000

"Oh f-fuck...that's awful."

A snorting chuckle came alongside those words as the vulpine placed the plastic red cup back down on the table and grimaced, turning back around just in time to see the face of Falco Lombardi lower itself in amusement. The fox sneered and lashed a fist out, striking the bird's shoulder getting a yelp of dismay in response before hands were held up before him in protest.

"What!? I didn't make you drink it!" he cried, eyes flickering with both humor, and slight fear, behind the dark tint of his sunglasses as he shot a wing down towards the punch bowl.

"Yeah, you just told me it was 'something else.' And in most places that implies that its something good, rather than something that tastes like its been pissed in." the vulpine sneered, tugging his tunic back in place and shuffling the strap to his sheath into a more comfortable position.

"Ah well, you live and you learn. What did you expect from a party like this?" the bird asked, stepping up beside the vulpine and turning around, allowing the two of them to take in the scene. "A half-ass thrown-together costume party, with a shitty video game theme, where only college students were invited. Hell, I'd be surprised if someone didn't piss in the punch bowl."

The vulpine merely grimaced once more in response, licking his lips and sighing. Not the best of starts to the night, not that he'd expected things to be constantly enjoyable and exciting. Truthfully he hadn't wanted to come at all. Friday night, Halloween weekend, no classes at the academy on Monday...he could have been back at the dorm watching Netflix or doing homework...or both at the same time. Instead, due to a pleading, annoyingly high-pitched voice, via one Slippy Toad...both he, and Falco, had ended up coming to Amanda's little party.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was that the place wasn't completely deserted, and the vulpine was half wondering if Slippy had resorted to paying people to attend just to make sure his girlfriend wasn't left disappointed. Judging by a few of the costumes of people the vulpine only faintly knew, he figured they'd spent all of five minutes preparing, and came only for the free booze and food. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you looked at it, Amanda had been so sure that Falco and the vulpine were going to come that she'd already prepared costumes for them as a gift.

"Oh perfect! You look just the way I thought you would! What do you think?"

"Umm...y-yeah, its really nice, Amanda. Thank you. I can tell you put a lot of work into it."

"I've always pictured you as a hero, Fox. So for my party you can be the Hero of Time! Its perfect!"

"Ayy, and what about me?"

"Oh Falco, I couldn't think of anyone who would look better with a cigar and sunglasses on at all times, plus showing yourself off and stroking that manly ego of yours..."

"Hey, what's that supposed to-

"Duke Nukem Lombardi and Link McCloud! Oh I can't wait to see you both next week, tell your friends! Invite anyone you'd like!"

In all fairness, both costumes looked amazing. Amanda had spared no expense on putting them together, that much was obvious. Regardless of what either of them thought, there was no way they'd skip on this party after all the work Slippy's girlfriend had put into making these for them. So, mock ocarina, bow, quiver, green hat, leggings, tunic, boots, and...of course...shield and Master Sword all on his person, the vulpine was, for the remainder of the night, Link.

While he looked the part, he didn't get as much into it as Falco had. Needless to say, the bird had acquired all his old copies of the Duke Nukem games and played through them again before writing down a list of all the obscene quotes he would get to release tonight, which had already left a few people flustered and shocked.

"More people here than I'd expected." he finally spoke, glancing over at the bird and watching as he fiddled with the fake RPG rounds fastened into his ammo belt. "I saw Katt Monroe dressed up as Lara Croft...you gonna go after that?"

At first he didn't think the avian had heard him, Falco continuing to mess with his costume a few seconds longer, before finally narrowing his gaze and scrunching his face up in thought. "Coincidence that he references her in 'Time to Kill' with that sexy payphone scene?"

Now it was the vulpine's turn to act confused. Eventually he sighed and shifted to lean against the wall behind him, sheathed sword pressing against his tail and making him twitch in discomfort. Falco's mind was always so cluttered when Katt was mentioned...not that he could blame him. Of all the girls he'd ever met around the academy, only one held a candle to the pink feline. Well...that wasn't true. Compared to her, Katt Monroe didn't shine anywhere near as bright as that blue-furred beauty.

"I wonder if she's here..." he murmured to himself, narrowing his gaze and picking through the light crowd. It was a stupid question, there were a dozen people at the party and all were standing before him. Panther Caruso dressed as himself, but with an impressively spot-on, blue suit and tie. It took a few moments before the vulpine realized he was a spy from Team Fortress. Eyes rolled and he looked around for other familiar faces. Wolf O'Donnell dressed as Commander Shepard from Mass Effect, not the best costume though. Leon Kowalski was dressed in purple overalls and blue jeans...aka Waluigi. He grinned and rolled his eyes at that.

"Who? Krystal?"

The name made him stiffen and pin his ears back, a blush already slipping across his cheeks as he turned and glanced over at Slippy.

"She'll be here Fox, don't you worry! We even asked her to dress up as Z-mgmfffff..." The toads words were cut short as a blue wing slammed across his mouth and a choke hold was pulled tight. The vulpine's eyes widened, then narrowed at the sight of his life long friend throwing a stupid smirk across his face and rolling his eyes.

"Ah Slippy, always saying things...even when he's specifically been told not to..." the bird's voice turned gruff, a tight squeeze being given to the strangling toad's neck before he was finally released and allowed to gasp for air and groan in response. "Why don't you go help Amanda with the appetizers huh? I'm sure Krystal will find her way to our Hylian hero sometime soon."

It was more of an order than a request, and it was all-too obvious that something was going on now. Admittedly, the vulpine hadn't done the best job of keeping his admiration for the vixen a secret. Countless times he'd been caught staring at the beautiful Cerenian from across the practice grounds during morning runs and drills, as well as during the lunch hour in the mess hall. He was sure she'd noticed him more than once, though she'd yet to call him out on it.

They'd chatted, even hung out...quite often actually! Though, it was more as friends than anything else. The only thing that made it bearable was the amusement they bounced off of watching Katt and Falco fidget around each other. He could only wonder if the same thing was happening for them concerning the vulpine and vixen.

Pfft, yeah, she totally likes you.

"What are you planning?" he muttered, watching as the toad hobbled away before glancing over at the grinning bird.

"Oh, nothing special. Just figured you might need a princess to save..."

000

Oh wow, more people dressed for this than I would have expected.

