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Chapter Ten: The Heart Wants

It had been only three days since the 'shearing incident' as Vernon referred to it. And while life appeared to be going on as normal for the wolf and ewe, Vernon was wracked with a combination of guilt and shame. After fleeing the apartment the wolf had essentially spent the remaining hour and a half before his class wandering Savannah Central in a stupor. He didn't even return to the apartment for his supplies when the time came the head over to ZootopiaUniversity, opting instead to risk going without them than face Dawn. Eventually though, he had to return for work.

The first part of the shift was uncomfortably silent, and the two said very little. But eventually Dawn broke the silence, getting down directly to the matter at hoof. The gist of the conversation came down to the general consensus of 'accidents happen', and that Dawn wasn't even mad about the whole incident. It ultimately ended easing Vernon somewhat, allowing their routine to return to normal. But he still felt awful, especially because his mind was frequently replaying the memory. And if he were to be painfully honest, he didn't hate the mental picture.

It was that feeling that urged him to wake up before Dawn on this afternoon, to prepare a special surprise for the ewe. At the very least the gift would make him feel a little like his relationship with Dawn wasn't mired by some sort of strange seasonal lust. He cared about the ewe, and intended to show it.

Stirring the afternoon coffees, he listened for the telltale signs of the stirring lamb. A quiet mumble, a sudden loud thump followed by a "Lamb Shanks!". The lamb usually knocked her glasses off the night stand trying to wrangle them. Vernon chuckled as he heard the door to her bedroom open.

"You're up early." He heard her say, a slight tiredness draping over her words.

"Gotta head in early today. Gus needs me for something." The wolf shrugged, still sitting on the stool at the breakfast nook. He didn't turn as the lamb sat down next to him.

"Oh Dags." The sheep cursed. "There goes our movie night." She mumbled.

"I thought you had therapy today anyway." The wolf asked.

"Well yeah, but that's only for an hour." The lamb placed her hooves on the counter and proceeded to slump her head into them.

"Gus said he needed me." The wolf sighed. "We'll just have to push it up a few days."

He could see the disappointment on the lambs face, now was the perfect time to strike.

"Maybe this will help a little." The wolf smirked, sliding the mug of hot coffee over to the lamb.

She gave a simple nod at first, before seeming to notice the mug was different than usual.

"Now I know it ain't fancy, but I remember you saying you used to like to collect coffee mugs before you worked for ol' Lionfart. So I thought this one was perfect." The wolf coughed awkwardly.

"Ewe rock my world?" She read, an amused grin forming on her muzzle.

"I hope you don't hate puns." The wolf chuckled.

Vernon suddenly felt tiny hooves wrap around him tightly and a weight bury into his chest. The wolf was shocked at just how tightly the lamb could squeeze as she hugged him. He gently patted her back with his paw.

"Oh Vernon!" Her voice was bursting with joy. "This is the sweetest, most wonderful gift I've ever gotten! You're wonderful!" She cooed.

"It's just a mug." He laughed, retuning the tight hug.

"It's a mug from my favorite Puppy!" She chirped, breaking the hug and returning to clasp the mug. "It's fantastic...Thank you." She sighed.

"Welp, I just thought, y'know...with what happened." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

She slapped a hoof at him, her expression souring slightly. "Oh Vernon, I told you we were fine. You didn't have to do something like this!" She pet the mug affectionately.

"I wanted to." He smiled back.

Vernon placed a paw on Dawn's shoulder, drawing a curious glance from the ewe. "You are really important to me Dawn, and I wanted to show you that I value our friendship."

Dawn gave Vernon a small smile.

"Before we reconnected It was like I was missing something I didn't even realize I lost, and then you came along and it was like a revelation." The wolf took a sip of his coffee.

"Vernon." The ewe said softly, her eyes seeming to shimmer.

"Kinda makes me wish we never got split up. I wonder how things would'a been if we had been able to stay friends. We lost a hell of a lot of time." Vernon said sadly.

The ewe patted the wolf on the leg, looking at him with sympathetic and pained eyes.

"Oh Puppy, I wonder that too." She sighed. "But we're together now, and I'd say were making the most of it." She smiled.

Vernon smiled, ruffling Dawn's poof before taking another sip of his coffee. The lamb returned to her drink after giving the mug another affectionate caress.

"So when do you have to be in?" Dawn changed the subject.

"' 'Bout twenty minutes." The wolf muttered.

