I've learned something about suddenly adding four new characters, it tends to quadruple the amount of writing you have to do as well. At almost over twice the size of the other two chapter combined I seriously considered breaking this one into two, but ultimately decided, content wise, it was best kept as one. That said I hope everyone enjoys and doesn't mind the length.
Fox banked his Arwing hard to right, his greens eyes locked on the evasive target. The Arwing before him pitched and rolled staying just out of his targeting lock. Fox squeezed the firing trigger just as his targeting HUD blipped and turned green, but the combatant fighter just as quickly bounced out of his target range, only a few green bolts grazed seemingly harmlessly off its shields.
Falco's crackled over his com, "Hey Fox, what do you say we put these kids to bed? I'm dying for a drink or ten at O'Malley's."
Fox squeezed the trigger again sending another flurry of green energy bolts at his adversary, this time he failed to even score a glancing hit. "I roger that." Fox said, his voice clearly agitated.
"Now now, that green kid isn't giving you any trouble is he Fox?" Falco mocked.
"Oh, no no I'm just having a little fun with him." The tension in Fox's voice suggested otherwise.
"You know its going to be a sad day when the great Fox McClou…SHIT!" Falco's com went silent.
Fox glanced at his HUD, Falco's ship was still flying strong, he'd just taken a hit. 'At least I'm not the only one having trouble with these guys. Still, I can't have some kid fresh out of the academy leading me around like some leashed pet.' Fox let off another spray of fire, scoring a few insignificant hits. He afforded himself another look at his teammates' status; Krystal wasn't fairing any better than himself or Falco, just trading potshots with her counterpart. Fox's eyes shifted to Slippy's data, he wasn't faring well, his shields were almost depleted and his ship had sustained some damages. A flare from his target's engines jerked Fox's full attention back to his own fight. The combatant ship accelerated forward in a burst and suddenly pulled up into a tight half loop. Warning lights and sounds filled his cockpit as the combatant ship was now headed straight towards him, its lasers flaring. Fox ignored warnings and instinctively clamped down on his own trigger while sending his ship into a roll. His ship screamed with warnings as several hits registered against his shields and the combatant ship continued jetting straight towards him. Fox yanked on his flight stick, hard, moments before colliding with the other ship, he noticed the combatant had pulled off his collision trajectory as well. At the same time Fox braked hard and sent his Arwing into tight U-turn, he grimaced as the inertial forces pressed at his body and shuddered his craft. 'If he thinks he can pull that shit and not get some pay back he's dead wrong. Dead.' Fox hit his thrusters and caught sight of the combatant ship, but it had already resumed its evasive flight.
Slippy's voice broke over the com, "Fox, I'm in trouble!"
"Alpha niner." Fox responded tersely.
"Roger." Slippy replied
Fox spat a few useless shot's at his target while he waited, suddenly Slippy's ship passed through Fox's targets and he squeezed his trigger, green energy bolts lanced out and slammed into the side of the Arwing closely pursuing Slippy.
Fox's HUD relayed he'd scored major damage just as Slippy's voice came over the com, "Thanks Fox I can handle it from here."
Fox didn't even bother to answer, he knew his counterpart was coming in for the kill and he only had seconds to react. Fox, cut his thrust and rolled his ship to face the opposite direction while the inertia kept him on his original trajectory. He didn't even need to wait for his targeting HUD to turn green he knew where the combatant ship would be and sent bolts of energy out to meet it. Bolt after bolt scored a hit until finally his HUD indicated the target had been destroyed. Fox breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at his tactical display as he throttled up his thrust again. Slippy was finishing off his target, after Fox had hit it the ship wasn't much more than a sitting duck.
"Fox, I'm going to assist Krystal after I finish up here." Slippy's voice said.
"Roger that." Krystal still hadn't made much progress against her target and Falco had only succeeded in draining the shields of his.
"Hey there hot shot, need some help with your mark?" Fox's voice mocked.
Falco grimaced, "What, you mean from some halfwit fox that almost got his hot little sugar-tailed butt blown out of his Arwing? No thanks, I think I'll be better off without it."
"That green kid looks like he's giving you some trouble." Fox said smugly.
"I'm just having a littler fun." Falco replied, a smile on his beak. Falco's target blinked out of his sight again. "Dammit." Falco cursed. He glanced at his tactical HUD to see a blip where his mark should be and fired a few shots in that direction. He saw a reflection of the energy bolts shimmer off and object and quickly adjusted his targets to aim at the object and fired, a few bolts registered hits, but most shot harmlessly off into the star filled blackness of space. Still he tracked the object as it evaded his attack, sharp eyes picking out the slightest shimmer of light or distorted shape of the starry field before him. "Fucking little prick." Falco yelled to nobody but himself. Whatever his target's ship was made of it was damned hard to see, and his sensors seemed to have trouble picking it up as well. Suddenly the overwhelmingly bright glow of a sun came into view; the glass in Falco's cockpit adjusted its opacity. His mark disappeared again in a bright flash "Fuck, fuck, the little cotton tailed bastard is doing it again. Who's fucking bright idea was it to put a sun in this damned sim anyways?" Falco shouted, again to nobody but himself. 'Alright, you've played this trick one too many times you little trick.' Falco adjusted his aim and was rewarded with his targeting HUD turning green, he depressed his trigger and muttered, "See told you it wouldn't work again."
