"Don't hesitate. When the time comes, just act..."
Fox's First Heeding: the Brilliant Mistake...
"Come on, Fox, come on!" the vulpine urged himself. "You're the leader of an elite mercenary squadron, and you still can't pluck up the courage to ask her out! Come on!"
Fox was standing outside the kitchen aboard the Great Fox III in his casual jeans and t-shirt. With no impending missions, the team were free to do as they pleased. Falco took his Arwing out almost every day to the residential sector of Katina. Nobody really knew the reason behind these trips, but Fox suggested that he was perhaps tying up some loose ends. Slippy had temporarily moved out of the Great Fox to spend a few months teaching basic mechanics at a university on Aquas, and Peppy was asleep, as per usual. Which left only two (awake) people on board.
Fox was sweating now. He had gone through this so many times, but he always backed down in nervousness. He shook himself down before wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Alright, just... just go in there, talk to her, and see what happens... Go!"
Despite what his brain was demanding, his body just wouldn't comply. "Right, this is just getting silly. Just do it, Fox! Just-"
At this point, his wrist communicator burst into life as he received a message from Krystal. It read 'Hey Fox! I'm just in the kitchen making cookies (yay!) and I need a tray from the top shelf. I'm too small to reach it though, and I don't think Peppy would appreciate me standing all over his worktops lol. You wouldn't come and lift it down for me, would you? Thanks, Fox! x'.
X. That tiny, insignificant letter was the only thing that gave Fox hope. The only thing that made him believe that Krystal could actually love him back. Because that's what made it so hard. He loved Krystal more than anything.
Krystal tapped the 'send' button on her wrist communicator before returning the oven gloves to her paws. She was wearing tight-fitting jeans, a baggy pink t-shirt and a blue apron. The vixen was very much at home in the kitchen; she loved nothing more than to cook for herself and for everyone else. Well, maybe there was one thing she loved more...
Krystal didn't really need a tray from the top shelf, and she would have been tall enough to reach it had she needed it. All she really needed was Fox.
Fox.
He had saved her life on so many occasions. The very first time was on Sauria, where he saved her from a fall to her death. But what stood out most about that day was when she first grasped his paw and looked into those emerald-green eyes of his. He saved her, and for that she would stop at nothing to repay him. Granted, they didn't get off to a great start; the pair ended up fighting over who would wield the staff; but Krystal, secretly wanting to speak with Fox just one last time, apologised and appeared on the bridge of the Great Fox, much to Fox's obvious joy and embarrassment. A few weeks later, after all necessary paperwork and legalities had been taken care of, Fox officially welcomed Krystal to the Star Fox team. She began her training not long after.
During the Aparoid War, Fox would be there in a second should Krystal ever be in danger. He was constantly checking up on her, and she was only too happy to report her safety. He's such a gentlefox... and he's handsome too...
The vixen sighed dreamily, a regular occurrence after the Aparoid War, and continued working her magic on the soon-to-be cookies. She couldn't fully concentrate on her baking though, nor could she seem to focus on anything as of late. Her mind was plagued with her saviour and friend, the one whom she knew would always be there for her. She somehow forced him to the back of her thoughts and continued in the delicate art of cookie-making, but she couldn't help but wonder how long Fox would take to turn up.
The vulpine in question was waiting. Waiting to go in. But what exactly was he waiting for? Waiting for enough time to pass to hide the fact that he had been standing outside? No. He was waiting. For himself.
"Oh, come on! She's actually giving you an excuse to see her! To talk to her! What's wrong with you?"
"Fox?" called Krystal. "You outside?"
"Uh..." the vulpine was totally unprepared for that. Well, now that she knows I'm here...
"Yeah, it's me. I- I just... oh, never mind."
Fox touched the pad at the side of the door and looked forward to see it slide open to reveal an apron clad vixen and the intoxicating smell of her unique cookies. Without meaning to, he allowed himself to sink back into his senses. The aroma of freshly baked dough, the sound of sizzling trays and food, and the girl of his dreams standing right in front of him. He allowed his eyes to rest in hers; the aquatic blue looking more lustrous than ever. I could live in those eyes forever...
