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Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Ko-Fi helps make that happen. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on Twitter or BlueSky. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way…

Welcome back, my lovely reader!

L&L was my second largest undertaking and coincidentally, my longest-running serial. Yes, I actually started L&L before I started B&C. It’s been tough to work on at times, but I hope you’ll join me for one last episode with our idols.

Thank you for following this tale to the end. I hope when all is said and done, I have brought you some happiness in this messed-up world.

Let’s jump right in!

—*—

Episode 11: Final Episode

The More Things Change

“A neon highway glittering with love, like an angel that was sent from above,” Ivory purred the lyrics out while strutting behind Joseph, pushing her paws along his shoulders, pressing her ample breasts into his back while he played the piano on stage.

“It’s not all love and lasers, my sweet. How many others in this life, suffered crushing defeat?” Flia sang out with a spin, her own gown casting sparkles all about in the lights, the doe wearing a crimson dress that looked straight out of a casino lounge.

“Could say the same in any view, like botching that big job interview… Any station in life comes from another’s strife!” Joseph sang out with a flick of his tail.

“Heh, pretty good, my sweet fox!” Flia said musically.

“You mean, my sweet fox, and husband!” Ivory mewed out defensively, her tone still staying lyrical despite no rhyming.

“Oh sweet, Cream, can’t a doe dream?” Flia sang as she strutted over to push a hand over the top of the piano, leaning against it as her other brushed over Joseph’s jaw, the fox’s tail shuddering to fluff out as he gulped and tried to maintain the playing.

“I don’t think so, doe! And stop grinning, Joe!” Ivory mewed out with a fussy glare as she hugged her husband possessively, the fans whistling and laughing at the candid performance.

Joseph sang out with a stupid grin on his face, “Isn’t Doe and Joe a bit too easy? Also relax, my wife, I’m not that sleazy… To me you’re the best, also you’ve got much bigger-”

“Ego is what your fox is trying to say, but I’m the better diva, any day!” Flia sang out with a challenging grin, Ivory perking her ears and stiffening her tail as she pulled from Joseph and strutted right over to the deer, her heels clacking on the hardwood of the stage.

“Is that right? Are you trying to start a war, or you just being a whore?” Ivory folded her arms with a glare, her tail snapping about.

“Woof! Ladies, this isn’t part of the act, maybe we should take a step back?” Joseph stammered out awkwardly.

“Play a bit faster, my sweet fox, things up here are about to get hot!” Flia grinned and folded her own arms, her ears flicking forward.

“Fox doesn’t even rhyme with hot! You sure you’ve even got the skill to give this a shot?” Ivory hissed out, mewing faster to the more hectic strum of keys.

“It’s all about how you enunciate and sing, so this is no big thing,” Flia cooed smugly while the fans cheered as the girls seemed to start arguing over the fox at the piano.

“I think we’re getting off script, can we rein it in just a bit?” Joseph called out awkwardly as he showed a grin to the two idols staring one another down.

“Oh shit, are they serious right now? If that deer dives on Ivory all bets are off!” Karen snarled and cracked the knuckles of her paws before rolling her shoulder.

“It’ll be fine, angel! I’m sure this is all part of the act… I hope…” Isaac chuckled awkwardly.

“Flia! What the hell are you doing?!” Millia hissed out into her own mic while glaring at the doe on stage, the idol just ignoring her manager.

“Trying to start a fight? Or is that glare a trick of the light?” Flia mused as she raised a hand while singing.

“Hardly! But we both know that fox is mine, so you’re wasting your time!” Ivory mewed out as she stepped forward, pushing her chest to Flia’s both of them showing challenging grins as their glittering dresses sparkled in the light.

“Did this turn into a rap battle? I don’t think my piano can handle that!” Joseph barked out with a laugh.

“Keep playing and don’t balk, leave us girls to finish our talk!” Flia called out to the fox who grunted but kept strumming his keys in a more hurried pace.

The tense performance lasted a few more beats before things shifted back to the original pace, and as things wrapped up the trio thanked everyone, showing the audience that it was all in good humor.

“Didn’t expect you to pull that while I was out there, Flia,” Ivory mewed and put a paw on her hip once they got to their post-concert meeting.

“It was fun and I just wanted to challenge you, love. I hope you didn’t mind?” The deer showed her teeth in a loving grin.

“Well, what if I minded?” Joseph barked out and pushed a paw to his own chest, looking fussy at the two divas. The girls looked at him for just a moment then snorted as they resumed talking to one another.

“Oh, I think I handled it quite well, thank you very much. Did I pass your little test? Ready to retire and let me take over?” Ivory showed her teeth in a crooked grin.

“Oh you’re adorable! Though aren’t we close to the same age? Wait, aren’t you just a little… older?” Flia cooed as the cat offered an annoyed murr at that.

“Flia, must you be so aggressive?” Millia groaned as she stepped before the deer.

“Come on, Millia, I’m just having some fun here. No hard feelings, right Ivory?” Flia grinned back over at the calico.

“Yeah, I know you’re just fucking with me and Joe, we’re all good, Flia,” Ivory purred before hugging her manager up who was still pouting a little at the brush off.

About two hours later, everything was packed up and the tours were ready to officially depart, each going their separate ways after the dual shows they had shared.

“I wasn’t just blowing smoke back there. I would love to link up again in the future if you all are willing, maybe we can even join together with my wolf and ram, oh what a spectacular show that would be!” Flia pushed a hand to her chest, already looking stary-eyed.

“Sounds good to me, but let’s drag Karen out on stage if we do the piano thing again! I wanna dress her up in a sexy lounge dress too!” Ivory mewed out as she hugged her rabbit’s arm.

“Whoa whoa, I can’t do that kind of improv shit!” Karen squeaked out, already looking nervous.

“Sweetie, you can and you will! I can already tell by how quickly you’re growing as an idol. It’ll be amazing and you’ll look stunning! C’mon, handsome, say something about seeing your wife in a dress like that!” Flia shot her grin over to the large red wolf standing with them all.

“W-well… I mean… you would be pretty stunning in a dress like that, and I know you can do anything you put your mind to, angel…” Isaac said as he smiled over at Karen.

“That does sound rather amazing, I’ll admit! Let’s look to start getting you training on that and pick out an outfit when we get back from this tour!” Joseph barked out eagerly.

“Geeze, not even finished the job and looking forward to the next one? Yeah, you were made for this life, Joe!” Crystal giggled and then pushed her glasses up on her snout. “Hey, we need to start making tracks or we’re going to have a tight window…”

“Ugh… sod the window, their asses can wait!” Ivory mewed and poked her nose up.

“Damn… I hate to split from you guys too, but let’s not ruin it for our fans, they help sign our paychecks after all, yes?” Flia took a step back, giving the four of them a wink. “You’ve all got my number, don’t be strangers, loves!”

“Happy trails, Flia!” Joseph barked out happily, his voice spiking a little before he grunted. Isaac just gave a laugh and hugged his boyfriend up.

“Damn foxy, you hitting a second puberty or something?” he growled into the fox's ear, Joseph just giving him a protesting bark as the deer laughed and threw her hand up in a wave.

Ivory snorted as she watched her go, then sighed and put her paws on her hips. “Shit… I hate to admit it already feels quieter and less… lively without her tail about…”

“It’ll be alright, we’ll meet back up with her and the other two later, and then we’ll put on some amazing shows, right?” Karen tugged on Ivory’s arm, offering a small smile, still feeling nervous about the whole piano thing to come.

“You’re right, my bunny…” Ivory moved in and gave her a quick kiss before pulling her along towards the exit where the buses waited.

“Hey hey, don’t forget your humble dogs!” Isaac laughed as he pulled Joseph along who awkwardly looked over his shoulder one last time, seeing the doe glance over her own shoulder, offering him a grin and flick of her hand in a peace sign before they parted.

—*—

The buses stopped by a travel center a few hours later to let the crew freshen up, and then after a quick dinner at the diner, it was back on the road for a long drive to the next show.

