You gazed occasionally out of the window, watching the rainforest drift by. The sun was getting lower in the sky and the canopy was now blocking most of the sunlight. So despite the sun not setting yet, it was like... jungle twilight.

There wasn't much development down here by the river, but you could see various bridges and structures a thousand feet above you in the trees. That'd be a looong way down.

Anyways, you ordered a [your food of choice] and it was prepared well! Your anxiety about the coyotes faded away slowly as you ate with Nick.

Eventually, you were both done eating and the waitress came by to grab your plates and drop off the check. You had chatted with the leopard a little bit during your visit. Her name was Stephanie Stalkinew and she was very kind. So you and Nick left her a nice tip.

"So what was the plan for the coyotes?" You asked as you got up to head out of the restaurant.

"We need to stay in public, and, make some new friends," Nick replied as he walked to the exit and hopped down the stairs.

New friends? How do you do that?

Oh well. You assumed Nick would handle most of the talking. He'd pull some charisma and you'd both be on your way.

Upon heading back down to the first floor, you saw the front deck was much busier now. As you walked out of the automatic doors, the stringed lights above the deck turned on and illuminated the area. It was magical! Your ship was like a cozy beacon that illuminated its surroundings as it floated down the river.

You looked over at Nick who also seemed to be enjoying the view. The warm lights coated his fur and danced in his green eyes. He was a beautiful silhouette against the lush jungle and darkening sky.

His eyes noticed your starstruck expression.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," he said with a wink.

You nudged him playfully, "Sly fox. Just show me how you make new friends."

Nick looked pleased with himself. You followed him up to a group of animals, some of who you recognized from earlier.

"Hey guys," Nick said when their conversation allowed an opening, "Thanks for playing earlier--how's the cruise treating you?" He asked as he leaned on the table.

"It's going great!" Said an excited sheep. He was one of the animals who made a few dollars from three-card Mouse earlier.

Another animal, a lemur, seemed less happy and shot a look at the sheep. "It's great when you're lucky."

You chimed in, "Hey I feel you," you said toward the lemur with a shrug, "I didn't make anything either."

He gave you a sympathetic look as you came up to the table as well.

Nick grinned, "Well, how's this," he said as he popped out his deck of cards, "Do you two want a few free rounds to practice?"

"Sure!" The lemur replied, instantly more cheerful.

You mirrored his happiness: "Yeah!"

Wilde popped the cards out of the deck and sorted through them. He separated the jokers and the queen as usual. He then went through a few rounds, explaining why it's important to keep your eyes on the queen. He played them more fairly this time. He started slow and then sped up his shuffling of the cards.

"Okay I think I've got it now," said the lemur with a determined look in his eyes, "I'll be ready next time."

You couldn't help but feel bad knowing that... he wouldn't necessarily do better next time. The dealer controls what cards are where so he won't win unless Nick wants him to. It's just an illusion. Well, at least he seemed to be having fun.

"Well, I'll be here until our stop late tonight! So keep an eye out," Nick said to them.

You talked with them for a little longer before moving onto another group. And another. Nick was great at this! And you were learning well by his example. After nearly an hour you had become friends or acquaintances with many of the tourists. There were also several animals Nick was already familiar with that he introduced you to.

It was then, while talking to a couple of bears, that you heard the coyote's voices in the distance again.

"There they are!" Called one as they ran up.

"Alright, fox. You're coming with us."

You stepped back as Nick turned around and gave them a feigned look of confusion.

"Me?? What did I do?"

"You know damn well what you did," the leader said as he reached for Nick's arm.

As the coyote's grubby paw touched Nick's arm, you felt a wave of anger splash inside you. No one touches him! Without thinking, you jumped forward and punched his paw away.

The coyote pulled his arm back and hissed as he rubbed it.

"What're you doing??" Nick asked in a whisper.

"Protecting you!" You said back in a hushed tone as you stepped between him and the coyote who was... bigger than you.

"Look's like we'll have to deal with his crony too..."

The group of coyotes tensed up, ready to fight. You tensed too. Nick's eyes darted back and forth, searching the area.

Oh gosh what're you thinking? You'll get wrecked by them!

However, you felt the floor shake behind you as the bears you had just been talking to stood up.

They walked up behind you and Nick, "You better not be picking on our friends," The female bear said with a sassy tone, "Or you'll be answering to us."

The bears were easily two or three times the size of the coyotes. Various other friends you had made in the past hour began to look over at the commotion. They stood up as well upon seeing the coyote's aggressive posture toward you and Nick.

It was incredibly satisfying to watch the coyotes shrink back from the threat.

"Alright look,"

"We don't want no trouble."

"Honest!" said the three coyotes one after each other.

The bear flicked her head and pointed with her thumb, "Then beat it!"

The leader shot you a real dirty look. But he submitted to the demands and turned away. The other two followed with their tails low.

The atmosphere returned to normal as the bears sat back down. The other animals dissipated back to their conversations. Nick turned to the bears with appreciation in his eyes.