What Krystal saw was an oblivious vulpine, staring at her. She sighed a bit, but still sported a smile. You'd think he'd never seen a girl before...
After a while, however, she discovered that not only was he staring at her, but with her. She had become lost in the untamed, unfound lands within his eyes of green. Neither could seem to tear away from each other's gaze. Although the pair didn't realise it, they were both quite attracted to each other. Unfortunately, everyone else had realised this and Falco usually made it his top priority to embarrass Fox to his limit wherever and whenever Krystal was concerned.
The couple continued soaking up each other's presence, their emotions and feelings enhanced by that all-healing smell of home-made cookies. And eventually, it was those very cookies that shattered the beautiful silence.
PING
Krystal was hurled back into reality by the oven timer. After shaking herself off, she spun around and opened the oven door in one fluid movement before removing her handiwork and placing it atop the cooker.
The oven timer also snapped Fox out of the trance, which he was enjoying a bit too much for his liking. As the smell of the cookies replenished itself, Fox took it all in with one huge breath.
"They smell brilliant, Krystal!" Start out small. No need to get ahead of yourself.
"Why, thank you, Fox!" The vixen brandished a plate of said cookies. "My best yet if I don't say so myself. Which I do, for that matter!"
Fox chuckled before picking up a cookie from the plate. "Ready for the verdict?"
Krystal placed the plate on the table before folding her arms. "Go on then!"
Fox bit into the end of the cookie and let the flavour wash over his tongue. And what a flavour it was. The rich taste of the cookie, the smooth, creamy chocolate chips and the crunch overwhelmed him before he chewed and swallowed the mouthful. The vulpine looked a bit shell-shocked after taking the bite.
Krystal misinterpreted his expression and immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. "Oh, no. Don't tell me I've burnt them! Or maybe they're undercooked. Wait... did I even put the sugar in? Oh, Fox, I'm-"
She stopped herself when Fox reached over and took another cookie, devouring is within seconds. And another. And another.
A now confused Krystal placed her paws on her hips. "I take it you like them then?"
Fox held a finger up in response while he chewed the many cookies crammed into his mouth. Krystal rolled her eyes and giggled as he swallowed the last of the cookies. "Those. Were. Gorgeous!" He raised his paw in the air, yelling "High-five, Krys!"
They laughed in unison as the high-five took place, both cherishing the physical contact, despite the short duration.
"You really thought they were good?" asked Krystal.
Fox tapped his forehead. "Why don't you see for yourself?"
Fox loved Krystal's presence in his mind. It gave him a warm, fuzzy glow in his body, and also the feeling of Krystal's thought patterns merging with his. He always enjoyed her company, even inside his head.
Krystal raised an eyebrow before closing her eyes and focusing on Fox's mind. She swam in his thoughts and memories, quite a few of which involved herself. She had always assumed that this was a side-effect of her presence in his mind. What she didn't suspect was Fox's feelings towards her, nor the fact that she was nearly always on his mind.
Still, she brushed past many of Fox's memories, morally unable to view them. She felt him pushing forward the recent recollection of eating her cookies. She could taste the crunchy cookie dough, the velvety chocolate chips and she also caught a taste of Fox's lips; a taste that she desperately hoped to taste again someday. Not only could she practically taste Fox's memory of the cookie, she could also hear exactly what was going through his mind as he ate it.
Wow. Wow, that's awesome. That's the best cookie I've ever tasted! Oh, Krystal, you are one brilliant girl!
Krystal was surprised at his statement. Did he mean...? No. No, he doesn't...does he? The vixen felt herself blushing slightly as she withdrew from Fox's mind.
"Wait..." Fox half-realised. "Did you..."
"You honestly thought they were that good?" Krystal interrupted. She already knew the answer to her question, but the same could not be said for the answer to Fox's.
"Of course!" replied Fox, all uncertainties gone. "You're the best chef I've ever seen!"
Krystal blushed a soft purple colour at Fox's comment, but after he had figured out what he had just said, Fox went red in the face as well.
"Thanks, Fox." Krystal almost whispered.
"Hey, I meant everything I said." confirmed Fox, unaware of the fact that Krystal heard as much as she did.
