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Duke's eyes slowly opened, feeling warmth all around him. His surroundings were much softer than usual and there was a pleasant scent close by. It was when he heard a light groan next to him that remembered what happened last night. He was still in Travis' bed and the ferret was still sleeping peacefully next to him. A smile grew on the weasel's muzzle as he watched his boyfriend's nose twitch and heard the small noises that came from him as he continued to sleep. Duke closed his eyes as well and listened to the sound of Travis' breathing.

He continued to lay there until he heard stirring from the other side on the bed and tugging from the other side of the blankets. A yawn came from the ferret as he awoke and a small murr came from the weasel behind him. "Morning, Sleepy Head," Duke said gently, planting a kiss on Travis' shoulder.

A small sound came from Travis, the memories of the night before returning to him as well. With another yawn he rose from the bed, his legs dangling over the edge. As his mind recounted last night's events a happy smile spread across Travis' muzzle along with a blush. As he felt a light shudder run through him, thinking of how Duke held him and how he tasted.

A yawn came from behind him as Duke rolled out of bed as well. "So, long night, huh?"

A small laugh came from Travis as he stood up from the bed and gave a stretch. "It was a pretty good one, too. Maybe the best one I've ever had."

Duke stepped around the other side of the bed, wrapping his arms around the ferret once he reached him. A small noise came from Travis as Duke gave a playful growl, biting lightly on the ferret's neck.

"C-cut it out," Travis giggled. Duke let him go but gave a small kiss to his muzzle before he did so.

It was still pretty early in the morning as both mammals were starting their day. Travis offered to make Duke some breakfast, to which he eagerly agreed. Duke turned on the TV and on the channel was an infomercial about taking your career to the next level. It made Duke think for a moment about yesterday, he told Travis that his money came from odd jobs here and there and the ferret believed him. Even though it was a whole day ago, that feeling of being wrong for lying to Travis was still as strong as the last time. He picked up the remote, changing the channel.

Duke soon returned with a plate of eggs and toast that the weasel was eager to dig into. Together they ate just like they had done for the last few days. But both of them could feel that something about this day was different. There was something special between them. Both Duke and Travis could feel it as if it was the heat from an open flame.

Travis was the first to turn away from the TV and say something. "Hey, Duke? Th-this is nice, isn't it?"

"Yeah, this is," Duke nodded. "I love spending time with you, Trav. No matter what it is, always have." The words coming from the weasel's muzzle surprised even him. But he meant every part of it and he could see that Travis was clearly surprised and touched by the weasel's words.

"I haven't felt this way in a long time, Duke. When we had our fight back then I never thought I would see you again..." Travis admitted, looking down at his plate. Duke was a bit concerned until his boyfriend's face lit up and a smile returned to his muzzle. "B-but I'm glad I did. Really glad. Last night was the best night I ever had. Erm...How are ya doing by the way?"

Duke's ears flicked in confusion at what the ferret was referring to until he remembered what position he took. With an awkward laugh and a wave of his paw, Duke assured Travis that he was just fine and there was nothing to worry about. In just one day and night there were so many things that happened between them, so much for them to talk about.

Travis was the first to finish his meal and Duke followed after, offering to take their plates away. As he did so, his mind was churning with a single thought. It sounded simple on the outside but he knew that it was going to be difficult for him. He had to find a job, a real one. A legitimate one. As he washed both their plates his inner conscience was stern and gave him resolve to do one thing: stop lying to Travis. If he was going to be with the ferret of his dreams he knew that it was going to require work, metaphorically and literally. Even though Travis said it was okay for Duke to just stick around as long as he wanted, the weasel knew that he just couldn't do that. He was going to have to pull his weight around the place and show Travis just how much he means to him.

It was late afternoon when Duke had put on some fresh clothes and had a solid plan in his mind. "Heya, Trav. I'm gonna go run a few errands, alright?" Duke asked as he approached the front door.

"Oh, alright." Travis said, giving a small wave to the weasel as he left.

The weasel went down the hall and marched down the stairs and was soon out of the building. He stepped on the sidewalk, falling in line with other mammals that were most likely coming from or going to work. But that didn't concern Duke in the least as he walked further down the sidewalk, stopping at the traffic lights and cross walk along with the other mammals.

