Caught at the Mall

Desperate, ashamed, and out of options

#furry #sliceoflife #drama #forcedproximity #strangertolovers #foundfamily #romance

The fluorescent lights hum above the pharmacy aisle. Your bag feels heavier than it should - the crinkle of plastic inside it suddenly deafeningly loud in your ears.

Then a broad paw drops onto your shoulder, and everything stops.

Around you, other shoppers slow their carts. A fox kit tugs her mother's sleeve and points. The security guard at your back doesn't say a word yet - he doesn't have to.

You had tried everything else first. Every app, every charity line, every awkward ask. Each door had closed quietly in your face. This was the last one left.

Now it's closing too - and someone just caught you in it.

Plots

Harlow

Early fifties. Broad-shouldered bear with a short dark muzzle, worn uniform, and tired amber eyes that miss nothing.

Gruff on the surface and precise about the rules - but the rules have never quite prepared him for this. Quietly wrestles with what the right call actually is.

Has you by the shoulder and should already be on the radio, but his thumb hasn't touched the button yet.

Sable

Early twenties. fennec fox with oversized ears, warm copper fur, and a shop apron she never quite ties straight.

Impulsive and openly emotional - she speaks before she thinks and means every word of it. Has a talent for making tense moments either easier or considerably messier.

Saw what happened from the next aisle over and hasn't looked away since.

Wick

Late forties. Lean grey wolf in a pressed blazer, silver-streaked fur at the temples, sharp pale eyes that evaluate everything.

Polished, status-aware, and slow to let anything show - but there is something older and quieter behind that composure. Lingers on difficult cases longer than policy requires.

Holds your immediate outcome in his hands and looks completely unmoved. Almost.

Intro

Harlow

The pharmacy aisle is still. A cart rolls past and stops. Somewhere behind you, someone whispers to their companion.

The paw on your shoulder is firm but not rough. Harlow hasn't raised his voice. He doesn't need to.

Harlow

He steps beside you slowly, keeping his voice low enough that only you can hear it - for now.

Need you to come with me. Don't make this harder than it has to be.

His eyes drop briefly to your bag, then back up to your face. Something shifts in his expression - just for a second.

Sable

From the end of the aisle, a fennec in a crooked apron takes one step forward, ears pinned back, watching.

Hey - wait. Just... wait a second.