Hey everyone,
Just want to let you all know that this chapter will be a bit of a repeat of what happened last chapter, but then from Sly's POV. I personally consider this quite the challenge as Sly is both a very serious and headstrong leader as well as an unstoppable flirt and someone who is very handsome – and who knows that he is.
Also, I know that – according to the Sly Cooper Wiki site, the Raccoon is 21 during Honor Among Thieves, but I personally feel a much stronger connection with the age of 23 and I like that a little more than 21 – mostly because the world kind of expects you to be a responsible adult at 21 and I just don't get why that would be.
That's all, on with it,
Venquine1990
PS. Credits For This Story Go To Kitty Petro
Sly's POV
My name is Sly Cooper. Today is my twenty-third birthday and while at first I had expected nothing more than a fun party with my brothers, my sister in all but blood, some of her co-workers and my newest team member, had the way Urmilla shown me what she had actually planned for my birthday made everything better.
I had been worried when the Cobra woman had told me how she had a problem as she had been stuttering and had even been almost biting her bottom lip with her own razor fangs, me grabbing her hand as I had asked her what was wrong. To hear that my suspicions about burglars wasn't it had been a relief to my ears.
To find out that my dearest Urmilla had actually gotten her hands on my beautiful, graceful and highly powerful and determined Carmelita Montoya Fox, the vixen that has had my heart since the first time I met her and that she had even managed to get the vixen in an outfit similar to mine had been the last thing I had expected.
To see that gorgeous vixen in her new brown, black and dark orange outfit had been beyond any dream I had ever had of the woman actually choosing my career over her own and while I had not been entirely comfortable with her being tied up, had my heart quickly over won my conscience on this little issue.
I had shown off a little with my cane and had teased the gorgeous vixen in the hopes she would be more willing to remain where she was, yet she had struggled further and I had felt bad for this, yet my conscience had not been able to overpower how badly I just wanted to be close to her and how happy I was to now have this chance.
I had decided to live out a secret dream of mine, something I had sworn myself would become a daily ritual were I ever to be lucky enough to have Carmelita by my side, and had asked Monique – who I always call Minnie – to fetch me a chair and a comb, my eyes constantly swirling between the girl and my beloved's gorgeous locks.
Carmelita had tried to get loose once more while I had approached her, yet I had been as gentle as if she were my very own child once I had been seated behind her and when she had lowered her head in defeat, had I tried to console her with words of comfort and a sweet and honest compliment of what my thoughts were regarding her hair.
To hear her answer that she thought it wrong for me to try and make her look as gorgeous as I believe her to always be had stung and yet, at the same time, had I strangely enough felt the strong belief rise within me that my gorgeous Carmelita had used a little too much power behind that statement to make it be honest truth.
I had ignored this and instead just enjoyed the chance to have that luxurious hair between my fingers, teasing Carmelita every now and then by letting my fingers go over the soft and sensitive spots in her neck as I brush further down her back before deciding to further prove to Carmelita just how well she and I fit together.
Taking advantage of her captive state for a second time that day, I had lifted her to where I knew Urmilla had a floor to ceiling mirror standing and while feeling divine over the fact that I can actually wrap my arms around her glorious waist, had I whispered sweet words in her ear, encouraging her to look at our reflection.
Carmelita had actually shivered at this – and probably at how my playful hands had started rubbing smooth patterns all over the fur on her sides – before she had asked me if I had any intention of letting her go. Using the excuse of her being my gift from Urmilla had actually made the vixen give up, yet her question had confused me.
I had tried making us both feel a little more comfortable by sending my Carmelita a hot and sinful look, yet this had only aggravated the vixen and I had motioned for Minnie to bring me my seat, not all that pleased that she placed it so that it blocked Carmelita of her lovely vision, but accepting the position of it nonetheless.
To then hear her speak of how she hasn't seen any of her family in the longest time had made my heart ache for her and while I had wanted to console her, had she believed that I felt guilty and had she assured me that it was not because she had been chasing me for the longest time. To hear that it was due to her boss had been a shock.
