Authors note:

And here's the promised chapter. This counts as soon, right? x)

Chapter 10: Date?

This is stupid. Was he stupid? He might be stupid...

'Idiot!'

And here he was thinking this was going to easy. What the hell do people do when "hanging out"? He'd never really done this before. Not with his school mates, nor with his team mates, yet the fact that it should be simple, that it was so casual to everyone else which infuriated the vulpine.

Abandoning the hospital, with slight regret for ditching Krystal, Fox and Wolf roamed the streets with no objective in mind. Biting his lip, Fox stole a glance at the other; isn't "loopy" a bit too vague for doctors? Wolf hadn't done anything out of the ordinary yet, but the whole day was ahead of them and Fox wasn't sure that would hold up. All this uncertainty for a day out to God knows where for the two.

'Loopy, huh?'

Well, something was clear to the vulpine. That usual grumpy expression which etched the lupine's face was replaced with a more lax, happy look. He looked better when he wasn't forcefully contorting his face to feign anger, as if he hated everything; not that he looked bad, though. The vulpine wanted to see it more, his happiness. He would strive to make him smile.

'Grr!' Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. 'Stop it, Fox.'

But was it a bad thing to see someone be happy? Of course not! It doesn't matter who it is, Wolf or no. Just because of what Falco said...

What Falco said...

"it seems to me you care about him." Fox had said those words to him earlier that day. But, he cares about everyone... Just, not the way Falco meant it. Right? "you seem to like Wolf." Yeah... He did. But once again, Falco had chosen double-edged words. Liking the lupine? Sure. But did he like the lupine? Like, like like him?

'I don't... I don't like guys. I can't like Wolf.'

Thud.

Rubbing his face, Fox snapped out of his thoughts to notice Wolf had stopped moving. In fact, he was looking over at the distance, to the park. 'That's it!'

"You wanna go over there?" Fox suggested, keenly aware that it was exactly where he wanted to go. The wagging of grey fluff in front of him showed that his deduction was dead on.

"Sure!" He looked even happier now. A fang emerged from his mouth, looking almost deviant in nature. Anyone else would probably assume he was planning something, like mugging them, but Fox knew better. At least, he hoped he did...

The park was rather quiet, given it was a week day. Most of the kids in the city were at school, their parents at work. The only people who seemed to occupy the park were the elderly. It was one of the smaller parks in Corneria, and the pathways were arranged in a very linear fashion. Fox stopped himself halfway across a bridge, just to admire the scenery.

Picturesque. That one word seemed to sum it up for Fox. Lush trees and bushes surrounded him, a vibrant green. Flowers lined the artificial pathways, arranged in a way such that the colours popped in contrast against the grass. The abundant foliage managed to block out most of the cityscape backdrop, and at first glance you might think it was in a remote location. The sound of rustling leaves overhead mixed with the gentle flow of the stream below and filled his senses.

It was peaceful. So peaceful, that he completely forgot about his company. Though he seemed to be caught in the moment too. Silently gazing off away, a pensive look on his face. The sight so candid, he couldn't help feel that the image of Wolf staring off added to the moment.

'No'

"Ahem." Fox coughed, startling the lupine. "Sorry about stopping you. Shall we continue?" Nodding, his face resumed it's previous cheery state. The walk was short lived, however, as they soon reached the centre, a circular clearing with a fountain in the middle. A monument depicting an Arwing stood proud, water cascading down the ship from it's engines. Both of them neared the statue, reading the plaque below.

In honour of Star Fox, the heroes which strove to protect the people of Corneria.
And to it's former leader: James McCloud.
A vital asset to Corneria, cut down in his prime.
Father, hero, legend, missed by many. May you rest peacefully.

He felt a violent tug at his heart strings... A distant longing he'd never gotten over, that small childish part of the vulpine which still existed; wishing, praying that he could come back. He'd never gotten true closure. Getting over it was harder said than done, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't forget.

"You know..." Wolf gently spoke, interrupting his moment of reflection. "I'm kind of jealous."

...

'J-JEALOUS?!'

Just the thought of it enraged the vulpine. Jealous of what?! Having his father die while he was still young? Jealous of having to be adopted by a family friend, never feeling that he actually belonged? The constant looks and whispers about him, calling him strange, weird, daddy's boy. He was seething.

