It was the evening of the next day that Duke and Travis were walking on campus towards the Feral House. Duke was more than excited, knowing full well that the house was famous for hosting parties that were unforgettable. The eager weasel saw it as a chance of a lifetime. Travis on the other hand was trying not to let his mind fill itself with worries and doubts. To Duke the word 'unforgettable' was something exciting, something he had to see from himself. To Travis the word 'unforgettable' was something akin to trouble or even dangerous, for him at least. The ferret often avoided large crowds, aware of his own size and the fact that he could be easily hurt by someone much larger than himself whether accidentally or purposefully.

"You ready for this, Trav?" Duke asked, snapping the ferret from his thoughts.

"Oh, yeah. Totally…. I mean it's Feral House," Travis forced a chuckle.

"I know!" Duke balled his paw and pumped it in the air. "We're gonna be talking about this for the rest of our lives!"

"Rest of our lives….?" Travis whispered under his breath, hoping that the nearby weasel didn't hear. He once again felt a spike of anxiety rising in his chest. He gulped but still continued onwards alongside Duke.

The duo approached the massive house known as Feral House, a large three-story house. As they drew closer pounding music, laughing and cheers of animals at the party could be heard.

"I guess this is it..." Travis took a breath. Duke noticed the look in the ferret's eye and placed a paw on his friend's shoulder.

"Hey, don't worry so much. I got your back this time. Heh, stick with me and you'll have the night of your life," Duke assured. Travis gave an awkward smile and nodded.

The two came upon the yard and looked at the scene of all kinds of animals outside laughing, dancing and of course drinking. Duke looked around and saw it as a paradise. Travis took a look around as well and relaxed as well, seeing that everyone around seemed to be pretty casual.

"You ready to go in?" Duke beamed.

"Yeah, let's do it," Travis gave the weasel his warm smile.

"That's the spirit, Trav," Duke placed his arm around him and the two arrived together.

"Hey, hey!" Duke and Travis looked over to see Brayden once again.

"Hey, Brayden right?" Travis asked the zebra.

"Hell yeah! Whenever there's a party you know Brayden's gonna be there!" The zebra whooped before taking another swig of the beer he held. "Look around you boys. This is the high life."

Travis couldn't help but snicker at those words. He could get the appeal, but this isn't exactly what the ferret would call the 'high life'. But he had to admit that everyone around him did look like they were having the time of their lives.

"Well, I…I guess we should get started then," Travis nodded awkwardly. Duke smiled as well and the two joined the party.

From that point on the night became one huge blur for the ferret. All he knew was that he was having a great time. He remembered glimpses of himself laughing with Duke and Brayden and a bunch of other animals. Sipping on something that tasted both sweet and spicy. There was a pool that with a little convincing from Duke he jumped into. A pool table that instead of actually playing pool the players were spinning a bottle and taking shots of something that stung the back of his throat. The whole while Duke was right by the ferret's side as he said he would be.

Duke and Travis were laughing away as they entered the kitchen.

"That was crazy!" Travis snickered. "I can't believe he actually did it."

"He came way too far to back down," Duke wrapped an arm around the ferret. "I just hope they check on him on the morning."

As both of the small mammals were recounting the events taken place in the living room prior a familiar face was eyeing them, trying to figure out why they seemed so familiar. Until it suddenly clicked and a knowing grin spread across his face.

"Hey, I know you two!" the gopher pointed at the pair.

"Hmmm?" Travis asked, looking over at the accuser. His eyes laid upon someone he had seen before. The gopher from the last party he went to. Wearing the same pink hoodie as last time as well. Duke also remembered him, too. The gopher who was sitting at Travis' side when he was downing all those shots.

"Heh, so the two of you decided to tie the knot, huh?" the gopher snickered.

"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Duke asked, letting go of Travis and taking a step closer.

"Duke?" Travis asked in a hushed tone.

"I mean that I saw the two of you last time. I was getting ready to pack it up when I saw that kiss of yours out the back window," the gopher chuckled again.

"Yeah, whatever," Duke crossed his arms in defense.

"Besides it's none of your business anyway," Duke looked over to see Travis standing at his side, giving his own input.

"Hey, hey. Relax. We're all chill here," the gopher backed off. "Let's just enjoy the party."

"Well, alright," Duke lowered his arms and sighed. "Alright. But we're not really a couple."

"Not really?" the gopher repeated. "Hehe. Well, I thought you two looked good together. My bad. Hey, you gonna take some shots like last time?" the gopher asked, referring to Travis.