Sure, Barkley had never been one I had really trusted after how easily he had believed Neyla and how he hadn't even requested for Carmelita to be trialed or even questioned after she was accused of conspiring with me and my gang, yet the things my beloved tells me make me reach new levels of shock regarding the badger.
The filthy little beast had through tricks and schemes been trying to keep Carmelita from her family and had even gone so far as to try and wedge a gap between her and her only sister, something that makes me feel as furious at Barkley as when I had first realized that he wasn't planning to help Carmelita out in the slightest.
I had still felt curious as to why this all was and apparently was my face an open book for the lovely Inspector to read as she had told me of Barkley and what he had been led to believe since first meeting Carmelita in her ever gorgeous – and sometimes a little too revealing – outfit and to hear about the grapevine had not been pleasant.
Why such an influential person would even bother with something as silly as a gossip chain was beyond me, but that Barkley had apparently shown his colors in such a way the memory of it had made Carmelita shudder had brought out the worst of my fears and made me worry greatly for my dearest, truest love.
The story she had then told me, of what occurred between her and Barkley and few days before her invitation to Rajan's party had shocked, infuriated and absolutely flabbergasted me as I had never expected for someone like Barkley to sink that low as to openly point out Carmelita's finest traits and make them out as criminal bait.
To hear then that it had happened in the cafeteria and how it had affected her life at work had made me absolutely hate how little respect I had actually shown her during our times together and I had done the only thing I felt that I could do to make us both feel better; I had rushed over and hugged her tied up frame close to my own.
Carmelita had apparently, because of the memory, accepted this as she had let her emotions go, starting to cry softly as she had continued her tale and when her voice had left her and she had started to stutter, had the Cooper within me growled in possessive anger to all those who had hurt and damaged my precious girl.
I had then assured her of my need to protect her, whispering to her how she no longer had to be afraid of these men and getting even my entire team to agree that we would all make certain that they would never again think of turning against her, the determination to protect Carmelita almost radiating off of all three of them.
I had then cupped her gorgeous fur between my hands and looked as deeply into her crying chocolate brown eyes as I had dared, whispering another assurance of her safety before Carmelita had shocked and confused me as she had confessed to how her stuttering hadn't come out of fear, but rather out of guilt, which I just didn't get.
She had then warmed my heart and made me feel as if I actually did have a real chance with her as she told me how much she appreciated all I ever did for her, even going so far as to tell me that I had the decency to make her feel as if she mattered, something which made me confess in return how much I enjoyed her presence during heists.
Carmelita had both enjoyed this and told me how bad she felt for not returning my kindness to her, but rather shouting my hide full whenever we met, something that made me realize she only did this because she couldn't do the same to her boss or she would be fired and dishonor the family she had been missing for so long.
My heart had sung at the idea that this gorgeous vixen had trusted me this much and I had told her so, telling her how this always made me enjoy every part of the heist, from the very thieving of the item of my desire to the end of it, yet Carmelita had waved this compliment away and had actually shocked me when she shouted:
"AND YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT!" The shout had shocked me out of attempting to comfort her again and after getting over my shock, had I smiled at her and told her how much it really meant to me to realize that she trusted me as much as she did, comparing it to the only thing I could think of; any treasure in the world.
Then Carmelita had proven to me that we were closely approaching the whole reason she wanted to speak with me in the first place and while I had almost felt tears of love appear in my eyes when she confessed that she trusted me and why, had new tears almost threatened to spill when I heard just how badly Carmelita felt.
I then feel my lunges temporarily lose the chance to breathe as Carmelita confesses to the need of quitting her job and while her reason for not doing so tears at my poor heartstrings, can I only nod empathically, knowing I would have probably weathered the same kind of crap had I been a Master Thief alongside my father.
Yet it is at this exact point that Carmelita proves me how amazing, how devious and how desperate she actually is as she shows me how she was never tied up to begin with and that she only pretended to be so just to make me feel comfortable enough to allow her this chance before I suddenly realize something and ask:
"So you've been holding your hands behind your back by your own will?" And because Bentley and I often practiced me escaping from such binds, do I know like no other how painful that must have been, me jumping into action and racing over to softly kneed any possible sore muscles in Carmelita's shoulder and back as I do.
