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The Championship

First Date in a While

Los Angeles June 10, 2185. 8:00 PM

He'd been pacing around the small room, swiping left for an hour now. The mouse would find a reason not to like someone or tell himself some excuse no to reply to a message. He was nervous about meeting someone new after his husband's death. He'd been single so long that he almost grew accustomed to it at thirty-five. But the loneliness was getting to him. Leo sat alone in his civi-pod, on the twin bed, idly scrolling through the app with television running in the background. His tail twitched and shuddered. Work had been busy and what little time he had to socialize these days were his friends who were all still married. Board game nights were now a reminder to what he no longer had. He knew they were there for him to talk about it, but he couldn't articulate well that he felt like a burden.

The app had failed him. It limited his searching without spending more credits. With a sigh, he turned to the app store, looking for something else. Ads for robotic sex bot rentals, virtual sexual escapades. Even places that can give you dreams as fantasies like they were real, "Suit your fantasy" they advertised. They weren't cheap, nor were they what he wanted. Then he saw an ad for an escort app. He shook his head, feeling silly for even considering it. He clicked the download button.

The app was friendly, disarming. It was professional, filled with legal disclaimers stating legalities and agreements. He entered his normal email and number without really thinking about it. Even entered his real name when prompted for a name.

It asked him preferences, kinks and if there were any physical disabilities he had(So he could be paired with someone who had experience tending to). He filled out the form quickly, not looking for anything weird. He didn't really even know what he was looking for. After entering his banking info he was shown a lost of names and photos of nearby available workers.

The mouse looked at the clock, it was only 8 P.M. He thought maybe he could catch a movie and get some dinner. The price was about a $250 flat rate an hour. The tax wasn't shown. He knew he had a few grand in his savings, he decidedly wasn't worried about the cost. He scrolled for a while before tossing his phone across the bed.

"What am I doing?" He sighed, "This isn't for me."

He took a deep breath, letting out a few frustrated huffs. He needed to do something. The anxiety, the loneliness was killing him. He took another labored breath before reaching for the phone. He called one of the sports interns at the newsroom. He worked nights at some mid city nightclub.

"Hello?" The voice said.

"Hey, this uh, this is Leo."

"Hey, Theo. From the corner office, right?"

"It's Leo, but yes."

"Need something?"

Leo cleared his throat, psyching himself up, "Actually you mentioned uh, that you knew someone who needed a date?"

"Oh yeah! He's still looking, if you would like to meet him."

"I think I'd be willing to try it."

"Perfect! He's actually at the club tonight, wanna swing by?"

"Tonight?" His body tensed, "Isn't that a little soon?"

"It'll be fine! He's been kinda down, lately." The feline said hushed, "He could really use the company."

"Well, alright." Leo frowned, thinking they may be feeling the same, "When should I be there?"

The voice on the line paused a moment, "I'll text you in a minute, I'll see what he says." Then hung up.

Leo looked down at his phone, the photo of a much younger mouse kissing a lion still set as his background. He took a deep breath and sighed. With a anxious huff, he deleted the apps. He never did use them. He began looking through his clothing drawer for his going out clothes. He was half way through getting an outfit together when his phone dinged. He set the suit aside and looked over the message.

"He says Club opens at 10:00. Show the bouncer this message. Don't wait in line."

Leo typed, "Is the bouncer the date?"

"Wouldn't be a blind date if I told you. :)" came the next text a few moments later.

Leo checked his notepads to see if he still had the address. Then he showered and dressed up. He exited the civi-pod, heading through the loud halls of small micro-apartments towards the elevator. The ride to the basement level was a typically cramped experience. The sounds of other riders talking on their phones, an ad playing on someone's phone loudly as they made frustrated grunts, trying to get back to whatever they were watching. They filed out of the elevator in the damp underground parking lot. Leo's car was down a ways, leaving him alone by the time he got to it. It was never well lit down here, and the leaky pipes that lined the ceiling usually did well to mask the sounds of footsteps. He gripped a small stun gun in his pocket as his other hand went for his car keys. It was a common practice for him and many others living in the large complex. Security was never the top of the list. He entered his car quickly, locking the door immediately.

