FSE

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Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Patreon or Ko-Fi helps make that happen. Patrons even get to see stories a week early to avoid all that pesky waiting. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me on Twitter. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way...

Welcome to the finale, my lovely reader!

Things will move quickly in this one, but it's also a big episode, clocking in at nearly 14k words!

Perhaps the writing was on the wall, perhaps not. I hope I surprise you with a few twists and turns before this one is finished, but regardless, I do hope you ultimately enjoyed your time in Joseph and Ivory's little world. Pardon me; Joseph, Ivory, Isaac, and Karen's little world.

I always get a little emotional when I finish one of these... I fall in love with all my characters so easily.

Well, that's enough rambling from me, let's jump right in!

--*--

Episode 8:

Songs For A Fox

"I warned you about moving in, didn't I? Now she has you hooked," The wolf growled the words with a toothy grin, sitting across from the fox at a small cafe.

Joseph sipped on his cup of coffee, his handpaws cradling the mug, a silver band resting on his padded-finger. "It's not an engagement ring, it's just a promise ring, you know, something to show we are serious."

Isaac barked out a laugh and leaned back in his chair, holding his one paw up showing off the rings. "Yeah, they have a name for that, Joe. It's an engagement ring."

"Give me a break, we've not even talked about marriage!" The young fox barked, his cheeks warming as his eyes looked away.

"Neither did me and Karen after it happened... then the next thing I know, I'm speaking vows again." The wolf grinned wide but decided to give the younger dog a break and shift the topic.

Isaac set the coffee mug down and folded his handpaws on the table. "So, why did you want to meet me alone? Usually, the girls are with us, if this is a confession?"

"Blow me." The fox growled before taking another gulp of coffee.

"Not the most romantic confession, but I applaud how succinct it was." The wolf spoke with a wide grin.

Joseph grumbled to himself looking down at the table. The wolf recognizes his tension and smiled before shaking his head. "Relax, what's got you so high strung today, man?"

The fox huffed over the top of his coffee mug then set it down before looking the wolf straight on. He had been seeing Isaac every few weeks with Karen and Ivory, for the better part of six months now. "I want to ask you a favor. I don't even know if it's possible but I want to try."

He blinked at the fox, seeing the serious look on his face, and rolled his neck a few times before seeming to shift into a business mindset. "Alright, let's hear it."

"Your job, well I guess... both of your jobs now. Anyway you know people, you have connections. I mean, I assume you have to if you want to succeed in that field?" The fox asked curiously.

Isaac wasn't a fan of talking about his connections, it was poor form to do so. However, he knew the fox wasn't being malicious so answered him honestly. "Well, yes. If you don't know people you can't make it as a P.I, or as a bondsman." The wolf hesitated before following up, "These are touchy subjects I don't normally talk about outside of Karen, who is my business partner. I hope you understand that."

The fox grunted and looked away, his cheeks growing hot as he nodded. "Sorry, I wasn't trying to be tactless... Just I-"

The wolf's attitude shifted back to a more jovial mindset as he smiled at Joseph. "No need to worry. Out with it, Joe, we're friends here, I will hear you out."

He sighed and gave the wolf a strong gaze. "Would you know anyone that might know a guy or something in the media sector?"

"That... is a very, very broad statement. Can we narrow it down? Why don't you tell me straight up what you're wanting and I will tell you if it's possible." The dog rubbed his chin, his mind already at work with thoughts of the fox's intentions.

"Fine! Ugh... you're going to think I'm stupid for this..." Joseph huffed and seemed to gather himself before speaking once again, "Ivory has an amazing voice, she sings like a goddess, she just-"

"You want me to see if one of my guys knows someone that might be able to give her a look." The wolf nodded, connecting the dots at last.

"Y-yes..." He confirmed the statement with a nod.

Isaac rubbed at his chin in contemplation, his large red tail lazily wagging as he thought to himself. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt to prod them... I could call in some favors I'm owed... But, you gotta understand something, Joe. This is information, and it's one of the most expensive commodities people deal with in this line of work. Are you willing to pay for it?"

"Of course! I've been setting money aside for a while now before I brought this up to you!" He spoke in a confident tone, looking determined.

"Huh... you know it might not go anywhere... It's not my expertise but even I know that's a tough racket to get into. Are you okay with that risk?" Isaac prodded the fox to see if he realized the gravity of the situation.

"T-that's fine... I know I'm asking a lot, but if it gives her a chance to be happy... it's worth it." He snarled and looked down at his half drank cup of coffee.

Isaac gave the fox a wide grin and shook his head, "You're already so far gone kid... she's got you hook, line, and sinker."

"Screw you, you guys were married by now!" The fox barked with a grin and holds his handpaw up. "She only has me by the hook so far."

Isaac laughed out at the reply and grinned. "You've got me there." He hummed and folded his handpaws, giving Joseph a smile. "If I do this, I've got a condition or two."

"Let's hear them then." The fox sat up straight and huffed.

"First one. You don't have any hard feelings if this doesn't pan out. I don't want it souring our friendship if I can't find anything." The fox nodded in response.

"Second, we don't speak about this to either of the girls, it's between us." Again the fox nodded in response.

"Third and finally, you pay my hourly fee. Not because I need the money, but more because this is your goal, not mine. If this works out, I want it being her fiance that pulled it off, not me doing you a favor out of the goodness of my heart, Understand?"

The fox hesitated and nodded, "R-right. Of course... how much are we talking?"

"Fifty an hour, plus any expenses I incur such as travel." The wolf huffed in an all-business tone.

'Damn, that's triple what I make, I'm in the wrong field...' Joseph thought to himself before nodding. "O-okay, no problem."

The wolf gave him a grin. In truth, he normally charged over one hundred an hour for his services, but no need to let the fox know that. He figured he could count on one paw the hours this would take. "Great, we have a deal then. Once I've got some information I will be in touch."

"Thanks for humoring me with this." Joseph sighed, looking away once more. "I know it's not your expertise but..."

"Don't think twice on it, Ivory is my friend too, Joe. If this improves her lot in life I'm happy to help." Isaac grinned wide and waved a handpaw. "Speaking of... when are we meeting up with you guys again"

"Good question, it's been a few weeks, I know the girls start to miss one another if it gets too long. Let me ask Ivory about it." The fox thought for a moment about the situation and then cut his eyes back over at the dog sitting across from him.

Isaac smiled and perked his ears, tilting his head to the side curiously at the look. "Something on your mind, Joe?"

"Just wondering when it was I stopped hating you, and started thinking of you as a friend." The fox spoke calmly.

Isaac flinched and drooped his ears. "Yikes... you hated me?"

"Damn right I did!" The fox huffed and shook his head, "I mean you took the rabbit I loved, I mean I never had her but... in my mind, at the time it was warranted, well it probably wasn't, but to me it was."

"I get that, and I'm glad we've become friends. If you were anyone else I would have told you to go fuck yourself after that statement." The dog shrugged and snatched up his coffee to sip on it.

"W-well I'm just saying it now because I was wrong and you're a great guy. I can see why Karen is so happy with you." The fox barked out while blushing under his fur.

"So... this was all a confession after all." The wolf hummed playfully from behind his coffee mug.

"Eat. My. Ass." The fox snapped out with a snarl.

"Ha! Depends on how many drinks you get in me!" The wolf fired back and showed his large sharp teeth to the fox. "Are you a bottom or top?"

"W-what?!" Joseph huffed in a panic, not sure what to think of the question before processing it. "I-I'm... I'm definitely a top!"

"You sure about that?" The wolf quirked a brow with a grin. "Do you even know what a top and bottom are?"

"Yes, asshole!" He huffed out, his cheeks hot and jerked his head away with a growl. "What a stupid fucking question."

Isaac gave a laugh and sipped his coffee. "So you're one of those kinds of guys... Interesting..."