Carmelita then makes my day as she actually makes herself lean down against the chair she is seated in, the groan that escapes her throat making me feel very proud of myself for my handy work before she makes me tense in pure utter delight and concern as she mutters how I have to be patient before I can lavish her to my heart's delight.
The idea that I can actually continue with Urmilla's – or should I say Carmelita's – idea of having Carmelita as my birthday gift excites me to no end, do I keep in and only show her a deeply grateful and worried smile before seating myself back in the seat before her, showing her she again has my fullest attention.
Carmelita then repeats her current situation to me and when I hear how she seems to have trouble with the solution she came up with, do I already feel my mind starting to whir with all kinds of ideas to make certain we have some kind of back-up were my beloved's plan to fail, only to feel amused when she comments on my case.
She then continues and the part of her speaking of an exception intrigues me, yet the suggestion Carmelita comes up with and then tries to defend – her words sounding as weak-willed as she did earlier – make me know I cannot accept something that can only give her mental and emotional peace for one day a year.
To then hear her ask me whether or not I would even consider accepting her proposition makes me turn stoic to her, not wanting her to see just how terrible I think her idea as it just doesn't sound right, especially not to someone as kind-hearted, high-spirited and ever-independent as my beloved Carmelita Montoya Fox.
Yet the stoic mask seems not to work as Carmelita's face takes on a look of concern and I decide to be as open with her as I always am, allowing for my face to show my pain for her, my concern for her situation and my anger at how her boss thinks that he and his men can treat a woman of her incredible caliber and ability.
Carmelita's face shows me, however, that she really believed I would have taken up this offer and while my heart bleeds for how this woman cares for others more than for herself, do I respond the only way I feel possible; I get up from my seat and – with my arms and hug – tell the beautiful fox just how much I care for her in truth.
I then speak my mind, whispering how much it hurts me that she shoulders things like this on her own person, how this should never happen and how I just don't want her doing things she doesn't want or deserve, Bentley and Murray nodding in agreement with me before I again take that gorgeous face back in my hands.
Carmelita seems not yet done with her attempts to convince me and I silence her with my lips, attempting to get through to her how badly I wish to shield her from something as painful and torturous as what she is mentally and emotionally going through, Carmelita getting teary eyed in response as I convey her how I feel.
I then whisper it to her, muttering another few words of compliments while I am at it and make her a vow I know my friends will help me keep up, one where I promise her to rid her of Barkley and his disgusting methods without losing her chance to be in my life or risking the chance of disgracing her precious family name.
Carmelita then proves to me how stressful this has been for her as she hugs me to her gorgeous form, her tears spilling out of her precious-looking eyes and her arms around me in such a loving graceful hold, I can only clamp myself down onto this gorgeous vixen, my need to protect her with all that I am feeling content with this position.
Yet that chance is short lived as an unfamiliar voice suddenly says how the owner of the voice knows just the way and when I look from where I am lovingly holding onto the very woman of my dreams, am I shocked, surprised and feeling highly uncomfortable as I see a family of 4 foxes that all have facial traits similar to my beloved's.
The one who spoke was a few years older than Carmelita and while I feel amused at how he keeps repeating the whole problem Carmelita has at work, do I not feel entirely certain I should stay where I am and do I quickly scurry away from my loved one, my body aching to be with her, yet my heart fearing the chance to anger her family.
Carmelita, who I know is still highly unsettled from her earlier confession, then proves how she just can't handle her brother's teasing and while I feel glad that there is another person who is willing to tease my beloved in order to make her feel better, does the nickname Carm-Carm make me tingle on the inside with sweet joy.
However, this joy vanishes in a heart-beat and is instantly replaced with shock when the young man named Cheren says that, because Carmelita doesn't leave Interpol because of the family, they should all leave and Carmelita voices my shock perfectly as she first almost shouts, before referring to her native tongue and asking: "Que?"
Cheren then touches my heart and makes me feel overjoyed at the amazing family my darling vixen has been born into as he names several instances that prove the family has always done everything they could together, before asking that same precious sister of his why this situation should be any different from others.
That, it seems, actually convinces Carmelita that her own solution just shouldn't be considered acceptable and while she hugs him close with tears of gratitude running down her face, do I still nod when Cheren comments on how Carmelita shouldn't cry of pain or guilt, but should feel proud of the solution she tried to find.
