*Summer-9 years ago

“Z-zero!” Gadget giggled. 

Currently, it was summer. Vacation from school for Gadget started and him along with Zero sat under a tree by the lake. While the wolf brought a book to read, the jackal had been running around and climbing trees; both enjoying the warm weather.

Now though, Zero had decided to take a break from his playing and came to bother Gadget instead. The boy in glasses sat to read, but felt lips on one of his ears, so the said distraction, worked.

The red wolf didn’t mind as he folded a corner of the page and placed the book to the side before snuggling into the black fur. A smile of adoration shined on Zero’s face. Arms wrapped around the crimson body to bring the two closer.

“Done running?” 

Zero hummed as he gave a peck to Gadget’s forehead. “For now… Though I’d be just fine staying here.”

“Me too.”

As if to answer that request, the jackal gripped the wolf slightly and picked up his body just enough so they could lie beside the tree instead of sitting against it. The action hadn’t been expected, but it only made Gadget laugh in delight before lightly kissing Zero’s nose.

“You’re so strong.”

“Hm, well, I still have a long way to go since I’m young,” he smiled at the other, “But I’m strong enough for the both of us for now.”

“Yep! You sure are,” pearly white teeth shined as a grin in agreement was given.

“By the way,” Zero started.

“Hm?”

“What book are you reading? I see you read quite a bit for school, but school’s out now, so I was curious.”

Sun-like eyes sparkled as if Zero had just asked the best thing in the world. It was really adorable.

“Most books I read are for school. Most school subjects are a bit boring except for science, and history. As for this book, it’s called, ‘The Mysterious Case of The Beaver Clan’. It’s a mystery book where detectives Herlock Olmes and Dade Tatson go to a strictly beaver village and try to figure out the mystery behind a murder that took place. It seems like there’s a secret or something fishy going on in the town that hasn’t been discovered yet. It’s so interesting!”

“It does sound pretty neat,” Zero replied with a chuckle, “You know what fascinates me more?”

“What’s that?”

“You.”

Gadget quickly found the jackal on top of him, straddling his hips. His tan cheeks darkened as he saw the suggestive expression on the other’s face. He didn’t fight back. Lips covered lips.

The wolf’s digits reached up and weaved through white locks, pulling the ebony male closer to his body, and drawing a soft moan out of him from the action.

Lips drew back for breath as he stared down at Gadget, seeing those golden orbs gazing right back up at him. One of Zero’s gloved hands reached and stroked Gadget’s cheek, drawing out a sigh of bliss.

“I never knew I could feel this way,” the jackal mumbled.

Though the words were almost silent, the wolf’s bright red ears heard, and he smiled, “Me neither. This is all pretty new for me.”

“Same,” he continued to stroke his face gently, “Is this feeling love? Like the romantic kind? Jackals don’t really talk about it much, but I’ve heard some about romance.”

“Hmm…” Gadget thought a moment, “I think so. I’m not sure what else this feeling could be. To explain it a bit, romantic love is supposed to be rare, and that the one you feel it towards is special to you and irreplaceable. I think of you that way.”

“Irreplaceable?” A hum left Zero, “I think my pack is irreplaceable, but, I think you are too. My pack is also special to me, but, you’re more so…” Zero paused, “You’re so precious to me that I just wanna keep you all to myself.”

Grinning brightly, Gadget responded, “I feel the same. I can’t imagine the world without you in it. It’d be a lonely world if you weren’t here.”

“...Really?”

“Yep!” Gadget nodded, “And you’re my world.”

Lips were captured in a passionate kiss. The action drew out a deep groan from the wolf that only made it harder on Zero to control himself.

“Let’s head back,” the jackal breathed out, “I wanna kiss and snuggle with you at home. I want some privacy.”

Laughing, Gadget nodded before both Mobians stood and left the lake area.

—————

Evening came as Zero sat by the window to gaze out at the setting sun and Gadget laid on the floor reading his book; resting his head on the jackal’s lap. The silence stretched but the two were content.