Soon the light turned green and the herd of animals in front of him crossed the road. Making contact with the other side, Duke broke away from them by taking the walkway to the right rather than continuing the straight path all the others were heading down. As he continued to walk Duke began to think of what Travis was doing right now. He was probably still watching that judge show he was before. He was glad that Travis got to take some time off and relax. Duke smirked to himself, thinking ways he could get both of them to relax.

In the distance, his target grew closer and closer. The weasel sighed to himself, feeling a bit nervous. He wanted to believe that things would just fall into place right away but something in the back of his mind knew better than that and told him as such. There was a good reason if they didn't pick him up, if he were in their place he would think about it twice, too. But the weasel was still determined to try at least.

Duke could feel his paws starting to sweat as he walked alongside the parking lot, looking out at all the cars there. There were also animals coming in and out of the building he was making his own way for. Finally the two sliding doors were opening for him and with another step, Duke was inside. It was the local grocery store that Duke bought the stuff he stocked Travis' kitchen with. There were more times than he could recall that he took some candy or some gum without ever being caught. But what he was after was in the small kiosk right by the entrance. It was a little high so he had to jump up to reach one of the papers but he managed to grab a corner of it and pull it down. It was an application for the very same store, the words 'JOIN OUR FAMILY' were boldly printed on the top.

A small sigh came from the weasel, for many reasons the idea of working his days away never appealed to him. But something about the paper in his paws also felt like the right thing. He tried to think positive about it, in exchange for just a few hours a day he would be able to bring back some money that he could use to help Travis out. He could get him some new furniture or even take him out on extravagant dates every weekend. There was a small table nearby with a chained pen sitting on top of it. Duke hopped up on the chair and reached for the pen. As best as he could Duke scribbled out as much as he could about himself, dreading that he was going to have to face all the things he did in his past. There was no way they were gonna hire him, Duke was sure of it but he still filled out the application and slipped it into the slot next to the desk.

With another sigh he turned around and walked out of the store, used to entering and leaving the building without buying anything. As he walked back to the complex he dared to imagine the possibility of actually getting the job. The weasel was sure that he wouldn't like it at all but it would be a start and Travis would be so proud of him for turning his life around.

Heh, I wouldn't have to watch my back all the time or get bent over in those alleys anymore, Duke thought to himself as he neared the crosswalk. A small smile grew on his face as he realized that slowly but surely Travis was turning him into an honest mammal. And the ferret hardly had to do anything. Just the very thought of the ferret made the weasel want to do right for him. As he walked across the street he continued to think of a possible future with Travis.

He and Travis would come home tired after a long day at work but they would both be happy. Happy to see each other and be near one another after a whole day apart. They would comfort one another on their workplace stresses and assure one another that they were doing the right thing. A giggle came from Duke as he imagined himself coming back to the apartment and announcing to an excited Travis that he got a promotion and soon they would be able to afford an actual house. That was the kind of future he wanted, for better or worse. All the toiling and ass kissing he would have to do towards the boss would be worth it if it could make his and Travis' lives better together.

The weasel returned to the complex and walked up the stairs, nearing the apartment. Turning the doorknob and walking in he was met with Travis. Duke was about to say something but he noticed the look on the ferret's face. He didn't look happy at all, before he could ask why his gaze lowered and his heart sank. In the larger mammal's paws was the fabergé egg he had taken and his earlier.

"Duke, where did you get this?"

The words came out in a soft tone that still managed to send chills down the weasel's spine. Duke could barely hear the words over his own sharp breathing and thumping chest. His mouth felt too dry to swallow and it wasn't made any better by the icy feeling in his paws.

"Trav, I-"

"You stole this, didn't you?" Travis' voice was much louder this time, the word 'stole' was given more emphasis by a stomp of his foot.

As quickly as Duke could he tried to come up with something to tell the other mustelid but nothing came to mind. It was hard for him to think with Travis looking at him with those eyes. Eyes that were soft and pleading, even without saying anything it was clear to Duke that the ferret was begging to be told 'no'. But there was nothing else that could be said except the truth. His stomach jumped at the very thought of it but the weasel knew it was the best and right thing to do.

