A/N: I know it's a much shorter chapter, and it's been a long while since I've updated this fic. I didn't mean to leave it for so long, but this is it. This is the last chapter. I would've gone longer, but I'd like to finish this story out, and then Heat, so I can work on new stuff. Anyway, enjoy!

-o0o-

There the lupine ran, away from Fox because he'd made a terrible decision. He didn't really know what to do, but going after Wolf seemed the best answer.

Fox stood up and started to run off in the direction Wolf had fled. He'd just taken off down the hill at a brisk pace, heading back towards town, and the vulpine was running after him, trying to get him to stop.

"Wolf!" Fox shouted as he chased the lupine, who was nearing the entrance to the park. He ignored the strange looks some of the passersby were giving him as he called, "Come back! I wanna talk to you!"

The lupine ignored him, causing the vulpine to growl in annoyance and worry. He couldn't believe he had just done that! It felt like the right thing to do in the moment, but clearly it wasn't. Fox probably screwed everything between them over, and permanently.

Wolf had exited the park by now, and Fox left not too long after him. For a moment, he couldn't see the other canine on the sidewalks with the other pedestrians, but then he caught a glimpse of grey fur heading toward the town square. The vulpine pushed through some throngs of people, determined to chase him. He wasn't going to get away.

The lupine wasn't going to he able to run from his problems forever, and Fox intended to face him as soon as possible. He wasn't going to let him go without giving an explanation. It was stupid of the vulpine to just kiss Wolf, but he couldn't find the words to explain his attraction.

Fox reached the town square, where a large fountain was spraying water into its basin, and people were walking around it on their way to different destinations around the town. He saw Wolf sitting alone on a bench facing away from the vulpine, hiding his face in his hands.

Fox almost decided to leave the lupine alone to work things out, but he knew their problems would end up getting worse the longer they postponed it. No matter how confused Wolf must feel, they had to talk.

The vulpine slowly walked towards the bench, and sat down next to the lupine quietly, so he didn't hear him. Fox glared down at the ground for a moment or two, trying to figure out what he was going to say. He was going to find the words to explain himself this time.

"Hey," the vulpine started out simply, causing the lupine to jump and look over at him. He looked away again, but Fox continued anyway. Maybe getting some stuff off of his chest would make their situation a little easier to handle.

"I don't know what you're thinking right now, but I can tell you what's on my mind. I know it was stupid of me not to explain myself and just kiss you on the spot, but I wasn't sure of how else to tell you what I felt. But... But I think I have the words to express that now," he started, gauging Wolf for a reaction. His ears had perked slightly, but other than that, he still wasn't looking at Fox.

"Look, this past week had been the most confusing one in my life. I mean, I figured out that I'm gay, for example. But it's been good at the same time. I met you, and I might not have realized it at first, but I really do like you," the vulpine continued.

This was when Wolf finally looked over at him. "Why the hell would you even like a guy like me? What do I even have to offer?" The lupine asked, his voice cracking. He sounded so unsure of himself and almost… scared. This wasn't the Wolf that Fox knew. What was wrong with him?

"Why do you sound so... Upset? What's the matter? Is it my fault?" The vulpine asked, concerned that he'd really screwed himself over. Thankfully, The lupine shook his head.

"You give me an answer and I'll tell you. What do you see in me?" Wolf asked once more, his gaze never leaving the ground. Fox bit his lip, trying to find words to say.

The vulpine gingerly rested a hand on the other canine's shoulder, and when he didn't flinch, decided to give him and answer.

"Well, I think that when I'd first lay eyes on you, I thought you were gorgeous, to be honest. Your eyes were the first thing that got to me," Fox started, his face heating up slightly. "But then I started to get to know you more and more, and I guess I really felt myself falling for you."

Fox smiled, his words coming easily now. "I love the way you know how to fight. We're equals in combat, and we test each other's limits. You're a damn amazing cook, and you make the best food. You get passionate and emotional about the things you love, and you love flying. I fell for you because of everything you are. There's nothing I dislike about you, Wolf," he finished softly, smiling fondly at the lupine.

The vulpine heard a small sniffle a moment later, and looked to see a tear rolling down Wolf's muzzle. "Nobody... Nobody has ever said anything like that to me. No one has ever liked me before you, friend or otherwise," The lupine whispered, finally looking over at Fox. His amethyst eyes were watery with unshed tears.

