Chapter 4 - A Movie In Central

DATE? What was Judy talking about? He wasn't on a date….was he? He turned to look at the frightened cheetah and he wondered. On a date with Benjamin? I mean it was true the fox was gay, he had known it since he was a teenage fox, and it was one of the main reasons for a lot of his childhood aggression. Once he was older he realized that he was different and that he was more drawn toward guys. He had only told a handful of people, namely his parents and Travis, but since he was so busy with his career he never actually did anything about it. I mean Travis had tried to set him up with dates but the fox always made an excuse as to why he couldn't go, mostly due to the fox's shyness. Finally the sound of the machine below signaled and the Ferris Wheel started to turn again. Once back down safely on the ground Benjamin ran into the grass and kissed the ground. "THANK YOU GOD, I SWEAR ILL NEVER SIN AGAIN." The fox chuckled at the melodramatics of the feline.

"Well I gotta say I would have never guessed that something like dat would ever happen I guess it was my fault for pressuring you into going on Mr. Benjamin I do apologize." The fox and the cheetah were now walking out of the fair and on to the street. "Well I will say that I can AT LEAST brag around the office that I conquered my fear of heights, Bogo will be impressed when I tell him!" Time had gone by so fast, by the time they made it out on the streets it was night time and Zootopia was once again coming to life with all sorts of night time activities and parties. "Well we have a good 3 hours before we meet Judy and Nick what you want to do foxy?" Gideon looked up at the tall buildings and wondered just what did he want to do? "Well, I did hear about them big old movie theatres you city folk go to…if that's something you'd wanna do." The cheetah swung his head around, "O, M, Goodness, have you seen the new Avengfurs that just came out?" Gideon was taken aback once again by the feline's sudden outburst, "I can't say I have Mr. Benjamin." The spotted cat took ahold of the foxes paw and lead him through the night time crowd and towards a large building with flashing lights.

This movie theater looked just like the ones he saw in the movies, large and bright with what looked like hundreds of movies playing. Back at the burrows they only had one theater it was far from grand. Once inside the smell of buttery popcorn and the noise of a town full of Zootopians filled the fox's senses. This was an experience, one he would never forget. Once in line for tickets Gideon pulled out his phone once again and read the bunny's text. "date" He wanted to say something to the cat in front of him, but he just wouldn't know how to phrase it. Did Benjamin think this was a date? Was this country fox so dumb that he didn't even realize that this was something that was set up? He would feel so much better if he just knew what Benjamin was thinking.

They got their tickets and started to head down the hall to their designated theater. Gideon had in one paw a bucket full of popcorn and in the other paw an extra-large cup of Coke. Once outside of the doors they were about to enter, the fox grabbed ahold of the cheetahs arm and swung him around so that they were face to face. The fox, holding his phone in one hand, wanted to say something, anything. But instead something came over him, maybe it was having the feline facing him and looking into his eyes, the fox leaned in quickly and kissed the cheetah.

It wasn't a long kiss, but it wasn't a short one either, but it felt like a blissful eternity. The fox's eyes were closed tight and to his surprise the cat was KISSING HIM BACK! Finally the fox broke the kiss and came back up and saw that the cheetah was bright red underneath his yellow fur. "Benjamin, is this a date?" He asked this but felt like he was doing this all in the completely wrong order but he was this far, now he had to go all the way. However for the first time since their meeting Gideon actually felt like the cheetah was at a loss for words. "Well…..when you came to the precinct a week ago….I kind of got the feeling you might bat for my team and I asked Judy if she might try and set something up. Honestly I thought you were the most handsome guy I had ever met." If anything else, this was the most surprising thing Benjamin had ever said to him. He had never thought much of himself, he was a dumb country bumpkin who was chubby and unappealing. "Benjamin, I haven't been able to git you off 'ma mind since I met you, I'm glad you asked Judy. I have seen so many amazing things here in the city and none of them compare to how amazing you are." The fox gave Benjamin a big smile and took his paw and lead him into the theater where they sat next to each other. Benjamin took ahold of the fox's paw and rubbed his fingers between the fingers of the handsome orange fox. Gideon got out his phone and sent Judy a reply.

"Thanks Judy, the date is going amazing!" – Gideon Grey