His head whipped to face the other. "Jealous of what, pray tell?" He couldn't keep the anger from seeping out, but Wolf paid no attention to it. Instead, it was like he was in a world of his own.

"He sounds like a great guy. He was a great guy. I wish..." He trailed off, looking somberly towards the statue. A lone tear managed to escape the lupine's eye, gently falling against the floor. "I wish I could have had someone like that..."

Was this the medicine talking? It seemed to make him more expressive, which Fox took note of earlier, but if these were how he felt. The more he thought about it, the more he felt awful. Why would be jealous about any of that. Why would he be jealous about his father dying?

"Wolf?"

Silence. The only sound he could hear was of the fountain splashing, distorted by his amplified heartbeat. He looked so... Beaten. Defeated. The smile he once swore to protect replaced by sorrow. He should say something. Should he say something?

"Say, Fox." He said, cutting through the silence. "He was a great person, right?" A slow nod of Fox's head confirmed it. He thought so greatly of him, of course he was going to agree. "Could you tell me something?" Another nod. "Could you talk to me about him? Tell me about him... Show me how you feel about him."

Predicament. Big predicament. Okay, that settles it. He definitely is stupid. Having no reason to decline, he agreed to his request. The two took a seat by a nearby bench facing towards the statue.

"He was... Something else. It still baffles me how someone like him had so much love to give out, regardless of what had happened to him. When my mother died, he was the only person I really had left; I didn't have any siblings. Grand parents were dead, buried back on Papetoon. Despite all that, he gave it his all." A sad smile managed to form on his face.

"He taught me so much. About flying, about life. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. Someone so perfect... He'd contemplated quitting being a mercenary for me, to take care of me. He was so close too, but not close enough. He gave all his time to me, making sure I was okay. We were happy, for a time, until the mission came through. He actually refused to go, but the military forced him to go. He told me he would come back..."

"I still wish he did. I thought it was unfair that someone who worked so hard, who gave his all for everyone and not for himself, could be killed for that same compassion." Yet, no tears were shed from the vulpine. Just a dull ache. He'd already cried far too much over his death. It was strangely cathartic for the vulpine, saying this to the other.

"I hated Pigma for that. Never forgave him." Wolf interrupted him once again. "And... I'm sorry you had to go through that." The sincerity in his words produced a feeling in Fox. What said feeling was, he didn't know.

"What was your dad like?" Fox inquired, and then instantly regretted it. "I wish I could have had someone like that." Mistakes were made. Why was he so stupid?! A scowl formed on Wolf's muzzle.

"He... Nothing like yours..." Wolf's breath hitched, and it was obvious the memory was taking it's toll on him. "Alcoholic. Unloving. Angry." A few choice words, not giving much away about his past. "Child-abusive..."

Oh... Fox's chest sunk even deeper. He never expected to be told that, and with the possibility that he's only saying this because of the medication he was on made it all the worse. It felt like he was using it to delve into the others unknown past.

"Wolf, I-"

"My sister got it easy from him. He had a sort of vendetta against me, something about just me existing caused my mother to die. I never knew her, never will. I know nothing of her, he actively tried to remove her from my life... As if I didn't deserve her." The usual composed Wolf he'd recently gotten to know could be seen nowhere in the person beside him. Tears seemed to well up in his eyes, being cast away every time he blinked. "I know it's my fault she died... Whose else could it have been? He knew it too. Having someone live with you, knowing it's their fault the love of your life is dead, infuriated him. I think the only reason that I'm still alive today is that I still have a part of her inside me."

"I ne-"

"I often have dreams about him. Nightmares, about when I was a child... The time you woke me up, it was because of one of them. The memory haunts me wherever I go."

'I shouldn't have asked this...' "Are y-"

"Tell me Fox. Am I a screw up? Am I worthless?"

"No. I could never call you either."

"Then why do I let his words get to me? I can't help think he's right."

Fox wrapped an arm around Wolf's shoulder in a comforting manner. "Don't let them. I'm sure you've done far more than he's ever accomplished. You're better than him."

"Fox... I..." He couldn't hold back the dam any more. Wolf moved closer, resting his head against his shoulder, tears flowing. Fox moved his hand to the the back of his head, stroking gently. He began to whisper reassuring words into the others ear to try get him to calm down. Wolf let out a quiet, sorrowful howl.

