Archive of Our Own ^beta

Cleanup duty.

That’s what Fox managed to score after all these weeks of nothing. Cleaning up an old, dilapidated military base in the middle of Fichina’s icy tundra was what Fox had finally been hired to do. 

A galaxy-loved mercenary and starfighter pilot could only make a janitor nowadays. Great. 

As Fox scavenged through the abandoned base, collecting and throwing away any trash or scrap he’d come across while making sure the area is safe for others to walk in, all he had was his thoughts to accompany him. Bluntly, he was alone. Sure, he had ROB 64 on the Great Fox II to keep him company, but the robot operator isn’t much to converse with, especially considering his new sarcastic persona. As for everyone else…

They’re gone. They’ve all left on their own paths. Peppy had retired from starfighting and is now in General Pepper’s place as the leader of Corneria’s military forces, Falco’s gone on his own to chase any thrill that he could find in the peaceful Lylat, Slippy decided to settle down with a girl that he loves dearly, and Krystal… 

God, Krystal. As if the whole solar system hasn’t heard some tale of that thing already.

Fox picked up a heavy piece of rusting metal and threw it into the giant metallic cart he brought with him and started pushing it along the quiet and dark hallways of the base. There’s no point in dwelling on how things ended with her. There’s no point in dwelling on how things ended with his entire team. There’s no point in dwelling on anything. 

…There’s no point in any of this, isn’t there?

Fox stopped dead in his tracks, and rested his head lightly against the metal cart. Why must he think about this over and over again? Sure, his team’s basically disbanded, his name has been dragged all over Lylat, he’s been trying to make a living by each scarce commission he can get, the family debt on his shoulders isn’t getting any smaller, and he hasn’t had a single social interaction outside of commissions or his ship’s robot in weeks, but that’s no reason to start doubting everything! Fox isn’t going to stop living his father’s words after all this time due to a rough patch: Never give up. Trust your instincts. 

…

But what if his instincts are telling him to quit?

Fox looked himself over in the dim reflection of the surface of the cart. His eyes looked glassy with bags sagging a dark brown color, his fur coat had become messy and unkempt, his whiskers have grown much longer without their usual trim. It’d even become telling that he’s lost a few pounds in his face.

Maybe it’s from working out harder now or cleaning up the Great Fox on his own. Maybe it’s from the fact that he’s not eating much nowadays outside of what he can afford. Maybe it’s because he’s been lying in his bed doing absolutely nothing and thinking absolutely nothing often during most of his free time. 

God, what would his crew say if they saw him in this sorry state? Would Peppy berate him for losing himself to such thoughts? Would Falco tease his captain to the point of becoming uncomfortable with his abilities? Would Slippy be upset that his bestest friend had become so weak?

What would his father say if he saw what his son had become? Would he still be proud of all of his successor’s accomplishments if he ended up a shadow of his former self? 

What would—

Fox’s thoughts all came to an abrupt stop as his ear twitched at the faintest sound - a pair of footsteps hitting the metal floor only a room or so away.

He wasn’t alone. Someone else was here. The commissioner? An ally? A foe? Whatever it is, he can’t take any risks. He put his hand on his blaster, which sat in his holster comfortably, fully charged and ready at a moment’s notice. 

The footsteps came louder, and louder, and louder. Sweat began to form on Fox’s forehead. As the steps became loud enough to be in the same hall as the canine, he swiftly grabbed his blaster, turned around, and pointed it in the direction of the doorway. 

“Well, isn’t this a sight?”

The dim lighting of the abandoned base made it hard to see initially, but Fox knew immediately who the voice belonged to: 

Wolf O’Donnell - leader of Star Wolf and rival of Fox and his father. The last time they saw each other was years ago during the Aparoid Invasion, where Star Wolf almost sacrificed their lives to make sure Fox and his squad could reach the Queen and save the Lylat System. Fox never saw him after that, but considering how Peppy and ROB managed to survive their sacrifice, he was more than positive that Star Wolf did as well. 

He even tried convincing General Pepper to pardon Star Wolf for their acts of heroism during the Invasion. However, the extensive list of crimes committed (one that even continued on after the invasion) turned that idea down rather quickly. 

