Kitsu carefully sniffed the air, following a familiar scent. He didn't want to start yelling in fear of attracting unwanted attention. He was close to the edge of the forest, so there might be humans nearby.

Taki had run off again, to stars knew where. After the snows had started melting the boy had been practically unstoppable. Well, he did have a theory where he was. That would only be about the tenth time in the past two months.

A faint smile rose to his lips as he saw Aaron, carrying his wayward son back home. "This is becoming quite a habit, isn't it?" he said as a greeting, crossing his arms.

Aaron smiled like he hadn't seen the fox for years and hurried over to him. "It wouldn't need to if you didn't hide every time I come looking for you without him."

They took their time to share a sweet kiss. This kind of intimacy had started to feel natural. As little as Kitsu liked to admit it, Taki had been right all along that he felt deeply attracted to Aaron. A human.

"I don't like surprise visits," the fox murmured, resting his forehead against Aaron's.

Taki tugged at both their clothes. "Bath. Together," he reminded his new "mama".

"Oh, right." Aaron pulled away from Kitsu. "Taki said he wanted to take me to your bath cave, whatever that means."

Kitsu shook his head. "I guess there's no point in trying to keep secrets from you anymore. It's another hidden place." His cheeks blushed slightly. One with quite a lot of pleasant memories.

"I wouldn't want to intrude-"

"A little late for that. When Taki has decided, he won't listen to anyone saying no."

Taki just smiled and nodded vigorously.

~*~*~

After a leisure walk through the forest they reached a large underground grotto where water from multiple streams gathered before continuing on its journey in a single large one. The walls were covered in the same moss giving off a pale green glow that Kitsu used to illuminate their home.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kitsu asked. "This has been a sanctuary free of human violence for a long time. Our people used to gather here before our numbers dwindled. Or so my parents told me."

"I'm...sorry."

The fox gave him a sideways glance. "It's not your fault."

Taki hopped down from Aaron's arms, discarded his long shirt as he ran to the natural pool and jumped right in.

Kitsu chuckled. "He loves this place."

Aaron smiled at him. "I can understand why."

He couldn't help but stop looking at the scenery and focus entire on the adult fox, though, as Kitsu started removing his clothes. His long hair cascaded down his bare back, followed by the smooth tail. Aaron had to fight back the sudden urge to touch the latter.

Kitsu looked at the human over his shoulder. "Are you joining me or are you going to just stand there?"

Aaron was instantly snapped out of his trance and quickly undressed. "Of course. I'm coming."

Kitsu stopped him by grabbing his arm as he hurried towards the water. Then he kissed the human deeply.

Aaron was far too surprised to react at first. This was so unlike Kitsu – he had always set strict limits to any progression in their relationship. But as his mind soon caught up, he realized that he really wanted everything the fox was willing to give.

Kitsu slowly closed his eyes, lost in conflicting feelings, as Aaron responded to the kiss and pulled him closer to his naked body.

Damn Taki.

The boy in question grinned as he watched the adults making out. Then he swam to the other side of the pool to give them some privacy. Now dada wouldn't need to be lonely anymore.