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?!" Joseph snapped, showing his teeth.

Isaac showed his own teeth, feeling the tension at the table building, both in a vy for dominance and the sexual awkwardness that was building up between them. Hell, it had been for months now. "Ha... it means a little fox like you acts alpha until I shove you down, bend you over, and remind you who the pack leader is!"

Several emotions hit Joseph all at once with that statement, first shock, then embarrassment, after that curiosity, then finally anger. The fox snarled and shoved his palms to the table, glaring at the wolf now, his tail fluffing up. "I would like to see you try!"

The wolf showed his teeth again and leaned back in his seat not looking the slightest bit intimidated, "You're so easy to fuck with, Joe. That's what I love about you."

The dog blinked a few times and looked around, seeing several patrons staring at him now as they were on the outside deck. He quickly flopped back into his seat, blushing furiously and snarling under his breath, "Asshole..."

Isaac gave a smile and shook his head, "Let's be real though. The interest is there, but the focus was on business, not pleasure."

Joseph huffed out and tried to calm his heart rate. "T-then stop saying weird shit!"

The larger dog grinned and flicked his ears up, "Is it that weird? Does it bother you?"

Joseph growled and looked down at his coffee, thinking for a long moment before looking back at the wolf. He still had that cocky little grin on his muzzle he had grown used to these last several months. "Let me ask you something."

"Sure, Joe. I'm an open book." Isaac huffed, his voice sounded full of confidence.

"Do you like me and Ivory? Is that why you're teasing me like this all the time? Or are you just teasing me up to get to her?" The fox growled the last of the words, a bit of an edge in his voice.

The older dog hummed, not expecting the direct route. "Hmm... how should I say it..." Isaac rubbed his chin thoughtfully, taking a few moments to choose his words. "I like both of you, I don't love either of you, I only love Karen. I'm not trying to get either of you."

"Yeah?" The fox quirked a brow, as if not satisfied with the answer.

Isaac felt a bit of heat in his own cheeks as he looked away, the first time he had seemed awkward around the fox. "Look... I think you're cute, okay? I mean, I've not been interested in a guy in a very, very long time. Not since college." The wolf growled and shrugged a shoulder. "Yes, I like you, Joe. I like you both, but even if that kitty wasn't in the picture. I could say with certainty that I think you're a good guy and I like you."

"T-thanks..." The fox barked out and looked away awkwardly. "I think you're pretty cool you know... so strong and stoic. You're one of the reasons I started training, one of the reasons I work so hard to be a strong dog for Ivory."

"Really?" The wolf's tail wagged about behind the chair as he grinned, "That's sweet, and... I'm flattered. Honestly, Karen and I have talked about the two of you plenty over the last few months. We both find you two interesting and have considered talking to you about it."

"Really? Aren't you worried that would mess things up in your marriage?" Joseph asked the question directly. "I mean... you know I love Karen, you know Ivory lovers her too."

The wolf smiled and shook his head. "I think me and Karen are rock solid. No matter what happens I will stand by my rabbit. Can you say the same for Ivory?"

"I can. I think we have our relationships footpaws firmly on the ground. I love her so very much..." He blushed and smiled as he spoke of the cat fondly.

"Could you stand seeing me mate her?" The wolf fired the question off flat and to the point.

Joseph snapped back with his own question, "Could you stand watching me plow your wife?"

The two of them sat there for a long moment looking at one another in silence. Neither of their eyes left the others. Finally, Isaac pushed his padded-palms on the table and stood from his chair, leaning forward. "I dunno, could you stand me taking you while you took her?"

Joseph choked at the statement and shook his head, imagining the whole thing. "I-I... good question. I've never... I've not had someone do... that... to me."

"I can tell." The wolf growled and moved a handpaw to ruffle the fox's hair and ears. His locks had gotten much longer in the last half a year, still, nothing on the length the wolf's hair was though.

He blushed harder under his fur and grunted as he was petted, his ears flicking wildly but not jerking from his touch. He clenched his teeth, huffing and after a few moments he snarled out, "You didn't answer my question..."

"You know... there is a saying about this situation," The wolf spoke as he withdrew his handpaw to reach into his wallet, plucking out a twenty to put on the table for the drinks and snacks they had.

The fox growled seeing he still wasn't answering the question. "Yeah? What's that?"

Isaac jerked his head, motioning him to follow as the two of them walked from the cafe to Joseph's parked car. Once out on the sidewalk, the wolf continued, "A threesome is a good time, but a foursome is just two couples having sex. That's the saying."

"Are you speaking from experience?" The fox asked curiously.

Isaac barked out with a grin and gave the fox a shake of his head. "Oh Joe, fuck man who do you think I am?" He huffed and put a paw on his own hip and gave the fox a smile. "I've never been past third base with a guy. Counting Karen, I've been with three girls my whole life. I'm no stallion roaming the world laying males and females at every turn."

"O-oh, I just always thought..." The fox thought back to his own experience, he had some light make-out sessions with a few guys and girls but had never laid with anyone but Ivory.

"Actually, I've known a few horses and the statement is unfair to them, I've never met one that was some crazed sexual deviant that banged lovers all over the place." The wolf huffed the words with a grin.

Joseph looked away rubbing the back of his head. "I'm not even sure where this is going or what I want it to be..."

Isaac grinned and slapped the fox on the shoulder gently. "Don't overthink it, man, just see what happens. Time will tell. I promise no matter what may come, I will always respect you and Ivory for what you guys are, so long as you always respect what I and Karen are."

Joseph smiled and gave a nod, glancing back up at the larger dog. "Thanks, yeah. Even if nothing came of it, I'm glad you're my friend now, Isaac."

The wolf snorted and showed his teeth in a grin, "Damn, this is getting mushy. I'm glad you're my friend too, Joe." The dog hesitated to move his handpaw before pulling away and giving the fox another smile. "Talk to Ivory about our next meet-up, I've got some business to take care of."

Joseph nodded and climbed into his car, turning the engine over and pulling from the curb. Isaac took a steadying breath and shook his head. "The fuck are you doing with yourself, man... Is this really what you or Karen need right now?" Isaac huffed aloud to himself as he snatched his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed out a number by memory.

The phone rang two and half times like it always did before connecting. There was the sound of typing filling the line right away and the answer was simply, "You're now officially on the clock, let's hear it, Isaac." The voice came out smooth and all business like it always did, no indication of gender in it at all.

"Oh, things are great, thanks for asking, Keys. How are you doing?" The wolf cooed cheerfully into the phone in response.

More typing and silence for several moments before a sigh, "I'm fine. I've got nothing lined up yet for you and Karen, as soon as I do-"

"Nah, I'm calling for something else." Isaac interrupted his contact with a grin.

More typing then finally a response, "Yeah? You know my fee, let's hear it."

Isaac gave a rundown of the request, making sure to give as many details as he could. Keys typed a little more intently at their keyboard while taking the information in. Finally, they spoke up, "That's an interesting request... Especially coming from you. I deal in criminal shit, not Star Search, Isaac."

"C'mon Keys that show was dead in the nineties..." The wolf growled playfully.

Some typing filled the speaker once more before Key's responded, "One Joseph Renault. Hmm... father is deceased, mother is, Josephine Ren-... What?!"

Isaac's ears jerked up sharply, he had never heard Keys caught off guard before. "W-what's up?"

Silence, not even typing filled the line, finally Keys spoke again, "You're better off not knowing. Suffice to say I wouldn't make enemies with his mother, let's leave it at that."

Isaac grew silent and thought about the words, a faint hint of deja-vu creeping up his spine. Keys chimed in a few moments later after more typing, "Works at... huh, the same shop Karen did. Well, that's interesting. I can see by his bank card records here, he frequents time with one Ivory Callihan, since her transactions seem to appear with his."

