The chapter title is the prompt :))
PLEASE READ THE FICS IN THIS SERIES BEFORE READING THIS! THANKS!
This has another one of my ocs, Em, in it! Read my Tumblr to find out more about her!
When Badgerclops entered the kitchen after working on the Aerocycle all day, he hadn't expected to see a group of teens huddled around the table in various states of exhaustion. Yet there they were, looking depressed.
Aw great... Badgerclops thought to himself pessimistically. Teenager stuff.
Adorabat had taken the chair closet to the door and had slumped backwards into it; her neck was bent over the headrest and her eyes were glued to the ceiling. Her short fur was ruffled, and based on what the badger knew about the girl, she was ready to conk out.
In the middle seat, with his back to the fridge, was Sun; his arms were folded onto the table and his head was buried deep into the crook of his elbow, keeping his face from view. It was an out of character position for the canuki, Badgerclops was used to seeing the teen always sucking up to his father and having perfect posture; although the badger wouldn't exactly say this was a change for the better. Honestly, Sun kinda looked like shit sitting like that; the seventeen-year-old had definitely seen better days.
Meanwhile, Marmalade was furthest away from the door, with her feet propped up onto the table next to Sun's head, and her chair leaning dangerously on only it's back legs. She surprisingly seemed less tired than the other two, instead, her expression was quizzical; as if she was trying to figure out a difficult mathematical equation. When Badgerclops entered the room, however, her golden eyes met his.
Only then did he realize he walked into silence. They must be really tired if they're not yelling and stuff...
"C'mon man, get your feet off the table." Badgerclops frowned, carefully making his way around Sun's chair so he could reach the fridge; his glare directed at the orange cat, "I eat food there, y'know."
"You and your food..." Marmalade rolled her eyes. "If you're using a plate you shouldn't have to worry."
"It's still gross." Badgerclops huffed, burying his nose into the fridge. "I don't want your nasty ass paws anywhere near my tacos."
"Jeez, fine." The cat pulled her paws off the table, and her chair fell back down into place; making a rather large bang in the process.
Adorabat's head immediately snapped up into position at the sound, her eyes wide, "I'm awake! Where's the monster?!"
"No monster. Just Badgerclops." Marmalade sighed, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "They're the same thing if you ask me-"
"Hey, watch it." Badgerclops slammed the fridge shut, and placed the ingredients for a sandwich on the counter beside him. "Why are you three here anyway, it's like..."
Badgerclops blinked, clearly looking for the time in his cybernetically enhanced mind. "...8 pm. I thought you'd be out doing something."
"I wish!" Adorabat groaned, "Instead we gotta sit here and figure out this stupid problem..."
"Uhh, problem?" Badgerclops paused. "If you have an issue you should just shoulder it onto Mao Mao, that's what I do-"
"I don't think this is something he can fix." Marmalade huffed, annoyed. "It's about Em Fatal."
Badgerclops frowned as he slathered mayo onto his bread, "Uh... isn't that that fox thief women?"
"hmmmf hmf ghmmmmmf."
The badger glanced back towards the table at the sound of a familiar mumble, "Dude, I couldn't hear you."
Sun raised his head off the table, "Arctic fox thief women." He corrected, before burying his nose back into his arms once again. Badgerclops wished he could've seen the canuki's expression, but since the badger was standing behind him, it was a bit difficult; Sun had sounded awful.
"Uh huh... right." He raised an eyebrow, turning back to his in-progress sandwich, "So what's the issue with her?"
"She's back in town," Marmalade grumbled.
"And we haven't seen her since we drove her outta the village a few months ago!" Adorabat added.
"Uh, I thought she got away cause you three didn't have evidence of a crime being committed?"
"T-that's beside the point!" The orange cat huffed, placing her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. "Today when Dora and Gummy were on patrol, they ran into her while she was just... I don't know, strolling around town or something!"
"Why is that a problem?"
"The problem is with how she behaves! She acts like...like..."
Adorabat slapped her wings on the table, "Like she wants to eat Sun and me alive!"
Badgerclops hesitated before putting the meat down on his bread, only to turn around fully to look at Adorabat eye to eye, "What the hell does that mean?"
