Grown to Love

Chapter Ten

Wolf was pulled out of the bed and hit the ground hard. The hit woke him up and he looked up. Marcus stood over him, holding a beer bottle in his hand and a packet of cigarettes between his fingers. Wolf's ears fell back and he turns to look at his bed, finding Fox sitting up against the wall and holding his tail against him as he looked at Marcus with fear. Wolf quickly stood to his feet and faced his father. "What the hell Wolf?" Marcus growled. "D-Dad. Hear me out." "Shut the hell up!" Wolf flinched and stood back. "Drinking? Smoking? And what's this?!" Marcus looked at Fox who was still shirtless. "What about him?" Wolf asked with a slightly shaken voice. "You're gay?!" Wolf frowned. "And you're drunk!" Marcus released the bottle and pack. He pulled his hand back and slapped Wolf across the face with the back of his hand. Wolf hit the floor again and Fox let out a yelp. Wolf began to growl and grabbed Marcus by the ankles, pulling him to the floor. Marcus groaned as he rubbed the back of his head. Wolf stood fast and grabbed Fox by the wrist. He had him run down to the living room. "Wolf?" Fox spoke with confusion and slight concern. "You have to go." Wolf took his shirt off and slipped it onto Fox. "Wolf wait." Fox turned to face Wolf. "What're you—" Fox was interrupted as Wolf pressed his lips into his. Wolf then opened the front door and shoved Fox out. Fox grabbed the doorknob but found it to be locked. He pounded on the door. "Wolf?!" Fox presses his ear against the door and heard loud growls and barks coming from inside. He turned to face down the street and began to breathe heavily. He ran down the street and towards his house.
"Dad!" Fox burst through the front door and made way to the stairs. James opened his bedroom door and was attacked by Fox as he crashed into him. "Fox? What're you doing back so early? And what's wrong?" "Marcus! Wolf!" Fox was breathing heavily and stumbled for words. Fox looked at his father with teary eyes and shaking hands. James took Fox into his arms. "Fox calm down! What's going on?" "I think, I think Wolf May be in trouble. I think Marcus might hurt him." "What makes you say that?" Fox swallowed hard and shook his head. "Marcus, he's drunk and he got mad at Wolf. He–He slapped him and Wolf then brought him down to the floor. He then rushed me out and locked me out. All I was able to hear were growls and barks and I fear that they could be physically hurting each other." James frowned and got up, making his way to the front door. Fox watched as his father ran out of the house. Peppy came into the living room and looked up at Fox. "Everything ok?"
Fox sat on the couch, holding his knees close to his chest as he stared out the window. The whole day went by slow for Fox. After he left Wolf's house, he did nothing but sit and waited for James to return. Peppy soon offered Fox dinner and Fox declined it. Peppy sighed and sat next to him. "I'm sure everything will be fine. James knows what he's doing. He's leader of Star Fox after all." "But what'll happen to Marcus? What about Wolf? Wolf told me so much that my dad and I never knew when he was younger. You'd think that after so many years of being friends he'd let us know this kind of stuff. We could've helped him many years ago. Who knows what kind of penalty will end up being given to Marcus." "We can't stress about it right now. Please, eat something at least and try to get some sleep. I'm sure your father will come home soon and we'll figure everything out." Fox sighs and shakes his head as he stands. "I can't eat. But I can try to sleep. Thanks anyway Peppy." Fox made his way to his room. He threw himself onto his bed and grabbed his pillow. He then curled up and took a deep breath in, sighing heavily. He looked at his shirt. I sure hope everything ends up ok... Fox had his shoulder pulled up close as the aroma of Wolf still stuck to the shirt.
Fox woke up the next day and made way to the kitchen. When he reached the top of the stairs he found James and Peppy at the table with their heads in their hands. "Dad?" James looked up and frowned, sighing as he turned away from Fox. Fox walked over to him and sat down. "Dad, what happened yesterday? Did everything get settled?" James placed a hand on Fox's shoulder. "Marcus was sent to Venom. He won't be allowed back here until he's actually gotten his work done. Turns out he was doing illegal shipping with some Venomians this whole time." "And Wolf?..." Fox's voice broke to a whisper. James gives a heavy sigh. "Marcus lost custody of him. He doesn't have anyone else to go to, really, so he was sent to live his last year as a child in CCA." Fox frowned. "So the best thing you guys were able to think of was to send him to become a member of Corneria's army?" "That's not what I said." "Bullshit. You sent him to the academy, what else will they do there? They're going to have him stay there to finish off school and then, in a way, force him to learn what it takes to be apart of the army. Why didn't you just bring him here?" "It was Pepper who made the decision." Peppy said suddenly. Fox turns to face him. "What?" "Your father had given the suggestion of having him stay with us but Pepper said otherwise. I think he wants to make sure Wolf stays on the right track but I personally feel like he's trying to manipulate the poor kid." Fox stands and walks to the refrigerator. "Well he ain't gonna get much from him. Wolf's stubborn. And even if Pepper wants him to stay there, Wolf only has one year left till he can do whatever he wants." Fox pulls out a water and starts to drink it. He slams the door shut. "Until I get any information on what happens later on, I just want to finish up my time in high school while I still have the chance to stay where I am. You can't have Pepper drag me to that damn combat school even if my life depended on it."