Blue eyes flicked across the foyer-like entrance to the large house, taking in the dozen or so colorfully dressed characters that were mingling around the tables of food, or sprawled out on the couches and chatting. Fara Phoenix hung off the arm of a well known wolf from the academy, the fennec dressed as a very small sized zero-suit Samus, the wolf wearing a purple and yellow dress shirt with FHS on the left breast...a reference to Coach from L4D that the vixen didn't understand. Not that it really mattered...

In truth, she was here for two reasons, and two reasons alone. The first? Well, a glance across the room at one Lara Croft Monroe would be the answer. Amanda was the pink feline's partner in reconnaissance class and, thus, made the toad stick around the fox and cat like an annoying, hyperactive puppy. They'd given up on trying to get rid of her, and it wasn't even that they disliked Amanda or were mean to her, but oh...did she ever have a mouth on her.

The only other creature in the universe who might be as annoying as Amanda was her boyfriend Slippy...and the only other people in the galaxy who might be able to relate to what its like having to spend time with either of them would be, of course, Slippy's friends. Falco Lombardi and...

...Fox McCloud.

Blue tail gave a twitch at the thought of the vulpine, the glistening white dress she was wearing lifting off the floor somewhat in response. Immediately she began looking for him, if only to make sure he was, or wasn't, there. Surely he was though. Falco Lombardi...Leon Kowalski...Bill Grey...Dash Bowman...

Oh...maybe he isn't...

"Oh my god!"

The exclamation was right in the vixen's ear, high pitched and causing her to jump and spin around, fur bristling and tail sticking up in shock...only for hands to immediately clench in anger and eyebrow to twitch in annoyance as Katt Monroe shoved her face down and around the vixen's body.

"Katt! You scared the shi-"

"You look beautiful!" the feline cried, circling around the Cerinian and running fingertips and claws across the dress. "Oh, the crown, the gloves, the chest piece, the earrings...you look amazing sweetheart!"

The vixen's heart was still racing, though taking a deep breath and collecting herself throughout Katt's praise helped. She was still on edge, and her fur continued to bristle slightly as she looked around and noticed how all eyes were on her for the first time, if not already a second or third.

"Who're ya supposed to be, Cinderella!?"

"Fuck off Caruso!" the feline snarled, before turning back to the fox and taking both of those white-gloved paws into her own and speaking softly. "Cinderella didn't look nearly as beautiful as you do."

The vixen blushed further at those words, rolling her eyes and allowing her pink-furred friend to pull her into the kitchen where Amanda was frantically working to prepare food and drinks...all whilst humorously dressed a birdo. A final glance behind her though, and she saw him. Almost purposely hidden behind Falco Lombardi's larger-than-life Duke Nukem character, stood a green-capped Fox McCloud...eyes wide with admiration...eyes that immediately glanced towards the floor as soon as the vixen's caught them.

So...he is here.

She hadn't seen enough of him to guess who he was dressed as, but that wasn't as important as the countless other thoughts running through her head at the moment. The biggest of which being, what was going on? Katt was acting way too excited about how the vixen looked tonight. More or less, she'd put on a very nice dress that Amanda had made for her, as well as a tiara and some jewelry. Sure it looked nice, but it wasn't that big of a deal, was it?

She couldn't help but think that something was up, but perhaps Katt was just acting giddy because Falco was around, who knew?

"Well, now that everyone knows I'm here, would you mind telling me-

"Amanda, you truly outdid yourself with this dress!" Katt exclaimed, all but shoving the vixen up against the frantically working amphibian. "If this doesn't work, nothing will!"

"If what doesn't work?" she asked, turning to stare back at her pink friend, only for gasp of surprise to jerk her gaze back around to the toad.

"Oh wow, Krystal you look wonderful!" the birdo-toad exclaimed, clasping her hands together leaning in to mimic Katt's earlier action of inspecting the dress from top to bottom. "You're leagues beyond the real Princess Zelda, that's for sure. And you're right Katt, if this doesn't work then I don't know what will!"

"If what doesn't work?" the vixen replied desperately, glancing back and forth between the two adoring, admiring females and holding up her paws in confusion.

"And have you seen him?" Katt asked, glancing around the fox to speak at Amanda.

"Is he here? How does he look?"

"Amazing. Just as perfect."

"So do you think..."

"Without a doubt in all of Lylat."

"And what about you and-"

"Eh never mind that! Lets just worry about our princess for now."

What are they talking about!? Fox? Is it Fox?

She was so confused, and rightfully so. Stuck between two excited girls who obviously knew something she didn't, and were all but speaking in a different language right now. The poor vixen could only guess as to what they were planning. She'd only had enough time to step into the building and look around before the tornado of confusion known as Katt Monroe, dressed as Lara Croft mind you, had flung the blue-furred Hylian Princess all the way to Oz.

"Will one of you please tell me what you're talking about!?" she finally cried, firmly and loudly enough to shut both Amanda and Katt up...if only long enough for the two to exchange a knowing giggle, which only added to the vixen's frustration.

"Oh, tonight is going to be so much fun." Amanda spoke, turning back around and grabbing a large bowl full of punch, which was obviously tapped with a bit of flavored vodka going by the sharp scent. "Just trust me Krystal, you'll thank us for this later."

"That only makes me feel worse, you know?" she muttered, watching as a smirking birdo-toad made her way back out into the main room of the 'party' with the punch, before turning towards a content looking Katt Monroe and sighing. "Katt...please, if this has something to do with Fox-

"I never said that!"

"I know. But he doesn't like me, we're just friends. Please..." she pleaded, blushing as the words left her, hands grabbing the feline's own and squeezing them. "Don't do anything stupid that will ruin that for me. Okay? Promise?"

Her only response, at first, was a smirking giggle...which was quickly shaken away via the vixen's anger. "Alright alright! I promise! Now, go out there and mingle...its the least you can do after coming in dressed like the princess of Time."

She held her friend's gaze for a few seconds longer before finally nodding and releasing her hands, sighing as yet another playful smirk slipped back into place across the feline's lips. That promise meant nothing, both of them knew that. Something was still up, something that she feared would involve herself and Fox.

We're just friends! We hardly know each other!

This is all because of you and your stupid little ramblings to Katt and Amanda in the dorm!

