Chapter 3

The walk in freezer was where Fox found Wolf later that night. Any exposed fur was glistened with a sheen of frost and his knuckles were caked with red frozen crimson, though if it was his or the blood belonging to the frozen slab of meat he was pounding, Fox wasn't sure.

"Wolf, calm down."

"I am calm," the lupine said, lowering his hands and taking a long, deep breath. "I feel much better now."

"Good, then I want you to teach Link how to waltz."

Wolf gave a long, loud howl of anger as he began beating the meat slab once again, furiously pounding it.

"Wolf, calm down. What's so bad about it?"

"You're right, I should have the little fag snuggling close to me as I teach him to dance. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Where did this rampant homophobia come from?" Fox asked, amused. "Did one of the Village People steal your milk money when you were a pup?"

"Stop trying to confuse me with your obscure cultural references. And whoever said I was homophobic? I fly with a homo. I don't like Link because Link is a little twit. The fact that he's gay is just a coincidence."

"Who do you fly with that's gay? Can't be Krystal, and I doubt it's Panther, that leaves…Oh."

"Puts a lot in perspective, doesn't it?"

"Wolf. I am asking this as a favor, as a friend, to help me with another friend."

"Fox. Let me explain the flaw in your statement. We are not friends. Asking me to do you a favor as a friend doesn't work, because we are not friends. I don't like you."

"I didn't think I would have to do this, but here," Fox said, taking several photographs out of his vest's pocket and handing them to Wolf.

"What are these?"

"Pictures of Samus in the shower."

Wolf's tail shot straight and stiff, despite the frigid interior of the freezer, as he looked them over. Fox snatched them back. He held them, and Wolf, at arm's length. Wolf was struggling and snapping to get his paws on the picture, but Fox stayed firm. "Help Link, and I give you these."

"How about give me those, and I don't string you up by your boot straps?"

Fox held the photos back, but a look of uncertainty spread his features. "You wouldn't."