The Right Choice - A Fenpolar short story.
Author's note:
This story is dedicated to Zane (Zane0774), arguably one of the world's biggest Fenpolar fans and my greatest inspiration to not only return to digital art but also to pursue my passions fearlessly, without worrying about anyone's judgment
Fennix sat on the bed of the hotel room he was staying in, hunched over and staring at the simple, yet elegant ring in his hands, the small blue diamond as blue as the glaciers of his fiancé's home, caught the light of the lanterns that flickered softly in the room. The ring was perfect, of course. Fennix had handpicked it himself and his taste in all things Polar Patroller was immaculate, to say the least. The quietness of the moment almost seemed surreal, like the calm before the storms he was all too familiar with, but instead of nerves and the constant need to outrun it, all he felt was a warmth emanating from the ring. He held it to his chest and looked at that crumpled piece of paper on the nightstand. It sat there, mocking him. He'd practiced his vows at least a hundred times but couldn't quite remember everything, which was so unlike him. He sighed and shook his head.
His trance was broken when his phone vibrated, a call from Volpez, his stupid white face sneering up at him from the screen. Fennix groaned, placing the ring next to his vows and picked his phone up.
"Yes?"
"Fen!" Volpez's nasally voice was even more annoying over the phone. "Tomorrow's the big day! You're really going through with this, huh?"
Fennix rolled his eyes and let out a long, tired sigh. "You know I am, Volpez. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, it's just... I mean, it's Polar Patroller, sorry, Pat." Volpez said, he didn't mean to use his best friends code name. "You've been through a lot, bro. Aren't you, I dunno, nervous?"
"Nervous? Fennix scoffed, the sound bittersweet. "Oh perish the thought, I've been caught up in so many clutch moments before and come out on top. I'll be fine, kit. Marrying Pat will be like taking candy from a baby."
There was a low growl on the other end of the line, Volpez loathed being called kit. It was so condescending. Finally, Volpez laughed. "Yeah, yeah. You sound so convinced. I doubt you've actually been calm about this, because let's face it Fen, you're a little high-strung."
"And you're a little too close to being replaced as our best man," Fennix shot back.
"You wouldn't dare!" Volpez said with mock outrage.
Fennix pinched his muzzle, unable to hide a smile. He glanced over at the ring resting on the edge of the nightstand. "I think I'll manage, Volpez. He's the one who keeps me grounded. You know that."
"Yeah, yeah, I've seen the way he keeps you in line," Volpez said with a smirk, clearly not taking it as seriously as he should. "But seriously, Fen, don't screw this up – This isn't one of your flashy stunts. You don't have to overcompensate this time."
"Oh, like you're one to lecture me about overcompensating —" He paused. "I'm not arguing with you tonight, Vol. Good night. Show up on time."
Volpez's voice softened slightly, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through his usual teasing. "Alright, bro. Sorry. Good night, I'll be there bright and early tomorrow. Sleep tight!"
"Yeah, thanks." Fennix replied quietly, his heart thumping from both the nerves and his slight anger at his annoying brother, yet the weight of Volpez's words settled on him. Tomorrow wasn't just about a wedding—it was about making a promise, and this promise wasn't something that could be broken. Not now. Not ever.
As the call ended, Fennix set the phone down and stood up, walking over to the window to gaze out at the moonlit night. Tomorrow, his world would change. Promises would be made between him and his bear. He watched the moon disappear behind the clouds and shut his curtains, yawning. He picked up the piece of paper he must have spent hours mulling over and took a deep breath. Time to rehearse them again.
The morning rays shone through the curtains and right onto Polar Patroller's face. The old bear grumbled turning away from the sunlight that insisted on rousing him. He pulled the covers up higher, hoping for just a few more minutes of sleep. But the light had other plans, creeping through every gap in the curtains and forcing its way into the room like a relentless intruder. With a sigh, Polar sat himself up in bed, his one good eye falling on the black suit strung up neatly in the wardrobe.
