FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

** Chapter 13: Rubicon**

After some rummaging and location of suitable snacks and water I found myself sitting on the couch with an admittedly cute Cerinian vixen nestled in my arms, allowing for her still healing limb. “So, what are you in the mood to watch?" I inquired. “Lighthearted, serious, action, historical? I don't currently have access to the sequels to the one we watched last night, so we will have to look at something else."

She glanced up at me for a few seconds before returning her attention to the tablet. “What's this one? Need for Speed? The title looks interesting; what is it about?"

I paused for a moment, blinking at her. “Well, I'm not sure if you'd have much interest in it, but it's a movie that deals with street racing. It's a decent flick but it goes into technical details about cars that you might not understand…"

She cut me off with a kiss; the gentle brush of her lips almost electric. “I don't mind. I sense this is something you are interested in, and I would like to understand your likes and interests. We come from different worlds and we have a lot to learn about each other." The vixen nestled against my chest as I cued up the movie, her amused voice echoing softly over the opening music. “Plus, you make a great pillow." I couldn't help but answer with a short laugh.

The normally two hour movie took far longer than that, and not just because we took the time to make a hasty dinner of noodles and dried meat from her dwindling stock of supplies. Krystal had a lot of questions to ask, primarily about how cars worked and the less realistic aspects of the movie. Thankfully I was a moderately skilled DIY mechanic; by the end of the movie she had a layman's understanding of engines, transmissions, and just how expensive some of those Hollywood machines actually were. As the credits rolled she looked up to me. “So, you were involved in these sorts of things; the vehicle racing? I sense this was something you shared with friends."

I nodded at her. “Yeah. Not always on the level, but the people I ran with used more rural, remote routes that weren't traveled at night. The cars featured in the movie were by and large the domain of the very wealthy, but some of us could build cars that came relatively close. We also competed in sanctioned events; track days, autocross, and rallycross. We were in it more for the friendships and camaraderie. Racing for prizes or cash was rare; especially rare for street racing. Sometimes you'd have some blowhards go at it for a few grand, but those were the guys whose mouths usually wrote checks their asses couldn't cash."

It took her a moment to understand the expression, which elicited a laugh. The vixen tucked her head into my shoulder, a contented sigh leaving her lips before she asked another question. “So, what sorts of these machines do you have? Just the one you left at the Warpstone?"

I glanced up to the ceiling, lost in thought for a moment. “I have a few but that's the only one that made it here, as far as I know." I answered. “It's my everyday car; a BMW 740i. It's a luxury sedan; a vehicle meant for comfort. However, it is regarded as a reliable and well-built car; the engine is also fairly powerful if a bit thirsty."

“A vehicle like that will be useful on Saurian trails, at least as long as we can find fuel for it." She had a very good point. I recalled the fuel barrels that the Sharpclaw liked to hoard; the fact I shot one while in the Palace had demonstrated the fact they existed. I'd have to find one and see if it would work; for the time being the BMW had a full tank and that equated to a range of nearly 400 miles if I took it easy on the highways. Obviously I would get considerably less than that, but it was something. “Did you have any others?"

I blinked at the question. I had a bit of a collection; likely still near the hole where my house once stood. “Yeah. My grandfather had an old Toyota pickup; remember that one from Back to the Future, the four-by-four? He gave that to me a few years back, when he became unable to drive. There's also my hachiroku; a classic, simple sports car that's kind of a cultural icon, and the MR2 Turbo I bought after Kevin passed. I don't think any of those made it here, however."

“You make it sound like you're a collector of these vehicles." Krystal smiled; an amused glint in her eye as she looked up at me. “When did you become interested in them?"

“When I was a kid." I answered, shooting her an equally bemused look. “We had a neighbor when I was little; he had an older version of the MR2 I now own. In a sea of beige, domestic family sedans, it was a flashy, bright red, sleek machine. I used to watch him wash it, and he even let me sit in it a couple times." I paused for a moment, glancing up at the ceiling as the past flashed before my eyes; the memories faded but still brilliant enough that I was almost transported back then. “I tried to get one as my first car but missed out; it took many years but I was able to find mine."

Once more memories flashed past; late nights Kevin and I had in the garage getting the rebuilt engine back in and the body prepped for paint. We got it running a few short months before his death. “It's hard to describe. The looks, the cool curves of the metal on your fingertips. That sweet growl from the exhaust and the howl it makes when you've got it running at full tilt. It's comforting."

The vixen grinned at me. “Your feelings speak for you. The passion you express for these vehicles comes from your connection with your youth and the friendships you made along the way. Those kinds of bonds are rare and you are right to treasure them." I felt her fingers lace with mine as her expression grew curious. “This leads me to something else. Who taught you skill at arms?"

I blinked at her; that was an interesting segue into a different kind of question. Thankfully it was one I had an answer to. “A combination of my grandfather and my uncle. Both were military. My uncle never saw combat but he was in a branch of our military that specialized in it. My grandfather was trained in unconventional warfare. My family strongly suspected he was involved in espionage, training resistance fighters, and sabotage operations; he was sworn to secrecy until his death and he kept that promise." I glossed over some of it as I wasn't sure how to explain the history behind World War Two and the Nazis as well as my grandfather's contribution to their downfall. “I wasn't really into hunting like they were, but I enjoyed target shooting."

“I understand. We may need to do it in order to stretch our food supply; between the two of us we might have two or three weeks' worth of provisions in the ship." She gave me a thoughtful look. “You have some food in your dwelling, though it might not be enough. We should at least be able to catch fish and some of those Dumbledang pods." She flashed me a toothy grin.

“One of those Pukpuk eggs would likely make one hell of an omelet." I quipped. “Get some pancake mix going, some maple syrup, and make a real breakfast of champions."

“If the mental images you're fixated on are any indication that looks delicious." Her grin widened a little bit. “I'll hold you to making that if we get the chance. I feel like I've been asking all the questions; your world seems quite fascinating. Is there anything you would like to know about Cerinia?"

I nodded. “I'm not sure where to begin, Krys. I've gotten snippets from you and I saw the picture frame you have on your nightstand. It almost sounds like your people have some sort of clan or caste system going on. How does that work?"

The vixen nestled further into my arms, her grin fading to a more relaxed look. “Temeris is one of the larger cities on Cerinia, with a population of about forty thousand. The High Temple oversees the city, though they have a Council composed of the head couples of each of the Clans. There are about twenty different Clans in Temeris; mine, Clan Sallas, is one of the larger ones with about two thousand members. The Clans oversee various trades and contribute specially trained Guardians and Priests to keep order and attend to the needs of the High Temple."

