Roses Drifting: Panther Caroso and Fox McCloud, Chapter 2
Second chapter of Roses Drifting, finished a few months back, but wanted to try and fine tune it XD I hope you enjoy it, and please comment if you liked it, hated it, or even if you got off on it XD (criticism would also perhaps help a little, hmm?)
"That was the coolest shit I've ever done. Ever." Falco exclaimed, looking awed as he climbed out of the flight simulator cockpit. Fox smirked.
"Yeah, you were so amazed by the realism, that you got shot down, heh heh..." the vulpine teased, nudging his avian friend. Falco held up his hands in defense.
"Hey, at least I didn't get blown up immediately like someone else we know..." he snickered, glancing at a deeply blushing Slippy.
"I wasn't used to the speed..." he mumbled, rubbing his head. Fox and Falco laughed, and Fox rubbed Slippy's shoulder reassuringly.
"They're gonna have us practicing this stuff for quite a while, I'm sure you'll get used to it just fine, heh..." Fox chuckled. "Just like Falco will learn to keep his eyes on the enemy fighters and not the majesty of simulated space..." he grinned at Falco, earning a swat upside the head from the blue feathered bird.
"Hey, maybe I wasn't so focused because I wasn't out getting laid last night..." Falco griped, and Slippy chuckled at that.
"Falco came back to the dorm with a slap mark on his face..." the toad snickered, while Falco's face got red.
"All I did was compliment her very short skirt, and she slapped me! She was crazy!" he protested, as Fox laughed. Falco nudged the vulpine. "You got lucky last night though... what did she look like? Busty, dusky, amazonian? I don't even know your type!"
"Oh, I got with a cat... dark fur, tall, golden eyes... and a taste for fancy drinks." Fox snickered. Falco scoffed.
"Aw, c'mon, that's all you're giving us? Did she have a nice pair?" the avian asked, dying with curiosity. Fox smirked.
"Oh, trust me, a _very_nice pair..." he replied teasingly, laughing on the inside as Falco got an envious look on his face, clearly not knowing what _sort_of 'pair' Fox meant.
"I might just need to drag you along to be my wingman the next time I go out to the bars..." Falco grumbled, and Slippy and Fox laughed. As the three of them made their way back to the dorms, suddenly a new voice rang out.
"Hey, Fox! You've got company waiting for you in General Pepper's office!" Fox's ears flicked, and he turned around to see his buddy Bill Grey standing at the end of the dorm hallway.
"Company? For me?" Fox asked, confused.
"That's what I said! Come on!" Bill chuckled. Fox nodded, before giving Falco and Slippy each a pat on the shoulder.
"I'll see you guys later!" he headed over to Bill, and the two of them started to make their way to General Pepper's office. "So who's my visitor?" Fox asked, confused. Bill grinned.
"You'll have to see for yourself! But I think you'll be pleased, heh heh..." the canine answered. "How did your first flight simulation go?" Fox's ears flicked at the question, and he grinned.
"Well, Falco and Slippy both got taken out... I lived, heh..." the vulpine chuckled. Bill nudged him, grinning back at Fox.
"I'd expect no less from the son of James McCloud..." Fox let out an abashed groan at that.
"Aw, c'mon, it's got nothing to do with my dad! I've gotten here on my own skill..." he protested. Bill laughed.
"Well, it must run in the family!" the pair of them arrived at General Pepper's office, and Bill smiled, clapping Fox's shoulder. "I hope we end up flying together, Fox! I'll see you around..." he walked off, giving a wave, and Fox chuckled, waving back, before knocking on the door.
"Enter." Came General Pepper's voice, and Fox opened the door, walking in... and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw his visitor.
"Dad! What are you doing here?" He gaped in disbelief, while James McCloud grinned at him, stepping forward and embracing his son.
"I just had to come see how my flight aspiring son was holding out at the Academy!" James chuckled as Fox hugged him back, the younger vulpine blushing slightly in embarrassment for acting like this around General Pepper, who stood up from his desk, and made his way over to them.
"I'll give you two a moment... " he patted James' shoulder, and gave Fox a look, one that Fox thought looked vaguely... sympathetic? General Pepper stepped out of the office, leaving Fox and James alone together.
"He's giving us a 'moment'? What do we need a moment for?" Fox asked, confused. James' stance tensed a little, and the older vulpine shifted, as though he was guilty of something. Fox narrowed his eyes slightly. "Dad? Why are you really here?"
The elder McCloud sighed. "I... I've got a new mission, something big. Really big, Fox. I came here to let you know, in case something happens." Fox blinked. His father's voice was soft and serious, and James never sounded like that unless it was important.
"What kind of mission?" Fox asked. James chuckled a little.
