Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

Aurora's tail wagged, small tongue bathing her mother's cheek. The spaniel laughed softly. "Trade with me, will you?"

*

Sunny sighed, shaking her head. "Man, that's really fucked up..."

He chuckled. "Sure thing." He eased Dart into her arms, bringing Aurora into his.

*

Briggs sighed. "No shit. I don't even need to touch on the financial slaughter that took place. Guess that's why I'm staying away from long-term relationships."

*

"Good. And I'll make sure Yue doesn't run you into the ground, okay?"

Aurora immediately transferred her delighted licking to her father. Aurélie smiled, nuzzling Dart. He sniffed her, his own tail wagging.

*

Sunny stretched. "Yeah, well, I don't blame you. I avoid them 'cause it seems like once the balls drop, the brains skip town."

*

His tails, which had twined together from embarrassment and nerves, relaxed. "Okay."

Star smiled.

He laughed, smiling. "Hey, you! That tickles!"

*

He shook his head. "Yeah, then there's that."

*

"So, what do you think of her?"

She yipped happily, tail wagging. And, oblivious as to what he was saying, she continued to lick.

*

She chuckled. "Yo, Damien, we there yet?"

*

"She.... she's really nice."

He continued to laugh, holding her as only a father could. "My baby girl..."

*

Briggs flinched. He forgot all about the human guiding them! Shit! He did not mean for anyone else to hear all that!

*

"Yeah, she is. Considering what her parents went through, she's turning out okay."

He gestured to a doorway labeled 'barracks'. "For the past minute and a half, yeah."

She barked happily, panting happily.

*

"Okay, cool. You can keep a secret, right?"

*

He frowned, pressing closer to Star. "She told me," he said quietly.

"I'll add it to the list."

"Nice." Yawning, Sunny went into the room.

He sighed contently. "Still can't believe it. I'm a father..."

*

"Good. Then we got no problems." He stepped through the doorway.

*

"She doesn't know everything, and for both of your sakes, I hope neither of you find out."

"Oui." Fondly, she nuzzled Dart.

*

Sunny faceplanted on the bed, sighing contentedly. "So would you consider you and Crescent split?"

*

Trip nodded. "I don't like that she has nightmares..."

"Sweetie, I don't like that you have them." Star cuddled him gently. "Don't worry. They'll go away."

He smiled, looked over at Aurélie. "So, how's it feel being a mother? I'm sure it wasn't exactly in your plans, either."

*

He sighed, falling back on his bed. "Yeah, I think so. Why, you interested?"

*

Cross nodded. "We all have nightmares, but soon enough, they always fade."

"It is... better than I expected." She smiled at him, face close to Dart's. "They are wonderful to 'ave."

*

"Some. You ain't interested in long term and neither am I. Sure as hell didn't work that way for Nova and Aurélie, but whatever."

*

The fox nodded again. "Okay. Um... when can I call you dad?"

"That they are." He nuzzled Aurora, who cooed happily.

*

"Yeah, well that was Nova's fault to begin with. The man's a sucker for foreign accents, especially french. Fail!"

*

Cross blushed. "Well, whenever you feel up to it, I guess."

Dart licked her, as if testing, and Aurélie licked back. As if that was all the permission he needed, Dart went to town on her face, yipping happily. "Bof," she muttered, smiling.

*

Snickering, she rose and laid atop him to test it out. His body was rock solid. Points for him. "Worked out for 'em, though. Their kids are cute as hell."

*

Star laughed, nuzzling the echidna. "I'm fine with it at anytime, Trip."

"Okay." He smiled softly.

He laughed. "Looks like Dart's taken a liking to you."

*

He smirked. "Are they? Only caught a glimpse of 'em. I'll have to check it out later."

*

He chuckled sheepishly. "I'd have to admit, it would feel a bit weird the first few times."

"Well, that is fine." She held him aloft and the boy wriggled, tail wagging and tongue lolling as he panted. "'E is lucky 'e is so adorable."

*

"Yeah, you should check 'em out in the morning." She shifted comfortably. "If I wasn't so damn tired, I think put some moves on you. As it is, I'm probably just gonna stay right here."

*

Trip nodded and, understanding him, Star passed the fox to Cross, smiling.

He chuckled. "Yeah, he is." He kissed Aurora on her forehead, who got in a quick couple of licks on his chin. "I can say the same for this one."

*

"Fine with me. Haven't had proper sleep in like three days, anyway."

*

Cross, a bit surprised, smiled. "You sure that's a good idea? I'm not exactly in top form."

"As I said, mon coeur, we did well with our genes." We brought Dart back, letting him licked her cheek. She nuzzled him gently, taking in his scent. "Je t'aime, mon fils..."

*

"Fuck. I don't know how you guys do that shit."

*

"I trust you."

He sighed contently, licked Aurora's cheek before allowing her to lap at his. "I love these little puffballs."

*

"Trust me, it's tough as shit. Nova and the others got it easy, with their powers and shit. I'd have to sneak in like three naps a day, to keep up with 'em."

*

Cross smiled. "Okay."

"Mm... So do I."

*

She lifted a brow. "I forgot you're basically normal. You still kick ass and all."

*

Trip laid his head on Cross's shoulder, sighing. "Dad," he murmured, testing it out.

"Yeah..." He lost the rest of his words, too happy with his family (and Aurora's lapping) to think in coherent sentences.

*

He shrugged. "Just keepin' in shape. Still, I think I got the better end of things."

*

Cross blushed, nuzzled the boy. "Son," he tested.

Aurélie laughed, walking into their room.

*

"You mean them having their powers forced on 'em? Hell yeah, you got the better deal. I got lucky, too. What I have came natural."

*

Trip smiled, purring. He had a dad, a real dad who didn't hurt him.

He followed, grinning. "So, how do you think these two'll grow up?"

*

"Damn. Everyone must be jealous of you." He looked at his hand, which had claws extending from the fingertips. "All I can do is slash shit."

*

He chuckled. "Since when did you start purring like a kitten?"