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Diego sighed as the memory of the first night without Friedrich came to an end.

He tapped his paws against the steering wheel and wondered if it was safe to return home yet. The car's clock stated it was nine pm. Diego had been gone for ten minutes, it was probably too early to drive back. Diego knew Friedrich had a calm and collected demeanour, and he had only seen his mate in one seriously bad mood since he had moved in. A newspaper article had printed a false allegation against Friedrich's father concerning his career in the military. As a semi-hit piece on Friedrich, the article claimed that his father had endorsed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which Friedrich stated was nonsense. His father had never cared about him being gay, and was in fact relieved that his son chose to sign up to the military over his original career choice of being a massage therapist. The Alsatian had brooded over the article, before shutting himself in his study to reflect for a while. Eventually Diego had coaxed him back out with the help of Melanie and Friedrich had kissed Diego, apologising for getting mad (Melanie had made fake retching sounds in the background causing the two of them to laugh and shoot her stern glances). Friedrich had forcefully but calmly dealt with the situation by calling out the mistakes in a press conference before warning the paper to leave his family alone. The incident was forgotten about. Based on that experience, Diego reckoned that leaving Friedrich to reflect and calm down for a little while longer was probably a good idea.

Glancing out of the window, Diego saw he had parked awkwardly on a corner and decided it was best to move. He knew a place further down the coast that he had sometimes driven to before moving in with Friedrich. Pulling off, he switched on the radio to distract himself from the feeling of raw tension in his stomach but barely played attention to whatever song was playing. The sea lay beside the road and the sun was starting to set, casting a fiery red blaze over the waves. Diego fished his Aviator sunglasses from the dashboard and slipped them over his eyes. The patch of beach that Diego had often driven to was coming up and he pulled off the road. Sand crunched under the Mercedes' tires as he navigated the coupe down towards the sea.

Had the situation been different, Diego would have appreciated the view of the sunset, but the emotions were still raging in his mind. He knew at some point he would have to drive back and apologise to Friedrich, but closing his eyes, Diego also remembered the day after Friedrich had left and how frustrated and confused he had felt.

...

Diego had become accustomed to dropping Melanie off at her elementary school if Friedrich or his personal assistant Emily couldn't. It was the last day of her summer program and the Alsatian cub was bobbing up and down in her seat with excitement. "Can we watch another movie tonight?" Melanie asked as Diego negotiated the school run traffic. "For sure, what do you have in mind?" "Um, let's choose one after school," Melanie replied, wagging her tail. "Sounds good to me, now do you have your lunch?" Melanie responded by holding up her lunchbox. Diego smiled, for the first time in his life he had attempted to make Melanie lunch to take to school (his joke offer of giving her a beer had resulted in a sharp "don't be silly Daddy Diego"), but she had wagged her tail and thanked him for the egg salad sandwiches he'd produced before reminding him to give her fruit too. "Most of the people in my class now have school lunches, which is the cool thing to do," Melanie explained as Diego drew up beside a colourful sign reading_Holland Canyon_ Private Academy. "But I don't care, I want to stay with lunches made at home." "Rad! That's the spirit," Diego grinned, offering Melanie a fist-bump. The cub smiled and bumped Diego's fist back, before throwing her arms around the Wolfdog's neck and giving him a hug. "Thank you for always being fun Daddy Diego, I can't wait for my vacation with you at home," she said, before climbing out of the car. "Have a nice day!" She called. "You too kid, I'll be back to take you home. Enjoy the last day of school!" Diego replied. He waited until the Alsatian cub was safely through the school gates, checked his work backpack was safely resting on the back seat and drove off.