I was just saying how handsome and kind and nice he was...

And look where it got you! Who knows what's going to happen!

Truthfully...they hadn't talked a lot. They had one class together, and sat beside one another in it. Field tactics 245. Back row of a full, yet boring and easy, class. They chatted some, he always made her laugh and giggle, as well as blush and smile. But it was no secret to anyone that Fox McCloud was a nice, kind, amazing individual...as well as one of the top of his class! Did she have a crush on him? Yes. Did countless other girls? Definitely.

The way the vixen saw it though, she was just another one of those girls. Nothing special. Fox McCloud probably cared less about what the blue-furred vixen thought of him.

Probably.

000 One Hour Later~

All things considered, the party was going as well as the vulpine had expected it to. A dozen or so tired academy students had shown up, some in impressive costumes, others not so much, yet all of them partaking in the free food, drinks, and entertainment. Entertainment consisting of either chilling on the large couches and seats in the lounge and watching horror flicks, or experiencing the form of live-action amusement that was Slippy Toad trying to perform karaoke in the next room over.

Of course, a meteor could have crash landed in the front door and the vulpine doubted he'd notice it. His mind was still gone, filled with the mental images of that blue-furred princess and her angelic appearance. He'd had a crush on her for a while, not that he'd let anyone know about it (right?), but if he'd ever thought the vixen was beautiful before...after seeing her as she was tonight...

Krystal...even her name is perfect. She looks so amazing tonight...

Not that she doesn't look amazing any other time.

For the past hour he'd done nothing but chill in the lounge, drinking punch and nibbling on chips, socializing with others as little as needed. It wasn't that he didn't feel like talking or being friendly, more, he was walking on pins and needles now that he knew she was here. He couldn't embarrass himself! If nothing else, he needed to impress her! Idle chitchat in field tactics class wasn't cutting it, and he knew the vixen was currently single...

Ha, like you have a chance in the world with someone like her.

"Christ, its like nails on a chalkboard."

Eyes widened and head turned around to glance at one blue-suited Panther Caruso who was sitting alongside a white-furred cougar dressed as a sluttish Misty from Pokemon. The vulpine wasn't sure who he was talking to at first, but a high-pitched wail coming from the nearby room suddenly cleared things up for him. Countless sets of ears fell down, pinned to muffle out the cries of Slippy's voice trying to match that of Freddie Mercury's own...an impossible task by anyone's standards, much less the tone-deaf amphibian.

Still though...a friend was a friend.

"Why don't you go in there and show him how its done then, Caruso." the vulpine muttered, nodding towards the other room and winking at the cat, doing little to hide the obvious, long-standing tension between either of the two of them.

His only response was a snort of disdain, the feline tugging his trophy-cat closer to his side and rolling his eyes. "Please, like I'd lower myself to that. Only reason we're here is cause that little tadpole did my homework in battlements class. There's a million other places I'd rather be tonight."

The vulpine merely looked away and smirked, faking interest in the movie playing for a few seconds before sighing and rising to his feet, stretching and rolling his neck. "A million places you'd rather be..." he spoke, looking down and cocking an eyebrow. "...and all it took to get you here was a little free homework. Wonder what you'd do for an essay or a quiz?"

By the time he'd finished speaking so had his tail flicked the panther in the face, the vulpine walking away to the sound of a growling Caruso and a giggling white cougar. He made his way into the other room, a small stage set up in the back, Slippy and Amanda standing on it and singing a duet now, only Falco, Katt, Krystal, and another couple the vulpine only faintly knew forcing themselves to watch and smile.

Krystal...

The vulpine chewed on his lower lip as he eyed the vixen from behind, her lithe form, her beautiful back, her hair, those perky ears, that blue fur...her crown, her tail-bands, her dress...

So beautiful.

Slowly and timidly he stepped forward, his own uniform's gear gently rustling with each step. It had faintly registered in his mind what the two of them had in common tonight. Aside from both being foxes, of course...she was Princess Zelda, he was Link. He'd shot Falco a snarling sneer when that connection had been made, figuring he, Katt, and Amanda were behind such choreography. Did they really think though, that Krystal had any feelings in the world for him? Why would they? The only person the vulpine had spoken to in regards to Krystal and how 'hot' she was had been Falco and...well...

….never mind.

Or perhaps it was just coincidence. It totally could have just been sheer luck that they'd both shown up dressed as characters from the same video game franchise, right?

He was beside her now, tail twitching nervously as he forced himself to smile ahead at Slippy and Amanda, a paw shifting his tunic into a more comfortable position as it was suddenly getting harder to breath for some reason.

Say something to her, idiot!

"Come to save me?"

The vulpine inwardly choked, having been milliseconds from speaking, only for the vixen to beat him to it. He awkwardly coughed and turned his head, blushing madly and feeling the hair on the back of his neck rise in embarrassment.

He couldn't figure it out. Was it because he knew they'd set it up? That Falco, Katt, Slippy, and Amanda had done this on purpose? For him, right? Because they, somehow, knew that he liked her? It wasn't because Krystal liked him. Was it?

Oh, just talk to her like you normally do in class!

Memories filled his mind of the countless conversations they'd had over the course of the past few months, sitting in the back of the room and whispering, laughing, slipping each other the answers to hard questions. Friend-stuff. But all of the sudden those memories were filled with instances of the vulpine stuttering, fumbling with words, dropping his papers, his pen, forgetting the answer after being called out, all because he'd been doing nothing but thinking about the beautiful vixen sitting next to him.

Act like THAT?

He looked down at the blue-furred princess and smirked, an inward scolding forcing his body to relax, for his brain to power its way through yet another conversation with the beautiful girl. He could do this. After all, they were just friends.

'

"From what? Something evil, or worse?" he asked with a smile, nodding at the singing couple on stage and then locking gazes with the vixen's own for a second, then glancing away. "Either way I have a sword and shield." He finished by reaching himself and wrapping a paw around the grip of his sword.

Smooth.

She immediately giggled though, a beautiful smile falling across the vixen's face as she stepped up against the vulpine and got an up-close and personal view of his costume. "Oh wow...you look amazing Fox...just like the real Hero of Time."

