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Details here: https://inkbunny.net/j/387245-bindingsin-interesting-times Or, if that's too hard, just head there directly: https://ko-fi.com/bindingsin or https://www.patreon.com/bindingsin\n\nA \"prequel\" of sorts for the series of events that led up to a pregnant Handler in the other Monster Hunter stories. I hope you enjoy. I went all out because I just started having far too much fun, what can I say?\n\nStory Contains: Impregnation, catnip, forbidden love, sweet sex, cuteness, hesitation, food play, and day to day life. Enjoy!\n\nUnfortunately, due to human content and the size, you'll either have to download the source file or read it on SoFurry: https://www.sofurry.com/view/1711515", "description_bbcode_parsed": "14252 words

Hey, if you like what you're reading, please support me! Details here: https://inkbunny.net/j/387245-bindingsin-interesting-times Or, if that's too hard, just head there directly: https://ko-fi.com/bindingsin or https://www.patreon.com/bindingsin

A "prequel" of sorts for the series of events that led up to a pregnant Handler in the other Monster Hunter stories. I hope you enjoy. I went all out because I just started having far too much fun, what can I say?

Story Contains: Impregnation, catnip, forbidden love, sweet sex, cuteness, hesitation, food play, and day to day life. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, due to human content and the size, you'll either have to download the source file or read it on SoFurry: https://www.sofurry.com/view/1711515", "writing": "\tSometimes it was hard to be a handler. Try as you might, there were always more missions, always more research, always hunters trying to run off and be a hero... But, at least after most of her searching was done, the Handler herself had made it a point to take plenty of time to take a load off and focus on her passions; new sights, new sounds, and, of course, new tastes! She might not have had the Excitable's appetite after he spent some time as a Dodogama, but she was regularly compared to a Pukei-Pukei, always wanting more food and more recipes. To this end, now that Shara Ishvalda had been taken care of and the Star was doing his own things with whatever monsters roamed around, the Handler spent her time in the Astera canteen, watching her favorite being in the town at work.\n\n\tThe Meowscular Chef looked up from his massive hot plate, letting his assistants do the work of letting the meat sizzle to perfection as he looked around the canteen. As much as he enjoyed being on the hunts, he had to admit that being able to help EVERYONE as a chef was much more rewarding than he would've ever thought all those years ago. And while he was starting to get on in years, he still had more life in him than even his old partner probably knew. He looked at those enjoying their meals or coming up to order, planning out the dishes he knew would be asked of him...\n\n\tAnd then his eye fell on the Handler and he felt his heart skip a beat. It was an odd feeling, but one he'd had for a long time now... He wasn't some kitten, or unknowing of the ways of the world, but she stirred feelings in him he'd been trying to suppress. Not like the Admiral, who had simply not wanted to be tied down with a child when he could live free, but still leaving him without any kittens of his own beyond the chefs and palicos he helped train in his spare time.\n\n\tThe three main races of the world, the wyverians, the humans, and the lynians, weren't mutually exclusive, but anything moving between them was rare. This was normally due to cultural norms. After all, why would a wyverian take a human as a mate when they lived so much longer? And why would either risk a tryst with a felyne or a melynx and cause confusion in those dynamics? Lynians were the shortest lived, after all, and any attachments would only lead to broken hearts. And while successful mating was rare, hybrids were around between all the races, though few and far between.\n\n\tThis was the secret to the Meowscular Chef's longevity. While he was actually only about ten years the Grammeowster Chef's junior, his physique and stature were inherited from his father, a wyverian traveler that had formed quite the bond with his mother before disappearing back onto the road. It was a secret he knew, but didn't share, not wanting to be one of the research subjects of the commission or gazed upon as some freak beyond his size and strength. And while it had made him very aggressive as a kitten to stand out so, now that he'd retired from adventuring, he was itching to make a larger mark on the world than a calorie count and a well trained kitchen staff.