Fox was conflicted for a moment. The crime lord had made it clear time and time again that his goal was to take down Star Fox. Hell, he even said it was when they were working on the same side. And yet, Wolf doesn’t look like he’s picking a fight. Fox doesn’t see any weapon in his hands - or even a holster for one.

“Star Wolf,” Fox bluntly replied. He isn’t taking any chances. Wolf only chuckles at the younger canine. 

“You can put down the blaster, pup,” he goes, taking a step forward and putting up his hands. “I’m unarmed, and we both know that a guy like you would never pick a fight with anyone defenseless.”

Shit. He’s got him there. Fox lowers his gun down, albeit still suspicious of the criminal. 

“What are you even doing here if that’s not the case?”

“This base used to be a residence for me and my boys after the war, y’know?” Wolf replied. “And being in the area doing some solo work made me feel nostalgic so a little visit seemed to be in order.”

Wolf motioned to the metal cart, albeit Fox isn’t taking his eyes off of him. “I see they’ve got you on trash duty.”

Fox wasn’t giving into the passive remarks. “It’s classified between me and my commissioner, thank you very much.” 

Wolf snickered. “God, one bad breakup and that makes you act like you’ve got a stick up your…”

He trails off as he catches a glimpse of Fox’s expression hardening. Fox was in no mood for Wolf O’Donnell of all people to criticize him over Krystal. Fox had never seen the wolf with a romantic partner of his own. 

“…What’s the matter with you?”

“Huh?” Fox is a bit taken aback by the response.

“You’re acting like an ass,” he said as straightforwardly as possible “And… hold on.” Wolf started walking towards Fox again, the latter still being shocked by the sudden change in tone. 

“Wait, what are you-“ He tried to squeal out, but Wolf quickly cut him off by grabbing his snout and pulling him slightly forward towards his one working eye. Fox could feel his face becoming redder and redder with embarrassment and hoped his fur was covering it enough. 

“You look like Hell,” Wolf finally exclaimed.

Fox pulled away from his grasps and scoffed.

“Just got back,” he said in a poor attempt at cockiness. Instead, it just came off as annoying and whiny. Wolf was obviously getting frustrated by his behavior, pinching the bridge of his snout and letting out an annoyed groan. 

“Seriously, what’s WRONG with you?!?” he asked again. “You are usually not this irritating.”

“And why would you have all people care?!?” Fox asked back. This is really starting to stump him at this point. It’s obvious to him from their past adventures that Wolf has some sort of soft spot for others when time calls for it, even his enemies. That being said, however, there is no strategic advantage of giving a shit about Fox right now of all times. If anything, this is the perfect opportunity to end things once and for all.

So, why isn’t Wolf going for it?

“Because if I’m going to take you down then I want you at your best,” the elder canine angrily responded. “Not your worst.” He groaned once again, mumbling something inaudible under his breath, and reached for his back pocket. 

“Stand down,” Wolf suddenly told Fox. “Again, I’m unarmed. Put the trigger finger away, pup.”

Fox didn’t even realize that his hand had reached for his blaster, only a few inches away from the holster now. It’s become second nature to him to be prepared for anything. He sighed and dropped his arm, as Wolf pulled something out of his pocket - a pack of cigarettes.

“You got a minute to go for a smoke?” Wolf asked, pointing the box of cigarettes towards his foe. “Or is your contractor going to kill you for stalling?”

Fox grumbled a “no” and reached for one, afterwards walking to a nearby bench to take a seat. Wolf followed suit, then putting his cigarette in his mouth.

“You got a lighter?” Wolf asked the vulpine once more. “Mine’s almost out of juice.” Fox rolled his eyes and reached for his vest pocket, taking out a small blue one. He always carried one just in case. It’s something that he picked up from his father. Fox tossed it over to Wolf, who afterwards lighted up his cigarette, inhaled, and then exhaled the smoke as he passed the lighter back to Fox. 

Fox began to light up his own cigarette, starting to realize that it’s been ages since he last smoked one. The last time he did was a few years back with Falco and Katt. He never liked smoking, in all honesty. Smoking’s bad for you. That’s something his academy really cemented in his head. Plus, Slippy was deathly afraid of smoking and drugs, so nobody on the team really wanted to do it for his sake. 

