GAHHH THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THIS STORY! c':

I love you all so very very much, and it really means a lot. Especially since I've been so fickle when it comes to updating... D:
But luckily, my inspiration seems to be flowing again! Which means ... I SHALL BE UPDATING AGAIN! WOOHOO!

As always, you guys are the absolute best. You all inspire me every single day. *kisses and nuzzles*

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( ... Shenanigans at the bar lead to certain revelations ...! )

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Krytal's Adventures

Tales of the Cobalt Vixen
A Collection of Cornerian Shorts

Chapter Fourteen: "Ten out of Ten"

Krystal glanced over at Divya.

She was blushing, her pretty orange cheeks deepened with a pink tint.

"Well, that's why I became a fashion consultant," she said, looking up at Falco with shy violet eyes. "I always loved designing, but I wasn't getting anywhere on my own."

Falco actually looked impressed. "That's awesome," he said, edging closer to her on his barstool. He had the glassy eyes of someone who'd had one too many whisky sours, but he seemed genuinely interested. "So now you sell the stuff you make?"

She nodded. "I try to," she murmured, blushing even more.

Krystal turned back to Fox, grinning widely, and he smiled. "Looks like I won't have to kick Falco's ass after all," he said good-naturedly, cocking a bushy white eyebrow. "Not if he keeps this up."

"He's being gentlemanly enough," agreed Krystal, her eyes softening. They glittered like gems. Then they gleamed with mischief. "Speaking of," she said teasingly, clinking a claw against her empty glass, "Wouldn't a gentleman offer to cap off my drink?"

Fox's mouth quirked in a half-smile. "I thought I was your date tonight," he said softly, nudging her with his elbow.

"Doesn't mean you can't treat me to a refill," she countered, looking at him through thick black lashes.

His throat went dry.

"You won't treat the lady to a refill?" asked an incredulous, resonant baritone voice.

Fox looked up, immediately clenching his teeth.

"Sedge!" cried Krystal, smiling widely.

The good-looking trainer smiled down at them. "How're my two favorite pilots? Aside from going thirsty, I mean," he added, winking at Krystal.

Fox bit back a snarl, shocked at himself.

What the hell? Sure, Sedge wasn't his favorite person; but that was no reason to pick a fight. But something seemed off about the handsome Sedge Hawthorne tonight. Fox couldn't quite put his nose on it, but the feeling itself was enough to set him on edge. "Don't worry," he grumbled, looking up at the trainer with skeptical eyes. "I'd never leave Krystal wanting for anything."

"I believe it," said Sedge, wholeheartedly. "Who'd ever leave a lady like her in wanting?"

That was when Fox saw it; the warm, fiery fondness that flashed through Sedge's eyes. As Hawthorne looked down at Krystal, his expression softened for a split second, his gaze burning with desire. It was gone in a blink, but Fox saw it; and in that moment, all of his worst fears were confirmed.

Sedge Hawthorne had his sights set on Fox's girl.

Again.

Krystal was talking. "Such flattery," she said, looking skeptical. "I promise, I am not worthy of such high praise." She lowered her eyes humbly, shaking her head. Fox admired the soft blue lock that draped across her forehead, watching as she brushed it back behind her ear. "I have more than my fair share of faults."

Sedge scoffed, and to Fox's horror, pulled a barstool over to sit next to them. "Not that I can see," he murmured, looking at Krystal with gentle eyes. Then he turned to glance at Fox. "Wouldn't you agree, McCloud?"

He cleared his throat. "Uh, Sedge," he said, feeling like a jerk. But he'd be damned if he let this bastard interrupt his time with Krystal. "Do you mind if … uh …"

"Woah, Hawthorne!" bellowed Falco, staggering off of his barstool. He walked over and smacked Sedge on the back with a feathery wingtip. "What brings you down to the bowels of hell with the rest of us?"

Sedge chuckled. "Felt a little thirsty after training today," he said, grinning at Falco. "Don't let me take you away from your pretty little date," he added, nodding toward Divya.

