Chapter 33: What You Know (Two Door Cinema): And I can tell just what you want. You don't want to be alone, you don't want to be alone. And I can't say it's what you know, but you've known it the whole time. Yeah, you've known it the whole time.

000 One month later...

The story so far, concerning the last few months at least, hadn't changed hardly at all. He was still unemployed, the beach having shut down for winter, and she was still waiting tables practically every day of the week. Katt, Falco, and Slippy remained at the shop, just as they'd been for the past two years, working on any job that would happen to drag itself into the garage. To say that everything was par for the course...well...that would hit the proverbial nail on the head, and more than likely drive it even deeper into the metaphorical plank that kept every single one of them doing the same thing day after day.

It was becoming obvious, to every single one of them, that they were growing tired of the way things were. As if the vulpine finally managing to win over that beautiful blue fox had only stressed the need to give them all a better life, to break free of this repetitive cycle, to stop wasting their lives doing something they didn't find happiness in, especially when they could do something about it. He had her. Krystal was his mate, and he was hers. Falco had Katt, Slippy had Amanda...they were all right where they thought they wanted to be...but it didn't feel right.

In truth, he'd be content with spending the rest of his life in the apartment, just as long as Krystal was there by his side when he fell asleep and woke up. But of course none of them wanted that. They all had larger ambitions, bigger dreams and lusts...a need to take all that pent up energy they got from knowing the wind was at their back as long as the one they loved was by their side.

And finally he'd made a move.

The vulpine stood along the waterway, hands on his hips and a grin on his face as he looked over the dreadnought with proud eyes. The battleship looked amazing...but only after he, Slippy, and Falco had spend the last four weeks cleaning it from top to bottom. It shone with a sliver gleam against the sharp December sun, gently rocking against the waves as it remained in port. In truth the ship belonged more to Dwayne than anyone else, the vulpine who'd been such good friends with his father having practically given the thing away, despite it being worth a good million credits...at least.

And he only asked for 100,000.

Of course he hadn't possessed even a fourth of that amount, but once again that hadn't been a problem. Rather than taking out a loan, the older vulpine had insisted Fox pay him in time, no interest included...claiming it to be a gift to his father for all the hell they'd put each other through over the years. So...after countless conversations and visits, the dreadnought had finally been woken from it's slumber and moved across town.

As he recalled piloting the monstrous ship the vulpine couldn't help but shudder in pleasure, once again remembering the absolutely raw power that surged through the walls as the Gravity Diffuser roared to life and forced the engines to put the carrier into the air. At the time he truly had felt invisible, and could only wonder how the moment would have felt had Krystal been at his side. But of course, this was something the vixen couldn't know about...not yet anyways.

He stepped further along the dock, reaching the ship's side entrance and placing his paw on the sensor pad, allowing it to read his hand before 'dinging' in acceptance and sliding the wide doors open. He stepped inside and quickly looked around the hangar, first admiring the sheer size of it all, the control room at the head, two stairways beneath it on each side, one leading to the engine room and the other to the hallway that came out beside the bridge. He knew the ship like the back of his hand already, having spent so much time here during the day while everyone else was at work, and could easily say that it possessed everything they'd need to live a comfortable life.

Still grinning he turned his attention around towards the side of the hangar, clenching his fists and smirking wider as he looked over the sight of four, sleek, untouched Arwings sitting side by side. There were a few things in Lylat that he'd call absolutely beautiful...the first of which easily being the blue vixen that he so helplessly loved...the second...probably these four majestic fighters, powerfully sitting before him, begging to be put to use out in space. The Arwings literally sparkled off the light from the ceiling, the vulpine having washed them countless times, bringing them to such a shine that he feared he'd rub the paint off if he did so any more.

The ship itself, which he'd yet to name, and the fighters sitting in the hangar, had been the two absolutely necessary things needed to put all of this into action...and now he had them. Sure the Arwings had cost him a few limbs, and yeah it would probably take him a lifetime to pay off the debts he owed, but none of that mattered to him anymore. Not now. Not when the possibility was within reach.

We're almost ready. I'm so close to making our dreams come true.

Your. Your dreams come true. How do you know Krystal wants this? Or Katt for that matter? You haven't told either one of them!