Fox stepped out of his simulator and saw Peppy smiling, he looked to his left and saw Falco, Krystal and Slippy stepping out of their Arwing simulators and to his right Calvin, Robert, Crass and Elsie emerged from their simulators.
"Well done, everyone. That's exactly what I expected from everyone." Peppy said beaming. "If we have a few more sessions like I think you'll be giving Star Fox a run for its money. Captain Cheshire, your team did a damned commendable job.
The Captain and his team saluted the General upon his praise. "We're honored by your kind words sir, but ah must disagree." Calvin said.
Peppy raised an eyebrow "Oh?"
"Ya see, in a couple more sessions we won't be given 'em a run for the money, we'll be wipin the floor with 'em." The stripped tabby said, a lopsided grin plastered on his face. Everyone laughed at Calvin's brazen claim, but his hint of seriousness didn't go ignored by Fox.
"I don't think I saw anything from you that wasn't out of some academy flight maneuvering manual." Fox proclaimed as a challenge.
"Hmm, true." Calvin rubbed his muzzle with his left hand casually, "But… ah did see some very interestin stuff from you." He centered a mischievous grin on Fox.
Fox was annoyed but wasn't going to show it to the feline "Well if you've got anything better than what I saw maybe, next time, you should use it instead of letting me scrap you and your wing-mate within a few seconds of each other."
Peppy was clearly pleased to see the seeds of rivalry forming "Well now, I suppose we will just have to see next time now won't we."
"I reckon we will." Captain Cheshire said, his teeth glinting.
"You're all dismissed till the next session, get some R&R," Peppy said, waving a hand at them. A collective sigh of relief escaped from everyone.
Fox lightly punched Falco in the arm, "Hey, you still up for O'Malley's?"
"Hell yeah, forget ten, I'm feeling more like I'm going to need twenty today," Falco said enthusiastically.
"I hear you buddy, oh, and I seem to remember making a little bet, where whoever got the first kill got all his drinks paid for." Fox said slyly slinging his arm over Falco's shoulder.
"I was hoping you had forgotten about that?" Falco said.
Fox tightened his grip on the avian and pulled him closer in a friendly manner, "Oh come on don't tell me you're going to go back our that bet?"
"If you keep holding me like that I'll buy you whatever you want," said Falco seductively.
Fox pulled his arm from around Falco, "Just the beer will do."
"Aww, you're no fun." Falco joked.
Krystal piped in "Hey I got my kill before you as well. Guess you'll be picking up my tab as well."
"What you aren't going to give everyone in the bar lap dance's for drinks like you usually do," Falco quipped.
"Gawd!" Krystal exclaimed.
Just across the room from Star Fox, Captain Cheshire and his team conversed. Calvin ran one of his fingers over a patch on his flight suit; it read 'Space Guardian'. "Hmm, I'm still not to up on this name."
Lieutenant Tours looked over at the tabby, one of his long ears situated on Calvin the other oriented towards Star Fox. "Relax, remember what General Peppy said, it's not the name it's the people, or something like that," Robert said oddly gleeful.
"Lucky, what're you so happy bout?" Calvin asked.
"Nothing, hey we should go out and get some drinks!"
Elsie chimed in, "A cold beer sounds pretty good right now, but where? I don't know of anyplace in this part of Corneria."
"Oh, I heard O'Malley's." Robert said.
Calvin laughed and smiled. "You even know where it is?"
"Well, no…, but I'm sure we can find out," Lucky said hopefully.
"Well gee maybe you can go over and ask Falco how to get there, or heck we could just follow them." The otter said sarcastically as she tugged at her blond hair pulling out the knots produced by her flight helmet.
"Oh? They going too? Have you heard something?"
Crass spoke up, "No, but it's obvious you have." Crass playfully flicked at Lucky's ear which was still cocked towards the Star Fox team.
"Whaaaattt?" Lucky said innocently.
"What do you mean what? I don't think we should follow them uninvited to some bar. We may have been beat today, but we've still got some pride." Crass tried to explain to Lucky. Robert just looked up at the big monitor lizard trying to look as hurt and sadden as possible. "Oh come on. Don't give me that look. Calvin help me out here."
"Lucky, Crass is right, we can't be runnin off after them like some infatuated little love bunny," Calvin teased.
Robert blushed, "You know if you two weren't so hot yourselves I wouldn't be putting up with is." The rest of the Space Guardians laughed
Lucky's ear perked up and a few seconds later Fox shouted to the group, "Hey we're going down to a bar called O'Malley's after we get cleaned up. Why don't you guys meet us there?"