"You know, I could have literally just given you their names, Keys." Isaac huffed with a grin.

"Shut up," Keys snapped into the receiver, Isaac growled but grew silent, he made it a policy not to argue with people that could literally tear his whole identity and financial records apart.

A few more moments of typing ensued as Isaac climbed into his car to wait in the driver's seat, cranking the vehicle up and starting the AC going.

"Got it. I can send out some feelers and see if I can find someone in my network. I need a few more details so I will contact him myself," Keys spoke in all business.

"Sounds good, I would ask if you wanted his number but you already have it I'm sure." Isaac smiled as he snapped the seatbelt into place.

"This kid can't have any money, what's the deal here, do you owe him something?" Keys prodded the wolf for an answer.

"Would you laugh at me if I said he and Ivory were good friends and I was doing them a solid?"

Keys snorted through the phone, "That's poor business, Isaac. You start helping friends you will be broke in no time."

The wolf rolled his eyes, "Yeah because you didn't totally throw me several bones, with that whole thing with Karen a year or so back?"

"That was an investment!" Keys snapped back sharply, "And a good one I might add. You two are my most reliable team and have made me a lot of money."

"Sure, sure. I recall you saying you were helping even if it didn't pan out to anything though." The wolf growled the words playfully.

Silence filled the line once more followed by typing. "You're an idiot."

"That's what Karen tells me all the time," The wolf barked cheerfully.

"She isn't wrong..." A pause, then Keys spoke again quickly, "I'm glad you guys are doing well. Take care of yourself." The phone call ended as the last word was spoken.

Isaac rolled his eyes and grinned as he tucked his phone into his pocket. That was the closest he would ever get to friendly banter with Keys. "Well, that took all of twenty minutes, guess Joe owes me like sixteen bucks and some change." The wolf huffed with a smile as he pulled into traffic to head home.

--*--

Joseph pulled into the driveway of his mother's home and parked in the small garage detached from the house. His mother wasn't home but he had told her he was coming over to use the garage to work on the car. Ivory worked today even though he was off, so he decided to take the chance to change the spark plugs and oil.

The fox had just got the hood up to get to the spark plugs when his phone buzzed in his pocket. The dog sighed and dug it out, stepping out of the garage. The display showed as a private number. "The fuck?" Joseph huffed as he hesitated before accepting the call, "Uhm... hello?"

His ear flicked as he heard clacking on a keyboard before a voice came through, "Joseph Renault, I presume?" The voice was smooth and calm, but proper and business-like all at the same time. The dog tried to distinguish if it were male or female but couldn't pinpoint it.

"Uh... depends on who's asking." The dog growled in response.

More typing and a soft sigh, "Cut the bravado puppy, Isaac called me about you."

He perked his ears up and huffed, "O-oh, sorry about that. Wow, that was quick!"

"Yeah I want to get this over with, so let's cut to the chase." The person on the other line spoke calmly while typing.

"Sure, thanks for taking time out for this by the way." He spoke out cheerfully into the phone.

More typing filled the line, if it weren't for that he would have thought they simply hung up. Finally, after a few more moments they spoke up again, "What kind of stuff can she sing?"

"Uh... lullabies?" The fox blushed as he grinned thinking of all the times she had sung him to sleep while he rested in her lap.

The typing stopped and a long silence before Keys spoke, "I hope you're joking..."

The fox perked his ears and blushed, "O-oh... well she sings all kinds of stuff! I've heard her sing country, rock, pop, even some opera."

"Well, at least it's not ska." The voice spoke on the phone as they began typing again.

"H-hey... I like ska!" Joseph barked out defensively.

A light chuckle filled the phone speakers, "That's fine, Joseph, I'm used to dealing with criminals."

The fox huffed feeling his cheeks warm, he started to say something but thought better of it. He didn't want to irritate the person that was helping him out after all. "Thanks again, uh...?"

"Keys." The voice spoke pointedly as they typed.

"Keys? The hell is that supposed to mean?" The fox asked curiously.

"It's what I go by, Joseph." The voice sighed the response before continuing to type.

"Oh, like an alias name, I gotcha! Man, that's so cool!" He barked excitedly, his tail wagging about.

There was a long pause before Keys spoke again, "I see by your phone location you're at your mother's house."

"That's... kind of scary that you can tell that..." The dog looked around the area as if for any parked cars.

"Yeah well, cell phones are easy to track." The voice hesitates before continuing, "Do you know what your mother does for a living?"

"My Mom? Yeah, she is an accountant." Joseph spoke then asks curiously, "Why are you bringing her up?"

There was more typing before Keys spoke up once more, "I see, well that's for the best then."

"What's for the best?" The fox snapped, an edge in his voice about the topic concerning his mother.

"It's not important, now shut up like a good dog and let me focus if you want this done." The voice snapped back sharply.

Joseph glared into the distance but clenched his teeth and kept his mouth shut. There was more typing before the voice came back, "I can hear you growling, knock it off, it's distracting."

The fox snarled and muted his end of the phone before barking out, "What a dick head!" He took a few moments to calm himself before unmuting the call.

"Well if you're done cursing me while muted, I've got the info you need." The voice came back on the line the moment it was unmuted.

"R-really?" The fox spoke excitedly.

"Yes. I will text you an address, it's a small recording studio. Have your girlfriend show up there and ready to perform her best stuff. Scouts from a few labels will be there to evaluate her." The voice spoke calmly while typing.

"H-holy shit... that's amazing! Thank you so much!" Joseph spoke excitedly, sounding like a puppy on Christmas.

There was a long silence before Keys spoke up, "Save your thanks for Isaac, I'm just a middle man in the process."

"Don't be dumb, you're going out of your way to do this even though it's not your area, I know that's a big pain. I really appreciate you and I'm sorry if I irritated you." The fox hummed cheerfully.

More silence filled the line before another sigh, "What is with you damn dogs? Why do you always gotta be like this?"

"Eh? I don't think I follow..." Joseph blinked slowly trying to figure out the words.

"You're just as bad as Isaac, can't keep anything professional, always gotta fall all over yourselves to thank me and such," Keys grumbled pointedly into the phone.

Joseph found himself grinning and shrugged, "Sorry I guess that's just how we are. Regardless I'm thankful for it, even if it's just your job."

A few more moments of typing filled the speaker before Keys responded. "Let's be clear here. I've not heard her and this is a leap of faith for the scouts and my contacts. If she turns out to be awful, there will be hell to pay."

The fox flicked his ears up sharply and frowned, "R-right... she is really good, I promise!"

"I sure hope so, I don't think you or Isaac could afford the fee if I lost face over this." Keys spoke the words calmly before typing a few more lines and speaking again, "I trust Isaac's judgment though, he wouldn't have contacted me if he didn't think it was worth something. I wish her the best of luck, and... you're welcome." The call disconnected after that.

--*--

An hour later Keys was looking over their monitor working when a phone call came in. The recording and tracking software had initialized by the first ring, the second ring came through and the full details of the call log were displayed including the number, the origin, the name, and various other details.

This would normally be the part where Keys would connect the call partway through the third ring, however, their eyes widened at the call log, it was all unknown, everything was an unknown. "Oh shit... Fuck me!" Keys snarled and furiously typed on their keyboard setting up proxies and countermeasures before suspending all their running programs except the phone line.

By now the fifth ring had passed and with hesitation Keys connected the call. "Go ahead, ma'am." They already knew who it was at this point.

"You have ten seconds to explain why I found a trace from you on my son and his fiancee's phone." The female voice spoke from the other side of the line. It sounded sharp, cold, and calculated.

"Mrs. Renault, with all due respect..." Keys spoke as calmly as they could.

"I'm no longer married." The voice barked back sharply and continued, "and I know how much respect I'm due. Now out with it!"