"Simple and classic," his best friend (and shared best man) Volpez had said when he picked it out, though Polar had insisted he could dress himself. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. That's right. Today was his wedding day. A day full of joy and happiness between him and Fennix. A day that was bound to be a monumental moment for the both of him. He smiled at the thought, the old bear finally rising out of bed. It felt weird sleeping without his Fox, but Volpez insisted that the two grooms had separate rooms. It was bad luck to see each other before the big moment after all. Polar didn't believe in the old wives' tale, but to Fennix's reluctancy to go along with Volpez's many demands, he'd humoured the younger Fox.
Polar looked at the vows he wrote. One thing he and Fennix had in common was they were both shit at expressing their feelings. He felt proud to have written what he wrote – with some minor input from their friend Hope – and the red velvet box, with a ring as orange as the fall leaves and passion of a warm fire Fennix reminded him so much of. He stared at his engagement ring, a simple silver band that was all Fennix could afford at the time. It wasn't the most lavish piece of jewellery, but that didn't matter to Polar. What mattered most to him was the sentiment behind it. Memories of the beginning of their commitment flooded his mind, especially knowing how big of a step this was for Fennix, who had once admitted he was terrified of commitment.
After a simple breakfast in the hotel lobby—a bagel and some coffee—Polar Patroller sat back, feeling a warm smile tug at the corner of his mouth. He thought about how clumsy and nervous Fennix had been when he proposed to him. That Fox, His Fox, terrified of commitment, but today, he was going to marry him.
He glanced at the time on the clock of his nightstand: 10:12 AM. In just under an hour, he'd be a married man.
As he adjusted his bowtie and reached for the new eyepatch Volpez had insisted he wear—a fine leather one, with rhinestones spelling out "PF"— he chuckled softly. It was tacky, yes, but they both knew Fennix would love it.
It was the kind of thing that perfectly captured the spirit of their relationship: unexpected, a little bold, and full of love. Today, that love would be sealed in front of everyone.
Fennix's watch buzzed on his wrist, startling the Fox out of admiring himself in the mirror. It was time! He was ready. His teal tuxedo, custom tailored to match the sleekness of his usual jumpsuit, fit him perfectly. The black bowtie completed the look, and the outfit complemented his orange and white fur in a way that made him feel like a million bucks. "Not bad, Fen." He smirked.
"Not bad?" Volpez scoffed, walking up to stand behind his brother in the mirror. "Try amazing. You'd better hope Pat can handle that much style."
Fennix turned back to look in the mirror, he could feel the weight of the ring and the crumpled parchment with his vows tucked in his pocket. He could practically hear the words echoing in his mind, but there was a knot in his stomach. This was real. This was happening. Despite his nervousness, he managed to lock eyes with Volpez in the mirror. "Vol, I swear to the loop, if you manage if you mess up your speech today."
"Relax!" Volpez casually waved him off, "I'll be perfect, just like you think you are. Anyway, you look great bro." He smiled, a genuine smile with no sense of mischievousness behind his eyes, placing a white paw on Fennix's shoulder.
Fennix recoiled slightly. "Just… Don't embarrass me. That's all I ask. And hey! Get your grubby paw off my suit!" He brushed his brothers hand off his shoulder, stepping away from him.
Volpez laughed. "Can't promise that! But hey, you really do look great. And if I know my big bro, and I know him pretty well, it's that he's got this. But hey, if things go sour, well…" He smirked, "You could always ask Pat to bail you out, as usual."
Fennix met his brothers smirk with his own. "Thanks, kit." He laughed, Volpez had helped ease his nerves, pushing them down into his stomach, but now he felt them crawling back up into his chest. "I guess. I'm just really nervous, like, this is for real, y'know? I've always been afraid to commit, in case I get hurt for real and now I'm about to face that fear head on."
"And punch it in its ugly face?" Volpez laughed, "But really, I get it. I think." Volpez clapped him on the back one more time. "Now go and marry that idiot of yours. He's been waiting long enough."
Fennix's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Pat. With one last deep breath, he straightened his tuxedo and pat down the small crease Volpez had left on his shoulder, feeling more confident, more ready than ever as he and his younger brother left the room, ready to head to where he was to be wed.