Adorabat opened her mouth to answer, only to be interpreted by Sun finally lifting his head off the table and turning around to meet the badger's gaze
"S-she's like Evangeline," Sun muttered, his cheeks a fiery crimson. Badgerclops immediately understood.
Wait... isn't Evangeline that flirty criminal guy from Tails of the Cosmos, that sci-fi show Sun and I watch? Oh boy...don't tell me...
"So we have another Tanya keys situation on her hands...damn," Badgerclops mumbled, remembering back to when Tanya would flirt with Mao Mao mercilessly during their battles.
"Uh... what was that about my mo-"
"Forget about it." The badger huffed. "So I'm guessing the issue is that this Em chick makes you three uncomfortable?"
"Well, I haven't met her in person, but I always have to hear what she's saying to these two through their earpieces!" Marmalade wrinkled her nose. "It's awful to listen to."
"Yeah, she's always calling me cute and stuff. Which is true, I am adorable, but it's super weird coming from her!" Adorabat cried.
Sun's blush was seemingly growing stronger by the minute, and he looked like he wanted nothing more than to put his head on the table again, "T-that's not the only issue. When she...um...t-touches me I get all distracted so she always manages to e-escape... Whenever I think I finally got her, she somehow gets the upper hand by getting all t-touchyfeely or whatever..." His words were growing quieter and quieter as he continued.
"So I'm guessing you're trying to figure out a way to make her stop this flirting stuff?"
"Exactly!" Marmalade nodded. "If there was something Sun or Adorabat could do to somehow cease this stupid femme fatale act, then we'd finally gain the upper hand and be able to catch her!"
"Well, that's super easy." Badgerclops turned back to the counter and finally finished his sandwich, taking a healthy bite of it. "Youjustgottaflirtback." He spoke with a full mouth.
Adorabat blinked, "Flirt...back?"
Sun's jaw dropped. "W-what?"
Badgerclops swallowed his food, "Yeah! I bet she isn't expecting you two to reciprocate her suggestive comments. I mean, c'mon, you two are the most innocents of innocents. If you guys said something really steamy back, she'd probably be too surprised to say anything in return!" Badgerclops smirked. "Trust me, it always works on TV."
"TV... yeah...yeah! You're right, it does work on TV!" Adorabat grinned excitedly, "That sounds fun, let's do that!"
Sun swallowed, and nervously fiddled with his Dice; Badgerclops hadn't even noticed him take it out, "I-I don't know-"
"That's an awful idea!" Marmalade slammed her paws on the table and stood up abruptly; causing her chair to screech as it was pushed back. Sun and Adorabat flinched at the display, but Badgerclops stayed still, only raising an eyebrow. "Flirting back? Are you kidding me! Did you forget she's a criminal?!"
Badgerclops shrugged. "Criminal or not, this is your only choice. I mean, unless you want me to go get Mao Mao or Tanya-"
"No!" Sun yelped, "We don't need them for something small like this!"
"Yeah! C'mon, Marmalade, this is a good idea." Adorabat nodded encouragingly.
Marmalade growled. "I disagree! C'mon, have you ever talked to Gummy before?! There's no way in hell he could actually manage to fluster Em of all people! He'd screw it up!"
"I don't know about that," Badgerclops muttered. "I mean, from what I've seen, he always seems to fluster you when he's training with that whip of his-"
"Don't finish that sentence, old man!" Marmalade hissed, a blush across her cheeks. "Grr...FINE! Do what you want! But when this dumpster fire of shit hits the fan, I had nothing to do with it!"
"Yay! Welcome back to the team, Marmie." Adorabat grinned. "Now, let's go skin a fox!"
Sun nodded, "Yes, let's go- wait. What was that last part?"
"Never mind!" Adorabat jumped off her chair, and flapped her wings so she gently glided to the floor, "We don't have much time till patrol tomorrow morning, and we still have to go practice our pickup lines!"
"Oh boy..." Marmalade mumbled. "This is gonna be a long night..."
And it keeps on getting longer... Sun thought to himself, stifling a yawn as he trod down the dark street of the village. It was around 2 am now, a few hours before sunrise, and the canuki hadn't gotten a wink of sleep yet. The majority of his night had been spent in the Dojo, practicing his pickup lines and kabedons alongside Adorabat; with Marmalade helping them as well. Badgerclops hadn't stayed around for long, only for the first hour of practice so that he could make fun of the teens; before leaving to the garage once again.