"I can't give you details... but... between you and me, it's a reconnaissance mission. General Pepper has received intel about something really troubling happening on Venom, and he wants the Starfox team to investigate." Fox felt a slight chill roll through his body.
"Venom? That place is supposed to be really bad news Dad... if this 'something' that's happening there is bad enough for General Pepper to want investigated, then it's gotta be really dangerous..." Fox said, his voice edged with worry. James smiled, gently rubbing Fox's shoulder.
"Hey, that's why General Pepper wants my team to handle this... because we always come back alright. Besides, the situation that Pepper thinks is happening, might not be happening at all, and it'll just be a big paycheck for a quick flyby. Pigma's been hoping for that, heh... he practically drools at the thought of big money."
Fox sighed. "Yeah yeah, Starfox team is the best... but you're worried enough about it that you came here to see me?" Before James could answer, the door opened, and another familiar face entered the office. Fox smiled.
"Peppy!" The hare smiled back at Fox as the vulpine greeted him, and he gave a little wave.
"Fox, it's nice to see you... how've things been going with your flight training? They started you on simulators yet?" Peppy asked.
"Yeah, we just started today, and I'm doing fine... but what about you guys? Going on some secret mission to Venom... are you as nervous as my Dad?" Fox gave James a teasing wink at the last part, and the elder McCloud chuckled.
"We'll be fine Fox, don't worry about us..." James exclaimed, while Peppy stepped up to give Fox a reassuring pat on the head.
"Me and Pigma will be watching his back, so even if he pulls his boneheaded stunts, we'll be there to save him, don't worry Fox!" Peppy laughed, and James and Fox both joined in for a moment. "We've gotta get back to the ship... wanna walk with us Fox?" the younger vulpine smiled at the hare.
"Yeah, sure... it's been a while since I've seen the Great Fox... still pristine as ever I'd imagine." Fox replied. James grinned at that.
"Of course it is... nobody gets close enough to us to leave a single mark on our ship, heh heh..." the three of them made their way out of General Pepper's office, and started down the hallway towards the Academy's hangar. "You know, once you graduate and become a full fledged pilot, you can join the Starfox team with us, Fox. I've practically got a room with your name on it onboard the Great Fox, heh heh..."
"Hmm, I don't know, I don't think General Pepper would much appreciate me ditching the CDF right after I graduate, to go off to be a mercenary with my father, heh heh..." Fox chuckled. Peppy and James both laughed at that, James patting Fox on the back.
"Well, we do plenty of jobs for General Pepper, so I think he'd make an exception for you... especially if you're just half as good as me!" James' voice turned teasing at the end, and Fox grinned, while Peppy let out a mock exasperated groan.
"See, this is why we'd need you Fox, we'd have another teammate to help shoulder James' ego, heh heh..." he clapped James shoulder, the older vulpine laughing, just before they entered the Academy hangar, and the Great Fox came into view. James let out a sigh of appreciation.
"Ah, it's spectacular isn't it?" James' voice was proud. "Always wanted my own ship, ever since I was just a little kid... and now I've got that, and my own merry little band of mercenaries too." he turned to Fox, smiling as he reached out to ruffle the fur between his son's ears, much to Fox's chagrin. "And hopefully soon, my very own son will be part of that too!"
"Yeah, yeah... we'll see..." Fox chuckled. The three of them stood there for a moment, before Peppy sighed.
"We should get going, start preparations..." he turned to Fox, giving the younger vulpine a smile, and he reached out to give his shoulder a pat. "It was great to see you Fox, it always feels like you were just a teen when I saw you last, heh heh... we'll be fine, don't worry about us." he gave Fox a farewell nod, before he turned and started to head over to the Great Fox. James turned to Fox, giving him a warm smile. Fox sighed, glancing around, before stepping forward to give his dad a goodbye hug.
"Be careful out there, okay?" he asked, as he stepped back. "Venom is bad news incarnate..."
"Heh, like Peppy said, we're gonna be alright... but I promise I'll be careful." James said in reply, giving Fox a final looking over. The younger vulpine could see the reflection of his face in his father's sunglasses. "Fox... keep up the good work with training... General Pepper told me he was extremely impressed with your performance... I'm proud of you, son. And your mother would be too." Fox felt a familial love at his father's words, and he hugged James once more.
"Thanks, Dad... I'll see you when you get back." James nodded, smiling at his son.
"Hopefully it won't be long... goodbye, Fox." the older McCloud turned away, and Fox watched him go, until his father disappeared from view into the Great Fox... and a few minutes later, the enormous homeship took off into the atmosphere. Fox sighed, taking a moment to reflect... his dad was going on a mission that he thought was dangerous enough to warrant coming to see him, just in case something happened? Fox usually didn't worry about his father, knowing how skilled he was, but this whole little visit just made him feel a little nervous this time... combined with the tough classes and now the combat simulators, this week was getting quite stressful.
