Fox and Dash took the arwing back to the city to get themselves a bite to eat. The two of them were walking for a few minutes in silence while looking for the steakhouse that's actually nearby. They were in silence on the whole trip back as well. Fox needed to get something off his chest with Dash about what was bugging him earlier, especially since he owed Dash an explanation in return for him sharing his problems earlier.
It was about sunset at the time, so it's about time to have dinner. While the two of them were walking, Fox took a quick look over his comm. device and turned it back on. After his little 'incident' with Krystal hours ago, he turned off his communication device to avoid any contact with her while he was out catching his breath. But, as expected, there were a lot of messages and missed calls from Krystal regarding that situation. Fox deleted the calls and messages and took a look at the other message that he got as well. There were some from Peppy, Falco, Slippy, Bill, his friend Lucy, his ex Fara, and some other people as well. He also got one message from someone nicknamed, 'The Lupine T-Bone'. T-Bone was one of the guys that Fox had met back in the gay bar over five years ago, when he found out that he was gay himself. Fox was surprised that he received a text from one of the men that supported him while his father died years ago just to test himself back into life when the whole Star Wolf thing had riled everyone up as of today.
Fox sighed, turned off his communicator, and put it back into his coat pocket.
"Were you checking something?" Dash asked to break the silence.
"Yeah," said Fox, "just a few messages that were sent regarding the Star Wolf situation. Friends are wondering how I'm feeling right now."
"You sure are taking it well right now. Everyone was really upset about this news when it got out."
"I wasn't at first though," Fox said. "C'mon. Let's get to the steakhouse for some food."
"I hope they have organic food there," said Dash, "I can't stand artificial meat at all."
Fox gave a small chuckle before seeing the steakhouse a few feet away.
...
Meanwhile, with Star Wolf
"Well, THAT could've gone better," Leon said, grudgingly.
"Yeah," said Panther as he was pulling a tomato off his head, "I should've thought that people would start throwing food at us. I needs a shower, A.S.A.P."
Wolf only grunted while he wiped his head with a wet towel. He was super pissed when the crowd threw a bunch of soggy tomatoes towards the stage, just because they refuse to give them a chance to redeem themselves. 'Cheeky bastards!' he thought in anger.
They were feeling hungry, so General Pepper gave them a discount of this awesome steakhouse that's nearby the beach, as a way to apologize for everyone's behavior. Wolf loved meat, and he would kill for a steakburger right now. In a metaphorical way, of course.
After cleaning off one last tomato spot on his fur, Wolf spotted the steakhouse a few feet ahead of them and got stoked for those burgers.
On one corner from the steakhouse, Fox and Dash came into view. On the other corner, Star Wolf also came into view. Now, the two groups were a few feet from each other, face-to-face once again. But this time, the two canines were both in a frozen state.
Fox and Wolf were looking at each other now. There was a small silence between the two for a brief moment before Leon spoke.
"Well, well, look who's stumbled into our presence once again. Couldn't find anything else better to do than to bother us, or are we irresistible for you?"
"Haha, probably wants to get his tongue back from the cat!" Panther laughed out.
The panther and the chameleon were laughing their heads off for a moment before Wolf turned around and gave them a terrifying glare. They shut up out of fear and shock out of what their leader had done. Wolf calmed down and turned back to Fox.
"Just ignore them," he said. "So, what's up?"
Fox just stood there, trying to adjust to what his ex-rival just did right there. Wolf O'Donnell just stood his teammates up for him. HIM. His arch-enemy for who knows how long since the Lylat Wars. What was that all about?
"Um, nothing much. What about you?"
"Oh, ya know. People throwing insults and criticism all for being in denial of the truth they're afraid to face."
Fox suddenly felt a wave of guilt fill within him. "Been there."
"You too?"
"This morning. I…actually need to have a talk about this, just to get some weight off my chest," Fox admitted briefly.
Wolf only grew a small, out-of-character smile on his muzzle and nodded.
"Yeah. I actually think that WE need to have a talk about our situation."
"We do?" Fox asked reluctantly.
"Well," Wolf started, "I've actually got a lot to explain to you anyhow. So, might as well."
"Boss, you can't be serious-"
Leon was caught off again when Panther put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head. The chameleon was quiet now.
Fox was feeling nervous about this, but he knows that he has to do this. Now better than never would be a good idea at this point.
"Alright," Fox said, "let's talk. Seems that this steakhouse would be best."
Fox and Wolf began to walk together to enter the steakhouse, with Dash, Panther, and Leon following reluctantly. Dash gave a small glance at the other two men and turned away in one second. Leon gave a small glare at Dash for a moment before something of realization in his mind clicked and shock.
Once inside, they saw that the restaurant was empty. Minus the few employees who are working there.