"You're fine. You'll be fine. It isn't your fault. I'm sure your mum would never want you to think you killed her. I'm here for you, and will be whenever you want, okay?" While he shouldn't be feeling happiness about this, there was a slight bubbly feeling rising in Fox's chest. Just being in close proximity to Wolf seemed to do this to him recently. It couldn't be because...

'No! I don't like him!'

His thoughts didn't stop him from comforting the other, though. Nor did it make him hesitate. He'd practically just forced this painful memory out of the lupine, he at least deserved this. Fox looked around for a moment, glad that the park was so quiet. No one was there to disturb them, to give them strange looks as they walked past. Just them, alone.

'Krystal would probably be better at this than me...' Maybe he should have waited for her? He never would have screwed this whole thing up to start with if she were there. Yet the more he thought of how this would be easier with her, it wouldn't be better. The vulpine was enjoying his time with Wolf, even if this happened because of it.

It felt like a day had passed before his crying began to subside. Little sniffles could be heard from beside Fox, but that was it. Wolf moved his head up, revealing his bloodshot purple eyes. It was a sight Fox never wanted to see again.

"Say, I know what might cheer you up." One of Wolf's ears perked up in response, wondering what that might be. "Wanna get some ice-cream?"

"I-Ice-cream?" It was a stupid idea, so stupid it might actually work. Stupidity had gotten him this far already.

"Yeah. I've heard people eat it when they're sad and it makes them feel better. I've never tried it before but hey, it might work."

"I'm not a heartbroken teenage girl, Fox..."

"Don't knock it until you try it."

"Hm..." Wolf hummed in thought for a second. "Okay fine. But can we wait until..." He motioned his hand over his face, thinking he looked like a mess.

"Of course."

...

"Your hand is still on my head, you know..." Wolf said, breaking the momentary silence.

"Oh, sorry." Removing his hand from it's perch, he faced away, his face flushed.

"Nah, it's okay. I didn't mind that much, I just thought you might want it back." The red deepened.

'Stop blushing Fox! You're not some lovestruck teenager! You're not in some romance novel. You don't like Wolf!'

After recomposing himself Wolf stood, indicating Fox that they could go now. There was an ice-cream van not too far off where they were sat, which was surprising given how dead the park was. Wolf stood in awe at the variety of different options they had. When he said ice-cream, he assumed it would just be simple. What the hell was a "screwball"?

"What will it be for ya'?" The vendor asked, slightly panicking the lupine. He wasn't ready for this.

"I'll take a strawberry 99 with a flake, please." Fox looked over to Wolf, giving him a questioning look. He'd just copy Fox, that seemed like a good idea.

"Uh... 99 with a flake too, please."

"What flavour?"

"Uhm... Normal please"

The man prepared the two and handed it to Fox. After paying, Fox handing Wolf's to him, they set off to walk around the park. "Have a nice day!" The voice called out from behind them.

Bringing a hesitant tongue to the soft treat, the lupine slowly gave it a lick. Sweet. Very sweet; not unbearable though. He couldn't really see why it had this magical power to make people happy, but he had to admit it was good. Fox had started on his too, oblivious to the revelation Wolf just had.

"Like it?" Fox inquired, grinning at the other.

"Yeah, but it's hardly what it's hyped up to be." Wolf thought for a moment, maybe he just got the wrong one? "Hey, can I try yours?"

"Huh? I mean, I-uh..." What could be wrong with that? "Sure, why not?" He raised his hand to the others face, presenting it in front of him. He gave it a long lick, seeing if that would work.

This was sweeter, for sure. Maybe the sugar is what gives people energy? If so, he might have to wait a bit for that. He also made a mental note for the future; strawberry is better than regular.

Fox, on the other hand, just found out what could go wrong. Now greeted with another predicament, he didn't know what to do. The other had licked his ice-cream, that in itself wasn't bad... But now if he were to lick it, wouldn't that be some sort of indirect kiss? As if he and Wolf...

Shaking his head to try stop the blush from forming. 'Stop thinking like that!' It was fine, it wasn't like that. Right?