"I might just end up with more tension after all..."
Panther closed his eyes, taking in a breath of the cool air, feeling the breeze pick up for a moment, blowing through his fur... he sighed, before opening his eyes again, and crouched down to pick up the sniper rifle, pressing the butt of the gun against his shoulder as he peered through the scope, watching a building down below the high rooftop he was perched on. He'd been here for a few hours... he'd gotten up, eaten a quick breakfast, stopped at a flower shop, and then made his way to this office rooftop... his first target was going to be eating lunch at a popular cafe, and this building had a perfect view through the cafe window of the spot he always sat in.
Panther smirked slightly as he saw a dark car pull up in front of the cafe, and some dark suited goons stepped out, heading into the cafe... the 'sweepers'. They'd go in, make sure nothing was out of order or suspicious, and then they'd call the boss's driver, and let him know it was safe to enter. Of course, they wouldn't be expecting danger to come from_above_... Panther's mind was focused as he saw the next car pull up... his target. The door opened, and one of his target's bodyguards stepped out, before ushering Panther's quarry out into the open.
"Vito Sohbaka... nice to see you in person..." Panther purred quietly, watching as the portly dog was led into the cafe by his bodyguards. Vito Sohbaka... one of Corneria City's 'made men' a leader in the Cornerian mafia... and just one of the men that Panther's employer wanted taken out. There were three more on his hit list. The big feline gently adjusted the scope as he watched Vito take a seat, right in the perfect position... he couldn't take the shot yet... Vito's guards were still on heightened alert, they'd only just arrived and were still being cautious. If he took Vito out now, they might be able to pinpoint where his shot had come from, before he was ready.
As Panther watched Vito order his food, his thoughts wandered slightly to last night... Fox's face appeared in his mind, and he felt that odd mix of lust, eagerness, and shame... 'I'm gonna be in this part of town for a while... I might... stop by the bar again.' he sighed softly as the memory of what he'd called out to Fox last night rose up. He hadn't planned on ever going back to that bar... but... it was as though he couldn't just let Fox walk out without saying it. It was impulsive, and Panther was not an impulsive guy. He blinked, ears flicking as he refocused on the job at hand, pushing thoughts of Fox away... it was interrupting his task.
His finger moved to the trigger of the rifle as Vito took a sip of coffee... the mafioso's goons weren't paying as much attention now. As Vito set the cup down, Panther zeroed his sights in on the canine's chest, and pulled the trigger. A beam of light shattered the window of the cafe, and as the glass fell to the ground, Panther could see Vito slump forward, a dark burn on his chest, right over his heart, a kill shot. Panther didn't waste time watching how Vito's guards would react, and he immediately started to take apart the rifle, practiced and efficient, tucking the parts back into his black duffel bag... as he sealed the bag, he turned to the second bag that he had sitting on the ground beside the duffel... he reached down, and removed the contents... a single red rose, that he quickly tied to the railing of the rooftop with a black ribbon, right where he'd been perched.
He picked up the duffel bag, and hurried to the rooftop door, opening it and heading into the stairwell, walking briskly down the stairs. The rose might be a _tad_over the top... but... the thought of leaving a 'calling card' would help gain a little recognition in the world of assassins for hire, leading to more jobs down the line. Panther made it to the bottom of the stairwell after a few moments, and headed quickly out of the nearest exit of the office building, making his way to his car, which he'd parked in the back lot. He could hear the commotion of pedestrians screaming all the way from here... all this panic, in just one single shot. Panther got into his car, and pulled out of the lot, heading down the road to make his way back to his hotel. He'd call his employer, and wait for payment confirmation before starting preparations for his next target.
He kept his eyes peeled for potential pursuers, and circled the hotel block until he was satisfied that nobody was following him. He parked, and made his way inside the hotel, getting his phone out as he entered the elevator. "Vito's done." he said as his employer picked up.
"I know, it's been all over the police radio chatter. Excellent work. I'll wire you your first money transfer, and then you've just got three left to handle."
"Understood." Panther hung up, checking his bank account over the phone, smiling as he saw his first installment of cash flow in. He tucked his phone back into his pocket, and made his way back to his room when the elevator reached his floor. He set the duffel bag down on the floor near the desk, and took a seat, opening the desk drawer and removing the dossier files he had on his targets, crossing out Vito's file, and opening his next one... time to study and plan.