He let out a sigh, "Alright, you can do this." He said into the mirror. The car hummed to life at a push of a button. A Heads up Display loaded onto his front window. It checked systems, loading up a small map on the passenger side. The mouse entered the address into the computer and the HUD lit the way.

The club was deeper into the city than Leo was normally comfortable with. He never liked navigating in three dimensions. It was where the city split into having levels of streets built into the large buildings. The club itself was nestled in the corner of one of these buildings, all the way on the top plate. He didn't expect a high end place as the upper plates were typically much nicer than the lower ones. He had interviewed some sex workers on the floor level once. It was a strange place. He wondered if he should have just gone there in the first place. He shook his head, trying to get the nervous energy out. He pulled into the parking lot, stopping the car in front of one of the valet booths. Once outside the car, it was moved into some storage compartment in the building.

As Leo turned the corner, he found that the line had already started to form. It was still a quarter to ten, though he felt he'd try his luck with the bouncer anyway. He felt overdressed, glancing at the line. It was the first time he felt like he was sticking out from the crowd. The bouncer eyed him as he approach. He was a muscular rhino in a tank top. He was having a casual, friendly conversation with a young pig in the front of the line. The large man's bubbly personality took away all the intimidation his large stature tried so hard to maintain.

The rhino looked Leo over as the mouse stopped before him, "Oh, are you Leo?"

"Yeah, am I too early?" He handed over his phone

"Not at all, hon!" The rhino beamed.

"Can I come in with you?" The pig said, grinning.

"Still ten minutes for you." Replied the bouncer.

"C'mon.. I'll be good." The younger male said, seductively.

The rhino just glared at him, then turned to Leo, "Head on in. Talk to Jake at the bar." Then opened the door for Leo, "Good luck, champ." He said with a wink as Leo walked into the building.

Leo nodded, "Thanks." He turned back to see the twink pig pouting before leaving them.

There was a long hallway, a small open room to check in any coats. As he followed the corridor, he started hearing some electronic dance music coming from the main room. As he reached the large space, he saw the intern at the bar, cleaning up.

The cat waved at him as their eyes met. Leo crossed the mostly empty room to the bar. The employees were dressed well and everything in the club was bathed in a deep red. It looked nicer than he thought it would considering the line outside. There was an empty stage with it's curtain's drawn, seats along the edges and a balcony to his left. A large mirrored window room was upstairs to his right. Probably some kind of special lounge or office, Leo thought.

Jake was leaning against the bar as Leo sat himself on one of the stools. He sighed, resting his elbows on the counter. The cat was a young handsome man who was interning to eventually be a sports journalist.

The cat slid up in front of him with a smile, "Hello there. Would you like a drink?" he said with a charismatic stature.

"Hey, So Who-"

"He's not drinking here." A burly voice behind him spoke.

Leo turned around to see one of the bouncers, a large badger.

The badger asked, "Leo, right?" He didn't look happy.

The mouse nodded, "Yes?" He felt that he'd gotten in trouble.

"Come with me." He said sternly before turning around. Leo had never been do confused. He followed them, not knowing what else to do. The two men led him into a back room, up some stairs and stopped at a door. One of the security guys knocked on the door while the other turned to Leo.

"Someone wants to meet you." The badger said with a smirk.

The door opened and Leo was ushered inside. The room must have been for VIPs. It had a bar, a couch, a large screen television and a fireplace. A large tinted window which viewed the club was on the other side of the room from a couple doors. The whole room twice the size of his apartment. At the bar there was a rabbit, pouring two glasses of wine. He had a silk dress shirt that matched all the deep red that was all over the club. He adjusted his brass spectacles as he eyed the amount of liquid in each glass. The sounds from the club downstairs dissipated as the door closed. Leaving the two with the quiet jazz music from a radio near the T.V. And the sound of the fire crackling in the corner of the room.

"Leo, correct?" The rabbit asked, beckoning the mouse over, "Please, have a seat." His voice was gentle, inviting.

"What's going on?" Leo said as he crossed the room.

"Sorry if the guards scared you, it was all Jake's idea, I swear." He laughed.

Leo sat down at the small bar, "You're the man he wanted me to meet?"