"Why are you crying?" The vulpine questioned, concerned for his friend. Wolf was too strong and tough to cry, wasn't he?

"Maybe it's time I told you something about myself," Wolf said, wiping his eyes to dispel the tears. He took a breath, and looked over at Fox. The vulpine looked back with rapt attention.

"I never had a good life. When I was born, Mom died shortly after, and my dad blamed me for her death. He beat me without reason... And worse. He became an alcoholic as well," the lupine started, his mouth twisting into a frown. He stood up and motioned for Fox to follow him. Together, they started to mindlessly walk down a sidewalk.

"I put up with his shit for years, waiting until I could leave him. I sucked at school, and my teachers treated me like garbage because of it. I barely made it through everything. On top of all that, everyone at school thought I was somebody who would beat them up just by looking at them, so I never had friends. And-" Wolf's breath hitched, and he closed his eyes. Fox looked at him in concern.

"I learned about the Academy about a year ago, and I knew it's where I had to go. I trained and studied as hard as I could, and I got in. I wasn't expecting to, really, and I knew I'd just run from home if I didn't get in. But here I am, in a new place where nobody knows me, and I'm away from my asshole of a father. I met you, as well," the lupine finished, a small smile on his face as he looked over at Fox with a warm gaze.

"I thought you were into girls, anyway. Not people like me," the vulpine replied, looking away. Just because Wolf appreciated the sentiment doesn't mean he felt the same way.

"Well... I think you've taught me a few things about myself as well," Wolf murmured. "I mean, I'm not gay. It's just..." he trailed off. Fox looked back over at him, and saw that the lupine was trying to form words, and couldn't.

"It's just me, isn't it?" The vulpine questioned hopefully, his heart leaping.

The lupine hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded, flashing the saddest smile Fox had ever seen. The vulpine's heart caught in his throat; he'd never felt so happy before! Wolf really did have feelings for him!

"It is just you, Fox. When I'm around you, I've got this feeling… it's really stupid to say, you know, but its just this good feeling," Wolf replied sheepishly.

"I understand. And... I'm sorry for what I did back there at the park. It was out of place, and uncalled for," Fox apologized, his face heating up at the memory. The lupine lay a hand on his shoulder gently.

"It's okay, Fox. I understand why you did what you did. It was wrong for me to run away like that. I guess... I'm used to running away from things," Wolf murmured thoughtfully. He stopped walking to stare up at the clear blue sky, and Fox looked up with him.

"You aren't going to run away from this, are you?" The vulpine questioned, looking at Wolf's face. The sunlight glinted off of his eyes, making them shine the brightest purple color. He shook his head.

"No, I'm not. I think... I think I'd like to give this a shot. You know, give you a shot," the lupine answered confidently.

"Is this your way of asking me out?" Fox asked, an amused smile in his face. In reality, his heart was hammering against his chest.

Wolf grinned. "Heh, I suppose it is. I'm not too good at this stuff, you know? This is my first time… asking someone this. What do we do now?" He questioned, his confident grin fading away and replaced by a look of nervousness.

The vulpine decided that if any time was the one to make a move, this one was. He brushed his hand along Wolf's, and gingerly laced his fingers with the lupine's. The other canine squeezed his hand, smiling nervously. Fox thought it was cute how nervous the lupine was.

He decided to make one more risk while he was there, as he'd gone pretty far already. Fox stood on his toes and kissed Wolf on the cheek, his own feeling incredibly warm. The lupine looked incredibly flustered, a nervous smile on his face. Fox figured that it all worked out well for him.

"We've still got plenty of time here before we need to leave. Want to go on a… a date?" The vulpine asked, his face warming even more.

Wolf smiled softly. "I'd love to. Where do you want to go?" He asked, looking around the area as if to find somewhere to go.

"Well, it's about lunchtime. Let's go see if we can't find ourselves something to eat out there," Fox answered, continuing down the sidewalk, this time with Wolf holding his hand. He couldn't have been happier.

As the two walked along the sidewalk, now hand in hand, Fox wondered where his life would go from there. He felt like he'd spend a lot of time with Wolf in the future, and that would be good, as cheesy as it sounded. It felt less like the vulpine had closed something off, and more like he had opened a new door, a new beginning in his life.

But Fox would go through that doorway with Wolf at his side. And that sounded pretty good to him.

END