His blush deepened, body growing hot from the sensation of having the beautiful vixen so close. He felt compelled to pass her praise off onto someone else, so he did. "Well all of the credit goes to Amanda, she put it together for me." he managed to say, reaching around and pulling his shield free, giving it a shake to show it off, before running his eyes up the vixen's own body.

"Yeah, same here." she replied, blue paws reaching down and gently running across the fabric, smoothing it out.

"Weird huh?" a voice suddenly spoke alongside the two, causing both foxes to jump in surprise. Katt Monroe's pink face was smirking wide, pink hands resting on a shoulder each as she gave each of them a squeeze and leaned in closer. "Its almost like we planned it that way!"

"Spoooooky." Falco 'oohed' from behind, further causing both the vulpine and vixen to blush and look away from one another.

"Oh Katt."

"Shut up Falco."

The two responses were almost simultaneously given, further providing both Katt and Falco a reason to smirk in amusement at the sight of the two flustered foxes. It was no secret to either of them now. They'd schemed this situation out. They'd probably gone as far as planning the entire night out for the vulpine and vixen alone...but he knew they'd forgotten one important detail.

A detail that was so significantly large and important that, no matter how much planning and preparation they'd put into the night, it would overshadow everything that happened.

She doesn't feel that way about me. We're just friends!

000

Twenty minutes had passed since she and Fox had so graciously been made aware of their friend's little 'plan'...though both seemed hellbent on pretending it never happened. At least...she did. If they thought, even for a moment, that Fox felt that way about her...well...they were all going to be sorely disappointed.

As much as she wished otherwise.

Katt had pulled Falco up on stage with her now and, despite an outrageous audience consisting only of the vixen, Fox, Slippy, and Amanda, the avian refused to sing any line to any song...choosing instead to stand with his arms crossed and off to the side. It reminded her that the two weren't officially a couple yet, though she figured that would change soon enough. Either the falcon would ask Katt out, or she'd make him.

That wasn't important though. Not that she didn't care about her feline friend or anything...just...with a giggling, lovey-dovey pair of frogs on one side, and a stunning, handsome, fidgeting vulpine on the other...the vixen found herself trapped in a tough spot.

Oh, why did I ever open my mouth? I should have known Katt would have done something like this.

Part of her just wanted to go for it. Just reach forward and run her paw through his own, just to see how he'd react. She could hope for nothing more than the vulpine giving it a squeeze and turning to look at her with that dashing smile of his...and she could fear for something as heartbreaking as Fox jerking his hand away and never talking to her again. Of course, she knew that wouldn't happen. He was nice enough to at least let her down easy...

Still it was hard not to, especially as they two of them sat there, side by side, inches apart from one another.

"Late night, come home. Work sucks, I know. She left me roses by the stairs, surprises let me know she cares."

A gut-punch to Falco finally proved effective as the bird doubled over and wheezed for air, Katt throwing the microphone down before him and grabbing the back of his head, all but forcing him to sing the next line.

"Say it ain't so...I will not go...turn the lights off...carry me home."

Laughter from across the room revealed Wolf and Leon's presence, red cups in each of their hands as they watched the spectacle on stage. The vixen smirked and glanced back around, having intended to look back at the two before her, only for her head to freeze as she locked gazes with the vulpine beside her. He'd been looking her way, and she'd caught him. The two held each others line of sight for a moment in time before he smiled and looked away with a reddened face.

I wonder...is there a chance?

"You two should sing something next."

The voice made the vixen jump, as it was right up against her ear. Hidden behind the music yet loud enough so that only she could make it out, she turned to glance at Amanda. Immediately she blushed and glanced back around to make sure that Fox hadn't heard, before turning forward and shaking her head. "Me and...Fox? Why would he want...why would I want to do that?"

"Oh pfft, really?" the toad asked, rolling her eyes. "Its a party! Plus..." she continued, lowering her voice and leaning in just close enough to whisper above the music. "A little blue birdy told me that Fox is nuts about you."

At those words the vixen's fur bristled, her face reddening as she once again shot a glance behind herself to make sure that the vulpine hadn't heard those, likely false, words. Beneath her beautiful silk dress, she was squirming in nervousness...both from those words, and from the idea of them being true. Were they though? It was one thing for Katt to fib about it. She wouldn't put it past the feline to trick the vixen into hitting on Fox just because she thought her and the vulpine would make a good couple.

But would Amanda do the same...or were they both aware of something far closer to the truth than she was willing to believe?

Does he really feel that way about me?

"Y-yeah? Well..." the vixen chewed on her lower lip, her voice hushed and almost scolding as she decided to talk her way out of it. "Your 'blue birdy' also told us all that he was General Pepper's long lost son, so forgive me for not believing you...or him."

Amanda's only response was a smirk, which further caused the vixen to sneer back. They were going out of their way to make this night as uncomfortable as they could for both her, and Fox.

"Listen." she continued, her voice malice-filled and promising, which only made both Amanda and Slippy grin even more in amusement. "If you think there's a chance in hell that I'm-..."

"Krystal?"

That smooth tone made her heart skip a beat. The vixen froze, blinking and then jerking upwards to turn about and face the vulpine, only to send her shoulder right into his chest. Immediately the two of them blushed, Fox raising his hands innocently to the air at first, before nervously smiling and turning his head to clear his throat. She couldn't help but admire how cute and handsome he was then...wearing his Link costume, eyes filled with nervousness, tail flicking shyly.

Oh god...this is it. He heard me and now he's totally going to set everything straight!

"Yes Fox?" she asked, smiling gently and cocking her head to the side, doing her best to forget the anger and scolding she'd been spewing onto a stupidly smiling Slippy and Amanda.

"I um...just wanted to say..." he murmured, head still slightly turned. "I...uh, I'm going to grab a drink...s-so if you wanted to join me..."

"I'd love to."

Her answer was almost instantaneous...so much so that it caused the vixen to blush an even darker shade of red as she shyly offered her paw up to the vulpine. Was that too bold? It seemed out of nowhere, yet...a second later she felt his own paw gently wrap around her own, clasping gently around hers and helping her up.

It went no further than that. Her hand slipped away from his own and the two walked alongside one another as they left the room, looking away from each other and blushing all the while.

"Figured we could both use some time away from...that." he muttered, smiling and causing the vixen to giggle and nod in response.

