A/N: Hey everyone, sorry about the short chapter 9. I wanted to post Chapter 10 sooner than my usual Once a week updates because this is a Tribute chapter to TheWoofMan, who inspired me to write this in the first place. That being said, if someone does inspire me to write something, I like giving more than just a mention in my notes, so there are times I try to incorporate a character, place, reference, etc (With the author's permission). In addition Everything about "Mac" in the chapter is "cannon" in terms of the fic he comes from, from the pairing to his interests, and hopefully I got his manner of speaking done properly as well because I'd like to do him justice. I was having a lot of trouble thinking of ways to incorporate Mac smoothly into the fic so he'd be a part of it, so I thought why not give him his own chapter? This chapter goes back from Chapter 3 to the "present" but from Mac's point of view on how things have been going on his end. Think of it as a small intermission, with the story picking back up on Saturday. This chapter DOES skip around a bit, as will be indicated by a break of sorts, either by a horizontal line or a line of x's. Sorry for the long A/N and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 10

Panther and I had decided to head back to our dorms after meeting Fox and Wolf. Both of them seemed like pretty cool guys. I found out that Fox and I even had a few classes together! I was grinning as we walked back, imagining how the school year would go. Panther got to the door first and opened it revealing our standard dorm. It had had faint traces of the scent of paint from some of my latest projects…I was glad Panther didn't mind. The walls were a dull white. 'That's going to change soon.' I thought to myself. I wanted to give this room a bit of my own personal style. The floor was a dark brown carpet, which I thought a bit interesting; most had the same boring tannish color to it. I heard Panther land on his bed with a sigh and I sat on mine. I pulled open the drawer from the nightstand and took out a sketch pad and pencils. I turned to a fresh page and started sketching. After about an hour I heard Panther snoring softly and set down my sketch pad for a moment. I had been working on a collage of sorts with all the possibilities that might happen. One of which was hidden. Asking out Panther...I wanted to ask him...but I wasn't sure about it… He never seemed like he was interested…what if he turned me down? I tried to shake my head clear before putting the sketch pad back into the drawer and going to sleep.

About a month had gone by, I was doing well in my classes, when one of my professors pulled me aside though to ask about showing my work; I was nervous at the thought, since I didn't normally like having all the attention on me and I was being asked to show some of my work in front of a large group of people...I wasn't sure if this was a dream come true, or a horrible nightmare... I reluctantly agreed when the professor mentioned I'd get extra credit for doing so and went to walk back to the dorm. Panther was still in class, so I thought I'd try and figure out what I was going to show. I still hadn't asked Panther out yet. The fear of his rejection is what held me back…What if he didn't look at me the same? I took a deep breath and reminded myself. 'Panther has been my friend for years. This wouldn't affect our friendship...wouldn't it?' Great...I was starting to doubt myself… Once I finally arrived at the dorm I found a few canvasses and started getting to work. By the time Panther got back I was covered in splotches of paint that I hadn't noticed I had gotten on me.

"Oh...um… Hey Panther." I said, looking over at him as he walked in.

"Hey Mac...Decide to turn yourself into a Dalmatian?" His tone said that he was joking.

I was confused for a moment before I looked down and noticed the paint that managed to find its way onto my fur.

"I..um...well.." I tried finding the right words but I was embarrassed with how I looked.

"I'll be back.." I managed to get out before grabbing some clothes from my dresser and dashing into the bathroom. I turned on the water from the shower allowing it to warm up before trying to scrub the paint out of my fur. After a while it looked like I got it all out and I turned off the water and dried off, changing into my dry clothes. I found panther sitting on his bed, looking at me, his tail flicking slowly from one side to the other.

"Mac, do you mind helping me practice something?" He asked, his topaz-like eyes looking at me curiously.

"S-sure..What is it?" I wasn't too sure what I was getting into..

"I wanted to try something I learned in my combat class, if that's alright?"

"I..Guess it is." His eyes seemed to light up with my reply. He stood up, a slight grin danced on his face.

"Alright then, try and hit me." I was a bit reluctant to do so but I managed to try and punch him. Panther ended up grabbing my arm and pulling me towards him. He looked down with a grin. "I have a question for you." He said as he held me against him.

"What is it?" I was curious. I nearly yelped when he suddenly dipped me as though we were dancing before asking.