Calvin called back, "We were just thinkin a drink would be good about now. We'd be glad to. Meet ya'll there." Lieutenant Tours looked as though he was going to float off the floor. "Well now, that certainly made your day." Calvin remarked.
"I don't know why you bother, he's not likely to be gay," Crass said to Lucky.
"I've got a feeling about him…for real this time," Lucky said
"Well you aren't going to feel anything unless we get going," Calvin said tousling the hair on the white rabbit's head.
"You're just jealous I'm not crushing over you? Don't worry you're still my favorite." Lucky said jokingly.
Calvin laughed. "You caught me."
Crass feigned hurt "I thought I was your favorite."
Lucky put a finger to his lips "Sssh, not in front of Calvin." The group laughed.
Fox wrapped his arm around Krystal's waist as they walked out of the simulator room, "There I invited them, you happy?"
"Oh come on, you might actually have fun." Krystal giggled.
Falco wrapped his arm around Fox's waist, "Yeah silly boots you might have fun. TeeHee."
"Gawd!"
The four Space Guardians walked into O'Malley's, Elsie looked around evaluating the place, "You know, this place isn't half bad, floors and tables relatively clean, good ventilation, not so loud you can't hear yourself think. Certainly a step up from the dive we used to frequent."
"Yeah, maybe you won't have to put a punch of napkins on your seat before you actually sit down this time," Lucky mocked.
"Oh come on I did that once," Elsie said defensively.
"You know, for someone who doesn't mind being covered in engine grease and hydraulic fluid you sure are a stickler when it comes to dirt," Lucky said, clearly just aiming to tease Elsie.
The otter crossed her arms, "First of all, engine grease and hydraulic fluid are sterile, and secondly if it had been just a little dirt instead of the remnants of cleaned up vomit I wouldn't have minded so much."
"There they are," Crass pointed across the room to a large circular booth where Falco and Slippy were seated. Slippy had spotted them as well and was fervently flagging them over.
"Shouldn't keep 'em waitin I suppose." Calvin motioned everyone towards the booth. The four arrived at the booth, Robert quickly slid in next to Falco and Elsie casually slid in next to Slippy. "Where's the rest of ya'll?" Calvin queried as he sat next to Elsie, Crass sitting next to him.
"Fox and Krystal haven't arrived yet," Slippy offered.
"Yeah, it takes Krystal awhile to achieve her maximum slut level," Quipped Falco. The four new comers laughed nervously, Slippy didn't even bother to react.
Slippy spoke up, "That was one hell of a simulation today, you guys did great." The four murmured their appreciation of the praise. "Elsie, you're a great pilot, you would have had me if it hadn't been for Fox." Slippy chirped.
Elsie, laughed, "Yeah you got lucky Fox was there."
"I thought he was Lucky," Falco said motioning a thumb towards the rabbit next to him.
Robert laughed lightly and Slippy ignored Falco's attempted joke, "It wasn't luck," Slippy said. "See you're like me, your ship is equipped with the best sensor equipment, your job is to stay alive and be able to provide valuable information to your teammates. If you're too caught up in a dogfight or worse been shot down, your team has lost a valuable edge against the enemy. Ability to dogfight isn't what makes you valuable, your ability to provide your team with superior tactical information is. So you have to stay alive, and rely on you're team to help you out with difficult targets," Slippy explained.
"Oh so you do that on purpose? And here I thought you were just an incompetent pilot," Falco cracked. Slippy ignored it.
"That actually makes sense," commented Calvin.
"Oh great, you're telling them all our secrets, way to go Slip," Falco joked.
"You know, we're supposed to be teaching them, not competing with them," Slippy said flatly.
Falco nudged the toad with his elbow good naturedly "I'm kidding, lighten up, have another beer." Falco motioned to a vulpine behind the bar who in turn pointed a waitress towards their table.
The short skirted and large-chested canine waitress walked up to their table, "What will you have guys?"
"Well that depends now, what's on tap darling?" Calvin asked, smiling as big as ever.
The waitress giggled. "Alright handsome, we've got Blue Hills, Shabby's Lager, Olde Fortuna, and Olde Fortuna lite."
"Oh, Shabby's for me," Calvin said enthusiastically.
The waitress winked at the grinning tabby "Good choice, one of my favorite. And for you big guy?" the waitress said looking at Crass.
"Shabby's sounds good to me," Crass said.
"I'll have that too," Elsie piped in.
Calvin looked at the other two, "Ya'll just wanna share a pitcher?" The other two nodded in agreement.
"Okay great, one pitcher of Shabby's then," The waitress chirped. "Another of the same for you Slip?" The toad nodded and handed the waitress his empty glass. "What about you cutie?" the waitress asked Robert.
"Oh I don't know, what's good?" The rabbit looked up at Falco.
The avian held up a bottle labeled Red Tick Ale, "Bad name, great taste."