Fox grumbled to himself as he reread the problem for the seventh time... today's homework was a set of problems on how to properly repair a damaged G-diffuser, a basic for any combat pilot. However, mechanics didn't come as easily to Fox and Falco as it did for Slippy. "Still working on problem five, Fox?" the toad chuckled, as he glanced up from his magazine... Mechanic Digest.
"That's the one..." Fox groaned. "It's important info to have, but I wish it was easier to understand..." His ears flicked as Falco snapped his pencil in half, also groaning with frustration.
"This assignment sucks! It's easier to understand if I was standing in front of a damaged G-diffuser right now, but all this stuff on paper is so confusing!" the avian huffed, getting up from his bed and heading over to the small fridge they had in the dorm room, getting a bottle of water and sipping some. Slippy couldn't help but snicker.
"Well, looks like there's a subject that I can best both of you in, hahaha!" the toad laughed gleefully, and Fox chuckled along with him while Falco made a face at Slippy behind his back. "I finished that paper in about ten minutes!"
"Yeah, well, maybe having a famous inventor for a father could have something to do with that, Slip..." Falco sighed as he leaned against the wall. Fox's ears flicked.
"Speaking of fathers... my dad came to see me today." Fox piped up.
"Oh? That's who your visitor was? What did he want?" Slippy asked curiously.
"He wanted to check up on me, but he also told me that the Starfox team is going on a special mission... he just wanted to let me know I guess."
"Heh... he came all this way to tell you about a special mission? Maybe he's just trying to boost your incentive to become just as badass as he is, heh heh..." Falco chuckled. Fox laughed at that.
"Right... maybe he'll pick me up a matching pair of sunglasses too, heh heh..." Fox snickered, tail flicking. He looked over the assignment problem again, brow furrowing, and he wrote down what he thought was an acceptable answer... and sighed as the next problem was even tougher. "I'm about ready to snap my pencil in half too..." he groaned. Slippy giggled, looking a little smug.
"You know, you two can give in, and just ask me for help at any time..." the amphibian teased. Falco let out a huff of indignation, sitting back down on his bunk.
"I can do this myself! It'll... just take a few hours longer..." the avian mumbled. Fox sighed, nodding.
"As much as I'd love to get an assist, I have to agree... I gotta learn how to do this myself..." Fox replied, sounding exasperated. Slippy shrugged, snickering.
"Alright then, suit yourselves... I'll just be right here, totally available for help..." he answered, continuing to read his magazine, a slight smirk on his face. As Falco had said, it was indeed a few hours later, that Fox managed to complete his assignment. He grinned in relief as he set the completed paper down on his desk, along with his pencil.
"Finally finished..." he sighed, stretching... he glanced over at Falco, grinning as the avian scowled at him.
"Gah, just rub it in, Fox! I still have two problems left, you just barely beat me!" he complained. Fox laughed at that.
"Well, guess you better hurry up then, Falco!" Fox teased, smirking as Falco flipped him off. Fox glanced out the window, seeing that the sun had just set... and he found his thoughts drifting to last night, meeting Panther, and going back to his hotel room with him. 'I'm gonna be in this part of town for a while... I might... stop by the bar again.' He bit his lip... he usually only went out to Nebulow once or twice a month, when stress had built up some. But... today had been rather hectic, right? It wouldn't hurt to go a second night in a row... "Hey, I'm going out for a while. See you when I get back, if you're still awake..." he told Falco and Slippy, as he took his jacket off the hook. Falco raised his hands in exasperation.
"Annnnd, now he's going out to get laid again! Fox, you're killing me here!" Falco groaned, as Slippy laughed.
"Have a nice time!" the toad called as Fox opened the door to head out. The vulpine waved, grinning.
"Yeah, I hope I will! See you!"
Panther sighed to himself in satisfaction as he scooted the chair back from the desk, and stood up, stretching the numbness out of his legs. He'd spent some time studying the dossiers, and looking up places of interest for his next target... he'd have to do a little reconnaissance on foot before making his moves, but he had a plan in mind already. He glanced out the window of the hotel room, seeing the glow of the city lights below...
Today had been good, his first hit had gone well, and now his plans for his second hit were ready to begin. It'd be nice to unwind a little... his mind turned once again to a certain vulpine, and sighed to himself in torn contemplation. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table... it was late, but not too late... he could head out to the bar again. But it's not like Fox would be there, right? The vulpine had said he only went there once or twice a month...
I suppose I can just see if he's there, and leave if he isn't... Panther thought hesitantly. He scratched his head, before groaning in resignation, and turned to start putting away the dossier on his target. What the hell is wrong with me...? After he'd gotten the files in the drawer, Panther took his jacket off the chair, and headed out the door, making his way to the elevator. As the doors closed, and his reflection stared back at him, Panther could practically feel butterflies in his stomach, and he looked away from his reflection uncomfortably, feeling shame swimming around with his hopes to see Fox tonight. It's just a phase... just gotta get it out of my system.
