This story is back! Time to devote myself full-time to it, and boy am I happy.

This is one of the fluffier pieces of my writing. Next to Pampering. People seem to like that oneshot, so I kept that in mind. Just be wary; suger and sap may start leaking from your computer screen as you read this. I mean, I already destroyed whitefur's computer when he beta'd it, so there you go. By the way, shout out to him and his help with this chapter! He helped me with the Valentine's day oneshot as well, and I'm sorry I forgot to credit him there. He's a great guy and a good writer. You should read his stuff. Like right now, after you read this.

As always, please read and review! God bless, and have a safe night.

Also, I do not own Star Fox. I is the most sadness.

Chapter III: Tender sort of Talking

The clinking of glasses and the sound of smooth jazz filled Krystal's ears as she sat next to Fox in the hole-in-the-wall bar in Corneria City the team frequented whenever they had downtime. As they were currently on hiatus, what better time then to go now? And things were even more lively than usual, since Katt was there, sitting next to Falco and sipping on a glass of Kahlua.

"Foxy, I know you said you would be the designated driver, but you gotta have at least one!" Falco protested, pointing at the vulpine.

"I told you, I'm fine. I'd rather just watch the rest of you make fools of yourselves," Fox answered, smirking.

"Such a good boy," Krystal spoke teasingly, stroking behind Fox's left ear. When he sighed gently and felt his tail wagging she grinned. "Always looking out for everyone."

"We'll just make him chug once we get back to the Great Fox. It would be a shame if even one of us ended this night sober," Katt chimed, giving Fox a predatory look.

"I had better not be the only one here, besides Krystal, that goes home not completely smashed. I have to drive the shuttle back up to the Great Fox, and I am not doing it with three other people planing shenanigans behind me. While drunk," Fox grumbled. He took a sip of his water.

Krystal wasn't twenty-one yet, so she had to be merciful and be on the sober side of things tonight. Thankfully, she didn't need to be drunk to tease Foxy. He already wilted after merely a scratch behind the ear.

"Don't have to worry about me, Fox," quipped Slippy, sitting on the other side of Falco. "After this one, I'm done." He pointed to his second glass of tap beer.

"Famous last words, Slipp," Falco muttered, grinning evily.

"That night is still fresh in my mind, Falco. I will hit you," Slippy warned.

"Now there's something Falco has alluded too when he talks about you Slippy," Katt began, "I have to ask, what happened?"

"Well," Falco started.

"THAT IS NOT HAPPENING!" Slippy yelled. The other's laughed.

Krystal was amazed at how smooth the last two days had been. Katt had settled in quite well with the team, and was currently staying in the room that used to be Peppy's. It felt nice to have another girl to talk to, even if Krystal had felt comfortable before hand. The two of them were already friends, so she already figured things would be fine.

How Katt came to stay was still mysterious. The morning after Katt had gone into Falco's room, Fox told Krystal that the two of them had approached him and told him that not only was Katt wishing to join, but that she also was planing to take her relationship with Falco much more seriously. Falco shared the sentiment. The only thing that Falco told him was that he had got a different perspective on his relationship with the pink feline.

Whatever had happened, Falco and Katt were seemingly closer. And Katt had been welcomed with open arms into their little misfit family. And so here they were.

"You oughta get your girl to come to one of these fine nights Slipp," said Falco. "It's practically couples night right now and you're not getting in on it."

"That's because you would scare her off," Slippy grumbled.

"I'm not that bad," said Falco. "Come on, Katt, you can vouch for me, right?"

Katt merely gave him a playful look. "And whatever do you mean by that, Falco? I've heard legends of your lady-killing ways. Aren't I fortunate that I have a leash on you?"

Krystal knew that in any other time before Katt came along, Falco would have gotten hot-and-bothered about such a remark. Now though, he merely gave the pink feline a wink. "You're lucky you can handle me, you know that? I'm not like Fox over here who lives to be under the finger of a certain someone," he said.

"At least I'm not a headache to take care of," said Fox, smirking slightly. Krystal couldn't help but widen her eyes and giggle into her hand. He was getting a little bolder, wasn't he?