Everyone was surprised, not so much by Fox's presence, as it was an honor to have one of Lylat's heroes there, but by his companions instead. Not surprised by Dash, but by Wolf, Leon, and Panther. If it wasn't because they didn't want to appear rude in front of Fox, they would've tossed the Star Wolf team right out of there instantly. So, they were forced to put on a face of false kindness towards Star Wolf and genuine kindness towards Fox and Dash.
"Good afternoon, gentleman," said one of the employees. "Can I offer you a table?"
"Oh yes. Could it be one that is in the center of the restaurant?" asked the vulpine.
"Of course. Follow me, please." replied the employee of the restaurant.
"Thank you."
Once the five of them were seated at the table, and they were more comfortable, the waiter went to get them the menus, handed them over, and then left them alone for a few minutes so they could order what food they wanted to eat.
"Well, since we're more comfortable now we can finally talk about this," said Wolf.
"Oh. Yes." Fox sighed. "Well, it's difficult for me to say this, and more painful considering our past history… But… but."
"Yes. I know you must feel bad about our past problems and apologizing, and I can understand the hatred you had for me and Leon. I know how close you used to be with your father, and how much you've suffered for his death." Wolf said with a compassionate look.
"You speak as if you know what I've been through." said the vulpine in a normal tone of voice.
"Of course I know how you feel. My parents died in a car accident when I was a teenager. They were the most important people to me, and since I didn't have any friends throughout my childhood I was all alone." Wolf explained. "They were the only people I had. I made many mistakes after their deaths, most of them that I am not proud of at all, but I had to do it in order to survive this cruel world."
Fox had a huge reaction of surprise upon hearing that. Wolf suffered the same fate as he did, not having parents with him. At that point, Fox began to feel bad for Wolf again. But this time, it was because while he had the company of his father when he lost his mother, Vixy, and then being comforted by Falco, Peppy, and his other friends when he lost his father, James; Wolf did not have anyone with him to help him overcome his pain. If only someone was there for him, he wouldn't have made so many mistakes and avoided his criminal life. He would have become a better person too.
In Leon and Panther's case, they were both surprised since Wolf had never told them that. Even though they were teammates, and even to a certain extent that they were friends, they couldn't believe that Wolf had that secret kept quiet inside him.
On Dash's side, in that sense, he couldn't help but think that he and Wolf had in common of having to lose their parents. Unlike Wolf, Dash had no recollection of his parents, as they both died shortly after his birth. Andross, his own grandfather, never cared for his sake. As he was more concerned with his plans to conquer the Lylat System, and his uncle Andrew simply despised him and viewed him as a backstabber who could rob him of any chance of gaining Andross' empire when the time will come.
"But enough talking about my past. It's not something important right now. I prefer to focus on the present…" said Wolf, wanting to change the subject.
At that moment, the waiter returned to take orders from the guys. "Well, gentlemen. Who wants to order first?"
"I want sweet potato fries," Dash said.
"In my case, I would like to order a sliced brisket," said Panther.
"For my part, I would like chili cheese tots," said Leon.
"And I would like the T-bone steak," said both Fox and Wolf, surprising each other.
"Okay, we won't be long in bringing you your orders," said the waiter, taking the menus and leaving.
"Wow Fox. I'm surprised you ordered my favorite dish too," Wolf said.
"What a coincidence, that's MY favorite dish too," said the vulpine, quite surprised to see something else he has in common with Wolf.
'Something tells me that those two have a lot more in common than they're aware of,' Dash thought to himself whilst watching them.
At that moment, the monkey noticed that the chameleon did not stop observing him. He felt uncomfortable, as if he was trying to read his thoughts right now, and if he was honest, he felt a little bit intimidated by him.
"Hey boy, you look very familiar to me, and I've already realized who you are," said the chameleon.
"I don't know what you're talking about. You must be confused. Just this morning, I just arrived on this planet, and I've never been here before," said the monkey, trying to hide his great nervousness within himself. "Nor met you."
"Yes, I know you've never been here before. But they're already told me about you. You're Dash Bowman," Leon began in such a way that no one apart from the guys at the table couldn't hear him, "Andrew told me about you, and how he knows you. You're his nephew, and you're Andross' grandson."
Dash was about to run off again. But this time, Fox was faster and grabbed him by the arm, to keep him from getting up. On the other hand, Wolf and Panther were in shock, since they haven't realized that Dash is related to Andross and Andrew if Leon hadn't spoken up first.
"Please, don't tell anyone that information," Fox said. "Dash is not like Andross and Andrew. He just wants to start a peaceful life on a planet outside Venom, where nobody would judge him for where he came from and for who his family members are."
The three members of Star Wolf just looked at each other. After that, Wolf replied; "Well, don't worry about that. Just like Dash wants to start a new life, so do we. So, your secret's safe with us then."
"Really? Thank you very much," said the monkey.
"Yeah. Thanks a lot, guys," said the vulpine.
At that moment, the waiter appeared and handed them their food. After that, the five began to eat calmly. On one hand, everyone felt happy. On the other hand, it also felt strange. Since they've never believed that they were going to have a quiet evening.
