-o0o-
Fox McCloud was the most well known mercenary in all of Lylat. He was a hero, and regarded as such. He stopped Andross in his tracks, and ended the Lylat Wars with his team. The Star Fox team was rewarded handsomely for their efforts, and it had been a great day. That day was three months ago. Three long months of nothing. Sure, Fox still went to all of those stupid banquets and dances every damn weekend, but only because he had to. Fox would always be considered a celebrity, and of course, he stayed hidden as much he could. If he approached the news with any statements to make, they could be greatly misconstrued and used in tabloids. He didn't have a fancy house or mansion, like all of the previous members of Star Fox. All Fox needed was a small apartment in a high-end skyscraper.
But it wasn't all luxury and relaxation. Fox didn't know how to be a civilian. He knew how to be a merc. The vulpine barely knew how to be a functioning adult.
There Fox was, lounging in his apartment, staring out of the window that gave him a perfect view of Corneria City. He could see Legacy Park, and the ocean in the distance. The very sight of the land he had worked so hard to protect, put a grin on his face. The happiness didn't last long, however. When Fox got up off of his sofa, he looked through his pantry in the kitchen for some food for dinner. Problem was, he was nearly out.
"Perfect. Time to go into public. Where people can see me," Fox grumbled, walking over to the exit of his apartment.
The vulpine grabbed a black hoodie and a pair of sunglasses; his father's sunglasses, actually. Putting them on, he stepped out of the apartment and locked the door behind him. He stepped into an elevator and hit the button for ground floor. Fox had a whole lot of walking to do; he thought owning a car in the city was a stupid idea, because of the traffic. Fox wondered why he decided to retire the Star Fox team early, some days. It just seemed the right thing to do; quit while they were ahead. Sure, the civilian life had its perks, but it was boring. The Great Fox was collecting dust at the Cornerian Army base, sitting there as a reminder of the Wars.
Fox sighed, stepping out of the elevator as it hit the ground floor and exiting the building into the public, pulling up his hood. Time to get food.
-o0o-
Fox was just entering his apartment, arms loaded with foodstuffs, when his PDA rung from his pocket. Must be important, because only his team and General Pepper knew his number. Grunting, he set the bags on the kitchen table, and pulled it out of his pocket. Thankfully, the public didn't recognize him today. They have before; Fox just got really lucky.
"Yo," Fox said, then grimaced, realizing how much that sounded like Falco.
"Fox. How are you doing?" Peppy asked. Peppy? He hadn't talked to the hare in a week or so.
"I'm fine, Peppy. What's up?" Fox asked, sitting on the sofa in his living room.
"Nothing much. Just wanted to call and tell you that we've got-"
"Another ball or banquet coming up this weekend that requires my presence?" Fox asked, cutting him off.
"Yeah. This Sunday, actually. I think it's the last one that absolutely needs your appearance."
The vulpine groaned. "Fine. I'll be there. What time?"
"It's from seven to whenever everybody leaves drunk," Peppy said, chuckling.
That earned a snicker from Fox. "Alright. I'll be there. See ya later, Pep," Fox said, closing the PDA and getting up. It was Tuesday, so he had six days. Six days to relax before another damn party.
The vulpine moved back to the kitchen and started to put the foodstuffs in various cabinets and the fridge. He usually bought enough to last two weeks, so he could avoid everyone as much as possible.
Speaking of that, Fox really wanted to get out. Just go somewhere outside, and relax for a bit. Maybe the park. Yeah, that sounded good. Hang out at the park for awhile. Have a midnight stroll. Fox grabbed his jacket and sunglasses, leaving the apartment for the second time in three hours. Fox crammed back into the elevator, and silently waited for it to reach the ground floor.
Fox left the elevator and walked out of the building, taking to the bustling sidewalks of Corneria City. It was a great thing to see so many people living in this area. It simultaneously made him easier to notice, yet harder to find. The vulpine pulled up his hood and walked the crowded paths until he reached a much quieter section of the city. Legacy Park was the biggest park in this coty, but it certainly wasn't the busiest. It was dedicated to the Lylat Wars, and held memorials for every kind of soldier. In fact, a big statue of James McCloud rested in the centre.
Fox walked the cobblestone pathways, roaming the park aimlessly. There were late joggers around, passing him. He waved to the people who'd pass by him, but he'd never say hello. His voice was too recognizable. Legacy Park was a beautiful place, and so quiet. The place reminded him of his old home on Papetoon, back before his father decided to move here. Fox found himself wander to the statue of his dad, and sat down on a bench facing it. What was it made of again? Metal painted gold. Typical government, always cutting costs for the sake of being greedy.
The vulpine glanced around at the people sitting at the other benches, taking a lighter and cigarette out of his pant pocket. He lit the cig and put it in his mouth, inhaling the nicotine. It really wasn't a habit he'd meant to get in to, but he couldn't care less at this point. The other people around were just couples too enraptured in each other to care about anything else. Fox sighed. The Wars hadn't left Fox any time to pursue a romance. He didn't want one now; the damn media would get involved. Still, it couldn't hurt to hope. Fox blew out the smoke, looking around some more. He noticed a tall figure walking towards him, but he couldn't see who it was. His face was covered by a hood, not unlike his own.