"Oh, now you decide to grow a pair concerning your relationship?" answered Falco.

"Oh, lay off, Falco," said Slippy.

"Alright alright," said Falco. "Seriously though, it does me good to see my bro Foxy over her growing up."

And indeed, Krystal could tell that the sentiment was entirely genuine.

"And I'm thankful for it," Fox replied warmly. He gave Krystal a quick glance. She smiled back.

"Once again, Fox," said Katt, "Thank you so much for letting me come along on your little adventures. I know it was so sudden, so it means a lot."

"No problem," Fox answered. "You're a friend, it's okay."

Krystal reached over and scratched Fox behind the ear again. Those little sounds he made were a joy.

The team made it back to the Great Fox later in the night, and though tired, Krystal was excited for what would happen next. Once Katt, Falco, and Slippy returned to their rooms for the night, she asked Fox if he'd like to talk for a while. Nothing serious. Krystal found that now that they were an item, she had an urge to have him all for herself. A little selfish, sure. Something that needed to be checked now and then. But for tonight she would indulge. Foxy-Woxy would be hers for the night, and she was going to be playful about it.

Standing by the doorway of her quarters, Krystal could sense that certain vulpine walking down the hall toward his room. Fox had just eaten a late snack, and he probably thought she was waiting in his room. But now was a night for some lighthearted trickery.

"Annnnnd..." Krystal whispered, smiling. As soon as Fox was passing by her door she opened it quickly and yanked him into her room. Fox gave out a small yelp, and she delighted in seeing his hair all puffed up. Now he was fuzzier than usual, which made a fuzzier difference when she embraced him.

"Krystal!" he said, after taking a breath. "What was that for?"

"I never specified which room I wanted to meet you in, now did I?" Krystal answered, smiling cutely. "Come now Fox, I just wanted to have a little fun."

Fox's fur went back to normal, and he sighed and smiled at her. "You didn't, huh? You're always going to be this unpredictable, hm?

"Only when I want to," Krystal answered. She wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled into his chest. "But thank you for wanting to be with me tonight. I love it when we're alone like this," she said.

"I do to," Fox replied, nuzzling into the space between her ears. She sighed in pleasure.

Krystal drew away slowly. "Now then," she began, "wait on the bed, I'm going to get into something comfortable for tonight. I can see you have already." She eyed the t-shirt and soft pajama pants he was wearing.

Those ears of his erupted in red, and she giggled when she caught a glimpse of what he was thinking. Well, wasn't he lucky she actually had some lace in her wardrobe? That would come later on of course, but what she had in mind would still make him stutter.

"Naughty naughty, Fox," she said, playfully admonishing him. Fox smiled sheepishly, though he did look a little guilty. She gave him another warm hug. "I'll be right back."

She walked off to her bathroom, decorated with scented candles, where on the counter lay a lovely white nightrobe of a wonderfully plush material. Undressing, she took off everything except her panties. Going naked under that robe would drive Fox crazy, and the most she wanted to do now was have a nice time with him without him becoming too inarticulate. But the robe hugged her form slightly enough that she would still tease him a little.

Fox was immediately stunned when he saw her, and he smiled that cute little smile of his.

"You look beautiful," he said, his eyes shining. Krystal blushed, and smiled demurely. Oh, the way he talked about her always made her heart flutter. She walked around the bed and sat beside him. Petting his cheek and leaning against him, she heard Fox begin to purr.

"Tonight was great, wasn't it?" Krystal asked.

He nodded. "It's nice when we can all go out like that. And it's even better knowing that Katt has acclimated well to the team. It's like she's always been here," he said.

"It sure does feel like that. Katt always did find her way into some of our missions in the past," Krystal replied.

"Yeah. I always thought it was because Katt liked being around Falco. Considering what's happened..." Fox trailed off, with a wry grin.

"Now look at you, commenting on love," Krystal said, bemused. She looked at him through her eyelashes. "Are we...growing confident, hn?"

Fox's ears lit up. "Well...I think that anyone could see it," he answered meekly. "And that's what everyone said about us."

"True," said Krystal, muzzling into Fox's neck fur.

A moment of comfortable silence came into the room.

