Chapter 4 Part Two
Wolf froze, trembling. He extended his claws out, one splayed hand forward and the other back by his head. The young ape ran away, he hug his brother by the couch and hid behind him. Wolf's dilated eye wavered as the world spun and blurred.
His ears twitched from the echoing sound of gunfire.
His nose flared from the vile smell of the invading, cooking flesh.
His heart raced as Fay cried out his name.
Wolf's eye locked with a flash of white fur by his right shoulder.
"Get away!"
Wolf flinched while curled up into a ball. Shutting the world out. He mumbled under his breath. The patient gown crinkled. His throbbing forehead drenched with sweat tensed up when Wolf bared his fangs and his muzzle furrowed as his chin quivered to the ensnaring fear.
The poodle's arm reached for him an inch away.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die.
The potent rush of flight surged. His claws splayed out. Wolf's eye locked onto the Poodle's. Fay's hand made contact. The cloth texture of her glove made Wolf freeze. He whined as he panted and wept. What's wrong with me?
Fay's soft voice soothed his alerted ears. "I'm here, I'm here." She embraced him, wrapping her arms around his quivering back. She set her cheek against the side of his forehead. "Would you like to talk?"
Wolf sniffled, tears poured from his shut-eye like a cascading waterfall. He spoke, his voice masked by his arms.
"I want to be hugged."
Her arms tighten around him.
The back of Wolf's lips wavered. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her onto the bed on top of him. She yelped as he tightening his grip, and his voice became breathy.
"I'm scared."
"I know, I know. I'm not going anywhere."
"It...felt like..." Wolf opened his eye to her blue soothing ones. He trailed off in thought from her white as the murderer's fur.
"Daniel, its..." Eyes trailing away, Fay ears and brows sunk. "Just a nightmare, don't worry."
Wolf snapped. "But I felt it!" He released her as his eye widen, letting her stand up beside him. He leaned back on the bed and stared down towards the ground.
It was real, wasn't it?
His body kept tense from the smell of burnt flesh. His ears twitched from the sizzling sounds and pops of oil.
Fay huffed before she made her way towards the burners. "Sorry Daniel."
"Is the dog stupid?" One of the kids asked.
The other joined in. "Uncle's right, dogs are bad." He stuck his tongue out.
"That's enough out of y'all, Not another word, y'hear?" Fay paused, the sound of an opening trash can lid made Wolf's ears flick and his body tense when the plastic bag rattled.
Fay's phone rung.
"Hello? Oh-hey Dad." She paused. "Huh, wait what...no." Her voice faltered into whispers.
Wolf's heavy eye shut, his distorted mind drifted off for minutes until his cheek became dimpled by a round plastic object.
"Where the fuck did y'all find that."
His eye shot open as his posture wilted and curled up. His shrunken pupils fixated on the kids.
The kid in front pointed over his shoulder at his brother. "He found it."
"No I didwent, you did, you did! Stop lying." He shoved his brother.
Wolf's eye settled on Panther as the monstrous tip of the dildo slapped the side of his cheek. This is what I deserve: my divine punishment.
"Ah hell, knock it off, y'all. That's it! Timeout." Fay paused. "Get in there or else!"
"Why wehaven to listen to you? You're just a dog."
"Uncle says their bitches, dumb fucking bitches," The other said before he laughed. "Stupid bitches."
"Yeah, Uncle says wehavent have to listen to dogs."
Wolf's grip tighten around himself when Fay's breaths became snorts
Wolf's cheek dimpled, each time the kids poked him. He blinked while he clenched and open his fingers as he gained motor control. He snatched the dildo before it jabbed him again.
His eye locked on theirs. He narrowed it as his brows furrowed. Wolf's breathes became slow and heavy with a low growl.
"Get this the fuck out of my face."
Wolf flashed his fangs. "Before I have to." He let go of it, watching the two kids rushing to put up the dildo into Fay's room. They made their way into the one by the couch and shut the door behind them.
"Give me a moment, Dad."
Fay stared wide-eyed, she blinked before she shook her head and made her way beside Wolf's bed. Her light footfalls rung in his perked ears.
He halfway spun himself around to face her. Wolf's eye met with her innocent ones. Fay's aghast expression halted his splayed claws. He sank them by his waist as a pitting pang grasped his heart.
I'm sorry.
Wolf's puppy dog eye wavered as his chin quivered. Tears streamed down his face once more. "I didn't mean to be bad." His nose twitched as he sniffled.
"Don't worry, they deserved it." Fay patted Wolf's back. "Anyway, I have to go."
"Why?"
"Dad needs me."
But I need you too.
"O-oh, that's...okay."
"Daniel?"
