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As the pair left the restaurant and made their way back to Sharkie's place Howler couldn't help but think how this had felt like a first date but he shook his head and dispersed the thought and instead patted belly as he remembered how freaking good that pizza was. The drive back to Sharkie's place was a fairly quick one; once inside his apartment the shark tossed his jacket aside and made a bee-line over to his entertainment center, turning on the game system and getting it prepped.

"Sorry it's not an actual house like yours."

"You say that like it's a bad thing, I've got nothing against apartments." There was Sharks memorabilia scattered about the walls, with a few items from other teams and even other sports.

"It looks nice and cozy." Howler was looking around and scanning all the items hanging about and grinned as something caught his eye on the far wall and he pointed over to it. "You never told me you had a Coyotes jersey. What would your higher-ups think?"

"Haha, they couldn't care less what I have displayed in here."

"Well I must commend you on your choice of the Kachina garb."

"I knew you'd spot that. I may have grown up a Sharks fan but even I can't deny how cool that old logo was. Easily the one of the best sweaters ever, had to have one. Now excuse me for a sec while I get into something more comfy."

As Sharkie disappeared down the hall and into his room Howler blushed a bit and suddenly felt like this was a bad idea as he knew that "getting comfy" line meant that the shark would be coming back out in just his underwear...or less. He made his way over to the door Sharkie had gone into and knocked, about to tell him that he should probably get going back to his hotel but the door creaked open a bit as it wasn't even shut, he expected one thing but was relieved when he saw the shark had just changed shirts and was putting on a jersey, took him a moment to realize it was a football jersey, a San Francisco 49ers jersey at that.

"What's up, bud?"

"Oh, um...where's your bathroom?" Sharkie pointed that it was further down the hall. Howler nodded and made his way out.

He proceeded to berate himself. "I'm so stupid. Why would I think that he's trying to seduce me. He clearly just wants to be a good friend and have a good time. I wish I could just tell him what I think of him. No, that just wouldn't work; a coyote and a shark? That's preposterous."

While Howler did his thing Sharkie grabbed some beers, his good rum, and some shot glasses and had everything prepped as the coyote came back out and sat down.

"Looks like you're set for a party."

"And you look like you're set for an ass-kicking."

"Hey! We'll see about that. So, Niners, eh?"

"Yeah, I did grow up in the Bay Area after all. That's my team! So who're you picking?"

"Well sharks are basically dolphins, right? I'll go with that" Howler grinned at the shark and was met likewise with a flash of the teeth.

"Oh, it's on."

As the game got going Sharkie cracked a couple of the beer cans open, handing one over to the canine and taking a sip from his. Howler opted for the default version of his team whereas Sharkie plucked his lineup straight from the 90s. The 'Niners won the coin toss start but Howler was unphased, his tail wagged behind him as he made his opening play selection. It was hard to hide the fact he was enjoying himself, it had been a while since he enjoyed the simple pleasure of playing a video game with a friend. Emma wouldn't even humor him on the subject.

"I'll try not to pile on too many points, James." The shark snorted in response. The ball snapped and the game was underway; Howler surveyed his options and opted for a long pass to start. Unfortunately before he realized what was going on the ball had been intercepted and Sharkie's player was running into the endzone. He had jumped up on his feet and was swinging his big tail in celebration.

"Woo, pick-6! I didn't think there'd be action this early." He was quick to turn around and pour a shot of rum into the small glass which he extended to the coyote who was slumped back against the couch.

"Well that sucks. I guess the first shot's mine, huh?"

"Cheer up, bud, there's plenty of time to come back."

"Yeah and at this rate plenty of drinks to be had, too." He grabbed the glass and tossed his head back as he drank the harsh liquid, finishing with a wince that was more of a snarl. "Ooh, that's rough." He chugged some of his beer to get the taste out of his mouth. "Alright that was a gimmie. I figured I'd give you a head start." The two mascots settled back on the couch and resumed their gaming. After a couple of hours and a good many drinks later the game neared its conclusion.