Keys snapped their teeth together before hesitating and finally speaking, "Fine, I will be direct. Your son's friend contacted me wanting a favor called in. I contacted him to follow up on that favor. My tracing software is set up to automatically lock onto any phone I call."

"What sort of favor?" Josephine's voice snapped sharply in response.

Keys took a focused breath before speaking calmly. "Look, I have my professional standards, I can't disclose that information to you, regardless of the consequences. I can assure you it was benign and on the up and up. I also can assure you as soon as I found out he was your son, every record I had on him and your future daughter-in-law from their phone logs to their bank activity were removed from my system. You have no doubt checked that already and know it to be true."

A confident huff followed before she responded, "Of course I verified you removed all the information, had you not, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. I would have gone straight to taking more appropriate action."

Keys hissed out through clenched teeth, "I appreciate your consideration to speak with me first."

"I'm sure you do, I appreciate your professionalism in the face of all this. I know your reputation and if you say it is benign I will believe you." Josephine spoke in a motherly tone of voice.

"Thank you. I apologize for intruding upon your family's business, rest assured it will not happen again." Keys spoke out, the relief in their voice clearly noticeable.

"No no, if my son approaches you again in the future for some reason, by all means... Just understand that slighting him is slighting me." The fox spoke calmly and gently.

"May I ask a question?" Keys spoke out, trying to sound as polite as possible.

Josephine huffed, "You know as well as anyone that information is a precious resource. However, I have no doubt forced you to blackout all your communications for this conversation and cost you time and money, so I will oblige."

"Thank you. I will get straight to the point. When will you tell him?" Keys asked pointedly.

"I won't," Josephine spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "His ignorance is his shield. I will let him and his friends live a normal life."

"Thank you for indulging me." Keys spoke out graciously.

"Naturally, I am nothing if I am not understanding." She said in a haughty tone before continuing, "Know well that if anything negative happens to my son or future daughter-in-law regarding this interaction, I will come straight to you, and I will not be in a talkative mood when I do. Are we clear?"

"Crystal clear, Ms. Renault." Keys spoke out politely, giving all the due respect they could for Josephine.

"Very good. Well, I wish you the best, you may send my son's invoice for this 'benign' job, to me directly. I will see you are compensated for this downtime as well." The call disconnected with those words.

Keys sat there for several moments, the room eerily quiet without the audible hum of all the various electronics running. Finally, after a steadying breath, they booted everything back up. "Not a contact I ever expected to have, still, being on her radar could prove profitable if things go well with her son. Profitable and dangerous... Silver linings, right?" Keys spoke aloud while focusing and getting back to work.

--*--

"So let me get this straight... You went over my head, set me up some kind of audition with scouts for some big-name labels, and just expected me to drop everything to go to it?" The cat hissed, her arms folded over her chest as she glared at the fox from across the dining room table.

Joseph was looking away from her glare, his ears drooped. "Yes."

Ivory snapped a scoff and flicked her ears up. "And to top it all off, you are only giving me three days warning? I'm scheduled to work that day!"

"So call out!" The fox snapped back with a growl, "I can't pull this off again, I already pulled all the damn strings I had!"

"What fucking strings?! You're eighteen Joseph, how many strings could you possibly even have at your age?" Ivory clenched her fists, her cheeks burning.

The fox growled and looked away again, glaring at the floor. "It doesn't matter, the fact is, it's happening. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You really wanna blow it for your fucking shift at the coffee shop?!"

Ivory huffed out a laugh. "Don't be stupid, hun. Of course, I'm going to the damn thing!"

Joseph blinked and jerked his head to look full on at her. "Then why are you busting my tail about this!"

"Because you went over my head, dumb fox! This is a huge deal and you didn't include me in it!" The cat grumbled and slumped back into her seat.

Joseph rolled his eyes. "Hey baby, I'm gonna call some people, set you up an audition with several big names from record labels, that sound like a plan to you?" He huffed the words in a mocking tone of voice.

Ivory pursed her lips in silence for a moment before speaking, "Okay, yeah it sounds ridiculous when you ask me like that."

"Duh!" The fox huffed and threw his handpaws outwards. "Look be pissed with me all you want, but this was the only way."

Ivory hissed to herself and ran her padded-fingers through her blonde and brown hair. "Fuck... I don't even know what to sing, I've not performed in front of anyone since choir in high school."

The fox shrugged. "Do some stuff you're good at, just do a variety of songs, shit take some requests from them if you like. I would imagine the point would be to show off your talent and flexibility."

"Well, you are quite a fan of my flexibility." The cat grinned, giving the fox a lusty look.

Joseph blushed, his cheeks growing warm. "Singing flexibility... don't show the other off to anyone but me!"

Ivory got up and moved over to the other side of the table before sliding into her fox's lap, straddling him as she rested her paws on his shoulders. "I dunno, I'm pretty nervous about this already, what if I choke?"

"You won't, I will be there to support you. Hell, call Karen and Isaac to come along if you need more support. I'm sure they would give it." He spoke while pushing his forehead to her own, looking into her bright blue eyes.

Ivory looked back at her lover's brown eyes and then shook her head. "No, I only want you to be there, hun. If you're there I could be fearless."

The fox grinned at her words, his tail wagging harder now. "I'm always going to be there with you Ivory. No matter what happens, I will be there with you until my life is over."

She blushed and felt her eyes grow misty at the words. "Gods, that was corny but sweet... almost like wedding vows..."

He choked at the words and spoke softly, "S-sorry, I wasn't trying to be weird or something!"

Ivory giggled and slid a paw to his cheek, moving in to lightly kiss his muzzle before purring, "No, it's fine... I like the idea of spending my life with you, hun."

"I thought you weren't interested in marriage, Ivory? You told me that pretty early in."

The cat purred and smiled gently. "I have to marry you to spend my life with you?"

He shook his head quickly. "Of course not. I'm here for as long as you will have me!"

Ivory grinned and held a handpaw up to her cheek, purring softly, the silver ring clearly showing on her paw. "I wouldn't say no if you asked me though..."

Joseph's ears sprang up sharply and his heart pounded heavily in his chest at those words. "Y-you... you wouldn't?"

Ivory grinned at him, her cheeks burning as she shook her head. "I wouldn't, I would say yes without hesitation if it's what you wanted. I would also remain your partner like this as well if it were what you preferred."

The fox huffed out proudly. "Mom is already calling you my fiancee and her future daughter-in-law you know."

"Yeah, I know, she told me it was okay to start calling her mom normally. Josie is so cute and sweet." Ivory grinned as she spoke.

The fox thought about it for several moments while staring into her eyes, everything in him wanted to just tell her yes and go for it. Then he huffed and perked his ears up speaking after some hesitation, "S-so... I've got an idea..."

Ivory smiled at the fox and tilted her head curiously, her ears flicking upwards to attention. "Tell me your idea, my fox."

"So... if things go well in a few days, let's make it official. H-how is that for motivation?" He barked nervously.

Ivory purred and grinned wide at the idea. "So what you're saying... is if I pull it off and you know I'm going to start making crazy money as a singer, only then would you be willing to marry me huh?"

"What? No! T-that's not what I mean at all!" The fox yipped out in a panic before the cat giggled and pressed her padded-fingers over his mouth.

"It's fine you silly mutt, I'm teasing you..." Ivory pulled her paw away and moved in, brushing her lips to his as she spoke. "I will do my absolute best then, and that way if they offer me a contract, I can sign it as Ivory Renault..."

Joseph felt his heart stop at the words, he forgot to breathe for a few seconds before growling and pushing his muzzle to hers in a hungry kiss. Ivory giggled at the response and slid her padded-fingertips into his long brownish red hair, brushing his large ears while kissing him back, huffing against his lips happily.