Joseph was lounging on the sofa under the TV, pecking away at his cell phone, Isaac was on the opposite sofa watching a hockey game that was streaming in through the satellite. Both the idols collapsed in the bed, exhausted after their performance tonight. His ears perked as a message pinged on his phone, then he almost gave a startled yip at the image that came through from the text message he just got.

The picture was Flia wearing just a frilly lacey black bra, her soft brown swells of breasts on full display with just the faintest showing of her areola’s peaking forth as she grinned smugly. He could clearly see the hard peaks pushing through the material and swore he could make out just a slight shine of metal near them. The caption on the picture simply read, ‘A little service for my favorite little fox, don’t tell your wife, Joe.’

“You okay over there foxy? You look like you just saw your life flash before your eyes!” Isaac barked a laugh.

“Erm! I-I’m fine!” Joseph grunted as he looked over the picture again, his heart pounding. His ears perked as his phone pinged again, gulping hard as he saw there was another picture file loading, his tail fluffed and smacking the couch.

The next picture had the caption, ‘Just kidding, she’s already aware!’

It was another picture of Flia, but Ivory was also in the shot, both of the idols pushed together, their plump breasts squished against one another. Ivory was showing a haughty little sharp-toothed grin, her paw pushing against Flia’s bra to lift it, the shot getting a good look at the deer’s hard peak and silver stud in it, while Flia was returning the favor, grasping the edge of Ivory’s own frilly bra, lifting it so the shot showed her own hard nipple through the familiar white fur.

“Holy shit…” Joseph hissed out, pushing a paw to his snout as if he half expected blood to gush from his nose. His body instantly let him know he liked what he saw, feeling an ache in his jeans as he squirmed on the sofa.

“What the hell, baby… You and her trying to kill me?” Joseph growled quietly under the rumble of the moving bus, his boyfriend giving him an amused but oblivious grin at what was going on.

“You sure you’re good, foxy?” Isaac perked his large ears as he sat up to give Joseph his full attention.

“Y-yeah, sorry, I’m good!” He growled and quickly started texting.

“Flia! Are you trying to kill me?!”

“He he! Don’t worry, I asked Leo and Tracey if it was okay! They thought it was cute and said you deserved at least thaaaat much for helping us all out!”

“Thanks… Just damn… seeing you two together like that…”

“Hm hm! So my own picture wasn’t good enough? Took the one with your wife to push you over the edge?” <3

“Geeze! You know I loved the solo one too! But seeing the two of you together almost got me!”

“Almost got you huh? Wishing you had a bathroom to retreat into instead of stuck on a bus full of prying eyes, sweet fox?”

“Maybe giving you my number was a mistake! You’re going to relentlessly tease me now aren’t you?”

“So long as Ivory doesn’t mind? Oh absolutely! She said I could torment you so long as I didn’t try to take you~”

“I’ll have to talk to that cat later about all this… geeze…”

“Yeah? Ask her about how the picture session went. I gotta admit I’ve never pawed on a full-fur like that, your wife’s fur is so soft!”

“Pawed on? What all did you two do?”

“Getting jealous, or horny, Joe?” <3

“Both! Seriously though, what all happened?”

“Oh, just a little trading paws and squeezes on one another’s breasts, you know, we were taking the shot anyway, I couldn’t help but slip my paw into her bra and give a good squeeze! She made the cutest little mew!”

“That sounds really hot… I wish I could have seen it, honestly.”

“Heh! Maybe we could do it in person next time if your other partners don’t mind!”

“Flia… Are you just hitting on me because I’m an easy target or something?”

“Maybe! You’re sweet and cute, plus I like a guy who takes care of business but isn’t afraid to have a soft side! You remind me a lot of Leo, only without so much confidence, but I think if you keep getting on the stage, that will come in time!”

Joseph stared at the message, blinking several times, his heart thumping as he had an intimate one-on-one convo with an idol he used to dream about, and her sitting here saying he had a stage presence. She said she liked him? But she had her lovers, plus… Ivory, Karen, and Isaac, wasn’t that-

“That’s a long pause, guess I upset you, Joe?”

“No! I was just thinking!”

“Sorry, sweet fox, you should go to bed and cuddle up with that sexy wife of yours! I’ll try to not be so heavy in the teasing in the future.”

“I mean… I like it, and you saying you like me… I mean, it’s just a lot to take in. And then saying I have a stage presence? That’s huge to hear that from you, someone I’ve respected and admired since I was a teenager.”

“Oh, sweetie, it’s fine! Me liking you and you liking me doesn’t mean we have to derail stuff! Don’t overthink it and just roll with it, life’s too short, right? Just don’t hurt others to try to be happy, that’s what Tracey tells me, or something to that effect! Oh, but you certainly have a way with the stage. I really hope you’ll hone it, sweetie!”

“Thank you, Flia. It means a lot to hear all that from you, really.”

“I need to hop off here, sweetie, but don’t be a stranger! I owe you so much for helping me and my loves, so don’t hesitate to reach out!”

“Okay, take care Flia, I won’t.” Joseph gulped a little as the conversation ended, his heart thumping hard and his cheek fur hot. He’d spent several minutes texting with her, with an idol he had adored for years. Isaac had already gone to bed during the convo, leaving him alone in the main part of the bus.

He looked over the pictures, a little part of him wanting to unbuckle his jeans and sort himself right now, but he thought better of it, he was more interested in talking to Ivory tomorrow about how that picture session went.

With a frustrated huff, he peeled his shirt off and trotted over to the back of the bus, seeing the trio of his lovers piled into the large makeshift bed, Karen and Ivory hugging one another, Isaac flanking Karen, holding his wife. Joseph blinked a few times, just staring at his lovers, plural, multiples, something he never thought he’d have, yet here he was.

He slipped into bed gently, the shifting of his weight making Ivory release Karen to turn to him, throwing her arms around his neck as soon as he settled. Her face moved under his jaw in a comfortable familiar position, hugging him possessively, her claws digging into his fur a little, a sleepy purr in her throat as she threw one leg over his own.

Karen shifted to cling to her own husband as he held her close, Ivory’s shampoo tickling his nose as she hugged him while slumbering. Joseph shook his head as he held her tight, his tail wagging as he nodded to himself. This was all he needed right here, his cat hugging him, trusting him, anything else was a bonus, but everything came after what she wanted, she was his everything.

—*—

The next morning when they stopped for breakfast and freshing up at a travel center, Joseph asked to talk to Ivory one-on-one. They settled into a relatively private section of the restaurant attached to the truck stop.

“So what’s up, hon? You looked a little conflicted this morning,” She gave him a lazy grin, her hair still a bit frizzy since she’d just quickly run a brush through it before sleepily traipsing into the travel center. They’d taken a shower last night so no need to freshen up too much, and the call of coffee and food outstripped the urges to flourish up her hair.

“So… I got a text from Flia last night, some pictures too…” Joseph said awkwardly as he took a sip of coffee.

“Is that so? What kind of pictures, Joe?” Ivory flashed him a knowing grin.

“I think you damn well know what kind of pictures, baby,” He snorted out with flicking ears.

“Heh! You mad about it Joe? I thought you’d like the little… treat!” Ivory showed him a wider grin before scooping up her mug to sip her own coffee again.

“Of course I liked it! But uh… Why?” He tilted his head.

“Why not?” Ivory retorted.

“Well… who’s idea was it?”

“Mine, Joseph. Are you upset it happened at all?” Ivory felt her tension rising a bit, she didn’t expect to get interrogated over this little stunt.

Joseph saw his wife growing more tense and pushed a paw through his slightly messy locks of hair. “Sorry… sorry… I’m not trying to grill you and I’m not upset, just… frazzled I guess?”

“It’s okay, hon. I suggested the picture idea to Flia because I saw the way she was looking at you, and how you were looking at her! I also knew getting a picture of the two of us together would get you slid free of your base instantly!” She mewed out with a sharp toothy grin as the fox gave a small grunt at the blatant explanation.