"H-hmm, I'm okay." Wolf raised his palms up by his chest, waving them in front of himself. "Really." He wiped away the tears.
"Ya sure?"
Wolf nodded. "U-umm...Panther might need you." He slumped his poster and dipped his head by his shoulders as he stared away.
"If anything happens call me, oh. And." Fay bent over, she undid Wolf's bandage for his IV catheter before she pulled the needle out of his arm. "Drink fluids, nothing hard, got it?"
"Yeah..."
"If ya get any nightmares..." Fay peeked her head up towards the kitchen counter. She faced him.
"Stay out of the kitchen, and stay put." She patted his shoulder, made her way towards the kitchen. Sounds of silver rattled before she took the IV stand back into her room. "Okay, that everything?"
Please don't go.
"I think so..." Wolf's ears pinned back as his tail curled by his side. He searched for things around the room as Fay made her way towards the exit. His eye darting from object to object but failing to find anything. "F-Fay."
Please don't go.
She stopped with her hand on the door's knob. She halfway faced Wolf. "Hm?"
"W-what do I..." Wolf stared down at his hands while he played with them. His brows twitched while he rattled his brain to collect his thoughts.
"If you're worried about Panther then call me if something happens." Fay turned the knob, its mechanism clicked.
Please don't go.
"Ugh, ahm. What about the kids?"
Fay shrugged, not bothering to face him. "Hit'em if you have to." She walked out the door.
Wolf spoke under his breath, "Bye..."
The room went silent. Wolf stared down at Panther, he covered his pinken face when drool seeped from Panther's mouth.
Ah! Stop being creepy.
Wolf shook his head and made his way towards his luggage. He bent his knees as he unraveled the tie. Rummaging his paw through it, he pulled out the stuffed animal to snuggle the soft toy against his wilting cheeks. Guess we're the same now.
He set it aside before he returned to digging into the bag. Wolf pulled out a sack, the savory smell of smoked meat pleased his nose as his stomach growled. He undid the tie, revealing three strips of meat.
Took a little my ass.
Taking a piece, he jerked his head to the side to tear a part off. Wolf gnashed his teeth against it as his mouth kept open, gnawing the tough chewy meat into mush. He gulped it down.
I don't deserve this. I'm never going to be pilot. Who am I kidding...
Wolf's hands went limp.
He faced Panther, watching his chest rise and fall. Wolf's eye went round when he noticed Panther blink. Joyous bliss shot through his heart as his fur and ears stood up.
At least I have something in this hell.
"Where...is Panther?" He rose his head, his widening eyes locked with Wolf's. "Crimson rose?"
Panther eyes wavered as they glisten.
His ears pinned back and jaw dropped when he noticed Wolf's eye patch.
Wolf smiled, wrapping the meat back into its bag and setting it into his pocket. He stood up and made his way beside Panther. "Glad to see you're okay."
"Panther is worried about you." He extended his paw out, wincing and clutching the lift side of his stomach.
"Careful now."
Panther leaned back into the bed, his body and eye relaxed as he stared up at Wolf. He slowly blinked, refusing to take his gaze off of Wolf's eye patch. "Panther will take it easy." An awkward smile went along his muzzle.
Wolf tilted his head to the side. "You okay?"
He stared speechless at Wolf.
"They didn't hit you in the head did they?" Wolf slipped his fingers against Panther's sweaty palm, wrapping them around the confused feline's hand and grasping it.
"...Crimson Rose..."
"Yeah?"
"Eye..."
"Huh?" Wolf raised a brow. "I...what?"
"No, eye..."
Why's he using I?
"Hey, take it slow." Wolf's grip tighten. "You had it rough."
Panther shook his head, grunting from his wound. "No, eye...eye." His eyes locked with Wolf's eye as the two kept their eyes on each other.
"It's okay, don't worry."
"What happen to your eye!"
Wolf jolted back as his fur stood up. "I-I...fell." He scratched the side of his cheek with his finger.
"Fell?
"Down some stares."
Panther blinked before he raised a brow, opening his mouth to speak but failing to find the words. He stared at Wolf perplexed before shaking his head. He tried to collect his thoughts; he rattled his noggin for answers. Panther flicked his tongue against his lips, faced away, and then return his gaze back to Wolf.
Neither spoke a word for minutes.
"Is that bad?" Wolf lowered his shoulder and head as he stared down at the ground.
"From falling?" Panther's eyes trailed away. "Did it pop out?"
"No." Wolf shook his head. "I got stabbed, which is." He chuckled. "Kind of funny since you did too."
Panther remained silent, staring at Wolf with disbelief.
"U-ugh, sorry." Wolf's ears pinned back as he scrunched up.
"Panther didn't get stabbed."