"...Really?"
Fox nodded in response, his caring smile still beaming.
Should I...? Yes. You've got to do it now, or you never will...
"Fox..." she began, trying not to look at him. "You know the way we haven't really had the chance to... spend much time together recently?"
Fox's ears pricked up. He liked where this was going. "Um... yeah?"
"Well..." Both parties were blushing vigorously at this point. "Maybe we could... oh, I dunno... take a little trip to Sauria sometime..."
Fox began speaking without thinking. "Just the two of us?"
Fox's eyes widened when he realised what he had just said. He was just about to take it back when Krystal nodded.
"Really?"
"Mmm hmm!" Krystal clapped her paws together. "Oh, it's gonna be great! We'll get to see how everyone's doing; spend a bit more time with Tricky too! And I think you owe him an apology after last time." Krystal giggled as she remembered Fox and Tricky arguing about the former's relationship status with herself.
"Oh yeah." Fox scratched the back of his neck while looking to the floor. "Still remember that then?"
"How could I forget?" admitted Krystal. "You were all over the place!" Her giggle grew into a laugh and even Fox managed a chuckle, albeit a nervous one.
"So anyway," Fox chimed, changing the subject, "when should we leave?"
"Well..." Krystal thought for a minute. "Once I finish these cookies and then get packed... Well, we could go today, I suppose!"
A smile lit up Fox's face. "Awesome! I'll get packing then. You need anything done?"
"No, I'm fine, Fox. Thanks for asking, though."
"OK." Fox turned to leave the kitchen, but stopped and turned back around to face Krystal.
"Krystal?"
"Yes, Fox?"
"Thanks."
Although she wasn't too sure what for, Krystal smiled at him before finishing off her delicious treats.
Fox left the kitchen, the door swooshing closed behind him.
"Wow. Now that's good fortune..."
A broad grin was peeled across his face as he made a dash for his room. In just a few hours, he would be on a beautiful planet, with a beautiful vixen, in the most beautiful state of mind.
Fox was standing in the hangar, rucksack hanging over his shoulder. Since nobody was around to disagree (aside from Peppy, who probably would have encouraged the move), Fox and ROB warped the Great Fox to a location near Sauria. He had taken the liberty to prep both his and Krystal's Arwings, and now, with nothing left to do, he waited. This time, he was waiting for Krystal. Fox kept telling himself that it was just a little friendly trip to Sauria, the planet which held so many memories for both himself and Krystal. If his mindset was otherwise, he would probably try to run away from the sheer nerves required just to talk to her. He sighed, repeating her name inside his head. Krystal...
The hangar door slid open to reveal Krystal wearing her summer clothes, since it was that time of year planetside. Both fortunately and unfortunately for Fox, Krystal's choice of summer clothing was her old Cerinian outfit, the very same outfit in which she was rescued from Sauria. It was fortunate for Fox because, aside from the chest and the other obvious area, Krystal's curvaceous form was entirely exposed; a sight which Fox could not help but enjoy. For the same reason, it was unfortunate for Fox as he was extremely prone to embarrassment, especially around Krystal, and even more so in her current apparel.
"Um... uh... you haven't worn that in a while..." Fox managed to say, his now trademark blush seeping through his fur.
"Yeah, I haven't worn it since the last time we were on Sauria." Krystal's heart-melting smile was directed at Fox. "Since you rescued me..."
"Well," began Fox, eager to interrupt, "looks like we're all ready! Did you bring the food?"
She rolled her eyes at his changing of the subject and nodded, nudging the bag rested on her shoulder that Fox had somehow failed to notice.
"Alright then!" Fox beckoned Krystal as he almost ran towards the Arwings. "Let's go!"
The pair galloped towards the Arwings, both as excited as each other, and hopped in with ease. Fox opened a private comm. link to Krystal's Arwing.
"You prepped it for me?" noted Krystal. "Aww, thanks, Fox!"
"Heh... don't mention it." replied Fox. "So, we should hit the sunny side of Sauria in about... twenty minutes?"
"Sounds good! And now I suppose we just enjoy the flight!"
"I like your thinking, Krys!"
