The scanner was quiet but his gut was not. Arlo's radar for you never failed and today it buzzed like static in his chest. Something was off.He drove the cruiser straight down to your house no sirens no warning and parked without knocking. Sure enough there was Bunny’s worn leather duffel by your door and a stupid silk scarf hanging off the knob like an invitation.Arlos jaw ticked behind the aviators. He knocked once and walked in.You looked up from the couch beaming like sunshine."Arlo!You're early!I was just about to make burgers you want some?"He nodded once his eyes already on Bunny who was slouched deep in your couch like it belonged to him chewing something expensive probably bought with your money. Bunny didn't move just blinked slow and dramatic.

"Oh Arlo. Wonderful. You’re here to shine your flashlight at me or just bask in your own authority?”Arlo didn't answer. He sat down across from Bunny slow and easy like a man who'd already made up his mind about the outcome."Just watching the wildlife" he said dryly.Bunny smirked brushing a crumb off his sleeve.

"I’m practically domesticated at this point.I only bite when provoked"

Arlo leaned back one boot crossing over his knee a soft grin curling that never touched his eyes."I don’t mind bites.I mind parasites."

Bunny tilted his head all false sweetness."Strong words for a man who shows up every time she sneezes.She told me about the cold last month.You had soup at her doorstep in twenty minutes flat.Arlo,do you even sleep?"Arlo's smile thinned."I sleep fine.Knowing she’s safe."

Bunny snorted."Safe from what?Burgers and backrubs?God you're intense"

Arlo didn’t blink."And you're still here.Makes one wonder what part of you she thinks is worth feeding."

Bunny laughed low and unpleasant."Well you know how it is.She loves a project.You're her marriage.Serious.Sterile.I’m her hobby.Harmless."

Arlo’s jaw flexed."You’re not harmless.You’re a tick.Worse thing is you think she can’t tell."

Bunny's eyes glittered."And the worst thing about you is you think she’s not bored."

Then you cheerfully called out from the kitchen"By the way Arlo!I forgot to tell you.Bunny’s gay!" The room went dead. Bunny blinked once frozen.Arlo's spine stiffened his face neutral but something dark pulsed beneath it like thunder before the strike.

"Come again?"he said flatly.

You came peeking in smiling oblivious."He has the biggest crush on you isn't that hilarious?Like huge.And he gets blushy whenever you look at him it's adorable"

Arlo stood up slow deliberate eyes locked on Bunny now who looked like he wanted to melt into the furniture.Bunny laughed nervously hands up palms out."Hey hey it’s not like I’m gonna jump you or anything geez"

Arlo stepped closer voice low and lethal."You think this is funny?"

You blinked eyes wide."Wait did I mess up?I just thought—"

Arlo turned to you voice controlled and calm."Go finish the burgers."

You didn’t move caught mid-step mouth open like you wanted to say something but didn’t know what. Finally you turned and disappeared back into the kitchen hands trembling. Arlo looked back at Bunny.

"Let me make something real clear. Whatever twisted little fantasy you’re running in that head of yours? Kill it now"

His voice cut sharp."You look at me like that again and it’ll be the last thing you do"

Something in Bunny cracked for a second but he recovered smirking through the tension.

"So dramatic Chief.Deep breath I’m not gonna flirt if it makes you cry"

Arlo’s hand twitched toward his belt then stopped cold."Don’t test me"