Even if he settled on that thought, he felt mild excitement bubbling up inside him, as his tail began to slowly wag. He started to eat it again, suddenly aware of the slight difference in taste than before. 'Why am I picking up on this?'

Regardless of his inner turmoil, he still enjoyed it. It wasn't often he had the opportunity to eat stuff like this. He finished the cream and then quickly chomped down the wafer, surprising the lupine once more. That was edible too?

The two suddenly emerged outside the park, greeted with the sight of cars zooming past them. "So... What do you wanna do now?"

Wolf's stomach grumbled in response, making it clear that he was still hungry. "Food?" Fox suggested, seeing the others ears perk up again. He loved doing that. It took a while for them to find a place to stop, but they eventually settled on a fast food sort of restaurant. Finding a booth table, usually for four, Fox took a seat and moved into the corner.

What he didn't expect, was that the lupine chose to sat next to him instead of the other side. He started to feel cornered, trapped. But he wasn't scared; quite the opposite. The presence of the other stirred the feeling of excitement once again.

"I'm surprised you didn't choose to sit at the other side." Fox stated, trying — and failing— to hide his elation.

"It's easier to talk to you like this, isn't it?" Wolf gave him a confused look, unaware of his breaching of personal space, and the subsequent reaction from Fox.

"I-I suppose." At least now he wouldn't have to be constantly looking at the lupine as he ate. Not that it would be a bad thing, he was quite an attractive perso-

'Nope!'

"What you thinking of getting?" Fox asked as a method of stopping himself.

"I dunno, I haven't eaten at places like this before. You?"

"I'm probably going to just get a cheeseburger and chips."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll get that too."

Fox began to stand up. "Right, I'll go or-"

"No no no, I'll do it. You're the one who invited me out, I feel like I should at least pay."

"But-"

"No buts! I'm going, you just stay here and look pretty, okay?" 'Pretty?!'

"Fine." Fox sat back down, placing a hand against his beating heart as the other left to order. "Phew..." He let out quietly, partly glad for this moment of peace. 'He didn't mean it like that, Fox. It's a figure of speech, he wasn't actually calling me pretty.'

'Idiot.'

Why wouldn't his tail just stop wagging already!

Wolf returned a minute or two later after Fox had calmed down, except this caused it to start back up again. "They said they'll bring it to our table in a few."

Back to square one. Excitement turned nervous, he had no idea what to say. 'I shouldn't be thinking like this.' Wolf, on the other hand, looked calm. Strangely calm, considered what had transpired between the two earlier.

Suddenly aware of another's presence, he realised the food had finally arrived. Busying himself with that meant he was thinking about Wolf less. The sooner he was out of this awkward situation, the better. Was it better?

Finishing his food, he looked to the other to notice he had also, taking a sip from his drink. Fox's mind started to wander."I haven't eaten at places like this before." What stuff has he done? Ice-cream was out too, as it looked like he had no idea what he was doing. How long has he lived in Corneria? In fact, where was he living? Fox doubted he had his own home, given the circumstances.

"Hey, Wolf."

"Hm?"

"Just wondering, where are you living?" The question was less stupid in his head.

"At my old home... Sister owns it now, living with her boyfriend. I swear, that guy's the worst."

"Oh, how so?" The thought intrigued Fox. Who could possibly be the worst to him?

"Guys an egotist. Can't stand being around him. Thinks he's hot shit just because he's older than me. Annoying douche, I hate the thought of just having to be in the same place as him, never mind living in the same house as him."

That sounded promising. Maybe Fox could ask if he wanted to live with him?

'Grr! I'm not saying that!'

"Why don't you move out then? Get your own place, you'd be far away from him."

"I would but I wouldn't know what to do with myself. Like, bills? Taxes? I've never done that stuff before, makes running a base seem easy. As much as I hate him, I gotta stay."

"You could always move in with me..." The offer slipped out of his mouth. 'I thought I said I WASN'T GOING TO SAY THAT!'

"You... You being serious?" Well, he couldn't say no now, could he?

"Sure. You're on the team and all, so it might be beneficial to be together." He threw up any excuse he could think of to make it more believable. That, and he wouldn't be so lonely.

"100 percent? Serious?" Wolf asked, his tail wagging behind him.