"You did, Fay told me."
"Panther was shot."
"Huh...?"
An abrupt shot of dread coursed through him.
Wolf rolled his head back, raising his brows and shutting his eye. "OOOooo, It's the drugs." He let out a faint, awkward laugh.
"You were there, were you not?" Panther wrapped his hand around Wolf's and tighten his grasp.
"I only found out when Fay told me."
"No, when the gunfire broke out."
"Gunfire?" Wolf shrugged. "I don't..." Sweat beat down his forehead, his breathing became shallow and rapid. "Remember that."
Wolf's hands wavered.
"Crimson rose, what happen to you?" Panther winced from the pain.
"I fell, that's all."
Right, right? That's it, nothing else.
"Do you remember the invasion?
Panther's words became muffled. Wolf froze in place from the creeping, crippling apprehension, trailing up through his stomach. His mind seized by each flashing, vivid nightmare.
Wolf's cheeks jerked and his nose flicked, each time a blade slashed in his thoughts. Wolf's body shook.
I just fell, that was it, nothing more. I just fell, I fell from stares. Flinching from a flash of light, Wolf's heart raced. I fell. I fell. She wouldn't lie. Why would she? No. She won't lie. She won't lie—What if she did? No. She wouldn't. She would.
"— — — rose— — — — wrong— — — ."
Why am I getting these dreams? Wolf gasped at the poodle's grin.
"— — — — ,— — — — , do you— — — — " Panther tugged Wolf's hand.
She didn't. She wouldn't lie. Why would she do something like that if she had nothing to gain. She wouldn't, would she? But the dreams, the dreams keep coming and coming.
As Wolf became engulfed in his thoughts, his eye hazed. Screams behind a door echoed in his mind, they clawed their way across his lacerated mind.
"Wolf!" Panther yanked his hand.
She lied, she fucking lied. That goddamn fucking bitch lied. No. She didn't. Why? She's a lying bitch. Stop it! She isn't. Stop!
Claws like blades splayed out.
Fangs as sharp as knives peeked from Wolf's muzzle.
His heart sunk deeper into the abyss of ire. Sweat trickled along his dewed forehead. Tormenting thoughts throttled everything, the texture of the pool of blood came back, running through his fur.
Wolf gasped, slapping his palm over his tense, quivering eye. He peeked through the cracks between his fingers to stare down at Panther's wide eyes.
Keep it together for him.
He took in a deep breath and a long exhale. "I'm so sorry." Wolf collapsed his hand by his waist. "Can...I have a hug?"
Needy piece of shit.
Panther's head jerked back in shock before he leaned forward, extending his arms out and nodding with a smile.
Slipping his hands below Panther's shoulder, Wolf cupped his arms around him as Panther did to him. He pulled his lover into his chest, he bumped his chin on Panther's forehead. "Sorry."
"Panther is okay."
Wolf's fur brushed against Panther's. The faint musk and mix of antiseptic made him smile; Panther's grip tightens as he pulled him closer.
"Panther was worried, but Panther knew you were strong." He ran his palm along Wolf's tense back. Each soft, careful stroke eased Wolf's tension from his nightmares.
Wolf's low, breathy voice hummed in Panther's ears.
"Promise to never let go..."
"To never leave me."
Wolf sniffled.
"...Please..."
Panther's wavering left arm caressed Wolf's hunched back, trailing up behind his head to his scruff of hair. He ran his fingers through it, grooves went along it as Panther scratched his claws against Wolf's scalp.
"I promise."
They unhugged, both stared at each other an inch away from one another's muzzle.
The sultry, slow breaths of Panther dampen Wolf's muzzle. A playful grin dimpled Panther's cheek.
Lost in the yellow as the sun's orbs with slits to the abyss, Wolf inched forward. His heartbeat and breaths shorten from the flutter in his stomach before he gulped down his desire and flinched back. Panther's eyes kept with his: yearning for him.
Do I deserve to be with you?
Do I deserve to be happy with you?
Do really I deserve to be in love with you?
Wolf snapped out of his thoughts and flinched back when Panther caressed his fingers against his wavering chin. His cheeks burned while he smiled as snuggles and kisses flooded his mind.
"C-could I, ugh, kiss..." Wolf's eye darted away. "Y-you?" His furrowed brows quivered when he stared at Panther.
"You always ask, crimson rose." Panther's slow blinks and calm gaze eased Wolf.
"I-I, ugh, heh. Don't like to...push?" Wolf's nose twitched.
"It's okay, Panther finds it cute."
"May I?" Wolf received a slow nod from Panther. He inched his face closer to Panther's muzzle, in one second, his nose brushed against Panther's fur. He sank his fang into his lip as constricting heat burned in his heart when his face became flushed. I missed?
