Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

She sighed, tilting her head back to softly kiss him. "Bonne chance to us both."

*

"I know, love. Thanks for the rescue."

"Yeah. To all of us." He kissed her back, started to nod off to sleep. "Sweet dreams, Aurélie."

*

He smiled, giving her a thumbs-up. "I do what I can."

"Bonne nuit, mon coeur." She nuzzled into his neck, falling asleep quickly.

*

She kissed his neck. "I love you, Cross."

He sighed contently, finally feeling himself slip into slumber.

*

"I love you too, Star." He nuzzled her gently.

Trip's tails twitched as Star carried him into their room. "With only one room for us, anything else would have to wait anyway," she murmured, settling the small fox into the bed.

"I'm gonna take a shower, okay? Get the past two days off my fur..."

"Sounds good." He sighed, sitting on the bed, relaxing.

When she wandered into the bathroom, Trip snuggled close to Cross. He wasn't completely asleep, but he was close. "Thanks," he murmured.

He smiled, stroked to kit's head. "Anytime."

"You brought Mom home." He smiled slightly, eyes nearly shut. "You're the best dad ever."

His smiled widened slightly. Being called a dad didn't feel weird that time. Instead, it felt grand. "...And you make a great son, Trip. I love you."

"I love you too, Dad." He managed to crawl into the echidna's lap, resting his head against his chest.

He sighed contently, stroking Trip's gray hair. "When this is all over, we'll be a real family. I promise."

He nodded slightly, yawning. "We're gonna live with you and ever'thing?"

"That's right." He fought against a yawn himself. "And we'll do all the things families are supposed to do."

"What're they 'upposed to do?" he murmured.

"Well, I guess basically doing things together: eating, going on trips, and just generally having a good time together."

He nodded again. "'Kay. S'like what me and Mom do. It'll be even funner with you," he mumbled.

He chuckled softly. "Looking forward to it. Get some rest, kiddo."

"Uh huh..." He drifted off, Cross's heartbeat lulling him.

And Star walked out of the bathroom a few minutes later, smiling at the two of them.

Cross looked up at the hedgecat, smiled. "Feeling better?"

"Much." She walked over and settled onto the bed, nudging Cross back. Trip made a soft sound and curled up on Cross's chest, but stayed awake. Smiling, the hedgecat drew the covers up, getting into bed beside the echidna.

"You know, I expect a ring eventually," she mused, nuzzling him.

Cross smirked. "You mean a ring like this one?" With a free hand, he pulled out a beautifully crafted silver ring, adorned with a star-shaped diamond.

Her eyes went wide. "Well... s... something like that, yeah."

"Sorry, but I forgot to bring it with me, when we came to rescue you. I was actually planning to propose to you here, where I knew we were safe."

"Sunny kinda forced your hand there..." She smiled softly, meeting his gaze. "You could ask again."