As he inhaled and exhaled, Fox thought of his father for just a moment. He barely saw him do it, but he knew that he was a casual smoker. He never did it around Fox, of course, but Fox remembered once or twice smelling it on his father’s clothes after a night out with his crew or coming home from a commission. Peppy was, too, but more-so cigars instead. 

“So are you willing to talk now?” Wolf finally broke the silence, tapping the ash off his cigarette and letting it fall to the floor. Fox knew that he’s gonna have to clean that up later, but rolled his eyes at the thought. 

“Star Fox is practically dead,” he said bluntly, taking his cigarette out of his mouth. There’s not much he wanted to sugarcoat at the moment, especially to a guy like Wolf. If anyone wanted the hard cold truth, it’d be him. Even then, Wolf looked unamused. 

“What, ‘cause of the whole thing with Krystal?” Wolf responded in a laughing matter. God. Of course he’d know about that. Who hasn’t heard about it yet? Fox groaned at the idea of gossip spreading around Sargasso like it did in junior flight academy. 

After another exhale, Fox responded. “No, not just that at least. Everyone else is gone. Peppy, Falco, and even Slippy have all left. It’s just me and ROB flying around the galaxy trying to find work to do.” 

“Huh,” Wolf took it all in, taking another puff of his cigarette as he did. “And I assume that there’s not much going on if you’re doing grungy janitorial stuff.”

“It’s not like we didn’t do any stuff like this before,” Fox replied. “But that stuff was only during the calm years after the war when we were tight on cash. Now, that's all I get.”

“Do the others ever help you? Or even contact you, for that matter?” 

Wolf’s questions started to weigh more and more on Fox. He hadn’t gotten this much attention from anyone in so long, really. It felt… nice. It made him feel warm. He liked it, even if it was from Wolf of all people. Another cigarette puff and Fox was back into the conversation.

“Not really,” he replied finally. “Peppy and Lucy - his daughter - used to call me every now and then, but after Krystal… ‘left’ it’s rare for even Peppy to leave a text. Outside of that, it’s radio silent from the other two. Falco’s busy trying to find any thrilling jobs in the galaxy, and Slippy’s occupied with a girl now, so they aren’t–“

“Hold the phone,” Wolf pauses him, cigarette still in his mouth. “…Slippy’s got a girlfriend?”

“Yes, I know. It shocked me, too.”

Wolf blurted out the loudest laugh Fox has heard in the longest time, so abruptly that the canine dropped his cigarette in doing so and had to stomp it out. Fox couldn’t contain his chuckling at the sight, prompting a light nudge from the lupine’s elbow. 

“Oh, pipe down!” Wolf said in tow. If you didn’t believe it, then how could I?”

“I know, I know.” Fox’s cheeky smile began to settle to a more strained one once again. “It’s just…” He looked down at the floor, putting his cigarette in his hands and staring at it, as if inspecting it.

“I never really expected him to move on from this life, I guess,” Fox solemnly explained. “I could see Peppy retiring years before it even happened, Falco’s always been bored of the mercenary lifestyle so it’s no shock that he’d leave again, and Krystal…” He paused, with no way to explain it. 

“I don’t care for romance,” Wolf puts out. “But I won’t lie, I am somewhat intrigued about how all that happened. Whatever Panther’s saying is definitely a biased opinion.” Fox was not surprised in the slightest. 

“Well,” Fox began. “We’ve been dating for a while since she joined the team a few years back, but we only started getting serious about it after the Aparoid Invasion. We started talking about getting married and getting serious, but… that’s when I started getting worried.”

Fox put out his cigarette. “I started having nightmares about her getting hurt. Memories of how we met kept flooding back to me. When your first meeting with someone is them in danger, calling out into the void for anyone to save them, it really haunts you for the rest of your life with them.”

“Figures much.” Wolf thought out loud.

“I tried talking to her about it,” Fox continued. “And we came to the consensus that I was just stressed so we just continued for a while like nothing was wrong. But when others started to leave, I just became more and more worried that something was going to happen to her. She’s a strong fighter who learned so much in such little time, yes, but what will happen with just the two of us?” 