The two of them kissed one another for several moments before Ivory pulled from his mouth and gave him a hungry grin. "If we do though, we won't be able to give Karen and Isaac shit anymore you know."

Joseph barked out a laugh. "Damn he was right..."

"Oh?" The cat smiled and looked at her fox curiously.

Joseph held up his handpaw showing off the ring. "He warned me once you move in, they hook you fast!"

Ivory gave him a fussy hiss, "I-I didn't hook anything! The rings were your idea dumbass... a-and you brought all this up too!"

The fox grinned and wagged his tail. "I'm teasing... and I'm happy, I don't mind being hooked by you, baby."

"I didn't hook anyth-" The cat couldn't finish the words before his mouth was against hers once more, kissing with hunger. Ivory groaned against his lips while she gripped his ears, pushing against his muzzle more intently, both their tongues rolling and flicking against one another.

Before she knew what was happening the fox had her on the floor of the kitchen, breaking the kiss and grabbing at her blue panties under her skirt, peeling them down her legs. "Huff! We have a bed you horny dog!" The cat groaned out, her bared footpaws kicking playfully as the blue panties cleared her ankles.

"Too much effort, I want you right now!" He snarled, jerking the front of his jeans open, pulling his swollen length forth, pre dripping at the tapered head. Ivory bit her lower lip seeing how eager and ready he already was.

"Ha... impatient, horny mutt...Ngh!" The cat hissed then let out a grunt as the dog grabbed her legs under the knees, spreading them and pressing the tip of his length right against her entrance, she was already slick and eager for him as he prodded and teased her. "Stop teasing... hurry up!" She fussed the words up at the fox while panting.

Joseph was all too happy to oblige and pushed forward eagerly. Ivory snapped her teeth together as she felt him push into her from above, inch by inch until he was fully inside once more, pushing up at her deepest point. "Ha... missed you..." The fox growled as he wasted no time and began to buck and grind his own hips, taking the cat right there on the floor.

"Y-you had me this morning you insatiable fox!" Ivory panted, grabbing his shoulders for support as he thrust down into her on the floor again and again. The cat shuddered, feeling herself drawing close and a few moments later he pushed heavily into her, forcing her release. "Ha... I-I missed you too though... thought about you... a-all day..." She groaned blissfully as her walls clenched and squeezed him as she came.

"I'm so glad...Ngh..." Joseph drooped his ears, reveling in the embrace of his love as she gave in for him. He leaned over her bracing on his paws as he moved in for her mouth, brushing his lips to hers as he panted hotly, "I'm really feeling it today... let's get at least half a dozen out of you this time..." He growled before his hips began to move and push once more.

"Y-you're going to kill me before we even get married at this rate!" The cat gasped while he got back to it, then sighed out happily, panting as the dog settled into a rhythm. "Fuck I love you..." Ivory moaned, her claws digging into his shoulders.

"I love you too, Ivory... hgn... I always will." The fox snarled the words as he pushed his mouth up against hers, feeling her legs lock around him possessively while they mated on the kitchen floor.

The fox and cat had one another to the point of exhaustion and ended up collapsing into a heap of lust and sweat, tangled in one another's arms on the floor. Eventually, they woke up in the middle of the night and made their way to the bedroom to finish sleeping in bed.

--*--

Three days later the meeting took place at the local recording studio and their lives changed forever. At first, the scouts were skeptical of Ivory's talent but by the third song, they were actually arguing amongst themselves over who would sign her.

She was given a recording deal with a large sign-on bonus and within a week's time, she was in the studio working on training. Things seemed to accelerate at an uncontrollable rate from there. It took almost a month to make the album since Ivory had to relearn how to sing for extended durations, still, the days blurred by quickly.

Another month went by and the two of them celebrated their one-year anniversary as a couple by exchanging wedding vows. Karen ended up being the bridesmaid like Ivory had been for her, and Joseph chose Isaac as his best man.

Keys touched base with Joseph a few weeks later thanking him for the profitable return on the business venture, and encouraged the fox to take up the mantle as his wife's manager. Joseph didn't think he had the skills for it, but with a little encouragement and the promise that Keys could keep him in touch with several of the industry leaders, thanks to a mysterious benefactor they wouldn't talk about, he took the position.

From there it was off to begin touring, the days turned into weeks, and then into months. Before either of them had realized it they were half a year into their marriage with concerts and stage setups being the norm, along with having sex on the tour bus.

Joseph quickly found his stride in the new job and before long was comfortably negotiating autograph sessions as well as tour locations for his wife. They went from touring small festivals as the side gig, to opening for larger acts. Then before they realized it, being the main act at large concert halls just seemed to become part of their daily lives.

Ivory's singing enchanted everyone that heard it, but their story as a married team, with him managing things for her simply captivated her fans and critics all the more.

--*--

The second encore of the night had just finished and Ivory let out a soft pant while stepping through the curtains of the stage into the backstage area. She was dressed in a form-fitting blue dress that came down to the mid of her thighs before flaring out. The whole getup was covered in sequins and sparkled in the stage lights. The top formed snug to her breasts and cut enough to show her heavy swell of cleavage but not to the point of looking sleazy. Likewise, the skirt flare showed enough thigh and stocking to look sexy but not outright give a full-on pantie shot.

She felt a wide grin on her face as she listened to the crowd still cheering for more while she panted in fatigue. It was her second time at this particular venue and the fans seemed even more pumped than usual for her. There was a sheen of sweat all over her body from the stage lights heat along with her own movements on stage, making the outfit cling all the tighter to her and showcase her curves.

Joseph walked up to his wife, he was wearing a black set of jeans with a blue t-shirt on and a heavy set of black boots. He didn't look any more professional than any of the other roadies or stage workers, but everyone knew who he was and to give him full clearance to her.

Ivory hesitated at the curtains before smiling at him. The fox spread his arms, palms open, and called out loudly, "Thinking of going for three?!"

The cat nodded in response and hesitated as if asking for his go-ahead. The fox grinned and wagged his tail before putting his paw up to the earpiece pinned against his left ear. He snapped out a few orders and pointed his padded-finger out towards the stage as a signal for Ivory.

The cat felt her heart beat heavily into rhythm all over again. She quickly moved back out, not even letting the curtain raise up before ducking under it and hopping back out on stage with a knowing grin on her muzzle. The whole building went crazy for the third encore of the night.

She flicked an ear as she heard the feedback click on, knowing her mic was live once more. "Listen to all of you..." The cat sighed as she held a palm to her face, smiling and looking over the scene and the masses of people roaring for her. "I mean, I never do more than two encores you know?! Heck, they are still trying to frantically set up behind the curtain because you guys need more!"

Joseph's ears perked up at the words and he looked at the stagehand and jerked his padded-thumb up. The worker looked confused but obliged and pulled the curtain up behind the cat on stage, showing the keyboard player still plugging wires into place and the drummer settling into position. The crowd went crazy cheering for them as they set up. The fox snapped his teeth together in a victorious grin, feeling the crowd feed off the energy, making them feel like it was a special service to spend an extra thirty seconds to set the equipment back up for them.

"Sorry guys, but I love you for putting up with me wanting to do one more for our fans!" Ivory called out, her voice echoing through the huge building. The cat turned back to the crowd and gave a proud huff, "And I love all of you too! Thank you for supporting me and letting me do what I love!"

The place shook with screams and cheers as Joseph paced for a few moments behind the scenes, listening to updates on the equipment. Finally, the whole thing was a go and he called out into his own earpiece. "Send them off with something emotional, make them feel loved!" He spoke into the mic with a wide grin and Ivory flicked her ear in response before grinning.

The rest of the team knew what that meant as well and the keyboardist opened with the ensuing melody, the rest of the band following up with their own parts. The crowd knew what it was from the first note and a hush seemed to fall over the whole place by the time Ivory had begun her song.

