Chapter 2: Back and Forth.
The wallow of bliss across the canine citizen's faces sent a faint tranquillity through Wolf's body. Their playful smiles forgot about their past crimes. Wolf adjusted his upper back against the restaurant's window, crossing his arms and shivering from the outside breeze.
Wolf kept his head down as his eye trailed along the crowd. He studied them as they paid no heed to him. They all kept to themselves, content with the result of the war.
Guess I fit in. Wolf spoke under his breath, "Lucky me."
He halfway faced the restaurant's glass to peek inside. He watched Fox pay for the bill and as he faced away, Andrew's voice carried out like a crescendo.
"Is this really what you WANTED!" Andrew stood before Wolf face to face. "HAVE you forgotten your orders, furball?"
Wolf's wide eye blinked, his head leaned back. "H-how...are y-"
"You're throwing away everything we stood for, for what? This wretched dog!" Andrew bared his fangs, he spoke through his teeth with a sharp tone, "Are you letting everything we worked for die!"
"N-no." Wolf's body kept still as his heart sunk deeper into regret. "I'm...I..." He set his palm on his tense, throbbing forehead before trailing his eye away.
"I-I...know..." Wolf dipped his head towards his chest as his brows twitched.
"You know very well what you're doing." Andrew spat on Wolf's jacket. "Throwing all of our endeavors away just to have a taste of him."
That's not it.
"Tell me O'Donnell, did you ever really care?"
"I did!" Sweat trickled along Wolf's forehead while his paws trembled. His heart raced when Andrew spoke.
"You didn't seem to care on Sargasso, now did you?" Andrew leaned back with his fist below his chin and rested his elbow against his hand.
Wolf kept silent as his quivering muzzle refused to move. His words clung to his tense throat.
"Figured, you were too busy trying to redeem yourself, hmm?" A cruel grin went along Andrew's cheek. "So you could...how should I say it?" He chuckled. "Fuck him..."
"You're such a disgusting low creature."
Subtle bits of red went along Wolf's cheek as he clenched his teeth and faced away. "I'm not doing it to fuck, I'm doin-"
Fox's voice made Wolf's ears shoot up and twitch.
"Not doing what?"
Wolf's face flushed and his fur stood on its ends. His tail curled between his legs before he faced his left to see Fox; the cute, innocent expression of Fox's tilted head made Wolf's heart skip a beat.
Ah, fucking hell!
"I-I, ugh, hold on!" Wolf clenched his hands into a fist as his eye glimpsed at Andrew, but he wasn't there. What?
"Are you okay?" Fox extended a hand on Wolf's shoulder.
Wolf huffed and shut his eye. "Haven't gotten much sleep." He opened it and stared down at Fox. His hands relaxed.
"Jet lag?"
"Yeah that." Wolf shrugged.
"Aww, it's okay grumpy pants." Fox leaned in to kiss Wolf on the cheek.
Wolf narrowed his eye and took his gaze off of Fox as he lowered his head below his shoulder with slanted ears. That's not how he really is, is it? His burning cheeks became pinched by Fox's rough paw pads. "W-wha!" He jerked back and stared down at him while his chin quivered and lips fought off a smile.
"You're cute when you smile." Fox Shut his eyes and gave him a toothy, wide one. "Come on, do it!" He peeked an eye open.
"I don't smile." Wolf's twitching brows furrowed as he lowered his head. "Let go." His ear flicked.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." Fox opened his eyes, melting Wolf's heart. "I get a bit too handsy."
"Save it for you know when." A warm sensation surged through Wolf's quivering thighs. "I-I...mean." He narrowed his eye before used a finger to scratch the top of his muzzle and grumbled.
Damn creep.
Fox raised his brows. "This isn't a hit-it-and-quit it kind of thing, is it?" His nose twitched.
"Do I look that low?"
"Well..." Fox's cheeky smile made Wolf's stomach knot. "You did work for him."
"Going to keep bashing that in?" Wolf sighed to ease the tension in his gut.
"I will unless you smile."
Of course.