“Those talks turned into arguments,” Fox grabbed the back of his neck as he explained, feeling the sense of dread slowly yet surely return to his body. “And those arguments became full-fledged fights. At some point, I just… snapped. I called off our relationship, told her she’s not strong enough to take on the danger, and forced her out.” His hands covered his face now. “It was a mistake, yes. A really big one, but what could I do? I just wanted to protect her, is that wrong?”

The two were silent for a long while. The only noise that existed in that snapshot in time was the quiet humming of the base’s generator and the sound of water droplets hitting the floor from the leaky pipes. At last, Wolf broke the silence. 

“I think I understand your issue,” Wolf finally said, putting his hand on Fox’s shoulder.

Fox was confused. “My… issue?” He parroted. Wolf took his hand off of Fox’s shoulder and sat up straight, legs pointing towards the saddened canine. 

“Don’t you get it?” Wolf goes on. “It’s freedom. That’s your issue.”

That just makes Fox even more confused. “How can I be a victim to freedom of all things? That makes absolutely no sense.”

Wolf chuckled like an old man telling a joke. “It’s not freedom verbatim,” he explained. “It’s how you made freedom your responsibility. Think about it.”

Fox felt a bit uncomfortable at the concept. What could Wolf possibly mean with this accusation? Does he think Star Fox is bad for him? Why? What’s the reason for all of this?

Wolf got up from the bench and walked around the room in front of Fox. “You fight for freedom all the time, constantly trying to take back control of the galaxy from forces of evil, yet you barely got a chance to have that freedom for yourself.”

“I don’t really think that’s the case,” Fox retorted.

“How old were you when your father died?”

Fox recoiled at the question, shocked that Wolf would bring that up now of all places, but slumped back down and gave his answer. “I… I was thirteen.”

“So still a kid, right? You were still in the academy when it happened and after it as well, yeah?

Fox answered. “Yeah, I was in school until I was… seventeen. That’s when I was taken out to lead Star Fox.”

“And then a year later, General Pepper hired you to fight in the Lylat Wars,” Wolf responded. “Are you seeing it now?” 

Fox isn’t getting it. “So, I had a fucked up childhood and then right after I fought in a war? I don’t get how that’s connected to what you’re saying.”

“You were thrown into your father’s position the minute after he passed, taken out of school to uphold that promise, and after gathering the resources thrown into the last hope of the galaxy at the time of war,” Wolf reasoned. “And since then you’ve had to fight tooth and nail just to make a living.”

“You’ve fought for freedom all your life, but never had it yourself.”

Fox’s confusion turned to contention. Part of him wanted to call Wolf a jerk, trying to downplay his accomplishments and his family’s legacy just to fit some sort of depressing narrative. He wouldn’t put it past the rivalrous criminal to do something of the sort. 

But the other part of him thinks that Wolf is correct. Ever since that fateful day of his father’s passing, he hasn’t had a moment’s peace. He’s been constantly fighting off any villain that’s ever dared to try and cause a disturbance in the Lylat System. He’s been haunted by ghosts of Andross, General Scales, the Aparoid Queen, and other threats even beyond their demises. He’s become more of a weapon than a person. What freedoms are even allowed for a canine weapon?

Fox’s instincts are telling him that an equilibrium is what should be discussed. 

“Okay,” Fox tried to phrase his next words carefully, “I see your point, but is that all that bad? I still gave freedom back to countless lives throughout the galaxy, even at the sacrifice of my own. I can’t just throw that all away because of how messed up the situation might be.”

“No, you should totally throw away every wartime accomplishment you’ve made and become the biggest selfish prick in the Lylat,” Wolf stated in the most blunt and sarcastic way possible. “Obviously not,” he continued with emphasis returning to his voice. “What I mean is you have to start living life for the sake of yourself, not for others. No getting knocked down a peg.”

Fox contently hummed, seeing Wolf’s point of view. “Kind of ironic that the crime lord who has a bounty on his head 24/7 is giving a guy like me this advice.”