"Something wrong, no?"
"I-I was ugh, hahaha, teasing." Wolf leaned his head back and attempted once more. His eye wavered as he inched forward: his nose bumped Panther's wet cold one.
"Aww, choosing to tease." Panther rubbed his nose against Wolf's before he tilted his head to the side and embraced Wolf with a kiss.
How did I mis—oh...never mind.
Wolf shut his eye, his ears pinned back as his lips pressed into Panther's warm soft ones. He placed his wavering palms against the bed's headrest and he opened his mouth to let Panther's rough, short tongue cuddle with his long one.
Panther winced from the pain. "Hold on." He nudged Wolf's face way and stroked his cheeks. "Panther feels...dizzy."
"Oh, sorry." Wolf leaned back to stand beside Panther. He stared down where Panther clutched his wound.
Wolf's mind jumped back into the nightmares but he kept his facade. He shut his eye and clenched his fist together from each clawing thoughts.
"Panther is okay, it be just a scratch." He paused. "Crimson rose?"
"I'm okay, don't worry." Wolf opened his eye to the blinding world. "I think I should go." His posture slumped when his heart ached from a sharp pain as Panther stared up at him with pleading eyes.
Why do I feel like hurting someone.
"Is something wrong?" Panther's mouth hung half open.
Blotches of sweat ran down Wolf's tense, throbbing forehead. He gulped saliva down his searing throat as his body quivered.
"I...shouldn't be here."
"Wolf."
Clutching guilt seized Wolf's bent legs. "I can't be here." His burning, glistening eye trailed towards the door.
"Panther is here, Panther will listen." He extended a hand out towards Wolf, Panther clutched his arm, but he flinched back when Wolf swatted his arm away.
Wolf's hand rested in the air with raised curled claws. He panted while his body coursed with the urge to run. Panther's shocked expression sent chills down his spine.
"I'm sor-"
"You're crying."
Wolf set his raised hand on his dampen cheek, running his fingers against his fur. He set his palm in front of his face.
"You're in pain, please talk to Panther."
I'm falling apart.
"I'm okay, really."
"Wolf..."
"I think I should go."
Running like always.
Panther sighed. "Panther is worried about you."
"Why? I'm okay." Wolf faux a joyous smile, his cheeks wavered. "You'll be okay without me." Everyone would be.
"Please stay by Panther."
I'm dead weight.
I'm dead weight.
I'm just fucking dead weight.
"I'm okay really. I just need to go for a walk." Wolf set his hands together and played with his cold padding on his fingers. "Call Fay if you need her." He turned his back to Panther.
"Wolf, wait."
"I'm..." Wolf wiped the sweat from his forehead before he opened his mouth, but couldn't find the words.
"Trust m-" Panther groaned.
Pivoting around, Wolf noticed Panther as he leaned towards him and clutched his own wound. His ears twitched from Panther's heavy exhales.
"Please..." Panther shut a wavering eye as he stared up at Wolf. "Don't leave." He eased up and leaned back with a smile when Wolf stepped beside him to hold his hand.
"O-okay, I'll tell you."
. . .
Peppy clutched the bars, he peeked his twitching nose between them. "What was that?"
James kept silent.
"Get over here so I can see you." Peppy rubbed his stern fingers against his nose.
"Fuck no." Light patter came from James' cell.
"Get back here dammit!"
James laughed. "Fuck no." James' bedsprings screeched.
Ahhh, dammit!
Peppy shut his eyes and leaned his head against the bars "Of damn fucking course." He sighed as he eased his clenched fists. Leaving me in the dust like always.
"Hmm, thought you'd two be more functional."
"Ah, shut it." Peppy peeked an eye open. "Liked it better when you kept shut."
"Then don't open your disrespectful trap."
Peppy rose his brows. "Fair enough." He leaned back and ran his hands along his forehead before he sighed. I'm going to lose my damn mind.
He returns to his bed, mumbling words to himself while he cupped his hand on his chin, and let the hours pass by
Light footsteps rapped closer to Peppy, a shadow cast over him, snapping him out of his trance. He turned his head to face Leon. He narrowed his eyes when Leon's arms rested on the bars as he leaned into it. "Yea-"
"Stay quiet."
Peppy nodded, a slight prick stabbed at his gut.
"You two don't agree, do you?"
"What tipped you off?" Peppy stared up at Leon and kept eye contact.
"Why is that?"
"We're married."
"Do know I have orders to interrogate, so don't play smart aleck." A faint grin went along Leon's face.
"Thanks for telling." Didn't care to, but, sure. Peppy's ears drooped. "What do you need?" Peppy rested his back against the wall with his hands in his lap.