“So uh… How did that whole picture session go? Flia said she copped a few feels on you?” Joseph cocked a brow.

“We didn’t go making out or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about, hon. We did paw on each other a little though, nothing below the waist… Poor thing was staaaarved for affection, she’s not had physical companionship in almost two years you know?” Ivory purred lovingly as she explained.

“Really? Wow… No wonder she was so flirty and playful…” He looked thoughtful as he stared down at his coffee.

“Oh for sure, but she was always worried about Leo and Tracey… Said she’d love to kiss me, kiss you… touch us both more… I was shocked honestly, but… she said she needed to talk to her other partners, even though they were a thousand miles away and we were right here…” Ivory mused as she leaned back, playing with a curl of her hair.

“That… is impressive, that she… and she wants to do things with… us?” Joseph shuddered and stared down at his coffee more intently, his tail fluffed up awkwardly.

“It’s flattering, but maybe she’s just really lonely, yeah? Also, we’d need to talk to Karen and Isaac, they are our partners now, and we never actually agreed to any open shenanigans, now did we?” Ivory gave Joseph a knowing grin as his hazel eyes shot back up to hers, giving a nod.

“Y-yeah. Flia is… something else, but she doesn’t hold a candle to any of you, especially not you, baby… My life is all for you, and you already know that!” He growled the words as if saying them as much to himself as to his wife.

Ivory hummed and raked a paw through her blonde locks, giving him a lazy grin. “I know… I’d have it no other way, and I feel the same, my fox.”

He grinned and reached across the table, his paw laying over her own, the calico’s wedding band shining in the dim lights of the diner as she gave him a loving grin, her padded fingers clasping his own.

“Joe, I love you more than life itself. This is a fun idea, I’m not opposed, but no need to drag Karen and Isaac into debating all this right now. I think we should let Flia get with her partners in the fur, or… flesh as it were. Once she’s with them things will probably change.”

“Y-you’re right… I’m sure our partners wouldn’t mind, but, she needs to sort her own stuff out, right?” Joseph gave her a loving grin.

“Tell me I’m enough for you, Joseph,” Ivory leaned up out of her seat over the table of the booth.

“More than enough, and my everything…” He rose up as well, both of them stealing a few kisses before Ivory settled back down, flashing her teeth in another grin.

“That’s good enough for me then, hon. Though if we ended up going down that path, you don’t get paws on her first without me involved! That bitch is hot and I want in on it too!” Ivory giggled.

“Heh… I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit jealous you got to touch her so intimately. How did it feel, I mean… she’s got no fur on her breasts, was it odd?” Joseph tilted his head, tail wagging eagerly.

Ivory giggled again and got a mischievous look in her blue eyes as she began gossiping, “Well, Joe… I’d never touched a half-fur myself, but…”

—*—

Life settled back to their brand of normal as the tour resumed. The days went by on the bus, the four of them together constantly. Sometimes there would be arguments, sometimes fits of frustration, but all in all, the environment was a comfortable loving one, their little family seemingly passing the test of the lifestyle.

“Yes, mom! No… no… Mom! They are treating us fine! Ha! You wouldn’t hurt a flea Mom, but don’t worry, they are making us very happy!” Joseph laughed as he paced about outside the bus.

“Yeah, we’re doing great… Mhm, looking forward to getting back home… A job? Really? I mean…” Isaac looked over at Karen while holding the phone, the rabbit giving him a challenging grin as she put a paw on her hip. “You know what, it will be our vacation, why the heck not!”

“Hard to believe tonight will be the last one of the tour, the time just blinked by… Feels like yesterday I was serving coffee up, now I’m wrapping up my first tour as a manager, and even secured me a long-distant plaything…” Crystal swirled her half-drunk coffee about in the travel cup, leaning against one of the buses overlooking the travel center.

“Right? I snarl and hiss about these damn things, I miss home, but every time they start to wrap up… I feel forlorn…” Ivory leaned against the bus with her, watching the various trucks and cars coming and going.

The calico looked over at the persian and grinned. “How was it? Gonna sign on for next time?”

“Is there going to be a next time? We still need to renegotiate…” Crystal cocked a brow, then smiled and gave a lazy shrug. “And yeah, if you want me, I’ll keep bossing you around.”

“We took number one with Jackrabbit, we sure as fuck better get a generous renegotiation offer!” Ivory stuck her nose up, snarling the words, but then grinned at Crystal and pushed up against her with a deep purr. “Hell yes, I love having you around again, bitch!”

“Gonna take a little time to go visit your new otter? Leo and Tracey’s tour wrapped up last week?” Ivory asked with a crooked little grin.

“We’ve already got a hotel booked at a resort for a week, we’re meeting up there after we’re squared away here!” Crystal mewed out with an eager grin.

“Have fun, bitch! Man… a beach getaway sounds great, maybe I’ll get Joe to drag me off to the islands for a week or so, just the two of us fucking in the sand and swimming in the ocean!” Ivory giggled.

“Ha! Yeah, I think you two could use some time alone, but are the four of you doing good then?” Crystal asked, tilting her head.

“You know what? It’s weird how good we are doing… Like, we get into spats, who wouldn’t on a cramped bus all the time? But these last months have been eye-opening. Maybe I’m just a slut that needs more than one?” Ivory gave her friend a crooked grin.

“Speaking of more than one, heard anything from Leo and company?” Crystal tilted her head curiously.

“Flia blew my phone up when they got together, apparently the sex was awesome and they’re getting along really well. I think they’re all planning to get together and jump across the pond to Europe, something about doing a music festival out there and then having a vacation.”

“A music festival? I think the last thing I’d want to do is go put on another show right after finishing a tour!” Crystal mewed out, already sounding exhausted.

“Right?” Ivory groaned then pushed a paw through her hair. “Fuck that, I wanna rest… If I don’t get at least two months off, I’m going to riot!”

*

“So, I’ve got a proposition for the two of you, but I’ll warn you, we’ll need an album in about a month, you won’t have much leeway to relax,” Jacob said simply at his desk with his fingers peaked.

“That’s it, the goat dies!” Ivory snarled out as she started to climb out of the chair in the VP’s office, her claws already extended on her paws.

“Baby, calm down!” Joseph laughed as he hugged his wife who was hissing and thrashing her tail.

“What’s the proposition, Jacob?” Karen offered a more diplomatic foil to Ivory’s hissing and snapping of teeth.

The older VP sighed as he rubbed his head. “Between you and Tracey, it’s a wonder I’ve not had a stroke…” He cleared his throat and looked at the rabbit and glaring cat. “Anyway, you’re both familiar with Electric Blue, and Ruby Thunder, along with Flia Price, what with your shows you did and all.”

“Obviously, what about them?” Ivory hissed as she seemed to compose herself but still had a fussy glare on her face.

“Given their … unique situation, we’ve offered to merge their bands together into one group. They’ll be touring together as a single act going forward, at least for now,” Jacob explained simply.

“Wow! That’s great news for them!” Isaac called out, his lovers giving him a look and nodding.

“What’s that got to do with my idols, Jacob?” Joseph asked while keeping his paws on Ivory’s shoulders, rubbing them gently.

“Lots of bands do group tours. I’m curious to see if you’d be interested in doing one with their band. You’d be separate acts, but you’d do the same venues together in the same show. We’d let you all decide who opened and closed.” Jacob gave a shrug as he explained.

“Whoa… that’s… do we have a choice on this?” Ivory hissed out, already trying to comprehend the idea of it all.

“You do. This isn’t some strong-arm tactic, and you’ll get a re-sign with the increase your manager proposed. If you want to do it, I’ll need a new album from the two of you within about a month. The other group has already started working on theirs, so we’ll need to synch you up for the tour.” Jacob paused, then waved a hand. “That being said, if you’d rather do a solo tour, that’s in the cards, it’ll afford you a little more downtime, but it’s a tight window if you want to join the others.”