"Yeah?" Wolf enveloped him in a quick hug, tail still swishing behind him. Experiencing the warmth of Wolf once again, except this time it seemed to affect him all the more. Maybe he could hug back?

'I shouldn't.'

After their brief embrace, he moved back into his previous sitting position, facing the vulpine. God, Fox needed some fresh air. "Want to get going?"

"Okay!"

Fox had never invited people over to his house before. It was slightly messier than he would have liked, giving him the feeling that the house wasn't presentable. Wolf didn't care however, anywhere was better than his place.

The sun had started to set outside, casting an orange glow on the barren walls of the house. Wolf proceeded to sit down on the couch in front of the TV, sighing and relaxing deeper into it's grasp. Fox turned the light on, which the other neglected to do, and just stood looking at the other. 'What now?'

"Wanna watch a film?" It was still too early to go to bed, but not late enough to go do anything else. It seemed like the perfect option. Fox moved to sit next to Wolf, switching the screen on. He flicked through the channels for a while, until managing to find some action-y sort of movie. Wolf didn't seem too against watching it, so they settled for it.

Around an hour later, the film finished. Inspecting his surroundings, he noticed Wolf had fallen asleep midway through. 'He looks so cute.' Given it was meant to be some blockbuster thriller type show, it didn't really do it's job in keeping him interested it seemed. It was getting quite late now, maybe they shou-

'Cute?!' The sudden revelation hit him. It almost slipped away from him, the voice disagreeing with his thoughts slowly diminishing as they day went on. "you seem to like Wolf."

'Do I?' Signs pointed to yes. The continuous barrage of thoughts surrounding the lupine supported this theory. His feeling of happiness when the lupine hugged him, or even just when he sat near him. The strange bubbling sensation deep inside him whenever something happened between the two, the constant blush which followed.

'Is this love?' He'd never really experienced it before. No one affected him quite like the lupine was, and this could be the solution...

'Surely not. It could just be me being nervous, right?' Except then, how could he explain wanting to know more about Wolf's past, and the incessant tail wagging? He was happy at the time, and he can't deny that; there's no way he could be nervous.

His thoughts proved troublesome, so he settled on waking the lupine up as an effort to preoccupy them. Wolf stirred, stretching his arms and yawning. "What time is it?"

"Bed time, I suppose. Tired?"

"Yeah, walking around all day, still not fully recovered."

"Right, you can take my room, if you want. I'll sleep on the couch."

"Wh-what? I couldn't possibly take your room from you, I'm the guest. I'll take the couch."

"Exactly, you're the guest, which is why I'm giving you my room, 'kay?"

"Why don't both of us sleep there then? That's if your bed's big enough."

'Huh?'

"I mean, it's big enough... But don't you want space?" Sleeping with him again? This wouldn't become a normal thing, would it?

"Eh, I don't mind sharing." Wolf allowed a fangy grin to show, enticing the vulpine to take him up on his offer. It would beat sleeping out here...

"Okay okay, fine." Fox got up, making his way to the bedroom.

"Hey, wait up!" Wolf called out, rushing off to his side. The bedroom was rather large, with many different pieces of memorabilia scattered around. Picture frames depicting a family of three, obvious of who they were. Since his parents had 'gone', Fox had started to make the room his own. His old bedroom was far too small for him to sleep in now, and so was the bed. Thinking back, repurposing the place as a guest room didn't seem that bad of an idea now.

Fox stood by the light as Wolf was by the side of the bed. When Fox turned around, he noticed Wolf had removed all of his clothes, remaining only in his boxers. "W-WOLF?!" Fox exclaimed, instantly moving his hands to cover his eyes. "W-what are you doing?!"

"Huh? I normally sleep in my boxers..." He grinned again, a sliver of fang poking out and his eyes alight with mischief. Quickly moving under the covers, he called out to Fox. "Ready whenever." Fox flicked the light switch and moved towards the bed.

'I mean, so do I but...' Fox contemplated for a moment, until finally deciding if Wolf was going to do it he was. There was nothing to feel embarrassed about... Stripping down, he also moved under the covers. "Night, Fox." Wolf yawned, facing away from Fox.

Sleep was easier said than done. Fox lay on his back facing the ceiling, unsure of his feelings. Being in the same bed as Wolf, now armed with the knowledge that he may or may not have a thing for him made it much harder. Time seemed to flow in a way for the vulpine, as an unknown time had passed.