The walk to Nebulow seemed to be longer than it was yesterday night, and Panther's anxiety seemed to grow with every step. He closed his eyes as he placed his hand on the door handle, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself a little. Why was it so much harder to come here tonight? He pulled the door open and stepped inside, hoping he wasn't moving as nervously as he felt.
There were no males making out in the booths tonight, the big cat observed... in fact, it seemed much quieter. He took a look around, eyes peeled for Fox... and he felt disappointment as he saw the vulpine wasn't here. He bit his lip, half turning to leave... but stopped. I came all the way here... might as well wait for ten damn minutes, get a drink... Panther sighed mentally. He stepped up to the farthest spot at the bar, hoping none of the other patrons would bother him, and signaled the bartender over.
"Another Black Rose cocktail for you, sir?" the bartender smiled, remembering Panther from the night before. Panther nodded.
"Yes, thank you..." he answered, glad that his voice wasn't stiff and nervous. The bartender moved to start making Panther's drink, and the muscular feline glanced around the bar again, seeing a few scattered couples at the tables and booths... none of them were really paying attention to him, which gave him a little relief. He swallowed uncomfortably as he noticed some of them holding hands... it was so odd to see males so openly showing affection, like normal couples. Panther turned his attention back to the bartender as his Black Rose cocktail was set down in front of him.
Panther picked it up, taking a sip, and closing his eyes to savor the taste... and as he opened his eyes again, his ears flicked, and he felt his spirits raise, as a familiar face stepped into the bar. Fox... Panther felt a spark of heat light up inside himself, as he ran his gaze over Fox's boyishly handsome face. The vulpine was glancing around, and Panther felt that eagerness creeping through his system again. He raised his hand as Fox turned in his direction, and waved a little, flashing the vulpine a grin. He saw Fox grin back, his fluffy tail flicking, before he made his way over to Panther, a practical spring in his step.
"Hey there, Panther... looks like you bought your own drink this time, heh..." Fox chuckled, as he sat beside Panther at the bar. Panther smirked, taking another sip of his cocktail.
"Indeed I did... so since _I_was here first this time, I'll buy yours." Panther signaled the bartender again. "His drink, on my tab." he ordered, and Fox chuckled.
"Careful there... I might just order something pricey." the vulpine grinned at Panther, before turning to the bartender. "I'll have an Aquas Sunset." The bartender nodded, smiling, as he moved to make Fox's drink. Panther chuckled.
"Ooh, sounds better than what you were drinking last time..." he teased. He sipped his Black Rose again. "So... must have been a stressful day, if you're back here again so soon..." Fox laughed at that.
"You could say that... of course, _maybe_I was just hoping _you'd_be here again, heh..." Fox answered coyly, tail flicking. Panther smiled, almost on reflex, at that. He felt a bit of warm pleasure rise up in his chest at the thought of Fox coming here just to see him again.
"Left a good impression on you, did I?" Panther purred. "I'd be lying if I said you didn't do the same for me..." The bartender stepped up, setting down Fox's drink, a dark liquor on the bottom, with a small layer of a colorful one on top, before giving the two of them a smile, stepping away again. Fox kept his sea green eyes on Panther as he sipped his drink. He looked rather pleased at Panther's words, and he smiled at the cat after setting his glass down.
"Heh... yes, you left an _exceptionally_good impression on me... I think I used the words 'Best I've had, ever' last night, didn't I?" Fox smiled slyly. "Glad to hear I left a good impression on you too..." the vulpine's tail flicked again, and Panther had the strangest urge to run his fingers through it, though he sipped his drink instead. "So... did _you_have a stressful day, Panther? _Or_did you just come here hoping you'd find me? You seemed to make it a point to tell me you might show up here again, last night..." Fox asked, a tease in his voice.
Panther smirked slightly at the first part of the question. It hadn't been a_stressful_ day exactly, but it had been a _long_one... he felt his cheeks warm slightly at the second part of Fox's question, and he was immensely grateful his dark fur could hide it. "Ah, it was a good day for me, just a bit of a long one... I figured... I might stop here to grab a drink, unwind a little..." he gave Fox a charming smile. "...I _did_hope to see you though, I admit... we both enjoyed last night, and I was hoping that we could perhaps enjoy a second one..." he answered.
"Oh, I see... well, that's fortunate for me... because I think I'd _quite_like to unwind with you again too, Panther..." Fox answered, a playful spark in his eyes, and a smile on his lips, before he sipped his drink once more. He set the glass down, letting one finger trail around the rim of it slowly. "Say... you let me try your drink last time... wanna try mine?" the vulpine asked, keeping eye contact. Panther grinned.