Thoughts such as those had been the only thing gnawing at the vulpine this whole time. He'd talked with Katt, and actually figured she knew what he was doing. But as for Krystal...the vixen was most-likely still in the dark unless someone had told her. So the question still remained, and every other minute he found himself thinking it over in fear.

Will she like this? Is this the life she'll be happy living?

You should have talked to her about it before spending a few million credits you dumbass!

He growled at his subconscious and turned away from the Arwings, stepping across the hangar before reaching the stairwell that led up to the bridge, all the while mulling over how things might go when Christmas came around in a few weeks and he finally revealed all this to the love of his life. It was true that he'd yet to speak a word to her about doing this...just as she'd yet to ask him anything about their future or what he planned on doing when he turned 21.

He wasn't stupid, though he felt like it sometimes when he was around the vixen...he knew she was just as aware of his promise to join the military come March as everyone else was. Of course, that offer had been thrown out of the window pretty much the day he realized he couldn't live without the vixen in his life. But the fact still remained...

She hasn't brought it up. She hasn't asked me about what we're going to do when that time comes.

Maybe you should do it for her then. Just tell her you don't plan on enlisting. Tell her you've got something else in mind.

Shaking his head he pushed the thoughts away, not wanting to worry about them right now, despite the small amount of time he had left to figure them out. The truth was blatantly obvious to him however, and not even his subconscious argued it.

If she didn't want this...if Krystal preferred something else rather than forming a team, moving into the ship with her friends, and living a life with him here...then he'd gladly give it all up. He'd sell back the dreadnought and the Arwings without a moments hesitation, and then man up and just ask her what she wanted. Whatever she said, he'd do it. He'd make sure she was happy no matter what it took. That was his job...that had been his job since day one.

Sighing, he looked around, realizing he was in what would soon be the lounge. For the past week he'd focused only on installing appliances and furniture, everything else pertaining to the ship already all shined up and ready to go except for the living accommodations. His bank account was so far in the red that he half expected the bank to harvest his organs in his sleep for collateral, but that didn't keep him from worsening his debt every single day. He spared no expense for what could possibly be the future home of his family and friends.

Televisions, refrigerators, couches, beds, bathrooms, tables, chairs, utensils, carpet, bedsheets, pillows, lamps, cabinets, dressers, clocks, training equipment, simulators, computers, spare parts, emergency kits, clothes, suits, blasters, ammunition, water...and so much more...had been flowing into the dreadnought day and night for the past few weeks. Delivery trucks had the generosity to come to the docks and unload all the product into the ship for him, allowing the vulpine to come by after dropping Krystal off for work and go through it all, putting it in place and making the carrier look more and more like the home he'd envisioned.

It was all on credit too. He couldn't afford to eat anything other than whatever Krystal would fix for him now, as he dared not spend a single dime on anything that didn't pertain to the ship. Of course, as most nights usually went, the vixen preferred cooking for him, the two sitting together at the table, on the couch, or in her room as they ate their meal and enjoyed each others company. So he didn't have to worry about starving...not yet anyways.

It's almost ready. I've just got to get everything into place and where it belongs, then the ship will be perfect.

Yeah...but will Krystal be willing to live on it?

000

The vixen smiled softly down at the pot of macaroni noodles before her, stirring in the cheese and adding a little milk, before bending over and checking the roast she had in the oven. It almost felt silly to be acting like this...like such a housewife...and to be honest the idea had always been revolting to her. To cook and clean for another guy, to be his good little girl and prance around in an apron, fixing the hard working provider his hard-earned meal after a long day...it would have usually made her sneer in disgust.

Yet here she was, walking around the kitchen in a tank-top and jogging pants, opening the fridge and checking cabinets as she prepared supper for herself and the vulpine...doing exactly what she'd never found appealing in the least...and enjoying it.

Perhaps it was because she'd always figured it would be Panther she was servicing, doing whatever he said or demanded, forcing her to follow the traditional submissive role of the mother of the house, cooking and cleaning and all that crap...maybe that was why she'd felt so against doing stuff like this. But it wasn't Panther she was cooking for now...and it never would be thanks to Fox. No, because of the vulpine she actually longed to do stuff like this now, believe it or not. She enjoyed cooking his meals, and doing anything else she could to show how much she loved him, that she was willing to provide for him just as he'd so selflessly provided for her.