This makes me want to disagree, yet I still nod as I do agree with how this solution proved, yet again, what an incredible strong and independent woman Carmelita really is, before Cheren had suddenly turned my way and made me feel as if the whole world had been turned upside down as he had asked if I cared for new recruits.
Hundreds of images and fantasies of what I could teach this male fox, his parents, his slightly younger sister and my dearest beloved had rung through my mind while Bentley had been the one to voice my shock, Carmelita's sister taking over where her brother left off and strangely commenting on how turtles lived in large families.
I know Bentley had always wanted a large family and how the fact that he was missing out on this had always made him that much more anxious and worried for Murray and me, not to mention all the more protective, yet Bentley seems not to catch onto whatever the other female fox is trying to prove as he asks for the relevance to this.
The words the fox then utters, of how the Foxes have always done everything together and while I feel as if it was meant for us to have the Guru here today, does Carmelita's sister then point out his addition to our team before she then sets us the ultimatum of getting the whole fox family on the team if we take Carmelita.
The idea that this entire law-abiding family is willing to become Master Thieves is still one I can barely grasp, making me stutter once as I ask if they really want this and just by how Carmelita's father is slipping between his native tongue and English, do I know that he too heard everything and how angry he really is.
This, to me, is the last piece of evidence I need to agree to the plan of Carmelita's brother and her family and my reward for telling her father that I would be honored to take the family into my team is my beloved rushing over to fling herself around my neck, the feeling her actually sealing her lips with mine an amazing bonus.
The fact that I am now kissing my beloved through a kiss she initiated is simply said the last piece of evidence to prove that all of my flirting with her and complimenting her has actually born fruits and I feel all of my emotions coming up within me as I tangle my arms around her form and respond to her loving kiss with my own.
Then, when oxygen becomes a must, do we part and Carmelita seems overwhelmed with her emotions as she mutters in Spanish how she sees me, how she begs me never to leave her, how she wishes for me and only me and how she even considers me her prince and wishes for me to make her my princess in return for this.
The idea that my sweetest of the sweet still doubts what is in my heart for her makes me respond in my own native tongue and I whisper back how my heart and its emotions are treasures only for her to have, asking her how she still does not get this and promising her how, starting today, all of that will be changed.
Carmelita's mother then shortly startles our embrace with one another, yet the way she puts Carmelita's breath-taking outfit back together by giving her daughter back her sweet and very well-designed hat makes me feel as if my birthday gift has been put back together, the words of Carmelita's promise coming back to my mind.
Yet these thoughts are very shortly driven from my mind as I hear Carmelita jesting at me with the question if my Hideout could be big enough to house her family as well as my team and while I barely really hear this over the way she calls me hers, do I still nod in confidence as I have no doubt of this being easy to accomplish.
The memory of her promising I can lavish her at a later time then rears back to the front of my mind and I decide that I might as well hit two flies with one rock, the way that Carmelita entices me to leave only further encouraging me and I decide to be a little playful and keep up with my sweetheart's original plan here.
I lift the incredible vixen in my arms and hold her so that her arms are wrapped around my neck, part of me wishing we were in wedding outfits instead of thieving, yet another silently rejoicing at how strongly that chance now exists for the near future and I thank my little sister, Urmilla before making a head motion to Murray.
The Hippo nods, getting my silent signal to start the Cooper Van and head back home and while I feel only too happy at how Bentley grabs his Binocucom and – unknown to my beloved – actually shoots a picture of me holding my beloved – and birthday present – do I happily lead my new team out the salon and over to the van.
And that's the end!
Like I said, it would be from Sly's POV and it would be describing how he viewed the events at the Salon. I know it's pretty much exactly what happened in the last chapter, but I had over thirteen pages last chapter and I wanted to shorten them for a few before lengthening them again – making a little mix so to say.
Hope you enjoy,
Venquine1990
PS. Who here has watched Disney's Robin Hood and felt that Robin and Sly are like siblings – only different species. Seriously, you can't look at that fox and not think; yeah, that's Sly, alright. Tell me what you think.