Oh, how she loved that name. Krys. Aside from Falco (whose nickname for the vixen was simply 'K'; not very attractive to Krystal's ears) nobody else had bestowed a nickname upon her. He never overused it, nor did he neglect it; it was as if he knew just the right time to use the name.
And so, they sat back, chatted away, and enjoyed the flight.
When they landed, it was roughly ten o'clock in the morning. Fox hopped out of his Arwing, and being the gentlefox he was, helped Krystal out of hers. The pair took a moment to stretch for a bit to let their bodies become accustomed to standing again.
"Looks like we've got all day!" Fox exclaimed, turning to Krystal. "What's first?"
Krystal looked pensive. "I hear they've set up a skiing slope on Ice Mountain." She looked back at the vulpine. "You up for it?"
Fox nodded in response. "Let's go!"
He grabbed Krystal's paw and started running, eager to hit the slopes.
Both Fox and Krystal stopped in their tracks.
"Where are we again?" asked Krystal, unsurely.
Fox quickly scanned the area. "Exactly."
Fox and Krystal were sitting on the edge of the Krazoa Palace, the remnants of their picnic in between them. The Solarset in the sky created a staggering orange glow against the endless mountains and deepest seas of Sauria. There were few clouds in the sky, and even then they were light and wispy, perfectly catching the Solarlight and tingeing them a deep red colour.
It really was infectious. The sheer beauty of Sauria was what attracted the rest of Lylat to the recently opened holiday resorts after the Aparoid Wars. Of course, any and all developing companies were extremely careful to preserve the natural beauty of the planet after discovering the consequences with Katina.
If you let this pass, Fox told himself, you will never, ever be able to tell her. And another chance like this isn't coming anytime soon. Luckily for the vulpine, Krystal was too focused on the scenery to read Fox's mind.
"I don't know about you, Fox," said Krystal, torn between gazing at the beautiful, picturesque Saurian landscape, or the beautiful, handsome Fox McCloud. Eventually opting for the latter, she continued. "But this has been a brilliant day! And look at that Solarset! Can you think of anything more beautiful?"
Once again getting ahead of himself, Fox made his first mistake of the night. "Yes, actually."
Krystal was surprised at the statement, especially its solidity. "Go on..." she urged.
Fox caught up with what he said. And it didn't exactly go well. "Well... you see... uh..."
Krystal turned away from the babbling vulpine. She didn't know what to think. Did he mean me? Maybe he's too ashamed of me to admit it? She held her breath. Maybe there's someone else...
Meanwhile, Fox had his head firmly in his paw, up to his eyeballs in thoughts.
Well done genius! How you gonna get out of this one? She's gonna think you're crazy. Or worse, with somebody else. Why? Why do you have to think before you act? Act... just...
"Don't hesitate. When the time comes, just act..."
It seemed as if the entire day had been played right into his paws, but this was where it ended. This was where he had to take the weight himself and decide what he should do.
He had to tell her.
Fox mind was made up. "Krystal," he spoke, unwavering, surely and clearly.
Krystal turned back to Fox. "Yes, Fox?"
"I can think of something more beautiful than that Solarset. Or rather, someone."
With that, he reached his paw up to her muzzle and stroked it so very gently. "It's you."
Krystal's jaw gaped. She knew that every word of that was truer than true. He meant it. He thinks I'm beautiful...
"M-me?" she asked, almost whispering.
"Yeah." Fox confirmed, smiling with such care. "Ever since I saw you in that crystal all those years ago, I was hooked."
Krystal gave a nervous laugh. "You weren't too bad yourself." She shuffled closer to Fox. "And you still aren't."
Fox chuckled. "What am I, compared with you?"
"Since when could you say things like that to me without going completely red?" asked Krystal with a giggle.
"Oh, just some advice I heard once." Thank you, Wolf! I never thought you'd help me out with Krystal, but you've gone and done it!
"Well, whoever it was, I'm grateful!"
Fox scoffed. "Be careful what you say."
Krystal shot a quizzical look to the vulpine. "What?"
"Never mind. But, there's something else I need to say..."
Krystal looked straight into Fox's eyes. "What's that?"
"Krystal..." began Fox, before losing his balance. Come on, keep it together!