Vernon could see the sheep tense. "Vernon, you're cutting it really close. Why didn't you leave already?"

The wolf drank the remains of the coffee in one prolonged swig. "Had to give you your present didn't I?" He smirked.

"Vernon." She scolded. "You should have waited, or woke me earlier!" she grimaced slightly.

"Gus won't be mad, besides this is overtime." The wolf stood. Walking over to the sink he gently placed his mug inside and ran water in it. "I'll head out now Floofs."

As the wolf made his way to the door the lamb suddenly stopped him.

"Puppy!" She called.

"Yep?" He turned back to her.

"Would it be alright if I used your computer? I've been meaning to replace my laptop and I don't trust buying it over my phone." The ewe asked.

"Ain't a problem with me, what's mine is yours Floofs." The wolf nodded. "Now I best be going, I'll see ya tonight." Vernon waived, and swiftly made his way out of the apartment.

As Vernon arrived to the restaurant entrance he bumped into a particularly agitated looking ram carrying drinks. The wolf immediately turned to apologize.

"I'm Sor-"

"Watch where you're going ya mutt!" The ram snarled without turning, continuing his way toward a white van where another sheep was waiting. Vernon was about to respond, but was cut off.

"Don't waste your breath on that pizzle-less ram. There's no pleasing some mammals." Gus was now standing in the doorway looking somewhat disheveled, and the exhaustion was apparent on his face. For a moment Vernon feared he might actually get flack for arriving ten minutes late, but Gus didn't even bring it up as he held the door for his large friend.

"Evening Vern." The goat yawned.

"Gus, you look like hell." Vernon responded, following behind the goat.

"I've been here since twelve, and I was running the night shift last night. So it's to be expected." The goat chuckled weakly.

Passing through the Bug Burga Vernon could see it was surprisingly light on patrons despite it being just slightly after rush hour. The few customers were sparsely spread around the building, and the other staff members were ambling around with little to do. As the duo approached the counter Vernon could see Val, looking bored as per usual. However she seemed to perk up when noticing the wolf.

"So what are we doing today?" Vernon asked.

"We gotta take inventory of the freezer and re-organize it." Gus replied dully.

"Aw mam, that's a big job. Why do we need to do it?" Vernon groaned, as he leaned against the counter.

"Well, they're coming in a few days to remove the interior lock from the freezer door. So it's going to be open all day." The goat rubbed his temples. " We gotta throw out the expired supplies, and stack the stuff we aren't going to be using way in the back until they bring out the portable freezer."

"Wait, I'm lost." The vixen interjected. "Why would you put a lock inside the freezer anyway?"

"The freezer used to double as a safe room or something." Vernon muttered. "Like if there was a hold up, you could hide out in there, although you'd be mighty cold."

"It's technically it's own building too, with a separate vent system and everything. The idea was to make it impenetrable. But the locks tend to stick, and most mammals can't stand that kind of cold exposure for that long. So legally speaking, it's more of a hassle." Gus stated bluntly.

"Who would think that was a good idea anyway?" Val muttered.

"Blame corporate." The goat responded dully.

"Ah hoof rot! I nearly forgot. Wait here Vernon, I have to get the proper papers together for this." The goat snapped to attention. Nodding to the two carnivores, he made a brisk jog over to his office.

As the surprisingly loud sound of papers being tossed about echoed from the goat's office, Vernon simply continued to lean against the counter. He let out a relaxed sigh before noticing the vixen was leaning over the counter and making eyes at him.

"So how's the misses?" Val asked in an amused tone.

Vernon's muzzle scrunched with annoyance. "And just what's that supposed to mean?" He grumbled.

Vernon saw a broad smile stretch across the vixen's muzzle, and immediately realized he'd made a mistake. He had landed himself smack dab in the middle of another one of Val's games.

"You and the ewe." She signified the two mammals with her fingers. "The sex has got to be savage!" Her mischievous smile seemed to widen.

Vernon felt his face flush, but managed to keep up his cool demeanor.

"Listen." The wolf muttered coolly. "Me and Dawn are just friends. That's the long and short of it." The wolf crossed his arms defensively.

The vixen seemed to recoil, as if she were worried she offended him.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said innocently, twirling a claw on the counter.

There was an awkward silence, and Vernon grew increasingly uncomfortable. He knew Val was far from done. Suddenly she leaned forward again, resting her head on her paws. A seductive smile came across her face.