"If it's alright with you..." the feline replied. Fox smiled, slowly sliding his glass over with the finger he'd had running around the rim. Panther picked up the glass, also keeping eye contact as he sipped Fox's drink. His eyebrow raised at the flavor, the lighter colored alcohol being sweet, but not overpowering of the darker alcohol underneath it. "Hmm... it's good... with a name like 'Aquas Sunset' I wasn't sure what to expect, heh heh..." he set the glass down, and mimicked Fox, sliding the glass back to him slowly with one finger.
"I could have asked for a Venom Gutpunch, but the bartender tends to always make the same 'You're talking about the drink, right?' joke, heh heh..." Fox chuckled, and Panther chuckled along with him. The big cat took another drink of his cocktail, noting that he'd almost finished it. "So... what do you do, Panther?" Fox asked casually, taking a drink of his own beverage. Panther blinked, before smiling with amusement.
"I'm a... freelance businessman, of sorts." he answered. "I take on clients who want problems in _their_business taken care of, and I get those problems out of their way." Fox chuckled at that.
"I'd have never guessed a businessman, heh..." Fox said. "Maybe a bodyguard, or a bouncer, but not a businessman." the vulpine chuckled, sipping his drink again, almost finished himself. Panther grinned at him.
"What makes me look like I'm _not_a businessman?" he asked teasingly. Fox laughed at that, grinning back at Panther.
"Well, maybe it's just me, but I've _never_seen a businessman with such a nice physique..." Fox replied, his voice coy, giving Panther a blatant looking over, which made the feline chuckle, pleased.
"Well, I have to keep in shape... don't want to end up as a fat cat, such a stereotype for felines in the business world, heh heh..." Panther joked, finishing off his cocktail. Fox grinned at that, raising his own glass to finish up his drink, setting the empty glass down on the bar.
"Well, I would say that you've _definitely_accomplished that goal..." Fox chuckled. The pair of them met eyes, gazing at each other for a moment, and the big feline let out an approving purr, anticipation rising now that they were done here... Panther set down his payment for the drinks and stood up, Fox rising as well.
"How about... you and I accomplish something together in my hotel room now, hmm?" Panther asked, a good mix of cheeky and charming in his tone, and Fox grinned again, letting his tail brush subtly over Panther's.
"Sounds like a plan..." the vulpine replied with eagerness, winking at Panther.
The sexual tension between the two of them had been at a steady simmer on the short trip to Panther's hotel, and by the time they'd entered his room, it was at a full on boiling point. Panther purred into the nape of Fox's neck, his teeth grazing there just enough for the vulpine to feel the sharp tips, as the dark furred feline massaged at Fox's hips, the vulpine riding him reverse. Fox let out a heated moan as he sank down on Panther's thick cock, feeling it rub firmly into his sweet spot as he worked his rump up and down on it, feeling Panther's strong hands on his hips, his teeth teasing at the back of his neck... his sexy deep purrs, and hot breath against him.
"Hahhh... nnh... liking the ride?" Fox asked, his tone lustful and breathy, and Panther chuckled lowly into the nape of Fox's neck, before he slid his hands from Fox's hips and up around his torso, fingertips trailing over the vulpine's lithe, trim musculature, his claws teasing ever so softly. Fox shivered with sensation, his breath hitching for a slight moment.
"Mmm...immensely..." the big feline answered, his deep voice still smooth and unshaken, but Fox could hear the heated edge of sex on his tone, before he couldn't help but let out a breathless gasp, as Panther rolled his hips up in time with Fox's own downward motion, the head of his cock scoring a direct hit on the vulpine's sweet spot. Panther's voice had a subtle and pleased growl in it as Fox tightened in response to the thrust. "...am I a pleasant passenger?"
"Oh, yeah, you're great... ahhn..." Fox moaned out, sliding his hands down Panther's thighs, feeling the muscles, as he rolled his hips for the feline, making Panther let out a pleased groan. The big cat ran the tip of one claw around one of Fox's nipples, making the vulpine shudder slightly and arch his back, as he felt Panther's other hand slide down his torso, the pads of his fingers trailing over his lithe abs... Fox leaned his head back, eyes closing as he panted and gasped, riding Panther smoothly. He took one hand off of Panther's legs, and reached down to grip himself, pumping his weeping shaft, biting his lip as his climax fast approached, sparks and heat shooting through his nerves as Panther started to meet all of his downward thrusts halfway, the feline's own breaths becoming heavier...
