Ben 2 For the Love of a Cheetah.

Hello everyone, I'm back with a new one-shot .

So, This is technically canon for my AFH and WCST stories, which are parallel universes to each other, if you didn't already know that.

Hope you enjoy.

Note: I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney. Not that they are doing anything with the property…

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Ben…

Ben looked up as his favorite mammals walked into the precinct. Giving them a smile and wave, he returned to his Lucky Chomps. Sadly, it seems that he just wasn't able to keep the dejected look off his muzzle, no matter how much he tried to smile. He really just couldn't find his joy today, not even seeing Nick and Judy being a little playful before heading for the bullpen and turning on their professional sides. He admired them for that, really. Their ability to be completely professional while on the clock. He wished he had that ability.

He'd already blocked the questions from Lizz and Mike. He was convinced that they were a couple, but if they were, they were better at hiding it than Nick and Judy, and they were good. They always had explanations. That they were just really good friends. Again, Ben didn't believe that for a second, but he also couldn't prove it.

His sadness, and nervousness grew as they approached. It was clear they knew something was up. Judy hopped up on the counter and looked at him. "Okay, Ben. What's up? This is the fourth time in two weeks that you look like someone shaved your tail."

Looking away, his ears flicking back and tail lashing. "It's fine. Really. Just something personal getting under my fur. I'll be fine by tomorrow."

Nick spoke up from the floor. "Fluff, we need to go. Pen starts in two minutes."

Judy looked back and nodded. "Okay." Facing Ben, she gave him a hug. "We'll talk more later." Then jumped down, the two small mammals hurrying off.

Ben spoke towards her retreating form, knowing they would both hear him. "Sure Judy."

Ben whittled away his shift at the front desk, and as head dispatcher, as best he could. He got his work done, but just couldn't dig up the joy he usually had. The entire precinct clearly knew something was up with him. Even the chief noticed and didn't bellow into the intercom as he usually did. Ben appreciated that, but it didn't really help. He couldn't even find any joy in his usual apps. The only thing that seemed to help at all was listening to Gazelle and a bit of Nighthowler, while he was having lunch. It was his dark secret.

Everyone knew he loved Gazelle, and he'd normally tell just about anyone. He supposed that was what tipped everyone off. He just didn't feel chatty today, going on and on about Gazelle to some random perp wasn't in him today, and that went noticed.

When he was feeling like this, listening to Nighthowler really got his blood pumping and usually lifted him out of his funk. He was convinced that he knew the voice of the Nighthowler lead singer, but just couldn't place it. Sadly, even mixing up his favorite Gazelle and Nighthowler songs couldn't get his mood to improve. He just felt so hopeless and alone.

He was trying. He really was. But it just didn't seem like he could find a mammal to open his heart to, and that was what had him down. He had been on a third date with a leopardess, and he truly liked her and felt that maybe he had finally found the mammal he could entrust his heart to, though he guarded it jealously nonetheless. He'd been hurt before, but it seems she wasn't willing to wait.

Shaking himself from the reverie thoughts of the previous night and its associated rejection, Ben looked up to see his relief smiling down at him. "Hey, Ben. Time to go home."

Ben nodded and smiled up at the boar that had the night shift. "Hey, Carl. Good to see you. Feeling better? Figure you'll be back on the streets in a few more weeks?"

Carl nodded. "Yeah. Doc said I'm clear, just waiting on the paperwork. Then you'll have someone else to take over for you. I will never understand how you manage to keep track of it all during the day. It is too much for me at night, and things are generally quiet, comparatively. I've looked at the metrics."

Ben shrugged. "It's what I do. I can't be out on the street like you, so I do what I can to make sure you guys get everything I can provide from here."

Giving Ben a wider smile. "And you do a damn good job of it. Anyway, you alright? You seem down."

Ben shrugged as he got out of the way so Carl could take over. "As good as can be expected. Bad date. Got dumped. That sort of thing."

Carl nodded with a wry smile. "Oh. That sucks. Sorry to hear it. I'm sure you'll find some mammal. There's one out there for all of us."

Ben nodded and then gasped as Judy appeared. "He's right, you know. Come on, Ben. Drinks are on Nick and I."

Clutching his chest. "Judy! Don't' do that!"

Judy gave him what he would describe as an evil grin. "Well, considering what I just heard, I think you need a drink and some companionship from your friends even more."

Ben groaned. He knew what was coming, and knew there was no avoiding it. "Fine…" Rolling his eyes, but failed to suppress a weak smile. He really could use some time with his friends.

After clocking out, he found Nick, Judy, Francine, Delgato, Wolford, and both Fangmeyers waiting for him. Shaking his head with a laugh. "Oh, really? You all think it's that bad, do you?"

Judy nodded. "You didn't even once harass a perp about the wonders of Gazelle, and I swear I heard something a lot harder than Gazelle coming from your headphones earlier."

Ben blanched for a millisecond before recovering. "Yeah. Something got added to my playlist. One of those suggestions because you listened to something else."

Judy nodded. "Yeah, I hate that. You watch a Ewetube video and suddenly the algorithms start serving you up the weirdest and totally unrelated stuff. Now come on, lets get out of here."

Ben nodded and followed the group, before finding himself surrounded by the group as they hit the street and not sure how that happened. Ten minutes later they were leaving the subway and entered their usual bar. A table was arranged, and drinks were passed out. At which point, all eyes turned to Ben who shrank under the expectant gaze.

Judy rolled her eyes. "Alright, Ben. We're all your friends here. We're worried about you. It has been multiple times in the last few weeks, starting out happy and then tanking, hard. What's going on? Are you not meeting the right mammals? How are you meeting them? Is it them? Is it you? What's going on?"