"Tchah" Wolf faced away, sinking his fangs into his lips to stifle his smile. "I told you, I don't s-" Fox brushed his fingertips with his. Wolf's hand jerked back but halted before he eased it back towards Fox's and waited for his prey to make a move. He shut his eye and struggled to stifle his smile when Fox's paw slipped into his and enlaced his fingers around Wolf's, making his heart flutter from the mending, mollifying joy: the temptation to squeeze his hand coursed through his mind.
"You can drop the tough guy act." Fox leaned into Wolf and nuzzled the side of his forehead against his.
Wolf's eye eased as he tilted his head against Fox's and enveloped Fox's hand with his.
They basked in the orange warm rays of the setting sun.
"Could you smile for me?" Fox leaned his head back and stared Wolf dead in the eye.
Wolf lowered his head, shut his eye, and flicked his upper lip. "Fox..."
He opened his eye, it darted away each time it met with Fox's before he ceased it and locked with his. Wolf sighed.
His heart thrashed against his constrained chest.
His mind became lost in Fox's eyes.
His lips curled into a smile.
"Of course."
Fox kissed Wolf's cheek. "Thank you." He leaned back, his white as snow fangs didn't have a speck.
"You really did go all out, huh pup."
"Only for you." Fox slipped his arms below Wolf's, he wrapped them around Wolf's chest. Their muzzles kept an inch away as their eyes locked. "Next time try for me."
Yeah...next time...
Fox gave Wolf a light tug to Wolf's fur. "Maybe you could try when Y'know?" His cheeks turned a rosy red as his grip tighten.
"T-thought you didn't?" Butterflies built in Wolf's stomach.
Fox bobbed his head side to side as he smiled and averted his gaze. "Maybe I do?"
"Tchah, guess it's true about foxes."
"Hey, that's a tiny bit racist." Fox released Wolf and tugged his arm to indicate for Wolf to walk beside him through the downtown street: hand in hand.
"Don't live the stereotype, pup." Wolf kept his head down close to his shoulders. His eye scanned the area as they paced through the crowd.
"You're one to talk."
"How?" Wolf glanced at Fox, he snickered through his teeth.
"You're an ass." Fox's shoulder brushed against Wolf's.
"OOOOooo, tell me something I don't know." Wolf grinned when Fox huffed. The mix of savory baked goods from shop to shop and Fox's strong musk eased his tension. But, clawing apprehension climbed up his spine and snuffed his joy.
Am...I?
"Let me think." Fox paused. "You're sweet...sort of."
That's not true.
"You're trying to be better."
Wolf blinked, his body went numb.
"You're nothing like what they say."
Fox and Wolf stopped at a street walk, the sign across stayed red.
"What do they say about me?" Wolf's ears pinned back, his head lowered between his shoulder and the eyes around watched him, keeping track of him and knowing of his every move. His skin crawled while his breaths became short: he waited for them to make a move.
They know of my actions. They can see through my lies. They know what I did.
"They say...you're a..."
"Coward..."
"Murderer..."
"A disgusting low creature."
Wolf's muzzle and brows furrowed, his sweaty body tensed, and he dug his claws into his palm. They see me as- His heart froze. Mind went numb. His eye rounded and ears shot up from Fox's agonized outcry.
"Wolf, ah!"
Fox's pained eyes had a look of betrayal. His separated brows came together to his ire. His right hand lowered towards his gun.
His heart sunk. Body froze. His mind ran, but his legs stayed. Wolf shut his eye, waiting for it to end. He quivered as a strand of a searing tear ran along his cheek.
"Wolf, hey? It's okay. Breathe, I'm here."
The side of Wolf's shoulder became squeezed and rubbed by Fox. He crept an eye open and stared at Fox before he peeked behind him and noticed the surrounding baffled group of dogs. He wiped away the welled moisture in his eye.
Well, shit...
The dogs mumbled to one another before they returned to their business.
"You okay?"
Wolf nodded. "Probably need rest." He nudged his head forward to indicate to move on as the pedestrians did. Fox's finger's enlaced with his while they progressed across the street. "Are you..." He let out a heavy breath through his teeth. "Embarrassed with being with me?"
"Why?" Fox faced him with one ear slanted and brows raised.
Wolf shrugged. They stepped onto the sidewalk and continued down it.