\n\n\tStill, it was improper for anyone from the research commission to flirt with those from other fleets, particularly the first flirting all the way down the line with the fifth, so while the beautiful brunette with the deep, sparkling brown eyes may have always caught his attention, he'd never do anything so risky as to let his beating heart take point. He had too many years under his belt to get lost in love like some silly kitten. He sighed, then opened his good eye, only to take a startled step back as he found the very eyes he'd been picturing mere inches from his face, looking into his eye closely. “What do you want?” He said in an annoyed huff, crossing his arms and returning to his usual detached demeanor.\n\n\t“Well,” the Handler started, the smile on her face beaming as she leaned on the counter. “I saw that you were looking for some rare ingredients, and nobody was taking you up on that offer. I happen to know where to find them, though, and figured... Well, if I had a strong bodyguard like yourself, perhaps we could get the ingredients, you could give me some tips for cooking in the field, and you'd get the ingredients for that special dish of yours... it'd be a win-win!”\n\n\tHe tilted his head, considering it for a moment and closing his eye. In his mind he knew he shouldn't. There were too many problems, and hunters and researchers would be waiting for his meals while he was out. And the chefs, while fantastic, just didn't have the same flair or passion he did when it came to cooking. And he hadn't been keeping up his battle training, so even if he wanted to keep her safe, would he be able to? A broken sword and his claws could only take them so far, depending on what appeared. Besides, there was just too much temptation... As much as her offer intrigued him, Meowscular was going to have to say no. \n\n\tBut when his eyes opened again, seeing her eager face, her eyes wide with wonder and her hair shining in the afternoon light, his brow softened. He considered it for just a moment, then nodded. “Alright. We'll go gathering. Let me prepare the staff for it, and we'll head out tomorrow.”\n\n\tBehind him, in a chorus, the four melynx chefs of his staff called out in unison. “No, meowster! Go today!” “Yeah, we have the kitchen under control.” “Mew want this dish to be perfect, right?” “Not like we're serving the Star anything, or fighting another Ishvalda.” All stacked up, they bowed their heads in unison, tails flicking behind them like some strange catsune. “Enjoy an afternoon off. On us, meowster!”\n\n\tHe gazed down at them, not lowering his head or changing his posture, his tail flicking behind him in annoyance. However, that was mostly to hide the anxiety welling in his chest. He had too much going on in his mind, didn't they see what they were doing? Or... was this their plan, letting him get soft, perhaps fall in love, just so he wouldn't treat them so badly. He growled, about to snap, when he heard the Handler's voice softly behind him.\n\n\t“Please? I was hoping it would be alright, and I was looking forward to a little time with you... though I'll find someone else if you're needed here.” His tail flicked up straight, then his voice bellowed, his orders more barked than meowed, despite his Lynian nature.\n\n\t“Chefs! Fall in!” They all hopped to attention, ears up and paws at their foreheads. He walked in front of them like a commander in front of an army, examining the ranks. “You four think you're able to handle it, hmm? Able to keep up meals for the gathering hub and the canteen? You're ready to serve meat, to roast veggies, and cook a perfect meal not just for one hunter, but this entire settlement, huh? Is that what you all think?”\n\n\tIn unison they meowed out an affirmative. “Yes sir, Meowster!”\n\n\tHe glared at each of them, prepping for any sign of weakness... then smiled, nodding. “Very well. But if I hear of anything going wrong before I get back, its your tails in the fires, understand? I won't accept anything but the best from mew.” He didn't even seem to notice the slip into his accent, nodding for them to go off. “Good luck, cats! Dismissed!” At that they moved as a group back into position, a spring in their steps and bright eyed and bushy tailed as they went to work on the next orders without their meowster's guidance for the first time in memory.