The commute from San Amador to the neighbouring city of San Fernando was picturesque along the coastal road, and usually less congested than the highway. Diego glanced in the mirror at his reflection. Like Friedrich who was an unconventional politician, Diego was an unconventional cop. He often wore wifebeaters under a hoodie in the office and when he was off duty he had used his Mercedes to take part in street races that his division had been tasked with prohibiting. As he reached the San Fernando city limits, Diego couldn't help but smile ironically at how he had ended up in his career. He had revealed to Friedrich on their first night together that he had scrawled various career options of pieces of paper, scattered them around and picked up the one which read Cop. Despite the randomness of choosing his career, Diego had found many positive experiences working as a homicide detective for the San Fernando Metro Police Department, perhaps the most important being his first meeting with Friedrich, even if the circumstances were traumatic. Diego had witnessed the assassination of Diego's then boyfriend Conor Wilson, although Friedrich had admitted with some guilt that his relationship with Conor was already rocky and he had been having a hard time ending it. Still, it had been a horrific thing for Friedrich to watch and Diego knew his presence in the Alsatian's life had helped him get over the event. I have to admit, in the week you've been here you've been a far better and more attentive father figure to Melanie than Conor was during his stays Friedrich admitted over dinner not long after Diego had moved in. Diego had felt a simultaneous twinge of guilt and a glow of pride as Friedrich spoke, but the memory of the conversation made Diego look forward to hanging out with Melanie again after work.

San Fernando was a sprawling, busy metropolis compared to the relaxed and serene atmosphere of San Amador. Diego found himself stuck in a line of traffic which moved at a snail's pace until the tall concrete and glass structure of the SF Metro headquarters lumbered into view. He negotiated the lines of slow moving cars, reeving the engine of the Mercedes until he reached the ramp to the headquarters' underground parking lot and flashed his badge at the bored looking Beagle guarding the entrance. Diego parked, grabbed his backpack and made his way over to the elevators. He whistled a few bars of The Weakness in Me to himself as he waited for the elevator to arrive. The song had left an impression on Diego since he had listened to it on the night of Friedrich's departure, although it was easier to distract himself at work than it was at home. Diego could immerse himself in his own bubble to avoid the heavy sadness of Friedrich being away for longer than expected. "Yo, Redfield. Why have you been avoiding my calls?" Diego almost jumped out of his fur and turned to see Melody Simms walking towards him, wearing one of those triumphant, satisfied grins on her face that only felines manage to pull off as if to say gotcha. "Hey Melody," Diego replied, trying to sound casual. "Diego, you're one of my closest friends, but you are so bad at trying to be casual. So tell me dawg, why have you been avoiding my calls?" the Cheetah demanded. "Y'know, I've been babysitting Friedrich's daughter. It's a full time job," "Isn't she twelve? She doesn't need a full time babysitter," "Ten actually," Diego replied as the elevator arrived. "The offer still stands if you want me to bring Aly over, I thought it would be nice for the two of them to play together." Melody suggested.

Diego mulled Melody's offer over in his head as they rode the elevator upwards. It seemed harmless enough, but knowing Melody one thing could lead to another and before you knew it the whole world had turned on its head. The last time the two of them had gone for an innocent sounding weekend vacation it had ended with the two of them bungee-jumping while high, tripping out on LSD in a field and getting wasted to the point where Diego had passed out head first on the passenger seat of someone's convertible Ferrari. You're a responsible canine now Diego thought to himself. "Hey, Diego?" "Uh, what?" Diego was shaken from his thoughts. "I could bring Aly round to yours tomorrow? I think it would be good for her to play with someone new." More like you became interested in getting them to play when you found out I was dating Friedrich and he had a daughter. "Yeah, yeah that could work," Diego replied, trying to stall and keeping his thoughts to himself. He was saved when the elevator doors opened with a shrill ping. "Oh, this is my floor," Melody announced. "See ya Wolfdog!" "See ya," Diego replied, hoping that Melody would conveniently forget her idea to bring Aly to Friedrich's house.