"You're complying?" Leon blinked.
"I didn't live a crash to be tortured, so yeah." Peppy took a breath to calm his nerves.
"Who hired, what are their plans, and why did you accept."
"Pigma didn't know?"
Leon's eyes narrowed.
"Look, I don't really know." Peppy shrugged.
"Was it to kill Andross?"
"Andrwho?"
"Don't play dumb." Leon's hands tighten around the bar.
"It was...recon, that's it."
"A trained group sent to spy? I don't think so."
"We're a neutral party."
"Common thugs would do."
"To watch a military base?" Peppy said.
"Who hired?"
"Pepper."
"Pepper who?"
"General Pepper." Peppy's nose twitched.
"For what."
"Recon, that's it."
Leon's eyes studied Peppy. "Why didn't you run?"
"James."
"Elaborate."
Peppy told Leon what happen during the dog fight, and their communications lines became blocked while Pigma didn't warn them.
"How was the line cut?" Leon asked.
"Hell if I know, low frequency...?" Peppy shrugged. "I don't know jack. I'm not the one you should be asking."
"Why did you accept it?"
"James." Peppy scratched the side of his head.
"Did you even know about our forces."
Peppy crooked his lip as his brows furrowed. "I didn't even know who Andross was. I was simply told to watch a base and that's it."
"You've been eager to mingle with Wolf." Leon's cold, dead stare sent shivers down Peppy. "Have you not?"
Well I be damn, talking is evil!
"Hunker down and adapt." Peppy smiled. "You're chatting with me too."
"Don't flatter yourself."
"Say, the meal was really out of the code of Mayodian, huh?"
Leon leaned back a bit with his head raised, he stared at him baffled for a brief moment.
"Didn't think I'd remember the name?" Peppy nodded as Leon kept silent. "I do charting, good way to learn culture too."
"Don't get friendly with me."
"It'd be better too." Peppy lifted his hand by his chest and spun it encircles. "Wouldn't be boring."
Leon faced his back to him, making his way towards the stool. He paused midway and craned his head up to peek over his shoulder.
"Do you really understand our pain?"
"Not completely, but I see where it's coming from." For a split second Peppy's eyes widen and brows rose when Leon stepped up to the bars.
"Tell, how is it to walk freely on..."
"Papetoon," Peppy said.
"Yes, that rock."
Peppy rubbed his chin, musing on his thoughts. "Rocky and dry, nothing but dunes and clear skies. Kind of like here actually." Peppy let out a faint laugh. "Minus the poisonous clouds."
Leon blinked. "I thought you came from a better land."
"Hell no, I live in a damn sandbox. Say, do you have any family?"
Leon kept silent.
Though as nails.
Peppy rubbed his finger below his nose. "What'd you do if you were...not...living here?"
"What are you aiming at."
"Understanding."
"Why?"
"There's opportunity in conversations." Peppy wagged his finger at Leon.
"There's nothing to gain from mongrels."
Peppy whistled. "Sounds like someone I know."
Leon flashed his teeth for a brief second. "Don't compare me to that dog."
Peppy took a slow heavy breath and sighed. "Guessing you really hate dogs." He received silent from Leon. "Did they do something to you?"
"Damned us."
"Ah...hmm, what about Wolf?" More silence ensued. "Are there more dogs?"
"Don't pester me with petty questions." Leon back to face James' cell. One eye settled on Peppy while the other watched James.
Peppy crooked his upper lip when his brows rose up while he leaned his head back. He flicked his tongue against his bucktooth and made a clicking sound. "So, Corneria was your homeworld?"
"Ancestors."
"So, you weren't born there, were you?"
"Is this what you did with Wolf? Trying to manipulate us?" Leon crossed his arm.
Ah, hell so sick of this.
"You want to know what I'm trying to do?" Peppy extended his bobbing hand. "I'm trying to understand your side, so maybe I could talk James out of it."
"Lies."
Peppy paused, setting his palms on the side of his forehead and running them encircles. "I don't give a damn about this war." He set his hands in front of him. "I just want my kids safe, and if you meant what you said, then I am your enemy and this conversation ends." His head throbbed. "But I know that's not the case, you got damn canines supporting. So, just tell me the truth..."
"And maybe I could convince James to help too."
Peppy's brows furrowed and twitch. "Do you get it now?"
"Why would you help." Leon's eye fixated on Peppy.
"Let me word that better, we wouldn't interfere. Besides, do you even know why we're here?"
Leon tilted his head back, lost in his thoughts.
"Because that's one damn answer I want to know." Peppy crossed his arms.
"Figure it out yourself."
"At least answer one of my questions."
"I choose."
