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“My, such a strong grip my dear.” Fox remarks as Wolf leads him around the room. After the accepted period of silence is over Fox speaks. “Your boys called me their ‘Papa’ today.”
Wolf chuckles, a deep scratchy laugh. “That would be my fault.”
Fox raises an eyebrow. “How might that be?”
“I talk about you a lot in passing. Simon is reaching that age where he’s asking more questions. He asked what makes someone a parent. He tried to hide it but he’s clearly questioning how active you’ve become in our lives.” Wolf’s grip loosens slightly. “I told him, ‘someone who has the desire to make kids under their care grow into the best version of themselves.’” Wolf spins Fox around gently.
Fox moves closer and Wolf takes this as a sign to pull him close. “And what did Simon say?”
“He said, ‘does that mean Fox is our dad as well?’ I was unsure what to say at first, I stuttered and half agreed. Simon then left before I could correct myself. Now Simon and Barry call you Papa to differentiate you from me.” Wolf glances at Fox trying to read his expression.
Fox fully rests his head against Wolf’s strong chest. He’s done this before, but this time has a different reason. “My dear wolf, you know how I am with vulnerability so allow me to be honest this once. I’ve never taken care of kids before. I would not want to step on your toes.”
Wolf puts a paw on Fox’s chin and urges their eyes to meet. “Love, Barry and Simon are always sad when you go. You’re great with them, better than me sometimes I’ll admit. You can cook for them, teach them manners I was never taught, and your patience is out of this forest. You’ve encouraged me to become the best version of myself.”
Fox puts a paw on Wolf’s shoulder as they orbit around the room. A binary system, in perfect harmony. “You flatter me. It’s just a persona, a mask of perfection I use.”
“I beg to differ, you’ve almost stepped on my feet multiple times.”
Fox grumbles, Wolf wasn’t supposed to notice that.
“You drop the act within these walls. I’ve seen how your body language changes.” The pair begin dancing like they were at the start of this conversation. It’s like their first time all over again.
“Do you truly want to let me into your life?”
“It’s a little late to ask that.” Wolf dips Fox down.
“Not the sharpest in the shed but a sharp charmer in the game of love.” Fox accepts the kiss from his wolf. “A co-parent normally lives in the same household, would that be arranged here?”
Wolf puts a paw on his Fox’s cheek. “I’d love nothing more than to wake up next to the new center of my life.”
Fox smiles, turning red in the face from the wolf’s charms. “You’ll be be moving most of my stuff.”
“If you want to live here you’ll be helping more than you did when you stayed temporarily.”
Fox cringes at the reference to his early manipulation of the Wolf. “Of course. You’ve encouraged me to become the best hunter I could be. My love, my dear wolf, I will love you until I die.”