“Fuck…” Ivory hissed and folded her arms. “I like the idea, but…”

“Wouldn’t the label make more money having us separate, Jacob?” Isaac asked with a lift of his muzzle.

The goat looked up to the wolf that had no position in the negotiation process but answered all the same, “Yes and no… It’s easier to manage one tour vs multiple, on top of that, we can raise the cost of tickets since it’s a joint-show.”

“What do the others think of this proposition you’ve made?” Karen asked.

“I’m asking you first, no need to get them involved if I get a flat rejection here and now. They’re already set on a schedule and back to work, so either way they’ll be heading out when their new album is finished. Flia has told me about the assistance you offered her with those two, and so this is…” Jacob trailed off as he rubbed his jaw.

“You’re doing a favor for Flia and them, huh?” Joseph gave him a knowing grin.

Jacob snorted at the fox and raised a finger. “The analytics shows this would be the most profitable venture, that is all.”

“Yeah right, Jake!” Karen catcalled out playfully, the goat giving her a twitch of an eye at the shorthand name.

“Whatever, I guess my vacation is fucked once again… Fine, Jacob. You tell them we’re interested, but I will have at least a week-long vacation with my husband before we’re back in the studio. Push venue dates and give them an extra week or two if you want me, but I will have at least some R and R with my fox!” Ivory mewed out in her fussy diva tone.

“We also have already agreed to some jobs for Keys that we can’t back out of. I’m excited to do this, but we need at least a few weeks to prepare, Jake.” Karen showed her teeth in a cocky grin.

“I suppose that’s how it is…” Jacob sighed and rolled his eyes before giving a nod. “I’ll propose this to Flia and company, then I’ll let you know. So can we formally consider you re-signed then?”

“Oh absolutely!” Joseph barked out cheerfully, as the record label hadn’t pushed back on any of his requested changes, the idols getting a nice bonus and even Crystal getting a proper pay upgrade along with Isaac.

Leaving the building, they walked down the path that cut through the small garden area near the label, the fox cheerfully wagging his tail. “I’ll admit there were some surprises, but this negotiation turned out fantastic! I really expected more pushback!”

“I guess our girls proved their mettle and they know they’d be fools to cut them loose, not to mention with their other top group favoring them, it might cause issues with Flia, Leo, and Tracey, which Jacob didn’t seem too keen to stir up.” Isaac presented a more likely scenario than just the label having goodwill about it.

“I agree, and speaking of those three. I can’t help but be excited at the idea of playing with them again!” Karen squeaked out and clenched her paws together.

“Heh… I bet some of us are more excited than others…” Isaac gave a knowing coo as Joseph got a look on his face, as if the reality of it had dawned upon him, his tail going rigid and fluffing a little.

“Oh shit! You’ve already got a tail boner thinking about her!” Karen laughed out.

“You are shameless, Joe!” Ivory mewed out, sounding fussy but grinning.

“Wait- It’s! It’s not like it’s anything anyway!” He finally growled at his trio of lovers, clenching his own paws into fists and looking fussy.

“Uh-huh… You know if you actually got a chance to swing at that pitch, I wouldn’t care, foxy!” Isaac showed him a grin as he folded his arms.

“I think it’s cute! Joseph, you can chase that cute little deer’s tail all you want and enjoy what came of it, but… I better always be your number one doe, or else…” Karen pushed a paw to her chest, giving the younger fox a smug and somewhat frightening grin as her large ears folded down, the look in her eyes saying she wasn’t kidding.

Joseph gave a small gulp and then grinned as he moved to grasp Karen’s paws with his own. “Karen, you and Isaac are my everything just like Ivory is. Nothing and no one could replace you guys. If Ivory is my moon, then you two are the stars.”

“Wow! That’s some cheesy Shakespearean bullshit right there, Joe!” Ivory giggled and then hugged her husband from behind, purring against his back. “It’s fine, Joe… We all know we got you, so if you wanna have fun with your little deer, if that panned out, I wouldn’t mind… You just make sure you don’t piss off a very jealous wolf in the process, only one of us that would stand a chance is Isaac!”

“Hey!” Karen snarled out, looking genuinely offended. “I think I could take Tracey!”

“Glad you do, Angel, I wouldn’t want to try!” Isaac barked out a laugh.

“I bet you’d like to try to take Tracey and Leo at the same time, my bunny! I know how wet you get for tough girls and cocky boys!” Ivory showed Karen a knowing grin.

“Huh… is that right, angel? Should I be more cocky and confident for you?” Isaac asked with a rub of his jaw, not looking put off at the other insinuations of the conversation.

“Tch! Isaac, you are confident in spades, yours is just… cool and controlled, you know? I love that about you, you don’t have to strut or show off, you’re just always in control!” Karen quickly reaffirmed her attitude towards her husband, making sure he knew just how she felt.

“Karen hit the nail right on the head there, love. You’re the strong and reliable guardian of our family, you don’t need to showboat to let the world know that you know you’re hot shit!” Joseph barked out proudly, his tail wagging.

“How did we go from teasing Joe to having a family bonding session?” Ivory giggled and stepped back, putting her paws on her hips.

“I guess it’s because…” Karen squeezed her fox’s paws, then looked back at her husband before meeting Ivory’s eyes. “I think it’s because we all feel solid in this… Secure.”

“Yeah, I love you guys, and I trust you, come what may… I think I can honestly say, me and Karen feel the most at peace when we’re trapped in a metal box bitching at you two over who drank the last coffee or beer,” Isaac chuckled as he hugged Karen from behind.

“Well then… I was going to suggest this a bit later, but uh… I know that small house of yours is sentimental and all, but why don’t you guys… uhm… move in?” Ivory awkwardly made the request.

“Really? I mean you guys have a big place…” Isaac huffed out in surprise at the earnest offer.

“I mean… we talked about this in private, and yeah… I know we don’t get to stay at the big house very often with our current jobs, but that won’t be forever! If we can make this work crammed in a small bus, we know it’ll work in our home!” Joseph released Karen’s paws to move next to his wife, putting a paw on her hip.

“I dunno… our little house has a lot of wonderful memories, but I also know it holds some painful ones for you too, honey…” Karen leaned back into her wolf’s arms as he held her.

“It’s a mix, but…” Isaac looked deep in thought for a moment, as if recalling something, then he shook his head and squeezed Karen’s shoulders. “No, we should focus on here and now, we should… live our lives while we can… My late ex has a sister with kits, I’ll see if she’d like to take the place over so it stays in the family, but yeah… I think I- we, would like that.”

“Sooo… this is gonna be official huh? We gonna get a few extra rings to wear?” Ivory giggled and waggled her paw showing off the lone wedding band.

“Might get crowded on one finger… What if we keep our wedding bands, but we get a necklace with two rings on it?” Isaac grinned, his tail wagging as they planned things.

“That’s really cute! I love that idea, and it keeps us from having to field the awkward conversations of explaining all the rings on our paws!” Karen squeaked out.

“I also think it’s a wonderful idea… I don’t need you guys wearing a ring to know that you’re mine and I’m yours, but it makes me happy to think about it!” Joseph offered his own grin, Ivory nodding her head.

“You two have seen the worst of us during this tour, the pettiness, the jealousy, the frustration… We had some nasty fights, but we always bounced back. We always communicated and talked things out… I’m proud to call you all my friends and my lovers,” Ivory pushed a paw to her chest, her eyes looking a little misty as she grinned.

“You mushy bitch… come here…” Karen moved right over, throwing her arms around the calico, their muzzles pushing together in a deep kiss, Ivory’s purr nice and loud, their tongues clearly already in on the kiss.

Isaac grinned at the girls, then smirked over at Joseph. “Does this mean I should start addressing you as my husband soon?”

“We don’t have to get bogged down in semantics or legal paperwork, I’m happy with you just calling me your boyfriend or partner, love.”

Karen broke the kiss with Ivory, flashing a grin over at Joseph. “Is that right, my fox? Don’t want me to call you husband, or you to call me your little bunny… wife?” She smirked back at Ivory as she felt the calico’s paws flex against her hips, claws digging in a little and a murr in her throat.