"Y-yeah, I did..." Duke mumbled.

Duke could hear a small gasp come from the ferret, but his expression didn't change. "Where did you get it from?"

"F-from a small house a couple blocks away. It wasn't the first time..." Admitting these things made Duke's paws tremble but there was also a faint feeling of ease within him. He couldn't understand why. How could someone feel relaxed that they were caught? Duke managed to think about that for a moment but failed once again to find an answer.

"And did you take anything else? From anywhere else?" The weasel's paws feel frozen and soaked. His heart was pumping faster and faster but it wasn't from being interrogated. Instead it was that Travis' face stayed exactly the same and the paws holding the egg didn't falter either.

"I...Y-yeah, I took some money from the apartment three doors down," Duke sighed.

Travis nodded and turned away, placing the egg on the table before turning back to Duke. The weasel felt his stomach drop upon seeing the saddened look on the ferret's face.

"Duke, y-you told me that you were working...I thought you were actually gonna change," Travis shook his head.

"I...I've been trying to make a change. I just needed someone money to do that," Duke defended, stepping closer.

"That doesn't mean you just take it from others, Duke!" Travis snapped, making the weasel jump a bit. "I thought that you were really changing your life for the better.."

"Well, maybe I can't change, Trav! Maybe this is who I am.." Duke sighed, turning away. The only thought going through his head was how stupid he was for not selling or hiding the egg somewhere else sooner.

"What do you mean you can't change?" Travis asked, his voice calm again.

An exhale came from the weasel as he balled his paws. "I've been in and out of jail time and time again. Every time I told myself that I was going to make a change. But soon enough I saw back in... Time and time and time again, Travis... And I'm sick of it-"

"No, you're not..." Travis said, shaking his head.

"I am sick of it..." Duke huffed, gaining some feeling into his paws again. Now the only thing he could think of was all the times he got caught and the times he was held up in the ZPD. The looks the cops around him would give, as if they were better than him. Though they never said it, Duke knew that looked down on him and pitied him as some kind of lowly creature.

"If you were sick of it you would make a change like I did," Travis pointed out. Though he didn't know exactly what Duke went through when they parted ways he came back home to his parents, telling them how he failed them. Even though they assured him that he didn't fail, that didn't change the fact that they put everything they had into him going to college and it was all for nothing. He would sit in his old room and hear his mom and dad talk about the next bill or insurance that needed to be paid. The guilt within him grew stronger, knowing that they would not have to worry about those things he never wasted their money. Over time he began to think that the problem was him, dreaming was too big for a small mammal like himself. Maybe this is what he deserved...

"I know you can be better than this Duke, I've seen it myself. Back in college you always had great ideas that would get us out of a mess. Those were the days that I had nothing and you were there. You made things better. Always. And now you tell me that you can't think of something besides stealing from everyone else?" Travis pointed out.

"I can't think of anything else because I don't have anything else! When we were expelled I had nothing to go back to. No friends, no family, nothing. There was nothing for me to fall back on and nowhere to go!" Duke growled, reliving those awful days in his head. "So I had to duck in the alleys and I had to climb through windows at night. Don't talk about college like you know what I went through. When we were outside at the gate you walked away!"

"When we were at that gate everything I worked for was over! And even when you wouldn't talk to me in the dorm and stopped going to your classes I stood by you! I did that because I still loved you and I believed in you. Even when we were thrown out!! I had to go back to my parents and tell them I failed them!!" Travis snarled, swiveling around to pick up the egg.

"But even when I had nothing I took responsibility for myself...I was fired from three jobs before Gideon hired me and my parents almost lost their house because of me. But as bad as it got I still found a way to make it through...And I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you," Travis rebuked.

A small gasp came from Duke as the weasel's words registered. "Y-you don't have to be sorry. It was all my fault...I told my dad that I loved you and he cut me off from everything and told me not to come home. That's what I never told you. When they cut me off I just...gave up."