With a high moan, Fox tightened harshly around Panther as his climax struck, and he pumped himself faster as he did his best to keep riding. Panther let out a deep growl of pleasure, strong hands sliding right back down to grip Fox's hips himself, as he held the vulpine still, bucking his own hips up at a fast, hard pace, slamming up into Fox's squeezing rump as his own climax pushed him over the edge, heated shots of cum firing deep into the vulpine. Fox gasped at the sudden rush, before he shuddered as they both rode out their orgasms, until they dwindled down, and the two of them were both left panting softly... Panther laid back, letting out a long breath, hands still on Fox's hips, until the vulpine gingerly dismounted him, and sprawled out beside him. They were quiet for a few moments, merely enjoying the afterglow, before Fox sat up with a sigh. "Mmm... so... better than last time?" he turned his head to grin at Panther. "On all fours was nice, but you did most of the work there... figured I'd switch that up heh heh..."
Panther chuckled, resisting the urge to reach out and stroke Fox's tail. "It was nice watching you work... well, better than nice..." he smiled back at Fox, eyes trailing along his body. "You move your hips so smoothly... I bet you're a good dancer." Fox blinked, before he started to laugh, making Panther chuckle as well.
"Believe it or not, you're not the first guy to say that to me..." Fox chuckled. "...but no, I actually don't dance, it's too embarrassing, heh heh..." Panther gave him a teasing smirk.
"_Dancing_is what you find too embarrassing? Considering how much you like to tease, I find that hard to believe..." Panther himself had danced plenty... though he'd only ever done it with women. Fox laughed a little.
"Well, the only place I could dance around here, granted, if I ever felt the urge to, is Nebulow, and trust me, anyone there wouldn't be so much dancing with me, as they'd be grinding on my ass..." Fox pointed out, his tone amused. "And that's not exactly the way I prefer to choose a guy, heh heh..." he stretched, letting out a pleased sigh. Panther appreciated the sight, and he sat up as well, letting out a hum.
"When you put it that way, I agree... any grinding that occurs, should be after you've wooed your target into _wanting_it." Panther teased. Fox laughed again, turning to give Panther a nudge.
"Oh, is that how it works? You wooed me into wanting you to 'grind' me?" Fox chuckled. "Don't forget, I'm the one who made the first move... so who wooed who, exactly? The vulpine gave Panther a teasing wink, making the big feline chuckle softly. Fox leaned back on his hands, glancing at the digital clock on the bedside table... it was rather late. He'd have to head back to the Academy dorms. He let out a disappointed sigh. "It's pretty late, I've gotta head back..."
Panther blinked as he felt a wave of disappointment at that, finding that he rather wanted Fox to stick around for a little while more. "You can use the shower again if you want..." Fox turned back to him with a grateful smile.
"Thanks, I'll be quick..." he got up from the bed, and headed into the bathroom. Panther sighed as the sound of the shower started up... he stood up from the bed as well, stretching, before he stepped over to the glass doors of the balcony, looking out over the lights of the city... such a beautiful sight, which only made Panther let out a slightly amused hum. Appearances were deceiving indeed, as only someone involved in the shadows of Corneria City's underworld could appreciate how dangerous it could be, despite how postcard perfect the view from his hotel was.
The muscular feline's eyes shifted from the lights of the city below, to his own reflection in the glass doors, and his mind was suddenly beset upon with thoughts of deep shame. Panther clenched his jaw slightly, the fact that he'd given into his unacceptable urges for males again, after already crossing a line and indulging in them the night before, with the same man no less, and enjoyed it so thoroughly, was starting to make him feel queasy, like he had serpents slithering through his insides. He swallowed hard, and turned away from his reflection, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes... it's just a... just... a thing I'm going through... it'll pass. His ears flicked as he heard the shower shut off, and he sighed, opening his eyes, and looking up as Fox stepped out of the bathroom, drying off with a towel. The vulpine looked up, flashing the big feline a smile.
Panther returned one of his own, almost like a reflex he couldn't help... he was stunned for a moment at how the vulpine so rapidly affected his demeanor. He felt the snakes in his belly vanish, the tenseness of his feelings suddenly loosening up... maybe it was because Fox looked rather cute with his fur looking fluffed out from drying off, combined with his bright smile. "It's all yours, Panther!" the vulpine tossed the towel into the hamper, bending down to pick up the strewn articles of his clothing... they'd been rather quick to undress when they'd arrived in the hotel room. Panther felt a spark of heat as he watched the vulpine bend down like that, his gaze admiring the curves of Fox's lithe form. Fox noticed him watching, and he chuckled teasingly. "Enjoy the view, 'cause it'll be gone when you get out of the shower, heh heh..."
Panther let out an exaggerated sound of disappointment, grinning at Fox. "Aww... makes me wish I'd have gone in with you, enjoy you a little longer..." he teased, and Fox laughed, slipping his shirt on.