Wolf laughs at the sentence. “Who better could tell you this, pup?” he states. “Hell, that’s why I’m back in Fichina scoping out this base in the first place. Lord O’Donnell here gets to do and say whatever he wants with little to no pushback!”

“I believe the law is pushback enough…”

Another elbow from the older canine hit Fox’s arm as he returned to his seat next to him. “Alright, goody two shoes,” Wolf began to say lightheartedly. “What would you do in my place then?”

Fox blinked. “In your place?”

“Imagine yourself as Lord McCloud. You can do whatever you want without a care in the worlds. Tell me, pup. What would you do?”

Fox thought for a moment. Anything could be done in this hypothetical. He has the freedom to choose what Lord McCloud’s future would look like. He sat up straight and cleared his throat.

“Well, for one,” he began, “I still wouldn’t bend the knee to any powerful dictator like a certain someone did. It’s my freedom to do whatever. Nobody’s taking that from me.”

Wolf rolled his eye at the younger canine. “Noted, jackass. Sorry for being charged for treason at the age of 16 with no support from anyone but other criminals. Move on already.”

“Well, I think I’d actually stay clear of any criminal activity I can, in all honesty,” Fox said while twiddling his fingers. “Free to do or not, I like being a nice person. Although, taxes? Yeah, I’m not doing those ever again.”

Wolf clapped while keeping a sarcastic smile. “Baby’s first crime: tax evasion! A big step for you there.”

Fox let out a little laugh. “No, really!” he continued. “Paying quarterly for some aircraft carrier I didn’t even buy for the rest of my life so my grandkids don’t have to is like priority number one when it comes to removing things from this life.” 

“Any other crimes or is tax evasion the only one you’re interested in?”

“Hmm,” Fox pondered for a moment. “Maybe I’d steal some stuff from the one percent, just to give it to charities and whatnot.” 

“You’re really trying hard to be the world’s first ethical criminal,” Wolf humored. Fox can’t deny it; He would prefer being a good criminal than a bad one. “Think more selfishly for a second. You’re a crime lord now, so you’re still a sort of leader. What would you do for your underlings?”

“Oh, right,” Fox realized the scope of the scenario. “Hmm… Well, running a place like Sargasso would be my plan as well. Hate to give you credit, but the hideout is pretty smart. I’d renovate one of those hideouts and run it like a hotel for people down on their luck or in need.”

“Heh,” Wolf let out a little chuckle. Fox swore for a second he thought he saw a shade of red cross his rival’s face, but dismissed it. He’s too into the hypothetical at the moment. “That’s something we both enjoy outside of starfighting, but you’re gonna need a lot of resources to keep that thing running, y’know?”

Fox waved it off. “Eh, I’d let my lackeys figure that out for me.” He paused for a second to register what he just said. “I get to have those, right?”

“You’re the boss, pup.”

“Then, yes. I get lackeys.” Fox chuckled at the thought of having his own ruffians running around doing his work. Even funnier when he imagines Falco and Slippy trying to do it. Huh. Those two would be perfect for that role. 

“Falco and Slippy would probably be my Leon and Panther then,” Fox voiced to Wolf. “I bet they get some benefits compared to most in Sargasso.”

Wolf shrugged. “They do so. They got their own rooms and bathrooms compared to what most get. It’s enough to keep them from complaining, I suppose, especially someone so materialistic like Panther.”

“Falco would definitely complain if he didn’t have his own quarters,” Fox thought out loud. “And Slippy definitely needs the room for all of his stuff and… Oh, right!” Fox popped up from his slouch. “He’d definitely want to bring his girlfriend along.”

“You’re doing plus ones now?”

“Plus tens, maybe,” Fox said jokingly, thinking of how many friends or family he could bring to his hypothetical Sargasso criminal resort. “I’d be amiss not to allow Peppy and Lucy a place in there. And Bill, too! Hell, at this rate we could get all the Hot Rodders, and Tricky with his family, and…”

Fox paused and drew a blank at the realization of who he was about to say. Wolf looked confused for one second, before realizing pretty quickly who Fox wanted to mention. 

“If she wanted to, then yeah. I’d allow her on it as well.”

