Sorry for the wait, my mind somehow decided it would make more sense to write the chapter after this one first. So I suppose the good news is, next one will be up tomorrow-ish.

Once again, thanks for the kind reviews :) It does wonders for my ego and motivation :p It's also handy to know what is definitely working for me, so thank you for all your pointers!

Some responses in random order: I'm keeping the wolf Grizzoli, too many different lists out there, let's hope Disney makes an official one someday. Short chapters; I usually write longer ones, but somehow these are turning out a lot more scenic than my usual style. I'd rather not pad them out just because, though, they seem to work just fine as is. I'm glad the pace is working, I was a bit worried it was going too slow. And yes, Nick got a bit under the weather from sleeping so long and staying indoors. Too much sleep can do that to a person ;)

Back to the story we go...


-Can't come over tonight. Chief put us on stake out duty.-

-Go catch'em, fluff. See you monday?-

-Why cancel? If you were contagious, I'd already have it by now. I'll see you tomorrow.-

He made a face at his phone. Stubborn bunny. To be fair, Saturday was their usual evening for hanging out.

With his bunny elsewhere occupied, his Friday was mostly spent in relative peace. He ran some errants out in the big bad world, and considered it a good sign that he managed to get through the whole day without snapping at anyone. Now if he was only capable of doing that at work for the next two to three months, everything would be just great.

He had actually considered asking the Chief to partner him up with Grizzoli for a while. The wolf surely wouldn't mind. Carrots wouldn't stand for it though. And exactly what would he say if she asked him why? She was far from stupid. And even if by some magic he got away with it, what was he going to do next year? Or the year after that? No, he had to get a grip on this. He was an adult, wasn't he? There were plenty of reynards out there who were past the Chill phase, and most of them were perfectly behaved gentlemammals. Of course, most of them have settled down by now. No point in pills, really, when you got yourself a mate...

He turned the music to full volume and plopped down onto the couch, stretching out on his back. Maybe he should just do what normal mammals did, and talk about it. Not that his options were promising. His best friend was an obvious no, Grizzoli already knew more than enough without him feeling the need to embarrass himself further. Finnick would be sympathetic, but would offer him a night on the town to set his sights somewhere else, and he was just not feeling that. And his mom... No. Just... No.

His relative peace and quiet didn't last nearly long enough. Come Saturday afternoon, He was building up to a peculiar sort of apprehensive; Nervous and sick in his stomach, but excited as well. After about an hour of this he mercilessly stuck his head under the tap, cold water running in his ears and nose until the jitters at least seemed to subside. He resisted the urge to shake himself dry. He never would have dreamed he would miss those Chill Pills so badly.

He was pacing by the time her usual arrival time came around.

Tell her you're sick. You had a relapse. You ate something wrong. Or just don't answer and tell her you fell asleep after.

He jumped slightly when the knock finally came at the door. He took a final deep breath, smoothing his face into a semblance of calm, and opened up with a smile.

"Evening, Carrots."

It only took him a heartbeat to take note of the sparkle in her eyes, the curve of her sweater where it hugged her hips, the fluffness of her tail...
This was going to be harder than he thought.

She looked him over with played disappointment. "Aww, you didn't have to dress up just for me."

It took him a hint of a moment longer than usual to slip into a smug smile. "Too bad Carrots, those who don't appreciate the goods, get the shirt."

She laughed. "Hey, I don't remember complaining."

His grin froze at that, but she had already ducked under his arm.

Tease.

"So, what shall we do tonight? Play a game? Boardgame? Watch a movie? What would you like?" She plonked her bag onto the couch and reached into it, giving him a way too good view of that ridiculously curved behind.

I'd like to ravish you all night until we both fall into oblivion.

He coughed, hot behind his ears. "Why don't you pick? I'll get us something to drink."

He slinked into the kitchen to get exactly that, along with a few deep gulps of air. On a scale of one to ten, how noticeable would it be if he stuck his head under the tap again?

He jumped at the sound of her voice. "All right, you can call me lazy if you want, but I was up most of the night, so I'm allowed. Movie it is." He could hear her pop it into the player. "Fair warning, I might just fall asleep on your couch."

He decided against the water treatment, took a few drinks from the fridge, and resigned himself to his fate. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.


