Wingmate
I adjusted my white worn headband before it dropped to the side with my slanted sunglasses that rested on my beak. Geez, he's going to think I'm a complete and utter mess...if he still wants me around.
My stomach gnarled as my chest constricted. I wiped the sweat from my forehead.
Y'know that feeling you get when you visit someone you haven't seen in...oh geez, ugh...let's say months? It feels like shit? Na, it's shitty awkwardness.
The gun-metal grey dim hallway of the Great Fox droned for miles as my boots clattered against the steel and the fluorescent tubes hummed.
Told him to get an elevator but no, he had to keep us all in shape. Typical.
I opened and closed my sweaty fist. My heart pounded. I anchored in place.
Fox's muffled voice carried from the other end of the steel, bulky double doors.
My chest constricted and breathing sharpen while sweat trailed down my forehead.
Do you ever do something so stupid that it sticks with you for years? Cuz this was one of them.
I stepped through the door and raised my hands by my chest and pointed my fingers out like guns. "Ayy, fuzzbutt, did you miss me!" My feathers puffed out and tail wagged up and down when my eyes trailed to:
Fox's back, his usual tan coat was replaced by a thin sleeveless jacket. He stood by the round holotable in the center. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes rounded and sheened while his jaw dropped. But...
A blue vixen attired with tribal clothing stood beside him. She tilted her head to the side and stared at me. My...replacement...
Y'know that feeling you get when you visit someone you haven't seen in a long time and they happen to have someone else?
I won't lie, it feels like someone stabbing my heart with rusty needles.
My stomach dropped as my hands and shoulders plummeted. I glanced at Slippy.
Slippy swiveled in his rolling chair by the jukebox in the right-hand corner. He raised his limp hand and waved as he smiled. At least someone is happy to see me.
Peppy sat on a rolling chair by the deck's window. His eyes locked with mine and he nodded before I did too. Geezer always seemed peeved at me.
Droning, awkward silence.
I clasped my beak as I crossed my arms. I glanced at Fo-
Fox wrapped his arms around me while I lifted mine in the air, and he pulled me into his warm, firm chest.
"Jeez, didn't think...you missed me that much." I chuckled but I held my breath when Fox stepped on his tiptoes and kissed my burning cheek. My eyes widened.
Or maybe I never was?
"Of course I miss you." A sliver of Fox's fangs peeked from his beaming smile. His soft eyes, the color of green plasma bolts. sheened like marbles.
My heartstrings plucked. "Really?"
Fox nodded, he eased me into his beating chest like he did before I left.
If it wasn't for my beak, I'd be having a wide ass smile right now.
I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled him as the side of Fox's head nestled on my chest. I glanced up at everyone else.
The vixen stared lost or something cuz she seemed confused, Slippy wiped a tear from his eye before he applauded which is nice, and Peppy snoozed as expected...
She waved at me. "Xocce, raht."
I raised a brow. "Ugh...hi?"
Fox rested his hands on my chest and rhythmically patted it. "Oh yeah." He eased himself out of my arms and stepped beside the vixen and rested his hand on her shoulders while he nudged her towards me. "This is Krystal!"
I stared down at the two and rubbed my neck. "So a stripper?"
C'mon? Who goes by that kind of name and isn't a stripper? Hey, don't judge me, it's not my fault that today's parents can't name their kids worth shit.
He shook his head and waved his arms in X shapes while he mumbled. Fox's shoulders slumped before he faux a smile. "Ah...he didn't mean that!"
Krystal crossed her arms. She narrowed her eyes as her ears pinned to her head.
"Oh shit...she can understand me?" I stepped back.
"Yes!" Fox threw his hands in the air.
"Oops." I shrugged.
"Typical Falco." Slippy shook his head and smirked.
Fox said, "C'mon m-"
I threw my hands in the air. "Da fuck does that mean?"
Slippy's blue dull eyes narrowed as we clashed gazes. "Mean's your stupid."
"Pfft, if I'm stupid, then why am I the one who saved Fox?"
He crossed his arms and pursed his lips while the edge of it crooked down.
I extended my arms out while I puffed out my chest."That's what I thought, bitch!"
Slippy rolled his eyes. "Wow, you actually checked your G-diffuser for once."
"That's one time!"
It wasn't one time...it was multiple but fuck checking that shit! It's time-consuming and I want to fly!
Fox waved his hand in front of me. "Hey, Falco...could you do me a favor?"
"Huh?"
He stepped up to me and rested his hand on my shoulder. "Could you just stop...being, Y'know...you?"
I rested my hands on my hip. "C'mon, Foxy, I miss this."
Fox blinked, he quirked his lip down.
"Are you serious?"
"What?"
"How can you not miss this?"
Fox shook his head and crossed his arms like he usually does when he's upset. "Miss what?"
"The cheeky as fuck banter, man!"
Peppy yawned. "Personally." He rested his hands on his chest. "I don't."
"Me too." Slippy turned away and tinkered with a device.
I grit my beak and swayed it side to side while Fox glanced at them before he rubbed the back of his neck. "Not you too!"
"No, I miss it too." Fox's beaming smile dimpled his flushed cheeks. "Also, guys...and girl, umm." Fox crossed his arms and bobbed his head side to side. "Could you show Krystal her room...while me and...ahm." Fox tugged on the collar on his green shirt. "Falco need to catch up."