Another bout of silence followed, even more awkward than any one before it. The humming and droplet noises of the abandoned base still filled up the ambience as much as it could, but Wolf clearing his throat was enough to break the silence. 

“Out of curiosity,” he began, grabbing Fox’s attention once more. “Where would you put me?”

Fox’s ears perked up. “Huh?” 

“Seems like you got plans for all your closest allies, but I haven’t heard anything about me or my crew from you. Do you got ideas for us in your perfect utopia?” Once again, Fox noticed a shade of red rushing to Wolf’s face, before the lupine turns his face away when it became noticeable. 

This time, Fox put some thought into what he saw. Maybe Wolf was just embarrassed by the question he asked. Maybe the cold temperature of Fichina was getting to him? 

Maybe… something else…?

Fox didn’t know what he should do with Wolf right then and there. He didn’t know if he should make his whole life even messier or worse. But there was one thing in his mind - just a couple of words - that guided him to make a decision: when the time comes, just act.

That time might be coming up. 

“Well, to tell you the truth,” Fox began, “I don't have many ideas for Leon or Panther. They could either be floating around the space station minding their own business or excommunicated for annoying me. Your choice.”

Wolf snorted at the thought, turning his head back over to Fox. The latter continued on.

“As for you,” Fox said, moving ever so slightly over to the actual crime lord, “I have an idea, but I’d need your approval for it.”

A chuckle from Wolf followed. “Let’s hear it, pup,” he said. Fox cleared his throat once more. 

“A good leader always has a second-in-command, don’t they? Someone to turn to in their time of need. Yet, nobody I’ve listed would make a perfect example. However, you have so much information on being a crime lord already when I’ve gotten none. Fox leans towards Wolf, causing the lupine to lean back slightly. 

“I think you’d made the perfect right hand man.”

Wolf’s cheeks turned bright red at the thought, before he snickers and starts laughing hysterically. Fox, also flustered by what he said, joined in, their laughs echoing throughout the empty metallic halls.

“That,” Wolf began, “is charming.” He wiped away a happy tear. “So incredibly corny, yet charming all the while.”

Fox smiled, trying to restrain his happiness that threatened to escape via tail wagging. “Is that so? You’d have to listen to me and do as I say.”

The older canine once again snorted at the thought. “As if someone like you could control someone like me.”

Fox gave Wolf a cocky look. “You don’t think so? I bet I could.”

“Prove it.”

Fox’s heart skipped a beat. “W-What?”

“Go on, pup,” Wolf baited. “Do whatever you’re thinking of to me right now. I bet you can’t.”

“R-Really?” Fox felt sweat begin to form on his forehead. 

“Fair game, Fox. Do whatever you want.” Wolf turned to completely face Fox on the bench. Fox leaned forward, completely focused and quiet on the lupine, his face almost completely red. Hopefully, Wolf took it as a sign of embarrassment. 

“Punch me, kick me, stab me, shoot me… the floor is yours. Just don’t do anything stupid that kills me, but knowing you, you’ll probably just flick me on the nose and call it a day-“

No hesitation. 

Fox practically jumped forward onto Wolf, grabbing him by the shoulders, and kissed him right on the lips, cutting him off right then and there. 

Maybe it was the baiting convincing him to shut Wolf up. Maybe it was the role of him leading the lupine that led him to this path of intimacy. Maybe the feelings that he had developed after Wolf saved his hide during the Aparoid Invasion needed to finally escape his heart. 

Whatever the trigger was, it didn’t matter. He just wanted to kiss Wolf. 

And that’s when he realized that he was kissing Wolf.

Fox opened his eyes and pushed himself away from the crime lord so fast that he practically caused their heads to bump onto the metal bench. Panting and sweating nervously, Fox looked at Wolf, who looked completely stunned by the action. 

“Fuck!” Fox went, scrambling back to a straightforward sitting position as he tried to utter out an explanation. “S-Shit, sorry, Wolf!” Fox messily began. “Y-You said I could do anything I w-wanted and I guess that was to just…” His sweat became as hard as bullets now. “F-Fuck! I- I messed all this up shit up again. Please don’t be mad! Please-“

“STAR FOX.”

