Kiki inhaled deeply. "Perry… When we first met… I had a huge crush on you."

Perry blinked. "Wow...was not expecting that."

Kiki blushed. "Y-Yeah. The thing is... I couldn't act normally around you because I…well…wasn't brave enough. So I tried asserting myself around you, and… It went a little overboard."

"You can say that again…"

"From then on, it kind of became a habit," Kiki continued. "Which… I know it's not much of an excuse…"

"It isn't, really."

Kiki sighed and said nothing except, "Sorry…"

Perry blinked again. "Well…I don't know how to feel about this."

Kiki sighed and rested her head on her paws, closing her eyes. "I get it…"

"I'm honestly not judging, but…" Perry closed his eyes. "…I was expecting something a lot worse than that to justify the amount of bullying I received from you."

Kiki squeezed her eyes shut. "No, Perry, I get it. I'm a terrible person for doing that to you and not having any better reason."

"I get why you did it at first. Dealing with a crush is hard, especially when you're not naturally an extrovert. But…Kiki, it went on for YEARS!"

"I know, Perry!" Tears began to form in the fox's eyes. "I'm just gonna get going."

Perry turned away but Gypsy sat up, reaching weakly for Kiki's hand. "No, please don't go!"

Kiki sniffled. "N-No, I have to go."

"Please!" Gypsy wailed. "Please don't go!"

"B-But th-that would be b-best…"

"I need you two," Gypsy whimpered. "I don't just need Perry, I need you."

"W-Why do you need me?"

"You're really tough. Sometimes I think you could scare a fallen tree into coming back to life."

Kiki sniffled. "W-What does that have to do with anything?"

"You're tough," repeated Gypsy croakily. "I need someone like you around. Perry brings the support, you bring the protection." She laughed weakly.

"P-Perry can give you both…"

"But he can't do both at the same time, and that's what I needed today. Perry supported me while you protected me."

"Well…" Kiki exhaled. "I don't think Perry wants to see me right now…"

"Perry's not the one who needs you." Gypsy's eyes were pleading. "P-Please."

The fox hesitated before sitting back down. Gypsy smiled weakly and made beautiful bluebells sprout round the fox's legs.

"That's amazing, Gypsy," Kiki smiled, rubbing her eye.

Gypsy linked arms with her. "You're my second best friend. Behind Perry, of course."

"R-Really?"

"Of course." Gypsy beamed. "In just two days, you made me a way better agent."

Kiki smiled. "I didn't realize you saw me that way."

"Why, do you not see me as a friend?"

Kiki shook her head quickly. "No, I do! I just… I was worried you didn't. Especially after the way I treated you..."

Gypsy smiled weakly. "I get that you have a hard time making friends. I don't hold that against you."

Kiki exhaled. "I think you're way too nice to me."

"I guess that's my one weakness." Gypsy cracked another small smile. "And it's the opposite of yours."

Kiki grinned. "Yeah…"

"Maybe it's good we're friends, then. You can keep me from being too naïve, and I can keep you from being too mean."

"Deal," grinned Kiki.

She shook Gypsy's paw.

Perry then came back over. "Gypsy needs to go to bed," he said, his voice hard.

"Perry, you don't need to be so harsh," Gypsy said firmly. "And I don't need rest right now."

"Yes you do. It's nearly midnight."

"Oh..." Gypsy glanced up at the sky. "Well, I've been sleeping a lot today..."

"I know, but if you don't get back into your regular routine now, you'll find it harder later."

"You're determined to keep me away from Kiki, aren't you?" Gypsy glared.

"That's..." Perry turned away. "...not it."

"Then what is it?" Gypsy demanded.

"I want you to get rest. I love you, Gypsy."

"I love you, too, Perry, but I want to talk to Kiki!"

"You've BEEN talking to Kiki!"

"For, like, FIVE minutes!"

"Well, what else do you need to say to her?" Perry snapped. "Go on, since you'd rather talk to a bully than the person who wants to ask you to be their mate!"