Peppy's nose twitched. "Okay."
"I work with Wolf because he isn't like dogs." Leon's eyes trailed away, they settled on the exit door.
"Do you hate him?"
"I answered your question, so stop asking." Leon narrowed his eyes.
Going nowhere with him.
"Could I." Peppy took a heavy breath and exhaled. His voice eased, "Know what Venom's plan is?"
Leon kept silent.
"Look, I think they want Venom out of the picture." Peppy cupped his palm along his forehead that he shook. "So, they just sent us...well, James to kill...whoever, and stop the war." He set his hand down.
"There's more to it."
"No, there's not." Peppy huffed. "They just wanted us to do the damn dirty work, like always." Peppy locked eyes with Leon. "So tell me. What does Venom have planned."
Leon kept silent.
Dammit, of course, of damn course.
"Is it that top secret to tell a prisoner what your plans are?"
"I'm trying to comprehend your stupidity. Not sure what Wolf sees in you."
"Well, that's because he knows who we are."
"Common thugs." Leon smirked.
Peppy nodded. "To some, but not all. You wouldn't be guarding us if we were."
"Mercenaries are all the same."
"I thought that too." Peppy pointed at himself. "Until I became one."
"You have no understanding of codes, or even ethics. So low."
"If I was low, would I've helped?" Peppy raised a brow while he smiled.
"You did it to save yourself."
Peppy's words became caught in his throat. He shook his head and waved his hand through the air.
"Typical common thugs."
"Hey, I prefer to be called vigilantes, thanks."
Leon let out a breathy chuckle before he snapped his mouth shut when he coved it with his hand.
"Oh, so you're not a robot?"
Leon kept silent as his stoic expression returned.
"Dang, guess I was wrong."
"Should've let me torture you, now I'm the one being." Leon kept his lifeless eyes on the exit.
"Get me a book, and I'll keep my mouth shut."
"Or suture your mouth shut."
Peppy kept quiet as his mouth went agape and one of his ears dropped.
Leon shut his eyes, he set his fist in front of his lips as he laughed with his mouth closed. "Thought you were devoid of other emotions."
"Ha...ha...nice joke, you got me." Peppy wagged his finger in front of himself.
"I wasn't."
Peppy's extended finger wilt when he stared up him like a deer in headlights.
"Kidding, I'm not that sadistic." Leon smiled. "I'd just give you a smiling necktie."
"A wha?"
"I'll let you figure it out."
Can't get anything answered.
Silence crept between the two for minutes.
Leon asked, "What's it like being free?"
Peppy's head jerked back from the question. "Ugh." He scratched his chin, musing on his thoughts. "Depends."
"What it's like to have a life."
"Well, we just do mission to mission, and...fly planet to planet. It's...not that big of a deal."
Leon's voice sharpen, "Not that big of a deal?" He leaned forward, clutching the bars with his eyes narrow and dead on Peppy. He eased up before he leaned his back onto the bars. He whispered, "Typical." Leon eyes open when Peppy responded.
"Wouldn't say typical, just forgot how bad your situation is. Sorry."
Both kept silent for a moment.
"Have you been to Corneria?" Leon asked.
Peppy nodded. "Yeah, but...it doesn't feel like home."
"What is it like?"
"Dogs, dogs everywhere you go, smelly too."
"I don't care about the inhabitants. Tell me of the land." Leon leaned his head to the side to halfway face him.
Peppy scratched the side of his head. He shut his eyes and brooded. "Beautiful oceans, nice and warm weather with a good breeze, and...hills, lots and lots of hills."
"Was it pleasant?"
"Yeah, besides the dog smell to it." Peppy opened his eyes, he stared at Leon's shut ones. "Why?"
"I hope for one day to see the land."
. . .
"Even if I can't."Wolf's eye trailed away towards the ground.
"W-would you stay with me?"
Wolf's enveloped, quivering hand became squeezed by Panther. The soothing, soft paw pads slipped into his palm. His eye met with Panther's
"Panther promises." His slow blinks eased the clutching grasp around Wolf's heart.
"Thank you." A weak smile dimpled Wolf's cheek. His tail wagged when Panther squeezed a bit tighter.
"You seem upset?"
"I need to think about stuff, alone."
"Promise Panther you'll be okay."
Wolf nodded. "I promise." Panther's rosy cheeks made his burn while he sank a fang into his lip. His heart and stomach fluttered as he leaned in to kiss Panther.
He missed, stopping himself an inch from Panther's cheek.
Damn it. Wolf's eye widens when Panther cupped his hand around Wolf's muzzle and guided him towards Panther's lip.
The soft fur of Panther's muzzle brushed against Wolf's.
He leaned his head to the side, readying himself.