"That's what you get for picking the Dolphins, you ass!" The pair watched the screen as the Steve Young pass dropped into the hands of a wide open Jerry Rice for an easy touchdown with only a minute left in the game. The Coyote had already tossed his controller aside in exasperation. "Touchdooowwwn! You gotta take another shot!"

"That's b.s., your team is too good."

"Yeah, yeah, no excuses." Sharkie poured a shot of rum and after shoving a few beer cans off the table to make room he set the glass in front of the canine.

"Ugh, i'm done after this."

"Naww, there's a whole minute left. You're only down 20." Howler gave the most sarcastic smile and downed his shot, wincing. Sharkie threw up his arms in celebration.

"Nice!"

"No, I'm done, there's no coming back now. Three on-side kicks in under a minute isn't gonna happen. You know you look dumb in that Niner's jersey."

"Hey I grew up with this team, this jersey means a lot to me." He gave Howler a playful push"

"I guess it's just odd seeing you in sports clothes that aren't Sharks related." Howler stood up to stretch and, unaware of how much balance he didn't have, promptly fell backwards back onto the couch with a thump. "Oof, I'm feeling a bit out of it now. I think I had a bit too much to drink." He leaned over and plopped his head against the shark's shoulder. "You're lucky I only managed a couple of field goals...you didn't have to take any shots."

Sharkie was surprised at this sudden closeness as up until this point the only physical contact he had managed was a reluctant fistbump or two from the coyote, not including their first scuffle. He chalked it up to the all the drinks but he wasn't complaining. He patted Howler on the back and hugged his opposite shoulder.

"Yeah, you'll get me next time. It is pretty late though. Let's get you to bed; you can take my bed and I'll sleep here on the couch." Sharkie stood up and pulled the tipsy coyote with him, turned him and pushed him gently, guiding him to the bedroom.

"But it's your bed, we should at least split it, that's fair."

"No, no, we don't need it crowded in here, besides I don't think Emma would like that. Just get yourself comfy and get some sleep. You need it bud." Had he been sober Howler probably wouldn't have even considered undressing in front of Sharkie without turning completely red but as things were in his inebriated state with the instructions to "get comfy" he quickly went for his belt buckle and loosened it followed promptly by unzipping his pants and letting them fall to his ankles. He stepped out of them and fell forward onto the bed with a thump in now just his tee and maroon boxers.

Sharkie was partly surprised but the part of him that had been drinking didn't really care. "Well at least he had the decency to not take everything off. Boy's got a nice rump though, too bad he's taken" the shark thought to himself as he stole a glance. "He really likes his whole maroon theme." Howler was mumbling something but since he was talking directly into the bed it was hard to hear, he reached a paw back and waved it in the air, Sharkie grabbed it and turned the coyote over. Howler smiled a tipsy grin as he looked up. "What, you doofus? You need something? Maybe some water?"

"Yeah that sounds nice."

"Alright, I'll be right back." Sharkie began to turn to walk out of the room when he felt his hand get tugged on.

"Wait I want ice, too." He had only meant to get Sharkie's attention but it was a bit more forceful than intended and with the shark also being a bit tipsy he ended up being pulled back and stumbled unceremoniously onto the bed with a thud and in turn, the canine, too. His gray snout was pressed up against howler's leathery black nose, there was definitely a tension in the air as they stared at each other.

This was almost just how they had ended up after their very first encounter though with less snout rubbing and more clothes on. Howler's ears instinctively lowered as his face began to flush red. The distinct scent of Sharkie was heavy in his nostrils and he could feel the heat of the other male's breath on his muzzle. The only thing he could hear was his heartbeat going crazy. His inebriated brain decided that this was the closest they would ever be and now was the time to take a chance; slowly he began to move his muzzle forward but was almost immediately met with a resistance. Sharkie had placed a hand on Howler's chest and was holding him back.

"Canis...you're drunk. We can't do this." He could have sworn he heard the coyote whine as he lay his head back against the bed. Sharkie got himself up and off the canine, in his head his naughty side arguing with his responsible side. Surprised that he hadn't gone in for the kiss he came to the conclusion that Howler deserved better. If this was gonna happen it would be on their own terms, not the alcohol's.