Ben sighed and shook his head. "It's a little of all of that. I'm not going to go into it, but suffice it to say I got hurt, badly, a number of years ago. For a long time I refused to go back into the dating pool at all. This last year, my family have talked me into going on a few dates. Some very nice mammals that they hooked me up with. Basically blind dates. And well, the last few have gone really well. Only, they wanted to move faster than I was ready to. It isn't that I don't want to be with someone. I just…"

Lizz smiled and put a paw on his shoulder. "It's just that because of how you got hurt, it is hard to open up. I take it this previous relationship ended very badly, and you were in deep."

Ben nodded. "Yeah. You could say that." Taking a long drink of his beer. "My physical appearance doesn't help any. So far the most I have gotten was a guy that had a fat kink. He didn't care about me, just wanted to rub one out against me." Shaking himself. "Gods. What a creep. The last few have been nice enough, but again, despite explaining that I am still hurting, even after all these years, and that I want to go slow, apparently the third date is expected to give more than I am willing to."

Francine shook her head, ears flapping slightly. "Then they are clearly unworthy of you. You need a mammal that is willing to go at your pace, because you are worth it. You're not just some conquest, and if you are not ready, then they should be willing to wait. If they won't then you don't need them. I'm guessing this is what hit you so hard with this last one?"

Ben nodded and looked down with a sniff. "Yeah. I keep telling myself that, but it still hurts."

Lizz smiled and gave Ben's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "So what are you looking for? Male? Female? Cheetah? Something else? Maybe it could help to talk out what it is you are interested in?"

Ben laughed. "You're not the first person to tell me that." Giving his head a happy shake and a glance towards Nick and the guys that were playing pool. "I'm actually pretty flexible." Giving a smirk and enjoying the blush it elicited in all the ladies. "And yes, I meant that, that way too, despite how I look. But really, I lean towards males, and species has never been important to me. I care about the mammal and who they are as a mammal, not what fur they wear. What I want is a long term, committed relationship. I don't just want a fling, a night in the sack and wake up to an empty bed. I've had that for years, and I'm done with that. I want a real relationship. I want… I want what I had, before it all went wrong."

Judy nodded and looked over the ladies at the table. "Okay, so how have you been meeting these mammals so far?"

Ben shrugged. "I go to bars, coffee shops, etc… I'm easy enough to talk to, but it never gets very far. In the end, they all seem interested in a fling that might turn into something more. Even when I try that, it never lasts more than a month or two before we're in the booty-call state." His phone pinging and looking at it with a groan. "Speaking of which, I just got pinged for just that. He's a nice guy, and I really wanted to open up more with him, but he met this antelope, and well… I just fill his need for the occasional piece of pred. He's also an antelope. I hope that isn't an issue."

The ladies all chuckled, Lizz speaking "In this group, no. That's not going to be a problem. We're all either in or wishing we were in relationships, and being cops, I think we are all willing to look past species better than most."

Ben nodded with a smile. "So what do you suggest?"

Francine grinned. "Dating app."

Ben groaned. "No… Please no. Those are so hokey and they only ever want to pair like with like and male to female. Accept that hook-up app, Mamgrinder. It's all good. I'd rather not deal with apps. The mammals on there are never who they say they are."

Francine's smile just got wider. "That's why you shouldn't be using all those popular apps. They're just hook-up apps with better marketing. At least Mamgrinder doesn't try and pretend it is something it isn't. But… Have you tried Mates, yet? It's how I met my mate, because it is not about hooking up, it's about finding that special someone, just for you.

You have to take a bunch of tests and answer a LOT of questions. From sexual preference, orientation, to species preferences, or lack there of. Personality tests, and then they match you with mammals that are actual matches and are looking for the same thing you are. You chat through the app first, no photos to be doctored, and only after you both select a willingness to meet up will that section open up, and neither is let know when that actually happens. In fact, they also delay the opening of that option by several days. You then arrange a date, meet, and let nature take its course. It took three to meet the right one, but I'm actually friends with the others, as is my mate."

Ben nodded with a thoughtful pout. "Okay. That sounds promising. Mates, you said?" Pulling out his phone and opening the app store. Locating the app he held it up. "This one?"

Francine nodded with a smile. "Yep, that's the one."

Ben initiated the download. "Any in-app purchases, or the like?"

Francine shrugged. "I don't' know who backs the app, but despite it being one hundred precent free, and no adds, it is a full, paid app, experience. When you read the opening welcome, you'll get it. Whoever created and backed the app is in an inter-species relationship, and struggled to find a mate that truly matched them, and since they can afford it, they wanted to make life easier for others."

The others nodded as Ben watched the download finish. "Okay. I'm almost sold. Opening the app once the download finished, she read the opening welcome screen aloud."

"Hello and welcome to Mates. The only dating app that is actually about finding a life long relationship with a mate that will fill your life with the joy and companionship we all deserve. We are not just a hook up app in a pretty wrapper. We at Mates seek to connect you with mammals who are actually compatible with you. Many of the mammals that have used our app find life long friends, as well as their actual mate.

To understand why Mates is completely free, with premium, paid levels of services, is very simple. As mammals, my mate and I had to struggle through countless issues, rejections, prejudice, and other problems to find each other, and to be together. Even now, we are not as open as we wish we could be. Thankfully, both my mate and I are well off, but we know many out there are not. As such, we created Mates to help others avoid the pitfalls and pain we went through in finding each other.