By the time they were finished, it was around 1 am. Suddenly realizing that their patrol, and chance to meet Em, was at 6; the trio quickly parted ways and went to bed...
Or at least, Adorabat did.
Being the nice guy that Sun was, he offered to walk Marmalade back to the castle (where she lived with Honey in their shared lab). It was almost customary for the canuki to do so after so many years, so Marmalade didn't complain much about the company.
When they finally arrived at the castle's gates after twenty minutes of walking, they parted ways, and Sun began the trek back home alone.
I'm gonna be exhausted during the morning patrol. He thought to himself as he walked down the deserted, main cobblestone street; rubbing at his eyes tiredly. I kinda hope we don't see Em tomorrow, at least then I could take a twenty-minute nap before Dice training in the afternoon...
Sun raised his gaze from his feet and looked around at the buildings surrounding his path. They were decorated with colorful banners and flowers; and there was a handle of closed carts standing on the side of the street, their products hidden under thick blankets, awaiting tomorrow. Sun could recognize a few of the tiny shops, such as the candy and toy stores' respective carts.
Huh, I forget that there's a festival tomorrow. That sounds fun, even though it probably means more work for me... His sigh left a cloud in the chilly night sky, and the canuki pulled his scarf up over his muzzle in a feeble attempt to stay warm. Maybe if I do well in training, Dad will let me off early so Adorabat, Marmalade, and I can check out the festival. That sounds like something I can look forward to.
A breeze ran through the street, causing the banners to sway gently in the wind, and Sun to shiver. What I'm looking forward to most right now though is my bed. I bet it's gonna so nice... just ten more minutes and I'll be home, cuddled up, and-
Sun froze.
Carried by the wind, was the sound of an awfully familiar giggle.
"What are you doing out so late, Sunny?"
Before Sun could even think, his training kicked in and he turned to face where the voice came from. His dice, which he had already thrown and caught, transformed into a whip; which he held coiled up in his hands, reading to strike.
His gaze immediately fell to an alleyway a couple of feet away, where a pair of glowing brown eyes met his own. His hackles rose.
He recognized that voice and those eyes.
It was difficult to make her fully out while she was standing in the dark, but not impossible. She's wearing a coat, and I think she has something in her hand. Maybe a weapon? I should steer clear of her left side if that's true and strike before she has a chance to-
"If all you're gonna do is stare at me like I'm dessert, we might as well go somewhere warm," Em smirked, finally stepping out onto the cobblestone street and into the moonlight; Sun immediately stepped back as well.
It was true, instead of her usual tightly wound corset, Em Fatal was wearing an indigo trench coat and in her hand was a bright pink lollipop; the candy shined in the pale moonlight, showing off what was most definitely Em's saliva. Sun swallowed.
Her surprisingly soft brown eyes took in his figure, "Why, you aren't dressed for the weather at all."
"I wasn't planning on staying outside for very long," Sun replied, his tone surprisingly strong and stutter-free. Maybe that flirting practice actually helped!
"Well, I do apologize for ruining your plans then, but when I saw you walking so cutely, I just couldn't help but stop by and say hello to my favorite Sheriff~" She punctuated the sentence with a long lick of her lollipop, her eyes glued to Sun's.
The canuki felt his confidence crash and burn. Oh, ancestors help me.
With a smirk, as if she knew she had already won, the fox sauntered even closer towards the teen; one hand on her hip while the other held her sucker to her mouth. Sun tried to tell his legs to move, or to flick his whip, but he was frozen; his attention fixated on the way she was sucking on the candy, and dear god why am I so memorized by her mouth?!
Sun barely registered the feeling of her paw on his shoulder, "You feel a bit chilly, I doubt that scarf is doing much."
The teen finally tore his gaze from her lips, meeting her gaze, "Um, I didn't catch that, w-what did you say?" He asked sheepishly.
Em chuckled knowingly and reached upwards, wrapping her arms around the canuki's neck; making sure her lollipop didn't get stuck in the fur on the back of his head. Sun jumped at the suddenly increased contact, and his face turned a deep red.
"Stop looking like a kicked puppy, I'm just trying to warm you up~" She grinned, her nose brushing gently against his own. "You don't mind this, do you?"