Fox’s spiral stopped dead in its tracks as a loud voice boomed right in front of him. Wolf  brought himself closer to Fox and held one of his shoulders. He was close enough for Fox to feel his warm breath running down his neck. Fox became more worried and flustered than ever. 

And yet, despite what Fox deemed to be a mistake, Wolf had the most sincere and accepting look he’d ever seen in his life.

“I wanted you to do that, too.”

That was all that needed to be said. 

Fox and Wolf resumed, Wolf leaning into Fox now as they grabbed each other tightly. Their lips locked together, letting the two indulge in nothing but themselves. Completely indulged in the intimacy, Fox let himself lean back to the point where Wolf was practically laying on top of him. They stayed there for minutes that felt like eternities, breathing through their noses while their mouths were preoccupied.

Fox knew that he wanted this. No, maybe he actually needed this. Maybe Wolf needed this as well.

Eventually, the two’s lips finally parted ways as Wolf pulled himself off of Fox, still looking down at him with a flirtatious smile wide across his face. Fox gave his own smile - an awkward yet sincere one. The two simply stared at each other, breathing synchronously, before Fox finally broke the controlled silence. 

“…I still gotta finish cleanup duty.”

Wolf flicked Fox’s forehead and got off of him, groaning as the other awkwardly laughed. What a mood killer that was. 

“How much do you have to do?” Wolf asked. “I could probably speed it up if I lent a hand.”

“Just this hallway and the rooms beyond it,” Fox replied as he went back to the cart. “Then, I’ll tell the contractor the commission’s been done and throw out the trash we’ve gathered. I’ll pay you a bit of what I get, too, since you helped-“

“Nah,” Wolf shot down the gesture immediately as he picked up a heavy sheet of rusty metal. “I have a better idea in mind on how you repay me.

“Oh?”

Wolf chucked the sheet into the cart and turned his attention to Fox. “You and me continue our… “pick-me-up…” in a place more comfortable than here. That’s all, pup.”

“Y-Yes, I’d like that a lot, actually.” Fox could once again feel the red returning to his face, but shook it off to focus on the task at hand.  

“Oh, and Wolf?” he asked with one final question. Wolf turned his attention to the vulpine. 

“Tonight’ll be Lord McCloud’s treat to you,” Fox teased. 

Wolf could only help but laugh. “Alright, my Lord. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

***

Fox woke up the next morning to the smell of bacon and eggs. 

He sat up in his bed - or a motel bed, for that matter - to inspect his surroundings. His clothes were hanging up in the closet at the foot of the bed, his communicator and blaster were charging on the dresser on its left, and the keys to the Arwing were safe right on the nightstand to the right. 

Oh, and Wolf was cooking breakfast in a cheap white robe.

Fox’s stirring alerted the lupine that his rival had awoken. He turned around, pan and spatula in hand, and prepared the meal for the two of them. The robe he was wearing was definitely too small for him. It was untied, and if it wasn’t for the undershirt and shorts he wore under his usual mercenary attire, he’d be completely exposed. He also wasn’t wearing his mechanical eyepatch, showing his left eye and scar to the vulpine.

“Good, you’re up,” Wolf said bluntly. “I was thinking I’d have to shake you awake so your food wouldn’t get cold.”

“I hear ya, I hear ya,” Fox confirmed to the crime lord. Slowly, he got out of bed, threw his own motel robe over his pajamas (which were just his boxers from the night before), and made his way to the dining table in the middle of the motel room.

Wolf came over with the plates of food, placing one in front of Fox before he sat down with his own across from him. It was nothing special - just a bacon egg and cheese sandwich with a banana on the side, along with a drink of coffee - but Fox appreciated the sentiment. He wondered when Wolf even grabbed the food to begin with. The motel serves breakfast, but only in the lobby’s designated dining area. 

Wolf must’ve snuck out and stole the food then. Fox sighed at the thought. Nothing’s changed here. 

Fox took a bite of the sandwich. It wasn’t the best thing he’s ever eaten, considering the ingredients were taken from a dingy motel in Fichina of all places, but satisfying nonetheless. He ate the sandwich moderately, savoring what he enjoyed about it, as opposed to how Wolf practically inhaled his meal before moving onto his coffee. 