“My Clan has a tradition of service in the Guardians as well as providing protection for trading caravans. We also acted as liaisons between regional merchants and Lylatian traders." Her expression soured for a moment and I felt her tense up. “Until the pirate attack, at least."

With those words I hugged her closer. “You don't have to go into detail if it hurts to do so, hon."

Krystal shook her head. “It's okay, che. It's helpful to have someone to talk to about these things. My Clan was hit very hard in the attacks, along with Clan Ireth. They were one of the largest Clans in Temeris; responsible for trade with other cities and prefectures as well as maintaining relationships with Lylatian traders. They were the merchants and we were their guards, in a way."

“How bad was it?" I inquired; internally wincing at the question as soon as it left my lips. I felt her stiffen for a brief moment before looking up at me; pain evident in her emerald gaze.

“Most everyone I knew in Clan Sallas is dead, including nearly all of my family. The pirates landed near our section of the city and were shooting us before we fully realized what was going on." She blinked tears away as her hand fell upon mine. Before I realized what was happening she brushed her nightgown aside and I felt the warm, luxuriantly soft fur of her stomach on my fingertips. I didn't have time to question the abruptness of her actions as her fingers pressed down on my hand, pushing through her silken coat. I felt a hard knot of scar tissue underneath, scarcely the diameter of a dime; about where I assumed her liver would be. I looked down to see a serious yet sad expression on her face; a look that I had only seen before on acquaintances who had seen combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had taken some range days last summer to train with a friend who had served in both theaters; along with some rudimentary tactics he had given some stories that drove the point home that war either wounded your soul or corrupted it.

“Fifteen minutes, Adam. Fifteen minutes between their ships landing and my being shot. Jalner, my lifemate, died saving my life. He managed to carry me to a place where the pirates didn't find me. I woke up in the city sanatorium; other Cerinians who were wounded in the attack told me of those they took captive." She shuddered and looked away for a moment, a sigh escaping her lips. “My remaining cousins looked after me until High Priest Meran and his Moonkin arrested me." She paused for a moment before offering an explanation. “Moonkin are elite guards meant to protect our temples, High Priests, and Elders. They are highly trained in both physical combat as well as use of our Art and do not belong to any Clan."

“This is when they accused you of the whole dereliction of duty thing?" I asked. Absentmindedly I started running my fingers through her fur; I wasn't aware of what I was doing until I felt her body noticeably relax despite the serious subject matter of our discussion.

She nodded, returning her gaze to mine. “I don't remember much of what happened, other than the Moonkin taking me and the possessions my remaining family had left me in the sanitorium." She pointed towards the picture frame which sat next to the bed. “I was still recovering from my wounds and not thinking clearly. I only remember the verdict and sentencing, then waking up aboard this ship."

My absentminded exploring continued, though I was aware of the softness of her fur and the firmness of her stomach underneath. I admit to a bit of embarrassment as I thought about how driving a desk for the past few years made me soft; however that was cut off as she nestled closer to me.

“Gods, I've missed this." Krystal glanced up at me as she tucked her head into my shoulder. I could feel the warmth of her breath against my neck and her silky fur against my side. It felt comfortable, but an idle thought started to take shape in my mind. Once again the vixen answered the unspoken question that had been brewing. “The closeness, I mean. Not just physically; the mental and emotional comfort of being around someone else is something I haven't experienced in a long time."

The idle question had become more of a realization. “Your telepathic abilities." I mused. “Being alone is unsettling for Cerinians, I take it?" It made sense; if her talents were as natural to her as sight or touch being locked in this shuttle for an entire year wouldn't have been easy. I was about to question the wisdom of pushing platonic boundaries, though the fact we were expressing a casual level of physical intimacy left little doubt those boundaries were currently being worked on by a sledgehammer.

“Yes." Her simple answer was punctuated by the glide of her muzzle against my chin; I felt her fingers trace idle patterns on my chest as I let mine continue to explore her silken fur. Without being obvious about it we hadn't really stopped our tentative, hesitant exploration of each other; something else I wouldn't normally find myself doing to someone I didn't consider a partner. “Your insight isn't wrong, che. We thrive on connection and community; exile is a punishment feared more than death among my people. Cerinians are known to go mad without connection to their families, friends, and mates. Even those without active abilities like mine, the so-called lowborn classes, feel that connection."

“How were you able to survive like this?" I asked, glancing down to my vulpine companion. I was being careful to not brush against her broken arm too much, but she didn't seem to mind that it was tucked in between us. I caught a flash of sadness in her emerald eyes as I asked the question.

“I don't know." Her answer was accentuated by a pensive tone in her voice. “The memories of the past year feel dull; as if a fog had settled over my mind. It may have been Meran's influence keeping the worst of it at bay, though I have had thoughts I am not proud of; thoughts I nearly acted on during some of my worst moments." I felt her shudder against me as her eyes squeezed shut; the insides of her ears flaring in a deep blush. When she spoke the pensiveness was replaced by a sheepish note. “There are certain periods of time which are, well… difficult for a vixen, especially if they lack companionship."

Her answer confused me, though she seemed a little embarrassed to continue. “I don't wish to pry, but is everything okay?"

If anything, the blush in Krystal's ears grew after I asked that question. “That is an awkward question, but I think the… differences between us require an explanation, che." She took a deep breath and shifted so that I could see her a bit more clearly; those brilliant emerald eyes framing a sheepish expression on her features as she spoke. “Cerinians as well as most Lylatian species, have, well…" She paused for a moment; biting her lip as I could see her struggling for words. “We… have mating seasons. For Cerinians it is twice a year, though we are capable of mating outside of our seasons." She shut her eyes, turning her face away from mine. “I apologize if I am being inappropriate by mentioning this, but I have gone through two seasons whilst alone in this ship and I can tell that…" She broke off again, placing her good hand on the one I hadn't quite removed from her midriff. Instead of pulling my hand away she held it there; her fingers lacing with mine as she found her voice again. “I'm almost due for my next season. I can feel it; I would be surprised if changes in my scent haven't been part of the reason why we have been drawn to each other."

I blinked at her; arching an eyebrow at the vixen as I mulled over the information. She smelled very nice, though I figured that pheromones meant to attract Cerinians wouldn't really work on me. This also brought other questions to mind. Did this mean that our actions over the past couple of days, the physical closeness and emotional intimacy we had started sharing, was just because of this? I tried to gather my thoughts for a moment, though I was sure she could sense the odd mix of confusion and a building blanket of doubt that started settling over my senses. “I… understand." I started to sit up a little straighter; looking into her eyes as I puzzled for a bit longer.