"I'm sorry you had to wait so long," Fox whispered, giving her a doughy-eyed look. He licked her cheek, and she sighed.

"Oh, Fox." She answered, giving him a lick in reply. A slow smile grew on her muzzle as an idea entered her head. "Lay down."

Blushing a little Fox did so. She scooted to where the pillows where and moved them aside. Then she gently took Fox's head and laid it in her lap, and began to play with his ears. And that bashful look she received from her vulpine made her whole day.

"You're too adorable, you know that?" she said, fondling him and getting a purr out of him.

"As you always tell me," he replied, sighing. Little moans escaped his mouth.

"That must be why you're so popular with the fairer sex," she commented, now beginning to fondle his cheek fluff. "You're such a dear," she cooed.

Fox eyes were slightly hooded. "Falco always told me that a lot of the fanmail I got from woman during my earlier days was from some girls older than me. I never believed him, never bothered to check. It didn't seem right. But apparently a lot of them wanted to take care of me...ah..."

"I'm not surprised," Krystal crooned, tickling his chin. "My Foxy does love to be spoiled, doesn't he?"

Fox's right leg began to kick, and she giggled. With any other woman, Krystal knew, this would have made him uncomfortable at best. But with her, he was on Cloud Nine, absolutely in bliss.

"I..I do," he said shyly.

It seemed so silly that a man older than her could be so quickly enraptured by her touch. But didn't this go both ways, after all? Krystal adored all the times Fox held her and touched her. They just couldn't help themselves, sometimes.

Plus, it was love. Just being together like this.

Fox's affectionate whimpering filled the room. She leaned her head down and licked his noise. Her adoring smile lit up her face, reflected in Fox's brilliant green eyes. She always got lost in those eyes. And he in hers.

"Awww, Foxy," she whispered.

In a move that surprised her, Fox turned his head and snuggled further into her lap. It was a bold move, one she didn't expect. "Yes?" he said, his voice soft.

"This is a new side of you," she said. "One I'm so glad to find."

"...I like being pet," Fox said shyly, looking up at her. Goodness, he looked so vulnerable and cute.

"That makes too of us," she replied, and she gasped when she felt Fox's paw raise and begin to stroke her cheek. She held it in her hand.

"We're hopeless," she said, just shaking her head.

"I know, right?" Fox replied, a silly smile on his muzzle.

A sleepy sigh escaped Fox's maw, and Krystal yawned. Her eyelids were getting heavy.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Hmmm...yes," she answered.

"Then let's get comfortable," said Fox. In a motion that delighted her, he sat up, moved the covers of her bed, and laid down; promptly he bid her to lay down with him, and immediately cuddled her to his chest. She giggled, nuzzling him, before scowling at his white shirt.

It's like he didn't need telling, as Fox shortly removed the offending garment and cuddled her close again. This time Krystal was at liberty to bury herself in her Fox's chest fur, sighing as she tried to get as close to him as possible.

"Good night, Krys. Love you" he said lovingly, drifting off to sleep.

Smiling, she replied. "Good night, Fox. Love you too."

Krystal awoke slowly to the sounds of Fox's heartbeat and breathing, the two sounds having combined into the greatest lullaby in Lylat during the night, and now were the finest alarm clock as well. She opened her eyes, and shivered at the sensation of Fox's arms around her. She not only felt safe; she felt at home.

She looked up, still slightly buried in his chest fur-she imagined how it must have been like for him when she had him to her bosom-and looked at the sleeping face of her loved one. Gentle sighs escaped from that button nose of his, and his ears twitched as he slept. He was peaceful, and probably as warm as she was.

There really never was a cuter sleeper than him, she thought, giggling quietly.

She had a playful idea come to her then. She quietly wriggled up to be face-to-face with him, nose to nose, and blew on his right ear. Twitch. She did it again. Twitch twitch. Again. Twitch twitch twitch. By now she was having a hard time giggling quietly, and it was after she blew again that Fox's eyes opened. Those green eyes of his were mixed with mirth.

"Are we having fun?" Fox asked sleepily, rubbing her nose with hers.

"Maybe," she replied coyly.