"Let me get you that water, bud." By the time he had come back with the drink Howler was already fast asleep. After setting the water on the nightstand he grabbed howler's ankles and turned him so the he was laying properly on the bed, tossed the blankets over him and reached down to ruffle the coyote's hair, "what am I gonna do with you?" With a sigh he watched his friend sleep for a moment before walking himself back over to the couch and laid down trying to get comfy. Took him longer than normal to fall asleep as his mind was full with thoughts, mostly of coming to terms about Howler's apparent feelings for him. "Did that just happen? How long has this been a thing? He's already got a girlfriend so how does that work? What do I say to him? Would he even remember in the morning?" The troubled shark tossed and turned as he tried to calm his thoughts but would eventually fall asleep.

Howler slowly came to, snuggling into the covers as he opened his eyes, the morning sun greeting him through the window. Something clicked in his head as it noted that there was not a window in his bedroom previously. He froze as he quickly realized these were not his normal surroundings; it was not the usual scent of his place, this was not his bed, not his room. His heart raced a bit as he tried to remember what had happened the night before but he was only met with a headache.

He sniffed at the air and began to calm down. He recognized that it was Sharkie's scent; he must be in his friend's bed. Slowly last night came back to him; dinner out on the town, the gaming, and...oof, the drinking. "Is that why my head is pounding?" Glancing over the room he spies a piece of paper on the pillow next to him and reaches for it. At the same time he hears a buzzing and instinctively reaches for his phone in his pants, his face reddens a bit as he realizes he's not wearing them and can't remember taking them off.

"Oh, I really hope that's not what I think it is." Upon peering over the edge of the bed he sees his pants presumably right where he left them. "If I had gotten crazy with that dumb shark last night I'm sure my pants would be strewn somewhere else." Howler fished into the pocket for his phone, there were multiple texts waiting. One from Emma saying she was going to bed, another an hour later saying she wasn't going to wait up any longer for a reply, and a third from just now asking where the heck he was at. "Dammit, I don't need to be on her bad side."

Still a bit groggy he fumbled through texting a reply simply telling her he had a rough night and that he'd be home that evening. He climbed out of the bed and got himself back into his pants. "Oh right the paper." He scooped it up into his paws and unfolded it expecting to see a long apology note about the night before or something but it simply read, "had to leave early for a rescheduled charity event, help yourself to anything in the fridge. Best Fishes." with a crude drawing of his own face.

"Did that jerk really sign this with his mascot signature?"

Thankfully Sharkie's apartment was fairly close to the arena and in turn the hotel so walking back didn't take very long. He met up with his team right as they were loading up the buses to head home. "Oh joy, 10 more hours of uncomfortable bus seats. I should have just stayed in James' bed." It was a long and uneventful trip save for a couple of texts from the shark making sure he wasn't too bored along the way.

After unloading and driving back to his house Howler felt uneasy walking up to his front door, he was not looking forward to explaining things to Emma. He hoped maybe she was out at the moment or asleep already. His paw turned the doorknob slowly and as he opened the door he could see across into the living room where she was already sitting on the couch, waiting, and he could tell from across two rooms that she was not in a good mood. He suddenly felt like a kid again getting home late after a curfew.

"Canis, Canis, Canis." His ears folded back against his head.

"Uh, hey."

"Hey? That's all I get after you disappear for two days is 'hey'? "You'd better start talking."

"I went to a road game, there's not much else to talk about." "Oh we've got plenty to talk about."

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you where I was going, it was a short-notice thing." "How hard would it have been to just say you were with the team? Hmm? This is so unlike you."

"I forgot, ok? I've got a lot on my mind between work and-"

"And what?"

"It's nothing. I need to unwind for a bit." He finally made his way out of the doorway and closed the door. Emma had walked over from the other room and stood in front of Howler.

"You're not going anywhere until we talk about this."

"I said I was sorry." "Who is she, Canis?"

Howler stared blankly. "What?"