"So, wanna fool around then?" She cooed.

"W-Pth Wh-what!?" Vernon choked in surprise.

"You and me. C'mon, I've always wondered what a being with a wolf would be like." Val winked, and playfully licked her muzzle.

It was Vernon's turn to recoil. "Val, for the god's sakes, you're eighteen!" The wolf stated in shock.

"Nineteen." She corrected, swishing her tail.

"That's still almost twelve years difference, and what would your father think?" The wolf sputtered.

"Eh, my father knows I don't run with bad mammals. And he knows you. He thinks you're a pretty solid guy." She adjusted her shoulders.

Vernon scoffed, shaking his head vigorously in disapproval. "I'm gonna have to decline there Val, I don't thi-"

"Aw come on Vern, you haven't even given me a chance. I know some pretty good tricks." The vixen raised her eyebrows playfully. Leaning in closer, her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can do things with my tail that would make you howl." She purred.

Vernon turned away from Val sharply, trying to hide the now radiating blush. She was winning the game, and Vernon was scrambling to think of a good rebuttal. However, his chance was stolen from him by another voice.

"Val, stop teasing Vernon. You know he loves Dawn."

Vernon turned in shock to see that Gus had returned. He was flipping through the various papers strapped to his clipboard and hadn't even looked up.

"Gus! What!?" Was all Vernon managed to sputter.

"Aw c'mon, I meant it. Vernon's pretty hot." The Vixen winked at the wolf again. Vernon turned away to hide his blush, placing a paw to the side of his face to block the vixen's view.

"Val, cut the teenage bad girl shtick, you come from a well off family and your dad has an office job. You are about a rebellious as the ancient flock followers. Your Dad doesn't need anymore stress." The goat dully replied, causing Val to pout in a dramatic fashion.

"Jeeze, alright. You really are no fun ya old shattering ram." She muttered, crossing her arms.

"Gus..." Vernon said, still shocked at his friends statement.

The goat looked up at the wolf, releasing a tired sigh.

"Oh come on Vernon, surely you see it. Hell this place reeks of it." Gus replied.

"What are you going on about?" The wolf crossed his arms again.

Gus groaned, squeezing the bridge of his nose. "Every time I come in after you two finish a shift or when I'm around you two this place is inundated with caprid pheromones." He muttered.

"Not to mention you're putting off some pretty strong canine pheromones yourself there big fella." Val snarked.

"So Val and I put two and two together, adding in how well you two get along and how affectionate you are to each other. The result is so obvious any mammal with eyes could see it, let alone smell it." Gus concluded.

"T-that's ridiculous!...I-" Vernon struggled to respond. "I...don't smell anything."

"How could you not recognize that smell? We grew up in the Meadowlands mam!" Gus slapped his hoof to his head in disbelief.

"No, it makes sense." Val smirked. "He's oblivious because you only tend to notice that sort of thing when it's from a mammal who you're interested in. Otherwise you just ignore it." She shook her head knowingly.

Vernon froze. 'It couldn't be true, could it?' The wolf thought. That smell that head been smelling all this time living with Dawn. Was Dawn actually releasing pheromones...because of him? He shook his head in a wayward attempt to shake out the thought, but it failed to leave.

"A sweet smell, like flowers or fruit right?" Gus asked.

"H-how?" He didn't even hear the words escape his lips.

"Yeah, that's a caprid scent. I mean each one is distinct, but they generally fall into the kind of flowery meadow and fresh fruit scent." Gus stated, matter-of-factly.

"Bu-but that can't..." Vernon was now practically inaudible.

"Isn't it sad?" Gus turned to look and Val. " It's like two ships lost at sea, desperately sending signals to each other that they can't read."

Val rolled her eyes. "Tch, didn't take you for such a romantic Gus."

"B-But I'm not some prey chaser! I've never seen sheep that way!" Vernon suddenly yelped, causing the other mammals to flinch.

"And you wonder why he couldn't figure out what the smell was?" Val smirked at the goat.

"I'm kinda surprised Vernon, there were quite a few nanny's and ewes that had a crush on you back in high school. You never even got a whiff?" Gus asked, looking at Vernon with a curious expression.

"Boys are so dumb." Val muttered. " Getting a guy to realize you like them is like leading the blind." She lolled her head, boredom returning to her face.