"Maybe next time!" he seemed to catch himself for a moment, pausing, before letting out a slightly abashed chuckle. "Well, if_there's a next time... I won't be at Nebulow tomorrow." the vulpine's gaze shifted to look at Panther from the side as he slipped on his briefs, his green eyes holding a probing speculation. "...I can probably be there the day after though, that is, _if you'd like to meet up aga-"
"Yes." Panther was again shaken at how reflexively his answer seemed to shoot out of his mouth, and he had to fight to keep his own surprise off his face. He was again grateful for his darker fur, his heated cheeks hidden from Fox's sight. "I mean, I'll try to make some time to go there, I may get held back if my client needs further assistance... but yeah... I'd like to meet up again." There was a slightly awkward silence for a moment, Fox sliding his pants up, before he turned to smile at Panther.
"Well then... hopefully I'll see you there." he picked up his jacket, and slipped it on. He gave Panther a wave as he headed for the door. "Thanks again for a nice night..." he opened the hotel room door, stopping to look over his shoulder at Panther with a sly smirk. "...well, better than nice." he echoed Panther's earlier tease, winking at the feline, before heading out, and Panther couldn't help but chuckle at the vulpine's playful attitude. He wondered briefly what Fox did for a living, but those thoughts were pushed aside as suddenly his cellphone's ringer went off, startling him for a moment, before he cursed, scrambling through his discarded clothes to take it out of his jacket.
"Caroso." he answered as he held the phone up to his ear.
"The_rose_ was a little obnoxious, don't you think?" The irritation in the his employer's tone was obvious to pick up, even through the electronically altered voice. "I just got my hands on the crime scene info... you left a rose tied to the spot you shot from... what the hell? I hired you because you had an impressive skill set, and because you were a nobody in the hired gun business...not for you to try and make your assignment into some kind of self advertising publicity stunt to boost your cred." Panther felt his own irritation rising... these hits were all _very_high profile mafia targets, and he quite suspected that his client a member of the mob, and was using him to stage some sort of coup, without getting his own hands dirty, and revealing himself. If he wanted to leave a calling card, and make a name for himself in this business, he would damn well do it.
"You hired me to take care of your problems, and so far, I've fixed one of them, a perfect kill shot, and I wasn't caught. Your list will be completed, but unless one of these hits goes sideways due to a mistake on my part, I'll thank you to keep your comments on how I perform my job to yourself." he heard his employer's angry intake of breath, and the feline interrupted before the reply. "Your second target will be done tomorrow. Goodbye." he hung up, setting the phone down on the desk, and sighed. He stepped away, heading into the bathroom to take his own shower...
He avoided looking in the mirror, and turned on a hot spray of water, before stepping into the shower stall. As he washed, his mind turned again to the fact that he'd impulsively agreed to try and meet Fox again, the day after tomorrow... he swallowed. He was not impulsive by nature, and yet that was twice that he'd blurted something out to Fox, to involve meeting up with him again. His plan to purge his shameful urges by indulging in them for one night, had already spiraled into TWO nights... and now he'd agreed to go for a THIRD? Well, he'd told Fox he would TRY to make time to go to Nebulow again... that was a way out. Panther let out a slow breath... maybe I'll be out of this phase by then...
Fox stepped into the dorm room, chuckling softly as he saw Slippy and Falco both asleep in their beds... he quietly shut the door, and started to undress, heading over to flop down into his own bed, sighing softly. Tonight had been good again... Panther was great in bed, and he was so charming... Fox was fairly certain he'd made the feline blush a few times, though it was hard to tell through his darker fur. The vulpine wondered if he'd see Panther again after tomorrow... when he'd stepped out of the bathroom, Panther had had a rather torn looking expression on his face, that he'd quickly changed, but not before Fox had seen it. I wonder if he's working through some personal things... it was his first trip to a bar like Nebulow the other day... wonder if it was his first time with another male too. First times engaging in 'taboo' behavior are always kind of nerve wracking.
Fox turned onto his side, closing his eyes. The instructors had said tomorrow would be a hard simulator to show them how things really_got in the battlefield, and then a firearms trial, followed by another test on airborne maneuvering... it was going to be a tough day. He'd be feeling _plenty of stress for sure by the next day, and going to Nebulow to hopefully find Panther there would be a great relief... not only was Panther good in bed, but Fox found him to be interesting as a person too... even through the charm, Panther seemed to be more guarded than most guys, and it only made Fox curious enough to wonder more about him. He yawned, his last thoughts before sleep turning to his father, and the secret mission to Venom... "Stay safe, dad..." he murmured, before sleep took him.