"Oh, sounds good, I'll have one too," Lucky beamed at Falco, almost completely ignoring the waitress.
"Okay, and another for you as well Falco sweety?" the canine asked.
"Oh I see how it is, you think you can hit on all the other guys and come to me with , Falco sweety huh?" Falco teased the waitress.
"I was only saving the best for last sugar," the waitress said with a wink and a giggle.
Falco laughed, "Oh I can't stay mad at those big boobies." The waitress giggled and left to fill their order.
Elsie stared at Falco. "And I thought they were bad," she said referring to Calvin and Crass.
"Oh so you're one of those types of girls, don't worry hot lips, Cassie knows I'm just playing with her." Falco grinned mischievously.
"Hot lips?" Elsie repeated menacingly. Calvin, Crass and Lucky had a look of alarm plastered on their faces.
Slippy spoke up, "Just ignore him, the only thing stupider than he is, is what comes out of his mouth."
"Oh way to back up your team," Falco said feigning betrayal. Noticing the otter still carried a menacing look, "Really though, I'm just joking, I'm never serious about the stuff I say." Falco added, "Except about Krystal being a slut." Falco pointed towards the door where Fox and Krystal had just walked in. The blue vixen was wearing an overly short black leather mini skirt that barely covered her when she was standing up, gold colored strapped high heels, and a golden colored tube top that barely, and only, covered her breasts. The couple walked over to the bar and talked to the fox tending it.
Elsie glanced back at Falco and quipped, "Okay I'll give you that one." Everyone at the table broke out laughing. Fox and Krystal had finished ordering at the bar and walked over to the booth.
"Glad to see everyone getting along," Krystal commented.
"Wow, you look hot tonight!" Falco said.
"Why thank you Falco!" Krystal replied.
Falco grinned. "I was talking about Fox."
Krystal shot back, "And I see you're as gay as normal." Elsie, Crass and Calvin shifted their eyes to Lucky who fidgeted and swallowed nervously. Fox started to slide in next to Lucky, but Krystal grabbed him and pointed to a small space next to Crass. "I want to sit here." She said.
"But there's no room there," Fox countered.
"I don't want to face that way," Krystal said referring to the other seat.
"That maybe, but there's still no room," Fox countered again.
The vixen sat down, giving everyone in the bar a brief unfettered view up her skirt, and pushed into the side of Crass. "I'm sure everyone will scoot down for us." Crass looked uncomfortably at everyone else pleading with his eyes. Everyone complied with the blue fox's whims and shifted down the C shaped booth. Krystal shifted as well again pressing against the monitor lizard. "There we go honey, see plenty of room," Krystal said.
Fox sighed, "Okay okay." And sat down.
Crass shifted uncomfortably with the vixen pressing so close. He pushed into Calvin who gave him a knowing grin and tried to make a little more room for the big lizard.
"Oh Fox honey, here let me give you some more room." Krystal said.
"I'm fine." Fox replied.
The blue vixen pressed against Crass again, "There now you have enough room." Fox didn't bother to move. Crass resigned himself to his fate and uncomfortably watched one of the sports displays.
The waitress arrived with everyone's drinks. She placed a fruity umbrella'd cocktail in front of Krystal along with a basket of chips. Krystal looked at the white rabbit, "Robert, or should I call you Lucky? Lucky can you hand me the salt shaker?" she requested. Lucky grabbed the shaker in his right fist and passed it to Krystal, when he opened his fist the shaker was gone. Krystal stared at his empty hand perplexed, "Where'd it go?" she asked confused. Lucky flamboyantly produced the shaker in his left hand, a move that showered Falco with salt. Krystal clapped excitedly, "Oh you do magic." The rest of Star Fox looked mildly amused.
"I think you need to work on your act, or was salting me part of it?" Falco joked.
Lucky noticing his mishap quickly set to brushing the salt off Falco. "Oh, I'm so sorry."
"It's fine it's fine. You know normally I only let Fox feel me up like this," Falco said.
Lucky's heart skipped a beat as he froze suddenly aware of what he was doing. "Oh, oh I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…" he blushed.
Falco just laughed. "Hey, it's okay, everyone likes to get felt up every once in awhile."
Robert who had stopped brushing the slat off Falco nervously joked, "Oh, what can I say, I just can't keep my hands off a good looking guy." Everyone laughed and took a sip of their drinks.
Falco casually said, "You're like a walking stereotype. Isn't that something your people hate?"
Lucky felt a knot in his throat and managed to squeak out, "W-what?"
"You know the whole magic thing, any rabbit I've ever meet has always hated when it was assumed they knew a trick or two," Falco explained.
The tension instantly broke off Lucky "Oh, yeah." He laughed. "Yeah, well normally yes, but my parents really did run a magic show. I used to help out, and naturally picked up on the trade."
"That explains your smoke and mirrors style of fighting," Falco commented.
"Yeah, I find misdirection an essential skill in dog fighting and magic," Lucky explained.