It also didn't hurt that every day he picked her up from work she could hear his stomach growling. That, plus he always looked so exhausted for some reason, as if he'd been hard at it all day, perhaps having found a job but not telling her for some reason. Whatever it was, she could tell he hadn't eaten all day, unless she'd made him breakfast...and it was getting to the point where she thought he was holding back at every corner, spending little to no money on himself, and as much as he could on something else.

She knew he was keeping a secret from her, and a big one at that. Katt's words a month ago had stirred the curiosity in her heart and even since then she'd been doing her best to pick up hints and traces of what might be going down behind her back. In truth, it annoyed her that the vulpine felt compelled to hide something from her...but she couldn't bring herself to feel heartbroken about it. The way Katt had talked, whatever it was he was doing, was all for her...perhaps for all of them. Which was why she didn't ask him about it.

He was her mate, she trusted him with her life. If she needed to know anything, she knew he'd tell her.

So she'd merely stayed quiet, waking up every morning by his side, allowing him to drag her into the shower then take her to work, and finally, after countless dreadful hours waiting tables, seeing him once again when her shift was over. He always looked worn out, but never reflected nothing but a look of love and happiness the second he saw her...and the vixen had always mimicked it back at him before hopping onto the back of the bike. Then, just as they'd done today...just as she was doing right now, she'd ordered him to rest on the couch while she made them something to eat.

Of course, like always, he'd insisted she didn't have to fix him anything...almost as if he was aware of the 'housewife' personality it seemed to install upon her, and not wanting her to feel like she had to take on that role. But at this point it was more enjoyable than anything else. To be able to feed her mate, to accept that job despite the stereotype it presented, it made her feel even closer to him than before. She loved doing this.

"Mmmm, something smells good."

The vixen couldn't help but squeak in surprise as she felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist, immediately sighing and falling back into the vulpine's body as she got over her brief shock.

"Jerk." she muttered, turning and kissing his neck, "You know I hate it when you sneak up on me."

He couldn't help but cock an eyebrow in amusement, resting his chin on her head and smiling down at her. "And you know I love it when you get all jumpy."

She let out a 'feh' in response, reaching forward and allowing him to hold on to her as she stirred a pot full of beans, loving the feeling of his body resting against her own...feeling so safe and secure like this. "One of these days..." she spoke up, turning the eye off and doing the same to the oven, "I'm going to get jumpy and punch you in the nose...again."

She felt his grip on her sides tighten, forcing her to turn around and look up into his gaze, both their eyes filled with love and playfulness. "You'd never hurt me." he replied, pouting and trying to act crestfallen.

Realizing the spoon was still in her paw the vixen brought it up to the vulpine's face and 'booped' it against his nose, getting cheese over it and causing her to giggle before leaning forward and licking it away. "Sometimes I wonder." she answered afterward, the vulpine's eyes slightly wide in surprise as he licked at his nose, before reaching down with a paw and bringing her hand to his face again, smearing more cheese over his snout and grinning.

"Oh...you missed a spot."

At this she merely rolled her eyes, leaning in once again and lapping away at the cheesy mess, feeling the vulpine's hold on her body grow tighter with every stroke of her tongue. She couldn't help but giggle afterward, getting his muzzle nice and clean before stepping back and shoving him towards the living room. "There, you're clean." she spoke, sticking her tongue out at him. "Now get out of here before I end you."

Rather than heed her words however, the vulpine merely smirked and fell forward, closing his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead, catching her by surprise at the suddenness of the act but the vixen quickly responding, leaning into him and letting out a breath of contentment.

"You never listen." she muttered, nuzzling his shoulder.

"I know."

Slowly she leaned back and looked up at him, smiling softly and brushing her muzzle against his own. "And I love that about you."

He merely grinned, kissing her gently and pulling her closer, the vixen returning the favor and forgetting about the rest of the world for a few seconds...just like always. Where they were going, what would happen when he turned 21, what their lives would become afterward...she could forget about all of that during moments such as these...if only for a little while.

"There's so much I love about you." he replied, easing away and smirking down at her.

"Yeah?" she had to ask, smirking up at him, "Well unless burnt food is on the list you'd better hold off on being so playful until after dinner."