\n\n\tHe then turned around, looking at the Handler, his ivy green eye running over her form from head to toe, his heart thudding in his chest behind the light fur, while the dark fur around his muzzle shifted as he scrunched up his mouth to the side, anxiety getting the better of him. It had been ages since he'd spent any time outside of the kitchen... but he straightened up and nodded. “Alright, I shall follow mew, miss Handler, and I'll meet mew near the wingdrake station shortly.” He saw her face light up, and he felt his own flushing, warmth running behind his cheeks, before he coughed. “I will have to prepare. Make sure people know where mew're going.” He started away, wondering if he still had any armor or a better weapon, since his sword was being used as a spatula at the moment, and didn't even notice the sound of the Handler and Moon talking frantically behind him.\n\n\tAbout fifteen minutes later he was at the wingdrake station in his old armor. It felt heavy on his fur, and the metal and leather was old, but strong and well cared for even as it sat unused for so long. He even had a brand new sword in his paw, large for a felyne, though definitely one of the smaller blades by hunter standards. He'd thought about some of the crazier weapons when he was a kitten, but nowadays a simple blade was more than enough.\n\n\tHe looked around for the Handler, not seeing her anywhere. Slowly his angular tail started to twitch, the scar on his right eye itching. It only did that when something bad was happening, the eye underneath long lost, and he began to shift his weight from paw to paw, anxiety creeping in. Was this some kind of trick? Was the Handler actually trying to just get him to do something stupid? No, she was too nice for that. Something must have just come up. Yeah. That or she was blabbing to the Sapphire Star, or the Commander. How deep would the paperwork be if she was blabbing to the Commander?\n\n\tHe could feel himself getting cold feet, the weight of his armor making him antsy, the weight of his lineage making him anxious... He tried to focus himself, getting into his cross-armed stance and centering his thoughts, but they only roamed further and further. He was about to give up and head towards the kitchen to give his underlings a good yowling when he felt a gentle gloved hand on his shoulder, and he turned and looked up, her hair gleaming in the sunlight. “Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. Something came up, but Pard's got it under control on his own, so I'm still free to go with you, if you'll have me.”\n\n\tHe cleared his throat, purring quietly to himself and nodding. “Are mew sure mew aren't needed? The ingredients can wait. Sunkissed herbs and moonlit mushrooms are rare, but I could wait a season or two before they're required.” Using them together was a rare dish, but a labor of love. One he'd contemplated for a while, as a special serving. It could wait while his heart tried to settle.\n\n\tHowever, he found himself shaken slightly by the Handler, a smile on her face. “No way! I want to know what you're making with those, and picking them fresh makes the best scents. Honestly, if this weren't my calling, I'd just be out there getting every ingredient I could for you to work your magic with.” She then winked before whistling for a wingdrake. “Though I wonder if prismatic paprika would work together with the flavors.”\n\n\tHe paused, forgetting that key part of wingdrake riding. Would he call his own? Or share hers? He wasn't as light as a palico, and she probably wasn't prepared for it. He let out a yowl for his own, which swirled overhead as well. “We shall see. Though if there's a flavor mew're agreeable to, I'd like to know. I can always adjust a dish to taste.” He grabbed onto the reign coming coming the wingdrake, and the Handler did the same for hers, the two setting off towards the Ancient Forest to find their prizes.\n\n\tThe Handler's heart soared along with the wingdrake, always feeling a rush when she saw the world from above. The forest was only just outside Astera, but the best camp for finding the needed ingredients was high off the forest floor, which she knew a lot better thanks to her time with the Star. Still, she found herself a little distracted as she ascended, her attention focused on the felyne behind her. Underneath the scraps of steel held onto his buff body with leather straps, the ringed fur pattern on his arms and the felyne paw print mark on his stomach rippling and whipping as the air rushed past him. Despite spending so much time in the canteen, he was fit and buff, taking care of himself, and it showed in the way his fur gleamed from his perfect diet. The Handler wished her hair looked as soft and caressable as his fur always did.