"Now see I think it's denial, Vernon doesn't want to believe that he loves her. Because-"

"WOULD YOU TWO STOP TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE I AIN'T HERE!?" Vernon yelled, before clasping his paws over his mouth. The various patrons of the restaurant were now eyeing the scene. Vernon tugged at his collar nervously before Val piped up.

"HEY, THIS IS A PRIVATE CONVERSATION, KEEP EATING!" She yelled at the customers, earning a glare from Gus. Like terrified children, the various mammals quickly snapped their heads down, returning to their meals.

"It-" Vernon lowered his voice, leaning closer to the two. "Look, I care about Dawn. She's my best friend." He shrugged. "Just because we hang out all the time, and I love being around her, and I keep having thoughts about snuggling up to her, and kissi-" The wolf petrified mid sentence as he realized what he was saying. Val and Gus traded a knowing glance.

"Oh no." Vernon shook his head. "No, no, no, no, no..." he muttered repeatedly. "This is bad."

"Eh, what's so bad about a wolf and ewe getting together? Granted your choice of ewe could be considered suspect. But this isn't the Stone Age Vern." Gus was looking back down at his paperwork.

"Yeah, it's Zootopia baby!" Val chuckled. "We got fox cops now, welcome to the future!" She said sarcastically, waiving a paw around.

"She's my friend, I can't jeopardize that relationship." Vernon brushed his paw over his hair, exasperated. " On top of that she's got enough on her plate with the whole-"

"Ex-criminal mastermind and public pariah thing?" Val interjected.

Vernon simply nodded. "Even if she liked me the same way, a taboo relationship like that would just make it harder for her."

"Vernon, Zootopia's changed a lot since the night-howler incident. Mammals are more tolerant and understanding than ever before. But the only way to continue to move forward is to take those brave leaps. There always needs to be a Neil Armstag to take the first step. " Gus said.

"Wow, I'm impressed Gus. That was pretty." Val remarked.

"College taught me a lot Val, you should give it a try. You don't want to work at this place your whole life." Gus sighed. "Thanks grandpa." He grumbled, his voice laced with disdain.

"Anywho..." Val sidestepped. " Vernon, what do you mean 'if she liked me the same way?'. She's leaving scent trails all over for you. She's gotta share the sentiment."

Vernon groaned. "Look, just because you are exuding pheromones doesn't mean you want to act on them. That's why we aren't still living in caves, our brains are more complicated than that nowadays. She probably is just as unwilling because of the risks and realities of the situation."

"She's Zootopia's most hated mammal, what does she have to lose?" Val remarked, earning a harsh shushing from Gus.

"Vernon, you never told me whether I was right or not." Gus chimed in.

"What?" The wolf asked, beleaguered.

"Do you love her?" Gus asked.

As Vernon stood stock still, he could see the goat and fox lean in expectantly. His brain was swirling with millions of thoughts and feelings, and it felt suffocating. They built and built until they reached a crescendo before falling away to leave behind a simple truth left in stark silence. The wolf emitted a heavy, forlorn sigh.

"I do." He muttered.

"God's help me I'm in love with Dawn Bellwether."

Val and Gus smiled broadly at one another before Gus rounded the counter and gingerly place a hoof on the large wolf's back.

"Feel better?" Gus asked.

"Yes and no." Vernon replied in a dull tone.

"Well." Gus chuckled. "It's a start on the road to dealing with it."

"I guess..." Vernon trailed off.

"C'mon Vern, let's go stock and let your mind clear out for a while eh?" Gus gave the wolf a gentle nudge.

The wolf looked at Gus and began to slowly nod. "All right." Vernon responded weakly.

Gus began to walk toward the freezer, leaving the wolf standing there for a while before reluctantly, Vernon began to trudge after him. As he rounded the counter he felt a paw grasp his arm gently, and turned to find Val giving him an oddly sympathetic look.

"Listen, Vernon..." She smiled softly. "If things don't work out....well..." She looked down awkwardly. "Me and Gus are here for you, you know that." She smiled a genuine smile that left Vernon somewhat surprised.

"Thanks Val." Vernon replied earnestly, placing a paw on her shoulder and returning her smile.

"You comin' Sheepdog!?" Gus yelled from the back room with a hearty chuckle.

"Keep your fleece on Little Big Horn!" And with that the wolf made his way into the freezer.