Their warm lips pressed into each other.
Soothing all of Wolf's pain.
They lightly kissed.
Panther pulled back an inch to lick up Wolf's muzzle. His rough wet tongue dampens his fur while a shot of affection and affinity coursed through his veins from Panther's sultry breaths.
"I love you, crimson rose." Panther stared into Wolf's eye.
"I-I...I...U-ugh..." Wolf's ears and shoulders drooped. His eye skirted away. I still can't say it. He clenched his teeth and shut his eye before he forced the words from his straining throat. "I-I...lll-"
"Ewww, cooties" One of the kids said, peeking from the door. "Kissing is gross." They stuck out their tongue and closed the door.
Dammit, dammit, damm-
Panther raised Wolf's chin, he rubbed his finger against it before he raked his claws through the fur and slid thin threads out, setting his hand on Wolf's cheek.
"Maybe another time, crimson rose." Panther smiled and leaned back into his bed. "Please be well."
Wolf's eye glisten. "Thank you, I'll see you later."
He made his way out the door and the world around became its gloomy, ugly self when he exited the shelter. The sounds of thrumming pipes made his ears twitch as he crossed his arms to protect himself from the chilling air.
Wolf's mind jumped from one topic to another as he tried to gather his thoughts.
Steam escaped his muzzle. He dragged his feet as he stepped down the dark, damp corridor, making his way to switchback stairs.
Can't believe I listen to her. Wolf set his paw onto the chilled metal handlebar. He made his way down. Falling down and losing an eye, how dumb can I be? He made it to the platform between the stairs before he made it to the next. The side of his forehead tensed. That's what I get for being gullible. so damn stu- His foot missed the last step, he collapsed his side onto the hard ground. He lie idle, keeping his face close to the concrete floor.
Stupid, clumsy, and useless. How did I ever get to be the caption? I...can't even save anyone. His heart weakens as it sunk. I can't see properly, I can't do shit right, I can't even save anyone.
Their screams clawed his mind. Blazing tears poured from his shut-eye.
What use am I? I can't do it, I can't be like you. Wolf curled up, setting his shaking paws on his head. I just wanted to be like, I want people to be with me.
I don't want to be alone.
I don't want to be hated.
What did I fuck up?
Wolf clenched his teeth, he tried to fight his tears.
I thought I could be like you. I wanted to be so bad. Wolf set his hands by his chest. His body went numb and cold. Am I just...a wannabe. He slammed his fist against the ground, his joints popped. I keep reaching out, I worked hard. He took in a breath, sniffling.
What did I do wrong?
Muffled voices cried out in his mind.
Why can't I have the things you have? I work just as hard, I went through so much, where's my reward? Wolf clenched his teeth as the side of his foreheads tensed. I've been through shit, and this is what I get?
I fucking THREW everything away.
Wolf stabbed his claws into his palm, blood seeped out. All my training, all my work, for this! To be some kind of joke and to take it away! Boiling, biting ire built in his belly. He can't be right, he can't be fucking right.
Maniacal howls of laughter echoed throughout his mind.
You left them to die, remember? You coward, you hid behind a door.
His gut tightens and contorted, he whispered, "I didn't mean to...I...did it to..."
To hide.
To run.
You're such a coward.
His Dad's voice thundered through his mind: stabbing at it.
You won't amount to anything, you coward.
"...I couldn't do anything..."
You'll never be like him, too dense and stubborn.
"You're...wrong." Wolf curled up even more.
Y'know you're the reason she's gone. You're the reason why people die, face it.
Wolf kept silent.
Once a coward, always a coward. You won't have anyone but me, baby girl.
He let his body wilt as it went numb.
And you're right. I am a coward, I let people die. I really am no different from you. Wolf used his right hand to lift half of his heavy body up. But...
I'm not giving up. I can't stop now. I'll undo it, I promise.
Wolf's eye trailed up, it shot open when he looked up and noticed a familiar pair of pants. His head sunk between his shoulders.
"Damn Wolf, you look like absolute shit," Andrew said, bending over and offering a hand up. "What happen?"
"I..fell."
Andrew sighed. "Bah, how'd someone as clumsy as you become such a good pilot."
Wolf grasped his hand.
"Because I have to keep moving forward."
"Sure." Andrew lifted Wolf up. " Lose a few pounds while you're moving." He rubbed his arm that he used. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Oh, yeah, sorry." Wolf set his hand behind his neck. "Actually, ugh wait!"
"Didn't hit your head did you?" Andrew rose his nose up in the air.
"Have you seen Pigma?"
Andrew paused, his mouth kept half open as he squinted and lifted the side of his cheek. "Probably the bar. why?"
"Could you page him?"