What I wasn't expecting was that her hand kept mine held tight to her body; her thumb brushing against the back of my hand gently; almost sensually. “This is a lot for both of us to unpack, Krys." I closed my eyes for a moment before returning my gaze to hers; her expression was calm yet I could tell by the look in her eyes there was a bit of nervousness. “I know we went over this before, but things feel like they're moving very quickly and I want to make absolutely sure you are comfortable with this, biological urges or no."

A soft, sweet smile tugged at her lips. “I am very much comfortable with sharing affection with you, che. I have missed being close to someone. From your thoughts, I know you feel the same."

She had a point. Despite the awkward circumstances I really missed this. The closeness, the deep conversation; there was a part of me that I kept very much locked away which was crying out for this. I had a hard time keeping it at bay, especially with what was going on. “It's hard for me to admit, but yeah. I have missed the closeness." Inwardly I cringed, yet that lasted only a split moment as my unexpected companion nosed against the nape of my neck.

“Why is it hard for you to express that?" Krystal's voice was more curious than accusatory. “It is natural to want to express physical intimacy with someone you care about, is it not?" Once again a hint of her scent wafted to my nose; that spicy-sweet hint of cinnamon and cloves that I couldn't help but find alluring. Yet, her question played through my mind.

I endeavored to answer, though I found the truth of the matter easier to eke out of my inner thoughts than I had anticipated. “I feel it's a sign of vulnerability, Krys." I pointed out. “Maybe it comes with how relationships usually work on my world, or maybe it's the consequences of getting hurt and hurting others trying to go through the minefield of dating and relationships. I really don't know. However, showing that kind of vulnerability to anyone can be an open invitation for them to take advantage of it." I let out a sharp sigh as I leaned back against the couch, Krystal moving to nestle against me as I found a spot that seemed comfortable for both of us.

“You are concerned you persuaded me into sharing affection with you, especially as you've been attracted to me from about the time we met in Krazoa Palace." The tone of her voice lacked an edge; there was more of a gentle curiosity behind her words than anything else. “And after I found out about the entertainment program, I noticed a few faint mental images from you." Her smile became slightly more mischievous as she continued. “It's not too difficult to tell that your attraction to me started from that program, though you've kept those thoughts private where others probably wouldn't."

I felt myself flush red-hot with the admission. That meant she had at least some idea that I'd perused a fair share of spicy artwork featuring her, albeit from a period in time when I had thought she was simply a fictional character and not a real Cerinian vixen. Adding to the complication was the fact I acted on that attraction last night and she responded in kind; something that I hadn't anticipated. “You're not wrong, hon." I admitted. “I hid that as I really didn't want those thoughts getting in the way, or you getting the wrong impression about why I sought you out."

I wasn't prepared for her to lean forward; her lips pressing against mine for a short, electric moment. The kiss was soft and brief, but it didn't lack passion. “You didn't make the wrong impression. In fact, just the opposite." Her smile shifted into one of those impish grins that just made her even more attractive. “You do realize that I nearly kissed you first, right?"

I blinked. “Wait, what?" I wasn't sure when. There had been some awkward flirtation before I gathered up the courage to kiss her last night; did she mean that? Another thought came to me. “After we exited the well? You were in a lot of pain, Krys; I don't see how kissing me could have been on your mind?"

“You had just saved my life, Adam." Krystal's grin widened. “I've seen other vixens choose to take a lifemate over lesser acts of bravery, so sharing my affections with a close friend who put themselves in danger to come to my aid is absolutely not out of the question." Her hand slowly let go of mine and left the confines of her nightgown; settling upon the sling holding her injured arm. “The fires of a vixen's season can be quite distracting, but I understand if you don't wish to or feel comfortable with sharing affections with me to that point." To my surprise she started removing the sling from her arm.

“Wait." I wasn't sure what to do with my errant hand other than to move it to her side; still completely aware of her incredibly soft fur. “Are you sure your arm is healed enough to do that?"

“I think I will be fine as long as I am careful, che." The vixen's smile never left as she finished her task; the sling's imposition upon her right arm no longer an obstacle as she gently set it on the table next to us. “It leaves me free to do this properly." This time I felt both her arms encircle me as she wrapped me into a tight embrace; it was a little slow and tentative but I found myself wrapped in a combination of soft fur and luxuriant silk. I found my hand effectively pinned between us, though she didn't seem to mind my fingers being trapped underneath her nightgown. I couldn't say I minded it either; I was still marveling at the softness and warmth of her fur. “You also forget that my abilities take much of the guesswork out of these matters. Your thoughts aren't impossible to read and I know you care about me as much as I care about you."

I blinked, turning my head to catch her gaze. Her grin faded back into an affectionate smile as our noses touched. “I figure the whole discussion of preserving the timeline has just been thrown out the window, then?"

“Yes. I like this one better, anyway." Her breathy answer was followed by her lips pressing into mine. This time the hesitation was told to take a back seat to the mixture of affection and passion that seemed to frame our actions. Our lips parted ever so slightly; drawing out our mingling as I felt her hands slide down my back. The sensations were electric; I offered a willing moan as our tongues began to trace against each other.

I was still hesitant to continue any further exploration despite her ministrations; part of this felt right while part of this didn't. At the same time the memories I had dwelled upon this morning combined with Krystal's spicy-sweet scent kept most of that hesitation at bay. I reached behind her, fingers sliding against the silk of her nightgown to the small of her back. As I did so her tongue danced with mine; the vixen practically melting into my arms as my fingers slipped lower.

My wandering digits located the base of her tail and started to gently rub what I thought would be a sensitive spot. I didn't expect her reaction as she arched her back and pressed in even closer; a muffled moan of pleasure carrying from her lips and onto mine. Her exploring touch halted for a moment while I continued mine; her tail swaying softly as I continued my massaging.

Krystal withdrew from our kiss, a gasp echoing to the still room as my fingers gently worked around her tail. Her breath shook; her voice barely above a whisper. “You've found one of my most sensitive spots, che. I… I've really missed this." I felt her hand tremble as it trailed lower; her fingers drawing a gentle pattern on my hip before settling upon my outer thigh.

“We're getting really close to crossing boundaries that we won't be able to uncross, hon." I found the vestiges of that inner voice of reason and tried holding onto them, though I knew from the start it was a halfassed attempt. My fingers slipped a little lower than I probably should have; brushing against the waistband of her underwear as I did so. By the breathy purr she offered to the still air around us it wasn't an unwanted gesture; the caress of her hand on my thigh was an obvious sign she welcomed my intrusion. “Are you sure about escalating things, especially this quickly?"