You will notice some banners, but you will also notice that they are not ads to be clicked on, they only represent that a given company supports Mates. This lets you know that a given company, such as the one whose banner sits above this message. It means that they have financially supported Mates, and they have passed the rigorous checks that Mates requires a company to undergo, proving that they do their upmost to avoid and address specisism and support inclusivity for all mammals, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, sexual preference, or species and species preference.

That means, if you choose to patronize any company that has a banner within the add, you can be assured that you are supporting a company that supports you as a user of Mates, in turn.

Please not that the more honest you are in completing the surveys and other information, the more quickly we can provide you with possible matches, and the more likely that those matches will be a true fit for you. We cannot guarantee that the first, or even fifth match will be the one, but we promise that you won't have that disappointing dating experience we're sure you are tired of. I know my mate and I were when we finally found each other.

With that, we at Mates welcome you. Take the tests, do the survey's, and look forward to establishing life long friendships, and with any luck, the mate, or mates, of your dreams. We don't judge, and so our app does not either. Good luck."

Sincerely, the Mates Team.

Ben looked up from the app with a grin. "Okay. This is promising." Over the next two hours, they laughed, drank, and laughed some more at some of the survey questions. That said, Ben answered as honestly as he could.

Late that night as Ben was crawling into bed, his phone pinged with a strange tone he had not heard before. Picking it up, he saw that he had three matches on Mates. Grinning, he propped himself up on his bed and opened the app. The first was a low level match based on a collection of interests. Looking it over, he rejected it. He was sure they were nice enough, but he was not interested in a prairie dog. Next was a wolfess, and though that surprised him, it made him smile. He pinged her on the chat saying hello and moved onto the last one.

Raising his eyebrow, he noted that it listed the last one as a couple, who were married and looking for a third. He found that strange, but reading the bio further, it was clear that they were not looking for a one time threesome, but an actual third. Species wasn't listed other than to say that they were large prey. That didn't bother Ben, so he pulled up the chat and said hello. What surprised him was the quick response. He chuckled at the username. BuButt1 Wondering if they laughed at his username CheetahFluffPuff

CFP: Hello. I just got the app and got you aa a match. I'm interested in learning more about you both.

BB1: Hi. Can we call you CFP?

CFP: Sure, if I can call you BB1. Kinda like the Fur Wars droid.

BB1: LOL Yes, I suppose so, and that is fine. Before we get deeper. We want to make sure it is absolutely clear. We are NOT looking to just hook up for a threesome. We are large prey and culturally, we are rarely if ever just a pair. We're looking for a third, but a third that can satisfy both my husbands and my needs. We want a mate, not a hookup. That said, in the long run, sex is a real bit part of any relationship, so you would need to be okay with having sex with both of us, IF we get to that point.

Ben grinned at the message. That cemented his assurance that they were serious about finding a mate, and not just a fling.

CFP: That is actually really great to hear. I'm very DONE with the hook up culture. I had a mate, but… Well, things went bad and I have been hurting. I'm very open and while I lean towards males, I like females plenty, as long as I am in the mood. Species has NEVER mattered to me. I mean, I grew up with a pair of foxes who were brothers in all but blood. As long as me being a predator, and on friendly terms with foxes doesn't bother you. That and you're okay with going slow. I am still hurting from that last relationship and while I want to open my heart, it is going to take time. The last few mammals I've dated weren't willing to give me that.

BB1: Oh, we totally understand. We need to be very discrete ourselves due to my husband's job. That means, going very slow and ensuring we have reached that perfect point before we dig deeper. If you are okay, I'm going to add my husband to the chat, and open a separate individual chat. One of the things we've learned is that we need to check off on a mammal separately, as well as together, otherwise we have found that sometimes it isn't a right match for us individually, even if it is for us as a couple, and it's important that we match up as individual mammals too.

CFP: Oh, that's great. I appreciate you wanting to be careful. I have a few friends that are in multi partner relationships and missing that individual match has hurt a few of their relationships.

A few moments later Ben had three active chats. One with BuButt1, one with BuButt2, and a group chat with the three of them.

BuButt2 Chat

BB2: Hello there CFP. It's nice to meet you. It's very late, so I just wanted to say hello and that I'll probably ping you some time tomorrow after I've looked over the profile.

CFP: No problem. I have been out with some work friends most of the evening and am pretty tired. Though it was one of my friends that turned me onto this app. I'm just surprised that I got a match so fast.

BB2: From what I understand, that means you were very honest in your answers.

CFP: Well, the mammal that turned me onto the App said that the more honest I was, the quicker I'd get a good match. Said they weren't as honest, and ended up going back in and redoing some things because they were not getting good matches.

BB2: I see. Yeah, that makes sense. Well, I certainly hope we are a good match. The wife and I have been trying to find a good third for many years, but with my job and the stress and hours it demands, as well as hers, so far those that we have tried say that they can't take it. Too much stress. Too much worry. Things like that. Members of our own species just don't like the job I have in general. Then again, I took a job that doesn't have a lot of my species in it. Being prey, I guess I was expected to take a less stressful, less dangerous job. Same with my wife.

CFP: Well, I guess I have a dangerous job, though I haven't done parts of it for a while. As for being prey in a job that isn't typical of you. Well… That doesn't bother me. I have a few friends where I work that are outside their species expectations and stereotypes. I guess I'll let you get some rest. It sounds like you don't get nearly enough of it.

BB2: That is the truth. Sleep well CFP.

CFP: You too, BB2.

BuButt1 Chat

BB1: So I added you to our group chat, and my husband says he is connected to you as well.