She wanted nothing more than to press up against him and make known just how desperately she wanted the vulpine in her life, yet she refrained. She wouldn't deny that the signs were there. Maybe he did like her...or maybe Amanda and Katt were just leading her on. She wasn't sure.

What she was sure of, however, was that every set of eyes still left in the house had locked on to the pair of foxes as they entered the room. A dozen or so others, scattered across the lounge, all glanced over at the sight of the vixen and vulpine walking alongside one another...some flickering with jealousy, others with nods of acceptance...all so insignificant that it was impossible to tell whether they were true, or just the vixen's mind playing tricks on her.

We're not a couple yet...but if we were...

This would feel amazing.

She glanced over at him, watching the vulpine pour up a glass of punch before handing it to her and then doing the same for himself. She held that soft smile of hers and did her best to flush away the redness on her face. Afterward, the two of them turned to face the small crowd of party guests, the vixen softly stepping up against the vulpine's side so that her silk dress brushed against his tunic.

"Anything you'd like to to drink to?" she asked, holding up her glass and wrinkling her nose at the scent of vodka that was mixed into her drink.

The vulpine stiffened at the closeness but didn't pull away, instead chuckling and holding his own glass against her own. "Ha, um...sure." he replied, one paw going up to scratch at his ear as he thought it over. "To...to a wonderful rest of the year...for both of us."

Cups gently touched afterward, gazes meeting and minds racing as they both worked to decipher the true meaning behind those words. Was there one? The nervous, awkward moment was only broken when the vixen shuddered after taking her drink...the vulpine scrunching his own face up and sticking his tongue out.

"We're off to a great start huh?" she asked, turning around and pouring her glass back into the bowl, before putting on a beautiful little smile for the vulpine.

His only response was a grin of his own, before turning up his cup and taking another drink...an 'ugh' of displeasure following soon after. "Well, we are at a party." he replied, the vixen's eyes meeting his own once again, leaving him to blush and look down into his cup.

C'mon, be a little brave!

"Mhm, so stop acting so nervous will you?" she teased, reaching forward to poke at the vulpine's chest. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you're scared of me."

"A Halloween party." he retorted, causing the vixen to laugh softly and grow a bit red.

"So I'm scary then?" she asked gently, cocking her head and smirking, deciding to go with the brief little moment of playfulness a bit longer. She leaned forward and dipped her nose down into his cup, licking at his drink and easing back, giggling afterward.

Oh god...what am I thinking? Why did I do that?

It had been the briefest little moment of bravery, the vixen deciding to tread a little deeper into the water around the vulpine in hopes of finding something important. She didn't know how he'd react to it, but she couldn't help but fear the worst as he stared down at his cup in shock.

Finally though, green eyes softened as the vulpine brought his gaze upwards and met her own.

"A-a little scary..." he finally replied, quickly glancing down into his cup once again, as if needing to mentally replay that scene once more. "But to be honest?" he went on, smiling and looking upwards once again, this time refusing to look away from the vixen. "As scary as you are, you're far more beautiful."

Immediately after those words were spoken she watched him turn away, but it wasn't out of anything other than a dire need to hide the absurd blush that had worked across his face. She was no better, but couldn't help but smile and fidget from where she stood, paws gripping at her dress as she admired the sight of the vulpine's twitching tail.

The fact that he'd immediately turned and walked away after saying something like that...it wasn't a bad thing. It told her plenty. They weren't leading her on, were they?

Maybe he did like her.

000

Leon Kowalski couldn't sing, though that wasn't important to the vulpine. Still...it was difficult to think of anything other than suicide for the five minutes that the lizard took the stage and drunkenly decided he was capable of carrying a note.

As terrible as that was, it couldn't compare to how he felt about himself.

Why did I say that!? Stupid! I'm so fucking stupid! She's never going to talk to me again!

Oh bullshit! You heard what Katt and Falco said, Krystal is crazy about you!

I'd sooner believe Andross! Why would someone as beautiful and perfect as Krystal want anything to do with me?

Conversations much like that one had been going on within the vulpine's head for nearly thirty minutes now. Ever since he'd walked her to the lounge and had that little moment with her. He couldn't figure it out.

Why couldn't he just act like he normally did with her? For months now they'd gotten along just fine in class, even hanging out together with Katt and Falco. Yeah, there had been tension, but never like this. It was all because of them. The vulpine shot a glance at the four animals scattered across the lounge; Slippy and Amanda, Falco and Katt. They'd planned this...

Here he was at a costume party, dressed as Link...and the one girl in the world he'd ever said one thing about kinda liking shows up dressed as Princess Zelda. Coincidence? Of course not!

"I hate you so much right now." he muttered, sneering at the pink feline sitting beside him.

His only response was an impaired giggled of amusement and a pink paw falling down to rub along the vulpine's knee. "Oh, it'll be okay little Foxy, you'll see."

He merely sighed and bowed his head in response. Fortunately the night was almost over. Everyone had left minus the six of them, plus Wolf, Leon, and Panther and his date, who were in the aside room 'trying' to sing karaoke.

The vulpine could only wonder how much they'd all had to drink so far. Judging from the way the two sets of animals were sprawled out across the couches, he'd guess everyone was pretty far along...the lone exceptions being himself and...well...Krystal.

I just can't believe I said that to her. What will she think of me now?

You just complimented her, that's all. It was the truth anyways. If anything, she'll think better of you!

Ears perked as the sound of a microphone falling to the floor sounded off across the house, Amanda giving a lazy glance across the room and groaning before rising up and sighing. "Ugh...this place is a mess."

"You wanted a party." Falco muttered, raising his glass to the toad and winking, all the while doing his best to act 'normal' whilst Katt snuggled up against him.

Amanda's only response was a grunt, before she disappeared into the side room and began scolding the four. The vulpine stifled a yawn and checked his phone. A few minutes past midnight. A glance to his right showed an unconscious Slippy laying on another sofa, his Hammer Bro costume all but dismantled at this point.

The only person missing was Krystal. She'd gotten up and went to the other room minutes ago, apparently just as uncomfortable with being in the same room as the vulpine as he feared. Maybe it was just his imagination though...that when he'd look up at her from across the room, that she'd always smile back at him. That her tail would flick free from behind her dress and show a hint of happiness at being looked at by the vulpine. It had to be his mind playing tricks on him.