“Only as far as you feel comfortable, che." A soft smile framed her vulpine features as her eyes gazed into mine. “While there are laws and traditions dealing with choosing a lifemate on Cerinia, we tend to see who is a suitable partner quite quickly. We aren't on Cerinia, and I don't feel as tightly bound to those laws and traditions." I was distracted momentarily by the sensation of her hand tucking underneath my shirt; the softness and warmth of her fur, tipped by even softer pads and accentuated by the gentle, blunt tips of her nails tracing a random pattern on my skin. “My parents had arranged a lifemating between me and the son of the matriarch of another clan. I turned him down within three days as he secretly desired that I rescind my position in the Guardians to keep his bed warm." Despite our closeness, she frowned. “When I met Jalner, we made the decision to become lifemates within a week."

“I'm still unsure why you find me suitable, Krys." I shrugged at her; despite that her hand trailed up my side. Her gentle smile never wavered; even the hint of mischievousness wasn't fazed by my admission. And, I'm not sure what you mean by the word 'che?' Is that a term of endearment?" For some reason the translation charm I was wearing didn't quite get its meaning. My fingers remained occupied with running through her fur. I understood that we wouldn't get many opportunities to relax like this, regardless of what happened between us. It wouldn't be much longer before we would be back into the fight.

“Yes, it is." Her smile widened a little. “It's what you would call a companion. There are a few ways the word is used. There's kelche, or life companion; that's the formal term for a lifemate. There's silche, or what we call a companion of the unmated; usually a close childhood friend with whom affection is shared before we choose a kelche. Then there's a halche, or companion of the begrieved. A vixen who has lost her mate can choose an unmated tod as their halche when they come into season, in hopes of bringing a kit into the world." She paused for a moment as her hand slid upwards; I couldn't suppress a shiver as her warm, soft touch drifted up my side. “And you already know why I find you suitable so silence your doubts, che."

I gave her a nervous look as our hands mirrored each other; simply exploring each others' bodies yet hesitant to cross boundaries which hadn't yet been crossed. Even as hesitant as I was her touch felt amazing; the sensation of her fur was also something my fingers craved. “So that would make me either your silche or halche, then? A friend you are sharing affection with, or someone to be your companion through, well… your season?"

Krystal's ears turned bright red in a deep blush; her expression turning a little sheepish as I tried to put my own words to her combined language and culture lesson. “Not a silche, no. That term carries different connotations which you do not match. That and you aren't another vixen." I blinked at that revelation; the image which briefly crossed my mind forced aside as the vixen's expression changed to one of impish amusement. “That will be a discussion for another time, though I can tell that particular thought intrigues you." It was my time to blush slightly as her hand drifted upwards; the soft, warm touch gently tracing my ribcage. “I could potentially call you my halche, though that also implies a higher level of intimacy than you may be comfortable with?"

I drew a shaky breath and continued to gaze into her eyes. There was a mix of expressions and emotions in them; as varied and conflicted as I felt. Realization settled in; she was extending a subtle invitation which was mine to either accept or turn down. I wasn't sure if it was her abilities reaching out to me, yet I could somehow tell she shared a hint of my nervousness, hesitancy and doubt. At the same time there was a mix of other, more positive emotions: contentment, comfort, and playfulness in her gaze that belied a hint of lust which I was far more reticent to admit I also felt. It was at that time that her other hand joined mine underneath her nightdress; her fingers gently curling around my palm. The contact and the combination of conflicting emotions caused me to pose a question. “Do you feel comfortable with it?"

The hand on my side slid upwards; drifting onto my chest as my pulse raced. I felt her fingers settle over my heart; the warmth of her fur as comforting as it was confusing. “More than you realize, my che." Without warning the hand around mine glided upwards; drifting through her luxuriant fur. My breath caught as I realized where my hand was being drawn to; her fingers guiding my palm onto the swell of her breast. A soft, pleasured gasp left her lips as I instinctively cupped my hand around her; the gentle intrusion of her nipple brushing against my thumb. I felt her heartbeat fluttering against my touch as her hand fell away from mine.

We remained still; her incredibly expressive eyes gazing into mine as if we were the only thing that mattered at that moment. Our breaths were shaky; our hearts thundering. We both leaned forward to meet each other with a kiss; soft, brief. The brush of her vulpine lips upon mine was again as electric as the tender, yielding flesh and silken fur under my tentatively exploring fingers. A soft, nearly whispered moan issued from her muzzle as we kissed again, starting a series of gentle meetings between our lips. I felt her hand trail down my chest as its twin settled on my hip; I subconsciously mirrored her actions with my own free hand.

The vixen's hand gently settled upon the waistband of my pants as her lips left mine; another moan rewarding me as I continued my ministrations. Her lips trailed down my chin; her tongue tracing a pattern of warm, moist swipes as she made her way to the side of my neck. This time the moan that issued into the room was mine as her attention sent a bolt of pleasure through my body.

“How long has it been for you?" she purred as her lips trailed up and down my neck. I was dimly aware of her fingers dancing along the button of my jeans, which admittedly were getting much less comfortable as a result of her attentions. I hadn't anticipated this; in fact part of me actively tried to avoid the possibility of this level of intimacy between us, especially this quickly; fate(and a certain vixen) had other ideas, apparently. A memory flitted across my thoughts; the weekend that Fi and I crossed the threshold from acquaintances to lovers had played out similarly to this. At the same time we hadn't been thrust into strange, life-threatening situations and she couldn't read my mind. It was a little intimidating, but also comforting.

“A little over four years." I responded; letting my reticence fade into the background as my other hand traced the waistband of her underwear. The warmth of her body and the softness of her fur were about as intoxicating as the alcohol we shared last night. I idly wondered if Krystal's scent was in fact having an effect on me, though I was beginning not to care. I glanced down to witness the alluring sight of her other breast pressed against her nightgown; the outline of her nipple straining the fabric signaling her excitement. “Why do you ask?"

Her breath felt hot against my skin as she spoke; her voice an even huskier whisper. “That's far too long, don't you think?" The warmth of her lips returned; nibbling at one of my most sensitive spots. I nearly gasped as the sensations threatened to overwhelm my rapidly fading sense of reason. At the same time I felt the waistband of my jeans lose its grip on me; a muffled sound as the vixen's fingers undid the button holding it together. I also felt her tail curl around me as she nestled further into my embrace; a soft yet mischievous smile on her lips as she looked up at me. “I may need to remedy that." Nothing prepared me for the sensations that overwhelmed my senses as her fingers drifted into very sensitive areas. The soft pads of her fingers combined with her fur felt like I was being caressed by the finest silk. I could feel her digits gently wrap around me; beginning a bold yet gentle exploration.