"Yup." The rabbit nodded, "I was going to meet you downstairs as you came in, but he practically begged me to do it his way."

"I'm confused."

"Jake wanted to keep you on your toes."

"Why?"

The rabbit shrugged, "Said it was a good blind date move."

"Not sure the power move thing works if you explain it, after."

The rabbit handed Leo one of the glasses, "You ever been on a blind date?"

"I haven't, no."

"Me, neither." He laughed, "Please, drink. Relax." The rabbit smiled, and took a sip from his glass.

Leo nodded, taking a sip as well. He assumed it was nice wine, it was the only wine he'd ever had.

Daniel set the glass down onto the bar, leaning over, resting his elbows.

Leo was a bundle of nervous energy. He couldn't help his hand shaking as he set the glass down.

"Maybe you need more wine, huh? I can almost hear you shaking." The rabbit said, getting a little closer to Leo.

"Sorry, it's just been a really weird night." He took another drink from the glass.

The rabbit nodded, "Well, my name's Daniel. I asked Jake a while back to send someone my way that I can talk to."

"Talk to?"

"I'm asking you out."

"Oh, I uh." Leo didn't know what to say.

The rabbit laughed, "Just a date. Jake seems to like you. He's a good judge of character."

"He hasn't asked you out himself?"

The rabbit shrugged, shaking his head, "He's actually straight, if you'd believe it." He laughed, "And a little young for me."

Leo nodded, "You don't look much older than him."

"Well, I do take care of myself."

"You look good." Leo felt himself blush.

"I must say, you're a handsome fellow, yourself."

Leo let out a nervous laugh, then stumbled on some words.

"Well, we're both here, I've got loads of movies. How about we try that blind date, eh?"

Leo nodded, "Okay, but uh, this my first date in a while."

"We've got movies and wine. There are a few places who deliver nearby." He grinned.

"I could eat, yeah."

Daniel nodded, "Perfect!" He fished his phone from his pocket, "Want anything specific?"

"What's good around here?"

"There is this Japanese place I've been craving all day."

Leo nodded, "Sounds good. Sushi, dealer's choice,"

The rabbit was already thumbing through delivery apps in one hand, shooting the mouse with the index finger of his other hand, "You got it."

"Are they even open this late?"

Daniel looked at his watch, "The synthetic places never close. It's all automatic. Hope that's okay."

"That's fine with me."

"Ever have real fish?" He looked up from the screen

"Only once." He said, remembering his wedding.

"You okay?"

"Sorry, got lost in thought." He lied.

"Must have been some good fish."

"The best meal I ever had."

"Damn, that's some meal." The rabbit grinned, "Well, I'm going to make sure the club opens and get the food, make yourself at home." With that he exited the bar and headed towards the door.

"Oh, you're the manager?"

"I own the place." Daniel said with a smirk, "And I will be right back."

Leo was left alone in the room. He looked around the room, sipping on his glass of wine. As he made it to the window into the club, he saw Daniel talking to Jake and some other bartender. People were starting to fill in the space. Leo watched Daniel talk to the employees before his attention moved to all the couples dancing, mostly same-sex couples.

There was a couch near the TV where Leo decided he'd sit and wait for Daniel's return. He flipped through the channels until he stopped on the news. The sports guy, a panda, was explaining why this Horned lizard was going to win some fight against some horse next Tuesday. This fight was all Nick, the sports reporter, and Jake would talk about all week, so Leo assumed it must be important.

"My money's on Will." Came Daniel's voice.

"Which one's Will." Leo said, turning to see the rabbit carrying a paper bag with their food.

Daniel set the food onto the coffee table, "The lizard. Nice guy."

"You met him?" Leo said as he was handed a container.

The rabbit nodded, "Yeah, bumped into him once or twice at the gym." He opened his own food with a grin.

"Guess that's a good place to meet a celebrity fighter." Leo said, taking a bite of his sushi.

"So Jake says you're a reporter." Daniel said, changing the subject, "Guess you're not in sports, huh?"

"Mostly corporate stuff. Scandals, politics. The dangerous stuff." He laughed.

"A regular Lois Lane." Daniel smirked.

Leo nodded, "Pretty much, yeah."