"Is it because we're holding hands?" Fox received a no. "Hmm." He cupped his hand on his chin. "Because we're...cute together?" Fox didn't receive a reply as he faced away, pinning his ears back. "Is it...because we're ga-"
"Fuck no, Fox. Do you not get it?" Wolf's grip around Fox's hand tighten. "You're a hero and I'm villain, got it?"
Fox raised a flat hand and wobbled it in the air. "Eh, I consider us more along the lines of lawless mercenaries." He smiled. "Of love."
Wolf's shoulders drooped as his eye narrowed. I fell in love with a dweeb.
"What's with the long face?" Fox nudged Wolf's shoulder with his.
"It's nothing, pup." Wolf shook his head, resisting the urge to grin.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine." Wolf shrugged.
"Okay, just checking." Fox inched himself closer to Wolf. Their eyes met for a brief moment. "I love you."
Wolf's heart fluttered before faced away as his cheeks turned red. He let out a bashful laugh and scratched the back of his head. "I...ugh." His stomach fluttered, his heart raced, and his forehead welled with bulbs of sweat. "L-love you too."
"Still hard to say?"
"No."
"I love you."
Dammit.
"I love you too!" Wolf relaxed his eyes. A playful smile lighten his expression. Come on, show it! He opened his mouth, moving it to try to find the words as he stammered. "Y-you cute bastard."
"Aww, thank you." Fox let out a faint laugh. "Say, do you think..."
"Think what?" Wolf returned to his stoic expression.
Fox's cheeks went rosy red when sweat trickled down his forehead. "We could be...rivals in." He paused. "Lovemaking." He winked.
There's no way in hell he's like this.
Wolf kept silent.
"Well?"
His tail wagged as he lowered his head between his shoulders from his burning cheeks and wavering smile. How is he this cute!
Wolf slued his head to face Fox, his pleading eyes pierced his heart. "H-how?"
"Seeing who's more romantic in and out of bed." Fox winked.
"You'll just beat me again." Wolf sighed.
Fox pointed at himself. "That's because I'm on top..." He spoke as fast as he could, "Of you."
"Didn't think the intel was true." Wolf fought back a laugh with a huff. Mending warmth surged throughout his body.
Fox raised both his brows. "What did it say?"
Wolf halfway faced away from Fox. Those pleading eyes begged him as his body yearned for more contact. "It said." He pointed at Fox. "You're the biggest dweeb of all." He lapped his arm around Fox's shoulder and pulled him into the side of his beating chest: snuggling their warm bodies together.
"And you're the damn love of my life."
"You're mine too."
They stepped to the side out of the way of passing pedestrians and embraced one another with a hug. Fox's arms tighten as Wolf reciprocated, their warm sultry breaths dampen each other's fur before they pressed their warm soft lips together.
Fox leaned his head back, his cheeks as red as wine. "We should go somewhere private." He raised his brows before he kissed Wolf. "My place?"
"Sounds good." Wolf kissed him before he pulled away.
"Would you like to walk or get a ride?"
"What's the rush, pup?" Wolf ruffled Fox's crest.
Fox nudged Wolf's hand away and fixed his hair. "I'm just asking, jeez."
"S-sure you are." Wolf leaned back, popping his aching joints. "Let's walk."
Fox's ears pinned back, he sighed. "Taking your sweat time, huh?"
"You betcha sweet ass I will."
A faint smirk went along Fox's muzzle, he leaned in and whispered into Wolf's ear. "Tough words coming from a bottom." He set himself in front of Wolf with his brows raised.
"Tchah." Wolf faced away, his sore, burning cheek crooked as he struggled with his smile. He lowered his head and shook it before he turned to Fox. "Where the hell do you get that idea?" His eye widens when Fox's cold, wet nose pressed against his. Fox's warm, coffee stained breaths made his stomach flutter.
"Because." Fox's eyes slanted. "I'm always on top of you."
"Hah, sorry to say, pup. But I'm sure you're a virgin." Wolf narrowed his eye.