"Krystal, I..."
Don't...
Don't hesitate...
Krystal could have sworn she saw a spark ignite in Fox's eyes as he opened his mouth once more. What came out were the three words that she longed to hear. Or did they? She wasn't sure. But she was sure of one thing; she was sure of Fox McCloud and his feelings towards her.
And thus, Fox made the most brilliant mistake of his life.
"I love you."
Unable to move an inch, all they could do was stare into each other's eyes as they had done so many times before.
"I..." Not once did Krystal look away from Fox as she said it. "I think I love you too."
She knew she shouldn't fall in love with him. She was his team-mate, she worked alongside him. She knew what could potentially happen. She knew...
But that didn't matter. It was too hard to try and resist the urge to hold on to that vulpine and never let go.
"That thought's all I need."
Fox leaned forwards and kissed Krystal deftly on the lips, just once. There wasn't a chance in Lylat that he was going to succumb to lust when it was love he truly yearned for. Not now... not yet...
Krystal, now focusing on Fox's thoughts, heard every word. That's my Fox...
Fox patted his lap, signalling a vacancy for Krystal. She complied and made herself, and Fox, comfortable. She allowed her tail to brush across Fox's, the fluffy blue of hers intertwining with the sleek orange of his to create an entirely new colour. A colour which had no name. And indeed needed no name. All they needed was each other.
Fox wrapped his muscular arms around Krystal's delicate waist while she leaned her head back on his shoulder and, closing her eyes, she felt the warmth of his body being shared with hers. Fox turned his head slightly and kissed the top of her muzzle, before taking a moment to absorb the true beauty of her light facial fur, her wavy headfur, her gentle smile, and her curving ears.
Eventually, Fox closed his eyes and rested his head atop Krystal's. They were comfortable, soothed by the very presence of the other, the warmth, the emotion, the love.
I love you, Fox...
I love you so much, Krystal...
The vixen's eyes shot open. Was that just a coincidence?
She assumed, by the lack of response, that it was before realising that it was getting dark.
"Hey, Fox." She nudged him gently. "It's getting dark. Maybe we should get back now."
"Alright then." The vulpine allowed Krystal to stand up and stretch herself off, before doing the same himself.
Krystal presented her paw to Fox, who gladly took it.
"I've been waiting for this for so long." confessed Fox.
"Me too. I'm glad you told me, here of all places!"
"So am I..."
With that, the lovers strolled off, paw in paw, back to the Arwings.
"You know, I never got that tray down for you..."
The couple laughed.
"Oh, Fox..." breathed Krystal.
Two weeks later...
"Say 'cheese', Krys!"
CLICK
Krystal blinked as the afterlights from the camera flash tainted her vision.
"Alright then," Fox said as he let go of Krystal and turned his attention to the computer screen. "Whaddaya think?"
Krystal wrapped her arm around Fox's waist as they looked at a historic photo. A photo which they would both keep with them always.
Fox printed three copies; one for himself, one for Krystal, and one for the bedroom. Their bedroom.
"One last touch!" insisted Fox, pulling a pen from his jacket pocket. In the bottom right hand corner of his newly printed photo, he scribbled something down. Krystal peeked at what he was writing and immediately approved. When he was finished, she took the pen from him and wrote the same thing in the corner of her photo.
They turned back to each other, staring in to the infinite opportunities within the other's eyes.
Krystal blessed Fox with a quick chaste kiss before withdrawing again. Both vulpine longed for more. More contact, more care, more love.
And Fox acted upon that.
He smirked slightly before giving her a fair warning.
"Brace yourself..."
As he pressed his muzzle against hers, the image running through both of their minds was that of the life-changing photograph.
Krystal was in the foreground, with her head turned to the side to face Fox. He was standing behind her, protecting her with his toned arms, meeting her gaze. This was the photo that, at the right time, would determine their future. Forever.
And in the bottom corner of the photos, there was some writing.
It read: Always and Forever, Above and Beyond, Orange and Blue, Fox and Krystal
And then Pepper called.
To be continued with Fox's Second Heeding: the Wrong Resolution...
(All A/N's can be found on my profile page)