Meanwhile, back at the apartment Dawn was soon to be faced with confronting her own feelings about Vernon. Shortly after the wolf left, the ewe went right to work searching out a laptop that best suited her needs. She scoured the various sites and stores, but after twenty minutes she was beginning to tire of the whole ordeal. Every thing she had found so far either was far too expensive or failed to meet the specifications she wanted.

"I may have a carrot phone, but I am not spending three thousand Z's on a Carrot laptop that has three year old hardware." The ewe grumbled to herself, flicking the scroll wheel causing the page to speed by in a blur.

Dawn sighed, leaning her head on her hoof. "Vernon could probably recommend something good if he wer- Oh!" Dawn suddenly jerked to attention.

"What was that website that I used to go too, they had some really great deals." The ewe scratched her chin in contemplation. "Something cheap....something..." She chewed on her hoof for a moment.

"Aha!" She pointed a hoof decisively. "It was SheepsShopCheap.com! They even had those adorable little sheep cartoon covers." She clapped her hooves excitedly.

Dawn began to type the web address, but she only made it as far as _'Sh'_before auto-complete predicted the next few letters.

Dawn stared at the predicted web address, blinking in surprise. She had to wipe her eyes a few times to make sure she was seeing the name clearly.

"S-sheared.com?" Dawn chewed at her hoof again.

She re-read it over and over again.'That can't mean what I think it means...' Dawn thought to herself. She knew how auto-complete worked. If this site had come up, it had been visited at least once before. 'That would mean Vernon...'

"No, not possible." She shooed the thought away. "It couldn't possibly be what I think it is."

The ewe sat silently staring at the screen. She tapped her hooves lightly together, contemplating what to do. Slowly, and reluctantly she brought her hoof back to the mouse, and moved the pointer to the 'go' button. She hovered over it in trepidation.

"C'mon Dawn, let's just see. It's not that....I'm sure it's not." Her finger trembled as she gently brought it down on the key.

In a flash the screen filled with a sultry purple website featuring pictures of provocative ewes in various stages of shearing. Dawn gasped sharply, clasping her hooves over her mouth to stifle the noise. She felt her muzzle flush as she took in more of the erotic displays. Some of the lambs were merely posing seductively as they sheared themselves, while others had found entirely different and inappropriate ways to use their shears. Dawn had never seen herself as a prude, she knew that mammals had needs and even she wasn't immune to eyeing some lewd pictures of handsome rams. But what shocked her the most was that she was correct about the nature of the site, and what's more it was clear Vernon had accessed it.

"B-But Vernon said he..." The ewe mumble, stupefied. "He stuck with wolves....hadn't he?"

Dawn shakily reached for the mouse, and quickly closed the tab. Slowly she slid over to the history tab, hovering warily over the icon.

"I shouldn't. It's an invasion of privacy." She thought to herself, but her finger clicked without reservation.

Dawn began to scan the various site names, checking to see when Sheared.com was last accessed. Dawn was even more dumbfounded to find that not only was the site accessed shortly after the whole shearing escapade, but that it had been the only time it had been. In Dawn's mind, only one feasible explanation remained.

"But that would mean..." She placed a hoof over her mouth. "Vernon wanted to look at this site...because he found me....attractive?"

A shudder of pleasure traveled down her spine at the thought. The room felt hot, and her blush was practically radiating enough heat to roast a marshmallow. Vernon, her Puppy, thought she was sexy. Having to help shear her had obviously gotten him so hot and bothered he had to turn to such a website to deal with his _'desires'._The more Dawn thought of this, the more her stomach fluttered.

She had only asked for help with her shearing because there was really no way around it. But she would have been lying to herself if she said she hadn't gotten as equally heated during the affair. She could smell Vernon's scent the whole time, and it had made her tremble with each errant clip of the cold shears against her increasingly heated flesh. Her heart had pounded harder and harder as she found herself pushing the conversation closer to saucier subjects. She wanted to grab the wolf, bury herself into his chest and never let go. But in the end she couldn't bring herself to do it, and the wolf abruptly made his exit when he was finished shearing.

The ewe rubbed her upper arms, an involuntary act in an attempt to quell a shivering that didn't come from the cold. She was thinking of the bathroom now, being exposed. She wanted Vernon to take her right then and there. To kiss her, to nuzzle her, to be with her forever.

"Oh Puppy." she sighed wistfully. "I-"

Dawn suddenly froze, all of her excitement was giving way to a deeper feeling, something burning in the pit of her chest. It was something the ewe hadn't felt in a long time.