He merely chuckled and sighed, kissing her forehead again and stepping back over to the counter, watching her as she returned to the stove.

"You don't have to do this for me." he spoke, the vixen glancing over at him and smiling in response. "I don't expect you to cook all my meals, or wash all my clothes, or any of that stuff."

"Then what do you expect of me?" she had to ask, raising an eyebrow at him and putting on a playful look.

"Nothing."

Her eyes widened at this and she shot him a surprised look, the vulpine immediately realizing he hadn't chosen his words correctly.

"That came out wrong!" he added quickly, stepping back up to her and grinning at the scowl she shot back at him.

"It better have." she growled back, butting her head against his chest as he once again wrapped his arms around her.

"What I meant was..." she felt his muzzle brush along her ear as he stood behind her, the vulpine clearly trying to say what she already knew. "Just because we're mates, I don't expect you to do anything for me you may not want to. You don't have to change for me."

The fact that he was so spot on with his words, that he was able to guess exactly what she'd been thinking about earlier, it only reminded her of how in-touch the two of them were. It was more than obvious that they both knew the other was changing, or would change, before next March came around...and when it did...well...neither of them knew what their lives would be like afterward.

Maybe that was why she was trying to play the house-wife role a little more. Because she wanted Fox to think she enjoyed coming home with him every single day, and the vixen cooking for them, and then the two of them spending the rest of the night together...and she did! But if Fox knew how much that meant to her, just getting to see him every day rather than going to sleep alone, knowing he was out in space risking his life for the war and the stupid Cornerian government, then perhaps he wouldn't enlist.

"I don't have to..." she murmured back, smiling up at him and nodding, "but I would."

"Just another thing I love about you." came his answer, the vulpine nuzzling her forehead, "But I don't want that. If this isn't what you want then please...don't keep doing it for me."

Once more she couldn't help but smirk at his words, turning around and picking up the same spoon she'd been stirring the macaroni and cheese with, before facing him again.

"I'm just cooking us supper Fox." she spoke, grinning at him and then showcasing her jogging pants and shirt. "If I was wearing a maids uniform and prancing around dusting everything...then yes, you could be a little worried. Now here..." she added, holding out the cheese covered spoon for him to take, "be quiet and I'll let you lick the spoon."

Not daring to argue with her, the vulpine submitted and smiled back at her, taking the utensil from her paw and bringing it to his mouth, lapping at it childishly and rousing a giggle from her as she watched.

This is what I love. Moments like these. Why can't they last forever? Why must we worry about jobs and bills?

That was the only flaw in their lives right now, but even that could be bettered to some degree. They were happier than ever with each other as it was, but knowing they were currently living lives that were going little to nowhere...it took away from it. But if they could find something else to live by, some other lifestyle different from this one...she knew it perfect her world. Because waiting tables didn't do it.

For the next minute or so she finished up their meal, pouring everything into bowls, allowing the vulpine to set the table, putting all the dirty pots and pans into the sink, and lastly, sitting down next to him with a content hum.

"I've been thinking..." he spoke up, reaching over and taking the bowl of mashed potatoes from her.

"Oh no."

The vulpine rolled his eyes at this, leaving her to smirk and lightly laugh before filling her plate with a few pieces of ham and passing it down.

"Christmas is only three weeks away," he continued, jabbing a few pieces of the meat with his fork and handing her back the plate. "and I don't know what to get you. Any suggestions."

"Yeah," she answered, leaning against him and brushing her ear against his shoulder, "go out and blow up Logans."

They both shared a chuckle at this, the vulpine looking down at her afterward with a slightly concerned gaze. "And all this time I thought you loved working there."

She let out a 'feh' of amusement in response, bringing a forkful or green beans to her mouth and chewing away. Of course she didn't really want her only place of employment to coincidentally burn to the ground...or she didn't think she did...but it was no secret at all to herself, Fox, or anyone else that knew her, that she didn't enjoy working at that place almost every day. Especially when waiters didn't even get full pay. But a job was a job, and right now those were hard to come by.

All the more reason for me to keep working there. If I quit then Fox will definitely feel like he has to join the military, and that's what we don't want to happen!

"How about a romantic night together here then?" she asked, trying to change the subject as quickly as she could.

"Oh?" he asked, raising an eyebrow down at her and taking a bite out of a roll, "We can have one of those after we eat though."