Joseph smiled and leaned against one of the support beams next to the stage within sight of Ivory while she sang, the idol occasionally looking at him through the corner of her eye. The crowd sang with her now, the thousands, all in unison, everyone sharing a few moments of harmony and camaraderie. Joseph kept a handpaw to his earpiece and sang into it as well, as if feeding off the crowd's energy as much as his wife did while having a private duet with her as she performed.

By the time the song finished Ivory felt tears on her face, realizing she had been crying through the last of the song, she had been feeding off the crowd's emotions as much as they had been hers. She looked back at the fox at the side of the stage, standing there smiling at her, looking like a guardian ready to swoop in and protect her like he always did.

She wiped the tears away with a huff as the crowd cried out their love and adoration for her. Ivory grinned and looked over them, giving another few bows before throwing her handpaw up to them, ending with the same line she used every time, "Good night everyone, I love you and remember to love one another!" She shouted out and stepped off the stage towards her husband fox.

The fox was clapping his handpaws along with the rest of the crowd as Ivory trotted over to him in her blue heels. "Fantastic work ba-" The cat pushed right up against him and shoved her mouth hard against his own, kissing him, not letting him finish his statement. The fox gasped out a huff but kissed her back just as eagerly, his paw moving to rest on her hip.

Their tongues rolled and flicked against one another for a few moments before she pulled from his mouth and let out a hungry purr, "I was thinking about you the whole performance..."

Joseph growled and moved a handpaw to stroke her ears, her blonde hair had blue ribbons laced through it along with a highlight of fake blue hair that was tied into the damp locks. "Me too baby... you need a post-concert meeting with your manager?"

Ivory grabbed the fox by the wrist and pulled him along through the backstage area. Roadies and stagehands looked on, some amused, some full of intense jealousy as the Idol dragged her husband along before pulling him into the small conference room.

One of the newer stagehands looked at the lead setup technician curiously but the technician just grinned and shook her head. "Don't let this surprise you, usually happens at least once a week."

Ivory shoved Joseph up against the door and pushed into him, dragging her tongue up his throat to taste him, then gripped his collar and pulled him down a few inches to push her mouth to his. Her heels gave her enough height that he was only a few inches above her presently.

The fox let the diva do as she pleased, his tongue pushing to her own while they kissed more fervently now that they were alone in privacy. His paws moved over her ample breasts, rubbing and squeezing them through the top of the dress.

Ivory moaned at his touch, breaking the kiss and panting while her husband rubbed at her chest. He slipped the straps of her dress down her shoulders and her breasts spilled forth into the conference room's cool air, the fur shiny with the sweat she had built up from her performance as well as being under the hot stage lights.

Her hips were gripped and the fox hoisted his idol-wife up, setting her down on the conference table before kissing down her throat, dragging his tongue along her furred flesh, tasting her sweat and musk. "Ngh... Joseph, don't... I'm all sweaty..." Ivory panted the words but ran her padded-fingertips through his long hair, gripping it along with his ears.

She felt his tongue slide over her as if cleaning her as much as tasting her. A moment later the fox was suckling upon her left breast eagerly, flicking his tongue against the hard peak. Ivory cried out excitedly and rubbed the fox's ears while panting into them. "Ha... I missed you honey... hurry up..."

His brown and red ears flicked up at her demands while he suckled on her breast a few more moments before Joseph pulled from her to growl out, "I missed you too baby." He reached for her hips and pulled her off the table to her heels once more, then turned her around to face away from him.

Ivory let out a soft gasp when her husband pulled her around to face away from him then pushed her down, bending her over the table. Her breasts pushed into the cool wooden surface and the cat flicked her tail while pushing against her palms, looking back at the fox while he hiked her sparkly blue dress up revealing a matching set of blue panties, the crotch plainly soaked through.

"You're soaked, my wife..." The fox sighed while reaching to tug his pants open, his eager length of dog-cock springing forth precum dripping from the tapered head.

Ivory let out a hot sigh of her own as she caught the scent of his musk and wiggled her hips impatiently. "It's all your fault, you know how excited I get performing, especially when you're commanding the situation like such a dominant dog..." The cat groaned while feeling her drenched panties tugged down her thighs.

He pulled the blue fabric down just enough to expose his wife's soaked little cat petals to him before moving right up behind her and pushing the tapered tip of his length right into her entrance. Ivory moaned out in an excited groan when she felt Joseph push against her and grind at her folds. It didn't take much encouragement thanks to how eager she was before he had pushed past and was sliding into her from behind.

"Oh, my, fuck... yes just like... that!" The cat cried out happily, her tongue lolling as her husband fox pushed every inch deep inside her from behind, bottoming out against her core. Ivory huffed out then let out a happy moan, her body had already been on edge and she gave in right away for her mate, clenching his length hard inside her.

"That's it, my wife... let it all out... you did great tonight..." He growled the words, rubbing at her backside gently with one handpaw, his other gripping her hip. He waited until her walls ease on their clenching before beginning to thrust into her from behind, pressing his tip against her core with light but repetitive jabs that make the cat jerk against the table while her heavy breasts bounced and sway.

Her teeth clenched while he took her from behind, her body already building up for another release. "Fuck yes... take me my dog, my husband...Ha... I love you so much!" Ivory moaned out, looking back at her dog while he pushed against her rear, feeling him throb inside her, a slight knot already starting to show near his base from his own eagerness.

Joseph felt his heart leap at the words, even after all this time he couldn't believe she was his. "I love you too, Ivory... my wife. My wonderful beautiful wife.." He panted now, bucking into her more eagerly, his tip pushing deep again and again. It only took a few more moments before his wife was giving in once more, her walls locking down and squeezing the dog viciously while he panted behind her.

A groan came from her throat while she gave in again upon him, feeling his knot growing thick and full against her entrance, showing he was getting close. She panted and flicked her ears, looking back once more before biting her lower lip while her hips wiggled as they jerked back against his own impatiently. "C'mon my fox! I was dripping on stage all night for you so don't keep me waiting any longer!"

He snarled at the words and slid both paws over her own, looming over her on the table now. Ivory collapsed on her chest, panting heavily while the fox bucked and pushed up against her from behind, shoving into her eagerly. The room was filled with the scent of both of them. Joseph pushed and ground against her while the cat moaned out happily, "Ha... a-almost Ivory...oh fuck I'm close..."

The cat nodded her head frantically, her tongue lolled, her body on edge as well. "Yes... love me, fuck me, fill me with your love my fox, my husband!" She moaned out, the padded-fingers on her left handpaw spreading against the surface of the table as Joseph interlocked his padded-fingers over hers, their two wedding bands against one another.

He snarled and gave a few more thrusts before one final labored one crashed into his cat wife, that knot sinking in and lodging deep into her at last. Ivory shuddered from the blow, her knees shaking, her blue panties hanging between them, then he gave in, and his heat poured into her in a violent tide of fox love. The cat-idol yowled out loudly as her own release came, her body violently clenching and squeezing at her husband's length, coaxing more of his lust deep into her body.

Joseph panted and snarled above into her ears while filling her, Ivory looked up at him panting as well while he loomed over her small body from behind. She felt her own release making her clench and squeeze, forcing every drop he had into her. The fox shuddered when the last of his love was in his wife and he slumped against her panting in relief, his elbows bracing on the table while he moaned into her ears.

Ivory sighed in relief and purred, enjoying the heat inside her as well as his own warmth on her back. She groaned happily and flicked her tail while reveling in the whole moment. "Ha... I really needed that..."

"Me too baby... damn you were great tonight... both on stage and here..." He huffed the words of praise, nuzzling into her ribboned hair and ears, enjoying the scent of her body.

"All because of you my darling husband," Ivory cooed and blushed while grinning. "I would be nothing without you and your support."