"Feel free to call me if you're in trouble, I can't resist a damsel in distress."

"Hope you're bulletproof. I can get into some pretty sticky situations."

The rabbit flexed dramatically, "I will keep you safe." He grinned, "And if you need a place to clean up after getting all sticky, I have a nice bath."

"Oh?" Leo wanted to say something flirty, but something crept over him. A wrongness.

Sensing the awkward silence coming, Daniel reached for the remote, "How about we put on a movie?"

Leo nodded as the music stopped and the lights dimmed as the television came to life. Daniel put on something light, a romantic comedy. They finished their food as they watched the movie, inching closer to one another. Without thinking soon Leo's arm was draped over the other's shoulders. Daniel was quick to move in, pressing himself against the mouse. As the rabbit's head was on his shoulder, Leo noticed it. Something he didn't see under the fashionable clothing. Daniel was muscular, ripped, even. He lowered his hands, exploring the rabbit's body. He felt his sides, pulling the rabbit closer, but also trying to figure the other out.

Daniel backed off slightly, looking uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"No I'm sorry." Daniel said, standing up, "I guess I should tell you. I'm-"

"Like a fitness person?"

Daniel cocked his head, "What?"

"Sorry, I was just curious, you didn't look like someone who worked out so much."

"Oh, no." He sighed, "I fight, well I used to."

"Fight?"

"In arenas, stadiums. Look, there's something else I should tell you."

"What is it?" Leo asked, sensing some tension.

The rabbit started unbuttoning his shirt, exposing his upper torso as he threw the shirt onto to seat. Leo stared wide-eyed at the rabbits lean, muscular build.

"Wow. You're really hot."

The rabbit let out a small laugh, "Look a little closer."

The mouse squinted, scanning for something, "Oh." he said as he noticed the scars, just under his chest visible under all the short gray fur.

"Is it too weird?" Daniel nervously rubbed one of his large ears.

Leo stood up, holding the rabbit's sides, "Today's all about weird. But I'm okay with it." He laughed.

Daniel slowly pressed his flat, muscular chest against against the mouse, "Good, coz it only gets weirder." He grinned, pulling away a bit.

"How so?" Leo sat back down on the couch.

"I don't really know how to date, either. I was once a celebrity fighter, and now I own a club. Don't have much free time."

Leo nodded, "I imagine you could have had anyone you wanted?"

"I was young when I started this. I never had dates. I just picked a guy I liked."

"I feel a but coming."

Daniel beckoned the mouse to follow him as he crossed the room, "I met my husband." He said, opening one of the doors beside the bar. It was a lavish bedroom, decorated similarly to the rest of the club. The only thing that really stood out from the rest was a glass case filled with memorabilia, trophies, photos. Daniel stopped to look at the display case. He grabbed a photo from it. It had two men in light suits in front of a large building. One was the rabbit, the other was a fruit bat. They looked happy, clutching one another. Leo looked to the other photos. Many of them were of a younger Daniel, hand raised in a ring, looking proud of himself.

"I don't think I will get over losing him." Daniel held the photo, "I don't think I want to, either."

"I know what you mean." Leo said as he reached into his pocket, fishing out his phone. He went into his pictures to show his own. Pictures of the mouse and cat on beaches, in the snow, anywhere.

"What's his name?" Daniel asked, looking at the calico cat.

"Hitch." Leo sighed, "He was really adventurous."

"We don't have to move on." The rabbit smiled, "Are you spiritual at all?"

"I don't really know." The mouse shrugged, he never liked thinking about it.

"I think, if there was an afterlife," The rabbit said, looking at the photo, "That Rich would be waiting for me."

The rabbit looked over to Leo, "It's comforting to think about, but."

"It's hard sometimes." Leo nodded, "To be this alone."

"Which is why I've had Jake looking out for someone." He winked at the mouse, "Maybe you can understand, I'm not looking for a soul mate."

"A babysitter?" Leo smirked.

"Something like that, I guess." He crossed his arms, "Is that weird?"

"I really don't know." Leo sighed, "It's been rough, wanting to be with someone and feeling so damn guilty for it."

"They'd want us to be happy, right?" Daniel asked.

