>After a long day of hustling the two foxes sat in the open back of Finnick's van which was parked in an out-of-the-way alley
>The smaller fox had since changed out of the stifling elephant suit, donning some loose-fitting basketball shorts and leaving his black and red-striped button up to hang open and free.
>Glossy shades almost to match those of his russet friend's hid his stare from lookers-on.
>That, he thought, was a good thing because throughout the entire conversation he was stealing furtive glances at his partner-in-crime.
>He let his small paws swing a bit absentmindedly, chewing on the pawsickle stick that hung from the corner of his mouth.
>Nick was going on and on about that country bunny meter maid they both had ran into earlier.
>When he talked about her, that smug and satisfied smile that Finnick loved so much came out.
>Every joke was met with a deep, hearty laugh though that was more for Nick's sake.
>He didn't want to hear about no damn bunny.
>That twinge of jealousy shot through him like a bolt of lightning as he imagined violent things...
>...but on the outside he was cool as a cucumber.
>It was plenty of work trying to focus on the red fox's words and not the fluff of hair and slight peek of chest through his green shirt or that musky scent that met his nostrils with each expressive wave of his buddy's paws.
>Beneath tan fur, his cheeks beamed red and felt as if they would burst into flame.
"And her face! 'A real, stand-up guy!'"
>Nick mocked her voice, leaning in for effect.
>Finnick laughed hard at that for real this time and in the throes of laughter...
>Their snouts met.
>He thought for a moment he'd been shocked with the sudden touch.
>The scent of his breath this close...
>Against his better judgement, Finnick leaned into his friend's muzzle hungrily.
>Their lips parted.
>Silence. Painful, empty silence.
>Nick opened his mouth to speak then closed it again. This repeated.
>Eventually he regained some of that cool demeanor of his.
"Uhm."
>Finnick looked away, large ears down turned.
>Ah shit, man. I'd fucked up
>But it felt so good, the small voice in the back of his head murmured.
>And damn...it did. It felt -great.-
>That wasn't important, though.
>He and Nick had been through thick and thin together.
>They were almost brothers.
>The fennec fox scrambled for something to say before Nick could finish.
>Something to smooth it all over.
>Anything.
"Fin, I...I'm not--"
"Bro."
>He lifted his shades to meet Nick's green, green eyes. Serious face on in full force.
>Then fighting back the pounding heart in his throat, felt the usual rumble of his voice roll out to assure his pal.
"No homo."