Joseph huffed into her ears before leaning in to kiss the side of her muzzle gently. "I dunno about that...but let me calm down and get us somewhat presentable."

The fox and cat did what they could to tidy themselves up, putting their clothes back to rights before stepping from the conference room. The head stage technician and a few of the workers saw them come out before turning to applaud at them with grins. Ivory blushed and shifted to hide behind Joseph in response, the fox just grinned and rubbed the back of his head before he waved a paw to shoo them back to work.

Several fans were clamoring outside as they made their way to the tour bus. Ivory stopped to give a few autographs in the typical meet and greet thing she did while leaving a venue. Both she and her husband blatantly smelled of sex, but no one ever seemed to mind or say anything.

--*--

A full year passed before the dust started to settle on things. The two of them had only managed to see Karen and Isaac a pawful of times in the whole year. The record label was eager for Ivory to get back into the studio and start work on her next album, but the two of them insisted upon a month off to reconnect with friends and family.

"You've gotten bigger and more developed, Joe. I won't lie, I thought the touring would have you put weight on from all the fast food," Isaac growled as he looked the fox up and down, a paw on his own hip as he grinned.

Joseph didn't have to look up as much to meet the wolf's eyes, he was only about half a foot taller than him now. "No way, man. I keep weights on the tour bus and make sure to work out every day. I make sure we don't eat like garbage on the road too." The fox spoke confidently as he grinned at the wolf.

"You've... changed a lot, man." Isaac huffed in appreciation, he could feel the confidence coming off the fox now.

"Well, this life does it to you, but I'm still the same old me down inside." The fox flicked an ear and looked back at the other dog. "I uh... I missed you and shit... Karen too."

Isaac grinned showing his teeth before moving a handpaw to ruffle at the fox's head, his hair was done up in a ponytail that came down to the small of his back, both his ears now sporting large silver hoops in them. "We missed you guys too!"

Joseph barked a laugh at the mussing of his ears and hair before pulling away to give the wolf an appreciative grin. "This is all... it's because of you, Isaac..."

Isaac shook his head and smiled. "No way. You were the one that took the initiative to get it going. You're the one that believed in your wife, and you're the one that has been with her every step of the way. You and Ivory might have gotten some help lacing up your shoes, but you guys ran this race all on your own like champs!"

The fox grinned and rolled his eyes. "Oh fuck... you and those analogies... Thank you though, from the bottom of my heart. You're my best friend and I'm sorry we've not seen each other much lately."

The wolf showed his teeth in a wide grin and opened his arms before clasping the fox in a tight hug. He felt Joseph's tension ease as he pushed into his chest and relaxed. "You've been going nonstop for a year man. It's great, but don't wear yourself out." He spoke the words gently into the large set of brown and red ears near his muzzle, one of his handpaws gently stroking them like he sometimes did with Karen's.

Joseph snorted in a haughty huff. "No worries, I like wearing myself out, especially on my hot wife almost every night." He growled into the wolf's chest, enjoying his scent and warmth.

"Ha! Then I guess you don't need my comfort eh?" Isaac pulled away from the embrace with a grin before giving him a playful but gentle jab into the shoulder with his paw.

"I wouldn't say that." Joseph huffed with a smile, looking into the wolf's eyes for a long moment. Isaac returns the look grinning wide. Before long both dogs looked away from one another. "Sorry... that got awkward I guess."

Isaac shrugged and gave a flick of his large red tail. "Don't be dumb, it's fine man. You want to go check up on the girls? We've been standing around out here leaving them inside this whole time."

Joseph nodded with a smile. "Yeah, let's do that."

"I missed you so fucking much, you dumb cat!" Karen spoke while sitting on the couch with Ivory.

"I called you almost every day! I- but I missed you too you dumb bunny..." Ivory spoke the words with a slight crack in her voice, trying not to get too emotional.

Karen grinned and leaned against the cat. "Must be great, traveling so much, seeing the world, and all with your sexy husband at your side supporting you every step of the way."

"It's... a lot of work... I'm still a nervous wreck at the beginning and end of every performance." Ivory blushed as she felt the rabbit push closer to her, her scent and warmth something she had longed for the last several months. "And poor Joe, he works so much harder than I do. I just go up there and sing, dance around, talk a little... he is behind the scenes planning the shows, running them, and everything else."

The rabbit smiled and nodded at her words. "He's become a strong confident dog, you've really got a hell of a husband." Karen looked into Ivory's eyes, her emerald ones looking misty as they stare into her blue ones. "You're a hell of a wife for him too though..."

Ivory felt her breath catch as she looked into her eyes. "I-I think yours is pretty awesome too, just like his wife."

Karen felt her heart pace up several notches as she leaned in closer to her best friend and huffed out softly, "D-did I mention I missed you?"

Ivory purred as the rabbit drew closer and bit her lower lip. "Yeah... once or twice if I recall."

The rabbit slid her paws over the cat's shoulders gently. "I wanna show you how much..."

Ivory perked her ears, feeling the rabbit push her backward on the sofa gently. Before she knew what was happening she was on her back and Karen was on top of her, their mouths pushed together in a hungry kiss. Ivory didn't think about it, she just returned the kiss eagerly, her padded-fingers moving up through the bunny's chocolate-colored hair and moving to stroke at those large mocha ears.

Karen and Ivory kissed fervently for several moments, each of their tongues flicking against the others before finally parting their muzzles. "Damn, Karen... is this how a married woman should act?" Ivory hissed with a playful grin while rubbing at the other girl's ears, her padded-fingertips tickling the soft mocha fur near the base of them.

"That's what I was wondering," Isaac called out from the entrance at the front door, his arms crossed, a wide grin on his muzzle. Joseph was just standing there looking shocked.

Karen looked back at her husband and huffed before wiping her mouth and sitting up again. "Guess I lost myself there for a moment, should I apologize?"

"Well, if you mean to me, I don't mind at all." Isaac grinned with a shrug. "I don't think Joseph minded the scene much either." He barked out playfully as he smirked at the fox next to him.

Karen saw the fox standing there with his tongue showing slightly out of his gapped maw and shook her head with a smile. "Put your tongue away, Joseph..."

Ivory sat back up adjusting her shirt and huffing out to the room, "So, no one assumes I need an apology?" All three of the others gave her a look like she was dumb and the cat grumbled to herself. "Wow, you guys suck!"

"So, should me and Isaac go get a beer or something... leave you girls to uh... catch up?" The fox finally spoke up, grinning playfully at his wife.

"I... I think we are okay..." Karen spoke hesitantly, cutting her eyes over at Ivory who nodded in response.

"We are fine, but..." The cat stood and paced further into the large den of hers and Joseph's home they hadn't been in collectively more than a few weeks in the last year. "I think we need to talk about... us, I mean... all of us..." Ivory huffed as she looked back at the three of them, her cheeks feeling hot under her fur.

Joseph growled as he moved across the room to her side. "Y-yeah we should... This year away from you guys has really gotten me thinking about it too." The fox looked at Ivory then back at the other couple.

Karen and Isaac looked at one another, blinking slowly before looking back at the other two. "W-well... there is something there, we all know that," Karen spoke the words shyly.

"They say absence makes the heart grow fonder... Time will tell I suppose." The wolf nodded as he spoke solemnly to the room.

"You told me that a year ago, Isaac." Joseph growled and looked at him then at Karen. His teeth grit as he drooped his ears. "I love you guys. I can count on one paw how many people I can say I love, and you two are on that list."

"Joseph..." Karen blushed and looked at him then at Ivory as if waiting for her to say something.

"Whatever, I love both of you, you've been there for me for years now." The cat shrugged in response.