"I think so." He thought for a moment. He remembered scrolling the apps, his small bed in his small apartment where he'd be alone. He felt the soft hand of Daniel's on his arm. He looked at Daniel, in his eyes. He could see it, the same look he saw in the mirror every night. Daniel had to have seen it, too. It wasn't lust, it wasn't love, it was something else. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around the rabbit and hugged him tight. He hoped it wasn't too sudden, but was relieved when he felt a pair of arms around his back. They embraced for a moment, but all too soon, Daniel slipped back.

He smiled, "Thank you, Leo." There was a buzzing sound followed by the rabbit sighing.

"Sorry, I may need to take this." He leaned in to kiss the mouse on the cheek before leaving the room to answer his phone.

Leo nodded as he was left alone again. He used the time to look over the awards and pictures that cluttered the display. His attention was drawn to one with the horned lizard that was on the news earlier. William Dunn was smaller in the picture, he looked thrilled, even though the one holding the large belt was Daniel, his arm being thrust into the air by a man in a suit.

Leo heard Daniel enter the room, the mouse looked over to the rabbit.

"This what you meant by bumped into him?" Leo said, showing the picture to the other.

Daniel shrugged, "I was his first title match." He threw his phone onto his dresser, "Kid's tenacious, got the belt in our next fight."

"Why'd you stop fighting?" Leo asked.

Daniel walked over to his large bed, throwing himself onto it, "I lost my title, I was getting older." He sighed, "And I think after Richard passed, I just slowly stopped taking calls."

"Oh, I'm sorry." he walked over to the bed, "You ever think of going back?"

Daniel looked at his display case, "Every day."

"Still think you got it in you?"

The rabbit propped himself on his elbows, "Oh I still got it."

"Think you can take me?" Leo said, kicking off his shoes, crawling onto the bed, "I once- Oomph!"

Leo was pulled onto the bed and before he could even process the movements he was pinned.

"Wow, you're fast."

Daniel grinned down at the mouse, "You didn't fight very hard."

"Maybe this is where I want to be."

"Is that so?" Daniel leaned down, eye to eye as their lips touched.

Neither of them moved, trying to feel themselves through the moment, but the moment passed.

Daniel raised his head, looking down at Leo, "Something wrong?"

Leo shrugged, "Nothing's wrong.." He smiled sheepishly, "Just uh, out of practice."

"Nervous?"

Leo gave a halfhearted chuckle, "A little. Just stuck in my head, I guess."

The rabbit grinned slyly, "Maybe getting his shirt off will help." He then backed himself up until he was straddling the mouse's waist. Soft paws found themselves pulling Leo's shirt out from their previously tucked in position. He wormed his hands under, feeling the soft belly fur of Leo's as he pulled the shirt up and off his pinned partner. He laid himself down atop the mouse, nuzzling under his chin affectionately as their now bare chests were pressed together.

Leo ran his hands down Daniel's sides, feeling his way up the rabbit's lean, muscular back. He could feel the soft nose against his neck, smelling him. Small kisses up his neck and chin until their lips met again. Leo kisses back, trying to keep himself in the moment.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're pretty rusty." Daniel said, trying to keep energy going.

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice." Leo smiled, "I do want to, really."

Daniel leaned back, grinding against the mouse's tented slacks, "I can tell."

Leo thrust his hips upwards into the rabbit's crotch, "Do we need, uh." He looked down at where they were pressed against one another.

"Protection?" Daniel blushed, unbuttoning his pants, pulling the fly apart to reveal his silk, form fitting underwear. He pulled the thin cloth down a bit to show a small square of metal attached to his skin. It had a tiny colored screen and an even smaller port.

"What is that?" Leo asked, looking back up to Daniel.

"It's hormone regulator. It keeps everything normalized." He grinned, "Also doubles as birth control if I want."

"Oh, well.."

"I can get a condom if you like." Daniel said, concerned.

Leo shook his head, "It's not that, it's.."

"The vagina thing?"

"Kinda?" Leo sighed, "Not sure how they feel or if I can go very long."

"I hear they feel pretty good." Daniel smirked, "I'm pretty proud of mine, if I do say so myself."

