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Wile followed the three kids into the mall, a soft smile on his face as he watched Yakko with his friends. He was just a few paces behind them, close enough to be able to reach out just in case, but far enough that if the boys spoke quietly they could have a bit of privacy.
“Do we have to watch a scary movie?” Pinky asked, a small tremor in his voice.
“I believe it is tradition.”
“Brainy, just ‘cause somethings tradition doesn’t mean it's good. Maybe we can come up with some sort of middle ground.”
“What sort of middle ground is there for a horror movie?” Brain asked, raising an eyebrow at Yakko.
“Uhh… doc? You got any ideas?”
“Horror-comedy or children’s horror.”
“Horror comedy or children’s horror.” Yakko translated for Pinky. “I think we could do that. I’ve heard Shawn of the Dead is meant to be good.”
“Very well.” Brain replied. “I do believe this satisfies the requirement without making anyone uncomfortable.” The statement made Pinky giggle, and he nudged the shorter’s shoulder playfully.
“Fun! Oh look, there he is. Hi Mr Bunny!”
Wile looked up and waved at Bugs who was waiting at the front of the cafe they’d agreed to meet at. Bugs waved back to the group, smiling his big grin that showed off his two front teeth.
“Eh, what’s up doc? You guys are all having a sleepover tonight, ya?”
“Yeah!” Pinky grinned and bounced on his toes. “Our first one!”
“Oh, you rascals are gonna have a ton of fun. Ready ta eat?”
Wile let the boys sit at their own table, though only two away from his and Bugs.
“Thanks for showing me around, Wile. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course, it’s always a bit nicer with a guide.” Wile signed back.
“I think this’ll be a good change of pace. There was so much politics at my last school, doc, I tell ya. Fucking nightmare.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Genuine question or empathetic social norm?”
“Genuine.”
Bugs launched into a story about a convoluted drama where the superintendent and the head of the PTA were in cahoots trying to get teachers fired because they were raging bigots, where Bugs had done everything in his power to keep the teachers on staff. They’d lost two of their best teachers to the nonsense, and he couldn’t deal with the stress, and they’d also turned their sights on him, so he’d decided to leave before they had the chance. He hated leaving the kids, but staying would kill him.
“Hey doc, Mr Rob says he’ll be by in about half an hour. Can we go get snacks?” Yakko said, stopping by their table.
“Sure. You can use around thirty or forty dollars on the card.” He smiled. Yakko blinked.
“Really?” He asked.
“Of course. Don’t go too crazy, and make sure you save room for whatever dinner they make you, otherwise have fun.”
Yakko beamed and bumped his fist against Wile’s.
“Thanks doc! See ya later!” He said, before grabbing his friends and heading off to the supermarket. Wile paid the bill for the two tables and led Bugs out.
“This is a cute little mall you guys got here.”
“Most of the proper stores you’d find in a mall bailed on the town, so instead of letting it fall into disrepair the locals started running their own businesses out of it.”
“Smart, smart. Is the rent not an issue?”
“Local eccentric rich guy bought the place while it was abandoned for cheap.”
They walked around for a bit, diverting for a moment to see off the kids, before Bugs paused by a store.
“See something you like?”
“I think I do… you don’t mind if I check it out?” He asked, Wile waving him inside. Bugs pulled a dress from a rack, feeling the material between his fingers. The man had been a killer queen back in college, and would walk out of any event with tips big enough to pay the rent and still have fun money.
“You still in the drag scene?”
“Oh yeah, of course! I love the glam.” He winked at Wile, who rolled his eyes. Bugs laughed and looked back at the dress. “I think this one might just be for me though.”
Wile tilted his head just a bit, a silent question. Bugs pursed his lips, glancing around the store.
“Well, if I’m honest with ya, Wiles, I’ve kinda been thinking that my ‘interest’ isn’t just interest, if you catch my drift.” He said. Wile took a moment to process the whole thing, noting Bug’s tense shoulders and the way he had looked around nervously when he was normally so confident.
“Still new for you?”
“Yeah. Figuring it out.”
“Good. As long as you’re happy. Let me know if you need anything.”
Bugs smiled warmly at him.
“Still a sweetheart, ain’t ya? Thanks, doc.” He looked back at the dress, picking it up and heading to the counter to pay for it. Wile waved to Angie behind the counter, the girl having graduated last year. Her sister was in his class now.
“Come on, let’s show you the rest of the town.”
“Sounds good ta me, doc.”
—
They ended up at the park, each with an ice cream as Bugs told him about a disastrous drag brunch he’d hosted a few years ago.
“Hey Wile!” A familiar voice called, and he waved as he noticed Kevin and Paige. Wile glanced at Bugs, who inclined his head, and he waved them over.