“W-well… when you put it that way… maybe so!” Joseph barked out with a goofy grin on his muzzle, tail blurring in a fluffed wag.

“Mmm… It’d be a complicated mess to make it legal, but we can do those titles in private if you all are happy with them, but you’re my husband only as far as the world at large is concerned, Joseph!” Ivory mewed out while keeping a possessive cling on Karen.

“Looks like we’ll have to go over all new do’s and don’t’s huh?” Isaac gave an amused shrug.

“Guess so, husband!” Joseph barked playfully, flashing a grin at the larger wolf.

—*—

Her plump breasts swayed invitingly as she trotted out of the bedroom of the hotel, a snug white set of triangles the only thing keeping her nipples out of view in the off-white bikini top. The color blended with her cream-colored fur and even with her natural patches of browner fur, it would make any onlookers double-take to ensure she was wearing anything.

The bottom of the swimsuit didn’t offer much else in the way of modesty, both sets digging into her soft fur, making her hips and breasts bulge into the fabric. Ivory purred and struck a little pose with one paw behind her head as she stood before her husband. “You like, Joe?”

Joseph looked like his tongue was going to flop out of his jaws at the sight of her, his tail fluffed up and a clear bulge showing in his own modest swimwear. “Holy shit, baby…”

“Gotta have that obligatory swimsuit scene for the last episode, right?” Ivory purred lovingly as she moved over to gently push her paw against Joseph’s maw, pushing it closed like Karen would do sometimes.

“Huff… episode?” He asked while leaning in to nuzzle at her jaw, nipping her throat and paws already on her hips.

“Heh! Ngh… don’t worry about it, hon… Geeze Joe…” She giggled as he jerked her closer, teeth nipping at her throat while his paws roamed back to squeeze her round backside, nothing but firm furred flesh, the bottom of the swimsuit a thong-style one.

“I can’t help myself, and gods… It’s still unbelievable that you’re my wife!” He barked out as he scooped her right up and started walking back into the bedroom with her.

“Geeze! At least let's go for a walk on the beach before you pounce me, you insatiable damn mutt!” Ivory laughed out as she hugged him tight, purring as he ignored her and moved to the bed.

*

“Feels good to be back in the game, even if only for a little while?” Isaac asked as he shifted the car into park, grinning over at his wife.

“Fuck yeah it does, I’m so glad he resisted too…” Karen snarled and flexed her fist a few times, her tail shuddering as she shifted her green eyes over to her husband with a haughty grin.

“Adrenaline junkie! Isn’t the stage enough for you?” He barked a laugh, then offered a lopsided grin as she unbuckled herself and climbed over to him.

“The stage has its own adrenaline, but… We both know it’s the unknown of this gig that really makes it work… Can’t tell me I’m alone in that… not with that lump I’m sitting on…” Karen cooed as she pushed her paws up to brush over her husband’s jaw, scratching under it while her curvy hips shifted, grinding at the bulge in his jeans.

“When’s the last time we did it in this car, angel?” He snarled and leaned forward a little, kissing her lips, his large paws rubbing those full hips while she ground against him.

“Around four PM, today…” Karen puffed against his jaw, paws already working the front of his jeans open.

“It’s already four, Karen…” Isaac puffed out as his paws roamed her hips.

“Well, would you look at the time then…” She cooed out lovingly, her mocha-colored tail brushing the steering wheel.

*

“Gah! At least take it off first- J- ngh!” Ivory snapped her teeth together as he dumped her right on her back and dove muzzle first between her thighs, just lapping and sucking at her straight through the swimsuit.

He growled ravenously, his copper tail thrashing about behind him, his chestnut eyes showing hearts for his wife as he rolled his tongue with skill against the swimsuit bottom, his paws holding under her knees keeping her spread.

“Fuck… fuck… it… pisses me off… how well you can… make me… Guh!” She grunted out, looking stunned as he forced her to release just with his maw through her soaked swimsuit bottom, shuddering in a mewl of a moan.

“Fucking love your sounds, baby… Gods I love you…” He growled out, slipping a paw up to just pull the crotch of the panties aside, showing off his wife’s puffy soaked petals through her wet fur, then shoved his mouth back down over her, the calico crying out blissfully as he went in for more.

*

“Pent up, darling?” Karen panted back at her husband, her paws grasping the wheel, facing the windshield as she pushed her full round ass back, her panties and jeans off, just her soaked rabbit pussy grinding back against her husband who had his massive crimson length withdrawn from his jeans.

“I’m always pent up for you, Angel… gods…” Isaac groaned the words, his large paws rubbing along Karen’s round backside, his claws raking through that mocha fur while she kept slowly grinding back, her eagerness slicking his length, her large ears folded down behind her.

“I know… I’m always thinking of you, Isaac…” She puffed out and slowly lifted herself up while grasping the wheel, her dripping bunny lust rolling off his jumping length. He’d already endured her grinding on him until she’d came once already.

“Be a good dog, and ask for it… beg… Tell me you have to have it, darling…” Karen gave him a grin over her shoulder, brushing that tapered tip up against her entrance, listening to the mixture of frustration and eagerness as her husband pawed on her plump cheeks.

“Gods, Karen… Being an idol for a year certainly dialed up your confidence, didn’t it?” He panted out as he dug his claws into her rear, spreading her cheeks to show off her tight little tail hole and dripping petals, his tapered tip grinding at her soaked entrance.

*

“Fuck… hurry up already!” Ivory hissed out as she laid back, her swim bottoms awkwardly tugged to one side, her legs spread and her husband climbing over her.

“Damn, okay baby, I’m going, I’m going!” Joseph laughed out as he kicked his swimming trunks off, his thick rigid length springing out, dripping with prelove, his wife wriggling her hips and purring with hunger.

“You were fucking sprung the second I stepped out in this damn thing, weren’t you?” Ivory hissed out as he scooped paws under her knees, dragging her down the bed towards him, settling his tapered tip right against her puffy soaked petals, the calico quickly shifting a paw down to spread herself to welcome him inside.

“I’m always slid free when I see my gorgeous wife… Fuck…” Joseph shuddered as he nestled his tapered tip right into her drenched entrance, then slowly started to push into his wife’s waiting body.

“Yesss… Oh fuck, Joe…” Ivory hissed out, feeling that tapered tip spreading her walls, sinking in slowly. Her tongue peeked out in a pant, her sharp little teeth showing and her tail shuddering at her side while he filled her.

He offered a small grunt, then a light whimper as he forced himself to her core, wincing as her walls just viciously crushed him, her honey dripping off his sacs. “Fuck baby… came already?”

“You know you give me multiples, you have since the start, now move those hips!” Ivory mewed out, reaching for her husband.

He fell into her arms, bracing on his elbows as he wrapped his arms around her neck. They locked into a heated kiss as he did just that, rocking his hips and grinding himself deep into his idol-wife’s tight walls.

*

“Okay okay! Please, angel! Fuck… You’re driving me crazy!” Isaac barked out as she had just kept grinding against that tapered tip.

“Ha… good dog… my wolf… my husband…” Karen groaned in approval as she shifted to let the tip finally notch into her waiting entrance, then with deliciously torturous speed, she slowly lowered herself, feeling that massive length spread her walls inch by inch.

Isaac’s large claws dug into her hip fur, but he didn’t force her down, just watching his wife’s full round ass while her small body took every inch of him inside. She plopped into his lap finally with a soft squeak of a groan, feeling him stab deep inside at last, every inch buried into her.

“Thank gods… fuck…” Isaac immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back to where his chest was against her back. His large paws pushing up into her t-shirt, grasping pawfuls of her plump breasts, kneading them as he panted down into her ears while grinding his hips, the shocks of the car groaning to his movements.

“Gods is right… huff… right there, honey… Oooh fuuucckkk…” Karen shuddered and slurred the last of her words, her toepaws curling in her boots before her tongue lolled out, a soft squeaky moan erupting from her throat as he drove her over the edge rather easily.