"I...love you." She said, her face stricken with disbelief at her own words.

"I love you?" She asked herself. The lamb went silent as she turned the words over again and again in her brain.

"Oh no..." Her head sunk. "I love you." She said, worry in her voice.

Vernon was a predator, the natural foe of all sheep. Yet he was also the sweetest and kindest mammal she had ever met. He was patient, caring, and strong when he needed to be. And Dawn was absolutely smitten with him, that was the un-abashed truth.

With a sudden buzz, dawn was pulled back from her revelation. Removing her phone from her pocket, she saw a prompt on the screen reminding her that it was time to leave for her therapy session.

"Oh mutton chops. Where did the time go?" Dawn shot up from her chair. She began to head toward her room, but stopped to glance back at the computer once more.

"Dr. Gnu will know what to do, I'll discuss it with him." She shook her head dismissively before turning back to the room.

Dawn quickly donned her usual disguise hoodie, and a pair of thick shades before leaving the apartment. As she made the trip the doctors office located in the more densely skyscraper packed area of Savannah Central, her mind was still ruminating on her feelings for Vernon. So she loved him, what now? Was it wrong? All questions she would need to save for Dr. Gnu, but they still plagued her none the less. The ewe was so distracted by her thoughts that she nearly missed the station she was supposed to stop at on the subway.

Arriving at the office, and settling in for her first out of prison session, Dawn suddenly found it nearly impossible to touch on the subject of her romantic feelings for Vernon. She instead talked about settling into life outside, her new job, and the fire. When she talked about Vernon and their relationship she avoided the subject of romance completely, nervously reiterating the strong friendship they had. It was only when she realized the session was nearly over that Dawn was able to muster the courage to touch on the subject.

"D-doctor..." She stuttered softly. " Have you ever been in love with someone you couldn't have?" She said sorrowfully.

The doctor removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes with his hoof. "I take it you are talking about Vernon yes?"

The lamb looked at him, slight surprise on her face. "That obvious?"

The doctor nodded softly. "I've been in the business of figuring out the way mammals think and mammal body language for close to twenty years. I wouldn't still be a therapist If I wasn't at least somewhat good at that." The wildebeest replaced his glasses.

"The expressions you made when you spoke of Vernon, the way your eyes shined, the small nearly inaudible sighs. It's textbook." He concluded with a chuckle.

The ewe rubbed her upper arms as she lay on the lounge.

"It's wrong right? For a sheep to love a wolf?" She looked at the doctor for confirmation.

The doctor gave a deep sigh. "Personally?" He leaned back, attempting to take a more casual stance. "I see no problem with it."

"Really?" Dawn looked at the Gnu strangely.

"Again Dawn, I've been at this for years." He scratched his nose before continuing. "Being a therapist requires having an open mind. It doesn't bode well for a patient's mental health if their doctor expresses distaste for their thoughts."

The Gnu looked out the window at the Savannah skyline and gave a wistful sigh. "Over the years I've seen many patients in your hooves Dawn. I've seen them struggle, I've seen them scared, but not a single one of them gave up. They all tried to make that relationship a reality despite the public image about such things. I've seen goats and foxes get together, I've seen a hippos and tigers get together, hell just the other day I had a wolf telling me about the crush he has on a giraffe girl that works at the coffee house across from his precinct."

Dawn was slightly surprised at the last one, it sounded familiar somehow. "Wait, which precinct?"

The Gnu coughed awkwardly. "I've said to much already. Patient confidentiality and all that." Straightening his tie he continued. " The point I was trying to get around to is that all of those mammals were happier having pursued that relationship than letting it go because of the fear of societal reprisals They may keep it a secret from Zootopia at large, but there are quite a few predator prey relationships out there, and they are happy ones."

Dawn adjusted her shoulders in an effort to make herself more comfortable, burying herself deeper into the lounge.

"What is important is to do what makes you happy Dawn." The Gnu leaned in with interest. "Would that make you happy Dawn? To be with Vernon?"

The ewe let out a shuddering sigh, rubbing her upper arms again.

"I can't." She muttered. "It's not that simple."

"Why?" Gnu pressed.

"I'm worried about ruining our friendship, I'm worried he might be against it despite his urges." She twiddled her hooves nervously.

"This isn't the first time I've heard reasons like this Dawn. Many mammals have been in the same situation. But isn't it worse to perpetually languish so closely to what you desire, never being able to obtain it?" Gnu argued.