“These are my friends Kevin and Paige, this is my friend Bugs. He’s the new principal at the high school.”
“Oh yeah, I heard Granny was retiring. Nice to meet you, Bugs.” Kevin smiled, holding out a hand.
“Likewise. How do you folks know the ol’ doc ‘ere?”
“We’re his lawyers.” Paige laughed, also shaking his hand.
“Wile E Coyote, you old dog. What have you been getting up to that you need lawyer friends, huh?” Bugs smirked. Wile rolled his eyes.
“They helped with Yakko.”
“Aw, yeah, that makes sense.”
“Speaking of, where’s the little rascal anyway?” Kevin asked, looking around the park.
“Sleepover with his friends.”
“Aww.” Paige cooed. “They grow up so fast.”
Wile smiled softly, thinking of how much his kids had grown in the three years they had been a family.
“What are you guys doing anyway?”
“Showing him around town so he can have at least half a clue of what’s going on.” He smirked a little, Bugs gasping dramatically. He put his hand to his head and twisted so his head landed in Wile’s lap.
“Wile, my sweet, sweet Wile, how could you say such awful things to me?” He pouted. Wile pushed him off his lap, snickering as the man yelped, now hanging upside down off the bench.
Paige was kind enough to hold Bug’s ice cream while he righted himself.
“Alright, I deserved that.” He laughed, brushing himself off and grabbing the cone back from Paige. “Thanks kid.”
“Anytime.” She smiled brightly.
“See if you can drag this guy off his desk some time this week for dinner.”
“Hey-“
“I’ll just tell him we have an evidence pick up to do.”
“Hey!”
—
Wile was driving Bugs back to his place, feeling pleasantly tired the way you did after a day of doing something fun.
“Say, doc, what are ya thoughts on Daffy?”
“Daffy?” He questioned, feeling comfortable enough in his closed car to speak. “I’d say he’s a bit of an oddball, but I don’t really have room to talk in that department. Quick temper but never dangerously so, and he always keeps it locked down around the kids. He’s kind, cares a lot.”
“Hmm..”
“Why?”
Bugs sighed, smiling over at Wile dreamily.
“I think he’s funny.”
“Oh my god.”
“Come on, Wiles! He’s already a looker, and he started yelling at me about Bye Bye Birdie!”
“You can’t be in love with him already.”
“Eh, don’t think it’s that, but I am swoonin’.”
“Is it even ethical for you to have a relationship with a teacher?”
“I don’t know!” Bugs whined. “I said you were hot the other day and I don’t even know if I can say that.”
“You said what?!” Wile questioned, throwing him a look like he thought the man was crazy.
“Wile. Wile, my good man. You’re fucking hot. You have to know that.”
“I don’t really think about it.”
“Of course you don’t.” Bugs sighed, but he was smiling so it must have been fond. They pulled the car up in front of Bugs’ place, and the man undid his seat belt and turned to face him directly.
“Wile, you’ve got strong cheek bones, a jaw that could cut metal, and gorgeous plush kissable lips. I would know, I’ve done it before.”
“Bugs…” he shifted a little, uncomfortable.
“Hey, I don’t mean to come on too strong. I’m not lookin’ to start anything up again, and I know you ain’t either. I’m just tryin’ ta say that you are a very handsome man, and you shouldn’t doubt it.” He smiled. Wile relaxed again, shaking his head.
“You’re incorrigible.” He chuckled.
“Be still my beating heart.” Bugs said flatly, before beaming at him.
“Thanks for showing me around, doc.”
“Of course. It’s good to see you again.”
“And you. I’m glad we get to work together.”
Bugs slipped out of the car and turned to blow him an overdramatic kiss before heading inside.
—
“Docs home! Hi hi hi!” Wakko ran up to greet him, and he swung his boy up into his arms.
“Hi baby boy, did you guys have fun today?”
“Yeah! Roadie took us to the movies!”
“Wow, that is fun.” He agreed, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Doc!” Dot squealed and ran over to hug his leg, Rhodes not far behind her.
“How about you two go pick a game and we can all play that together?” Wile suggested, putting Wakko down. The kids ran off, and he walked over to his husband, wrapped an arm around his waist and kissed him.
“You okay?” He asked. Roadie sighed, cupping his cheeks to kiss him again.
“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.”
“Good, because you have nothing to worry about… he likes Daffy.”
Rhodes stared at him for a moment before snorting and burying his head in Wile’s shoulder.
“Oh, I can’t wait for those rumours to start instead. I felt like I wanted to tear his head off for half of this week.” He laughed. Wile kissed the top of his head, stiffening at a crash.
“Wakko did it!”
“No, Dot did it!”
“Come on, let’s go help them clean up.” He chuckled, taking Roadie’s hand and going to find their kids.