\n\n\tThough, the grooves of the muscles beneath were running through her head. What would it feel like to run a finger along that six-pack? Would he be soft from all his food, or hard as a rock? She bit her lip, looking up towards the trees to make sure she was still on track. She knew it was odd to think this way about a felyne, but more than once she'd simply lost herself in the way his fur reflected the fires of the ovens behind him, or the way the muscles rippled as he sliced a steak perfectly or applied salt juuuuust right. For all his power and strength, he was careful, with a finesse almost unimaginable and a warm friendliness beneath his gruff and rough exterior. She wanted to consider him more than a colleague, more of a friend, but it was so hard to get him to open up. This was going to be the perfect situation! And their shared love of food would be the perfect topic. And maybe watching his toned tail bending over to pick herbs would help her out with those dreams she didn't tell anyone about back at her abode. She ground her thighs together softly, remembering the dream she'd had just last night. Maybe she'd even get a good look at his tongue today, though 'look' wasn't what she wanted to do with it.\n\n\tShe shook the thought from her mind, causing her ponytail to flick in the wind behind her before she waved to the chef and started circling the wingdrake towards the treetop camp. As much as she wanted to land elsewhere to spend more time together, this was the best place to get the herbs, and then the mushrooms could be the longer hunt, right? Plus, today, it had seemed most of the larger monsters were elsewhere, leaving only a few jagrases and unruly gajalaka between them and their prizes. Still... might be nice to be falling into his strong arms rather than the spindly, toned limbs of the Star. If a girl had to be rescued, might as well enjoy it, right?\n\n\tThe Handler had her normal landing, smooth enough, right on location. It was a wonder to her how often the Sapphire Star ended up hot-dropped right in front of monsters, but luckily, he was more than equipped enough to deal with them. Maybe his wingdrake just had it out for him? Either way, she turned to watch the Chef's fur fluttering beautifully in the breeze, rippling in an almost hypnotic way as he came in for a landing. At the last second, however, the wingdrake he was riding under snapped at a bug, swinging him right into a branch that pulled the rope from his paw. The Handler ran forward, ready to catch him like she would any palico in danger, but instead she watched him flip through the air, vault off of his blade, and land behind her on his feet, one claw digging through the woven vines that made the floor and the other out like he was ready to fight. His normally stern face was in a snarl, the fighting spirit he'd not used for so long immediately coming to the surface.\n\n\tAnd just as quickly it faded as he awkwardly stood up, then glared with his one good eye at the leaving drake. “Barely even good for a meal... Meowever, we have arrived. Ladies first.” He walked over to the blade, picking it up and sliding it into its sheath, before gesturing for her to lead the way. She had to shake herself out of her entranced watching of him, coughing as she got her mind back on the prize.\n\n\t“Right! There's a patch of sunkissed herbs that are growing right up here. Just along this branch, and...” she didn't have to do more than lift a single branch out of the way to show the herbs in question shimmering with their golden glow in the sunlight. With the way the winds rustled the tree leaves, they seemed to almost be dancing, a fact that remained true as her companion ran up to the growing grasses and picked the perfect leaves and shoots from the patch. His angular tail smoothly swayed behind him, and she could hear a low purr as he gathered, his eye closing for a moment as he savored the smell of the fresh herbs.\n\n\t“Purrfect... these will do nicely.” He secured the satchel of herbs to his side, then motioned for her once more. “You're doing amazingly already. Meow where should we go to find those mushrooms?”\n\n\tShe walked past him on the branch, leaning on the various vines that they'd grown through the area to act as railings and guards for other hunters that used the camps. At the end, she found the ring-shaped branch, a hole in the center marked as a good dropping point. It was one she'd seen the Sapphire Star take many times, falling from the highest point in the area to the lowest in just a few short minutes... but as she looked at the tangle and snarl of the branches and the chaotic pattern of birds and drakes and insects flying beneath her, she visibly started to seize up.