Travis gave a small nod and listened, feeling his own chest pounding. He had no idea of what the weasel was going through at that time. For a long time he just assumed that eventually Duke stopped caring about things like classes. But Travis knew that he would have done anything and everything he could if he knew what was really going on in Duke's life at the time.

"And when we got kicked out all I did was blame myself. Losing you and getting us kicked out of school was all my fault, Travis. My dad was loaded, I didn't know anything about finding a job or finding a place to stay. So I did what I always used to do; I just took what I wanted. It was pretty fun at first but I started missing you pretty fast, y'know?"

A small chuckle came from Travis, he couldn't help it. It just made him feel nice to know that the weasel didn't stop thinking about him just like he never stopped thinking about Duke.

"Heh, what's so funny?" Duke asked, giving a small chuckle himself.

"Duke...Look, I'm really happy with you but this has to stop," Travis said gently, holding up the egg.

"I know, I know. It is gonna stop and I'm not gonna make a promise this time. I'm just gonna do it. I just came back from the shop around the corner and filled out an application," Duke admitted. "I wanna be good for you, Trav. No matter what you were always on my side. I wanna be the weasel that deserves it."

"Hmm. We'll see, Duke. We'll see," he placed the egg back down and walked away towards the hallway.

"W-where are you going?" Duke asked, watching him leave.

"I'm sorry, Duke. I believe ya but I just need some time to think," Travis murmured, leaving the weasel alone in the living room.

What the hell were you thinking, keeping that thing lying around? It was only a matter of time before he found it. Now what do I do? Duke thought to himself, staring at the egg. The longer his gaze burned on the sparkling decoration the worse he felt. He wanted so much to blame the egg being discovered on the entire conflict.

Deep down Duke knew it was only a matter of time before it was discovered. Inside him was an odd mix of anger and tranquility. In a strange way he was glad that the egg was found and his past deeds were known by the ferret. But in revealing those deeds he clearly hurt Travis. The words said by him rung in Duke's ears.

He said he believed in me, something about that made Duke ache inside.

Even after everything he did in college and even after that Travis still believed in him. He could remember a time when Travis was in need and he was there to ease his burdens. Now after all these years the tables turned and Travis gave Duke a roof over his head and the love his own father denied him. Just like he said earlier there were countless times that Duke promised himself that he would make a change for the better. The fourth time he made some progress by cutting ties with Mr. Big. But that led to the realization that there was no middle mammal to direct him, bringing about a feeling of freedom the weasel went overboard with.

All that came was a cycle of Duke promising himself that he would become a better weasel and he fell short everytime and he had an excuse for each time as well. But now within Travis' apartment the egg stood there, reminding him of the things he did and the lies he told. He considered travis' words about changing. Sure, the ferret still had parents to go home to but he failed them, leaving them broke and on the verge of being homeless. Duke tried to imagine himself in a situation like that and thought of being locked away in his own room, sulking. But somehow Travis tried to find a job and failed many times just like him.

A small grunt came from Duke, feeling that he was beginning to understand. In the weasel's eyes, Travis was the greatest mammal in the entire world and he didn't deserve anything he was being put through. Duke had made up his mind to make life better for himself and that ideal still held true in his head. But Duke also knew that there was no point in something like that if the method of bringing in money made Travis upset and could land him back into jail.

He turned away from the egg and instead walked towards the door. His mind was racing and his chest was thumping so hard it was difficult to breathe. All his mind told him was that he needed to leave. He couldn't stay here, he had a chance and blew it. A promise was made to make things better for Travis and it was broken. Even though I pained him, Duke walked out of the apartment. As he walked down the hall an immense feeling of guilt washed over him as he walked past the apartment that he robbed. He couldn't help but think of what the beaver's reaction was to finding the money he was saving was gone by a lot. Maybe he was saving it for something important and now the poor guy couldn't do whatever that was because of a weasel that only knew how to mess things up for others.

Duke's vision blurred as he walked down the stairs and he grit his fangs, fighting back the tears welling up. A small voice in his head was telling him that he had no right to cry. Everything that happened was all because of him and this is the consequence. He sniffed and wiped his eyes before making it down the stairs. Slowly he walked out of the lobby and outside. He wondered what he should do and a place came to mind. The location where should have been left in the first place.