Dawn stood up, now clearly upset. "Well, how many mammals have to worry that being associated with someone could ruin their lives!?"

The Gnu shook his head with slight confusion. "Dawn, I don't follow."

The ewe flopped back down on the lounge, heaving a heavy sigh.

"I'm already so tangled up in Vernon's life, and he doesn't even realize how dangerous it is." She placed a hoof over her face. "If we became a couple, and gods forbid it got out..."

"What?" The doctor urged her to continue.

The ewe began to tear up. "It would ruin everything he's trying to carve out for himself." She stifled a sob. "Interspecies dating aside, no-one is going to want to associate with someone closely involved with Zootopia's most infamous criminal. I can't risk doing that to him. I won't ruin his life!" She stated, tears now flowing steadily.

The doctor grabbed a tissue from his desk and held it out to Dawn. Trembling, she took it and began to dab her eyes.

"Dawn..." The doctor sighed. "I understand your situation is unique, and I have no idea how it actually feels being in your situation. I can only advise what I think is best for you. It's up for you to choose how you want to confront a problem like this."

The ewe did her best to choke back the tears, trying desperately to regain control of her emotions. She sniffled hard, aggressively wiping her eyes with the tissue now.

" If I were to make a suggestion as to how you should handle this, I would say..." The doctor breathed in deeply, and tipped his head down. "It would be best to talk to Vernon about this."

The ewe stood up again, dropping the tissue on the lounge. "I can't doctor! I just CAN'T!" She was shaking with emotion now.

"Easy Dawn, easy!" The doctor held out his arms in a calming gesture. Slowly, Dawn lay herself back in the lounge. Turning away from the doctor and curling into a fetal position.

"He's so stubborn." She sighed. "Even if he was willing, I'd never be able to convince him how badly being with me would damage his reputation. He'd never become an architect, no mammal would hire him. We'd probably have to live in a hovel somewhere. I couldn't allow that to happen to him, he doesn't deserve such a thing."

A silence hung over the office, seemingly lasting for an eternity as Dawn simply lay in a sullen slump.

"Well..." Gnu cleared his throat." The only other suggestion I could make Dawn..."

Dawn's back was still to the doctor, but she could hear the squeaks of the leather chair from the doctors awkward shifting.

"Is to move out and spend some time away from him."

Dawn immediately snapped around to face the doctor, eyes wide in both horror and anger.

"WHAT!?" She yelped, before slapping her hooves to her muzzle. "I can't do that! I don't want to- I m-mean." She stuttered, her tone lowering as she spoke. "It would hurt him so bad. I couldn't-"

The doctor put his hooves out again. "Dawn, Dawn. It's alright." The Gnu sighed, squeezing the bridge of his snout. "It is just a suggestion, you don't have to take it."

"The only reason I presented it as an option is because being so close to him is only going to hurt you more as it is. If you are so adamant about not ruining his life it might be in your best interest to separate for a while."

Dawn silently stared at the doctor in disbelief. She wanted to speak, but no words came.

"If you think you can continue on as you are, like I said it's only a suggestion." Gnu stated. "But it might be worth considering if it becomes to unbearable, understand?"

Dawn continued to stare blankly at the doctor before slowly and reluctantly nodding. "I s-suppose if it gets that b-bad." She shuddered. "I'll consider it."

Gnu nodded solemnly. "Very good." The wildebeest said. He then turned his attention to the wall clock.

"Well Dawn, it appears the sessions been over for about five minutes." He chuckled.

Dawn immediately snapped into an upright position. "Oh my, I'm so sorry."

"Not at all Dawn, I try not to concern myself if patients run a little over. I'd rather not stop them in the midst of a discussion." Gnu replied.

Dawn hopped off the lounge, brushing her skirt off as she did.

"I'd like to see you in another two months, you can set up another appointment with my secretary out front." Gnu motioned toward the door.

"Thank you doctor." Dawn replied.

The lamb made her way to the door, and as she clasped the knob she heard the doctor again.

"Oh and Dawn." She turned back to the doctor.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I know you'll make the right choice." He nodded solemnly.

Dawn slowly nodded along, then with a brisk waive the ewe opened the door and left the office. As Dawn closed the door behind her she leaned against it, her head drooped in sorrow.

"Oh Puppy..." She mumbled. "What am I gonna do?"