"Got a lighter?" The gruff voice asked, sitting next to him. Fox wordlessly handed it to him. The man took a cigarette of his own out of a pocket and lit it, handing the lighter back.
"Nice place, huh?" Fox asked, trying to make small talk with the stranger, as it was rude not to at this point.
"Yeah, I suppose. This place brings back some….. memories. Hard to go places, though. I'll get recognized," he replied.
"Same here, buddy. I just wish the public wouldn't hound after me," Fox muttered.
"Oh, they'd be in an absolute uproar if they found me."
Fox chuckled at that. "And why would that be?"
"Well, I'm not exactly the best guy. I'll leave it at that. Honestly, I'm just glad to see that somebody else is trying to hide."
"Yeah. It's hasn't been fun, though."
"I hate hiding. Not like I have much of a choice."
The two stopped talking for a moment, focusing on the puffs of smoke coming out of their mouths. The stranger stood up, extending a grey furred hand to Fox. He stared at it questioningly.
"Well, it's been good. I've gotta go, though. Take care," the man said.
Fox shook his hand, saying, "Thanks. You too."
The stranger then turned and walked away, bushy grey tail bobbing in rhythm to his footsteps. Something clicked in Fox at that moment, as he pulled another cigarette out of his pocket. Grey fur, gruff voice. Hiding from the public for rep reasons. No way. Could it be?
Fox had just smoked and engaged in a friendly chat with Wolf O'Donnell.
The vulpine sat straight up. He didn't know why, but the urge to go after Wolf was taking over his thought process. He shot off of the bench, cigarette forgotten. The vulpine ran after the lupine, following the tail that had kept his attention. Jogging to make up the distance, he finally caught the lupine, and put a hand on his shoulder. Wolf stopped, and turned, taking off his hood.
"Finally got through that dense head of yours that it was me, eh, Fox?" The one eyed lupine asked, grinning smugly.
"Wha- How- who-" Fox couldn't form a sentence. How did he know? Wolf merely waited for him to spit out some words, a hint of amusement etched across his face.
"How did you know?" Fox finally sputtered out.
"Orange fur and tail. I put the pieces together before I came up to you," Wolf said, staring to walk, beckoning for Fox to follow.
"Why did you come up to me, Wolf? I'm your rival."
Wolf then growled, running a hand over his uncovered eye. That same black eye patch was still ever present on his other.
"There's a perfectly good explanation for that, and you wouldn't understand. I don't particularly get it, myself," the lupine muttered.
"Well….. fine. Still want to talk?" Fox asked, thinking what the fuck am I doing? Alarm bells were going off in his head, but his voice had a different idea.
"Yeah."
A moment of silence ensued, the two canines wordlessly walking next to each other. Wolf was the one to break the silence.
"So, you avoiding the paparazzi?" He asked awkwardly.
"Yep. If those guys even get a hunch of where I am, they will not stop until they get one picture of me to spread through the tabloids. Wouldn't that be great," Fox explained, waving his hands in the air dramatically.
"I'd just be getting the police on my ass. Going into hiding helps keep a person off radar, but they could find me."
"Now I'm not sure which would be worse," the vulpine said, chuckling. That earned a snicker from Wolf.
"It just depends on how persistent they'll get. It's why I stay at my place until I need to get food."
"I do the same, except I have to go to these damn balls and banquets every weekend. I'm supposed to go to one this weekend actually."
Wolf grimaced. "Sounds like hell."
"It is. I have to wear a stupid tuxedo, and pretend to have a great time while General Pepper is giving out words of approval. Usually, I find myself half-asleep by the time everyone starts dancing and drinking."
"That actually sounds worse than my situation. Sorry, Fox."
Something about the way Wolf apologized seemed to be sincere. Like he actually meant it. That hadn't ever happened before. But then again, Fox hadn't ever met his rival outside of the cockpit.
"It's alright, Wolf. I've learned how to survive," Fox found himself saying.
"Hey. You know, it hasn't been that bad. Hanging out, I mean," Wolf said, scratching his head.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm surprised I had fun. Thanks for asking for my lighter, I guess," Fox said, smiling.
"Erm, no problem. Do, uh, do you want my number? You know, in case you need me, or just want to talk, or something," Wolf muttered, avoiding Fox's gaze.
Fox couldn't see why not. They both had common ground with hiding, and needed somebody who understood them. And besides, if Wolf wanted him dead, he would be dead.
"Sure. You've got a PDA?"
"Course. Every merc needs one."
The two canines pulled out their PDAs and exchanged numbers.
"Well, erm, it's been fun, Fox. I guess I'll call you later, or something," Wolf said, blushing.
"Alright. See ya later, Wolf. Nice seeing you again," Fox said, looking at Wolf, more than a little confused. With a wave, the lupine started to walk away from Fox. Sighing, the vulpine turned the other direction and started the walk home, pulling his hood back up. He wondered what Wolf was acting so strange for. Fox figured it wasn't a trap or anything, because Wolf was normally a very gruff and reserved person. There had to be an explanation for his odd behavior. Maybe he could find out tomorrow. Yeah. Fox grinned to himself as he walked out of Legacy Park. He just made a friend out of Wolf O'Donnell.