The elevator doors opened out onto Diego's floor and he walked to his desk. His work partner and best friend Tulio Montoya was on leave attending a family reunion in Los Angeles, but a black Wolf by the name of Ned Parker was sitting at the neighbouring desk instead. "Hey Diego," Ned called. "Yo, how's life?" Diego replied as he sat down. He often had to stifle a grin whenever he saw Ned Parker. Ned was in a similar predicament in that he was living with a Coyote actor called Garrett Dyckert which had also caused a lot of murmuring in the office when their relationship became public. Diego had been the first to find out when he had caught the two of them having sex in the police station itself, and when Garrett and Ned had briefly broken up, Diego had a drunken one night stand with the Wolf which they had both quite enjoyed. Tempting as it may be for a joke, leaning over to ask Hey remember the time when we rimmed each other and fucked? was not the most tactful way to say hello, and they both treated the one night stand as a fond and sexy memory, but one that wasn't to be delved into at the office.

Looking at Ned, Diego was once again hit with the painful realisation that Friedrich wouldn't be at home when he got back from his shift. His relationship with Friedrich had diminished his crush on Ned, but sight of the Wolf made him feel wistful, especially since he had considered asking Ned on a date before he had come out to everyone at work. "I've been good," Ned replied belatedly, tapping away at his computer. "Garrett got back from a shoot he was doing in New Mexico." Diego noticed the Wolf's tail wagging as he spoke. A fleeting temptation to ask Ned if he and Garrett wanted to hang out (hang out being a euphemism for dinner and drinks followed by sex) entered Diego's mind, but he shook the thought away, not wanting to intrude on Ned's happiness given that Garrett had just returned. "Heh, I've started to know the feeling of having your significant other being away for a while," Diego admitted. "Oh?" "Friedrich had to fly off to DC for four days, but now it's been extended and I have no idea when he's coming back," Diego continued. "I mean, four days or a week ain't a big deal, but more than a month..." "Yeah, I can imagine, although Congressmen need to spend long periods in Congress when called to do so, it's what they're elected for," Ned explained in a matter of fact voice. "Urgh, dude I never signed up for a long distance relationship," Diego grumbled. "Well, when Garrett and I get separated, we often cope by..." "Officer Parker, could you come to my office please, something has come up that I could use your expertise for," a voice interrupted. Diego and Ned looked up to see Lieutenant Arkady Dennison walking over. The Fox beckoned for Ned to follow him. Ned fixed Diego an apologetic shrug before getting up and walking away.

Diego tried to busy himself with work, but the nagging feeling of Friedrich's absence refused to leave. Ah well, at least I can watch a movie with Melanie, maybe make some more cookies or something equally sugary he thought to himself. The reservations he had previously held about parenting had vanished. It had given him a strong sense of purpose, as well as his duties as a detective and a mate to Friedrich. The morning passed by and Diego's lunchbreak arrived. He thought about working out in the gym, but the possibility of running into Melody crossed his mind. He liked the Cheetah, but he didn't want the conversation about her daughter coming to Friedrich's house to be raised again. That part of his life was better kept separate from the world he lived in with Friedrich and Melanie. He stood up and considered what to do. "Hey, Detective Redfield!" Diego was shaken from his thoughts and looked up to see Milo Perreti, a Jackal from his division and Scarlett Goodwolf, a Coyote both waving to him. "Yes, Officer Perreti?" Diego replied in an abrupt tone. Milo frowned and turned to Scarlett who also looked confused. "You okay Diego?" She asked. It took Diego a moment to comprehend why they were puzzled by his response, and he realised it was because he usually called people in the office dude, man or buddy unless they were a superior. "Oh, yeah I'm good," Diego replied, putting on a grin. Scarlett still looked concerned. "You don't seem yourself somehow, you sure you're okay?" "Yeah, positive." "If you're sure, anyway Milo was getting everyone to come up with a list of boys and girls names for my cub, we were surprised you hadn't offered any suggestions yet, I thought you'd be straight in there," Scarlett explained. Diego hesitated. "My husband and I already have a long list, but we thought it'd be amusing to see what you guys came up with." Scarlett continued. "Okay, if it's a dude he should be called Pugsley, Roscoe or Cletus, if it's a girl Posh Spice, Scary Spice or Nutmeg Spice." Scarlett laughed and rolled her eyes. "Same old Diego, easily the most creative I've heard all day." "Hey, you're a classy lady, I picked classy names," Diego responded in a tone of false outrage. "Cletus, classy? I'm not sure Nolan would approve, but thanks anyway," Scarlett laughed. "I'll catch you later." Diego chuckled as Scarlett and Milo walked off, but the feeling of emptiness soon returned. The prospect of breathing fresh air felt tempting and Diego decided he would go for a run rather than head to the gym. Making sure the contents of his backpack were secure, he made for the locker room to get changed.