Cassie the waitress came by with another pitcher, "Wow you guys are fast."
"We've barely had any," Elsie said referring to herself and Crass. "He, however has been sucking it down." She jerked a thumb towards Calvin who was wearing a big grin.
"What can ah I say, I love my beer," he smirked.
"Oh think you can drink like the big kids?" Fox said.
"Fox stop it," Krystal said.
Calvin Laughed. "Well I've been known to put a few away."
Fox snapped his fingers and whistled at the waitress who had just started to walk away. "Cassie, forget my beer bring me bring me a bottle of Wild Cornerian and two glasses."
"Fox no!" Krystal said tersely.
Calvin grinned, "Oh really that's not necessary."
"What you can't handle a little whiskey?" Fox said chidingly.
"Oh it ain't that, I love me some whiskey too, I just don't wanna run up your bill." Calvin explained.
"Oh it's fine, Falco's paying for my drinks thanks to a little bet we had going," Fox said, determined to not let Calvin shy away from his challenge.
"Well then, if that's the case thing bring it on." Calvin's grin seemed to grow.
"Fox, Gawd!" Krystal exclaimed.
"Okay, Wild Cornerian it is," the canine chirped and walked off.
Dismayed Falco looked in his wallet, "I guess if Fox is going to run up my bill, I had better make this my last," he said referring to his half empty bottle.
Lucky smiled shyly and joked, "Crass, Calvin I seem to remember us having a little bet of our own and seeing as I was the last one to get shot down, the two of you owe me something."
Calvin winked at the rabbit, "Later tonight buddy."
"I don't remember any such bet being made," Crass said while laughing.
"Oh come on, you've never complained about a little lucky love before," the rabbit joked.
"Hard to complain when you've a gag in yer mouth," Calvin quipped, bringing roaring laughter to the table.
"Maybe that's why Fox has never complained about me before," Falco said bringing another round of laughter from the table.
Krystal whispered in Fox's ear, "Gawd, Lucky is as gay as Falco." Lucky's ear twitched and his heart skipped another beat.
"You see Krystal, that's why Fox likes me better, you whisper sweet nothings in his ear, but I give the sweet loving," Falco said derisively.
"You get rid of that rash yet Falco?" the vixen mocked back.
"If I ever got something it's cause you rub that exposed cunt of yours on everything I touch," Falco replied not missing a beat.
"Gawd! You're sick," Krystal replied
"Okay here are your drinks," Cassie the waitress said, setting a full bottle of whiskey and two glasses in front of Fox and walking off.
Fox quickly unscrewed the cap and poured two glasses, shoving one in front of Calvin.
"You're really going to do this aren't you?" Krystal asked Fox. "It's a good thing you're hotter than you are smart." The vixen pressed her muzzle against Fox's, and the two kissed passionately. Everyone else shifted uncomfortably, expect Crass who was already uncomfortable. After a minute the vixen pulled away, and wiped her lips gingerly. "There, had to get in a good one before you got too drunk to give anything but sloppy ones," Krystal said.
"Hey, I want one of those too," Falco said leaning across the table, suddenly stopping half way. "On second thought I like 'em drunk and sloppy, so I'll wait."
"So Calv, you want a good luck kiss too?" Lucky said with a wink.
"Oh I would but I'm over here and you're all the way over there," Calvin replied.
"Fate does seem to have torn us apart again," Lucky laughed.
Calvin shifted his gaze to the otter next to him. "Elsie, you on the other hand…"
"Don't even finish the sentence flyboy," she retorted with a smile.
"Don't even ask flyboy," Crass commented, still watching the slam ball game on one of the bars many hanging displays.
Calvin chuckled, "Well I'm just gonna have to get through this one on mah own tenacity." He licked his hand and quickly smoothed the hair on his head with it, then in one motion picked up the glasses drained it of its contents and slammed it down on the table. Fox quickly followed suit and refilled both glasses, both downing the smoky brown liquid.
An hour and several glasses later Calvin drained the last of the bottles contents into his glass and slowly sipped on it. He clinked the empty bottle against the table. "Well ah reckon ah won that one," Calvin said with a slight slur.
"Fox was slumped over on the table, his eyes barely open. "You gots hal-low legsh or schomething?" Fox said having trouble forming his words.
Calvin grinned massively. "Ah reckon I do."
"Ah reckon, ah reckon, think yer sooo, cute with, with that asscent, sittin there smiling like shome guy wh, who smilesh." Fox closed his eyes, and Krystal rubbed the white crest of fur on his head.
"Hey Fox." Falco chirped.
"Wha?" The drunken vulpine responded.
"About that drunken kiss…" Falco snickered.
"Ah..ffuck, yoo," Fox managed to reply.
"See even dead wasted he doesn't want you Falco," Krystal said with a sting in her voice.
"Fox always has been a sucker for the whores when he's drunk, I guess that's why he likes you," Falco retorted.