CFP: He is. He seems very nice. Worried about he job and how that effects how much time he is home. I guess you both have jobs that are not especially normal for your species. Like I told him. I have quite a few friends that are working jobs that are outside of their species expectations and stereotypes. A few to an extreme, yet they prove every day that they are doing exactly what they should be.

BB1: That's good. More mammals need to not live up, or down, to their stereotypes. I'm a huge proponent of the MII.

CFP: So am I! If it wasn't for the MII, some of my closest friends wouldn't be in their jobs and I probably would never have met them.

BB1: That's great. And you like males? We are on the large side of large mammals.

CFP: I'm not too worried about it. Yes, I like males, and I like females. More to the point, I like them on the larger side. /blushes/ You are both easy to talk to. Well, as I said to BB2, I have been out most of the night with some friends from work. One of them is who actually turned me onto the app. So I am going to crash out, but I do hope to chat with you more soon. I really tried to be as honest as I could on the survey's and quizzes. My friend said they had top go back in and make updates because they weren't getting good matches. Said they found their mate through the app, and several real good friends that didn't pan out as mates. With that, I'm hopeful that one way or the other.

BB1: I agree. Good night CFP. Sleep well.

CFP: You too.

GroupChat

CFP: Good night, both of you. Sleep well. I look forward to chatting with and getting to know you both more.

BB1: Good night CFP. :)

BB2: Night. Rest well.

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Over the next several weeks, Ben got to know BB1 and BB2. He learned that they were Buffallo, and BB2 was from a very traditional family line, thus the desire to seek a third and more, depending. However, both he and BB1 had been unable to find members of their own species that were willing to deal with the jobs both of them had. BB2 was in law enforcement and BB1 was a very high powered lawyer.

He learned that they had two claves, but they were both college age and on their own mostly. Ben gave up that he was feline and that his last love, and the relationship that hurt him so badly was with a wolf. He found great swaths of common ground with both of them. His love of Gazelle with BB2 and his love of NightHowler with BB1. As well as the fact that both of them were convinced they knew the voice of the NightHowler lead singer, but just couldn't place it.

By the end of the month, Ben had checked the box in the app that meant he was ready to meet them in person. What surprised him is that three days later, the option to set up the first date opened up for BB1 and BB2, but not in the Group chat. By mutual agreement, until that one opened, they wouldn't mention it in the private chats and wait until the group chat option opened. Ben himself had already marked that. He was really hopeful that they felt as a couple that he was compatible, given that they felt that way individually.

Two days later, the group chat option opened and Ben let out a massive squeal as he was leaving the front desk after being relieved for the day. His relief shook his head but left it alone, he'd learned long ago not to ask such questions, lest he be waylaid for the next few hours over the glories of the newest Gazelle release.

That night they met up in the group chat to discuss their first date.

Group Chat

CFP: I'm so excited to know you both feel we might be a good match as a couple as well as individually.

BB1: Well, after we discussed it, we find that you check just about all our boxes. So, we at least want to meet you and get all those details we don't want to talk about in this chat, out in the open.

BB2: Yes, and once you know who we are, you hopefully won't walk away.

CFP: I know you are worried. A job in law enforcement is not one to take lightly. I'm sure I'll be surprised by who you are, but that won't scare me away.

BB2: We hope so.

BB1: As we've talked about. We've been through so many, mostly through the other apps. You're our first really clear match on this app.

CFP: As the Mates app says in the opener. Those other apps are mostly just Mamgrinder with better marketing. They are hook-up apps that pretend to be something else. We've all given up on them. Though I was surprised when you both admitted to trying it separately as well as a couple. Though without hard it was to set up the couple account, unless you were just looking for a threesome, I can understand the frustration.

BB2: So, there is a small diner I know of. Really great food, intimate and quiet. Also very discrete. One of my employee's pointed us to it. We've used it for several dates. You are the first I have real hope about.

CFP: Me too. I've been on so many that didn't pan out. Where they just showed up expecting some tail.

BB1: Same for us. So you are free this Friday night?

CFP: I am. I am really looking forward to meeting you both in the fur.

BB2: As we are in meeting you.

BB1: I'll send you the address Friday.

CFP: I can't wait.

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Friday Night.

Ben stood in front of his mirror and looked himself over, again. He needed to leave soon, but still wasn't sure if he was wearing the right thing. Glancing at the website of the diner, he knew it was casual, yet he wanted to make the right impression. Should he go with the t-shirt, or the polo, or … He was stressing, badly.

Finally he shook himself out. Jeans and tucked dress shirt, without a tie and unbuttoned at the top. Casual. Relaxed, but not lazy. He had bathed twice. Once at the precinct, and again when he got home. Applied conditioner and the scent that Judy and Nick had gotten him for his birthday. They claimed it wasn't meant to mask his scent, but actually enhance it in pleasant ways. He prayed to Velocity and whatever gods might listen that it was true. He didn't want to be off putting because of his scent.

Ready, he grabbed his keys and drove to the diner. He'd been by there several times and chuckled as it was one that Nick had suggested to him as a place to take any prey he might try dating. They had a strong mixed menu, or so he said, and really good cooks in the kitchen. WIth a sigh, he parked and stepped inside.

It was darker than outside in the street lights, so it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. The hostess smiled at him. "Welcome to Therus." She looked at the blue rose on his chest and smiled. "Your group is in the back corner. Good luck."

Ben smiled warmly. "Thank you. We're all hoping that this works out better than our previous attempts at dating."

Nodding, the hostess grinned. "They said the same thing."

