The Alpha Male's Secret (Fire Emblem Fates - Keaton x Kaden)

Summary: After the wolfskin's den was destroyed from the war, they were forced to search for a new home. Fortunately, their leader’s horrible sense of direction landed them right at the kitsune’s hamlet where they were offered a place to stay until they finished rebuilding. Now living together as one pack, Keaton and Kaden have grown closer than they ever imagined. However, sometimes Keaton thinks they’ve grown a little too close…

It was the crack of dawn at the kitsune hamlet. The air was crisp and the sky was dim. A certain kitsune, however, was wide awake.

Today was a beautiful day to him, especially since he'd be spending every second of it with his best friend.

He stretched his arms out as he glanced at his wolfskin roommate. He was still curled up on the floor of their den, fast asleep. The kitsune leaned over, watching him curiously. Occasionally, his ears or tail would twitch. It was pretty adorable.

"You're so beautiful when you're asleep," Kaden sighed, admiring the wolfish man. "But you can't just sleep the whole day away, Keaton. It's so nice outside!"

Keaton stirred in his sleep. "Kaden, it's too early. Go back to sleep," he groaned. He groggily rolled over, now facing the wall instead of his early bird roommate.

"Come on, let's play! You owe me a favor, y'know."

"Right now, I don't owe anyone," Keaton yawned, groggily rubbing his eyes.

"You said the exact same thing yesterday!"

"I was busy hunting for food yesterday."

"And I helped, so you owe me a favor. It's only fair, after all. You know how much I hate getting my hands dirty."

He hesitated. "Later, okay?"

Kaden simply rolled his eyes. Keaton sassed him like this all the time. Of course, Kaden knew he never meant any harm by it; he'd long since gotten used to the wolfskin's attitude.

The kitsune frowned.

There had to be a way to get him up. After all, Keaton owed him a favor, and that favor was to spend the whole day together. But they sure weren't going to be spending this valuable time sleeping the day away!

Suddenly, it hit him. A sneaky grin spread across his face as he thought of the perfect way to motivate that stubborn wolfskin.

Kaden made his move.

Before Keaton knew it, fingers were wiggling all over his torso. He bit his lip in surprise as tiny growls escaped his lips. He was trying his hardest not to giggle like a pup.

He would've fought back, but being tickled always made his limbs melt into useless jelly. All he could do was curl up in a ball and wait until it was over.

Soon enough, the poor guy just couldn’t hold it in any longer. The fanged floodgates that were his lips finally burst open, waves of howling laughter flowing from them.

"WHY AHAHARE YOU T-TICKLING MEHEHEHEE?!" he screamed between shrieks and squeals.

"Well, how else was I supposed to wake you up?" the other giggled.

"I don't know—just S-STOHOHOP!" Keaton writhed and squirmed in a pathetic attempt to get away, but the man’s gentle hands were inescapable.

"I won't stop until you promise to spend the whole day with me!"

"This is tohohortuhuhuhure!"

"Wait, really?" Kaden stopped, allowing the wolfskin to catch his breath. While he was waiting patiently, he noticed something that made the corners of his mouth curl just a bit too much for his friend's liking.

"Uh, why are you smiling like that?" Keaton asked in suspicion as he sat up.

"Your tail is wagging~"

"Wh-what? No, it's not!" Keaton checked his backside and went red in the face. His tail was swishing back and forth so fast... He couldn't hide it; he was happy as can be.

"You can't lie to a kitsune!" Kaden laughed giddily.

Crossing his arms, Keaton turned his head away in a halfhearted attempt to conceal his flushed cheeks. The poor guy was honestly so embarrassed that he wanted to just crawl in a hole and die. Would he ever admit that? Never in a million years.

He couldn’t help but let out a little whine. Kaden’s face fell at this.

"Keaton," the kitsune spoke softly and cautiously. There was a hint of hesitation in his voice.

"Y-yeah?" Keaton gulped, nervously glancing at the man.

His heart was racing.

"Do you... like this?"

The wolfskin's ears lowered, and he made the noise again, beginning to lower his guard. He gazed at his friend so timidly... It was rare for him to show this side of himself. Kaden guessed that was where his daughter got her timid nature from. How cute.

"Um, well... M-maybe just a little bit," the wolfskin admitted almost inaudibly. His face was as red as a cherry. "But don't tell anyone! ...Please. If the pack knew, they might think I've gone soft or something," he added quickly.

"Still holding onto what little pride you've got left, huh?" Kaden thought, his expressionless mouth turning into a knowing smile.

Keaton tensed up.

There was a short-lived silence between the two as they stared into each other's eyes. The black-haired one was trying to look tough as always, despite his blatant faltering. The brown-haired one simply shook his head in amusement.

"What?!" the wolfskin finally barked.

The foxy male chuckled at how quickly his roommate fell apart during their moments of romantic tension. "You don't have to act all tough around me, y'know."

Keaton simply groaned and lay down to sleep, facing away from the other. He did not want to deal with being teased and flustered all day by his stupid... cute, handsome... friend. Yes. Friend. Definitely friend.

"H-hey! Don't make me tickle you again!"

Keaton's tail started wagging once more.

He let out a long, heavy sigh of frustration. "...Dammit, Kaden."