Twenty-Five: Finnick's Thoughts

"Hello! Come on now foxy... no going under the table here!" Fangmeyer was grinning as she grasped hold of Nick Wilde and pulled him back onto his seat and leant him against the table. It seemed the fox hadn't gone to a police bar before and the one near the station was still the big favourite. Everyone had gathered around the lift their glasses and cheer the fine detectives that had gone undercover and busted the corruption going on from City Hall since that sheep had taken charge. There had been a lot going on with everyone, Higgins had uncovered an illegal operation that was sending carnivore prisoners that were supposedly going to join chain gangs out in Canyon Lands was actually sending them to a dog fighting ring! The other undercover officers had revealed that animals being pulled into the new officer schemes had not been background checked and many were well-known in the Pretty Pasture as part of the Flossy Fleece gang, the best drug smugglers around!

Compared to their chaos, Wolford had felt his role had been rather minimal, but he'd spotted the corruption that had been going on and what beasts were paying for officers to turn a blind eye. But more importantly, he'd found himself realising just how much of the community was ignored because they weren't a certain type of animal. He had seen that the herding animals often seemed to get treated as one in the same and he wanted things to change, but there was not an obvious way to do that when Chief Bogo was only allowing a little change at a time and Officer Wilde was the example of this.

"Hey... hey... Wolfy... how's life looking for a 'friend' doing? Been a bit lonely since my 'friend' got his 'friend', hey?" Nick was completely drunk and it was not a pleasant situation, but most of the room was so drunk by this time that they were passing out. Chief Bogo was thankfully already floored and Higgins and Snarlov were actually having a sumo wrestling match that half of the unit were cheering over. The police bar meant no one was going to question their stupidity here, but Nick seemed to get a loose tongue when drunk and Wolford was not sure how to talk to him, thankfully though Fangmeyer was quick was wave her paw in front of his nose.

"Nope.. Wolford's got a great guy because we set him up with one, didn't we Fuzzball?" Priti grinned, swinging an arm to the lion who was stuck with the task of driving people home and like Wolford had abstained from drinking. Wolford had to chuckle and agree that things were going rally well, but he was surprised when Judy gave him a stunned look as if she'd only just connected two and two together.

"Oh my gawd... Wolford... you're gay?" Judy's volume was bouncing but thankfully that final word she'd practically mouthed and Wolford gave a snort before gently nodding his head. He did not mind who knew, especially when Judy was such a nice girl and her eyes were suddenly staring at him as if she'd never met a gay wolf before... or any gay animal. He was quite sure her home was probably a little rural like that, a bit like his home and he gave a chuckle before Judy then turned to look at Nick and then looked at Wolford with one eye trying to close as one of her ears was flopping down to the side of her head. "Hey... hey... can I ask you something then?"

"As long as you keep the volume down... Chief Bogo is of the opinion it shouldn't be discussed." Wolford stated as Priti was suddenly slapping her hand on the table. The wolf looked to the tigress and had to grin as he watched Nick's thick brush wiggling on the table for the cat to try and grab, they both seemed to be enjoying the fun and thankfully someone else was keeping an eye on them, but the previous mention by Nick had drawn a familiar problem into lounging over the back of their booth and putting his big white head between them.

"So... you've got a new boyfriend? Is this one going out with you because he's in love with someone else like that Gary guy? I mean... come on... cheating was nothing compared to 'I'm fucking you thinking of your brother'..." Judy's eyes widened to hear the words, she looked to Wolford and then up to the annoying face of Grizzoli who was grinning like a jackass. Wolford just rolled his eyes, he still could not believe half of his own relationships had been with idiots like that but... his luck was usually terrible. Only thanks to Priti had he found someone decent that was actually worth his time.

"Oh my gawd... Grizz you asshole... why'd you bring that kind of thing up? Who would cheat on someone as cute as Wolfy?" Judy growled up at the Arctic wolf, standing up on her seat and then flopping into Wolford's lap. She snuggled up against him, patting at him and then just grumbling and muttering to herself that anyone female would love a guy like Wolford. It caused Grizzoli to start sniggering to himself as Wolford just shook his head in amusement before then hooking up the rabbit and beckoning her up into the crook of his arm before stepping out of the booth and then hooking up Nick who was grinning as he picked them both up and then Rhinowitz turned to him with a chuckle of amusement.