“Do you want to go somewhere?”

“Huh?” The wolf hummed, looking up, “What’d you say? Sorry, I was reading and missed it.”

Smiling, Zero repeated, “I asked if you wanted to go somewhere.”

“Go somewhere? I’m not sure if there’s anywhere to go. This town isn’t that big.”

“I was meaning more,” Zero paused, “Out of town.”

“You mean like visiting another town, or camping?”

Mixed colored eyes brightened, “Camping!”

Gadget chuckled at Zero’s enthusiasm.

“I haven’t slept outside in so long!” Excitement clear in the jackal’s tone, “I love that idea! Let’s go camping!”

“I don’t particularly mind,” the wolf replied, “But we don’t have sleeping bags or a tent.”

“Pft, we don’t need that. I got this covered. All we need to bring are a couple of blankets and pillows. We can share just as we do here. And we don’t need extra supplies or anything. I know how to make a campfire.”

“You do?”

“Yep!” He grinned, “Now we just need to figure out where we want to go.”

“Sometimes, people like to camp out by the lake,” Gadget suggested.

Nodding, Zero gave a huge grin, “Sounds perfect!”

———-

“This spot looks good!” 

The jackal pointed to a wide open space by the lake. Some trees were nearby but there was plenty of room so a fire could be started without catching any of the surrounding nature. 

Finding the perfect location, Gadget set up the bedding while Zero went to get sticks and then start a fire. Once all was set up, the two took a seat next to each other by the fire, looking out towards the gentle waves. 

The night was beautiful, and stars twinkled in the sky at them. Snacks and water bottles that Gadget managed to smuggle from the kitchen were placed out so they could eat or drink if they wished.

“This is beautiful,” Gadget commented, a hand seeking one of Zero’s before holding it, “You know, I went camping with my parents some.”

Heterochromia eyes looked away from the stars to face him and listened. “How was it?”

“Oh, I hated it.” He laughed.

“Really?” The jackal asked in astonishment, “I love camping.”

“I hated it at the time because I preferred to be indoors, either reading a good book, or watching my dad work on inventions,” his expression became downcast, “I wish I would’ve appreciated that kind of stuff more back then.”

“...” 

Thoughts soared to the past, reminiscing about what was or what could have been. Warmth spread around his chest and shoulders as he was then held in a hug. Glancing over, Zero gazed at him seriously, eyes looking intently into his own. Lips brushed his cheek.

“You’re not alone anymore. I’m here. So we can enjoy the things we do now, with each other.”

The wolf smiled sweetly, now giving a kiss to that precious white mouth softly. “I’ve enjoyed everything with you, and always look forward to the next day with you.”

He stared straight into the jackal’s eyes. “I love you Zero.”

Shock filled Zero’s expression. Sure, they’d talked about it earlier, but hadn’t distinctly said it so bluntly like that. Still, his eyes became half lidded as he leaned closer. 

“I love you too, my dear Gadget.”

Cupping the other’s cheeks gently, Zero pushed his lips against the wolf’s own, passion radiating through. Gadget groaned as he wrapped his arms around the jackal in an embrace. Shifting their weight, Zero caused them to fall on their sides.

“I love you so much…” 

Zero drug out before slipping his tongue into the unsuspecting mouth. Humming in pleasure, Gadget’s tongue played with Zero’s inside his oral crevice; touching, probing, and exploring.

Pulling away for breath, pants left the two boys before each giving matching smiles.

**Further away, out of site 

“How’s it looking boss?” One voice asked as two beings were stationed in a tree.

The second one held binoculars, looking on ahead through the trees and towards the lake. A grunt was sounded.

“There’s either one of two possibilities. Either he’s one cruel manipulator, or he’s gotten too close with one of the locals.”

Eyes widened at that comment. “We’re talking about that little shit that doesn’t trust anyone, right?”

“Yes,” the second voice answered, “He might be different and difficult, but he was never mean spirited.”

“So…”

“So, the boss isn’t going to like this.”

“...Shit.”