"Ugh, no way," the ferret shook his head. "After the hangover I had I'm never doing something like that again."

"Heh, suit yourself then," the gopher shrugged to himself and took a sip from the cup in front of him.

"Yeah. Right," Duke once again led Travis out of the kitchen.

"Jeez. That guy is a weirdo," Duke hissed under his breath.

"Yeah. But I think he's onto something about the whole 'cute couple' thing," Travis hiccuped and giggled at the thought.

Duke didn't say anything in response, a bit taken aback by Travis seeing them being an item as a cute thing. That must mean he would want to…

The rode out the rest of the party joining others in stupid dances, dares and things that would never be mentioned once the sun rose. The party was winding down and many were either gone or stumbling out of the frat house. Both Duke and Travis agreed it was about time they both returned to their dorm. They said their goodbyes to the ones who still wanted the party out till the sun rose, more specifically Brayden. As they walked back to the dorms both of them were in their own heads. Asking themselves questions about one another.

Duke was still mulling over whether he should ask the ferret out or not. Travis was questioning himself or whether he should admit that he had a crush on Duke.

"Hey, Duke," Travis spoke first.

"Y-yeah?" the weasel responded quickly. He held his breath, waiting for what the ferret was going to tell him.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," Travis admitted. "I'm pretty sure I would have hated it there if I went alone. But being there with you made it fun."

"I, uh, had a lot of fun too," Duke cleared his throat and continued. "I…I hope we can do something like this again. In fact I want to do a lot of stuff…with you. Uh, if you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I think I do," Travis gave a small smile and stopped. The two stood just outside of the campus, gazing at one another. "Duke, I want… I want to… No, what I mean is I…"

Duke smiled and began to laugh at the ferret trying to find the words. He took the ferret's paws and lifted them and held them to his own. "Yeah, I know. Heh. Me too."

"Really? I mean I had a feeling but Really? Does this mean we're a thing?" Travis asked sheepishly, a blush creeping up his muzzle.

"I guess we are," Duke smirked and lightly punched Travis in the arm. "No take backs."

"Hey!" Travis chuckled and rubbed his arm. He looked up at the night sky and back at the weasel. "We should head back. I don't wanna fall asleep in the middle of chemistry tomorrow."

"Alright, alright. But you're sleeping in my bed tonight," Duke smirked again.

"Wha-? Duke!" Travis exclaimed, his muzzle a light pink. Duke couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay. We'll take it slow then," Duke smiled. "Come on."

"Yeah, slow," Travis sighed and walked alongside the snickering weasel back to their dorm.

The next few days were very much a blur to the ferret, when not in class he spent as much time as he could with the weasel. Most of the time the two of them huddled close to one another in their dorm. Travis would listen to Duke tell all kinds of stories, things like places he got to visit and trouble he often got into. And Duke would listen to Travis best recall stories of his life back in Bunnyburrow. Travis thought that his stories were boring and dull compared to the weasel's but Duke was just as happy to hear them.

It was a truth that Travis was aware of but the reality of finances hit the ferret especially hard. Not only was he struggling to buy the basic books he needed for his classes but after just a month and a half food became a major problem. His funds were tapped dry and he even though he knew his parents would give him the money if he asked, he wouldn't dare. He was aware that they spent so much just for him to be here and he couldn't ask them to spend anymore on him.

Luckily for him Duke was more than happy to share the daily breakfast, lunches and dinner he bought with his new boyfriend. It made Travis feel a little guilty but also grateful. He noticed that the weasel was consistently buying all kinds of expensive things from the menus and the local restaurants on campus, too.

One day in particular Travis was busy reviewing his notes for an upcoming exam when the weasel returned to their dorm with both paws filled with full grocery bags. Normally Travis would have just left it at that but on that day in particular the question was just eating away at him.

"Hey, Duke?" Travis called, placing his paper down on the desk.

"Yeah, what is it?" Duke called back, placing the bags in the kitchen area of the dorm.

"Where are you getting all the money for all this food? I gotta know," Travis couldn't help but chuckle at how absurd the question sounded to them.

"Heh, well you know… Daddy's money can only get me so far. So I got a little side hustle going on," Duke chuckled. "Don't tell anyone about them, cause none of it is legal."

Travis shook his head, finding that he was not very shocked by the answer. But he was not opposed to the idea, either. Maybe it was the fact that food was coming in. Or maybe it was just him adopting the atmosphere of college in general. The ferret decided it was best not to dwell on it and just let Duke do what he does while he focused on passing.