“I fucking love making you cum, Karen…” He snarled hotly into her drooped ears, the rabbit panting and pushing a paw up to rub under her wolf’s jaw while he rocked and bucked, not even letting her come down from the orgasm in his fervor to have her.

*

“Fuck!” Joesph yipped as Ivory locked her legs around him and rolled them. The fox quickly moved with her as he flopped onto his back, his wife sitting up, her hips grinding, riding him now as her tongue lolled out, feeling him jumping hard inside while he tapped at her core.

“Me too, Joe… fuck… you’re such a good fucking fox… I wanna please you too!” Ivory hissed as she pushed her paws to his chest, rocking her hips, bucking and riding back against his jumping cock, her breasts bouncing in the snug bikini to her movements.

“Oh my gods… oh my gods… I fucking love you so much, baby!” He barked out, almost whining the words as his paws pushed up under her swimsuit, letting the material roll up, her large breasts spilling into his waiting palms.

Ivory winced as he grasped them, hissing as her tail shuddered and her walls clenched. “Gods! T-take it easy on the girls, Joe! They’re still healing!” She mewed out in a fussy hiss even as her hips kept grinding.

“Ngh… S-sorry baby…” He gave her an apologetic grin as he moved his paws off her breasts, both her puffy nipples now sporting pierced studs in them, gold ones. “Gods, I still can’t believe you got them pierced…”

“Tut… after seeing how excited you were when I brought it up? Ngh… fuck, you’re already jumping and starting to knot just talking about it and looking at them!” She mewed out with a gasp, feeling him twitch, a knot starting to show against her walls.

*

Karen’s own breasts were out and being cupped in her husband's paws, but no studs in her nipples, though they were sore. Thankfully, her wolf was cupping under the swells instead, leaving her hard peaks alone that sported golden rings instead of studs, the girls having decided to get the piercings together shortly after their resigning deal, not unlike their navel ones they already had.

“I don’t deserve you… fuck…” Isaac snarled down into her ears, grinding his hips, bucking up into his wife as she moaned and pushed back into his chest, the car’s shocks groaning to their movements, her own paws grasping the wheel to help move as well.

“Shut up mushy dog! Ngh… I don’t deserve you! Fuck… none of you… any of you… But I’ll take you and them… gladly!” Karen panted out, grasping the wheel, using her own hips to slap hard against her wolf’s lap, her honey soaking his fur and jeans, feeling his own thick knot as she moved.

“Right there, Angel… right there…” He groaned and panted, that fat knot popping in and out as she bounced in his lap, hearing his little rabbit wife snarl while riding against him as much as he was bucking.

*

“Joe! Joe! J-Joseph! I fucking… I can’t live without you! You understand!?” Ivory mewed out as he sat up in bed, her arms thrown around his neck, both of them nose to nose, her pierced breasts pushed to his chest, his paws firm on her hips.

“Me too, Ivory… You’re my everything… I love all of you… but you’re the one I’d die without…” He panted in her face, their foreheads together, hips grinding, moving in unison as his thick knot swelled inside her.

“I- I don’t care how tired you are after this… beach, cocktails, dancing… You got it?” She hissed out, grinding before pulling back once more, letting that knot pop out, dripping with cat honey before she slapped her hips down hard with a wet slap, forcing it to lodge in.

His knot bloomed to full, locking her to him as his tongue lolled and he nodded with hearts in his eyes. “Anything! Anything for you… everything… for… Y-you!” He shuddered, then she felt his paws flex hard on her rear, his howling moan echoing in the bedroom, her own mewling moan synching with it as his length jumped hard before sending his fiery love deep inside.

*

“Fuck!” Karen squeaked out as she gripped the wheel and slammed her plump rear down hard in her wolf's lap. Isaac lolled his tongue, looking stunned as his little rabbit wife took his knot with one last drop of her hips, feeling it sink deep as she forced him to knot her.

“I… fucking…” He snapped his teeth hard, then threw his head back in a howl that bounced around the cabin of the car, Karen’s tongue lolling as she felt him jump hard before sending thick ropes deep inside her, his heat like fire as her green eyes rolled up, her own walls crushing him.

“Yes! Me too! Me… fucking… too!” She squeaked out, grinding back, feeling him gushing his love for her deep inside with each jump his massive length made.

By the time the last rope was milked in by her clenching walls, she slumped back into his arms, panting with relief, feeling warm and hot with all of her wolf husband's thick love. He hugged her close, careful to avoid her healing peaks, panting into her ear with relief.

“I love you so much, Karen…” He groaned into her ear, her own teeth showing in a grin as she rubbed against his jaw.

“Me too, Isaac, I love you… so very much… Always yours… ngh…” She panted out, feeling light-headed and blissful after their first car sex in over a year.

*

“Yes! Yes! Yesss…” Ivory mewled and moaned out, taking each thick gush, her claws dug into her husband's shoulder’s so hard she had broken skin, and her tongue lolled as he sent every last drop into her waiting womb.

Joseph shuddered, then offered up a weak little whimper as her walls crushed him, taking the last thick rope before he fell back onto his padded palms, panting at her, looking like a satisfied dog that had got the rut out of his system with his chosen bitch.

Ivory purred victoriously, feeling warm and full of her husband's love, giving him a crooked grin as she panted and folded her arms under her breasts to show off the studs in them. “I think you’ve been blowing it even harder since I got the girls pierced… You going to unload this hard in Karen too, Joe?”

“Ngh… D-don’t interrogate me when I’m high, baby…” He slurred out, weakly pushing off his paws to hug her, panting against her throat before kissing and nipping along it with little love bites.

“I’m just teasing you, love!” Ivory giggled at the love nips, hugging him tightly, sighing with satisfaction as they held one another while the sound of the ocean roared outside of their room.

—*—

Once the vacation time was up, all of them were back in the studio with Bianca, the bovine instructor praising the girls for their growth before reminding them they were horrible and it was time to become better!

Recording had been progressing for the better part of a week, the two managers and Isaac lending paws where they could, but then they got an unexpected visitor, or should I say, three unexpected visitors.

“Ah! My lupa! I have missed you, come here and hug me, yes?” Bianca roared out jovially as she moved over to Tracey who barely had time to react before she was wrapped in a tight hug that made her back make several popping sounds.

“Geeze! Forget opera, you should have been a wrestler!” She barked out with a laugh as Bianca released her with a laugh of her own. Tracey grunted and shifted a few times then fluffed her tail out. “That or a chiropractor, that actually feels better!”

“Ha ha! Look at you two, my heart swells to see you side by side again!” Bianca turned her attention to Leo and Flia next, the two of them holding hands.

“Bianca, it’s simply wonderful to see you again, love!” Flia sauntered over offering her hands as they held and made kisses on the cheeks.

“You say that like we weren’t in here getting our tails kicked by her a month ago!” Leo laughed and then offered his hand in a shake to the large cow who simply snorted before clasping his own hand, the ram wincing at the strong shake.

“You say this as if you do not appreciate my efforts, sassy ariete!” She then pulled him forward to hug him. Leo was as tall as she was, but he still looked tiny in the large woman’s arms as he bleated out from the hug, his own back not faring as well as Tracey’s had.

Joseph was standing with Crystal and Isaac when Flia shot him a glace, offering him a knowing smile before winking at him, his tail instantly going into a rigid fluff as he offered a small muffled grunt.

“I’m happy to see you guys again, but what’s the occasion?” Ivory finally broke the merriment up with the question.

“Well, we figured if we were going to be working together, we might as well get in on this! Our own album hasn’t gone to print yet, so even though we have some teaser tracks up on streaming platforms, we can still squeeze in one or two with you guys!” Flia explained as she spread her hands with a dazzling grin.

“If you want to of course, we wouldn’t want to push you,” Tracey offered a follow-up to the deer’s own eagerness.

“You say that as you already barged into the recording studio and showed up on the other side of the country?” Karen giggled as she put her paws on her hips.