He could breath a bit easier now that she was gone, though the pit in his stomach only seemed to grow larger because of it.

"So, you two a couple yet?" Falco blurted out, cocking an eyebrow and leaving the vulpine to stiffen in pure fear. "Or what? Need me to ask her out for you? I can, ya kn-

"Shut up!" the vulpine snarled quietly, yet forcefully, causing both the bird and feline to drunkenly laugh in response. "I know you two think that she likes me, but you're out of your minds! And who are either of you to make fun of me for this when you've both been just friends for over six months now, huh?" Fists were clenched and tail was thrashing angrily as he finished speaking, his frustration only growing as he realized his words had fallen on deaf ears.

"Pfft, yeah, just friends...isn't that right babe?" the bird asked, smirking down at the feline and kissing her forehead, further leaving the vulpine flustered and in disbelief. "Stick to piloting McCloud, you're a shitty detective."

This whole time? Really?

It hurt. He wasn't sure why, but it did. Knowing for sure that Falco had someone, as well as Slippy. He was the lone one without someone now.

"I think he needs a little more help." Katt murmured, her eyes slightly glazed over from the alcohol as well, turning up to kiss the bird's neck before winking back at the vulpine.

Once again he stiffened, shaking his head and pointing a finger at both of them. "No. No more helping from either of you, got it? In fact..." he continued, chewing on his lower lip and thinking hard about what he was going to say. "Just to be safe, I'm heading home for the night."

At those words he got his first true reaction from the couple. Katt's eyes widened in surprise, as well as amusement, and Falco sat straight up, groaning as he did so and clutching his head.

"W-wait now, don't get crazy." he muttered, staggering to his feet pulling Katt with him. "Amanda has a surprise for all of us and she'd be...ugh...heartbroken if you left...isn't that right sweetcheeks?"

The feline wasn't the only one who caught the wink Falco had shot her, leaving the vulpine to sneer in response. Whatever they were doing, it was just another ploy. Some trick to make the night even worse for that poor, beautiful vixen. Leaving is what he needed to do, if only to spare them both from further embarrassment.

He should have turned around and walked out right then and there.

He should have.

But he didn't.

I...I...want them to do something.

The sound of glass shattering in the other room filled the house, followed immediately by laughter and a brutal scolding. Microphone popped against the ground and a laughing, cackling foursome consisting of Wolf and his group stumbled into the lounge where the rest of them were...followed closely behind by an angry Amanda and a softly smiling Krystal.

"That was my aunt's dinnerware you broke Wolf!" the toad yelled, throwing a shoe at the lupine and causing him to yelp in pain as the four drunkenly made their way out of the house. Afterward, picking her shoe back up and slipping it on, Amanda returned to where the vulpine was sitting with Falco and Katt, glancing over and smiling lovingly at a still sleeping Slippy.

"Nice way to end the party huh?" Amanda murmured, rolling her eyes and leaning forward across the back of their couch.

"Oh its not over yet!" Falco exclaimed loudly, causing Slippy to moan in his sleep.

Already the vulpine could feel the hairs on the back of his neck beginning to rise. It wasn't for themselves that they'd do anything else tonight. Falco and Katt were content...as were Amanda and Slippy. No...it was for the vulpine and Krystal...and once again the urge to turn tail and run home began creeping into his mind.

"In fact, I think its about time we head upstairs to see that surprise of yours that you wouldn't shut up about." Katt added, pointing at the ceiling with one paw and clasping the other into Falco's hand. "You've made us wait long enough don't you think?"

And Amanda doesn't have a clue what they're talking about I bet...

His guess was probably spot on, going by the confused look on the toad's face as she stared at first Falco, then Katt, before two stern glares finally burnt the implied idea into her mind and she began following their act. He could only wonder if Krystal had picked up on it yet, though he was sure she had. That was another thing about her, in addition to being downright gorgeous, smart, kind, generous, funny, and so much more...she was also one cunning fox.

"Oh, oh! Right!" the toad finally replied, nodding and glancing to her left and right, making sure that both the vulpine and vixen were there before clasping her hands together and smiling. "I'd almost forgot! Must be all that punch I drank...two parts cranberry juice, one part vodka right?" Amanda was nervously laughing at the end, blushing afterward and turning to head for the stairs.

He glanced at Falco and Katt, narrowing his gaze at how the two rolled their eyes in response.

They were going to do something. He had no clue what it was, but he knew they'd planned something...just as they'd planned all of the night so far.

Every fiber of his being was screaming at him to turn and run. This wasn't good and every animal-based instinct in his body was telling him that. His mouth was dry, his heart was racing, his tail was fluffed out and twitching nervously. He hadn't been this worked up the first time he'd taken off in an Arwing!

But...despite all of those feelings...despite 99.9% of his being telling him not to follow the others...to jerk his shoulder away from Falco's hand as the bird began tugging him up the stairs with Katt leading Krystal by her paw behind them...instead, he allowed it. Why?

Maybe...maybe she really does like me. Maybe she...maybe she loves me.

It was the thought of what it would be like after tonight...if it worked. The two of them together, as a couple. Having someone like her in his life to hold and keep close, to protect and live with for as long as she wanted him. It was those reasons that he put it all on the line now. He'd play along with this little game that his friends had forced him into, and he just had to hope that he didn't end up a loser.

000

They were terrible actors, though whether it was due to a sincere lack of skill, or merely because of the alcohol that flowed through their systems, she wasn't sure.

What the vixen was sure of was that there was no surprise waiting for them at the top of these stairs. That is, unless Amanda could pull a rabbit out of her hat, which she highly doubted. This was just another little trick that they were pulling on the vixen and vulpine...and likely the biggest one of the night, as well as the last.

What are they going to do?

In truth, she'd never felt more excited, and nervous, in her life. She was almost convinced now that Fox felt the same way towards her as she did him. It wasn't 100%, but it was close. A lack of self-esteem had left the vixen doubting her chances with him, but even she had managed to get past that to some extent tonight.

Plus, it didn't hurt that she knew Amanda would never lie to her about something as serious as this. If the toad said Fox liked her...well...maybe he actually did.