"Don't play with me, who is she?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You must think I'm stupid then." She reached out and held onto Howler's paws. "You've been so distant in recent weeks, like you're afraid of talking to me. Your words, even your kisses seem like you're just going through the motions."

"Em-"

"I'm not done. I know someone was here a couple of weeks ago. I may not have a nose like yours but I could definitely tell you had a guest over that you didn't tell me about and you never have guests. They were here for a few hours at least and you got all sweaty whatever it was you were up to. They were in our bedroom, too, and whoever it was you let them touch your guitar which you won't let anyone near. Must've been someone real special. And then there's this whole issue where you randomly disappear under the guise of traveling with the team. You should know by now that I have my team sources and I know you didn't even spend the night at the hotel. So tell me who she is." Howler could slowly feel everything he'd been worrying about recently coming to a head. She knew something was up but had no idea another guy was involved. Howler tried to be as rational as he could without spilling the beans on the situation.

"Emma I promise you there's no other girl."

"I want to believe you, but something tells me otherwise."

"Emma you know I wouldn't lie to you."

"Then just tell me, tell me the truth. Is there someone else?" Howler stared into Emma's eyes, knowing he couldn't lie to her even if he wanted.

"Emma it's not what you think, I-"

"I knew it! You did lie to me, then. You jerk. Who is she?" His lip quivered as he realized there was no backing out now.

"No, I didn't."

"Then you'd better start making sense real fast." Howler sighed.

"You asked if there was a new girl, and there isn't. But there is someone...on my mind recently. I don't know why, I don't know what it is."

"Well if there's no girl but someone's on your mind then who is it?" Either she wasn't connecting the dots or she didn't want to.

"Em, I think...I think I might be falling for a guy." Howler turned his head as he tried to keep his composure at telling someone he considered one of his best friends that she suddenly didn't measure up. Emma stared at him for a moment.

"You've got to be kidding." Howler shook his head slowly.

"How could you have not told me you were gay? We've been together for almost two years!"

"I'm not, Emma. I mean...I don't know anymore."

"How can you not know?" Emma's voice had raised up a bit in frustration.

"It's complicated...I'm still figuring things out."

"This explains a lot though. You were never truly comfortable with me in bed, I thought it was just lack of experience but now I know."

"But I didn't even know this was a thing until recently."

"Maybe not in full, but the signs have always been there and I ignored them, thinking I could get you to open up to me more. You broke my trust, Canis."

"I didn't know, Emma." Howler hung his head in defeat, ears drooped, tail between his legs.

"I'm sorry, that just doesn't cut it. You had to have known something before. That's two years of my life I spent with you thinking you were the man of my dreams. So who is it, huh? Who's the lucky guy?" Emma probably couldn't have said that more sarcastically if she had tried. Not really feeling like responding Howler pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over, it was the note that had been lying on his pillow when he woke up. She mumbled as she read the brief message. Being a public relations lead for the Coyotes organization she knew who all the other mascots were and she instantly recognized the signature at the bottom.

"You're not serious." She took a couple looks back and forth between the coyote and the paper. "You can not be serious. Sharkie? S.J. Sharkie? Really? From San Jose? What could you possibly see in that jerk?"

"You haven't met him, you don't know him like that."

"Well this is too much for me right now, I already set something up with a friend to stay at her place. I had a feeling I wouldn't be sleeping here tonight. I'll come by tomorrow to start picking up my things."

"Emma, no. Don't go, please. What about what we have?"

"Being friends is nice and all but I needed more than just friendship from you. If you can look me in the eyes and tell me right now that you love only me and that there'll be no more talk of other guys then I'll stay, just say it." He gave her another long stare.

"Emma...you've been so good to me and I don't want-"

"Nope, I'm sorry. I was really hoping you would tell me what I wanted to hear. I'm disappointed it had to end like this. I will see you tomorrow and we'll get things sorted." With that she turned around a corner and promptly reappeared with a suitcase, clearly already having been packed in advance. She didn't say anything else as she walked out the door and down to her car before driving away.