“T… that feels…" I breathed, just about melting into her. My own exploring hands stopped as her fingers continued, barely resisting the urge to grind into her touch. Instead, I knew what I wanted. I looked down at her; warmth and contentment filling those beautiful emerald eyes. I didn't give her the chance to respond as I took the initiative; resuming our earlier kiss as my reservations were swept away by a wave of mixed affection and blind lust. Her lips parted beneath mine as my tongue sought hers; a shared moan carried to the room as our final decision was made and that last boundary was kicked aside.

I was acutely aware of every sensation I was feeling. Krystal's spicy-sweet scent filled my nose. My lips tingled with the pressure of hers and I could taste the sweetness of her tongue as it danced with mine; the care she took to avoid too much pressure with the gentle pinpricks of her teeth. The caress of her tail on my back; the softness of her breast beneath my hand and the subtle way she arched her back to press into me. The silken touch of her hand as it begun to caress and stroke my growing length; another silken, warm sensation as my other hand started to mirror her actions, my fingers trailing under the waistband of her panties. It was exciting, it was new, and the intimacy shared with my Cerinian partner pushed my lingering doubts and reservations aside.

Our pulses raced as we continued to give in to our affections; my hand sliding underneath her clothing with the same impassioned urgency as she had offered me. My fingers delved into her fur; trailing lower until they felt the warmth and ever so slight moisture of her neglected flower. A needful groan echoed from my vulpine lover's muzzle as our kiss deepened; her hand stroking against my length as I let a finger drift between her folds, seeking the tiny bud nestled within. Her body stiffened as my touch intensified; our hands continuing the teasing exploration of each other's bodies.

Krystal pulled away from the kiss, her breath quick and shaky as I continued to pursue our shared passions. She didn't bother to hide the tone of lust in her voice as she spoke; her hand hesitantly pulling away from its teasing. “I think the bed will be much more comfortable, dearheart." I nodded at her; sliding my hands away from their tasks. If anything her scent became stronger; evidence of our aroused states.

My eyes met hers; a final ribbon of hesitancy yet to be cut before every last boundary could be crossed. It was an unspoken question as I beheld the warmth, affection, and anticipation in her gaze. Are you sure about this?

Her answer was a single nod as we both rose to our feet; I was careful to not jostle her newly-freed yet still injured arm as I helped her up. My somewhat undone pants started to slide off my legs as I reached my feet; an instinctual effort to grab onto them stopped as Krystal's hands settled on mine. My jeans fell off as she took a step backwards, my feet leaving them in a heap on the floor.

My vulpine lover took an additional step back, reaching the thin straps of her nightgown. An affectionate smile tugged at her lips as she slid the straps off her shoulders; the light green fabric cascading off her frame to end up as a pool at her feet. Other than a set of panties of the same shade as her dress she was bare; cerulean and alabaster fur accentuating the gentle swell of breasts capped by stiffened points of dusty rose.

I caught on quickly; taking another step towards her as I gripped the hem of my t-shirt. I pulled it off of my body; my attempt at disrobing significantly less elegant than hers. I let my clothing tumble to the ground as I cast a sheepish smile to the object of my affections. “I hope you realize you're incredibly beautiful, right?"

The Cerinian vixen's ears lit up in a deep blush as she reached out to place a hand on my chest. I savored the warmth of her touch once again; running my fingers through the fur on her sides as I settled in a little closer. “It's been a while since I have heard those words, che; especially from a gallant chap who has taken my fancy."

“I can't guarantee I'll be the perfect gentleman, hon." A blush reached my cheeks as I slid my hands around the small of her back; holding Krys' lithe frame close to me.

“I rather hope you won't be." An impish, lustful smile greeted me as I felt her fingers grip the waistband of my boxers and tug them down. As I felt the cool wash of air over the most sensitive parts of my body her lips pressed against mine; a purr rising from her throat as my last piece of clothing fell to the floor.

The kiss was brief yet she remained close enough for our lips to brush against each other; her voice filled with anticipation and lust as she spoke. “It appears that I am now the overdressed one. Care to help me with that?" I felt her hands place themselves on mine; settling them to the waistband of her undergarment.

I took a deep breath and nodded; the warmth radiating from her fur a bulwark against the sensation of mild chill that came from being undressed. At the same time I could feel the gentle pressure of her nipples on my chest; the subtle curves of her body against mine. The overall effect was intoxicating and I could tell our inhibitions were left behind some time ago. My voice issued softly; barely above a whisper. “Yes, I believe I can assist you."

I hooked my fingers inside her last remaining piece of clothing and gently tugged. The silken garment slid along equally silken fur before gravity did its work and left it in a pile on the floor. A quick glance revealed we weren't that far from the edge of the bed at this point.

An impulse came to mind; the strong mental image of me turning her around, guiding her to the bed and taking her from behind; claiming her as my vixen in a deliciously vulgar manner. I forced that out of my head, wondering if that impulse came from her thoughts.

My answer came almost instantly as I felt Krystal's arms wrap around me, her voice a husky purr against my ear. “You wish for our first mating to last longer than that, then." I exhaled in surprise as I felt my length rest against her fur; just now noticing the heated dampness between her legs pressed against my bare thigh.

“Someone as beautiful and kind as you deserves a more… sensual approach." My cheeks flushed at those words; I still wasn't quite sure about this Rubicon moment between us but sure enough to cross that gray area between friends and lovers. I let a hand slide upwards to cup her breast as the other slid behind her; settling on her ass as I returned her mischievous expression.

Her only response was a sharp intake of breath as I explored her body; the look in her eyes flashing from surprise and anticipation as I felt my attentions being mirrored. Her hand drifted to my own bottom; a grin offered to me as she squeezed lightly. “Claiming me there isn't out of the question, though I think our desires are heading in a different direction."

“I had… other ideas." My thumb gently brushed against her nipple, causing her breath to hitch as she tucked her head against my neck. “Sit down on the bed, hon." I gently guided her to a sitting position while I stood over her. What I didn't count on was her hand; moving to gently caress my shaft as she looked up at me with a lustful smile.