\n\n\tShe took a deep breath, about to mention that the quickest route was down there, when a paw gently took her gloved hand, breaking her from her daze. His paw was massive, the same size as her hand, even though he was a little shorter than her... but not by much, which was incredibly impressive for a Lynian. His face was stern still, the scarred eye always giving him the look of a rough customer, but the gentle movement of his eyebrows and the edge of his mouth was enough to show his understanding. “It's alright, it's a beautiful day out, and I'm not needed back at the kitchen. We can take the scenic route.” He then smirked. “Even with a hike, I feel we'll probably make it back before dark.”\n\n\tWith the waning sun dappling her face through the leaves, and her ponytail flowing behind her in the breeze, she was a vision of beauty. Perhaps not the most beautiful, and definitely not one of those gussied up girls covered in makeup, but the Chef knew quite deeply about how complex and deep true beauty was. And the Handler, for her faults in some hunters' eyes, had it. He was purring deeply to himself as he saw her smile, then brush the hair from her face, before nodding and leading the long way down the trees. He watched her every movement, keeping an eye out for danger, or for her getting hurt, but mostly just quietly enjoying being near her as they climbed down the bark pathways both naturally made by the snarl of trees and laid out by diligent hunters and the natives of this land.\n\n\tAs he passed by a snoozing mosswine and made his way through one of the low holes that kept the camp safe from larger beasts, he found himself once more face to face with the Handler, who was looking at him expectantly. He flicked his ears, realizing he must have missed something, and cleared his throat. “Sorry, what was that? I didn't hear mew.”\n\n\tShe giggled, then turned, starting down the long, spiraling set of branches that would take them through the trees and lower towards the forest floor. “I asked what you need these ingredients for, especially fresh. They're an interesting blend, I could see them being used in all sorts of ways... Are they for the same meal? I think they could make a very interesting bread bowl for a soup. Or they could make for some nice seasoning for sweet potatoes. I always like having prismatic paprika on hand, if possible, but usually while we're waiting in the field, we have to keep things simple, unlike your amazing kitchen. Ooooh, can I get the recipe? Or are you experimenting on it?” She bounced a little in excitement, turning to look at him again with those beautiful eyes.\n\n\tHe had zoned out slightly while she was talking, keeping note of her words and her tastes, but wondering what he was going to say. He was testing a few new dishes for her and her upcoming birthday, and he didn't want to ruin that surprise. But she was such a foodie that keeping the secret from her almost seemed unfair. He frowned to himself, contemplating the pros and cons of spilling the secret, before some movement behind her caught his attention.\n\n\tHis ear flicked, hearing the sound of claws on bark, and in a flash his blade was out as he ran around her, placing himself between her and the forces in front of him. It wasn't much, just a few small jagrases prowling the area and looking for a meal. He snarled at them, and they stayed back, but continued to watch him with hungry eyes.\n\n\tHowever, his test of wills was going unnoticed by the Handler, whose attention had been drawn to another small hole in the tree. She watched a fluffy grimalkyne from the Bugtrapper tribe wobbling his way out of the hole, then almost swaying as he wandered off towards their main campsite. She only really noticed she was in any danger when the Chef's paw landed on her back, bringing her attention to the beasts. “Are these in the way, miss Handler? Or should we find another path?”\n\n\tShe stepped back to a safe distance. “No, this is the way unless we want to jump. I'll get somewhere safe while you fend them off.”\n\n\tThe Chef smiled, then nodded, swinging his blade once to have it flicker in the light and get the attention of the one in front. “As mew wish.” He then leaped forward, yowling and snarling and making as much noise as he could, trying to scare them off, while a quick swipe of his blade cut at the hide of the one in front. Whether he'd have to fell them or scare them off, he wasn't going to let anything ruin his mushroom run.\n\n\tThe Handler used this time to investigate the hole the grimalkyne had come out of, wondering what had the fluffy Lynian so blissed out. Squeezing through the hole, she tumbled into a small chamber made of the tree, like a natural knot or growth had been hollowed out. Within it, planted in some soft moss, was a small patch of budding felvine shoots. Her eyes lit up, not knowing of any felvine naturally occurring in the New World, and was about to collect it for cultivation when she stopped herself. The grimalkyne had been pretty stoned coming out of here, and while the Meowscular Chef was from the Old World and had probably run into it before... did she really want to surprise him with something that would make him act so strange? It affected each Lynian differently, but whether he got drunk or high or otherwise off from his normal self, would it be worth the surprise to take him from his normal mental state?