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Seaside Serenity
Fox sighed as he looked over across the porch. The sounds and sights of the sea were truly beautiful in the dusk light. The orange and pink hue of the sky contrasts with the deep blue of the water, the occasional waves lapping against the shore, and the glistening grains of sand along the beach.
To say Fox hadn’t usually been the type to “stop and smell the roses” would be an understatement, having been too preoccupied with leading Star Fox, among other mercenary work and dealing with Cornerian military shenanigans. Suffice it to say, there had been a lot on his plate.
Now, as he watched the sun set over the horizon, he couldn’t help but smile at the peace and tranquility of his surroundings. Fox took a breath to inhale the sea air, before sighing in satisfaction.
“Well, ain’t you a beach babe?”
Fox rolled his eyes as he felt Wolf’s arms wrap around him, “Real classy, macho man.”
“Hey, you know you can’t get enough of me in those boxers”, smirked the lupine, “Nor can I whenever I see you in those cute green trunks.”
“You really have no filter, do you?”, remarked Fox. Wolf just chuckled in response.
“Ya’ don’t have to play the PG wonder boy when there’s no kids around, pup”, replied the lupine, “Besides, it’s not like other people wouldn’t be checkin’ you out like that, I’ve seen the tabloids.”
“Then you’d know all the stuff they’ve said about you”, grinned Fox.
“Ah yes, between the dastardly space pirate bullshit, there’s ‘Wolf O’Donnell stuns millions by being hot as hell’”, smirked Wolf, “Suppose there are such things as a silver lining, even if it’s from that side of the tabloids.”
“You really don’t do modesty, do you?”, sighed Fox.
“Hardly anything to be modest about when you look like I do”, replied Wolf, “Besides, you ain’t exactly innocent either, I’ve seen that cocky bravado of yours slip out.”
“Well…I have my reasons…namely in how I’ve got the pilot skills to back it up”, grinned Fox.
“Now look who’s bein’ the jackass”, remarked Wolf. Fox rolled his eyes before looking out towards the sea.
“Say, Wolf…you mind going on a little walk with me?”, asked the vulpine.
“Suppose it couldn’t hurt, not a bad view at that anyways”, replied the lupine.
So, the two stepped down from the porch and headed towards the beach. Fox smiled as they walked along the shoreline, watching as the waves continued to lightly crash against the beach. He sighed once more in remembrance.
“You know…it really is beautiful…”, The vulpine smiled softly.
“Yeah…suppose I never really learned to appreciate this kinda stuff…well, given the life I had, that was a bit difficult”, replied Wolf, “What I wouldn’t have given to chill by the beach more often…”
“...I remember when I used to come here with my parents”, said Fox, “Hmmmmm…those really were the good old days…I’d come here on my summer breaks, and we’d spend hours in the water or relaxing on the sand…that probably sounds corny to you.”
“...Nah, it’s…fine…”, Wolf murmured, “Truth be told, wish I had more moments like that in my youth…I think I only came to the beach a select few times…even then, from what I can remember, it was one of the only times in my youth where I felt…happy…I know, wild revelation there.”
“No…not at all…”, replied Fox, “How was it…like, the beach, back then?”
“Well, it was like any other beach, waves, sand, jack-offs with too much stuff taking up space…but it was nice…”, Wolf smiled wistfully, “It was a brief period away from the hardships, a brief moment where life just felt…right…in hindsight, it probably doesn’t mean all that much knowing my own path in life, but…you’re right, it really is beautiful…”
“Yeah…I’m glad you think so…”, smiled Fox as he looked over to where there was a pier standing several feet out to the sea. He sighed once more, “I remember when my father and I would sit over there…we had a scoop of ice cream in hand and just watched the waves hit the dock, maybe spot whatever boats were out…and one night, we even saw the fireworks for a Cornerian military celebration…it was one of the best moments of my life…”
Fox looked out to the dock before looking down at the sand, “It’s ironic how things change…at one point, I’m a kid enjoying life as it is…and then, I’m drafted as the new leader of my father’s mercenary squad in the wake of his death, with the fate of the Lylat System resting in four guys’ hands…it’s amazing I still find time for stuff like this…”
“How about time with someone like this…?”, Wolf remarked, “It’s doubly ironic for me…rose up the ranks via a scientist who claimed to be progressive, with all kinds of wack promises, only to be a complete nutjob in hindsight…got humbled after an encounter with a rookie, went into hiding…and what do ya’ know, after workin’ with said rookie, here I am, standing on the beach with him, like it’s any other day…”
“Well, I’m sure you prefer this to the alternative…”, replied Fox, “Besides…I’m glad I get to spend this time with you…seeing how everything’s changed…”
“For the better, I should imagine…”, murmured Wolf, “It’s crazy to think we’d be standing here like this…but I ain’t one to complain, got me a cute pup here to keep me company.”
“Awwww, you really are lonely without me, aren’t you?”, teased Fox.
“Haaaaaaaa, shut up, Fox…”, replied Wolf. The two looked out towards the sunset; by now, the sun had gone further over the horizon till it was barely visible. Fox shifted slightly as he leaned against Wolf’s arm.
“Wolf…?”
“Yeah?”
“...I love you.”
“...Hmmhmm, love you too, pup.”
The two canines turned to face one another, before slowly leaning in to press a kiss against each other’s muzzles, the remaining sunlight casting a silhouette over anyone who saw from a distance.
In that moment, in a world that long since been overrun by all types of conflict across the cosmos, the two felt truly at peace.