Fox felt an air of uncertainty between the two of them. It only made sense for him to at least fill the room with some sort of conversation.

“Good stuff,” he began with a compliment to the chef. Wolf looked up from his drink and smirked. 

“Yep,” he replied. “Not the greatest chef, but I know how to make a mean breakfast sandwich. You should see how Leon acts when I give him one.”

Fox chuckled at the mental image of Leon swooning over Wolf’s sandwiches. It’s in character for him, even when he tries to sound so sophisticated compared to the other characters he’s affiliated with. Fox pushed the thought aside as he brought up the obvious instead. 

“So,” began the younger canine, “last night surely was… eventful, wasn’t it?” He’s trying hard to not reference any specifics this early in the morning. 

Wolf sighed. “It was, wasn’t it, pup?” He looked back down at his drink and groaned. Fox knew immediately that something was wrong, and could take an easy guess at what it was. 

“You’re thinking about how we’re going to explain this to everyone, aren’t you?” Fox asked him. Wolf only nodded a simple response. 

Despite his talks of freedom and inspiring Fox to live life like him, there was one thing keeping Wolf from truly being free: status. He was a leader in the criminal underworld, with tens if not hundreds of ruffians and lackeys following his word. Truthfully, they are the source of what gives Wolf the freedom to do whatever he pleases. 

If word got out that he and Fox McCloud, one of the most hated men in all of Sargasso, are in a romantic relationship, let alone even shared an intimate night together, then all of that would come crashing down on the lupine. 

Wolf pinched his bridge and sighed. “The only option is to keep this whole thing as an isolated affair,” he stated. “It could not only make me lose my role as crime lord, but also could make your reputation across the galaxy tank even more. Once you’re done here, I think you should clean up, take a shower, check out of the hotel, and leave back to the Great Fox as I sneak out the window like I did the night before.”

Fox made a disappointed yet understanding pout. Truthfully, he had fun with Wolf, no matter how unorthodox it all was. It’d be hard for him to return to their normal rivalry after all this, but it’s the best way to handle things. It keeps the consequences as little as possible. 

“I understand,” he verbally responded. “I figured much before going into things.” He took one last bite of his sandwich before moving onto the banana. “For what it’s worth, however, I do think you’re a great person.”

“Appreciate it,” Wolf almost immediately replied. The hardened shell of the magnanimous lupine had begun to rebuild itself. It’s rebuilding slowly, however, as Wolf still had some final thoughts for Fox. 

“For what it’s worth, I was telling the truth when I said I wanted you the same way you wanted me,” he stated. “You’re what I wish I could’ve been like if shit didn’t hit the fan so early on, and I love you for that.”

Fox felt really touched by such a compliment, giving a genuine smile in return. “Thanks-“

“And,” Wolf wasn’t done, cutting off Fox. “Take care of yourself, please. If I fight you on the next battlefield while you’re looking like a mess, then I’ll kill us both.”

Fox chuckled. Everything with Star Wolf comes back to destroying him, but Wolf’s right at taking care of himself. He should be doing a much better job at that, especially now knowing that there’s still love for him in the most interesting places even after all the mistakes he made. 

No beacon of hope is perfect, and that’s why they are loved. 

“We should probably get ready to go soon,” Fox replied while checking the clock. It was 08:53 Fichina Mountain Standard Time, much later than what ROB was expecting. The robot will probably give Fox a rant about tardiness. 

“Alright,” Wolf replied simply. “Do you want to do anything before we get a move on?” It wasn’t supposed to sound so cheeky, and Fox understood that, still chuckling at the thought. 

“Just a hug, if you don’t mind,” Fox asked. Wolf smiled at the request, and to this day, Fox swears that Wolf’s tail wagged.

Wolf got up from his seat and walked over to Fox, who also stood up. Both men wrapped each other in their arms and embraced in a warm hug. Once again, their breaths synced together, as Fox rubbed the tamed fur on Wolf’s back.

For a moment, Fox felt the stress of his past, present, and future disappear. For a moment, it felt like it was the beginning of a new life. For a moment, Fox finally felt what he’d been needing all his life. 

For a moment, Fox felt free.