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People come and they go
Some people may stay with you though
I am all alone tonight and I kept on
Asking myself questions…
Panther's eyes were closed as he listened to the soft jazz, taking in the words as they echoed in the bar to a select few denizens that attended this summer evening. He'd been here for about twenty minutes now, deigning to arrive early and await his partner. His rose.
Fox McCloud. Lylat's Golden Boy.
He chuckled to himself. Oftentimes he reveled in the irony of dating the very one he'd tried to kill time and time again over the past few years.
Well, dating wasn't the right word, but that's why he was here. For the first time in a long while, Panther had felt...nervous. When he scheduled this date, he intended to ask Fox to become his partner, and not just a prospect. The two had gone on three dates over the last few weeks, and had spent little time otherwise. But Panther wanted to change that. He was infatuated with his former rival.
Infatuation. What a strange word. Panther had spoken it about many men and women over the years, but...did what he felt ever truly match the words?
The tall feline shook his head. That didn't matter now. His old ways didn't matter now. He had changed. This he was confident in.
Panther, despite his attempt to calm himself, closed his eyes as the metaphorical butterflies in his stomach got rowdy. What if he said no? What if he was going too fast into this? Was it too early to call Fox his boyfriend? His lover?
His rose?
He steeled himself with a certain finality, curling the hands in his lap into fists and forcing the corners of his lips to turn up.
What would Wolf or Leon think of him, jittery and afraid? That wasn't how the great Panther Caroso used to be! The womanizer who spoke every word with confidence, whose prose was as dashing as his good looks!
Panther laughed, covering his mouth with a hand. Falling back into arrogant habits could be fun sometimes, he mused to himself. He relaxed his hands at the table, patting his dress coat down in one fluid motion, making sure to not hit the rose pinned to his chest.
After another moment or so of listening to the smooth music and calming his nerves, Panther's ears perked up at the sound of the door opening.
And there he was. His sweet summer rose. Fox McCloud.
The younger man was a touch flustered as he hung up his own coat, passing word of his reservation with Panther to the receptionist. Panther made note of his clothing; a white dress shirt, a green tie and black dress pants.
He looked rather handsome. A spectacle of the eye.
"Hey, sorry I'm late." Fox hurriedly sat down across from Panther. "Had to make up an excuse for Falco."
Panther inwardly grimaced. Tonight was the night that he hoped that would change. He understood, of course, he was a wanted criminal just a year ago, and Falco hadn't warmed up to any of the old team. But it still...hurt. if only a little.
"You look dashing." In moments like this, Panther deigned to simply speak his mind. Fox's cheek brushed a light red as he sat down.
"It's the, uh, best I had." He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. "I don't have a lot of formal clothes."
"If that's your best, I'm elated to see what your good is." Panther grinned, and Fox turned just a touch redder with a playful "Stop that!"
"Ah, but I can't, my rose. It would be wrong of me to not speak the obvious."
"God, you're such a flirt."
"This is new information to you?"
Fox chuckled. "Don't be an ass."
"It's rude to speak the truth?"
"Panther!"
He laughed out loud at the exchange, the rumble in his chest dissipating a butterfly or two. Fox's blush didn't recede, but he smiled wide, chuckling alongside him.
The feline collected himself after a moment and leaned forward in his seat, propping his chin up against the back of his hand. "Nonetheless, how are you tonight?"
"Just fine. It was a lazy day, didn't have anything planned. To be honest, when you texted me the other day, I was pretty glad." Fox smiled his typical smile. "Too used to keeping busy, you know?"
"Is this date busywork?"
"Of course it isn't." Fox lowered his eyes and grinned, and Panther grinned back. "You know how much I enjoy these."
"Do I? Please, feel free to reiterate." Panther felt that familiar bubbly feeling rise in his heart. "Ah, but perhaps it will have to wait-"
"Hello, you two." A waitress bounced over, and passed the two menus with a flick of the wrist, like it was a habit. "What can I get you started with?"
Fox flipped open his menu, and looked through it for just a moment. "I'll just have a glass of water."
"A glass of your finest wine for me." Panther passed the menu back to the waitress, and Fox followed suit. The waitress walked off, and Fox raised an eyebrow.
"Fancy tonight?"
"Why not?" Panther's yellow eyes hid his emotion well. Or at least, he hoped so. "I've heard the wine here is exquisite."
"Is wine tasting one of your hobbies?"
"It certainly isn't my job. I don't think I could stand getting tipsy every night." Panther grinned. "Perhaps with a friend, though."
"Friend." Fox echoed. Did Panther make a poor choice of words? Oh dear.
"Ah, I meant-"
Fox shook a hand. "I know what you meant." Fox's lips turned up, and Panther sighed under his breath.
"Actually, erm…"
"Hm?"
"While we wait for our drinks, I wanted to talk to you about that."
"About what?"
The butterflies returned with a vengeance, and Panther was worried he'd become ill. "Us."
"Oh yeah?"
"My rose, I…" Panther looked away, choosing his words carefully. "We have been on three excursions now?"
"That sounds about right, yeah." Panther felt Fox become a little nervous, and he echoed the emotion twice fold.
"I'd...I'd like to take things further with you."
"Er, h-how do you mean?" Fox blushed a touch and stuttered.
"I'd like to stop being just...hm, how to put this? A potential love?" Panther winced internally. That likely wasn't the best choice of words, he concluded. "I'd like to become a serious couple." He sighed out loud, finally able to get the words on the table.
Fox stayed silent for a moment, and became unreadable. Panther didn't take this as a good sign.
"I'm not sure."
"How do you mean?"
"I mean, well...we have our reputations to consider." Ah yes. That. Panther felt that grimace again. "I'm the 'savior of Lylat'-" he did air-quotes, "And you only were cleared of your crimes recently."
Panther nodded, allowing Fox the time to speak.
"And what will Falco think? Wolf? Peppy? Slippy? Leon? I have to consider the others in my life, and yours too. And then there's-"
"Fox."
"Yeah?"
"May I have your hands?" Panther held out his own, allowing Fox the space to put his if he so wanted. He did, and Panther grasped them close.
"No more what if's."
"Huh?"
"I understand if you don't want to right now, my rose, or ever, for that matter. That is your prerogative. But don't allow potential outcomes to consume your thoughts. All that matters is you and I right now. Anything that comes after tonight, we shall handle then."
Fox blushed a deep red, and closed his eyes in thought. "But-"
"No buts. Okay?"
Fox paused. "...Yeah, you're right."
"As I usually am."
The sudden shift from seriousness to levity caused Fox to laugh, smiling wide. "You always know how to make things comfortable, Panther. It's so nice."
He beamed. "It's my job, I suppose."
Fox nodded. "Hm...okay. I have an answer."
"Oh?"
Fox nodded, still tinted red. He gave a soft, jovial, and most of all, tender smile. "I'd like to take things more seriously, Panther Caroso."
The butterflies disappeared without a trace, and Panther smiled wide. "I'm so glad, my rose."
The waitress walked over with the water and wine, setting them down. Panther picked his glass up, and chuckled. "Here. A toast. To blossoming love."
"L-love?!" Fox choked up, looking at Panther in surprise.
"Didn't you know, my rose? I love you." Panther realized in that moment that he didn't care. He held love in his heart for his former foe, and he would say it plainly.
"...Then yes, let's toast." Fox held up his glass, and Panther toasted with a soft tink.
"I love you too."
My story will be starring me just like yours
Who knows when it will end
What matters most is how you bring joy to life, so…