"And the other thing?" Leo placed his hands rested on Daniel's muscular thighs.

The rabbit grinned, "I'll just scoot up so you can finish." He glared, menacingly, "I'll teach you a new skill or two."

"I am an eager learner." Leo smiled, rubbing the clothed thighs.

Daniel lowered his paws to Leo's belt, "Good, I like a sub-What's this?" He pulled on the belt, but it wasn't unlatching.

"Oh right, it's a trick."

"I trick?"

Leo nodded, pressing a small latch on the inside of his belt, a small compartment opening up in it.

"What's that for?" Daniel stood up to let his pants drop to the floor.

Leo pressed the compartment back into place, fiddling with it some more before it was able to be removed, "Sometimes I have to hide my SD cards. One slot for my camera and one for my phone."

"You really weren't kidding about the danger?" Daniel said, casually pulling the mouse's pants off.

Leo shimmied out of his boxers, "I once had my electronics taken and destroyed trying to leave.." He kicked his last piece of clothing off the bed, "Actually I can't say where, but it was the first time I've been shot."

"You've been shot?" Daniel pulled his his underwear down, tossing it aside, "Where?" He crawled up onto Leo.

"Right side of my head." Leo's hand went back to their position on Daniel's thighs, "I had a helmet on, thankfully. Got a concussion, though."

"Damn, you get shot often?" Daniel said, feeling Leo's sex against his own.

Leo gripped the fur tight, "Ye..Yeah." He was flustered, feeling himself enter the rabbit, "If I'm not getting shot at, I'm not doing a very good job, right?"

"You okay?" Leo said, seeing Daniel's playful expression shift dramatically.

"I.." Daniel looked back towards the wall of trophies, "Fuck!" He uncoupled from Leo, walking towards the pictures.

Leo followed him, "I'm sorry." He put his hands on the other's shoulder, "I didn't think to ask how." He gestured towards the picture of the bat.

"He was shot." Daniel's eyes began to water, "Right in front of me."

"I'm so sorry." Leo gave the firm shoulder a squeeze, trying to comfort Daniel.

Daniel turned to Leo, pressing himself against the mouse, tears falling from his face. Leo held him for a moment.

"Thanks." Daniel sniffled, "I'm sorry."

Leo hugged the other tight, "I understand how you feel."

"How did Hitch die?"

Leo leaned his head against the rabbit's, "Cancer."

"I'm sorry."

"It is what it is." Leo stated, bluntly.

Daniel turned around, "Life can be cruel." He picked up his wedding photo, then ran his fingers across the glass. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Off the record?" Leo replied.

"I know who killed him." Daniel sighed, "I know why he died."

"Couldn't call the cops?"

"Well connected."

"Someone didn't want you to fight?"

"Yeah, actually." Daniel looked over to the mouse, "How'd you figure?"

Leo grinned, "Gut instinct." He sat back onto the bed, "Could help you."

"You don't want to get close to this guy."

"Yeah, I know." He laughed, "It's dangerous?"

"He threatened my life!"

"Which means he has something to lose."

"What is that supposed to mean!?" Daniel put the down, leaning against the rack.

Leo leaned down to grab his phone, "People don't threaten you unless you can hurt them." He began typing onto the small screen.

Daniel looked over to him, "What are you doing?"

"Looking up something."

"Stop it!"

Leo shook his head, "There's a fighting tournament in Hawaii."

"Do not even think about it."

Leo showed Daniel his screen, a familiar tiger in a suit displayed, "This the guy?"

Daniel stood, petrified in place.

"Shit." Leo turned the phone back to himself, "This guy is pretty high up there."

"What are you doing?"

Leo grinned, "Thinking."

"Leo, this is serious." Daniel sat down on the bed beside the mouse.

Leo nodded, "This is my work face." He furiously checked the internet, "He's hosting the Hawaii thing."

"What kind of tournament?"

Leo clicked around on the screen, "Says invitational, no rules, men's league" He scrolled through pages, "Maybe your lizard friend can get you in?"

"Do you really think you can take this guy?" sighed Daniel.

The mouse shook his head, "Not without some help."

"What kind of help?"

Leo turned to Daniel, "I think it's time you came out of retirement."