FSE

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Casually strolling through the park with a bucket, Duke tried his best not to bring any attention to himself. There was something that he needed to get and the less eyes on him while he got it the better. It was a nice day out, very few clouds and a calm breeze making it the perfect weather to come to the park and bring just about everyone else you know along with you. The weasel cursed his lack of luck but felt he had no other choice. Soon he would meet with Travis but he couldn't do that in his current state. It had been far too long since he washed his fur and his little business offer yesterday didn't do anything to help that.

Walking down the main sidewalk the weasel could feel the eyes of other animals boring down on him. Usually Duke could care less about others looking at him but in his current state it only made him feel more disgusting with each passing moment. The weasel couldn't help but imagine how horrible it would be for Travis to see like this. He would never be able to face the ferret ever again and that was in the hope that Travis would ever want to see him again. But for now Duke pushed those thoughts out of his head and pressed on.

Still holding onto the bucket, Duke made sure that most eyes were off of him, walking further from the main sidewalk into the soft grass. There were many others he passed by such as parents and kind also enjoying the comfortable weather. But there was a place that Duke knew would solve his problems. A few eyes locked on him but the weasel was determined. His destination was in sight, and thankfully there was hardly anyone else in the area. After taking one last look around the weasel broke out into a headlong sprint, stretching out his paw in front and grasping the handle of the door. Without a moment's hesitation he flung it open and dove inside.

Duke grimaced at the dirty and stuffy environment of the park's restroom. Though it felt great outside the sun bore down on the closed off space, making the weasel break out in another sweat. He knew it was only a matter of time before someone else would come stumbling in so he walked over to the sinks. Placing his bucket in the sink the weasel reached upwards to twist the faucet and watched as it filled with water. All that was left to do was wait for it to fill and get out of there as fast as he could. The new noise of the water spilling out from the top got Duke's attention. Reaching up once again he turned the water off and heaved the filled pail out of the sink.

Getting the full bucket out of the park was much easier compared to getting it there. Duke simply continued strolling through to the other side, reaching the fence and sidewalk connecting back into the city. The weasel darted across the empty street and into the alleyway on the other side. Duke knew that there were many alleyways and abandoned spots that he could take to lead him back to his place. All the while he was careful to not spill too much of the water.

Upon returning to the rundown building Duke gave one last heave, pulling the bucket inside. His arms felt like they were on fire and his shorts were wet from the water that would splash on them when he moved too quickly. Despite all that a smile grew on his muzzle, knowing that the water was just the first step to turning the day around. It was still early enough in the day that he could make the rounds that he planned with the money he now has. After taking a short break Duke dug into the pile of few clothes he had. After just a bit of digging he managed to find a small towel that smelled clean enough compared to the rest.

Soon the weasel was doing his best to wash himself with the cloth and the water he collected. The weasel hoped that he was doing a good job. What was the point of going through all that if it was for basically nothing? Duke scrubbed himself best he could, making sure to put extra pressure and washing in certain areas. Soon he felt that he was clean enough and grabbed a few of the clothes in the pile. First he took one of his other shirts and dunked into the water, after a little while he fished it back out of the water and wrung the liquid out. Duke repeated this with his other clothes, soaking and wringing them out. Bundling them up into a tight balled mass, the weasel carried them out into the alleyway and placed each against standing planks of wood.

While they dried the weasel changed back into the clothes, grabbing the money he earned and made his way out, eager to hit the town for once.

The first place he stopped by was a local clothing shop that was specific to smaller animals. The inside of the shop looked pretty nice and there were many different colors and styles for him to pick out. The weasel wanted to grab the best looking things he could, but he knew the money in the pocket had to be saved. Instead Duke looked around for a nice shirt and a nice pair of pants. During his searching Duke could feel the eyes of an employee watching his every move. It was likely that they recognized him, maybe he set up one of his booths on this street...

Duke picked out a green shirt and a pair of khakis. It seemed a little dumb but it gave a "I have my life together" sort of vibe. That's exactly what he wanted Travis to think about him. So he picked those and strode confidently to the checkout counter. The koala behind the counter eyed the weasel suspiciously but still rang up the clothes.

"Your total comes to eighty-two dollars and fifty-seven cents," the koala said to Duke in a rather bored tone.

Seeing no problem with that, Duke reached into his pocket and fished out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to the marsupial. The bill was taken and rung up, a receipt was printed and Duke's change of fourteen dollars and forty-three cents. Duke eagerly took the change along with the bag carrying the clothes and strode out of the shop. He had to admit, it felt pretty good to be able to get something and not worrying about someone coming after him almost immediately after.

It was midday once he stepped out of the shop once again. Duke found himself actually excited to return home for once. He couldn't wait to get back there and put on the clothes he bought.

Travis was looking himself over in the bathroom mirror. His fur and teeth were brushed and he put on the nicest shirt he had, a white button up. He felt silly looking back at himself in the mirror but it was necessary to make sure he didn't look silly in front Duke. He wanted to give an appearance that he had gained some confidence, even if that wasn't entirely true. But how hard would it be for him to stride out with a puffed chest and an unflinching gaze?

Very hard, (italics) Travis huffed internally.

There was no way something like that would work. It would only go so well until he would trip or freeze up or they went out for ice cream he would spill some on himself. None of that could happen, not in front of Duke. He had to show the weasel that he changed, that he was better than he was back then. If were stronger back then he would have been there for the weasel instead of leaving when things got tough. That's what he always did. When things got just a little too difficult he would back out. The only times he ever had some faith in himself were times when had someone at his side he could fall back on. Be that Gideon or Duke. Whenever the ferret had to face a challenge all on his own the first thought to enter his mind is how to get out of it and avoid ever encountering it again.

