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“Clawhauser, why am I here?” Bogo demanded, as he strode up behind the cheetah he was addressing.
“Chief Bogo?!” Benjamin gaped, his paws on his mouth. “What are you doing here?!” He latched onto Bogo, despite his surprise, though it seemed more like he was trying to move him away from where they were standing instead of just hugging him.
“Touching Clawhauser!” He tried to push his subordinate off, but didn’t apply much effort. “You said you needed backup.”
“Actually, I specially asked for Dexter for backup!”
“Dexter? The cheetah newbie?” He finally had a chance to look around and now that he had, he was unsure of what was going on. “Where are we?”
“Namibia!”
“No, I know the street Clawhauser-“ he took a breath, trying to relax his temper. “I’m asking why you called me stating a police emergency when it’s evident there is no such ordeal?!”
“Well-“
“In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a single disgruntled animal on this entire street besides me!”
“That’s only true because we haven’t gone inside yet…”
Bogo paused. “Inside?”
Benjamin nodded eagerly. “Apartment 102!”
Bogo glanced towards the row of townhouses laid out in front of him. They were indeed standing next to 102.
“And actually they don’t know that we work together so it would be really great if you could quiet down-“ Benjamin continued.
“Clawhauser?”
“Yes chief?” Benjamin smiled up at him hopefully.
“What is going on?” Bogo tried to whisper, more aware of Benjamin’s seeming stress now.
Benjamin bit his lip, his cheeks heating up. “Well I sort of kind of told my family that I’m engaged and since I don’t have any friends I thought maybe you could pretend to be my-“ he stopped when Bogo put his hoof up.
“You want me to pretend to be your fiancé for a family dinner. Am I interpreting that correctly?” Benjamin swore he’d never seen Bogo look so confused in his life.
“Yes?” The cheetah pressed his paws together, trying to put on his cutest “pleading kitten” look.
“No.”
“But-“ the door swung open, revealing a tall slim female cheetah waiting behind it.
“Benjamin! How long have you been standing there? You should’ve knocked darling!” Her voice was sweet if you didn’t listen too closely, but Bogo could tell every word had an air of mocking to it. He always didn’t like her. He doubley didn’t like her when her gaze landed on him, and he could see her lip curl in disgust.
“We just got here Ruthie,” Benjamin tried to lie, allowing the other cheetah to hold him in a stiff hug.
“Who’s your friend?” Ruth gave a pointed glare towards Bogo’s police badge. He’d come in uniform after all, expecting the visit to be work related.
“I am not his friend,” Bogo stated plainly.
Benjamin frowned as Ruth let him go. She continued to smile, waiting for Bogo to continue, and he just wanted so badly to wipe that smirk off her face.
“Because I’m his fiancé,” Bogo continued, as straight-faced as before. Benjamin’s head flicked up in an instant, his pupils wide. If Bogo was a lesser man, he might say it was even cute. Ruth looked even more shocked.
“You-!” She was interrupted by an older cheetah woman pushing past her. Geez, these animals sure interrupt eachother a lot, Bogo thought.
“Oh my goodness!” The older cheetah pulled Bogo into a hug similar to the one Benjamin had greeted him with. “I’m so happy to finally meet the animal my son has talked so much about!”
Bogo grunted in response. He already regretted letting himself get roped into this.
“We were starting to believe Benji had made you up,” she continued, grinning up at him. Ruth had her arms crossed now, glaring at him again. At least he’d succeeded in pissing her off.
“Benji?” Bogo raised his eyebrow towards Benjamin, who shrugged sheepishly.
“Oh, we’ve got all sorts of nicknames for my Benny bear,” his mother replied giggling. “I’m sure you do as well, considering you’re so in love.”
“I mostly just call Claw-“ Bogo was cut off with a sharp kick to his shin. “Benjamin by his given name.”
“Ahh so you’re the serious type huh? I guess opposites attract.” She continued to laugh and gestured them in. “Ruthie. Why don’t you show your brother’s fiancé around while Benji helps me set up dinner.”
So Ruth was Clawhauser’s sister. Well, that made absolutely no sense, especially considering the personality of their mother. “Oh and dear,” she looked back at Bogo one last time. “Call me Molly! Or mom.” She winked. Benjamin gave him a pitiful look before being dragged down the hall.
“So…” Bogo didn’t know what to say. Ruth certainly wasn’t as welcoming as Molly.
“If he’s paying you, you can tell me you know,” she stated plainly. Bogo avoided her gaze.
“I’m not sure what you’re implying.”
“Oh please. No way someone like you has any interest in Ben. Tell me the truth.”
She was offering a way out. She might even help him come up with an excuse to leave, but Bogo thought back to the look on Benjamin’s face from earlier and he couldn’t rat him out. Not yet at least.