Ben turned and walked to where he was pointed. As he approached there was a scent that was familiar, but since he knew several of the Precinct One officers frequented the place on Nick's suggestion, though he hadn't tried it himself yet, he wasn't too surprised by that. Approaching the very high backed booth, he could just see the horns from the two buffalo he was expecting and smiled. They were both there, and the largest part of his fear went away. The only concern being the fact that the familiar scent was getting stronger, and he suddenly felt that he knew the mammal, but couldn't place them.

Approaching the booth, he saw who could only be BB1 first and smiled at her smile. She was absolutely gorgeous. Yeah, he preferred males, but she was something above that he was sure got could get the blood of a corpse moving. "Oh my! You are just as beautiful as I could possibly hoped or imagined. You have to be BB1, and I swear, you are so beautiful, I wouldn't be surprised if you could bring life back to a corpse."

BB1 giggled and blushed. "Thank you CFP. I get the name now, and you are simply adorable." Her smile faltered as she glanced at BB2 who Ben hand not moved far enough to see. "Now, Adrian. Why the look?"

BB2 reached up and ran a hoof down his muzzle in a terrifyingly familiar way to Ben. The name Adrian had his fur standing on end. Turning, he looked out of the booth and Ben's breath froze in his chest. "Hello Ben."

Ben almost fell back as his heart raced. "Chief?! No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Chief? You're? No… You… You're BB2? BuButt… Buffalo Butt? You used Nick's snide Nickname? That means…" Looking back to BB1. "That this vision of a mammal is Patricia?" Ben grinned, his heart still racing at the shock of who he was meeting. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Despite his gruff exterior, the chief… Adrian, has always spoken so highly of you. When you can get him to talk."

Adian chuckled. "Something you, my dear cheetah, have always had a knack for doing. You, along with that blasted rabbit and fox."

Ben's grin widened as he recovered from his shock and took his seat. "Now, don't hate on Nick and Judy too much. They're still hiding their truth from each other as much as the rest of us. A relationship between them is going to be a hard thing once it is public. I'm also sure that they are worried that if they become involved, that they will be separated. I mean, you did separate those two idiots last year, but seriously… I do not understand how they thought they could manage to stay partners while going through a contentious divorce, with kit custody in play. If anything, that probably made the whole situation worse."

Adrian nodded. "I believe it did at that. So, Ben. Uhm…"

Ben smiled and slid up next to Adrian in the booth, putting a paw on his knee. "Despite my otherwise gossipy nature, I can keep a secret better than anyone, and I am still interested in getting to know you and Patricia socially. As long as you can keep it professional on the clock." His paw wondering up the inside of Adrian's leg causing his breath to catch and Ben to grin. "No PDA, as you would say, on the clock or in the precinct." Moving with surprising speed, he slipped past Adiran to drop between him and Patricia. Turning his attention to her, his paw now on Adrian's other leg. His free paw reaching up and caressing her muzzle. "I have to say, I have always been attracted to you, but I never thought I could possibly have a chance." Pulling his paws back to himself. "However, like we have all discussed. I am looking for something real. Something long lasting." Looking up at Adrian. "I want what I lost with Jeff. I can keep it a secret, and I know you can. You kept what really happened under wraps."

Adiran nodded as he recovered his brain from the shock and unexpected pleasure Ben's paws on his leg brought him. "I can keep it professional easily enough on the job. Our relationship there need not change."

Ben nodded. "Agreed. Since you are the chief of police, everyone is your subordinate, but because of that, I am not actually a direct report. There are at least four mammals between you and me. That said, we will have to keep it that way. I know I am up for head dispatcher, and I guess I'll have to forego that."

Adrian laughed. "Not up for, already got it. It is official as of Monday. Also, we can't not let that happen or it will raise suspicion. Yes, you will be one level higher than you are currently, but you will still be three levels below me. We'll need to inform Higgins and a few others, so they know to help keep us isolated from each other. No one understands how you know the ins and outs of the city the way you do. I think only Wilde knows the city better than you, or the mammals that live in it."

Ben laughed nervously. "Yeah… That's probably right." Looking down. He looked up at Adrian after a moment. "I suppose this is a secret that I should tell you now instead of later." Glancing between the two of them.

Patricia put a hoof on his shoulder. "What is it, Ben? If it is that you are friendly with a few foxes, that doesn't mean much. Some of the best clerks I know are foxes. If the law would let it happen, I would get my assistant to take the bar. She is a brilliant attorney, she just isn't allowed to be a lawyer because of some stupid laws."

Ben nodded. "Well, yeah. I am friendly with several foxes, but actually… I was raised by two of them. My parents and the rest of my family either died in a fire in Happytown or were snatched up by Kit Services. I actually have a sister out there somewhere. I don't know if my little brother made it out of the fire or not. My friends, two foxes, took me in and kept me safe from KS. Taught me to live on the streets, how to read the feel of the city. It's how I do what I do as a dispatcher. I also walk around the city any time I have a day off. It's how I know how things are changing, how to direct officers to do intercepts. Nick is about the only one I don't have to do that for, and Judy now that she is working with him. Of course, he's the one that taught me. You see… Nick was one of the foxes that took me in. He forced me to stay in school, and over the years he hunted down and made sure that my aunt and uncle were good, clean cops, before reaching out to them.

I hadn't seen either of them in person since the day my aunt and uncle appears at our stand. I talked to them a few times over the phone, and they made sure to be there by muzzle time though my cousin when I graduated from school and the academy. But they always told me that I needed to get away from them. That being known to consort with foxes was only going to hurt me. It's why I have always been after anyone that brings in a fox, a raccoon, etc… for no other reason than, as Nick once put it, walking while a fox."