"Oh? If I was, then." Fox pressed his soft lips against Wolf's wavering ones. His warm, wet tongue slipped into Wolf's mouth, raking the gums before gently pressing against his fangs. He made it in to caress Wolf's as he slid a hand behind Wolf's head and ran his claws along his ear. He leaned back, staring into his eye and raising his brows. "Explain that."
Wolf bobbed his head and whistled. He tilted it back and nodded. "D-damn, pup. That's..." He caught his words.
A lot like...Panther.
"Impressive?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
"Fine, I'll just." Fox leaned back." Show you who's boss." He laced his fingers together , flipped them, and exteneded them out to pop them. "In bed." He winked.
"We'll see." Wolf bobbed his head to the side to indicate to move on.
"Where're we heading?"
They embarked onward, snuggled together through the street lit walkway.
"Someplace."
"Keeping it vague like always."
"You know it." Wolf grinned.
They made it past the downtown, heading from one street to another; continued on into a neighborhood, picking up their pace; and stopped at an elegant park square, not a single soul around.
Exactly how I remember it.
Fox froze at the stone archway entrance. "Is...this it?"
Wolf stared at an illuminated statue of a saluting James by an Arwing.
"Ye-"
"Why?" Fox faced him, his cheerful expression dissipated.
"I want to make sure it's all out of the way."
Wolf's heart raced and breaths shorten, he gulped down his saliva as his paws quivered from the pricking dread.
"Save it for another time."
"No."
Wolf's ears pinned back as he faced Fox, his tail curled, and his grip around Fox's hand loosen.
"You said to let go of the past, so let's."
"Why are you doing this?" Fox shook his head and stepped in front of Wolf. He extended his palms out. "Why?"
"You're still hurt."
"Wolf..." Fox's tail, ears, and shoulders drooped.
"Do you forgive me?" Wolf's eye trailed away.
"Yeah, did you not believe me?" His pleading eyes stared up at Wolf.
"I just..." Wolf struggled to find the words. He stood in silence, staring down at Fox.
"You didn't."
Wolf shrugged. Why are you fucking this up! His eye narrowed as he clenched up.
Fox's voice faltered, "Do you not trust me?"
"I do."
"Why do you keep lying?" Fox's pained expression sunk Wolf's heart. "Do you not trust me?"
Wolf stared at him with a stoic expression as his mouth moved but he failed to conjure up the words before he tilted his head back and stared heavenward: Fox's dejected look clung to his mind.
What am I doing?
"You're crying?" Fox's hand brushed against the back of Wolf's.
Wolf sighed, he stared down at Fox. "I...c-can't..." He shrugged and lowered his head to the side. "Say..." He burrowed his claws into his palm. Burning crimson trickled down them as welled, searing tears ran down his quivering cheek.
Fox blinked. "Everything was good, why did you do this?"
"It feels like this is nothing but bullshit..."
"Like a fucking lie that I want..."
"I hate it."
This wouldn't be happening, he has her, he has anyone else. Why would he choose me?
"I don't get it," Fox said.
"I know deep down you hate me." Wolf's tail went between his legs.
"What? I told you I don't, what more do you want me to say?"
"Who's the one lying now?" Wolf crossed his arms.
"What?"
"What do you feel when you see it?" Wolf tilted his head towards the statue.
Fox kept silent.
"You said you moved on." Wolf's brows furrowed.
Fox crossed his arms. "I lied, okay." He averted his eyes for a second.
Wolf's eye locked with Fox's, the sheer pain and confusion seized Wolf in place. "I want you so damn bad." He placed his wavering hand on Fox's warm, soft cheek, rubbing his thumb up and down along it. "Every time I reach out for you, it feels like I'm far away." The bottom of his heart ached. "I can't...be with you no matter how hard I try." His paws went numb as more tears poured out of his narrowed eye. "Every day I'm reminded that I can't be with you because of what I did." His voice wavered. "I wake up knowing we'll be apart. That you'll fade away out of my grasp. You won't be here because of my choices."
"Wolf..." Fox grasped Wolf's extended arm and moved it out of the way.
"Shut the fuck up, I love you."
Fox gave Wolf a gentle kiss, he pulled back an inch away from his muzzle. "Don't doubt me, okay." He received a nod from Wolf. "I don't blame you."
"Why?"