“You wish to claim my muzzle, then?" I wasn't able to react as the hand on my rear pushed me forward; the hand stroking me sliding down to my thigh. I could see clear rivulets of my produce exit my tip, framing the sight of Krystal's lips approaching my shaft. The sensation of her hand was exquisite enough, but the warm puffs of breath on my skin just about drove me crazy. She looked up; her gaze full of affection and lust.

Any response I was thinking about making vanished in a bolt of pleasure as I felt her tongue glide upon my length. Her hand squeezed gently, depositing my excitement onto her waiting palate; a purr carrying from her muzzle as she did so. Her eyes closed and I felt her lips around me; an involuntary gasp forced into the relative silence of the room as I experienced the silken warmth of my unexpected partner for the first time.

I reached down to caress her cheek as her muzzle engulfed me; while I felt the occasional brush of her teeth she shielded me from it with her lips and tongue. My breath hitched in my throat as I felt the cool kiss of her nose on my abdomen; I wasn't a stranger to receiving this kind of pleasure but the gliding sensation of her tongue was unfamiliar and exotic. “F… fuck, Krys…" I heard myself groan. The motion of her tongue and the soft glks coming from her lips as her muzzle took me to the hilt were an incredible turnon, and I knew I wouldn't last very long. “I'm… getting close already. I don't want… not yet."

She pulled away and opened her eyes; an amused grin springing to life as she glanced up to me. “I've been told I do that particularly well. It doesn't hurt that you have a very pleasant taste." The back of her hand brushed against my inner thigh as I continued to run my hand through the luxuriantly soft fur of her cheek. “Are you sure you don't wish me to continue?"

I shook my head, a smile springing to my lips. “Not yet. I had something else planned before you took the initiative, hon." I crouched down, planting myself on my knees before looking at her; my head level with her smaller yet pert breasts. This time it was me looking up at her; sharing a grin. “I think you'll enjoy what I'm about to do about as much as I enjoyed your attentions. I don't want you getting the short end of the stick in your time of need, right?"

“What do you…?" Krystal's confused voice stopped as I placed my hands on her knees, guiding them open as I leaned forward. The snowy white fur that started from her muzzle created a pattern that accentuated her body; framing her sex before halting down her inner thighs. I could smell her scent; the spicy-sweet combination of cinnamon and clove mixed with a hint of something earthier was something I felt I could get drunk on. I let my fingers trail through the cerulean fur on her leg; drifting to the pattern of her inner thigh as I looked up at her. I could hear her shaking breath and see the look of surprised anticipation in her eyes.

I leaned in further; taking in the heady scent of my unexpected partner as my lips neared her flower. I let my tongue trail outside her folds; Krystal's gasp spurring me onward as I began a series of gentle, teasing kisses around her treasure.

It wasn't long until I felt her hand fall to the back of my head; fingers running through my hair as my vulpine lover's voice returned. “G…gods! Please…" Her hand pulled me closer, her scent filling my nose as I was pressed against her; the taste of her excitement carrying to my lips.

She was different than my former lovers; there was a very slight touch of sweetness and spice that dueled with a hint of tanginess; either way I was pleasantly surprised. I picked up the pace; a needful groan filling the air as I went deeper, my tongue delving into her entrance as I lost control. My nose brushed against her nub at one point; causing her hand to be a little rougher with directing me. Her taste became stronger as I continued to kiss and lick at her; too lost in her scent to care about much else.

I dimly felt her fall back to the bed; the hand holding me to her starting to shake as a series of gasps and moans filled the room. “I… I'm close! Please don't… stop!" Her voice was filled with need and pleasure, and all I wanted to do was oblige her. I doubled down my efforts, lips slick with her juices as I kissed into her sex as passionately as I had kissed her sweet, pliant lips minutes before.

Krystal's moans carried to a fever pitch before cutting off with a choked gasp; her hips thrusting into my waiting mouth as her excitement washed over my tongue. She settled back into the bed; her breath echoing out in a series of huffs as I pulled back just slightly; letting my tongue clean her soaked areas. She shivered under my touch, though I tried to be a bit gentler around her sensitive spots.

“Get… up here." The vixen's voice was still shaky as her hand brushed against my cheek. I looked up, savoring the sight of her beautiful face framed by the rest of her bare body; nipples standing at complete attention. It was a come-hither look if I ever saw one. I pulled myself from between her sweet legs and sat upon the bed; marveling that her hand didn't leave my face as I did so.

She pulled herself completely onto the bed, motioning for me to join her. As soon as I did she drew me in for a kiss; her lips falling upon mine with a passion that outmatched our previous encounters. As her tongue glided against mine once more I was idly surprised by the fact that she didn't balk at her own taste. I felt us falling back against the bed; our kiss breaking once we hit the mattress.

“That was amazing, che." Krystal's eyes gazed into mine; a grin etched into her muzzle so prominently one could swear that it had been carved there. “Tods don't usually return the favor; our scent is a bit too strong for most, especially when we are in season."

I matched her grin. “I thought you tasted pleasant, foxy." A blush lit up her ears as I tried the term of endearment on for size. “And you didn't seem to mind it, either." The blush instantly intensified as I placed my hand on the soft fur of her stomach. I was excited and aroused as much as I could get, but it seemed like her first climax took a little bit out of her and I was willing to wait.

“Like most vixens, I had… practice with my silche." Krystal's expression turned sheepish. “There's a lot you don't know about our attitudes toward mating and how they differ from most other worlds." She paused for a moment; allowing an arm to fall around my shoulder as we fell into an embrace. “That is a discussion best saved for later. I can tell we have some… unfinished business to attend to."

The vixen's grin returned as her hand trailed lower; I felt her silken, soft fingers wrap around me once more. “The question remains if I still want you to claim my muzzle, or if I want you to fill me with your seed?" I was taken by surprise when she sat up; swinging her leg over to straddle me. Within seconds she was on top of me; her grin full of mischievousness and lust. I already knew what her choice was when the slick heat I had tasted moments before kissed against my aching need.

“I want you, Krys." My heart pounded as I reached upwards, hands cupping her breasts; fingers running through her downy fur. My attentions elicited a gasp from the beautiful vixen who had straddled me; those brilliant emerald eyes gazing down at me with a combination of mischievousness and lust. With a predatory grin of my own I thrust up against her; letting my length tease her folds as I heard another of those sweet moans echo from her lips.

“Gods, I want you too." The lust in her voice was palpable as I felt her hips pull away from me; a brief hint of cool air washing over my shaft before being engulfed by soft, slick heat. This time our moans joined each other as I thrust into her depths. I was already teased as much as I could be, but I found myself holding out. I didn't want this to end just yet, and I wanted to make this as good as possible for her.