"Mac, would you like to go out with me?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Panther Caroso, my friend for years, just asked me out. It took a moment before I was able to speak. He looked as though he was holding his breath. I gave a small grin before replying with a simple "Yes." His eyes seemed to light up as he bent down and gave me a soft kiss before letting me stand up straight. When I looked up at him his grin seemed to stretch from ear to ear. I had the feeling I had a similar look on my own face. Over the next few days we went out to eat quite a bit. Panther had surprised me by giving me a rose on "our first date". I was still overcome with happiness at the fact that He asked me. Later that night before I was about to fall asleep I had felt something moving in the darkness. I was slightly startled that I felt someone's arms lightly wrap around me, I then realized they were panther's and I relaxed, leaning into him as I drifted off to sleep.

A few more days had passed and I found myself presenting in front of a rather large group of people. Panther for some reason didn't have class today, so he offered to come with me and give some moral support. I felt better knowing he'd be there. I was still nervous as all hell but it helped make it a bit more bearable. The presentation had seemed to go on for a while.. but I somehow managed to power through it. Panther was waiting for me with a grin.

"You did well." He said.

"You really think so?" I was still second guessing myself. I had stumbled slightly when trying to walk towards the center and I thought it threw everything off somewhat.

"I know so. Look." He pointed to a group of people who were looking at one of my latest paintings. I decided to label it "A rose for all seasons".

It had shown the different ways roses had looked and how it still stood even in the harsh winter. I had got the inspiration from Panther honestly. I thought that even when things got harsh, we'd still survive. We had gotten back to our dorm a little late and Panther decided to watch something on the Holo-screen.

"Hey, Mac, check this out."

"Hm?" I walked over curiously. It was a news report about how the other day a nearby city had been attacked. I thought I should share this with a few others. It looked pretty important. I sent a text to Wolf

"Dude, turn on the news, like now" After putting my phone away I watched it with Panther. He seemed preoccupied. After a little while he finally said something.

"That wolf looks familiar..." He said, though he sounded unsure of himself.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can't place my finger on it though..." With a shrug he had turned off the news and walked over to his bed. He motioned for me to come over, and I did. He immediately pulled me into a hug and gave me a kiss. I enjoyed the feeling of his soft fur against mine. I didn't know how much time had passed before we broke apart to breathe. Panther had started taking his shirt off and I looked him over as he did so, admiring his body. He smiled before removing my own, before I knew it we were laying down under his sheets, his arms wrapped around me, holding me close.

The next few months had been pure bliss as Panther and I continued to be together. Everything seemed to be going just right. I even got to hang out with Fox every now and again. It was nice seeing the Vulpine. I asked how things had been going with him, he told me things were going alright and I decided to bring up the attack from a few months back. He shrugged when I asked if he knew anything about it. Then he asked about how things were going with Panther and I. I was proud by the fact I could say we were in a relationship. Though I was curious, were Fox and Wolf? They seemed like they would be. I was a bit disappointed to hear him say that they weren't. We spent the rest of the day hanging out. I showed him a few of my sketches that people had been looking at. He teased about Panther being the source of inspiration. It was then I decided to tell Fox how Panther and I had started going out.

Once the day had ended I had headed back to my dorm, hoping to see Panther. He wasn't in the dorm when I got there, but I was too tired to wait for him. I had simply trudged over to my bed, and tried in vain to fall asleep. It was a futile attempt, as Panther, my source of comfort over the many months, was absent. His presence always had a calming, soothing effect, allowing me to find peace at night. I lay awake for what felt like hours before I heard the soft click that indicated the door was being opened. Looking over I gave a tired grin as a certain feline strode into the room, fatigue etched into his features as he ambled over to the bed.

"Tired?" I mused, the grin still having yet to leave my face as he lay down.

"Very." Was the only thing he said as he then shifted onto his side and dragged me over towards the black feline held onto me, I found myself slowly drifting to sleep, my ears faintly catching a murmured "good night" before sleep finally came to claim me.

A/N: And there is chapter 10. Hope you guys liked it, and hope you all check out "Starfox: University". Although I've come to doubt that said source of my inspiration is reading this Fanfic, if you are, hopefully I did well. Sorry if you all didn't want an "intermission" but I found it gave me a nice break from the story and I found this enjoyable to write. Updates will continue on Saturdays as usual where we will get back into the main story. Until then, please review and continue to read!