"I don't doubt you." Fox smiled.
You would if you knew me.
"Yeah...I know." Wolf peeked behind Fox to stare at the statue. "Could I have a moment?"
"Yeah, I'll be over there." Fox pointed at a bench on the outside rim of the park. "Don't be gone for long." Fox stepped away.
Wolf passed into the archway, progressed down the lit walkway, and made it to the center of the park. He stopped in front of the statue with ground lights around it. He stared up at it, brooding on his thoughts before he spoke.
"I don't know if there's an afterlife, but if there is...I'm sorry." The side of his lip frowned.
"I hope that you could forgive me." Wolf sighed. "I never meant for it to happen." He gulped down saliva through his searing throat. "I know I fucked up, I really did. But..." His shoulders slumped. "I had to do it."
...DIdn't I?
Wolf sidelong glanced at Fox, his back faced Wolf. He stared back at the statue.
His idle finger twitched while his gut knotted. "What I'm trying to s-"
Pigma's voice carried behind him, "You're guilty."
Wolf halfway pivoted around to the left to see the wretch. The grin on his face made Wolf's fur stand up. His eyes widen and mouth went agape as he stared at Pigma a few steps away.
"Don't look so grim." Pigma wiped his lips with his dangly wavering hand. "You know it's true, huh pup?" He grinned. "Trying to lick your wounds."
"Where the fu-"
"Don't waste your breath, I'm not listening, shit head." Pigma stepped beside Wolf, staring up at the statue. "But you are."
Wolf refaced the statue. His head throbbed as his breaths became labored and sweat welled on his forehead.
"Do you feel sorry for putting him in the grave?"
Wolf's ear flicked.
"I know you don't, you liar."
He clenched his sheathed teeth, seething ire ran through his fist.
"I know you, pup." Pigma snorted. "You lie through your teeth." His grin became a smile. "Do anything to get what you want." His sad, sagging eyes lit up. "Backstab the people you swore to protect." The piece of shit nodded. "I'm proud of you." He patted Wolf's back. "Brings a tear to my eye."
Wolf stayed silent, his breaths hasten as his brows furrowed and he bared his fangs.
"Always liked how you put on a show." Pigma crossed his arms. "You never answered me..."
"What was it like to fight him?"
"Killing him with your own hands?"
"To watch him di-"
"I hated it." Wolf's upper lip twitched.
A staggering crooked grin went along Wolf's muzzle and his heart pounded from the empowering rush as a cruel laugh escaped his muzzle before he ceased it with his wavering hand.
Pigma whistled. "Like usual." He shook his head. "Can't lie worth a shit." He chuckled. "Wont't be long with that pretty girl."
Wolf splayed his right hand's claws. He skids his boot along the floor and lowered his position, cocking his arm back before pivoting to rip the fucker's throat out.
His hand struck through him, tearing into tendrils of dark clouds.
Straitening himself, Wolf set his cupped hand on his raised tense wrist and popped his fingers as he curled them. His ears slanted while he lowered his head from Leon's voice.
"Bit of a crude manner, sire."
Of course.
Wolf peeked over his shoulder at Leon; those lifeless beady eyes, searching for an opening; upright posture and crossed arms behind his back, always hiding something; and the damn chilling voice, Wolf shuddered.
"You know better." Leon leaned his head back.
Wolf's eye trailed away. "Going to guilt me too?"
Leon shook his head for a second. "No."
Wolf eased his shoulders and set his hands beside his waist. Pitting guilt contorted his gut. "Even for what I did?"
"Still hung up, hm?" Leon shut his eyes.
"...Can't forget..."
Leon opened his eyes. "It's going to ruin your date, sire." He leaned his head to the side. "Should leave the past in the past." He set his arm beside him and placed the other across his chest as he bowed. He glimpsed at Fox. "And no matter your choices..."
"I will always follow your orders."
Wish you didn't.
Wolf gave him a weak salute and extended his limp arm out as he crashed it against his waist before he faced away. "Thanks."
Leon lifted himself upright. "May I speak of the fox?" He received a shrug. "Is this who you desire?"
Wolf raised his head skyward, he peered into the starry night. "Yeah."