Turning to his side, he faced the same direction as Wolf. Looking at his back, it was almost as if his fur was calling out to be cuddled with. 'That's not that bad, right?' He'd done it before, so what was wrong with doing it now? Before he could dwell on it for long, he extended his hand and rested it gently on the side of his arm.

What he wasn't expecting, was for Wolf to turn around to face him. 'He's still awake!' The same look of mischief written over his face, he smiled at the other. "Didn't take you for one to cuddle, Fox."

"I-uh..." He stammered out.

"It's fine. You'll be like a fluffy pillow! I can't say no to that." To emphasize this, he moved closer until his arm wrapped around Fox.

'I didn't think this far.' Unsure of what to do, Fox too wrapped his arm around and embraced the lupine for the third time today. Actually, isn't this how he woke up in the first place?

Fox began to feel lethargic, calmed in the arms of the other. His thoughts no longer ran rampant, causing him to question himself. It couldn't have been clearer to the vulpine now, there was at least something he felt for the lupine; which was the last thought he had before he fell into a peaceful slumber.

'What have I done?! I'm an idiot!'

Wolf had awoken the day after, clearly later than the vulpine as his arms still remained wrapped around. He knew all of this was his fault. Should have just taken the offer to take the bed on his own, then he wouldn't be in this mess.

But he really didn't want to escape, for fear of waking the vulpine up. That would be awkward, even more so than it was now. At least he could feign that he didn't have much control over what he was doing, that it was all the treatment, and that he didn't remember this ever happening.

And then there was the park 'incident'. He intended to tell the vulpine about it, but never to go all out like that. Composure meant everything Wolf, and letting Fox know that this was something that bothered him was not good. Thankfully he probably wouldn't have to delve much deeper any more.

A gentle sigh emanated from Fox, alerting Wolf he was awake. "Oh, Wolf..." he gently whispered to himself.

'Don't react... Stay still.'

"What am I supposed to do with you? I've really found myself stuck here."

'Maybe I should speak up before he says something I wasn't meant to hear.'

"I've... I've decided. I know it's sudden, but I can't help it. I think, I might be falling in love with you..." Fox needed to get it off his chest, or else it would eat at him longer. Saying his thoughts out loud to someone made him feel better about it, and since Wolf was asleep it made it better. At least, he thought he was asleep.

'What?!'

"I thought about this a long time, and recently every time I'm near you I feel happy. I want to make you happy, too. To see your smile. I never want to see you sad again. I want to know more about you, to be there for you in your sadness. I don't know why, I can't explain it myself, which is why I think it might be love. You'll never feel this way back, but in a way that's a good thing..."

'Oh, oh no. I should have said something.'

"If you felt this way back, I don't know if I could decline; I don't want to be a hypocrite. Relationships don't usually work well for mercenaries. It's the same reason I've been avoiding this happening with Krystal. But you somehow managed to bypass that."

Fox allowed himself to chuckle gently to himself. "I could never actually say this to you if you were awake. This will probably be the only time I say this at all, but I just had to. And..." Fox stopped, pondering about something for a moment. This might be the only chance he has... Should he take it?

He gently moved closer to place a kiss against the sleeping lupine's lips. It felt so wrong, to do this to someone sleeping, yet so right at the same time; better than he could have ever imagined. If there were any doubt in his mind saying he didn't like Wolf, it was obliterated that moment. This is what he wanted, even though he knew he shouldn't — he couldn't have it. He removed himself from the others lips, looking at his sleeping form.

"I... I love you, Wolf. And I'm sorry for that." He lay still for a moment, until finally deciding to get up and migrate downstairs. Wolf shot up from the bed, eyes wide open. He ran a shaky hand through his head fur; never in a million years would he have expected that. Bringing his other hand up he rested it against his lips. His first kiss...

"Shit!"

End note:

And Fox finally decides on how he feels. Next chapter(s?) will be more Wolf-centric on how he handles this. Katt's side-story will be expanded on too slowly alongside Krystals until they all culminate.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, it's quite a bit longer than the others. I would've cut it off, but I feel if this was shorter then the ending would have been less impactful, idk? See you next update!