"Gawd, Fox you hear that?" Krystal demanded. Fox said nothing nor made any move to even indicate he was aware of what was going on. Krystal sighed, "I wish he weren't so cute when he's drunk." She went on playing with the crest of fur on his head.
"Calvin, I've got to admit, I've never seen anyone hold their liquor like that. You don't even seem that drunk. You have some kind of trick or something?' Falco asked.
"Nah, oh ah feel it, believe me. Gonna be hell ta pay tomorra. I was just born an raised in a southern port town of Titania. Whiskey, an drinkin in general's a national past time there. Ya learn ta handle it," Calvin replied.
"Ccheaatin bashtard," Fox mumbled. Everyone laughed.
Krystal stopped playing with the fur on Fox's head and turned to look up at Crass. "You must really like slam ball, you've had your eyes glued to that screen since I got here."
"Um yeah," Crass said.
"I bet you could play, you're so big and strong." Krystal poked at one of Crass's muscular arms.
"He did play fer a season," Cavlin offered. Crass shot him a look like daggers.
"Ooo, why'd you stop, I bet you were great?" the blue fox asked.
"Oh, I uh wanted to focus on my flying." Crass shifted, obviously uncomfortable with the vixen's attention on him.
"That's a shame, I bet you could have gone pro. I mean your arms are bigger than most of the pro players." Krystal pawed at one of the lizard's arms. "You're muscles are so tense, want me to massage them for you? I'm great at it."
"Uh…" was all the escaped from Crass.
"You know, not everyone wants your slutty paws all over them," Falco said.
"And nobody wants you touching them at all," Krystal replied.
"What are you talking about I touch Fox all the time," Falco said.
"He only puts up with you because you've known him so long," Krystal said spitefully.
Falco smiled at her. "You're just jealous he likes me more than you."
"Pahlease, as if. Maybe if you ever stopped your pathetic little act someone might actually like you," Krystal said, venom rising in her voice. At this point everyone but Fox, who was still slumped on the table, eyes closed, was watching the exchange.
"Hah," Falco retorted. "You accusing me of grabbing for attention? I think the only person in this bar who hasn't had at least one peek at your vagina is that blind ferret that's normally in the corner, and by gods you've probably given him a feel just so he knows it's there. I may joke, but at least I don't look like I work in the red-light district."
"You'd know exactly what that looks like wouldn't you? Not everything is about sex you know. He looked tense and I was just offering to help you little pervert." Krystal set about working her hands into the muscular reptile's back.
Falco looked over Lucky. "Oh, gee you look tense, teehee, here let me rub myself all over you." Falco started randomly rubbing his hands over Lucky's body, trying his best to mock the blue vixen.
Rapture exploded through Lucky's body as the blue Avian's feathered hands rubbed against him. He closed his eyes, bliss flowing through him and snuggled into Falco's side.
Falco stopped abruptly. "Whoa, whoa!" He pushed the rabbit off. "What are you gay? I don't swing like that."
Lucky's bliss had instantly turned to fear and embarrassment as ice crystals seemingly slowed through is veins. "I, I…' he stammered.
"You too horny to see what a joke is? This bird ain't no faggot." Falco thrust a finger at his chest.
"I'm…I'm…" Lucky choked.
Falco continued, "Your friends might not mind you getting your cheap thrills rubbing on them but…"
"Falco shut the hell up." Krystal screamed. The other bar patrons turned to look at their table. Everyone at the table was silent for a moment. When everyone else stopped looking Krystal said quietly to Falco, "Maybe if you didn't act like such a raging homo yourself he wouldn't have made the mistake."
"Oh come on, everyone knows I'm just joking," Falco said flippantly.
"I'm…" The words barely slipping from Lucky's mouth.
Slippy spoke up this time, "Falco he hasn't known you as long as we have. It's easy to misinterpret your actions."
"I'm sorry." Lucky finally managed to get out.
"Well, he knows now. This bird is off limits to the guys," Falco said not hearing Lucky's apology.
"I shouldn't have I mean, assumed, I just, I'm sorry." The rabbit stammered.
Acknowledging the rabbit this time, "Whatever, you know now, it's cool."
The table was silent till the waitress came to check on them. "Anything I can get anyone?" her cheerfulness in stark contrast to the gloom that had set over the table.
"I guess I'll have another Cool Breeze Fru-Fru," Krystal said to the waitress.
"And my friend here will have one of those Fru-Fru fruity drinks as well," Falco said pointing to Lucky.
Lucky forced a nervous laugh. "No, no I'm fine," he said to the waitress.
"Alrighty," she chirped and walked off.
Falco got a grin on his face and turned to Lucky. "So how many times you sucked your buddies off there?"
Lucky forced another laugh. "I haven't."
"Oh come on, no need to be coy now," Flaco said.
"Falco, stop being a jerk," Krystal said.
"What I'm just kidding around. Man the serious sure got up everyone's ass real quick," Falco commented.