“If you didn’t want to, we’d just take in the sites and hang with you guys outside of the studio, no big deal,” Leo said coolly before flashing a knowing grin at Joseph who frowned at his predatory green eyes.

“I’m down if Bianca doesn’t mind?” Karen squeaked out eagerly.

“Meh… work is work, why not?” Ivory looked to the bovine with a cocked brow.

“I am paid by the day, who all I train is not consequential, but if you come to my studio, you come here to work, you three understand?” Bianca put her paws on her hips, giving the trio a level snort.

“Aye aye, Captain!” Leo threw a lazy salute.

Bianca cleared her throat. “Then it is well. Though, you caught us when we were to break for lunch, my gatta and coniglia are tired! Shall we take an hour, then all of you return for the rest of the afternoon?”

“Sounds good to me, Bianca. Let’s go get lunch everyone, I’m eager to catch up and see how you’re all doing!” Joseph barked out happily, the other trio all giving him an amused smile as he felt a shiver run down his spine.

As they were leaving the studio and walking down the hall, Leo suddenly wheeled on him, shoving a hand to the wall. Looming down over the slightly shorter fox. He offered a grin as Joseph barked suddenly, Leo just cooing out, “So…”

“Uh, y-yes?” Joseph took a step back, the rest of the group pausing at the scene.

“Oooh couldn’t wait, popstar? Fiiine… Okay everyone let’s go and give them some privacy!” Flia giggled as she started to trot forward toward the exit.

“Hey hey, if you try to ramhandle my husband, we’re gonna have a problem, sheep!” Ivory hissed out and cracked her knuckles. Tracey just busted out in a laugh at him being called a sheep by yet another girl.

“Perish the thought, Ivory! I just want to have a chat with him, it’s all on the up and up, I swear!” Leo flashed a bright grin, the calico giving that annoyed murring sound but backing up a step.

“Joe, my fox. If he tries to pick on you, you let me know, I’ll put him in a headlock and give him a swirly!” Karen flexed her paw into a fist, flashing a grin.

“Damn Angel, now I could imagine you looking like a school delinquent with a jacket and paws wrapped in boxing tape, dragging nerds into the bathroom and shoving their heads in toilets!” Isaac barked a laugh.

Leo gulped a little and frowned at that, Tracey just shoved his shoulder playfully. “I won’t stop her if she does, I might even help her! Anyway, you guys go ahead, me and Leo will hang back a sec!”

“Hmm… Fine…” Ivory hissed out and gave them both a glare before moving out of the hall with the rest of the group.

“So…” Tracey grinned at Joseph after the three of them were alone.

“Uh…” Joseph grunted, then straightened up before fluffing his tail out, seeming to compose himself, as if getting ready for a fight before sliding a paw into his jean pocket calmly. Tracey played a smile on her lips as she saw his stance shift, as if ready to dart or respond to an attack. “Yes, what is it you guys?”

“You like my deer, fox?” Leo showed him a challenging grin, then bleated as Tracey elbowed his ribs.

“Geeze, Leo! Have some tact!” Tracey barked out and sighed before folding her arms and leaning back on the wall of the hallway. “Joe, Flia asked if we minded if she talked to you, asked if we cared that she wanted to send you that picture, we just want you to know it was on the up and up, just like it was with your wife.”

“O-oh! Well… I’m glad to know, I mean… it was just a picture, right? It’s not like we were uhm…” He rubbed his arm and then shook his head. “Was that the point of this? Just to say you knew she was teasing?”

“Mmm… that and to let you know, we don’t mind if something kinda starts to develop. She has a lot of interest and respect for you and Ivory, so do we… Respect I mean,” Leo explained as he shrugged, Joseph offering a small bark, his composure dropping after that.

“Now! Now… wait a sec! Flia is really pretty and, sure I like her! But I mean… uh… I don’t think you guys need to worry about that happening or something! She’s got you two and I’ve got my three lovers, trust me, I’m good!” Joseph sounded almost defensive as he explained.

“Heh… He kinda reminds me of Hilde…” Tracey mused as she rubbed her jaw.

“They are about the same age,” Leo also chuckled, Joseph flattening his ears with a small growl.

“Okay look, you two might be older than me, hell, I might be the youngest one on this tour, but I’ve proven my worth in spades. I’m not some dopey teenager who doesn’t know how to handle myself or my heart!” He wagged a padded finger at the two idols, his tail smacking the wall behind him in an annoyed wag.

“Oh good! Then we’ll shoot straight with you, we don’t mind if something came of you two, so long as you don’t try to fuck up what we have with her!” Tracey showed him a grin and flipped two fingers out in a peace sign before turning on her boots.

“Wait- T-that’s all?” Joseph asked skeptically.

“Yeah, I’m good!” Tracey flicked her thick white tail a few times and strutted off, not a shred of concern to be had.

Leo smiled and gave a shrug. “Same here, killer. I love Flia, but after what you guys did for us, and now understanding how things work a little better after being with those two hotties for a bit? Yeah, no worries here from me either!”

“Geeze! It almost sounds like you guys are trying to hook us up!” Joseph barked out awkwardly, then grunted as Leo pushed a hand to the wall near him and loomed over once more.

“So…” The ram flashed his teeth again as Joseph drooped his ears.

“So… What?” He growled.

“Let’s talk about that stage presence of yours and those little piano performances you put on with that sexy wife of yours?” Leo flashed him a predatory grin, Joseph giving a frown at the plotting look in the ram’s eyes.

—*—

A few days later, after some tentative recording plans were made…

“What the hell?! I can’t be trotting out on stage in this get-up!” Joseph barked as he threw his paws out, the rest of the group at the recording studio seeing the outfit Leo had picked out for him. It was a glittering suit of sequins that made a blend of colors Flia and Ivory tended to wear on stage. Leo had even gotten ahold of him and drawn a little lightning bolt of white across one of his eyes.

“You look fabulous, Joe!” Leo cooed out and admired his work.

“Mmm…” Joseph folded his arms, his tail thrashing awkwardly in the over-the-top outfit. It had been agreed upon that he would do a dedicated song with Flia and Ivory on stage, but wasn’t this a bit much?

“Did you expect to come out in suspenders and a fedora, foxy?” Isaac shot him a lazy grin.

“Oh no you don’t, don’t you start in on the ska jokes right now!” Joseph wagged a padded finger at his boyfriend.

“You look good, Joe, I like it!” Ivory mewed out with a grin.

“Y-yeah?” He perked his ears at that, his tail wagging a little.

“It’ll look great with the two of us sharing the stage with you, my sweet fox… Does mine and your sexy little wife’s approval offer confidence for you? Why, even Leo’s manager Maximillian wears a bright suit and stage makeup to show his support.” Flia cooed as she pushed a hand to her chest, offering the fox a little smile that made his tail shudder and fluff a bit, Ivory giving the deer a fussy side eye but not arguing with her.

“I… I guess if you two… Well, what do you think, Karen?” Joseph growled and looked to the other idol, as if desperate to get a more sane opinion on the sparkly over-the-top suit.

“It’s cute, I like it on you!” She squeaked out and gave him a look, a look like she wanted him to wear it later when they were alone.

Joseph gulped and grinned. “W-well, thanks, Love bunny… I guess-”

“Hang on… Karen’s choice was the lynchpin in that, Joesph?” Ivory hissed and put her paws on her hips. “Shouldn’t my approval have been enough?”

“Oh ho! The volpe has stepped into it now! The wrath of his gatta wife is upon him!” Bianca bellowed a laugh and clapped a paw over the fox’s shoulder. “You will look amazing next to your gatta, now come, let us practice!”

“W-wait-” Joseph barked in protest as the cow linked an arm around his, dragging him from the discussion in his new sparkly suit and makeup towards the piano.

“The rest of you, throw on your outfits too! Do not leave my volpe awkward and alone!” Bianca snarled back at the rest of the idols.

“Hey! He isn’t yours!” Ivory mewed out, but then huffed as Karen tangled an arm with hers.