Fox scowled. Speaking of taking people away from their dates… "Sedge," he grumbled. "It's kind of a private party, if you know what I mean."

The trainer's pale eyes widened, and he looked repentant. "Oh, dude, I'm so sorry," he said, starting to get up from his stool.

"Sedge can stay if he likes," offered Krystal diplomatically, winning a smile from the fennec in question.

Fox cringed.

Luckily, Falco came to the rescue. He had a knack for that. "I wanna introduce you to Divya," he said, slurring a little bit. He grabbed Sedge's huge bicep with a wing, shoving him away from Fox and Krystal. "She's a great gal. Talking to me even after I was a total asshole." He looked at her in admiration, and she blushed again. "Such a great gal," murmured Falco, dragging Sedge toward her.

Sedge glanced back at Krystal wistfully as Falco manhandled him away, much to Fox's relief.

"You know," she murmured. "I had a lovely session with him today. He seemed perfectly normal to me."

She was so sweet and kind.

And clueless.

Fox sighed. "He likes you," he grumbled.

Krystal blinked. Then she raised one dainty eyebrow. "Oh Fox," she said, doubtful. "That's impossible. I just met him this morning."

"That's all it takes," Fox muttered, his expression turning bashful. Then he grabbed his drink and downed most of the rest, feeling his face heat up.

She bit her lip, one pearly canine peeking over her little white chin. "What are you saying exactly?" she asked coyly.

Fox looked at his knees. "You're gorgeous," he mumbled. "I mean, guys fall for you at first sight. It's just the truth."

"Are you trying to tell me something?" she pressed, and he felt her lean closer.

On a reflex, he glanced up, and his heart stopped. She was much closer than he'd expected.

Way too close.

The tip of his nose brushed against hers, and his heart stuttered.

She looked at him through her lashes, her eyes half-lidding. "Well?" she asked, nudging their noses together again.

Fox felt like he was going to explode. His chest was tight and he was suddenly hyper-aware of the fact that his mouth smelled like gin. "I…" He leaned back a little, licking his tongue nervously around his muzzle. "Um… Well, I was talking to some guys in the gym today, and-"

Krystal cut him off, pressing one delicate finger against his lips. He shut up.

"Tell me, Fox," she said softly, closing the distance between them again. He could smell the faint, flowery fragrance of her fur, her sweet amaretto-scented breath. Her eyes sparkled at him like living emeralds, and she smiled, lifting her finger away from his muzzle.

He took a breath, fixing her with his eyes.

"That's all it took for me," he whispered.

She leaned closer, so that their noses were almost touching again. "What?" she asked, breathless.

Warmth rushed through Fox's body, from his ears down to the tip of his tail. He shivered. "Just one look," he murmured, looking at her with soft eyes. "One look at you, Krystal." He reached up a trembling hand to thread it through the glossy bob of locks that framed her face, feeling his mouth go dry. "You're so beautiful," he said, feeling his breath hitch as he touched her cheek.

He could feel her skin heat up under his fingers. "Fox," she sighed, her eyes flickering between his, and he shuddered as he felt her arms slip around his neck. She leaned against him, and he realized their muzzles were a breath away. "Please," she whispered, running one hand up the back of his neck.

He touched his nose to hers. Then the world stopped moving.

Slowly, very slowly, he kissed the side of her little white muzzle, tasting the soft downy fur. Her breath caught in a quiet gasp. With a deep shiver of pleasure, he felt the tickle of her nose as she buried her face in his cheek, giving him a soft, shy kiss on his jaw.

Now both of his hands were on her cheeks. He touched the blue velvet of her ears, stroked his fingers down her neck. It was like holding an angel. She trembled under his hands, and he fought back the wave of things he wanted to think about. He couldn't help it. How much would she tremble when he touched her somewhere else? If he touched her somewhere else?

"Thank you," she murmured, pulling back to look into his eyes. Then she leaned forward to kiss his chin with the tip of her tongue.

He was a little stunned at her words. "Th-thank you?" he asked. Not exactly something he thought to say after a romantic moment.