"Devoid of doubt?"
"Yeah."
Wolf's heart burned with passion and stomach fluttered.
"No regrets?"
"Nope."
Leon sighed. "Lord O'Donnell."
Wolf lowered his head and shut his eye as a grin went along his muzzle. "Told you to not call me that."
"Formalities, sir. But please. Be careful with this...fox."
A breathy laugh escaped Wolf's crooked lip. "Never could drop the servitu-."
"Wolf, hey Wolf! Come on! It's late," Fox yelled out.
Snapping out of his ruminate trance, Wolf blinked from the hazy dream. He stared up at the statue with heavy eyes and idle body. Right, yeah. He set his hand on his dewed forehead as he shook his head. He spoke under his breath, "Losing my mind."
"You okay?"
Wolf waved at him with a lax hand before he made his way out of the park and headed towards Fox.
He kept his head low as he stopped in front of Fox. Wolf raised it to met his eyes but froze when his encountered with dark shades.
His heart skipped a beat. Hands chilled from crippling fear. Wolf's mind rived from James' voice.
"Are you okay? You — — — — " James' brows parted.
Wolf's wide eye wavered, searing from welled tears.
"Hey, — — — — — — — — Wolf?"
James' hand wrapped around Wolf's sweaty, curled one. He gave him a firm squeeze.
Wolf stared with his mouth half agape. His lower lip wavered. James... His feet chilled. His body locked and languished. He gasps air into his constraining lungs. His stomach contorted and churn.
"Wolf, hey Wolf, do you hear me?" The delusion of James faded to Fox. His eyes as blue as skies turned to the dull green.
His hand became pulled up by their chest and between them as Fox clutched it with both hands. Wolf blinked while he eased himself with each laden breath. "Guess..." He faux a smirk while he leaned his head to the side. "Sleep is getting to me."
"Is it?" Fox's pointed ears and parted brows lowered before he let go of Wolf's hand.
"Yeah..."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me, it is." Wolf rubbed his eye and yawned. "See? Just tired." He crashed his hand by his waist.
"It's strange." Fox's eyes slanted as his head wilted.
"Tchah, not this shit." Wolf shrugged. "I'm just tired."
"I believe you."
"Yeah."
The two kept silent, unable to look into each others eyes.
"We going?" Wolf faced away to the side.
Fox nodded. "If we hold hands."
Wolf responded with a sharp tone, "Sure."
Extending his hand towards Wolf's, Fox wrapped his fingers around his, but Wolf kept his loose. Fox stared up at him, the pleading eyes meant nothing.
His body didn't feel warm.
His heart didn't dance.
His lips didn't smile.
It all felt...
Empty.
"You're not telling me something." Fox's hand around his tighten. "You can't do this." Fox stepped beside Wolf.
Wolf shrugged and shook his head. "What?" He raised a brow as he faced Fox.
"You're keeping stuff from me."
"It's..." Wolf gulped down his regret. "Just a lack of sleep."
"Please." Fox pressed his shoulder against Wolf's. "Tell me."
"If I get sleep I'll be fine, trust me." Wolf brushed Fox's crest of fur between his ears. "Or if you...want." His cheeks burned and wavered from his smile. "We could you know."
"Is that all you want?"
Wolf flinched back, his fur shot up, and his chest constrained. "N-no..." He grasped Fox's clutching hand. "What I want is Ja-" He caught his laden words in his burning throat. "—You."
Shit, shit, shit! Wolf's skin pricked and tensed.
Fox stared at Wolf. The pain in his eye glisten and wavered. Fox's ears pinned back but he shut his eyes and sighed. "Okay, I believe you."
Wolf blinked, his mind jumbled as it became harder to focus on his thoughts. His face scrunched up and lips jutted before he recuperated. "R-really?
Fox's voice became weak, "Yeah."
A pitting feeling of doubt tugged at the back of Wolf's stomach. "So, ugh...your place?" He rubbed the back of his neck with his wavering hand. Come on, ease up.
"Yeah..." Fox tugged on Wolf's hand, nudging him forward before stepping onward with him.
They strolled through the dead silence of the vacant city. Neither said a word to one another and listened to the hums of the lights and the swooshing sounds of passing cars.