The scent of wet fur, shower gel and deodorant hit Diego's nostrils as he walked into the locker room. The usual three canines who frequented the gym at the same time as he did were getting undressed; a grey Wolf by the name of Frank who worked down in the traffic division, a Doberman whose name he hadn't caught yet, and a white Alsatian who was called Ryan but Diego hadn't yet worked out which department he worked in. The four often exchanged small talk, but the scent of the room and sight of the three almost naked males had often forced Diego to keep back an erection. He used to entertain the fantasy of coming back from a sweaty workout, sniffing the musky scent of their fur, showering together which would quickly turn into an exchange of blowjobs (Diego had noticed Frank an especially meaty cock packed in his sheath and he wondered if he could fit the entire length down his throat while getting sucked off by one of the others). They would then proceed back to the locker room where he would lick the Doberman's ass before pushing one of them over a bench and giving them a good fucking. Since his first night with Friedrich, the fantasy had never seemed quite as appealing now that Diego had a real life lover he could do all those things with, and not just an image in the mind's eye to jerk off over. However, with the feeling of Friedrich's absence hanging over him, the fantasy returned. Diego glanced at the Doberman who had shed his pants, and saw he was wearing a white edition of the same Wolf & Coyote briefs that Friedrich had given Diego as a gift. Diego felt his cock stiffen as two different thoughts ran through his mind; wearing a pair of cute and sexy underwear like that probably meant the Doberman liked men, but also that Friedrich had often complimented the way Diego's butt looked whenever he wore his blue pair. Ryan suddenly shouted something to the Doberman and threw him a spare stick of deodorant. "You're lucky, I had one laying at the bottom of my bag," "Thanks buddy!" Diego turned away, not wanting to be caught staring. He opened his locker, but was painfully aware of the bulge in his pants.

He needed a distraction.

As if on cue, his cellphone began to buzz. Diego glanced around, the three canines were now deep in a hushed conversation with each other, before answering his phone. "Hi Diego, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time?" it was the voice of Emily Spinach, Friedrich's personal assistant (Diego had resisted the urge to guffaw when he had first heard her name). Friedrich had given Emily Diego's number now that the Wolfdog had a key to their house and access to Melanie. "Hey Emily, nah your timing is great," Diego replied, noticing his bulge had thankfully shrunk. "Excellent. No doubt Friedrich has told you his stay in DC has been extended," the Vixen continued. "However, he called to ask if I could arrange to have Melanie fly out to be with him now that her summer program at school is finished," "Ah," "If you don't mind, I'll head to Friedrich's, pack her stuff and then pick her up from school, it's okay she knows what my car looks like," "I see," "Then I'll run her straight to the airport, Friedrich has arranged for Lucas and I to accompany her on the flight," "Cool," "Great! I'll drive over there now and start getting her stuff ready. How have you been?" "Doing good," "That's nice to hear, anyway have a good day!" Emily chirped before the line went dead.

