Chapter IV - "Hot Tub"

Fox half-limped toward the sliding glass door of the private lodge he'd been staying in over the past several days. His leg still had a dull stiffness to it, but it was nothing that could stop him from taking it easy on the more gentle slopes. He'd just gotten out of the cast before he was practically smothered in the invitation to have dinner at her place. What was initially supposed to be a nice evening dinner date turned to a cozy night together, then a couple of days, and now nearly a week. She seemed to enjoy his presence, what with the long hugs and buzzed nights they shared. Her eyes held a different shine whenever they made contact with his; and what beautiful eyes they were. He got lost and indulged in her gaze– like a drug he kept coming back to. No run from the highest peak compared to the feeling he felt when she drowned him in the soft, serene smile that he adored. Fox was happy that she wanted to keep him around; he certainly held the same sentiment.

Maybe this could end up going somewhere.

His slow trod toward the door brought him past the spacious, octagonal living room. He still reminisced on the night they spent together on the long, puffy couch drinking cheap booze and laughing at each other. The last thing he remembered before succumbing to sleep was the weight of her head on his shoulder, and the tug on his pounding heart. The wooden trim that lined the room and entire cabin made it feel like he was back home on Papetoon, but anywhere felt like home with her. Two snowboards rested on a rubber floor mat, propped against the wall. He still hadn't the faintest idea how her sky blue board adorned with geometric and swirling patterns allowed her to move the way she did, but that only made her all the more alluring. It seemed nothing short of magic, like the mountain itself owed its natural beauty as a favor to her.

He could see Krystal in the hot tub on the patio, a peaceful aura about her as she laid back into the corner. Fox sighed, resting a hand on the door handle. He could stare at the blue vixen for hours and never get tired of it. When she wasn't there, his mind's eye took up the slack, wanting nothing more than to hold and feel every curve of her beautiful form. Not wasting any more time, he gently pushed the glass aside and pulled it shut behind him. The frigid air bit at him as it ruffled the pelt of sunset orange and snow white fur she enjoyed running her fingers through. He shivered as he padded along the wooden deck, crossing the short gap to the warm steam rising from the water.

"Nice of you to join me," Krystal said with a tender smile.

Fox returned the gesture as he set a towel down on the edge of the hot tub next to hers. As he slowly crouched down to get into the water, she took his hand without warning. The vulpine's brain ran on autopilot as she gently guided him in, letting him rest his weight on her. Her hand had a delicate yet firm grip, ending in a playful squeeze once he'd made it all the way into the hot tub.

"Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," Fox returned. A quiet breath escaped his nose as he sat down, eventually sinking into the plastic molding that lined the tub.

"Not at all," Krystal said. Her turquoise eyes now had a playful glint to them. "In fact," she started, moving over to sit next to him, "I'm glad you could come at all."

Fox grinned, a nervous excitement coursing through his veins. He picked his arm up and draped it over her shoulder, pulling Krystal against him. Her smile grew, giggling as she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. The vixen cooed as a blush crossed his face in response. She'd kissed him while drunk, but now it was a different story. There was no doubt she'd fallen for him, and Fox was no different. He couldn't sit there and take it any longer without returning the favor; not this time. They were both sober, and they knew exactly what they were getting into. Throwing caution to the wind, the vulpine returned in kind. To his internal relief, the blissful feeling between them had not gone awry.

"You sure seemed to jump at the opportunity once I got out of the wheelchair," Fox teased.

Not to be outdone by his affection, Krystal gently rolled over and straddled his lap, being careful not to put too much pressure on his bad leg. His eyes widened a little as his lips parted, taking in the full view of her as she cupped the back of his head. Her grin turned sultry in response. She snickered at how he seemed to turn to putty underneath her; few– if any– ever had that effect on him. It wasn't long before Fox regained his composure; the slight movement of his jaw tensing and the shift of his irises told Krystal he was on the offensive. The vulpine rested a hand on her hip, bringing the other up to cup her cheek in his palm. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her eyes before trailing his fingers down to her chin, the shiver of ecstasy she produced being more than obvious. He could hear her tail wagging across the top of the water, barely drowned out by the jetstream. Fox did his best to commit the sight to memory– holding a beautiful woman who loved him, under a canopy of stars in the peaceful silence of a winter's night. He stared lovingly into her longing gaze, barely noticing the two of them inching closer together.

Krystal, unable to bear the tension, quickly met him halfway with lidded eyes. A needy, frustrated whimper escaped her. Their mouths quickly met and formed over each other again and again. Fox let his hand fall to her back and pulled her against him, her protruding claws on his own back failing to register as their tonsil hockey match continued. It wasn't so much a fight for dominance; it was more each fighting to show how much they wanted the other. He could feel her grab fistfuls of his fur, aiming to keep as little distance between them as possible. It took a while for Fox to notice the dizziness begin to set in. His head was spinning– he could feel his heartbeat growing louder in his ears. His advances began to slow down, as did Krystal's. He wanted to keep going, but the first kiss he shared with the woman he wanted most would have to end.

For now, at least.

They pulled away, leaving just enough room to catch their breath and get some words in. A faint crackle echoed off the outer wall of the cabin as their lips separated.

"Not that you're complaining," Krystal panted.

Little was said after that, Fox remaining in silent agreement. Hands roamed and caressed the other. Olfactories took in scents as eyes took in sights, leaving little to the imagination. Krystal's loving smile never faltered. It made Fox feel truly whole, and he never wanted that feeling to end.

"Krystal," he breathed, never taking his gaze away. "I think I love you."

The vixen grinned again, delivering a short, loving peck on his nose.

"Good."

She pressed up against him once more as she let her arms drape around his neck.

"I love you too."

I can't thank Sheppar, Groundy, Delter and Digward enough for their guidance and eyes on this; whether direct or indirect. I have some other Star Fox stuff on the backburner, but it'll be a while before that sees the light of day. In the meantime though, I've recently gotten into Ratchet and Clank. I'll have something special coming for that soon(tm).

Until next time.

-cat