"I...I..." Sun knew what Em was doing, he had been a victim of her little schemes before. She's trying to distract me with this whole... act. And while I'm flustered and spluttering like an idiot, she takes off with half the village jewels! I'm just confused about what she's trying to distract me from right now...
Em pressed her body even tighter against his own; the canuki swallowed the spit that was collecting in his throat.
Grrr, focus Sun! This is just a tactic to mess with you! Luckily, now we have our own secret weapon. Think... I need to remember those stupid pickup lines I learned!
"Hellloooo? Earth to Sunny?" Em cooed, "Are you still with me, or did your brain combust?"
"Um, s-sorry. I was just t-thinking of a way to say that..." Sun racked his mind for the flirty one-liner, but the feeling of her chest against his was making thinking a bit difficult. "...I-I'm going to... c-choke...you?"
...
...
...
Sun wanted to crawl under one of those carts and stay there forever. Oh, ancestors, I can't believe I just said that.
Em seemed surprised as well, her brown eyes were wider than usual, and her familiar smirk had downgraded into a confused frown.
"Was that an...invitation?" She asked, not even attempting to make her tone suggestive; it was clear she was just as confused about the situation as he was.
"Um... Y-yeah? I think?" Sun managed to mutter, his brows furrowed.
Em blinked up at him, and Sun could feel her grasp around his neck loosen. Wait... did it actually work?!
"...Was that your awkward attempt to flirt with me?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow, and oh no the smirk was back.
"...was it really that bad?" He huffed, all signs of tension leaving his shoulders as shame fell over the canuki. Forget about being a hero, apparently, I can't even flirt right.
Em giggled, finally pulling away from him, "Yeah, but it was kinda cute." She smiled, plopping her sucker back in her mouth.
Sun's head shot up to meet her gaze, "W-wait, so it worked? Did I fluster you?"
"Hm, no, unfortunately not," Em smirked, taking a lick of her candy. "But I enjoyed it nonetheless."
Sun cringed, closing his eyes, "Ugh, dammit. Then Badgerclops was wrong after all and Marmalade was right...again. Thinking back, I'm honestly surprised we even agreed to such a silly plan. Still, I guess trying something is better than just sitting around doing nothing. Although, I guess that means Dora, Marmie, and I are gonna have to meet up earlier than usual for patrol and discuss our new game plan before we head out. I know it's necessary but it still sucks-!"
The canuki's word vomit was interrupted by something round, warm, and wet being thrust into his mouth. He let out a muffled cry as the taste of strawberries flooded his senses...Did...did she just stick her lollipop in my mouth?!
Em looked up at him, her eyes shining with something dangerous; her paws resting on his chest, "Don't talk with your mouth full, Sheriff~"
Even if he wanted to, Sun couldn't have. The sweet taste of the sucker, but most importantly the taste of Em Fatal, was clouding his mind; making any coherent thought impossible to sound out.
"Hmm, good boy~" She grinned widely, "I love playing with you, Sunny, and I wish I could stay... but I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow so I suppose it's time for me to take my leave."
Sun didn't reply, he was completely frozen.
With a knowing snicker, the fox finally stepped away; Sun stumbled forward a bit, he hadn't even noticed he was leaning on her.
"However..." She paused, "That lolly was difficult to steal-"
She reached forward, gingerly gripping the paper stick that was hanging from his muzzle. "-I hope you don't mind if I ask for it back."
And with that, she pulled the sweet out from the canuki's parted lips; a string of saliva (although Sun wasn't sure if it was his, or Em's from the treat) connected the teen to the lollipop. Sun felt like he was hyperventilating. Why do I feel all weird and tingly...
"I-I-" He began, but couldn't finish; his brain still short-circuiting.
"I hope you have sweet dreams, Sun-" She grinned knowingly, taking a step back as she slowly raised the treat to her mouth.
Sun felt his stomach drop.
W-wait, she isn't going to-
Em dramatically licked the lollipop from bottom to top, not missing a spot; her brown eyes glued to his panicked cyan ones.
"Although, I know they won't be as sweet as mine~"
Sun only let out a soft whine in response, his mind buzzing with the thoughts of their indirect kiss; unable to pay attention to the sound of Em's retreat.
...I can't tell anyone about this. Ever.