"What do I look like? His mother?"
An image of Andrew in a frilly dress popped into Wolf's mind. He blushed. That's cute.
"N-no..."
Andrew lifted a brow. "Why don't you?"
"I..lost mine." Wolf rubbed the back of his neck as his head dipped between his shoulders.
"You owe me." Andrew set his pointer finger by his ear. They stood in silence as they waited for minutes. "Ah, Pigma, finally." He paused. "No, I'm not calling about that, I need your location." Andrew paused again. "It's Wolf..hold on." He faced him. "What do you need?"
"Help." Wolf's ears pinned back as he let his arms droop by his waist.
Andrew rolled his eye. "He needs 'help." He paused to listen. "Ugh, huh. Hold up. With what?"
"On...ugh, being..." Wolf's eye darted away.
"Come on now, I don't have all day."
"Like him. I want to learn how to be like him."
Andrew shook his head. "He wants to learn to be like you." He turned his back on Wolf and set his hand on his hip. "What, really? What...ugh." He sighed. "I've been busy, c'mon. No, are you shitting me." Andrew threw his hands in the air. "Okay, I will, thanks." He faced Wolf. "Thanks for pulling me into this, furball."
"S-sorry, didn't mean to." Wolf kept silent, letting the awkward tension build between the two. He opened his mouth to speak but caught his words before he sighed. "Where's he?"
"Bar."
"Ah, okay."
The two stood in silence.
"Are we going?" Andrew rose a brow.
"I...was waiting on you." A playful smile dimpled Wolf's cheek.
Andrew flatten his lips as his brows furrowed. "Okay, of course." He set his hand on his chest and rose his nose in the air. "Follow me." He whispered, "Child."
They made it down the winding corridor as they kept to themselves: headed down a flight of stairs, made it into the lobby, and progressed into another hallway before they stopped at an archway that leads to the bar.
The slow, chill tunes of jazz played from a jukebox.
Pigma sat at the far corner by himself. He drank from a long glass of milk.
"Wasted rubbish." Andrew stepped towards Pigma and Wolf trailed behind him. They stopped in front of him.
"Ah, if it isn't baby face and blind side. Looking to be actual mercenaries?" Pigma leaned back into his seat. He gulped down the rest of the milk from the glass and set it down as he wiped away the remaining stains.
Pigma's sized them up, his lifeless eyes appeared to be sad.
Andrew gave a light bow. "Yes, that'd be nice."
Wolf nodded.
"Growing right before my eyes, beautiful." Pigma smirked for a second before it faltered. "Going from simulations to actual combat." He nodded. "Good, good." His brows raised when Wolf spoke up.
"I want to know how to kill." A twinge pricked Wolf's heart. "I...I w-wasn't able to do...anything when the time came." The clawing thoughts came back for a second. "I'm tired of being weak."
"Pff, is that why? Ha, well, no need for me to be here." Andrew turned to walk away but before he could, Pigma snapped at him.
"Pissing yourself isn't fighting."
Andrew's brows flatten as he stared off into the distant. "I didn't piss myself, sir. I just didn't wish to waste my time on thugs."
"Boy, don't you give me lip. I should beat your ass." Pigma popped his small fist.
"My sincerest apology Mr. Dengar." Andrew set one hand on his chest and the other behind his back as he bowed. "I'll stay if it's that important."
"Keep it like that, bootlicker."
Wolf grunted and shook his head from the haunting image of the poodle.
"What is it, pup?" Pigma rested his elbow on the table and he leaned his head into his fist.
"Nothing." Bulbs of cold sweat formed on his forehead.
"Lying is how you end up like me. Sad, lonely, and no one to love."
The room went silent besides the music.
Pigma roared with laughter, running his hand through the air. "I'm kidding, no reason to look so grim."
"It's just hot in here is all." Wolf wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"It's fifty degrees in here," Andrew said.
Pigma raised his head to scratch his chin, his dangly arm wavered. "Damn, you got track of everything don't you runt."
Andrew smirked and raised a brow as he grinned. "Well, whe-"
"Didn't ask, dipshit." Pigma stared at Wolf. "So, you think you can do it pup? Not gonna run and cry like you always do?" A sardonic grin went along his face. "Or run to boy toy, huh?"
"I want to do anything it takes." Wolf's body quivered as an urge to run coursed through his veins.
"Looking like you're about to piss yourself, pup? You sure?"
Wolf tensed up and straighten his poster, he set the side of his hand against his head and saluted. "Yes sir!"
Pigma dragged his head towards Andrew. "And you?"
Andrew crossed his arms and bowed. "Yes sir!"
He whistled before he toothily smiled.
"Now this is going to be some interesting shit."