Howler simply watched as she drove out of sight, after a few moments he slinked his way slowly over to the couch in his living room and laid himself out across it, rubbing his paws on his forehead as he ran multiple scenarios and conversations through his head, "I deserved this I guess, I should have seen it coming. I should have seen the signs years ago but I just didn't. Did I really break her trust when I didn't even know for sure? Do I even know for sure now?" He was more worn out from the ordeal than he realized and before he knew it he passed out on the couch and that's where he remained until the sound of his door opening woke him the next morning.

"Canis, you here?" He sat up and yawned.

"Emma? Yeah I'm here."

She looked over with a depressed sigh, "You spent the whole night there didn't you?"

"I suppose I did..." The feline walked in and sat down on the couch next to Howler.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm still incredibly unhappy with the situation but I've had a little time to cool off and I realize I may have come off a bit more harsh than I intended."

"I don't really blame you."

"And just because it's a guy you've been involved with doesn't really change the fact that what we have, or what we had, rather, is over."

"'Involved with' hardly describes my situation, it's sad but he doesn't even know how I feel, though to be honest it's been tough for me realizing how I feel about him."

"Wait, let me get this straight, he doesn't even know? Didn't you spend the night at his place?"

"I did, yeah, but we just drank and played video games. He put me in his bed but I'm pretty sure I remember him saying he would sleep on the couch."

"That's almost unbelievable, but I know you're not the lying type."

"No point in lying, I've got nothing left to lose at this point."

"Well I may be upset at this but I'm not going to accept that our relationship is through over someone who doesn't even know you're interested. If we're done it's going to be for a good reason. You're a smart guy though and I realize that whatever it is you see in him must be worth it." Howler nodded a little.

"I just feel so at ease around him. He's kind, he's funny, and we have a lot more in common, no offense. But we can chat about mascot stuff or anything really for hours. I'm fairly certain that he's into guys as well but I can't just ask."

"You don't even know? C'mon, Canis." His ears folded back slightly. "Well thinking back I've met most of the other mascot's wives or girlfriends and he's one of only a handful of mascots I can think of that hasn't had a girlfriend, at least not publically since he's had that gig. So I'd say chances are good. You'd better tell him how you feel."

"I still have my obligations with the Coyotes, I don't know if I can make time to hang out with him again."

"If he means as much to you as you're implying then you'll find a way to make the time. When's the next day that neither of you has a game scheduled?" Howler thumbed through a game calendar on his phone.

"Looks like a week from tomorrow."

"You text him right now and tell him that you'll be out there on that day."

"What? No I couldn't, what if he has plans?"

"Then too bad, tell him it's important." He mulled over the thought and recalled that Sharkie had won him over to the last trip by saying it was important. With his ears still folded back slightly he tapped out a message informing the shark of the plans. The response was quick saying that he was surprised Howler would go out of his way just to come hang out but he didn't have any plans so he became "penciled in" as he put it.

"It's done."

"Canis, you've always been that kind of guy that works hard and just goes out and gets things done. Why is this any different?"

"Because this is another man we're talking about. My whole life I've been told I can't feel this way about guys; this is totally new to me, these are completely uncharted waters."

"Is that a shark joke?" Howler couldn't help but grin just a bit. Their eyes met and they shared a bit of a chuckle.

"That sounds like something he would have said." He reached over and grabbed ahold of her paws, squeezing gently. "I'm going to miss you, y'know. I am genuinely, terribly sorry things didn't work out."

"I know, I know you meant well. I'm not going to disappear though, we still work for the same people so you'll see me around. You're a good guy and good guys are hard to come by these days so I'll be keeping in touch. That Sharkie had better realize what he's getting because I'm going to be sour about losing you for a while...but if we're not destined to be then I won't force it." She squeezed one of Howler's paws back in response. "I'm gonna be back over the next few days with some friends to help me get stuff out of here."

"Just leave the keys when you're done, I suppose."

"You take care of yourself, Canis." Emma leaned over and gave a kiss to Howler's forehead before standing up and heading back to the door, Howler simply watched. She stopped and turned back as she opened the door. "What's his real name?"

"What? Oh, Sharkie...it's James. His name is James." She smiled at him again and made her way out.