Calvin spoke up, "Ah asked him once, I'd'ave done anything for or with him, been anything, but he turned me down. I'm thinking you just missed out on about the best thing."
"I'll bet," Falco said flatly.
Lucky laughed weakly, though this time not forced. "Yeah, he really begged too." It didn't help much to fix what had happened, but Robert appreciated his friend's blatant lie in attempt, however sloppy, to hand him back some of his dignity.
Everyone sat at the table silently again, until Crass turned to Krystal. "Um, if you'll excuse me I need to get out."
"I gotta take a piss too," Falco proclaimed. Lucky stiffly stood up, so as to let Falco out. Falco helped Krystal and Crass move Fox as Elsie and Calvin also exited the booth and headed towards the restrooms. Crass and Falco flopped the motionless fox back into the booth next to Krystal and left as well.
Lucky nervously stirred his finger through some water on the table. "Look," Krystal spoke up. "Don't let that jackass bother you," she said to Lucky. "I happen to think he's gay as well. I think most people who know him do, or at least suspect."
"Yeah, but I shouldn't have assumed," Lucky said.
"Lucky, it's not your fault. He's gay, and he just doesn't want to admit it, and I'm so sorry he took it out on you," The blue vixen said.
"He's not gay," Fox murmured, still slumped on the table.
"Why do you always say that? He always calls me a whore, I never hear you defending me." Her words biting at Fox.
"I, know yer not…" Fox mumbled again.
"Oh just go back to sleep," Krystal said with a sigh.
Slippy spoke now, "Look just ignore what Falco says. He doesn't know how to handle tense situations or feelings. He just makes sarcastic joke or tries to demean other people to relieve the tension he feels. He's not that bad of a guy, he just doesn't know how to express himself properly most of the time."
"Thanks guys, I won't let him get to me anymore. It's just hard to be cheery after something like that," Lucky said, truly thankful for their kind words.
"Don't worry, nobody expects you to be. He's an ass sometimes; you just have to have thick skin around him," Krystal said.
Falco walked out of the bathroom, and dried his still slightly wet hands on his pants. He briefly looked around the little room that divided the two restrooms from the bar. His eye's snapped to the women's restroom as the door opened, Elsie popped out and locked her eyes on Falco, making a beeline for him. She grabbed him by his shirt and slammed him between two pay phones. Falco started to open his mouth, but Elsie thudded him against the wall again and spoke, "Don't say a fucking word. If I ever see you treat one of friends like you did Robert I'll make you pay you little shit."
The otter's strength and demeanor had surprised Falco, almost too much to respond. "Look, listen, I wasn't..." Falco started.
"No! You listen!" Elsie sneered. "I just watched you kick my friend's dignity up and this bar tonight. You're lucky I don't rip your little dick off and shove it down your throat."
Just then Crass walked out of the men's restroom and quickly assessed the situation. He grabbed Elsie and gently pulled her away from Falco, who immediately smoothed the area of shirt she had been gripping. "Elsie, Elsie," the lizard said smoothly and quietly. "Come on relax, I know you're looking out for Lucky, but he's a pretty tough guy, he can handle it." The otter looked up at Crass and seemed to calm down a bit. Rather than saying anything she just turned and exited into the bar from the little room.
"Holy crap!" Falco exclaimed. "She must be riding the red tide hard today." Crass shot Falco a deadly glare. For whatever fight the otter could have put up, there was no doubt in Falco's mind the big lizard could beat the ever living crap out of him without even breaking a sweat. Crass turned from Falco and exited the room as well. Falco let out a sigh as the men's door opened again. Falco looked up to see Calvin emerge this time, dusting his hands against each other. "I'm a huge fucking asshole aren't I?" he asked the cat.
"Oh yeah, without a doubt," Calvin replied.
"I don't mean to be. I'm not even upset over the whole thing. I just say things and they come out wrong," Falco tried to explain.
"Oh, okay. I'm not the one you need to be apologizing to though," Calvin said. He then left the room and went back to the booth, Falco following. Crass and Elsie had already settled back in.
Lucky started to get up to let the two in, "Don't bother, just slide in." Falco said. Lucky obliged by sliding down, Falco slid in next to him and Calvin took the end seat. "Hey, look, I'm sorry if I acted an ass to you," Falco said to Lucky. "I've got nothing against you: I understand how you could have made the mistake. Really it's as much my fault as it is yours. You're a pretty cool dude, so sorry I acted such an ass." Falco ended it affectionately tousling the hair on Lucky's head.
"Oh." The rabbit laughed nervously. "No real harm done," he said, his voice still shaky.
"Well shit!" Krystal exclaimed. "I can't believe it, Falco just apologized. I bet good money I'd never see him do that, to anyone ever." Krystal nudged Fox, "Hey Fox, guess what, I owe you fifty." Fox murmured something but it couldn't be heard over the laughter.