The warmth spread as we grinded against each other; fur gliding on my skin as I teased her breasts one last time. Quiet whimpers of pleasure echoed from my vulpine lover's lips as I continued my task; wrapping my arms around her and bringing her into me. “Don't risk your arm, hon. Let me carry your weight." I breathed as I continued to thrust into her.

Her muzzle found me once again; desperate and needy. I didn't hesitate to return her kiss; our moans echoing into each others' lips as our intimacy continued. Our tongues once again met in a passionate dance; her moaning more felt than heard as I increased the pace of my thrusts; nearly pulling out entirely before hilting myself inside her.

I was only aware of an engulfing sensation of softness and warmth; my legs wrapping around hers and her tail brushing against me as we consummated our relationship. Her lips left mine; voice echoed into the darkening room. “F…fuck, I'm close!" A few huffs were breathed into my shoulder before I felt the caress of her tongue and pinpricks as she gently bit into my neck. I felt her walls spasm then contract around me, coupled with a flood of warmth; the pleasure rising within me conflicting with the sting of her teeth and the unexpected language.

It wasn't enough to distract me from my task; my arms wrapped around my vulpine lover as I continued to thrust into her. The sensation of her climax sent bolts of white-hot pleasure which threatened to send me over the edge. A muffled, drawn-out moan rang in my ear as she thrust down on me with all of her strength.

I cried out as I reached my own climax; a hot, thick pulsing sensation into the vixen's… no, my vixen's depths. It was as if she was drawing it out of me; a haze settling over my senses like a blanket. I could feel myself pump my pent-up excitement into her; the warmth of our joining continuing to drive bolts of pleasure into my mind. I found myself slumping backwards to meet the mattress, struggling to stay still against the throes of overstimulation as her walls coaxed out the last of what I had to give her.

Weakly, I nuzzled into her neck as she had mine. I could feel the rise and fall of her chest dueling with my own; the pressure of her nipples jutting into my chest as I held her close. I didn't bother to withdraw from her; just content to hold onto her as we recovered from our first time. I felt another shudder of warm pleasure; this time from her tongue on my neck. Additionally I felt a trickle of something; had she bitten me hard enough to draw blood? The sting of her teeth didn't seem to be that bad.

“God damn, Krys." I rasped, breathing our combined scent. “You were amazing."

I felt her nod against my neck; her voice carrying a happy, almost drunken lilt. “You… too. I…" I felt her shift a little bit, causing me to let out an involuntary gasp of mixed pleasure and nerves as my excitement started to dwindle. “I am glad we were able to… share this."

“No regrets, foxy?" I inquired; shifting my posture to support her as we basked in the afterglow. It had been years since I had experienced this kind of intimacy, but I found myself starting to become comfortable with the decisions which had led to this point.

“None whatsoever." She placed a kiss on the bottom of my chin, a playful tone settling into her voice. “So, you now think of me as your vixen?" A flush of nervousness came over me, and I struggled to explain my inner thoughts.

Her playful voice continued before I had a chance to explain. “I could grow used to being called your vixen, my che. Just like I don't regret marking you." She giggled; a light, airy sound amongst a backdrop of so much seriousness and passion.

“Wait… marking me?" I blinked. “What does that mean?"

Her response was to lick out at my neck; bringing up a hint of the sting I had felt earlier. “Yes, I marked you; my teeth on your throat?" I was cut off from responding by a series of gentle nibbles on my jawline. “It's something that we do when we mate; our scent mixed with that mark makes it very clear that we are… involved."

“A bit of a proclamation to potential suitors?" I inquired. “I don't think there will be much… competition for either of us on Sauria."

“If we come across any Lylatians, they should get the message that we have laid claim to each other." I felt her lips place a kiss at the corner of my mouth.

My hands busied themselves with running up and down the soft fur on her back. “Should we get up soon, perhaps take a shower?"

Krystal shook her head; a soft laugh offered to the room as she sat up somewhat. “We can't, dearheart. Not yet."

“Can't?" I inquired. “I'm not sure I understand."

“We're tied." She demonstrated by trying to pull away from me; while there was a little movement we were definitely stuck together. I was able to hold back another gasp of pleasure, though the added movement was on the edge of overstimulation. It wasn't painful, but she was very tight.

I paused for a moment, unsure if I should likewise demonstrate knowledge of anatomy that I wouldn't have known had it not been for a certain fandom. At the same time she probably knew that and I was hilt deep inside of her anyway. “I… I don't have a knot, hon."

Krystal's ears blushed as she leaned forward, licking the tip of my nose. “That's not the entire process, che. Part of it is a tod's knot. Part of it is a vixen's anatomy." She took a deep breath; her tone of voice laced with a little embarrassment. “When a mating is successful we contract on our partner; it's a way to try to ensure the best possible chance that kits are conceived. It's a little painful when a knot is involved, but with you it's… far more comfortable."

That brought two questions to mind, though I wasn't sure how to phrase them. However, it sounded like we were going to be here for a while. Not that I minded that much; in terms of waiting scenarios 'stuck inside a gorgeous Cerinian vixen after fucking each other silly' ranked a lot higher than 'stuck at the DMV on a Monday afternoon to get tags renewed for the third time this quarter because you've got that many damn cars'. I didn't do a good job at hiding that train of thought because the aforementioned gorgeous vixen gave me a wry grin.

“I guess I have a question, if it's not too personal?" I wasn't trying to be that humorous, though I was completely aware that we were in about the most personal situation possible. The humored smile and a nod of her head was a good sign she wasn't nonplussed by my surface thoughts. “What do you mean by a successful mating? I went down on you right before this; wouldn't this have happened then?"

The blush in her ears deepened and she lowered herself to tuck her head on my chest. “I'm not a healer or a kitbearer, but from experience a tie only occurs after a tod seeds a vixen. His knot prevents him from pulling out while, well… this happens." She paused for a moment and I could tell her tail was wagging softly; occasionally brushing against our legs. “And you were very pent up, dearheart. I know your seed won't take, but I can tell you absolutely filled me." She placed a gentle, sweet kiss on my shoulder; a happy sigh echoed to the still room.

I switched my strategy; instead of gliding my hands up and down her back I started to rub; a gentle massage at first, yet one meant to find any stiffness or knots along her shoulders that I could help ease. Krystal relaxed even more, nosing against the shoulder she had just kissed. “Mmmf. That feels good."

“I figured you could use that, foxy. What if we end up falling asleep like this?" I inquired; nuzzling against her cheek.

