~~Fara's POV~~
It had been three weeks since our arrival back in Corneria City, and David was adjusting nicely. He got 200,000 credits for single-handedly handing Star Wolf's butts to them. We cleaned up a spare room at the HQ for him to have and he was very grateful. He insisted that we didn't have to go through all this, but Fox and especially Krystal insisted. There was a massive broadcast about a new member of the Star Fox Team being a new race we had never encountered before, so that made it easier for him to walk about without having people fear him unnecessarily. He and Falco got along great because of his extensive knowledge - and cache - of firearms. Turns out he's a bit of a techie too, and has gotten in deep technological conversations with Slippy and Fay that would give anyone but them a headache. Miyu tries to flirt with him constantly, keeping to her nickname given by Fox. He...avoids me though. I noticed when we first arrived on Corneria and tried getting him to open up to me, but to no avail. That's what I was conversing with Miyu in the gym about.
"Maybe, unh! he, unh! likes, unh! you," she said between bench presses. I lifted the barbell and put it on the rack then turned the gravity weights off. "You have got to be joking," I said looking down at her, bemused. "That's as likely as you and Slippy hooking up."
"Hey. Better him than that feathered snob." She got up and grabbed a workout towel which she dried her sweat with then draped it over her shoulders. With her hands on her hips, she shrugged. "Maybe you should ask him."
"WHAT!? We barely know him-"
"He saved Fox and Krystal's lives."
"Ok, and?!"
She sat down on the bench she had just been working out on. "I think he's pretty cool, that he'll accept just about anything you say."
A new voice interrupted us. "Oh! I'm-I'm sorry...I'll come back la-"
"We're just finishing up, sugar," Miyu said and walked out, giving me a look. Of all people to interrupt us, it had to be him. David stood at the threshold of the gym, finding anything but me to lay his eyes on. I raised an eyebrow as he started whistling a random tune, and chuckled. "Hey, David," I said quietly, letting Miyu's words roll around in my head. He snapped his head in my direction, somewhat startled...no...nervous. He was nervous. "Oh, hey Fara." He attempted a halfhearted smile. I walked over to him and put my paw on his shoulder. He had lowered his head again and was staring at the floor. "David, what's wrong? Why have you been avoiding me?"
He sighed and turned away, walking back to the main part of the house, most likely to his room. "David, wait!" I ran after him and caught up as he stopped in the hallway when I called out to him. "Please. You need to open up, or else you'll hurt more. Please. You're hurting me David by acting this way. What have I done?"
He shook his head, "Nothing," and took a deep breath followed by, "You uh, wanna go outside?" as he looked sheepishly at me.
I smiled and nodded.
I usually wear more clothes than the average girl when I exercise. For instance, I like the feel of sweat cooling me down all over, so I wear pants or a long skirt with a short or long sleeved shirt. Well, now that I think about it, just about all the time. When we got outside David sat down on a bench by the bird bath fountain and looked away from my direction, at the birds.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said. "The birds playing in the fountain, backdropped against the rising sun." he turned to me after I sat down and continued. "They're carefree. If..." his voice cracked as he wiped away a tear and looked down. "If...they lose their mate, they just go out and find another one, simple as that, well, for most birds." He fiddled with his fingers.
"You lost someone."
He turned his head to me again, a hurt look on his face. He let the tears flow freely now, uninhibited. He took a shuddering breath. "Yes."
"And, that's why you're avoiding me?" I was, to say the least, slightly confused.
"Not the whole reason." He was resting his elbows on his knees, fiddling with a flower he had plucked.
"You don't have to-"
"I need to." He looked at me in the eyes. Those ice blue spheres captivated me for a brief second before I shook myself mentally.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." He paused, then leaned back and looked up at the slowly brightening sky. "Her name was Katina. I thought I was over her, but…" he took a breath, "every time I see you, I think of her."
My eyes widened. "But why?" I leaned in a little. I was very interested.
"I…know this might seem strange, or even illegal, but I like you, Fara. A lot. You remind me of her in every way. Her laugh, her humor, the way she corrected me," he chuckled. "You're a lot like her, Fara. And, I can't shake that."
He didn't notice that I had scooted closer, as his eyes were closed.
"I wish I could. I've prayed, I've-"
I wrapped my right arm around him in an embrace, looking at him softly. He looked at me quickly, shocked. He shook his head and barely got the words out, "Fara…I…"
"Shhh…" I said, putting a finger to his lips. "It's fine. Just sit here for a second. Let's watch the clouds."
He smiled lightly. "Is this a date?"
I shrugged. "It can be. Multiple species date all the time in Lylat."
His grin got wider and he put his left arm around my back in the same manner I had done to him. "That would be nice."