Adrian nodded and pulled Ben to his side. "Yeah. Your uncle told me about that once. I guess it figures it would be that fox of all foxes. Does he recognize you, or know that you recognize him?"

Ben shrugged. "I don't know. If he does, he doesn't show it, but he was always the master of the emotional mask. Of course, I was just a skinny teenager back then."

A deep, gruff voice sounded from the floor. "Hey, sorry. The waitress had to make a run for some things. What can I get y'all?"

Ben Gasped and stood up to look down on the small, sandy brown fox with ears as big as he was. "Fin?! What are you doing here?"

Fin's eyes snapped up from his order pad to look into the eyes of the cheetah he hadn't seen in person in decades. "Benny? What in the hell are you doing here?" Looking at the other two mammals and recognizing Adrian as the chief of police, he quickly coughed and slapped a mask on over his surprise. "Oh! Sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone …"

Ben didn't give him a chance to finish, grabbing Fin off the floor into a crushing hug. "Fin! Oh my gods! What are you doing here? You work here?"

Gasping from inside the hug. "Ben! Crushin me, buddy!"

Giggling, Ben set Fin down. "Sorry. Sorry. I just… I haven't seen you in so long. Yes, I'm on a date. A first date, actually."

Fin looked nervously at Adrian. "Benny, you really shouldn't admit to knowing me. Even after all these years, and with Red being who he is now."

Adrian smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Finnick, right? Ben was just telling me how you and Wilde saved him from Kit Services and how you raised him until you could find and vete out his uncle and aunt."

Fin's eyes went wider. "Yeah… It wasn't fair what happened to him. We were never able to track down his sis or confirm what happened to little David." Looking down. "We did our best by the kid and once we found his real family, made sure he got to them. Bunny cop has done wonders for us by dragging Nick into being a cop. I have this job because of those two. I'm the cook, and have pretty much free reign in the kitchen. I'll let Ben tell you the story if he really feels like sharing that. Anyway. What can I get y'all?"

Ben looked at Fin. "Please don't tell Nick, Fin. It's hard not hugging him every day he shows up with Judy. I don't know if he recognizes me or not, and I don't want to know. I'm just glad to know you two are doing so much better."

Fin nodded, but clearly didn't trust his voice. Glancing at the menu's they ordered and Fin made a quick exit into the kitchen. Seeing him gone, Patricia turned to Ben. "Wow. I guess they really cared for you."

Ben nodded, looking over at the kitchen door as they heard the fans all kick on in the kitchen, the small fox clearly doing what he could to ensure he wouldn't overhear their conversation. Giving a sad nod, Ben turned back to Adrian and Patricia. "They did. I was their little brother, and they did everything they could to take care of me and make sure that I got a chance. A chance neither of them had until Judy happened to the city. Happened to Nick."

Patricia nodded. "I agree. I've seen them in court, and they are clearly a force to be reckoned with. It's just sad that the prosecutors have to work extra hard over the fact that she's a rabbit and he's a fox. The defense always goes after their species."

Adrian nodded. "It is a sad thing indeed. I guess it is why they are so obsessed with nailing down their evidence. Their cases can be carried by the evidence only, and their testimony is always flawless. I've yet to see a defense attorney manage to get one over on them or make them make a mistake. They're just that good. I don't know why, but they are."

Ben smiled. "Anyway. Enough about work. I'm here to learn about mister and misses Bogo." Giving them both a look. "I want to know who you are outside of the uniform and the courtroom." Turning to Adrian. "So, from our chats, I understand that you are actually a first generation Zootopian."

Adrian nodded with a wistful smile. "I am, well, sort of. My mother's family have lived in Zootopia, and Animalia in general since the first non-native settlers landed here. She can actually trace her history back a long ways. My father's family on the other hand came here when he was in his late teens. They met, hated each other, of course. Then warmed up as she realized that he was just from a different culture. They taught each other, fell in love, then had me, my twin brother, and our sister. My brother is the Fire Chief. It can be entertaining, and frustrating, when we are together for various functions and someone just asks for Chief Bogo and we both respond."

Ben laughed. "I had always just figured it was a coincidence of a common name in your species. For twins, you don't look alike, at all."

Adrian chuckled and nodded. "Yeah. When we were calves, we did, but when puberty hit," Adrian shrugged, "well, you know. So I was raised in a home chock full of deep rooted traditions from both sides of my family, fused into a new thing. We raised our calves the same way. Though, as with my brother, we have sought to add additional mammals to our herd and just haven't been able to find someone who fits. Most are either intimidated by one or both of us, or have concerns about my job and its hours, or Pat's job and her hours during a case. It works out for us, but most mammals want someone who is home more, and has a less stressful, less dangerous job.

Which has pretty much precluded other prey, and actually a lot of predators too. Those that didn't have an issue with that, wanted different things and weren't actually interested in both of us. That's one of those things we need. While it's fine to have a preference of one of us over the other, as we hope to, over time, add to our herd."

Ben nodded with a smile. "The mammal needs to be able, willing, and happily give attention to both of you. That, I assure you, I can do. When we reach that point. I honestly feel very comfortable around both of you, so that is a step in the right direction. As for you jobs, well, as the new head of dispatch, my hours are going to be longer than my shift on the front desk. I'm going to stay with that shift, because I have the virtual display dialed in where I like it and with the addition of some admin functions and controls, I'll be able to fill that role while keeping a smiling friendly face at the ZPD front desk.