I felt her hand run along my side; her touch light and friendly. “Our tie will eventually break, dearheart. It depends on a few factors, but I'd guess we'll be like this for at least several minutes. Sometimes a tie can break if we go a second round; though I think we both may need a… breather before we consider that." She paused for a moment and reached up, grabbing one of the pillows. “We should be able to get into a more comfortable position, if you'd like?"

I nodded. “How is your arm, hon? I don't want to risk injuring it again."

Krystal nosed against my cheek. “As long as I don't sleep on it, it should be okay. I won't lie to you and say I felt no discomfort, but I can put a little weight on it." She took a breath. “Just roll to your right and we can find a comfortable spot?"

I nodded; holding onto her as we shifted positions. It took a little maneuvering but we found a good balance between sharing a pillow, holding onto each other, and keeping close enough to not cause discomfort. It was a strange dynamic, but one I'd have to get used to considering how things were progressing. As we faced each other a soft smile graced her muzzle; her nose touching mine as a contented sigh left her lips. “I'm still in a bit of disbelief." I admitted. “This doesn't seem quite real."

“I can tell you feel a little conflicted." Her voice was still calm and affectionate. “I also don't want to delve too deeply into your thoughts; I don't wish to cloud the waters or influence your feelings."

I had horrible intuition when it came to people; frankly, it's why I stuck with computers and cars. However, I started to understand where our pillow talk was leading. “We're starting to catch feelings for each other, aren't we?"

Her answer just about mirrored my thoughts. “If those feelings didn't exist you wouldn't have kissed me and I wouldn't have mated with you, Adam. I understand we are both hesitant to define things. At the same time I want you to understand I didn't do this just to calm my season. I genuinely want your companionship."

“As long as you understand that I don't consider you just a fling, foxy." I managed a lopsided grin.

A smile crossed her muzzle. “I knew that from the moment you first kissed me, che." I started to move in for a kiss but she met me first; her lips pressing against mine sweetly yet insistently. The electric sensations were soon joined by a roll of her hips that brought a jolt of pleasure as I felt her freely thrust against me. I couldn't help but moan into her once more; pulling away from the kiss for a brief moment.

I blinked at her in surprise as I felt my arousal stir, even locked inside her as I was. “I take it we…?"

Krystal nodded; her lips brushing against mine once again. “I think our tie is starting to break." A mischievous tone crept into her voice as she continued. “Unless you wish to claim your vixen a second time?"

A sudden flush came to my cheeks. “Wouldn't that mean we'd get tied again?"

She shook her head; her grin widening a bit. “It usually helps to break it. Even if it doesn't, I could think of far worse ways to spend our evening." She punctuated this by grinding against me; our voices joined in a mutual gasp of pleasure as our bodies became far more receptive to the idea.

“Why do I get the impression you're going to be one insatiable foxy?" I matched her grin as my hips joined hers; the softness of her fur and the warmth of her body that never quite went away becoming even more noticeable as we started to find a rhythm. Our breaths intertwined as our hearts started to race again; I could feel her pulse fluttering against my chest.

“I never said I wasn't, my che." Her grin widened; her eyes gazing into mine as our grinding turned into gentle thrusting; words becoming superfluous as our bodies and desires became more familiar with each other. This time the pace was much slower and more intimate; our arms content to hold each other close and just enjoy each other's presence. An occasional moan or gasp filled the room as we continued, though I was lost in both the sensations and our embrace enough to not notice when it was her or me voicing our pleasure.

Our lips met at some point; a slow and gentle kiss to accentuate our pairing. We parted for each other; tongues meeting in a slow dance of affection only broken up by an occasional gasp or moan. Those only served to spur us on, our pace quickening over time. Despite my generally short term flings I was well aware of the differences between having sex and making love; what we were sharing definitely fell more into the latter camp.

I felt her climax first, our kiss broken as a soft, pent-up moan ushered from my vulpine lover's lips into the darkness of the room; her walls clenching around me not as tightly as before but once again flooding with warmth. Our arms brought each other closer as we continued to thrust; I usually had a lot more stamina the second round and she did not seem to mind that at all.

Another moan caught in Krystal's throat and ended up as a soft squeak of pleasure as she came again; her body trying to milk me once more. This time my voice joined hers; the subtle, rolling pressure beginning to build up inside of me as I had more freedom to thrust into her willing depths. I sought her lips again, which willingly parted to continue the dance from earlier as our pace became more frantic; passionate.

Without realizing it I rolled us over; positioning myself atop her as I continued to thrust myself to the hilt; my arms doing their best to keep my weight off of her injured arm. Another moan carried from her throat to my lips; our tongues now dueling as I could tell she was reaching yet another peak. I wasn't quite ready to reach mine, but that didn't stop me from giving her my all.

We didn't break our kiss as I felt her contract around me; legs wrapping around mine as I moaned into her. A lustful purr was her response; an unspoken signal to claim her again which I was about to willingly oblige. I couldn't hold back much longer; the sensations of her warm embrace finally driving me over the edge as I cried out into her lips; a flashbulb exploding in my mind as I felt myself twitch, pulse, and flood her once again.

I felt my arms growing weak; in a spark of clarity I felt myself roll away from her to ensure I didn't pin her injured arm. I fell back on the mattress; breath heavy and quick as I felt the cool air of the room wash over me; it was obvious our tie was now broken. It wasn't long before I felt her curl up next to me, her muzzle settling on my shoulder before letting out a contented sigh.

“I… I think we've exhausted ourselves." I felt her warm nose brush against my neck just before a warm swipe of her tongue.

It took me a moment to regain my breath. “You're not wrong, foxy. I don't know what caused us to push each other's buttons like that, but I can tell I wasn't the only one who was pent up."

A soft laugh rose to Krystal's lips; which were placed on my cheek shortly afterward. “I could get used to this, dearheart." I felt her arms wind around me, drawing me closer. I played my part by pulling a portion of the disinterred comforter around us; creating a shield against a colder interior temperature than I liked.

“You'll have no protest from me." I reached over with my free arm to brush against her chin; tilting her head up just enough so I could kiss her again. It was soft and it was brief, but it had the desired effect of a cute little noise and a very tight hug. “We should check on the computer when we get up, though."

The vixen nodded, resting her head on me with another sigh of contentment. “We should get ready to return to Thorntail Hollow as well, as much as I hate to put an end to our time alone."

I knew these moments would have to come to an end; at least whatever dangers and horrors we would face, we would face them together. As we faded into sleep ushered by the warmth of our afterglow, at the back of my mind I knew that would be enough.