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Breather
The Amber Hot Springs were a place of relaxation for many people in the local area. It was where people could escape from the stress in their daily lives and finally catch a break in warm pools or tubs, sprinkler pads, temperature-adjustable seats, saunas, waterfalls, and showers.
This was the case for three couples who had taken a trip to the location; Fox, Wolf, Tramp, Buster, Balto, and Steele were relaxing in one of the hot tubs, seated next to one another. Several other patrons were walking around the facility to sample whatever luxuries they could find while the six of them chatted amongst one another.
“Aaaaaaaah…this is nice…”, sighed Fox, “I don’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed…”
“I used to think it was impossible to find someplace like this…”, murmured Wolf, “I gotta come here more often…”
“Honestly, it’s nice to get away from all the drama and chaos”, smiled Tramp, “Makes me appreciate something like this way more.”
“I hear ya’, I might get a workout from my job at the salvage yard, but this is more my style”, agreed Buster, “Means I get to relax with my partner…”
“I’m glad I get to share it with you guys”, said Balto, “I mean, anyone could enjoy this place, but it’s nicer to have company along for the ride.”
“I know I deserved this especially”, grinned Steele, “With all the stupid crap I have to deal with regularly, this is more than warranted.”
“I thought you could handle hate comments”, smirked Wolf.
“Oh, I don’t give a shit about them, I’m sure you’ve read a fair few yourself”, replied Steele.
“Yeah, all this bullshit about how I’m supposedly gonna nuke you all while you’re asleep”, Wolf muttered, “It’s a wonder, despite being with Fox for months now, people still have that assumption.”
“Trust me, you haven’t seen my side”, sniffed Steele, “If I could block half the human population, I would.”
“This is why I think they’re full of shit”, snorted Buster, “They’ll just say whatever comes to mind without looking at the full picture.”
“I don’t think that’s entirely fair”, said Balto, “Sure, some people are full of it, but I know a fair few who aren’t.”
“I’d say we’ve had a fairly supportive reception among our own friend groups”, added Tramp, “After all, I got a few messages from Charlie while he and Itchy were off on an expedition of sorts, he said he was onboard for the whole thing…provided I send him all the juicy details.”
“That sounds just like him…”, murmured Fox, “I’ve gotten similar from my own crew…granted, they were...more modest about the whole thing.”
“Hmmhmm, one would think they’d be ready to execute me by firing squad”, Wolf remarked, “Turns out when you’re used to a life of peace and you wanna put all the dumb shit from the past behind ya…it just so happens to work out like that.”
“Sounds about right ta’ me. After all, not only do I got’s me my Trampski ova’ here, but a little whirlwind ta’ go back to”, smirked Buster, “I tell ya’, that little runt’s not changed a bit.”
“Well, you shoulda seen this one photo of him, Baloo, and Bagheera”, grinned Tramp, “He even gave Mr. Bare Necessities a run for his money at that party.”
“It was pretty funny all things considered, haha, haaaaaaa….”, Balto chuckled, “I never realized how…comfortable we are just talking like this”
“Yeah…it’s kinda crazy”, added Fox.
“I mean, hey, we ain’t the only ones who stand out, just lookit those pups over there”, Wolf pointed out. The others looked to where Patch, Lucky, Rolly, and Tripod were relaxing in one of the pools, with Mooch and Blaze accompanying them.
“You know, speaking of Dalmatians, you guys seen that Dylan recently?”, grinned Tramp, “That boy’s really gotten confident as of late.”
“Oh yeah, last I heard, he’s part of that quartet going on between Hansel, Fergus, and Spike”, replied Buster, “About time he realized that men are where it’s at.”
Speaking of which, the four dogs were testing out one of the water pad rooms, where one would stand on an illuminated water pad, and it would vary between how intense the sprinkler would be. Hansel was on one of the gentler settings, along with Dylan, while Spike was on a medium setting, and Fergus was on one that would hit you with water. Conveniently, he had his tail hanging out over the side of the sprinkler to show off.
“Haha, you guys really gotta try this”, laughed Fergus as a spurt of water struck him up the backside, “Hooooooo, it’s like that time you caught me by surprise, Hansel.”
“You’re such a card, Fergus”, grinned Hansel, “If anything, you’re the one who keeps popping up like a jack in the box.”
“Hmmm…I think I might try one of those…”, mused Dylan as he walked over to a more intense pad. As soon as he stepped on it, a big burst of water struck him on the backside, “OH!”
“Hmmmm…that’s a show…real smooth, man”, Spike grinned cheekily.
“Haha! Go on, D-Dawg!”, cheered Fergus, “Show us the good stuff!”
“Is that so…well…”, Dylan smirked as he positioned himself to slide between the two pads, water sprinkling up as he whipped back to face the guys.
“Now dat’s the good stuff there”, cooed Hansel, “Not bad at all, Dylan.”
“C’mon, baby, show me what I got”, purred Spike, “After all, I am a surfer…”
Spike stepped on one of the stronger pads as the water whipped behind his head before splashing back down on his face. The Doberman turned back to the crew with a smirk, “Aaaaaah, now that’s refreshin’..”
“Haha, haaaaaaa…”, Dylan sighed longingly.
“Lookit him!”, Fergus rejoiced as Dylan turned away with a blush, “I knew you had spunk under that nerdy exterior, Dyl!”
“Well, glad to know I’ve got such a keen audience”, cooed Dylan with a wink.