"Looking after the rookies?" The big rhino chuckled as Wolford nodded his head, insisting he'd walk them to his place where they could chill out for a bit and cool their heads. Everyone was agreeing and chuckling, but Grizzoli shuffled about, insisting maybe he should go with him too, but Wolford just shook his head and insisted that he had patrol in the morning so he was going to make sure the pair were well looked after! It made the other wolf sneer a little but everyone was quick to wave them off as Judy started to snore and then Nick was stroking at Wolford's thin cheek fur, then pulling his own as if confused.

Wolford managed to walk them off to the taxi rank, hailing down a cub driven by a tamandur and after slipping them into the car, he found himself stuck sitting in the middle of them. He then made sure to strap them into the car although Judy wanted to cuddle his tail and Nick kept trying to stick his head out of the window to taste the air. He felt like he was managing children as the tree anteater managed to drive with ease whilst listening to some very danceable music at loud volumes! When they reached their destination, Wolford was shaking his head in disbelief when Sandy and Finnick stepped out of the van and they turned to spot the officers being brought over as Wolford's ears perked up at them.

"Ah... glad to see you both, mind us having two drunk guests tonight? I'll sort them out don't worry." Wolford called out and Sandy had to chuckle before hurrying to get the door as Finnick found himself glowering at Nick. Wolford did not notice, but Finnick was concerned why the red fox was here and why he hadn't been hanging out with Nick much lately at all. In fact, he was starting to question what it meant for a wolf known to have a thing for fox tops to be carrying one into his household? Finnick was seething with a sudden bolt of jealousy, but he hurried after them and followed them up to the apartment where Wolford casually plopped Nick on the sofa and turned to Finnick. "He's your friend Finn... I'm sure you know how to help him get his shirt off. You can settle him on my bed and you can join him there, Judy will go in with Sandy and I'll take the sofa as I've got a morning shift."

"Wait... you'll have him on your bed but you won't..." Finnick began, only for Sandy to roll her eyes at him for thinking of Wolford in that way. She took Judy into her room, helped her out of the shirt and settled them both on the bed to sleep after giving her a glass of water and making sure she'd gone to the toilet. It took a little while too for Finnick to catch up, especially when he was having Nick trying to drool onto his head or insist that he should have something more fun to do. When he managed to get the shirt off, Wolford got Nick something to drink but Finnick gave a snort. "You aren't thinking of anything with him... right?"

"God no... I won't do anything when I'm very, very happy with my partner. In fact, they're coming over after my shift tomorrow so you can meet them if you're still around. I've informed him that I will cook him a meal from my childhood so he can judge it and see where improvements can be made and what not. I never had my cooking so scrutinised before dating a chef..." Wolford chuckled softly and Finnick gave a snort, though his big ears seemed to keep getting low and the sensation of jealousy within him was not settling down. Together they settled Nick down and then Finnick went to sleep, the pair back to normal and complaining at one another before Wolford settled down for his own sleep.

The next day Wolford couldn't wait for his shift to be over, he was pacing up and down Savannah Square in the uniform and just doing the usual patrol. He was listening in on every conversation that was going on between those he knew would be troubling and those that he did not recognise in the rea before and thought to take note of. As always, it was actually a pretty calm day and curiously, without Nick and Finnick out together and doing sneaky dealings, Wolford found himself chuckling to enjoy the contentment on what ended up being a cakewalk of a shift!

Upon finishing his shift, he switched with another wolf that was new to the force and compared notes before he left her to it. She was a happy newbie, always grinning and eager to do any task no matter how physical, but when he was just leaving, she called him back for a moment. Wolford was a little concerned, but she was quick to write him a note in her notebook and pass it over to him with a soft smile upon her face, though her ears lowered slightly and she clearly felt embarrassed as Wolford opened it up and got a shock.

Thanks for being open... it means I can be open too and no one questions my girlfriend.

Wolford's eyes blinked gently and he smiled softly towards her, rather surprised that he'd been so useful to someone else. He had to chuckle softly as he then carried on from work, glad to see there was one more out there and he had a good think as to what he should do about it. Maybe he should set up an LGBTQ+ group within the police, or maybe just arrange an e-mail set up so that any who needed advice or were in some kind of bullying could communicate to him and he could communicate it back. It made Wolford smile as he got up to the office to write his report and then go to change, he wanted to do something good for the community, especially when he'd done so well so far already!