Peppy shifted in place before he slipped out of the chair and dragged himself beside the holotable. "Sure." He winked. "I'll leave you two love birds alone."
Fox's fur bristled, his sweaty face flushed a soft red. His eyes darted to mine before they scurried away and he lowered his head by his chin.
My face burned like I'd been running for hours while my feathers stood, I turned away as I crossed my arms and tapped my boot against the steel.
Krystal blinked as her brows parted. "Love birds? But you're a fox?"
Peppy chuckled and shook his head as he shuffled his way to us. "You gotta a lot to learn." He stepped beside Krystal and extended his flatten, upturn palm towards the exit.
She glanced at Fox, her brows parted and lips wilted.
Fox thumbed her up. "I know we just met but you can trust me." He stared at her like he'd used to with me with the same smile too.
My blood seethed when a stabbing sensation snaked through my veins.
Krystal rubbed her elbow. She peeked at me, Peppy, and Fox. Her mouth moved as if to speak but she didn't say anything. Krystal nodded before she stepped out of the room with Peppy but she glanced over her shoulder while she smiled and waved at Fox.
I narrowed my eyes before I huffed.
The door hissed as they exited.
Slippy stepped towards us, he waved his hand at me to beckon me.
I strolled to him before he waved his finger and I knelt and he whispered into my ear:
"If you hurt Fox again, then..." Slippy stepped back and raised his fist as he popped them. "Got it?"
"Sure." I rolled my eyes.
Slippy wagged his finger in the air. "I mean it!"
"Just go." I waved the back of my hand towards the exit.
"Promise?"
"Yeah, I promise." I shrugged.
Slippy squinted, he rested his hands on his hips. "Better mean it."
"I promise."
"Good, oh and!" Slippy pointed his fingers at me like guns. "It's nice seeing you, Falco." He snickered as he stepped past me. Asshole.
I clasped my beak and tilted my head back while I shook it.
And that's something that I've missed:
My family and...
I stared at Fox, who waved at Slippy while Slippy stepped out and shut the door before Fox's and my eyes met and my heart fluttered.
My boyfriend.
Fox's eyes darted away. His warm smile melted my heart. He swayed his head side to side.
Silence.
"So..." Fox snickered.
Our eyes met.
"So?" A soothing sensation bloomed in my pounding heart.
Fox's fangs peeked through his lopsided smile.
I laughed. "What?"
He extended his arms out. Fox's brows parted while he wagged his fingers to beckon me.
"Ah geez." My cheeks burned.
Fox stared at me like a puppy begging for attention.
I sighed and strolled up beside him before he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug.
Fox's head rested against my chest as he squeezed me. He sniffled, his voice cracked, "I fucking miss you, man!"
"I know, I know." I lapped my arms around him and eased him into my chest while we snuggled. His thick musk caressed my nose and tickled my lungs.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Fox stared up at me. His eyes gleamed as his hanging chin quivered.
"I just...am me."
Fox shook his head. "...Falco..."
"It's hard...to say." My stomach dropped when tears trickled down his rosy cheeks.
"I felt so alone."
My apology clung to my throat. I swallowed it.
"And scared." Fox's grip around me tightened.
I rotated my jaw before my words fumbled out of my mouth. "I didn't want you..." I rested my beak on his head, my throat ached. "...To hate me..."
"I'd never hate you." Fox kissed my cheek. "Because." His sultry breath brushed against my beak when his muzzle rested next to it. He smiled and said:
"I love you, I really fucking do and when you left." Tears poured. "I thought I was going to lose you."
"Sorry." I eased him into my sweaty chest and rocked him side to side. "Fuck, please don't cry." My eyes burned while moisture welled.
"I can't help!"
"Ah geez, it's coming." I flicked my tongue against my beak while tears streamed down my face.
Fox sniffled. "Thank you for coming back." He kissed my beak before he arched his chest back while he gazed into my eyes. I stared captivated by his lovely charm and adorable face.
"I'd always come back for you." I nestled my beak against his warm, soft cheek and rubbed it against it. "Cuz I fuckin' love ya too!"
"Ah geez, you're making me cry."
I laughed. "Making you cry, you're making me cry, ass!"
Fox's lips inched towards the upper tip of my beak before he embraced me. He chuckled as he sniffled.
I stared heavenward and shook my head. "Ah fuck, Foxy, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay." Fox rested his muzzle under my beak as his breaths tickled my neck. He whispered, "I forgive you, love." He nestled his wet nose against me.
My breathing eased and muscles loosened as I basked in his soothing warmth while it hushed my thoughts.
Fox stepped back, he panted as he laced his sweaty fingers with mine.
Y'know that feeling you get when you passionate about someone? The kind of love that's down to earth where it has little fuck ups here and there but you know that person still loves you despite all of your flaws:
...It's a feeling I missed...and one I almost threw away.
"I love you," Fox gazed into my eyes while the side of is toothy smile dimpled his cheek.
I tilted my head and nodded while I clutched his palms as my teeming heart fluttered.
An ecstatic sensation surged through my trembling body.
I rotated my beak and chuckled. My cheeks burned.
I leaned in and nestled my beak against his muzzle.
My muscles and breathing eased.
I fumbled over my words.
"I love you too, Foxy."
Fox kissed the top of my beak.