Twenty minutes later a light mood had returned to the evening. Everyone was joking and laughing again, even Lucky was enjoying himself. Fox murmured from his place on the table, "Hey." Everyone failed to hear him. "Hey." He said almost yelling. Everyone looked at him.
"What is it sweety?" Krystal asked.
"I'm tired I want to go," he said.
"I'm having a good time, and I've still got a full drink," the blue fox replied.
Fox grabbed a full mug of beer and quickly downed it. "There," he said.
"That wasn't mine Fox."
Fox grabbed Krystal's drink this time and downed it quickly. "There…again."
"I'm not going, I'm not tired and I'm having fun," the vixen replied perturbed. "You can stumble home on your own if you want to go that bad."
"Come on. I'm tiiirreeed," Fox whined.
"Actually, Krystal, I'll take him. I'm a little tired myself," Falco said.
"Thanks, Falco, you can be a sweety sometimes," Krystal said genuinely.
Falco grinned as he started to get up. "I know, but you're still a slut." Krystal stuck up her middle finger and brandished it at Falco.
"I have got to go settle my bill, don't let him drink anything else for gods' sake," Falco said referring to Fox. Falco walked up to the bar and talked to the vulpine tending it. When he got back he helped his friend to his feet and went outside to a waiting cab, where he wrestled the still very inebriated Fox into.
"Hey, I knew you'd give in," Fox murmured.
"Given in to what Fox," Falco said flatly.
"Going home," Fox replied
"Yeah, whatever," Falco replied absently.
The cab arrived at Fox and Falco's apartment complex. Falco wrestled Fox out of the cab and helped him up and into Fox's apartment. He slumped Fox down on his bed, pulled the vulpine's boots off and started to leave Fox's room.
"Hey," Fox called.
"What?"
"Come here."
"What is it Fox?" Falco said exasperatedly, not moving.
"Come'ere?"
Falco walked over to Fox who was lying on the bed. "Yes?"
Fox grabbed Falco's ass and squeezed in it. "You know I love that hot blue ass of yours." Fox's hand now rubbed Falco's rear.
Falco froze, all his nerves seemed to fire at once and his heart pounded. He could feel every vessel, every vein in his body throb in unison.
Fox sat up some, slung arm over Falco's shoulder pulling him forward and mashed his muzzle against Falco's beak, his tongue sliding along it probing until Falco opened his mouth, at which point Fox's tongue slid in and tangled with Falco's.
Every essence of Falco's being seemed to exploded in ecstasy. He grabbed Fox and lowered him onto the bed, still kissing him passionately. Fox tugged at his shirt and he quickly pulled it off, then Fox tugged at his own shirt, Falco pulled that off as well. His hands ran through Fox's soft fur, occasionally Fox broke away from their kiss and ran his tongue and mouth over Falco's face. Falco relished in it, his loins pushing hard against his pants.
"Come on, give me some sugar," Fox said. His hands drifted down as he started unbuttoning his own pants. "My little blue vixen needs to give his daddy some love." Fox was still struggling to undo his pants in his drunken state.
'What'd he say?' Falco suddenly stopped. 'My little blue vixen?'
"Come on Krystal, you know what I like," Fox slurred
"Fuck!" Exclaimed Falco.
"Yeah, that's it fuck me!"
Falco stood and quickly grabbed his shirt. Hastily put it on and walked away from the bed. He stared at it and Fox for a moment, his mind racing.
"Come on baby, what's wrong?" Fox murmured
Falco hesitated a moment. "I…I've got a headache."
"Aw, come on" the vulpine's words drifted off. He had settled into his pillow and already fallen asleep.
"Fuck." Falco said quietly. He walked out of and closed Fox's door. "Fuck fuck fuck." He said louder. He walked towards the door and stood for a moment. "Falco, you're a fucking fag. Fucking stupid fag. Fuck, fuck, shit, shit," he said to himself banging himself on his forehead with a closed fist. "I'm a damn fag. What's wrong with me? Gods dammit, why the hell do I want him so badly?" He kicked at Fox's couch, pain stabbed up from his foot, but he barely noticed. Falco opened the door and walked out of Fox's apartment, down a few doors and into his own. He went straight into his bedroom stripped off his clothes and laid on his bed. "Shit," he whispered. He could still smell the Fox's saliva on him, still taste it. His blood raged in turmoil. "Shit."
Fox awoke to the sound of someone rummaging. He looked towards the dresser and saw Krystal pulling clothes out of it. She looked back and noticed he was awake. "So the crown prince of drunkenness awakens," she said sarcastically.
"Hey baby," Fox replied with a smile. "What time is it?"
"Two in the afternoon," she replied."
"We don't have to be anywhere do we?"
"No."
"Wanna fuck?" he asked hopefully.
"I have a headache."
"Oh come one, so do I."
"No, I said I have a headache."
"That's what you said last night."
"You were passed out dead drunk when I got back Fox. Falco took you home remember?"
"Oh."
"You must have dreamed it."
"Oh," was all Fox could say as a new revelation spun through his head.