The ferret was sure all those years ago that college would be a new start for him but as soon as he got to know Duke he fell back into his old ways. Even now the only reason he had a job was because of Gideon. Travis knew he could never commit to going to interviews, being stared down by an employer and admitting that he dropped out of college. His parents would call him afterwards and the ferret would have to tell them that he didn't get the job. Thoughts like those filled him with dread. He felt that he already failed his parents by dropping out but to be a jobless bum at his age would be an insult to him. It was that fear he carried that kept him from taking the chance of failing.

He knew that there were many around the world that would kill for the things he had. Loving parents, a good friend, and a chance at attending college were things that some would probably go their whole lives never having. Travis knew it wasn't right but he hated himself. He hated that he just flunked out of college as soon as things got rough, he hated his left Duke in the state he was knowing he could have helped. The ferret hated that he was letting his best friend screw with him while the fox had a girlfriend and he hated that his parents spent every dime they had on him for nothing. In every facet of his life the ferret felt that he had failed.

There was a path set out for him, going to college and getting a degree. That degree would get him a good job. A good job would get him money, money he could pay back to his parents. It could have been so simple but in classic Travis fashion he had to mess all that up. Now he looked at himself in the mirror as a failure. Sure he had a job but it was because his best friend took pity on him and that pity came from the fact that everyone's lives were better than his. Gideon had his own business, Judy was part of the ZPD, Nick and Finnick had many means of making money and living the best life they could together. And that just left him, alone and unemployed, crying at a wedding about a criminal he was still in love with.

Travis gave a heavy sigh and stepped away from the mirror. It was nearly five o' clock and he had to be on time for the date. This was something he wouldn't mess up. He would make things right and better for once. Stepping out of the bathroom and past the living room he grabbed his keys and stepped out of the front door.

Duke waited on a bench in the exact same park he was in before. Thankfully all the animals that gave him strange looks that morning were long gone. All that he had to worry about was sitting on a bench and waiting for the ferret to arrive. This was it, the day and moment had finally come. It may be just the first day but the weasel was determined to make it a night Travis would never forget. It was the least he could do, after all. It was a feeling that clung to the weasel for years, eating away at him. Travis may have been the best thing to ever happen to him, and he messed that up for himself. Even worse was the fact he dragged the ferret down to his level. Travis was a smart guy who could have been something but thanks to the way the weasel acted Travis was hardly better off than him.

Looking back on all those years ago filled Duke with disgust. The way he acted towards Travis after his fall out with his parents... In those moments he should have pulled Travis close, making the ferret his anchor. They could have worked to support each other and lift both of them up from their situations. Travis could have saved him from the guilt and hate he felt for himself and in turn Duke could have helped Travis with his funds and get him the degree he deserved. That was his biggest regret when it came to Travis. For Duke college was just another party, a place to drink the night away and hook up. But for the nervous ferret coming from a small farming town, a college degree would have changed everything. All those nights Travis spent staying up studying, all the stress he went through, and all the money he put into it. It was all for nothing and as far as Duke was concerned, it was all his fault...

"Hey, Duke." The weasel's loathing was cut short by a small voice. Looking over, Duke was met with Travis standing against the golden sun just starting to set, a small smile on his muzzle.

Duke quickly stood up and gave an awkward smile of his own. "Travis! Heh. Didn't notice you there." He outstretched his arm with his paw open. Travis looked at it and gave another smile, extending his own paw, and shaking Duke's paw.

"It's been a while since I've seen you," Travis said. "Uh, how have things been?" As soon as the words left the ferret's lips he felt a slight agitation with himself. He knew very well where Duke had been, in cuffs at the ZPD.

But Duke's smile didn't fade. "I've been here and there, looking for ways to make a few bucks." He didn't see a reason to lie to the ferret, but instead just kept certain details to himself.

Travis was surprised to hear that and that feeling made him feel bad. Why was it so strange to hear that Duke could be making a change? Travis forced more words out of his mouth, feeling he should be praising the weasel instead of wondering how it is possible. "That's great. I know it's not that easy. I just got my job a month ago."

"Oh, look at you." Duke gave a soft punch in the ferret's shoulder and sat back on the bench. He made a motion with his paw for Travis to join him. Travis tilted his head a bit and slowly sat next to the weasel.

The two short animals sat on the bench, looking at the scenery and other animals enjoying the approaching evening. The street lamps standing across the sidewalk all buzzed and flickered, illuminating the stone pathway. Duke saw Travis staring at them, the light reflected in his eyes gave the weasel a fluttery feeling in his stomach. It had been so long since he had seen Travis' eyes light up like that.

"Hmm. You know what this reminds me of? The empty streets we used to walk down in the middle of the night," Duke chuckled, looking at the street lamps as well.

Travis turned to the weasel and nodded. "Those times were pretty fun.."

"Hey, uh. I've been meaning to ask you something. Did you ever get that degree?"

Travis gave another laugh and leaned back into the bench, looking up at the streetlamps once again. "No, I never did."

Hearing that brought a sinking feeling in the weasel's stomach. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"If it wasn't for me you would have gotten it. I should have been better back then. Better to you, I mean. We could have figured something out. But..." Duke lowered his head and gave a sigh.

His shame was interrupted by a weight on his shoulder. Looking over, Duke saw that it was Travis' paw. He lifted his head to meet the ferret's gaze. "Don't blame yourself, Duke. I shouldn't have left when you needed me...I didn't get my degree but I'm in a much better place now. And right now I'm really glad to see you again."

The two of them sat on the bench for a little while longer until Duke finally stood and took Travis' paw. Wanting to make good on the promise he made to himself, he led Travis out of the park and down the main street towards the inner city. Tonight he was going to give the ferret a night he would never forget.