Benjamin Clawhauser gave a long, drawn-out yawn as he settled in to snug against the side of Chief Bogo; the two were at the latter's apartment, reclined on a couch. The cape buffalo was wearing his glasses, reading from a thick, hard-cover book. His eyes looked over to the relaxing rotund feline and he gave the barest smirk before continuing to read.
"Hey, do you think Nick and Judy are together?" Clawhauser idly wondered.
"I do not think so," Bogo said calmly, turning a page.
"Really?" Clawhauser turned his head up to look at him, though the look wasn't returned. "Because I just think they're always so cute together- er, wait. Can I call them cute if one of them is a bunny? I didn't really read up on that and I don't think I'd want Judy to think I was-"
"Benjamin," Bogo said his name firmly to silence him. "I don't think they are a couple, I know they are."
"Really!?" Clawhausers eyes lit up and he gasped. "How?"
"It's obvious," Bogo shook his head and snorted. "It was obvious to me from the very first day Wilde was on the force. Hopps looked just as excited as her own first day, before I hit her with parking duty. He's her compliment, and she completes him in turn."
"What!? That is so romantic!" Clawhauser let out a merry giggle.
"That's part of why I put them together as partners," Bogo said, turning a page again. His smooth, deep voice sounded almost bored. "I knew they both would work twice as hard if they were together. That, and Hopps' incessant pleas were beginning to annoy me."
"Oh!" Clawhauser cooed, snuggling up to his arm tightly. "My big tough Beefalo is just a big softie under all that gruff."
"And to this day I am still not quite sure how you haven't revealed that, or the fact that you and I are together, to anyone else on the force," Bogo turned his head to look at him, seeming a bit impressed. "You wear your emotions on your donut sprinkle-dusted sleeve. How do you keep it a secret?"
"Only because I have to," Clawhauser chuckled. "I remember what you said, though. As neat as it would be for us to suddenly be the front page cover story of the Zootopia Times, it wouldn't be good for the precinct or either of us."
"There's a kitten," Bogo nodded sagely, patting him on the head. "Very good." Clawhauser shut his eyes, pleased with himself, and let out a small burst of a purr.
"So what are you going to do about Judy and Nick?" Clawhauser's spotted tail waved in interest. "Oh, they're just so good together. I want to see them smooch."
"Nothing, if they keep their act together," Bogo said. "You know that I cannot expressly condone fraternization in the workplace. Nor can I forbid them without being an enormous hypocrite. If I separated them just because I, for instance, caught them kissing in the break room-"
"Did you!?" Clawhauser interjected in awe.
"Focus, Benjamin," Bogo continued. "If I did that, and then our relationship was ever made public, I would be shamed out of my position for sure. Certainly I'd earn the ire of nearly every pro-inter-species politician in Zootopia."
"Plus, I wouldn't like if you split the two up," Clawhauser pouted. "They're way too fun to listen to." He giggled. "They already sound like they're a little bit married, honestly. Warts and all."
"I'm keenly aware of that," Bogo rolled his eyes, scratching softly at Clawhauser's chubby cheeks, making him purr again.
"So I just kinda have to watch them from afar, huh?" Clawhauser sounded a little bit pouty. "I do like to tease them."
"I wouldn't ask you to change who you are, Benjamin, that would be wrong. And suspicious," Bogo rubbed his own mouth with his finger.
"Hmhm, I love that you can keep so many secrets; you're so dark and mysterious," Clawhauser reached over with his index fingers and lifted Bogo's lips so it looked like he was smiling.
"I'm not dark," Bogo protested, his voice sounding slightly off from the action. "And really, not that mysterious either. Just prudent."
"Bleh, such a boring word," Clawhauser hung his tongue out briefly, releasing Bogo's face. "Oh, speaking of the opposite of boring, Gazelle's going to be playing at the Animalia Stadium in a few months!"
"Ah, splendid! You and I should definitely both go," Bogo gave a genuine smile to one of his guiltiest pleasures, smooching Clawhauser on the nose.
"But what if Judy and Nick go too, Beefy?" Clawhauser blinked, frowning. "Judy really likes Gazelle too, and if you're right about them being together, we might see each other there, and then the wheels would really start turning..."
"Well then, if that were the case, kitten," Bogo narrowed his eyes and gave his most handsome smirk. "I suppose all four of us would have to keep it as our little secret."