"I'm glad to hear it," said Fox.

A moment past, with the two of them being lost with the other.

"I know I need to get up and check some things around the ship, but..." Fox started, slowly beginning to grin, "I really don't want to get out of your bed."

"Then don't," Krystal whispered.

"Would you stop me if I did?" asked Fox playfully.

She tightened her hold around him and grinned back. "Does that answer your question?" she asked.

"Sort of," Fox replied, nuzzling her cheek.

"Hey," he said again, after another moment, "Do you...would you like to go on a date sometime?"

Krystal chortled. "I think we're past the point of asking each other for permission to hang out, Fox," she said. After all, they were in a bed together.

"I know," Fox replied, "but your first date after you've confessed to someone is supposed to be special, right?" She heard his tail begin to wag.

"Well, yes," replied Krystal, getting excited.

"How's about we get together sometime tomorrow? I'll need to plan, but I'm sure I can figure something out. Something special, just for us two," said Fox, smiling earnestly. She could feel how giddy he was. So precious.

"Hmmm," she hummed. "Spending some quality time with you. Well Fox, I would have to say that...would be wonderful," she replied, giving his nose a lick.

And with that, they decided to simply stay in bed with each other a while longer, soaking up all the warmth and love in the air. And Krystal couldn't be happier.

And so the rest of the day went on once they got up a hour later. It tortured Krystal to not know what he was planing, but she supposed that was the price to pay; Fox wanted her to be surprised. Throughout the day she teased around with his mind, poking and prodding his brain and occasionally planting a salacious image here and there to get his blood flowing, but she never spoiled the surprise. As much as she was antsy, she wouldn't dare ruin Fox's giddy mood.

Thankfully, the day went by quickly. Time in simulators was spent, and clearly she and Fox were getting better and better. As was everyone. The highlight of training had to be when she and Fox and a "couples match" with Falco and Katt. Despite how it started in good humor it quickly became fiercely competitive. She and Fox barely pulled ahead with winning the most matches overall. Fox rubbed it in, and while Katt was somewhat of a good sport, Falco clearly was agitated. Slippy didn't help, with him claiming that, "of all the flavors out there, Falco chose to be salty."

Evening cycle came, and Krystal headed over to Katt's room to talk for a bit.

"Ya know, I'm adjusting to piloting with a group a lot faster than I thought," Katt noted, getting dressed for the evening with Krystal sitting on her bed. "Funny how that's happening."

"What was it like, flying alone?" Krystal asked.

"Sometimes lonely, sometimes liberating. You make your own schedule. But you also have to be pretty good to survive out there on your own," the feline replied.

"How do you feel now?" Krystal asked.

"Pretty good, actually! It would be different if I was flying with a group I didn't know. But heck, I've helped this crew here and there for some time now, so it doesn't feel weird at all. Falco being around is nice, and it's fun to get to know Fox and Slippy more. You too of course, Blueness," said Katt, grinning.

Krystal sighed and rolled her eyes. "Ah, that nickname. As lame as it sounds, Falco is sticking to it."

"I mean, it's better than your official moniker: the mascot of Star Fo-Ha!" Katt laughed, dodging a pillow aimed at her head.

And so the day of the date came, and Fox was quick to tell Krystal in the morning that they would be leaving at around 4:00 PM.

"That early? I thought it would be at night." She asked.

"Yup. It's going to be warm out today, not terribly so, just right. So wear something nice for the weather. We'll take our shuttle down to the surface." said Fox.

Her curiosity was going crazy by now, but she figured that was a good thing. She tried to keep herself busy until the appointed time, reading and training in the simulators and whatever else she could find. Finally, once the hour was thirty minutes away, she settled in her room to get ready.

For a dress, Krystal already knew what she wanted. Reaching into her closet she pulled out the lovely blue sundress Fox had given her for her twentieth birthday. Once she dressed herself, she attended to makeup, and once that was finished, she walked out into the hanger to find Fox waiting for her. She smiled upon seeing his clothes. Khaki shorts and a nice dress shirt. He was well groomed, and dashing.