Blitz, Exile, Hunter, and Bolt were passing by the room as they saw it through the glass.
“I know what you would have said back in the day”, grinned Blitz.
“True…but I don’t give a damn about it now. We’re all weird boys anyway”, replied Exile.
“Plus, you gotta admit, that’s some real funny action in there”, said Hunter.
“I’m…still getting used to this whole relaxation thing”, murmured Bolt, “You know how it is.”
“Don’t I know it?”, smirked Blitz, “Now instead of dealing with stupid bullshit missions, I can flex dis beautiful body right there, alongside this hot piece of Russian cake.”
“Not as hot as yours”, grinned Exile with a wink, to which Blitz modestly put a paw to his face.
“Ja, I know”, The Doberman cooed.
“Hehe…you two don’t hide much from each other, do you…?”, Bolt blushed.
“Bet you could have never predicted that from them”, smiled Hunter.
“Yeah…but, it’s nice…and attractive, I might add”, grinned Bolt.
“And speaking of which…”, grinned Hunter as he looked over to the left.
Meanwhile, Chance and Jake were lying down on a couple of the adjustable chairs, next to Top Cat and his gang, while several other patrons were relaxing beside them.
“What do ya’ know, they managed to get in without connin’ someone”, Chance teased.
“Little bit ironic comin’ from the pilot who got grounded by his commanding officer”, smirked Top Cat.
“Yeah, well, that didn’t do shit from keepin’ us in the air”, replied Chance, “We’re practically the best pilots you ever saw.”
“And, like, uh, the most OP”, added Spook, causing the gang to chuckle.
“Hold on, duhhhhhhh, wasn’t there that time they got caught in a blizzard and had to be rescued?”, asked Brain.
“Uh, well…”, Chance looked away, a blush forming on his yellow face.
“Yeeeeeah, we kinda underestimated the weather on that one…”, Jake replied modestly, “I guess even the best pilots can make mistakes…”
“Well, I think you guys are still cool”, smiled Benny, “After all, no one else can fly like you guys.”
“Apart from maybe dos Star Fox and Star Wolf guys”, said Choo-Choo, “But you’re definitely up there…heh, see what I did there?”
“Chooch, baby, leave the puns to me”, replied Fancy, “You guys should really hang out with us more often. After all, I’d argue we share that aspect of bein’ handsome as hell.”
“I’ll second that, you guys would have some fun in the alley, we got all the good stuff”, Top Cat grinned with a wink.
“I’m sure ya’ do, plenty of kitty cats to tap to sit on my lap”, smirked Chance.
“Like, uh, hold your horses, big guy”, purred Spook, “Think ya’ might wanna take it up with the big man here.”
“Exactly, my dear Spook, everyone knows who the top cat is around here”, smirked TC as the rest of the felines chuckled.
Five other patrons could hear the exchange going on in the nearby steam room. Falco, in particular, rolled his eyes at the catty felines.
“I didn’t think those guys could get any more corny, but once again, my expectations are subverted”, murmured the avian.
“Not like you don’t have a history of that yourself”, remarked Leon, “After all, what was that phrase of yours again, hands off my cawk?
“It was hands off my prey, wise ass”, snorted Falco, “And besides…these people would do well to stay away from mine.”
“How charming, you think of me as such…”, replied Leon before an impish grin appeared on his face, “...cuz I believe the roles are actually reversed.”
“Shameless as always, aren’t you, my dear Leon?”, remarked Panther, who was seated between Bill and Razor.
“I know you ain’t talking, Mr. Casanova”, Leon waved dismissively, “I’m sure you glaze your little toy boys all the time in private.”
“Hrmmm, touche, but can you blame me when I’ve got such handsome men on either side?”, smirked Panther.
“Man, you guys are something else…”, sighed Razor as he lay his head back against the wooden wall, “Then again…this is nice…”
“Aaaah, is that a relaxed smile on your face, broski?”, grinned Bill, “Didn’t think I’d see the day.”
“When ya’ live a life like yours truly, it ain’t easy to relax…”, muttered Razor.
“As I’ve found out…you did mention you came from a life of hardship”, murmured Panther.
“I…won’t bore you all with the details, but just know, things weren’t so rosy for me to get in the position that I did…”, Razor replied before turning over to Panther, “Suppose I can appreciate something like this at the very least…”
“Awwww, ya’ don’t have to worry about withholding sentiment around me”, smiled Bill, “I’m open to hear it, though ya’ don’t have to force it out.”
“I concur, tell us whenever you’re comfortable, my dear”, purred Panther.
“Uh…right…sure…”, murmured Razor, before he sighed, “I’ll say this much…haaaaaaaa…you guys sure know where ta’ pick ‘em…”
“I’ll say, it’s so nice to chill from the military action, right next to some of my favorite dudes”, grinned Bill as he leaned against Panther.
“And you thought we were givin’ ya diabetes”, remarked Falco before feeling Leon lean on him,
“Hrmmmm…haaaaaaaaaaa…”
Fox and Wolf had exited the hot tub and glanced over at the sauna, where the conversation was going on. They took a seat on the temperature-adjustable seats to relax for a bit.
“I guess there’s no place quite like this one…you feel comfortable with just about anything”, mused Fox as he leaned against Wolf’s shoulder. The lupine looked over at the hot tub where Tramp and Balto were repeating the gesture with Buster and Steele, respectively. Wolf could only smile back at the vulpine.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, pup…”