Once he was changed, Wolford stepped out of the locker room and got a surprise when Chief Bogo stepped over to him and pulled him aside to his office. Wolford was worried that something was up, maybe the chief had the same idea anyway and might want to talk to him? Wolford really did not know how to react and then he considered how he was supposed to be a lot more quiet on his situation... before he'd recalled the night before with Judy and Grizzoli even making a point about him being gay. Suddenly Wolford was groaning as he followed the chief into his office, ready to get a scolding until he was beckoned to sit and then Bogo pulled out the yearly calendar that the firefighters did to raise money... nearly all of them the typical dalmatians.

"You see this? Every year they produce one to get money and this year, the new mayor has insisted that there's a possibility of budget cuts so all of us, even the ambulance service, should consider producing a calendar to get some donations too. They've stated that as long as we focus on something that will give a good reason behind the funding, we could not only have out funding increased instead of a cut, but get quite a bit from the sales and stick it up those fire-guys' hoses!" Bogo stated firmly and it made Wolford blink in surprise to hear it before he rubbed at his chin in fascination before then giving a soft grunt. Instead of the community coming to mind, he suddenly found himself reminded of the old community centre that the foxes had hung out at and he then gave a grunt of surprise before then lifting his head to look at his boss.

"How about a new program that will be force wise teaching about misrepresentation towards certain species and building up a community presence with them. Like actually building a safe place where young animals from under privileged backgrounds can interact and get learning opportunities. We pay for it with the calendar and it means we can be seen to be helping projects that would reduce crime. I mean, if you give them the same opportunities as everyone else, then weasels and hyenas and foxes and boar can actually get proper jobs and not feel like their in the bad books all the time." Wolford stated calmly, only for Chief Bogo to blink for a moment in confusion before then putting another piece of paper to the side. Wolford guessed that the boss already had a plan on what he wanted and he blushed in apology before he gave a grunt.

"Well... actually I was going to ask if you'd like to join up for posing... I think it would appeal to a wider audience that way..." Bogo seemed to be very careful with his words, not too sure if he was saying something that could upset Wolford or not. Wolford was not too sure what he was supposed to say in this matter but he agreed and then left the room. As he'd headed back home, he'd found himself feeling awkward after that conversation but he hoped that maybe Bogo might rethink whatever he originally had planned for that money, doing more for the community would be better after-all.

Upon returning home, he was rather startled to find that Judy, Nick, Finnick and Sandy were all back at the flat with the two officers still facing the affects of some really bad hangovers. He had to chuckle as he came in to find them drinking the soluble painkillers and being fed grilled cheese by Sandy - her cure all for Finnick's hangovers. Finnick was just grinning in total amusement at their expressions before he turned to greet Wolford and insisted that they were going to have extra for dinner tonight! It made Wolford a little surprised, but he was feeling rather eager for company and to show off Xander, especially after the little note he was carrying in his pocket.

With a smile, Wolford was quick to make something rather heavy, meaty with potatoes and gravy that he'd grown up seeing his mother make whenever his father had been out the night before. He recalled the way his mother used to make it and he copied every process, he was just preparing to put it all into the oven when the door was knocked upon. With a grin and his tail up and ears pricked, Wolford hurried to the door and then let Xander inside, the pair of them closing the door then bending to have a sweet kiss of greeting before Nick produced the loudest gasp out of the group!

"That's... that's... he's a famous tv chef! How is he... why is he? Why are you cooking Wolford?" Nick was not the one to speak though, Sandy stepped towards them and was speaking in total disbelief. She was such a fan of Xander and yet he just looked to the four of them with anxiety before looking up to Wolford, before looking back at them. Xander found himself eyeing up Nick first... he'd recalled the mention of a red fox that Wolford had been in love with before, though of the silver colouration. He was a little irritated, but then when he looked at Finnick, the Fennec fox glowered back and an obvious tension shot between them as their matching huge ears dropped back as they seemed to size each other up.