"Mmm, you think so?"

"Of course." the vulpine replied, grinning at her and looking up at the ceiling, closing his eyes, "Ever since you brought it up, all I can think about is you in that tight little maid uniform."

She reached over and smacked his chest, causing the vulpine to half laugh, half choke on the mouthful of food he'd been chewing on, before reaching forward and taking a drink, leaving the vixen red-faced and shaking her head.

"I said romantic night." she spoke sternly, smacking him on the back a few times as he continued to cough, "Not 'lots of sex' night."

"Aren't they the same thing?" he asked, cocking his head and grinning at her.

At this she merely closed her eyes and bowed her head, shaking it and smiling, loving how they got like this with each other. This was just another thing she wanted to keep going between them. Moments like this, the laughter, the talk, the promises...just being together! That couldn't happen if he was out in space with the damned military!

Suddenly she felt the vulpine's mouth against her forehead, causing her to slowly look upward. "I'm kidding."

"I know." she replied, turning back around, "Now eat your food before it gets cold."

She heard him chuckle, but heeded her order, allowing her to let her mind wander a little concerning his words before blushing again and shaking the thoughts from her head. There were far more important things to be worrying about right now than some new form of kinky sex they could be having with each other. For example: when was she going to find the courage to ask Fox if he planned on enlisting come March 15th? What would she do if he said he planned on leaving her? Would she stop him? Would she tell him he couldn't go?

And would he even listen?

As normal when these thoughts came up, the vixen felt a knot growing in her stomach and had to choke down her food with every bite. It was rather pathetic really, or so she thought, that this got to her so easily. Part of her was so worried about losing the one thing she'd found to live for, not just for a few months, but forever. What would she do without him? How could she go on after that? After everything these past few months had done to them, after dealing with Panther and Brooke, and all the trials and tribulations that their lives could think up...how could she possibly get by without Fox there by her side to hold on to?

Another part of her knew he'd never leave her, that the vulpine would sooner work the sorriest, most unappealing job in the universe before taking on a career that would require the two of them to separate for any extended period of time. But that was were another problem came forth. She loved him too much to let that happen. She wanted him to be happy with his life, just as he did with hers...and both of them seemed willing to do anything and everything they could to make sure that happened...not knowing it might really end up hurting the other.

There has to be a way to escape this, to fix both our problems...right?

"I lied." he spoke up, taking a drink and looking down at his plate with a faint, somewhat nervous look.

"What do you mean?" she asked, leaving her worrisome thoughts and glancing over at him, reaching over and placing a paw on his arm.

"I've already gotten your Christmas present." he answered, smiling softly, but still harboring an unsure look in his gaze. "I just...I don't know if you'll like it."

At this she couldn't help but smile and lean her head over against him, reaching up with her other arm and wrapping it around his waist before nuzzling his shoulder. "I'm sure I'll love it Fox, no matter what."

She actually heard the vulpine gulp in anxiousness, causing her to narrow her gaze and look up at him, once again catching that look in his eyes that screamed worry and hope. That look that seemed to tell her there was a lot more to this gift than she really knew, and almost instantly her thoughts went back to all the things Katt had told her about the vulpine having a 'surprise' for her.

Is that what he's talking about? This big surprise of his?

"I'm not so sure about this one." he answered solemnly, leaning over and returning the embrace, wrapping his arms around her as well. "It's pretty big."

"Fox." she answered firmly, forcing him to look down at her, "Whatever it is, I know I'll be happy with it. I promise."

They held each others gaze for a few seconds longer before his finally softened, the vulpine issuing a small nod and leaning down to ease a kiss against her lips. She could only close her eyes and return it, holding him close and, like always, cherishing the moment for all that she could. What she'd said had been the truth. No matter what he gave her, because it would only be out of love, she'd be happy with it. She honestly had no idea what to expect, and a part of her was hoping the gift was mere words...words that told the vixen she didn't have to worry about him leaving her, that she didn't have to wait by the phone every day for a call from the animal she loved so badly.

But she'd just have to wait to find out. In time, and especially by the 15th of March, all of their questions would be answered and their lives would be going in a completely different direction.

She could only pray it was the right one.

"I hope so Krystal." he murmured in her ear, still holding her close. "I hope so."

000