"For telling me," she clarified, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She hugged herself close, and he shivered as he felt her chest press against his. Krystal nuzzled against his neck, snuggling closer, and a spike of pleasure shot down his spine as he felt her nip sweetly at the base of his ear. "It was the same for me," she whispered, her warm breath tickling him. "Just one look."

"Woah, woah, woah," Falco groaned, somewhere beside them.

The foxes sprang apart, twisting around to find him staring at them with mock derision.

"Get a room," he added, rolling his eyes in an exaggerated expression. "Geez."

That was when Fox noticed that Divya was beside him, her arm looped through his feathers. He gave Falco a sly grin. "Look who's talkin'," Fox said, glancing at the beautiful dragon girl on Falco's arm. Divya bit her lip and smiled lopsidedly, showing one white fang.

"What can I say?" she muttered, her voice soft and bashful. "I'm a sucker for guys who beg."

Fox chuckled and gave a low whistle. Falco glared at him.

"Whatever," he grumbled, brushing his free hand through the ruffled crest of dark blue feathers on his head. "You're just pissed 'cause you're not the only one with a ten anymore."

Krystal frowned. "A ten?"

Falco winked at the vixen. "A ten out of ten." Then he pulled Divya closer, looking down at her with soft blue eyes. "As in a freakin' gorgeous lady."

"Shut up," muttered Divya, but she grinned.

"Get a room," joked Fox, but he was too happy about Krystal's kiss to actually be mad. And besides, it wasn't good form for a pilot to be caught kissing in the lounge at headquarters.

"Maybe we will," said Falco suggestively, but Divya elbowed him in the ribs.

"Don't push your luck," she warned, blushing and giving him a sassy look.

Krystal chuckled, her tail swishing. "Make no big decisions under the influence," she advised, sounding knowledgeable. Then she grinned and laced her hand with one of Fox's. Out of the corner of his eye, Fox could see Sedge Hawthorne lurking through the lounge, glancing over at them with a bristling expression.

He held Krystal's hand tighter.

"The influence is making me sleepy," he murmured, eager to get away from Sedge's stare.

Divya nodded. "Me too. Falco's walking me home," she added, looking up at Lombardi with adoring violet eyes.

Before Fox could give another low whistle, Falco punched him.

"Perhaps you could walk me to my room," asked Krystal softly, pressing her fingers against Fox's. "I'm rather sleepy myself."

His heart thudded. "Sure, Krystal," he said, his voice cracking.

"Well," cried Falco, grinning widely at McCloud. "On that note, I better get this young lady home." He tightened his hold on Divya, and she gave Fox and Krystal a lovely smile.

"Thanks for inviting me," she said, looking grateful. "I had a wonderful time." Her voice was sincere.

"Of course," said Krystal warmly, her eyes glittering at her friend. "We must do it again sometime."

Falco dipped his head in a dramatic nod, and took a step toward the door. "I feel like we will," he announced, and the two of them headed out of the lounge. "Thanks for letting me tag along," he called back, lifting his free wing in a friendly wave. And then they were gone.

Fox stared at the door for a moment.

Then he turned to Krystal.

She was heartbreakingly beautiful.

"So," she murmured, looking up at him through her lashes. "Walk me home?"

His throat went dry, and he took a breath.

"Of course," he said. He scrambled up from his barstool, looking for the barista. When he caught his eye, Fox called out to him. "Just put it all on my tab." The bartender nodded, and Fox took another deep breath, offering Krystal his arm. His heart was pounding. Hard.

She got up and slipped her arm through his, holding it with sweet warm fingers.

"My hero," she said softly, looking up at him.

And under all the nerves, the terror, the elation and utterly swirling feelings, Fox really felt like she was right. He was a hero.

He was her hero.

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:'3

... I don't know about you guys, but I am so happy right now! c:

As always, I thank you so much for reading! Especially after my unannounced leave of absence! *hugs*
Hope I'm continuing to provide you guys with a great story that you're enjoying, and continuing to portray the characters accurately! c':

And as you know... I adore you all, you sweet, sweet people! *mmmmmmmwah*

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Review please! I'll listen to your words!