"W-W-WHAT?!" Gypsy gasped.

Perry immediately realized what he had said. "O-O-O-O-Oh… G-G-Gosh… P-P-Please tell me y-y-you didn't h-hear t-t-that…"

Gypsy bit her lip. "Oh, Perry...!"

Perry moaned loudly and buried his head in his paws.

"P-Perry..." Gypsy hesitated. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Y-You really weren't supposed to h-h-hear that…"

"I-I don't mind, Perry."

"B-B-But…!"

"Perry..." Gypsy hesitated. "Why are you acting like this over that?"

"W-We've only been in a relationship about a d-day... A-And that was supposed to be a surprise..."

"Perry...I love you. There's nothing I want more than to be your mate."

Perry blushed. "R-Really?"

"Of course." Gypsy beamed. "And I don't mind when you ask me. Whether it be a few days or a few weeks. I will wait, and I will not leave you.

"G-Gypsy..." Perry smiled warmly. "Thank you."

Gypsy moved forwards and kissed him. "You never know; I might forget. My memory is terrible."

"Maybe," Perry chuckled.

Perry glanced at Kiki, who was still standing there awkwardly. She was staring at the ground now, and Perry felt a bit more awkward, after what he had just learned.

"K-Kiki, I..."

"No, it's fine." Kiki inhaled. "I'll go on and go. I should probably get to bed myself soon."

"Come over tomorrow?" pleaded Gypsy.

Perry hesitated, and Kiki did as well. "Maybe... We should meet at O.W.C.A. instead...?"

Gypsy glanced between the two of them, sighing. "Y-Yeah, I guess."

"Great," Kiki smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Gypsy smiled weakly back. "Yeah..."

Kiki hesitated before leaning forwards and hugging her briefly. "Okay, bye."

Gypsy smiled. "Bye."

The fox walked off, and Gypsy leaned back against Perry, sighing. "I know you're mad at her, but she's one of my best friends."

"I'm surprised," Perry admitted. "I... I didn't think you two would get along."

"Neither did I, but...we complement each other perfectly."

"I guess you do," Perry agreed. "You're nice, and she's...not."

"Perry, I know she bullied you, but she's explained it."

"It wasn't good enough!" Perry snapped suddenly.

Gypsy flinched. "Why?"

"Because she hurt me for years! Almost my entire childhood!"

Gypsy hesitated. "She...regrets it, Perry."

Perry sighed and sat down violently on the grass.

"People do stupid things when they're in love," Gypsy said, hesitantly sitting down next to him.

Perry groaned and leaned back. "I guess..."

Gypsy fell silent and looked away.

Perry exhaled. "It's just hard to grasp that you can you and Kiki are friends now."

"I-I know, and I know it's hard for you." Gypsy inhaled. "Perry...if...if it bothers you so much...I-I can stay away from her."

"Don't." Perry shook his head immediately. "I don't want you to lose a friendship because of me."

"But it bothers you so much, and I love you."

Perry smiled softly. "I love you, too, Gyp. But... I can learn to handle this."

"C-Can you?"

"Of course." He nuzzled into her fur.

Gypsy smiled. "I hope so."

Perry returned the smile, though it was weaker. "Let's get to bed."

Gypsy nodded, yawning. "Okay."

Perry got back up and picked Gypsy up as well. He kissed her forehead and carried her into the house. "I can walk," she protested feebly, not really protesting at all.

Perry laughed. "But I want to do this."

"And...I want you to as well."

"Great," Perry grinned.

Gypsy blushed slightly. She yawned and leaned her head against Perry's chest, blushing slightly. "This...is nice."

"Yeah." Perry rested her on the bed.

Gypsy blushed. "Thank you, Perry."

"No problem, Gyp." He lightly kissed her forehead. "Now, get to sleep."

"I will." Smiling, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Perry chuckled softly and stroked her fur.

"Goodnight, Gypsy."

He stroked her cheek softly.

"Sweet dreams."