"Xander... Xander is my partner. But please, its supposed to be kept secret so please... you're my most important people to meet him and to understand the situation. I would love my friends to become your new friends Xander." Wolford stated sweetly and then it was Judy who gave a squeak of delight, insisting the pair of them just looked so adorable together and she hoped Xander knew how lucky he was. Wolford blushed as Xander grinned and then went to shake hands with Judy, insisting he was eager to know about the kind of food she'd had as a child too to help him understand the more vegetarian palate. The fact he did not seem to react as if it were desperate for them to hide it, seemed to calm the others into settling down and insisting they were eager to know what Wolford was up to, as he insisted he'd prepared a vegetarian alternative upon Judy being present.

As they went to cook together, Xander was eager to stand on the little stool that Sandy pointed out to him and to check everything before asking about the way it was cooked and served. They were so involved in each other, giggling and smiling and occasionally nuzzling against one another that the other four found themselves quite aware how good the relationship was. It was enough for Sandy and Judy to insist that they would swear to the secret, but Nick found himself looking at Finnick and gently insisting he and Finnick had to go and have a smoke.

The pair of foxes padded out of the room and then strolled to the elevator, they were weirdly quiet because Finnick was looking oddly irritable, angry and Nick was careful. They moved to the parking lot where the van sat and clambered inside. Finnick wheezed in relief as he sat back and grabbed a cigarette, lighting it quick and enjoying a good few puffs as Nick then settled down in front of him. He took in a deep breath, waiting for a chance for the Fennec to get calm and then, rather calmly, Nick looked towards his friend with a saddened expression.

"I'm not sure what I should assume about your relationship with Wolford... but you're very possessive over him and even Sandy was feeling that. Look... I'm not making any assumptions on your sexuality here... I just want to know what's going on in your head?" Nick was not sure the response he was going to get from asking this sort of question, but it was clear Finnick was irritated. At first the little fox gave him the finger, before his ears then drooped and he began to let the cigarette just burn down as if he did not even have the strength to suck it. The little fox was conflicted, the whole situation ad been confusing him for so very long and he rubbed at his face in irritation, giving a groan of anguish as Nick then gave a sigh. "You can tell me everything... we've known each other long enough not to ask questions..."

"Cheers..." Finnick grunted, putting out the cigarette in his ash tray with a low swear and then bringing his paws up to his head. He groaned and ruffled the fur of his forehead, swearing again and then trying to stroke his ears back up, though they kept going down. He was feeling so damn frustrated that now he was trying to find words to say about it, he was finally stuck having to consider the entire situation. Finnick had done his best not to consider anything about the entire relationship between him and Wolford, especially when Wolford had called it quits and yet now... each time he'd smelt that Wolford had been with someone else... it was eating into him horrible. "I'm not gay okay..."

"I said I wasn't stepping on that... besides, you don't have to be gay to be with another male... sexuality changes with the beasts you get along with. Come on... I know that we used to get all that shit from the bullies and it only stopped with me joining the police but... you shouldn't be so aggressive with that word, it makes others think you're a phobe..." Nick grinned, but though his statements were his usual casual manner, Nick was looking at Finnick with that expression that said it was time to own up. Finnick gave a growl in frustration, his ears going back as he growled at him before then looking to his packet of cigarettes again. He then threw the packet aside, grimacing in frustration as he shook his head before then giving a heavy groan. "Just say what you think you need to say..."

"I... I don't really know. At first it was just kinda funny to fuck a cop, then it was just that the feeling inside him and then him doing stuff to me... it got addictive. I just liked being around him too, it was stupid so I got more rude and tried to focus more on the sex to stop my brain thinking there could be anything else. Thing is... I don't want there to be anything else... but I don't want there to be anything relationship and yet..." Finnick began but he quickly covered his head, groaning and rolling about on the floor as Nick then gave a soft sigh. He patted at Finnick's shoulder, aware of the situation now but not sure what he could do to help as Finnick then sighed. "...when he pushed me away, I realised that I didn't like it, I wanted to be with him more than with Sandy... that's... that's fucking wrong, right?"

"Its not but... its good to be honest with yourself and... we should head back and you should take the time to actually think about all this. Be nice for now and try not to be jealous... you chose Sandy so... you know..." Nick stated, not sure he could be nice about it when it was obvious his friend had taken the easy option that took the least thinking through all of it. It was going to hurt everyone if it got out but, Finnick needed to sort himself out. Clearly, he was fighting more than just his attraction to Wolford and if he did not get it in his head that there was nothing 'wrong' with what he felt, then he would never be happy....