However, we're getting into work talk again. Tell me about some of these cultural things so I can understand what I may be getting myself into. My family wasn't very traditional, and after Nick and Fin took me in, any semblance of traditional feline or cheetah culture got thrown out until my aunt and uncle picked me up. Took me a few years to get over what at the time felt like a betrayal by my brothers. Now, while it still hurts, I understand, and even appreciate it. It's funny, but it was Nick and Fin that taught me to learn what it was I liked, what I wanted in bed, so that when I was looking for a mammal to be with, I'd know if we were compatible. They also made sure that I understood that anything long lasting needs to be more than just good in the sack, but someone I like as a mammal as well."

Patricia smiled and chuckled. "It sounds like they gave you really good advice. They must have really cared about you."

Their plates appearing in front of them, Fin speaking. "Sorry for overhearing. Can't turn off these ears. Yeah, we loved the scrawny cat. Not that you all that skinny anymore. Both me and Red felt horrible when we heard what happened, Benny. I wish we could have helped you in some way, but you had enough trouble and attention on you. You didn't need a pair of foxes skulking around you too."

Ben sighed and shook his head. "It's okay, Fin. I get it now. Yeah, it hurt back then, and I didn't understand it at first. But being with my aunt and uncle was for the best. You were right that I wouldn't have been able to reach what I did if I had stayed with you guys."

Fin grunted as he walked away. "Just don't be a stranger. Also, don't tell Red you've been here or seen me, and I won't tell him. He'd be upset and worried, despite his new job, if he thought you knowing, and being friendly with us could hurt you."

Ben nodded as Fin retreated back into the kitchen. "Well. There it is I guess."

Adrian nodded. "I have files on both foxes, and they kept their noses pretty clean, considering what they did for a living, even after the cheetah they had hanging around with them vanished. There was never a name associated with you back then, so I didn't make the connection. I can only assume that they kept it that way deliberately."

Ben nodded. "They always called me kitty, cat, kitten, etc… Never my name while we were in public. Now I know why."

Adiran smiled. "I'm learning the hard way that foxes are a lot more than the sly thieves we seem to think they are. Now, you're right. We keep getting side tracked. Let's see. Well, when you see our house, you'll know it from the rest due to the bright colors. It's kinda large for us now, with the calves moved out to their own lives and university. We're not omnivores, and certainly not predators, but we do actually have some small quantities of fish in some of our traditional dishes. We'll be sure to add more fish if we're feeding you.

In public, as a Herd, I'm the head with Pat as the queen. That said, in the home, we are far more equal. We split the jobs, split the chores, etc… Even then, the pecking order of the herd really only mattered during formal family get-togethers, which we only have every few years."

Adrian rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "Oh, great rivers and streams. If you do become part of our herd, the first time we show up with you as part of it, I think my grandfather will give birth to a calf all on his own."

Ben frowned. "I wouldn't want to cause strife in your family."

Laughing lightly, Adrian shook his head. "Nah. We are already full up on that. We're a herd of two, with our calves out of the home. The family keeps trying to set us up with new members, but none of them pan out because of our jobs. They want quiet and stable, not late night emergency calls and the like. The last one actually made it pretty far. Even so far as to sharing our bed, but then Bellwether happened. The attacks had both our phones ringing at all hours to deal with the crisis. Pat was doing all she could to fight the laws that Dawn was trying to get pushed through, and I had to deal with attack after attack. She couldn't take it and left when I refused to blanket fire every predator on the force, and Pat refused to stop trying to stop the segregation laws and such."

Ben nodded. "I can see how that could be an issue. So adding to your herd, even if it were a predator, wouldn't be as big an issue simply because they're already stressing that traditional side of your family, due to you up to that point not having a larger herd."

Adrian nodded. "Exactly. They'll just be happy that we found someone, and if they aren't, well… They can keep their opinions to themselves. Heck, it was our daughter that suggested we look outside the species in hopes of finding someone compatible that could also deal with the usual deal breaker of our jobs and schedules."

Pat laughed. "True, though I doubt she meant predators."

Adrian shrugged. "Still, given she was dating a wolf for a few months, I'm sure she won't have an issue."

Ben laughed. "No way!"

Pat grinned. "Oh, very much, way. She was so nervous when she introduced him to us. Poor pup was terrified. Sadly, since he was about to join the ZPD, they split up. Did he ever graduate?"

Adrian nodded. "He did. Got assigned to precinct four, and is doing well. I think she reached out to him again, but don't know if he responded. I know pack politics and such can be hard to get past for a wolf. I was shocked he dated her at all due to that."

Patricia nodded again. "Oh, that is soo true. Dealing with wolves in court can be such a pain because you have to take pack affiliation, and pack rules and laws into account."

The conversation continued over the meal, and dessert, then drinks late into that evening. After the first date, they met up for yet another date the following week. Then separate individual dates, on Ben's suggestion, over the weeks after. Two months in, he visited their home for the first time where they cooked him a meal of baked fish, and he brought wine and a salad he had picked up at a prey only supermarket. To say he got strange looks as a cheetah in a prey only market, buying a salad clearly marked as a favorite of buffalo from the region Adrian's family was from, as it contained a number of unusual and imported ingredients. He bought it in uniform, which is probably what let him succeed in buying it with only looks.

That evening they sat on the couch and Ben reached up and pulled Adrian into a kiss, their first kiss, and though short, it was not chaste. Releasing a stunned Adrian, he pulled Patricia into a similar kiss. After releasing her, he sat back with a grin, licking his lips and savoring their combined taste on his tongue.

"Mmm… I think I like the taste of buffalo."

