at his phone, gritting his teeth as he read the most recent text from Nick. Not even a month after being hospitalized, Aeron was back this time due to a fire. Finnick had a strong feeling that he knew who was behind it. Even with Valentin gone, he had never kid himself into believing that the fight was over. Looked like whoever was running the show now, had made their second move.
Irritably he shoved his phone into his pocket, leaning back in the driver's seat of his van. He had told Aeron not to let his guard down but looked like his warning wasn't enough. At least he was alive. Finnick shook his head to chase away the tiny voice in his head going 'for now'.
It was going to be okay. Nick and his bunny were going to take care of this. And, though he hated being involved in police work, Finnick knew he'd help in anyway he can.
A low sigh escaped him as he looked out his window, seeing the sun was already starting to disappear. Looked like it was supper time. Knowing that he didn't have much energy to go to the store to find something to eat, he'd figure he'd go to his favorite pup and get a bite to eat.
It wasn't to far away, about a six minute drive that he easily made in his beloved van. He wasn't surprised to see that it wasn't very busy. Pubs were rarely busy on weeknights. That was when he liked going, he wasn't a fan of crowds.
He was instantly recognized by one of the waitresses; an attractive silver fox, and led to a table. "Your usual Finnick?" She asked in a slightly flirtatious tone. A rare smile crossed Finnick's face as he nodded, glad that he didn't have to be bothered waiting.
"Yeah. Thanks Carol." she gave him a charming grin as she placed a glass of water in front of him.
"No problem, sweetie. I'll have that right out for you." and she sashayed away, Finnick watching her until she disappeared into the kitchen. Finnick wasn't a very social creature but he was enough of a male to enjoy watching an attractive female.
However, his focus on her was interupted by the feeling that he was being watched. Carefully, Finnick looked around at the other predators inside the pub. There was a small group of wolves at a table on the other side of the room and a few other canine preds sprinkled around. None seemed to have any clue that he was there.
Figuring he was just being jittery because of what happened to Aeron, Finnick focused on his glass of water and his plans of what other hustles he could pull. Thanks to Nick joining the force he had to quit the 'daddy and son' Popsicle scam. Not that it really bothered him. He wouldn't admit it but he was proud of Nick for going straight. He knew how hard it was to change.
Finnick's ears twitched as he got the feeling again, his eyes scanning around slower this time. Still none of the other mammals seemed to be focusing on anything but their company or food. However, he couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.
Starting to get irritated, he forced himself to calm down. If he was being watched, it was best not to show that he was getting antsy. The best was to stay calm but to keep alert. So that's what he did. Throughout his meal, he enjoyed his salmon burger with his usual gusto, but kept his senses on high alert.
After his meal, he paid and exited, keeping his ears perked for any noise. It was already dark now as he walked to his van, not the most ideal situation if he was being followed. As he neared his van, his right ear twitched slightly at the sound of a foot step.
Slowly he turned to look around him, seeing nothing. However, he gripped his keys ready to bolt for his car. His head jerked in the opposite direction as he heard more footsteps. This time he saw something.
A figure the size of a medium sized canine was moving towards him. They were dressed all in black, their face covered. Seriously? How cliché could someone be. Finnick's ears tilted back as his body tensed, his lips pulling over his sharp canines as he gave a low warning growl.
The mammal returned the growl, their body crouching low. Though Finnick knew he could fend for himself, he'd prefer not to. With another growl he lunged for his van only to feel something much larger knock into him, pinning him down.
A primalistic growl escaped him as he fought against whomever had him pinned down. He heard another growl as he saw a flash of sharp teeth before staggering pine sliced through him as those same teeth duck into his shoulder.
Finnick gave a yelp of pain as he clawed at his attacker's face, biting down on their arm. They yelped in surprise pulling away just enough for Finnick to jump to his feet. Breathing heavily he clutched his shoulder, feeling something cold and wet touching his paw. Blood. Lots of it.
The first mammal was closer, moving between Finnick and his van. Finnick gave a furious growl as he lunged himself at the mammal. They collided and fell. In blur of teeth and claws, Finnick fought for his life, his adrenaline dulling the pain as teeth and claws met their marks.
Finally he got a good bite on his jugular, digging his claws into the mammal's sides, making him yelp as he fell still. Panting Finnick rose to his feet, looking down at the whimpering mammal. Weaklings. It would take a hell of a lot more than that to take him down.
His ears perked up again as he heard a clicking sound from behind him. Slowly he turned around, his eyes looking straight down a barrel of a gun. Growling he stumbled back, his paws clutching at his bleeding shoulder and at a new wound on his side.
His newest attacker was smaller than the other two and had buck teeth. A rabbit? Finnick bared his fangs in frustration at the cheater. Paw to paw he could handle but paw against a weapon? He had no idea how he was going to get out of that.
Though Finnick couldn't see his attacker's mouth, he could tell by his dark eyes that he was smiling in victory as his finger moved to the trigger as it aimed for Finnick's heart. Finnick could do nothing but stare as he refused to be a coward. When there was no other choice, a mammal had to face death straight forward with their head held high.
"What's going on down there? Who's fighting? I've called the police so you hooligans better take off!" a voice from above them yelled down causing Finnick's attacker to freeze, their eyes flickering up to the apartments above them.
He stood their, conflicted as his eyes refocused on Finnick. His eyes narrowed irritably as he raised his gun again, only to hesitate once more as they heard police sirens. That was to much for his attacker. He holstered his gun and took off, slowing only to urge his two companions to follow. They both jumped to their feet and took off.
Finnick felt air rush back into him as he gasped for breath. Looked like luck had smiled down on him. Wincing he moved over to where his keys had fallen, scooping them up. With a pain filled groan, he headed back to his car. However his movements were slow and his adrenaline high was starting to fade as the waves of pain were taking over. He was in bad shape.
He looked down at himself, seeing that his paws were soaked with his own blood and his clothes were torn and stained. Looked like he was much worse for wear than he thought.
Gritting his teeth he forced himself to wobble to his car. Finally he was there, his paw reaching for the handle. However his vision blurred and he fell to the ground, his keys falling from his weakened grip.
His vision almost gone, Finnick stared up at the sky as he heard his breaths become more ragged. His ears gave a weak twitch as he heard the sirens move closer. He just had to hang on before the cops got there. He just had to hang on and he'd be okay. Nick would find him. He was going to survive. Nick would find him.
"Nick..."
And there we go for chapter four! I'm sorry if the end seemed rushed I wanted to get this posted before leaving for vacation tomorrow. I shall be back June 9th and will resume working on this story once I'm back from vacation! Next chapter you will know what will happen with Finnick and more about Dange's plan. There will also be more BenxAeron and JudyxNick fluff so stay tuned!