Regardless, she followed along with their ploy. Eyes admired the vulpine's backside as he and Falco reached the top of the stairs and took an immediate right, still following Amanda as she, seemingly cautiously, made her way through her own house. Apparently she'd gained Katt's trust, feeling the feline's paw let go of her own as she rushed ahead and suddenly grabbed Amanda's shoulder, spinning her around and stopping her in her tracks.

"Hey, where ya goin'?" the feline asked, eyes darting to the door just on their right. "I thought you said the surprise was in here?"

The toad once again took a few seconds to catch on before suddenly getting into the swing of things once again. In the meanwhile, she couldn't help but look over at Fox, the vulpine staring at the ground and chewing on his lower lip nervously. She had to wonder...did he know what was going to happen, or was he just as clueless about all of this as everyone else seemed to be?

"Ah, r-right, duh!" Amanda answered, smacking her forehead and laughing. "I thought it was in my bedroom...ha, like I said, lots of spiked punch!" Again, her words ended with a creepy, nervous laugh that even made the vixen herself feel bad.

"Well?" Falco asked grumpily, throwing a wing outwards. "Open it up, lets see this big surprise of yours!"

Oh...what is it going to be? What could it be? What could possibly be in there that would have anything to do with me and Fox?

Maybe you've read the whole night wrong? Maybe they weren't trying to get the two of you together...

There was an amusing amount of fear in Amanda's eyes now, as if she was scared of doing something wrong, or as if she'd forgotten to put something in the room at all...which was the vixen's first guess. Shakily though, a hand reached for the doorknob, grabbing and turning it slowly. Seconds later it was pulled open to reveal...of all things...a hallway closet.

"Oh what the fuck Amanda, we told you to...NOW KATT!"

Everything seemed to happen within the blink of an eye then. She had been hellbent on searching out the closet for something resembling a 'surprise' that she'd not noticed how the feline and bird had stepped behind both herself, and Fox. Two sets of hands gave a forceful shove, followed by two cries of surprise in response as both she and the vulpine were thrown into the small room together.

Immediately the door slammed shut behind them, followed by what she could only assume was a chair being found and shoved up against the doorknob, locking it from the outside.

"That was your plan!?" Amanda screamed at the couple, her voice still plenty loud through the door. "Lock them in my hallway closet!? Do you have any idea how nervous I was!? Christ!"

"Relaaax, it worked, see?" Falco replied, pecking on the door. "Who says my plans never succeed?"

"And neither of you are coming out until tomorrow morning." Katt added, the smirk obvious on her tone despite neither the vulpine nor vixen being able to see it, or really anything for that matter. "So you'd might as well go ahead and tell each other what you've told the rest of us in the meanwhile."

"Lock them in my closet? Really you two? That's the best thing you could come up with? Do you have any idea how cliché that is?"

"Like I said, it worked though!"

"Just give them a few minutes..."

"Locking them in my closet...I just...I can't..."

Voices grew soft, the sound of footsteps on stairs telling them both that the trio had left the foxes alone in their stupidly awkward predicament. She wasn't sure if it was out of shock, or nervousness, that neither of them had said anything in the meanwhile. She was fortunate, however, that it was so dark...if only to hide her absurdly red blush as a result of Katt's words.

Well? Say something! You can't just sit here all night. This is what you were hoping for, wasn't it?

"F-Fox?" she asked gently, feeling for the vulpine, which wasn't too difficult considering how cramped and small the room was, especially with the two of them sitting on the floor as they were. Soon enough she felt his shoulder...resting her hand there for a few seconds before suddenly feeling his other hand take her paw and softly hold it.

"Y-yeah...I'm...about this...I'm sure it was Falco's stupid idea..."

It was adorable, how nervous he sounded. She smiled and shook her head, before realizing there was no way he could see such a thing. Giving a sigh, she reached up and felt along the wall for a light switch, feeling the vulpine rise and pull her up with him as he did so.

She couldn't help herself. There was enough standing room for both the vixen, as well as him...but she leaned against him anyways. She could feel his entire body stiffen and tense up in response, a blushing smile slipping over her face in the darkness that he fortunately couldn't see. Hands continued running along the wall in search of a light switch, though it was obvious by now that no such thing existed within the small room.

What she did find, however...and by complete luck...was the vulpine's own paw gliding across her own before jerking away in nervousness, causing her to laugh softly in response.

"Some friends we have huh?" she asked gently, easing a bit closer to the vulpine and softly wrapping her tail around his own before adding in a much more lighter voice. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you planned this."

The reaction that got her was by far the most amusing thing of the night so far. From head to toe she could feel the head radiating off the vulpine's body, his entire form going rigid in embarrassment as he eased away from her and up against the wall behind him. She didn't relent though, instead following him, keeping her form close to his own and giggling once again. There was no point in holding back now. She was sure of the truth at this point, and honestly, even if she was wrong, it would be better knowing rather than spending the rest of her life wondering about what could have been.

He's just so shy and sweet, I'm scaring him to death right now! I can't believe I'm doing this!

"N-no!" he replied, stammering and throwing his arms down at his side, something the vixen could only barely make out in the dim light that filtered beneath the door. "Krystal I promise, they're just drunk and stupid. I would never do this to you, you mean a lot more to me than that."

The words caught both of them by surprise, but by the way the vulpine suddenly inhaled after saying them she figured he was more amazed at hearing them than she was. Her smirk grew a little more as she pressed in closer against him, wishing she could throw that beautiful dress away and have something more comfortable and...well...effective.

"I-I mean...you know..." he went on, his voice suddenly soft, mouth obviously dry with fear. "Someone like you...someone as...amazing as you. I'd...I'd come up with something else."

She was beginning to notice the shift now, as if a part of the vulpine had given up and decided to finally give in. To no longer hide and make excuses and rather admit that, while this wasn't planned by either of them, that he was glad it had happened. She knew she was. Between them the rustling of silk could be made out as he managed to find her paw, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Something better than locking us together in our best friend's upstairs closet...in the dark...at a Halloween party?" she asked with a gentle laugh, squeezing back and pressing a bit closer even still, bodies against each other and faces a mere head apart. She could only barely make out the vulpine's face, but even in the dim light she could see the excitement and fear flickering in his eyes. "Like what?" she went on, gently turning her head. "What would you do Fox?"