The soft hum of the crowd filled the air, a warm buzz of excitement that seemed to match the fluttering in Fennix's chest. The heavy wooden doors to the ceremony hall swung open, and Volpez stood beside him, offering a reassuring smile. The sunlight streamed in through large windows, illuminating the lush garden outside. The vibrant colours of blooming flowers—reds, yellows, and purples—blended harmoniously, adding to the sense of serenity. Beyond the garden, the beach stretched out, its golden sands leading to the water as blue as glaciers, sparkling in the sunlight like a thousand jewels.
"Don't trip." Volpez muttered next to him, his steady hand rested on his shoulder, guiding him forward, and the Fox could feel the weight of the moment. It wasn't just the vows or the ring; it was everything that had led up to this day—the journey with Polar, the shared laughs, the challenges, and the undeniable love that had built between them.
"Don't ruin my moment." Fennix glared back at his brother, though he couldn't help but let his lips twist into a small smile.
As they walked toward the altar, Fennix's eyes swept over the crowd of familiar faces. His heart swelled with gratitude at the sight of his friends and family gathered to witness this moment.
There was Dire, standing tall with his usual serious expression, though a small, proud grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. Kimiko and her girlfriend were next to him, her bright smile lighting up the room, eyes glinting with happy tears. Rufus sat behind them, looking away quickly when he noticed Fennix's gaze. Near the back, Meow Skulls and her brother Meowscles had found a spot, both looking dapper in their own stylish outfits, their silent support filling the air.
And of course, there was Polar Patroller – his Pat – waiting for him at the altar, looking just as breathtaking as ever. He stood tall, his usual calm demeanour in place, but Fennix could see the slight shift in his posture, the quiet anticipation in his eye that mirrored Fennix's own nerves. As Polar turned to face him, Fennix's eyes immediately locked onto the eyepatch—a gleaming leather piece with rhinestones spelling out PF in an almost blinding sparkle. The sight caught him so off guard that a snicker escaped before he could stop it, quickly growing into a quiet laugh. He clapped a hand over his muzzle, trying to stifle the sound as he continued walking down the aisle. Of course, Volpez had to be behind that, he thought, his shoulders shaking slightly. Despite the absurdity, it was so perfectly them—bold, ridiculous, and full of love. And, as much as he hated to admit it, Polar somehow made even that look good.
Next to him, Hope stood, a smile on her face, her dark blue hair cascading down her shoulders, complimenting the blue and black jumpsuit she'd chosen to wear. She was the one chosen to officiate this moment, her face lighting up when she saw Fennix in his suit. He caught her eye as he walked up to the aisle. "You look great, Fen. Really."
"Thanks." Fennix chuckled, feeling Polar reach for his hand, the two silently standing there and holding hands.
"Thanks," Volpez mimicked in an exaggerated tone, rolling his eyes. "Try not to get all mushy on us, Fen. You're ruining your reputation."
Volpez gave Fennix's shoulder a quick squeeze before stepping back, his role as the insufferably smug younger brother now complete. "Don't mess this up, Fen," he muttered under his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips. Fennix shot him a side-eye glare before turning to face Polar, his heart pounding as the crowd fell silent.
The world felt distant, just the two of them standing there in that moment. The garden, the flowers, the beach with its crystalline blue waters—all seemed to fade into a dreamlike backdrop, leaving only his bear before him. The sound of the waves crashing gently on the shore beyond the window seemed to be the only sound in the world. Pat's eye never left his, and Fennix could feel the warmth of his gaze all the way through to his soul. It was a look full of love, of trust, of a shared history that no one else could understand.
Hope's voice, warm and steady, finally broke the silence, filling the air with a sense of peace. "We are gathered here today, to witness and celebrate the union of Fennix and Polar Patroller, two souls who have found something truly special in one another…"
Fennix's focus was entirely on Polar, his gaze locked with the bear's. Everything else faded away, the world narrowing to just the two of them. In that moment, he felt more certain than ever: this was the right choice, this was the one he was meant to be with.