Fox kept himself a few inches away from Wolf. Their hands tethered by two fingers.
Fucking up already.
"...Fox..." Wolf stepped closer to Fox. His eye kept on the sidewalk.
"What?"
"...Nevermind." Wolf shook his head.
"No, what is it?"
"Nothing."
Fox's voice sharpen, "What is it?"
Wolf shrugged, fingers slipping away from Fox's.
"Keeping it vague like always."
"Y'know I love you." Wolf's heart chilled.
"Why do you lie then?" Fox snatched Wolf's hand before he stopped, his extended arm jerked Wolf and caused him to stop. "Why can't you trust me?"
"I... d-"
"No lies." Fox's hand squeezed Wolf's.
"I'm not." Wolf pivoted around and pulled Fox into his chest, but Fox kept him away with a hand on Wolf's beating chest. His brows parted and mouth hung half open.
Those damn narrowed eyes sent chills through Wolf's body.
"Please stop lying." Fox's ears pinned back as the hand on Wolf's chest clutched a clump of his shirt.
Wolf's shoulders, head, and ears drooped. "Sorry."
"Are you?"
Wolf's mouth moved, but no words came. He shut his eye and sighed. "You want to know why?" He received a nod from Fox. "I..have to keep you safe."
Fox's head jerked back, his brows parted as he blinked before he narrowed his eyes. "What?" He shook his head. "I don't need help."
"...It's...from." Wolf open his eye, it trailed away as his breathes became shallow.
"From?"
"Myself..."
Fox's eyes narrowed as his mouth hung. He tilted his head to the side and shook it. "That's silly." His smile made Wolf jerk back. "You're still hung up about that?"
"A-about what?" Wolf slumped over. Is he not taking this seriously?
"About the past." Fox's chest nuzzled against Wolf's, he caused Wolf to flinch back and tense up as he extended his arms out. "Want to talk about it?"
"Huh?" Sweat trickled along Wolf's twitching, furrowed brows. Fox's body heat eased the pain.
"Would you?" Fox wrapped his arms around Wolf and pulled him in to snuggle.
"W-we already have." Wolf pinned his ears back and clenched his wavering teeth. He gulped as he faced away.
"There's more." Fox trailed his wet, cold nose up Wolf's neck and through his fur, making grooves in it. He stopped by Wolf's cheek and pressed his lips against it.
"W-what?" Wolf faux a cough.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"No."
A smile went along Fox's muzzle, it dimpled his cheeks. "Good." He hummed. "Is it... about our teams?"
Wolf repressed a faint smile. "Sort of?" he bobbed his head to the side.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Fox nudged Wolf's muzzle towards his. They met an inch away. "If that's okay."
"Another time." Wolf ran his claws through the back of Fox's ear. "For now, I need rest." His gaze kept away from Fox.
Fox sighed. Morning?"
"Yeah..." Wolf raised and dropped his brows.
"Don't shrug it off." Fox narrowed his eyes.
Wolf ruffled Fox's head fur. "Tchah, I got it, pup." He stopped. "Now let's go..." He smirked. "To your place."
"Are we sleeping or..." Fox winked. "Doing the nasty."
Damn, won't drop it.
"Living that stereotype."
"I'm suggesting not demanding." Fox's eyes locked with Wolf's.
Soothing warmth returned as Wolf's body eased. "What's the difference?"
"For starters, I'm not a slut." Fox's lips met with Wolfs for a brief moment. "And, I'm not forcing you." He gave Wolf's chest a light pat. "So, what would you like?"
"Hmm." Wolf pondered for seconds, letting it slip by. "I think...I'll go with..." He paused; His beating heart fluttered, making his tighten chest light; mind fogged, each tantalizing lewd thought made his cheeks burn; and his body yearned to feel closer to Fox, begging to be exposed to him.
A wavering grin went along Wolf's muzzle. His body quivered from Fox's warmth.
Caressing and coddling all around his body.
Melting and mending his misery.
And shutting out the scorn.
"I want to be with you," Wolf said.
Wolf's ears twitched when Fox leaned in to whisper.
"I want to be with you too." Fox paused. "I love you."