“Relax, my kitty, you know it’s just a figure of speech, let’s go!” She giggled and pulled Ivory along.

“I’ll put the getup on, but I’m not wearing those stupid heels…” Tracey snarled and grabbed Flia’s hand, the deer giving her a loving grin. “Let’s go, sheep!” She barked out as she walked out with the deer in tow, Leo giving a fussy huff at having to be left the only one leaving alone but quickly followed after his two lovers.

Joseph looked himself over with a grumble and sighed. “I guess it doesn’t look too bad…”

“You are a showman like your wife, if you wish to be on stage more often, you must look the part, yes?” Bianca took a moment to talk to him in private, grinning down at the fox as she placed a paw on the edge of the piano.

“I guess? I mean… That was supposed to just be an occasional thing I did with Ivory, not… a regularly scheduled performance…” Joseph grunted as he flopped down on the bench before the keys, glaring at them in contemplation.

“Yes, but you once had her to yourself, yes? Her voice was yours alone. You chose to share that with the world, is that not the story I was told?” She folded her arms, the fox frowning at the words but nodding.

“Yeah… I saw how happy she was, and I thought about how much people would love her singing if she had the chance…” He sighed and rocked back, putting his paws in his lap.

“And now, the gatta, cerva, and even her ariete want to do that, they want to share their world with you. They want the world to see and hear you!” Bianca threw her paws out in a grin.

“Bianca… I’m not… I mean… Do YOU think I have the presence for this?” He looked up at her with a small frown, knowing the bovine wouldn’t hold her punches.

Bianca rubbed her chin in thought. “I think… You are much like your precious coniglia was, my volpe… You are an uncut gem… but you have the shine… I do not think it is the same sparkle the others have, no… You are not destined to be a frontman, you are as you have always been from the start, support. Even if you are not the star, you are the one that keeps it running, yes?”

Joseph nodded at that and felt a little better. He never wanted to be in the lead, he was always happy to support his family, support his wife. This was just another way to do that, to support her and … Flia. The deer had been adamant about wanting them doing a regular performance, could there really be-

“Volpe! You are wandering in your own brain again! Focus!” Bianca snapped out as Joseph yipped and perked his ears, his tail fluffing.

“Sorry! I’ve just got a lot on my mind!” He sighed and rubbed his face, smudging the white bolt a little across his fur.

“It is expected, even I can feel the tension between the lot of you, especially the three of you in particular… You younger ones… Ah but I was young once too, I will not judge, but do be cautious my volpe… We can only hold so many treasures… Then again, we only have one life to enjoy, it is a constant struggle, but you… You are a smart one, you will find a way, I am sure…” She gently patted his head, his large ears perking at the gesture before she wheeled and called out to Isaac from across the large room. “Lupa! Come! Get off your phone, I will put you on drums again!”

“Yes ma’am!” Isaac tucked his phone away without missing a beat, grinning as he lazily trotted over. He put his paws on Joseph’s shoulders, rubbing them gently, feeling the tension in them.

“It’s gonna be okay, Foxy. Me and Karen are behind you no matter what, so just enjoy it, yeah? I can pick up the manager slack while you’re on stage.” He growled and leaned in, giving Joseph’s jaw a quick rub to scent mark him, the fox giving him an appreciative smile.

—*—

Their opening show had been going on for the better part of an hour now. They had decided to let Cream and Mocha be the starting band during the first performance, with the others following up afterward.

This wasn’t a music festival though, it was just two bands touring together. In a way, it made the tour easier because neither group had to pour everything into the whole show, but since the bands would inevitably co-mingle, no one really just left the stage area. Even in this instance, Electric Blue had made some visits on stage to sing with the girls on a few numbers.

Actually, that was happening right now. Mocha and Electric Blue were up there singing with Ruby Thunder, the trio having developed their own co-op stage performance to parallel Joseph’s.

“It’s about that time, you ready to do this, dream boat?” Flia puffed into his ear with the petname she’d given him since they officially started practicing for this. He shivered and felt his cheeks grow hot, jerking back to see she had changed for the next act. The doe wore a glittering gown that hugged her breasts and hips, shimmering sequins of emerald cascading in the light with one open slip to show her long leg that was covered in an off-white stocking.

“O-of course, Flia!” He barked out and clenched his paws together, glaring at her through the cream-colored lightning bolt in his fur, having insisted if he was going to wear it, it would be based on Ivory’s stage name and fur color.

“I know you’re going to do amazing, honey!” Ivory strutted over in her own outfit, her glossy heels clicking on the stage. She wore a similar hip and breast hugging number, the sequins of the dress more subdued in the off-white gown with just faint shimmers of blue to match her eyes, her own opposite leg showing to Flia’s in the slip of the gown.

“You look amazing, baby!” Joseph barked out with a shameless grin on his muzzle, hearts practically in his eyes for his wife.

“Oh, I know!” Ivory purred and ran a paw through her flowing blonde hair, then brushed it under his jaw, scratching as she continued, “You’re looking pretty nice in your own outfit, my husband the little piano idol… We may have to get you some elaborate stage glasses to wear and maybe something with some feathers!”

“Ha! I’m not sure he’s British enough to pull that look off, but I’d love to see it!” Isaac barked out with a grin, then pushed a paw to his earpiece. “Oh hey you three, let’s get into position!”

Flia gave the fox a dazzling grin and then smirked over at Ivory. “Okay loves, I’m counting on you two, don’t break my heart now!”

“Yeah yeah, save the flirting with us for after the show!” Ivory purred and moved to wrap her arm around Joseph’s, the fox perking his large ears as she leaned in nice and close, nuzzling his jaw, then puffed into his ear hotly, “Have fun out there, honey.”

Flia flanked him, taking his other arm as they were walking out in this pose, the deer humming as she watched the calico whisper against his ear. Her blue eyes snapped forward as her two partners walked out from the stage with the bunny idol next to them.

“Tag, you’re it!” Tracey barked out as she threw her hand out in a closed fist. Ivory knocked her closed paw against it in a fistbump before taking a step forward.

“Knock em’ dead you three!” Leo called out.

“Naturally, popstar!” Flia poked her nose up, looking every bit the idol she was as Joseph just gulped at being sandwiched between the two of them.

Karen just moved right over and kissed his muzzle, the fox’s tail fluffing right up as she added a little tongue, then broke it with a coo against his now lipstick-smudged lips. “Have fun, do your best, my fox!”

“Of course, love bunny!” He barked out lovingly, then grunted as he was pulled into motion, the rabbit stepping out of his visual range as the lights of the stage shone forth before them, the view of the sold out concert hall opening up as both girls stopped in their tracks.

Joseph cut his eyes to Ivory, then over to Flia, both giving him a knowing nod as they eased their grips on his arms. A shiver rolled down his spine as he clenched his teeth hard, closing his eyes tightly. A little voice came to him in those moments, the same one he always had, ‘Do it for them, to hell with the details!’.

He snapped his chestnut eyes open, lasers shining in them, and stepped forward, throwing his paws back to make the tail of his glittering suit flap out like a cape, strutting forward to the screaming roar of the fan's approval. He didn’t have to be a frontman, he just had to support his family, even the new members, that was his place and he’d have it no other way.

—Fin—

Author Notes:

I didn’t want to finish L&L, it was closing a door on a chapter in my life I didn’t want to end, closing the door on a project I’ve worked on for multiple years, and accepting, that there are people who loved to read it that would never get to see it concluded.

I won’t be going into any deep dramatic stuff like how I ended Guarded and AoL, but just know that it was difficult to finish this one, but ultimately I think leaving a tale untold would have been even more cruel to the memories of those who couldn’t finish it.

Thank you for spending time in my little world of popstars, crimelords, and bounty hunters. It’s been a mixed-up rollercoaster to write this series, but ultimately, I wrote it how I wanted it to play out, I just hope you, my lovely reader, enjoyed the time here.

Be good to each other and drink in every day as if it were your last.

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