It wasn't bad at all, actually. Just the two of them, watching a movie, as two good friends are wont to do. He'd even casually lifted his paw as she sidled close, a signature move of them by now, leaving it to lean loosely on her shoulder. Nothing to worry about at all.

She yawned halfway through the movie, making him chuckle. "Don't fall asleep on me now."

She poked him between the ribs. "Oh shush, I had a long night."

She poked him a few times more as if to fluff him like a pillow, making him hiss as she hit a ticklish spot. "Don't damage the goods, Carrots." She simply hummed and nestled her head back against his side.

After a while he could feel her breath evening out, and he looked down with a warm smile. She had her eyes closed, and her nose was giving the occasional twitch. "Now what did I say about falling asleep?"

She groaned and hid her face against his side. "Pillows don't talk."

He let her be, and returned his attention to the screen. He was actually able to keep up with the story, imagine that.

She moved from her position, and he lifted his paw to give her room, assuming she'd settle down again. Her weight shifted, and his ears shot up so fast he almost strained the muscles, his eyes going wide. What is she doing? What is she DOING?

"Eh... Carrots?"

"Shush." She nuzzled her nose into his chest fur with a contented sigh, completely curled up on his lap. "I'm very comfy."

The heat behind is ears was almost painful. His claws were going to leave marks on the couch, he was sure of it.
Ok, don't panic, just don't panic. Breathe, Wilde.

He took a deep breath, and got a nose full of Judy. Ah...

His snout was actually brushing her ear before he snapped back into focus. She flicked it with a soft hum. "Tickles."

He breathed between his teeth, trying to make it shallow, keeping his eyes fixed on the screen. She'd fall asleep soon. All he had to do was not move, until she fell asleep. He felt his jaw lock up with the effort of it. He could do it.

She was moving again, looking up at him with a sleepy but confused look. "Your heart is going like a train, Nick."

"Is it?" He fixed his gaze on her shoulder, anything to not look into those purple questioning eyes right now. He was supposed to be thinking of an answer, but all that came to mind was how the fur of that shoulder would feel like against his tongue. What was the question again? He tilted his head, eyes slightly glazed. Maybe he'd trail sideways until he could nip the nape of her neck. Kiss his way up to those ears-

"Nick!"

He blinked. "Yes?"

"You all right?"

Damn those eyes. How could he possibly lie to those? She'd know anyway.

"No." He tried a smile, and failed. "No I'm not."

Her ears fell back in obvious concern. "What's wrong?"

He opened his mouth, only to shut it again. Where did he even begin? She shifted slightly on his lap to sit up, resting her paws on his shoulders. He fought to keep the grimace of his face. Too close. Way too close.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Damn those eyes. His body seemed to move on its own accord, closing the distance between them. He could almost taste her confusion, but deep down he was so very much past caring, and if she wanted to know, then why didn't he just show her, like… so.

He dipped his snout and dragged it along her cheek, slowly, her fur tickling his nose as he breathed in her scent. His arms pulled her close, paws firmly trailing alongside her spine. He buried his nose into her neck with a soft whine, opening his mouth to nip the fur, right there-

FOCUS!

He snapped his jaw shut and turned sideways, resting his chin on her shoulder, tightening the hug. He was trembling, he realized, his muscles all locked up, like a coiled spring, an accident waiting to happen.

Why wasn't she saying something?

It seemed to take him forever to find his voice again.

"Could you... Could you go, please?"

He didn't trust himself to move, simply waiting for her to leave. She didn't. Instead, she slid her paws into his neck, leaning back to look at him. Their noses were almost touching.

It took him everything he had not to kiss her. He whined, unable to stop the sound, and hating himself for it. He needed her to go. Why wasn't she going? Instead, she kept looking at him, so incredibly concerned.

"Nick..." She slid one paw over his cheek, and he shut his eyes in desperation

Nonono… not unless you mean it. Please gods, not unless you mean it…

"Go! Please." Two short rough barks were all he could manage. His heart was thundering in his ears. He couldn't look at her.

Her weight on him shifted, and suddenly she was gone. He breathed sharply, feeling strangely weightless and cold without her. He was dimly aware of her grabbing her bag, the sound of the door slamming shut. His eyes snapped open at that, finally able to move again. He was shaking now, taking in deep breaths to calm his heart.

He felt like laughing and crying at the same time.