“I… love Benjamin very much. I don’t see why you doubt that.” He met her eyes, making sure she took his word as truth.
She just looked away, unwilling to accept anything he said.
“Whatever you say. I’m sure you’ll love to see Ben’s baby photos then.” She smirked, gesturing for him to follow. Bogo sighed inwardly. She sure knew how to break him.
—
Molly called for them near a half hour later. Bogo was about losing his sanity. The photos weren’t really what bothered him. Sure, he wasn’t the sentimental type, but Benjamin was an adorable cub, and it was easy to play the part of the overeager lover. Ruth is what made it impossible. Every page they turned to, she had another snide remark. “Ben’s always been chubby see?”, “Ben never won anything.”, “I don’t know why he wanted to be an officer. He never even wanted to leave the couch!”, “Ben never really had a pack growing up. He’s always been very lonely.”
Bogo was having trouble holding his tongue. Maybe as Benjamin’s supposed fiancé, he should be defending him, but he didn’t know if he’d been able to control what came out if he opened his mouth, and he didn’t really think he wanted to make a terrible impression. At least dinner would be easier, right?
Wrong. The second he sat down, four pairs of eyes were set straight on him. At least Benjamin had the good sense to look away. Bogo assumed whatever conversation he’d had with his mother in the kitchen had been enough to embarrass him from continuing to dig this hole.
Benjamin sat to his left, along with Ruth and another male cheetah. Benjamin’s mother and an older cheetah Bogo assumed was his father, sat to his right.
“Benji says you prefer to go by your last name?” Molly asked, still smiling.
“Ah. Yes. You can call me Bogo.” He straightened up in his seat.
“Well, this is my husband, Daniel,” Molly nodded towards the older cheetah. He didn’t react much. “And that’s Ruthie’s husband, David.”
“It’s unfortunate my name does not also start with a D,” Bogo tried to joke, but no one laughed.
More awkward silence.
“Benji tells me you two plan on having a courthouse wedding, but I’ve always wanted to see my youngest son get married,” Molly continued, looking at him expectantly.
“I- well…” He had to admit, elopement was a clever lie from Benjamin. He definitely was not going to participate in a fake wedding.
“Bogo really doesn’t like the spotlight on him mom!” Benjamin cut in, saving him from explaining. He gave his colleague a thankful nod.
“Well I don’t mind missing the wedding,” Daniel stated dryly. Benjamin wouldn’t look at him.
“I’m sorry?” Bogo asked. If Benjamin wouldn’t confront his family, he might as well. It’s not like he’ll ever see them again.
“My son shouldn’t be marrying someone like you.” Daniel was glaring, his arms crossed. Molly was trying to keep a smile on her face, but she looked uncomfortable.
“Now Daniel…” Molly tried.
“Someone like me?” Bogo questioned. Benjamin was staring straight at him now, silently begging him to stop.
“You know what he means,” Ruth chimed in, grinning. She seemed to be the only one enjoying this conversation. Her own husband was too enamored in his phone to pay attention. Or he was purposely ignoring everyone. Who knows.
“If you’re so upset with your son being gay, why did you invite me?” Bogo demanded. He was mad now. Benjamin choked.
“Oh dear, Daniel doesn’t have a problem with that,” Molly corrected anxiously.
“What?”
“I don’t want my son marrying a Buffalo,” Daniel spat. It felt like everything froze. Sure, some animals felt intimidated by him before, but he’d never been profiled by a predator. Cheetahs had no reason to fear him.
Bogo gulped. “And why’s that?”
“Because species shouldn’t mix.” Fuck. At least he was honest.
“We should go,” Benjamin said, standing. Before Bogo knew it, a paw was on his shoulder guiding him up.
“Oh Benji, don’t listen to your father,” Molly tried. She didn’t make a move to follow them though.
Once outside neither of them spoke. Benjamin slammed the door and started walking, not even acknowledging Bogo close behind him.
“Benjamin-“ He froze when he heard his first name.
“I’m sorry,” Benjamin blurted, wincing.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I see now why you requested Dexter to accompany you.” The Buffalo felt bad, knowing he’d caused discomfort for Benjamin with his own family.
“No! No… I mean. My dad’s a jerk. I’d be lucky to be engaged to anyone as cool as you.” Benjamin fidgeted with his paws, not quite looking up at Bogo.
Bogo put his hoof on Ben’s paws to calm him. “Why don’t we go get dinner then?”
“What?” Benjamin’s eyes widened.
“Dinner. A date, if you’d like.”
“For real?!” Bogo nodded. “Let’s go then!” And just like that Benjamin was pulling Bogo by his arm, seemingly unaffected by his families opinion now.
And well, he shouldn’t be, because in Zootopia, anyone can be anything, or, be with anyone.