To her joy, once Fox looked at her his face lit up with red and happiness. He walked over to her and took her hand.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Of course," she whispered, moving in to nuzzled him.

The trip in the shuttle to the surface left Krystal even antsier, once she realized they weren't headed to Corneria City.

"Fox, where are we going?" she asked.

"A surprise," he said simply. She poked his mind coyly, and he chuckled.

Her feelings of curiosity bloomed into excitement once she saw where they were headed. They were moving to the coast of the continent where Corneria City was located, at a long strip of beautiful looking beach that she had never seen before. Fox sat the shuttle down easily, while she marveled at the picture-perfect scene right out her window.

"Fox, what is this place?" she said with a smile.

"Just a spot my parents would take me when I was younger. A nice secluded spot for the two of us," he answered.

"And how are you going to pull the "dinner" part of a date out of this?" she asked, batting her eyes at him.

"I have my ways," said Fox coyly, before blushing again. "What do you think?"

"I'm already excited," said Krystal. Now they really had some time to themselves.

Once they disembarked from the shuttle Krystal saw the full expanse of the beautiful beach. The sand was incredibly soft beneath her paws, and the perfect blue sky framed with palm trees and the whisper of the waves made the scene heavenly.

"Let's go for a walk, Krys," said Fox, extending his hand. She did him better and gently grabbed his arm, and leaned in close.

And so they began to stroll. The quietness of the world around them begged for sweet conversation.

"You would think of something like this," said Krystal fondly, sighing.

"I figured you would like something a little different. And you do like the beach," replied Fox, giving her a little nuzzle.

"Beaches are beautiful and a lovely place to have fun. And dress up in swim suits and make you stutter," she replied.

She felt his ears get hot. "Yeah, they are," he replied. In a bold move he continued. "...you look good in a bikini, you know."

She was immensely proud of him. "Like that purple number I ran by you a month ago?" she pressed, rustling up close. The memory of it flew through Fox's mind, she saw.

"Especially that one," he said shyly

"It's great to see you getting bolder, Foxy-Woxy," she said, the heat radiating from him getting hotter at the mention of his pet name.

"I have to start somewhere, right?" Fox said mirthfully.

"Never get too bold though," she mentioned coyly. "You're too cute when you're flustered."

A small bit of silence fell between them, and then it was broken.

"It's funny how this all started," said Fox.

"Hm?" hummed Krystal.

"Us," Fox explained. "You and me. It's like something out of a sci-fi novel. Me saving you on a mysterious planet and then we hit it off. And it turns out you're a great pilot and we keep going on adventures. It's so...so crazy," Fox finished. She saw he was smiling.

"I'm not complaining," she said. "You finding me saved my life in more ways then one."

Fox looked at her, an ear twitching.

"True, you saved me from that crystal on Sauria, but what would have happened if no one had found me? Even if I hadn't been captured, what would wondering alone be like?" she asked. Some terrible images and thoughts entered her head. All of which where destroyed when Fox loosened his arm from her hold and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"And that didn't happen. I found you and you're happy. That's what matters," he said resolutely.

She nuzzled his neck. "Too true."

Suddenly Fox's mood dampened a bit. "And of course the way I told you my feelings happened the way it did, considering me."

She pulled back and looked at him, concerned. "Don't feel down about that, Fox. It all worked out."

"But I made you upset, right?" pressed Fox.

"At first, and mostly because you tried to lie to me. Which I've forgiven you for," she added, seeing his ears droop but thankfully rise again. "Fox, I was more concerned about you. Something was bothering you and I was worried. And all of that happened because you were worried yourself, pure and simple."

"Really?" Fox asked, his tail wagging tepidly.

She chuckled. "I'm not going to blow up on you because you're worried about me. Especially following a close call. I've thought of pulling you aside myself sometimes whenever you got into a tough spot, even."

Fox mood brightened. "Thank you for understanding, though I wish I could have told you another way."

"Oh, I enjoyed the way it happened," said Krystal, letting a mischievous grin adorn her muzzle. "Fox, you looked mortified after you told me. Like a school boy telling his crush that he likes her. And it was absolutely adorable."

Fox's ears dipped again, but this time out of affection. "And that kiss was something else."