All three of them settle their look on Isaac, the wolf awkwardly looking away, his cheeks growing hot. "W-what? Do I gotta say it too?" All three of them snorted and gave him a look. "Whatever, I think you two are great, I've grown quite attached to you, but I'm not the type to go throwing the love word around all willy nilly!" The wolf growled defensively.

"Are you afraid it would hurt me if you did?" Karen asked the wolf gently.

"Yes!" Isaac snapped back with a snarl, "You're my wife, you're my everything! I don't want to cheapen what we have, I don't want it to seem like you're not enough for me!"

"Hey, that's not exactly the point..." Joseph spoke up, "I know I'm the youngest of us, but... I mean love is love, right? You like someone so you want to be with them, you don't need a form or ring to prove you care about one more than the other."

"That's quite a fancy way to say you want to bang my wife," Isaac growled.

The fox stomped over to him and snarled, "It's a fancy way of saying I wouldn't mind banging you as well!"

That took the wolf off guard as he perked his ears, feeling his heart start to pound in his chest. "You, you really have gotten more confident and brazen, huh?"

"I'm in a room with my three best friends, and if they all wanna have sex, I would be stupid to say no. That is my mindset, call me childish if you must." The fox huffed the words proudly, "Ivory is my wife and more than enough for me, but life is also about living ya know?"

"Sex aside..." Ivory spoke up over the room, "Me and Joseph were talking about you guys at length several times, and we wanted to propose something." Karen and Isaac gave the cat a curious look. Ivory smiled and looked away as she continued, "Well, regardless if we fooled around or not, me and Joseph wanted to invite you guys to come with us after I finish my next album."

"You... what?" Isaac huffed in confusion. "How would that even work?"

The fox grinned. "Tour buses are plenty big, they can hold entire bands after all. It's cramped and you can get pretty bored at times, but I think it's an experience the two of you would enjoy. You would get to see the country and experience the life firsthand."

"T-that sounds pretty exciting, but... what about our life here? We can't just walk off and leave our bills unpaid." Karen looked to Isaac then back to the fox and cat.

"We would take care of that, we could easily pay your bills up for six months, least we could do since it was our idea. We would also provide you with food and amenities while you traveled with us, " Ivory purred confidently.

"I like the idea, but I hate the idea of just freeloading off you guys..." Isaac huffed out, folding his arms.

"Then don't!" Ivory chimed in. "Karen you've got a good voice, come with me to the studio, be one of my backup singers. It's not as hard as you would think!"

"That's right, and I know you've got a head for organization. You could help me with my work, Isaac. You're also a complete badass, you could even double as security!" Joseph grinned and wagged his tail excitedly at the prospect.

The wolf and bunny trade a look, "Can you give us a minute?" Karen asks. The cat and fox nodded and slip out of the room to the kitchen.

"You were getting pretty intense on the couch," Joseph spoke to Ivory with a grin as they lounged in the kitchen.

"She kind of started it, but I was happy to keep it going. I... I hope you're not upset with me," She spoke with a little worry in her voice.

"I'm not, but..." The fox hissed through his teeth as he thought about things. "It's getting complicated... I mean what if we do all end up together?"

Ivory moved up and hugged the fox gently. "Will you always be my husband? Always love me?"

"Of course I will!" The fox growled the words and moved to hug her tightly.

"Then it will be fine. As long as it's something we both want, and they both want. We should all be fine. Just don't go leaving me for a certain bunny, okay?" The cat purred gently.

"I wouldn't leave you if my life depended on it, you're stuck with me!" The fox huffed proudly, "Besides, you would be lost without your manager, right?"

Ivory looked up at the fox her eyes sparkling. "That's right, I would be lost without my fox."

A few minutes later the two of them returned to the den where Isaac and Karen were waiting.

"So, we would need a minimum of a month to wrap up any contracts we still had in the works," Isaac said, talking all business.

"That's fine, I'm taking a full month off anyway, and it will take me at least three to five weeks to record a new album," Ivory spoke, also in a business tone.

"Are you sure about this whole backup singer thing?" Karen asked nervously.

"It will be fine, Karen. I've heard you sing when we used to karaoke and you are wonderful, it's also one less position I have to fill." Joseph grinned at her with a confident look on his face.

"Y-you think I sing that well, Joe?" Karen blushed and gave the fox a smile.

"I do, I think with a little practice you could be pretty great in your own right. Let's get you two in the studio and see how you sound together, maybe we could make a duet track to add to your new album, baby." The fox huffed the words excitedly.

Ivory blushed under her cheek fur at that. "T-that..." She looked to Karen and gave an excited grin. "I think I would love doing that... Making something together with you, Karen."

"I feel like I would be dead weight, maybe you three should go without me," Isaac grumbled flatly.

Joseph growled and stomped over to the wolf glaring. "Stupid... you're going to be helping me the whole time! It's not like you to sound so timid, so knock it off!"

Isaac blinked at the fox snarling at him and gave an amused grin. "Damn... look at you, Joe... I'm impressed."

The fox felt his cheeks flush and growled before jerking away from the wolf's eyes. "You're an idiot..."

Isaac laughed out and flicked his tail. "Where have I heard that one before?" He grinned and gave Karen a look. Karen smiled at the wolf in response to his question.

"So it's decided then! This is going to be so much fun!" Ivory giggled and flicked her tail about excitedly.

"Oh yeah, you're off for the whole month, does this mean we can hang out lots?" Karen spoke eagerly as she moved over to Ivory and they take one another's paws.

"Damn right! We will do whatever you guys want, it's all on us!" Ivory purred happily.

"I still hate to be a freeloader, but I appreciate you guys." Isaac smiled as he watched the two girls hold paws and talk amongst themselves cheerfully.

Joseph smiled at the wolf, "Why don't we leave the girls to it for a bit and go get a drink or something?"

Isaac looked at the hungry look their two wives were exchanging with one another as they held paws and then the look the fox was giving him which looked surprisingly ravenous as well. He hesitates before answering, "Y-yeah... let's go hang out, just the guys."

"Cool, we will take my car," Joseph growled cheerfully.

"Why not let me give it a go?" The wolf spoke playfully at the fox.

"Can you drive a manual?" Joseph asked while tossing the keys up and down in his paw.

The wolf gave a nod. "I can indeed."

The fox snorted out of his nose and tossed the keys to Isaac. The two of them look over at Ivory and Karen, the rabbit and cat looked back at their dogs while grinning lustfully.

"Oh, leaving us all alone? Have fun boys, remember not to drink and drive..." Karen called out to them as she pushed closer to Ivory, their breasts pressing together in their tops her fluff of tail hiking up, a gesture she would make to Isaac when she wanted something.

"That's right, don't get too crazy without us... while we're here all alone and... lonely," Ivory purred the words, giving Joseph a hungry smile, her paw moving to rest on Karen's hip before circling around to her round backside, her own tail hiking up like Karen's.

Both of the dogs looked upon their wives then at one another. Joseph swallowed down a gulp and wagged his tail about, looking at the two girls then at Isaac, then back to the two of them. "Y-you know... drinks aren't going anywhere..."

The wolf snarled with hunger seeing the look Karen was giving him while pressing herself into Ivory and that tail hiking up. "Y-yeah... maybe we should stay and keep the girl's company, it's... it's the proper husbandly thing to do, yeah?"

Joseph gave the wolf a hungry look and grinned. "Will you keep me company as well?" The fox hummed cheerfully, his paw brushing the other dogs before gripping his padded-fingers to hold them for a moment.

"Of course I will, what are friends for?" Isaac snarled as he moved towards the girls while pulling Joseph along by the paw.

Karen huffed hotly into Ivory's ear, "Look at that, we've got such good dogs, they didn't want to leave us alone. They want to keep us company together."

Ivory purred and nodded at the bunny before stealing a quick kiss. "We do, let's make sure to take good care of them always."

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