Patricia was the first to recover and turned to Ben. "Ben?"

Ben giggled. "Didn't mean to catch you both quite that off-guard, but the looks on your muzzles was totally worth it. I think the message is that I want to take this relationship further. I like you both very much. We get along separately and together. My interests overlap both of yours while providing enough that I can relate to some things with each of you that you don't share with each other, while there are things that you relate to each other on, that I don't.

This gives us a really good dynamic. I also have found myself dreaming of both of you. I have not done that since Jeff, and I haven't had nightmares about him since we started dating. I'm not saying I want to move in, but I am saying I want to move our relationship forward and see if the last few pieces of what make a strong relationship work for us. That being what happens in the bedroom.

Of course, if either of you are not ready for that, I am more than happy to wait and keep things as they are." Looking down at his paws nervously. "I just want you to know that I am ready, when you are, to move to those next steps."

Adrian and Patricia looked over Ben's head with grins as he twiddled with his claws nervously awaiting their response. With a nod, Patricia reached down and lifted Ben's muzzle up to look at her. "We knew you were going to need your own time. We've wanted to move forward since that first night. We just knew in our hearts that you were the right mammal for us, but didn't want to rush you, so we agreed to wait and let you make that first move. I guess that's why you insisted that tonight happen on a night where none of us, barring an emergency, have to be into work tomorrow?"

Ben let a shadow of a smile cross his muzzle. "Yeah. It was so we could have the time to properly explore things, or so I could nurse my wounds and get my head in the space to wait."

Planting a soft kiss between Ben's ears. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. The only worry I have is if you can handle Adrian."

Ben's grin turned very predatory. "Oh, I know I can. My question is…" Turning to give Adrian a look that made him gulp audibly. "Is Adrian going to be able to handle me? Don't worry… I'll be gentle, to start with." Pulling Adrian down for a very passionate kiss. Finally releasing them as they both gasped for air. Adrian blinking as he tried to reboot his brain.

Looking over his shoulder, Ben ran a paw up the inside of Adrian's thigh to his crotch. Gently caressing the bulge now clearly visible in his pants. "It would seem, Pat, that Adrian is quite eager." Turning and pulling Pat into an equally passionate kiss, his paw dragging his claws up the inside of her thigh. "Are you as well?"

Pulling back and gasping for breath she grinned. "Oh, you are a naughty kitty, aren't you. Planning on devouring us tonight?"

Ben's eyes grew darker with desire. "If things go the way I hope, it won't just be for tonight. While I am no rabbit, I know how to go all night long. If we're not still going in the morning, then you are both far better than I could possibly hope." Sticking his tongue out. "I don't have the rough tongue of many felines of old, and I plan on tasting you, of eating you as deeply as possible." Glancing back at Adrian. "Both of you. I have a number of ideas that I am eager to test out, as long as you are game."

Adrian shook his head, his own gaze taking on a dark, hungry look as he looked over Pat and Ben. "I have a few ideas of my own. But since when were you so forward?"

Ben blushed, despite his grin. "Well, I can be a bit dominant in the bedroom. Though I always want my partner to have at least as much fun and pleasure as I do. In your case, partners. Which is good, because when one of us needs a break, the others can keep going, swapping out when needed." Reaching back and stroking the length now straining Adrian's pants. "That is, again, if you are actually interested."

Adrian picked up Ben and dropped him into his lap so that Ben was straddling his hips, grinding himself up against Ben as they both groaned into a kiss that made the previous ones seem down right chaste and fleeting in comparison. Patricia settling herself behind Ben, sandwiching him between them.

Whispering in Ben's ear, the desire clear in her voice. "You sure you can handle us both?"

Ben gasped at being squeezed between them, his own pants suddenly tight. "Yes. Oh gods, yes, I sure as any version of hell, want to find out." Hooking his claws in the collar of Adrian's shirt. "I sure hope you wore clothes you aren't worried about losing." With that, he pulled, effectively shredding the shirt off Adrian and then running his paws across his chest and stomach now exposed. Dragging his claws through the short, dense fur. "Mmm. Yes. This is going to be a good night."

Clothes were shed and shredded in quick order, and a night none of them would forget for the rest of their lives ensued. All three were shocked by the creativity of the others, and by morning, they lay on their now clearly communal bed, legs intertwined, while gasping and giggling as they came down from their last session.

Adrian sighed. "It might be early, and just the absolutely rutting amazing sex we have just had, but Ben. I think I love you."

Pat laughed. "If that's what it is, then I'm in the same boat with you, Adi. I am so in the same boat."

Ben gave a giggling sigh and nodded, not that either buffalo saw him. "Same. Oh velocity. I'm the same. I haven't felt like this, maybe ever. I never want to be apart from you two, and that just fuels me to have yet another helping of you both. Sitting up, he looked over at the buffalo who looked down at him with slightly terrified grins. "Now. You're both such delectable meals, but I think I know what I want next." Diving between Patricia's legs as she let our a gasping scream of pleasure.

Adrian groaned as Ben waved his tail in his direction, held high and twitching in clear need. "Good gods, this cat is going to be the death of us, Pat." Feeling himself already responding to the clear offer.

Pat moaned before finding her voice. "Yes, but we're going to die in pure bliss."

Adrian nodded as he levered himself up. "Yes. Yes we will."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ben moved in officially the following week, and went through the ceremony to be made an official part of their herd the week after. Though they kept their relationship secret, many of the more observant mammals in the precinct quickly figured out that there was something going on with both mammals, a few even figured out what it might be. Though some of those pieces fell into place for a certain pair of mammals during a certain trip to the bar.