"Thank you, you didn't have to do that."

"Don't worry about it, honey," the bear replied, "those brutes are just trying to ruin a good time."

Nick looked back at you, "Thanks for having my back."

You felt shy under his gaze. "I-it's no problem!" You looked down and scratched behind your ear.

That's when you felt his arms wrap around you and pull you close. You sighed in relief as you returned the hug. He was such a good hugger.

You glanced toward the bears. And the sheep and lemur. The other acquaintances you had. It seemed like they were all ready to defend you and Nick... Just after a quick chat??

"Hmm..." Nick murmured as he pulled away, still holding your waist.

Hmm?

His eyebrows furrowed a little as he thought for a moment. He let go of your waist and leaned on the table, bringing his paw to rest over his mouth.

What was he thinking about?

After a few more seconds, he spoke up, "One sec."

You tilted your head as you watched him jog toward the center of the deck. What was he going to do?

He mantled onto an empty table and grabbed a wine glass and fork.

Tnk! Tnk! Tnk! Tnk!

"Everyone, I have something to say," he shouted.

The animals all paused and looked toward the fox in curiosity.

"...Drinks are on me!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause and he soaked in their praise. He hopped back down a moment later and headed to the bar at the front of the deck. He handed a wad of cash to the bartender and told him that he would cover everyone's first drink. He also ordered a cocktail of his own, which he drank swiftly.

You watched in amazement at the animals celebrating him. If he wasn't friends with everyone before, he surely was now!

Nick came back over to rest next to you again as the crowd rushed to the counter for their free drink. He dipped his head back and exhaled.

"That was very nice of you," You said quietly, "but why? Isn't the point of coming here to make money?"

Nick didn't smile like he normally did. He brought his head forward again and looked off into the distance. You watched him intently. The animals in the background faded away. Even the dull pain in your knuckles from hitting the coyote faded. All that remained was Nick Wilde.

"I've made too many enemies over the years."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I worked with Finnick on a job-by-job basis. When he left... I didn't really have anyone."

You wondered what Finnick was like. What was their relationship like as crime partners? That's when a face popped into your head.

"...What about Jade?"

Nick scoffed, "I'm surprised she even agreed to do the rose job with me."

"Why's that?"

He sighed, rubbing his neck, "We... well... we dated in high school."

A tinge of jealousy rippled within you. Oh my god--you knew there was something there! But you suppressed a reaction and kept listening. Nick continued:

"I was determined, adventurous, hopelessly romantic, and emotional. Like you."

"Pff. You know me." You rolled your eyes.

"It was barely even a month though. We were too similar and got into too much trouble. Last I saw her she was off to college. We only met up a while later when I heard she dropped out."

Nick fiddled with his tie as he continued:

"So I guess I'm just trying to make some friends again."

That made sense. But...

"What caused your change of pace?" You asked tentatively.

Nick held his breath.

"Well..."

"...You."

He turned his head away sheepishly.

Your heart jumped and you rushed to give him a hug. Your eyes watered and your throat crackled, "Me?"

Nick chuckled as he turned back to you. "Yeah, Fluffy, you."

You let go but stayed close as he continued to talk more about recent events:

"When Mr. Big kidnapped and muzzled me, I never expected anyone would want to rescue me. But you were there."

"And we escaped... It was crazy..."

"Heh, it was. I thought about that a lot afterward. I tried for so long not to rely on anyone else. I didn't want anyone to get to me. But I guess you changed that..."

You dipped your head forward to rest your forehead on his neck, "Haha, you're being so soft right now, mister Wilde."

He grinned, "maybe it's just the cocktail talking."

"Well, either way. Thank you for telling me."

Nick then stretched and gave a big yawn. He was resuming his smug aloofness quickly.

"Well, anyways. Would you like one of those fancy drinks?"

"Sure! Surprise me." You replied, already intoxicated with love for him.

Your partner drifted off into the crowd toward the bar. A couple of minutes later he returned with a fancy cocktail. It had your favorite fruit floating at the top and it was colored orange.

You tentatively sipped it. It tasted amazing! It was sweet at first, but you could certainly catch a hint of the alcohol at the end.

"C'mere, sit with me," Nick said as he scooted a chair over. He took a seat and then, to your surprise, lifted you up and rested you on his lap.

You hummed happily as you leaned back against him. His arms came to rest around you, holding you gently. This was magical~

Nick rested his muzzle on your shoulder as you took sips from your drink.

"Remember Mark?" He murmured.

"Mhm! I like Mark!"

"He's the one who got us the tickets for tonight."

"Really!?"

Nick nodded.

"Then we should do something nice for him!" You exclaimed, excited.

Your boyfriend closed his eyes as he relaxed against you. "Agreed."

At just over 2,000 words, this was my longest chapter yet. Please consider leaving a vote and or comment if you enjoyed! Thank you so much for the support :)