"There is plenty more where that came from, Fox," she replied, kissing him on the cheek.

They walked for some time more before Krystal spotted a craft further up the beach. Some people were walking around some pieces of machinery, powered by a portable generator. Upon closer inspection, Krystal's jaw dropped.

"Fox...are those...are those chefs!?" she cried.

"From one of Corneria's best restaurants, cooking at a portable kitchen? I do think they are, my dear Krystal," said Fox, sounding surprisingly sauve. She could tell he was absolutely giddy at her shock.

Krystal remained stupefied as they walked to the small table the chefs had prepared for them. One of them winked at Fox, and he winked back. A menu was brought to them, and a vixenly look found it's way to Krystal's face.

"Oh, you are good," she growled. She saw Fox shiver in pleasure at the tone. "Be ready for later."

"Hm?" Fox asked.

Be ready, my Foxy-Woxy, she repeated flirtatiously into his head.

The menu was packed with delights. All sorts of fish prepared in all sorts of ways. Krystal found it hard to contain all the saliva in her mouth. It was hard enough to stop bouncing in her seat. But before long they settled on their meal and choice of wine.

"How did you put this together?" Krystal asked before taking a sip of red wine.

"I know some friends who own a fine restaurant. They were more than happy to help me," said Fox.

"Here I was thinking that you were going to go with the boring 'dinner and a show' treatment," said Krystal playfully.

"Well, I did, just with a spin," answered Fox, smiling.

Krystal's tail wagged.

Their food came, piping hot and filled with delightful aroma. Krystal had settled on the mahi-mahi, a fish she'd found to be her favorite of all Lylatian cuisine. Fox went for the salmon, no less delicious looking then her dish. A side of calamari was brought for them both. Krystal found herself lost in the taste of her food and the happiness of the date. She could see Fox's tail wagging wildly.

They ate in peace, talking about a multitude of things. Krystal couldn't think of a more romantic time the two of them had ever shared. Despite that earlier comment, Krystal would have been fine with a typical night out to dinner, but Fox had gone above and beyond. And what's more, he looked so happy.

To add to the scene, the sun had begun to set on their dinner, bathing them in a golden glow that made Fox's fur shine with beauty.

"Did you plan this, having the sun set right now? Just to be so overly romantic?" Krystal asked playfully, waggling her eyebrows.

"I know people who operate Solar's orbit, you know," Fox answered, grinning. They shared a laugh at that.

After about an hour later, dinner was over, and the sun was beginning to touch the horizon on the ocean.

"Wanna walk for a bit more?" Fox asked

"Of course," she answered.

So they did, padding along the soft sand arm in arm and hopelessly happy.

"What did you think of the food?" asked Fox.

"It was wonderful. I've never had finer fish," she answered truthfully.

"Great, and I say the same thing. It doesn't get much better than that," her Foxy replied, nuzzling into her cheek.

They walked in silence for a small moment.

"Fox?" asked Krystal gently.

"Hm?" said Fox.

"Remember what you said two nights ago? About wanting to be with me forever?" she asked, looking up to him. Fox returned her gaze with one of his heart-meltingly cute looks.

"Of course," he whispered.

Giving him a look of earnest affection, she pressed him. "You really mean that?"

Fox blushed hard, and his ears glowed. He looked meek, vulnerable, with his tail wrapping around his leg slightly. But then he mustered a small smile imbued with so much warmth and love.

"...yes." he whispered.

It was such a simple response, but just from the way he said it, Krystal's heart tumbled and turned in her chest and her legs went weak.

She knew they would run into hiccups, she wasn't that naive. Any relationship did. But at that moment, Krystal began to feel, more than ever, that something was just right between the two of them. That this choice had been the rightest one.

She purred softly, and nuzzled into his neck.

Before long, they began to walk back to the shuttle, Krystal's grin growing bigger and bigger as they got closer. It wasn't until they actually walked inside the craft that Fox's curiosity got to him.

"All right, what were you talking about back there?" said Fox playfully. "What-"

He never got a chance to finish, as Krystal practically jumped him and began to kiss him so hard that she could feel Fox nearly faint from shock.