It was almost painful, being so close now. The entire night had transpired to this. Something as ill-planned and cliché as the two of them being locked away together in a dark closet...well aware that they were crazy about one another, simply waiting for someone to make a move. But she'd done her part, she'd taken enough risks for the night. It was up to him to steal her away now.

Please Fox...love me or not...I can't stand not knowing.

For a moment she was left thinking he'd be unable to respond, the closet filled with nothing but blackness and silence, their breathing echoing off each other as she gave his paw yet another squeeze held his gaze. But his answer was finally given. Not in the form of words, but rather through actions. Actions that left the vixen shivering and melting into his arms as she felt their noses touch and maws meet. Her response was instantaneous. She didn't just take the kiss...she delivered one of her own in response.

Paws left hands and arms wrapped around his neck as she held on to the vulpine and pressed her entire form up against his own, all the while keeping noses touching and mouths interlocked in a gentle, yet firm and demanding kiss unlike any she'd ever had before. Her entire body shivered in pleasure, spine tingling and tail thrashing in excitement as she felt his own paws wrap around her waist and possessively pull their hips together.

A soft moan cooed from her lips when it finally showed signs of coming to an end, the vixen feeling a strand of spit hanging between their maws as he pulled away, which was soon broken as the vulpine looked down and began placing soft kisses across her neck and up her cheek, before finally returning to rest his nose against hers and sigh happily.

"That." he murmured, giving her body a squeeze. "That is what I'd do."

That was...amazing!

It was a newly found mixture of lust and love that the vixen felt rolling off her body, chewing on her lower lip at his words and nodding softly. She wanted more, needed more. In an instant she was pushing open his maw once again, demanding entrance and letting her tongue slip between lips to dance with his own, an animalistic moan rising from her throat all the while. Her claws latched into his shoulders, body grinding against his own through thick, silk dress...which she had little intention of keeping on much longer, unless the vulpine stopped her.

That, however, wasn't going to happen. Everything she gave him, he returned with equal, or excessive amounts of vigor and desire. Eyes widened and then fluttered happily as he pushed back and stepped across the little room, easing the vixen against the wall and allowing his paws to dip down a bit lower, caressing her tail and giving a daring squeeze, which she rewarded with yet another happy moan.

Yes...this...him.

Finally.

It was one thing to daydream about Fox McCloud every day since she'd first met him...but for it to have come to this? Not in her wildest of fantasies did she ever truly see herself getting so lucky. The best part though?

The best part was that she knew him. She had befriended him all whilst falling in love with him, and she knew it went further than this. Lust...love...most only wanted one or the other. She wanted both, and she knew he would reward her for it. This wasn't a one night stand, this was the start of something much bigger and better.

But for now? For now none of that was important. The only thing she wanted to focus on was expelling half a year of pent up desire and lust she'd built up by thinking about the vulpine. Them being a couple, spending their lives together...that she would worry about tomorrow. Tonight, she'd only worry about showing Fox McCloud just how much she really loved him.

When they finally broke apart for the second time, both foxes were panting for air. Another beautiful string of spit hung between their lips, though neither noticed it. Eyes were locked on each other, faces flushed with lust and redness, gazes able to see much better now that they'd adjusted to the light. She was sure though, even a blind animal could see the love and desire in either of their faces right then.

The vixen released herself from around his neck, bringing two fingers up and swiping away that strand of saliva before running those digits between her lips and licking them clean. The vulpine's response was simply to shuffle and bite on his lower lip as he did his best to wait for her to lead them forward.

"Now..." she finally replied, standing up straight and reaching behind herself, the sound of a zipper being undone soon being followed by the sight of the vixen's beautiful dress falling to the floor as she worked it off. Beneath it she'd worn only a bra, panties, and a tight little workout tanktop. "Can I show you what I'd do?"

She didn't wait for a response before running her paws up the vulpine's chest, his body stiff at first but quickly learning that it didn't matter anymore. If he hadn't figured it out by now then she truly had no chance at all with him. That wasn't the case though. They both knew. Quiver and sheath hit the floor, green hat was tossed away, tunic and belt, shoes...slowly and steadily, over the course of a good minute or so, she undressed him. Paws gently felt across his form the entire time, the darkness doing little to slow either of them down at this point. She made sure to squeeze and grope at the vulpine's muscular physique, leaning in to lick and kiss at his chest, up his neck, across his chin and eventually re-joining their maws in yet another hungry, lustful kiss.

Eventually he was down to nothing more than a black pair of skin-tight, knee-long boxerbriefs. She'd felt his excitement in her teasing, playful little act. He'd been unable to hide it...not that she'd wanted him to. Paws brushed over his length as it ran up his stomach, her body grinding against it all the while she raised her arms into the air and allowed the vulpine to pull away her top and ease his fingers to the back of her bra.

Only then did he hesitate...and when she realized why he did, it only further made the vixen want him.

"Krystal..." he murmured, panting gently as he eased out of that sloppy, loving kiss, looking down into her hungry gaze. "I...I want more, than just this..."

That was all she needed to hear, shoving herself back up against him and all but crashing the vulpine against the wall as they dove into another maddening kiss. Her bra eventually fell to the floor, paws on both animals easing down and tugging away panties and briefs to fully expose their sex to one another. She had no doubt in her mind that he was telling the truth, and she wanted the same thing. But right here...right now...the only thing that mattered was satisfying him...over and over.

"Ohh...Fox..." she finally replied, easing from what was surely a minute long session of bumping, grinding, and tongue-fighting. Her hands teasingly slipped across his chest, down his abs, before both teasingly danced their fingertips along his excitement, leaving the vulpine to inhale sharply and issue a desperate moan of his own. "You've got me for much more than just tonight." she spoke, her voice smooth and seductive, yet true and sincere, the vixen rubbing her nose against his own and letting her paws leave his throbbing tool long enough to wrap around his waist and pull the two of them back together for another, much briefer, kiss.

"So..." she continued, easing back and reaching upwards, running her claws along his cheek before winking and flashing a smirk that was all to easy to make out. "Now that you've got me..." she teased, suddenly turning around and bending over, placing both paws on the wall before her and hiking her tail into the air, showing off every inch of her burning, dripping sex to the vulpine of her dreams. "Why don't you come and get me?"

000