Diego weighed the phone in his paw before placing it in his locker. "You okay man?" Diego turned to see Frank shooting him a quizzical expression. "Trouble with the wife?" the Wolf joked. "Yeah, something like that," Diego replied, forcing a smile. Frank chuckled before turning to the other two and complaining about how his girlfriend had taken to dragging him to the mall. The Doberman looked disinterested in what Frank was saying and smiled sympathetically at Diego, but to Diego's mild disappointment the canine had pulled a pair of running shorts over the Wolf & Coyote briefs. Diego turned back to his locker, stripped out of his clothes and pulled on a pair of shorts and a sleeveless exercise shirt.

Diego absentmindedly followed the three canines into the gym. He didn't feel like going outside anymore and decided to follow his default routine of working out. Slipping his headphones into his ears, Diego stretched his arms and hind-paws, then sat down on a bench and began lifting weights. As he followed the repetitive rhythm of the music, the same thought kept spinning in his mind; I'm now in the house alone, I'm now in the house alone. Part of Diego wondered why he was so upset, after all he was not unaccustomed to being alone, but the thought of not only loosing Friedrich but now Melanie too was a bleak prospect that filled him with dread. Diego pushed the thought away, concentrate on building muscle, something you're working towards he told himself forgot about home for now. "Hey, Wolfdog!" Diego glanced up to see Melody walking in his direction. He tugged out his headphones as she waved to him. "So, have you thought anymore about me bringing Aly over?" the Cheetah asked, sitting down on the bench. "Melanie is going to DC to be with Freddy," Diego replied, putting on an apologetic smile. "Aw damn, I mean I hope she has a safe flight. So whatcha gonna do now everyone has gone?" "I'll find a way to entertain myself," Diego replied as he kept lifting. "What do you mean, watching porn by yourself?" "You guessed it," "We should hang out together, if Aly can't play with Van Holling's kid I'll drop her off at another friend's house, she has lots of friends with responsible parents," Melody chuckled. "Is this gonna end with us watching a totally unfunny movie we have to get high to appreciate and me waking up in my clothes the next day?" "Probably," Melody admitted. "Hmm," Diego mused. "I'll see." "Heh, trust me we'll have fun, don't go all square on me Diego," Melody laughed. "Anyway, I gotta get going, my exercise class starts in a minute. Just drop me a message if you want me to swing by." Diego watched as Melody walked off. He really wanted to say I'm not into that kind of thing anymore, I'm becoming an adoptive parent. I live in a different world now, but he couldn't pluck up the courage. He sighed, put his headphones back in and carried on lifting.

The afternoon in the office seemed just as quiet as the morning. Ned hadn't returned to his desk, which suggested that he had been tasked with something big. Contrary to Diego's initial expectations, being a detective didn't always involve running around solving cases. With a twinge of guilt, Diego couldn't help but wish for the announcement of a grisly murder or a celebrity death for the team to deal with, anything to provide a distraction. Nothing came, and eventually Diego's shift came to an end. He weighed up the temptation to work late if no one was at home, but the prospect of another hour or two of checking his emails wasn't appealing. As Diego began gathering his things together he couldn't help but open his wallet where he had recently inserted a photograph of him and Friedrich when the Alsatian had taken him on a hike in the hills near San Amador. If anyone casually glanced at the photo, it was an obvious indication of their relationship. Diego was shirtless while Friedrich was wearing a grey wifebeater. The second before the shot was taken, Diego had turned and kissed Friedrich on the muzzle and the photo had captured the Alsatian's look of surprise and delight. He had given Friedrich a framed copy for his office as a surprise gift, but had kept one for himself.

A melancholy smile spread across Diego's muzzle before he closed his wallet and stood to leave, but his arm brushed into his backpack, almost spilling the contents onto the floor. Diego's eyes widened as he caught a glass bottle that rolled out. He glanced around, but no one seemed to have noticed. That was good, if they saw the label he would surely be in trouble. The bottle was resting on its side in his backpack, but one word was clearly visible as Diego zipped the bag back up. Detox.

No one had noticed. No one would ever find out.