\n\n\tShe shook her head, being careful not to injure the plant, as the sap was what triggered the effect, and instead simply pulled out her notebook and documented the discovery. She'd mention it to him later, and maybe he'd enjoy it then, but she respected him too much to want to do something without his consent. Even if he'd enjoy it, a prank, especially one with a mind-altering substance, was still rude. As she finished up her notes, she heard the sounds of scuffling outside dying down and started making her way back out.\n\n\tThe Chef's armor had a new scratch on it, and he was breathing a little more heavily than usual, but otherwise he'd come out of the fight unscathed. However, as much as he liked to think he still had his palico skills, he had quickly realized just how out of practice he was when the claw had slid across his breastplate. He'd dispatched that jagras easily enough, and the others had run in fear at a “grimalkyne” that was attacking back, but he was making mental notes not to get into any more fights if he could avoid it.\n\n\tHowever, the Handler didn't see any of his thoughts, only noticing the precision and swiftness with which his blade cut along the hide of the fallen jagras, separating the leather scales from the meat and, with a few practiced swipes, separating the meat from the bone. She admired how he wasn't letting anything go to waste, as well as his preparedness to have containers for the meat and the hide, leaving what he couldn't use for the scavengers of the forest, and all without getting a drop of blood on anything but his blade. As he wiped that off and sheathed it, he smiled at her, glad to see her unscathed. “Are we ready to continue?”\n\n\tShe nodded happily, her face blushing again as she gestured in the direction they would need to go. “It's not far. And... you're still quite a fighter! I'm impressed.”\n\n\tHe huffed to himself, then shook his head. “I've tackled larger. Jagrases are easy prey. But I'm no kitten anymore, and no longer a palico. I prefer my meat not jumping at me, how about mew?”\n\n\tShe laughed as she slid down the tree trunk to reach the next platform. “Same! It's delicious, but I prefer it with some salt on open coals, or seared to perfection on a hot plate, not lunging at me or spitting fire and poison.” They shared a chuckle as they followed the path, eventually coming to the spot with the moonlit mushrooms. \n\n\tThey grew in a clearing at the top of a fallen tree, the thick layer of dead leaves and other waste of the forest making both a perfect bed for mushrooms, as well as for some of the larger predators of the forest. Luckily, they were still out, bothering with some other problem or having turf wars with each other, leaving the two to peruse and pick mushrooms to their heart's content. They even swapped tips, with her identifying the stages of growth and which were in the safest materials to eat, while he showed her how to identify the texturing and ripeness of the mushroom itself, ensuring the meatiest interiors for the meals. It culminated in them both reaching for the perfect mushroom in unison, their hands meeting around its stem, and they looked into each other's eyes. A heat was in the air naturally in the forest, but it paled in comparison to the energy buzzing between the two, their faces flushed and growing slightly closer together with each passing moment. Her lips pursing, the low purr rumbling...\n\n\tThe rumble was drowned out by a powerful roar that shook the old, dead tree, causing both collectors to snap their attention to the source. Considering this was a prime resting place, it really was no wonder they'd have a visitor, but the Great Jagras before them seemed to have more than rest on his mind. His mane of spines rattled on his head, and while he was still svelte, not having found a meal for the many smaller jagrases he had in tow, the massive fanged wyvern had his eyes on the two mammals muscling in on his territory. Its footsteps shook the compost the mushrooms grew in, its form looming over the Meowscular Chef and the Handler as he reared back, ready to lunge.\n\n\tWhile a few small fanged wyverns were one thing, a Great Jagras was a proper hunt, and neither of them were hunters. With discretion being the better part of valor, the felyne grabbed the human's hand, pulling her right against him as he stepped back, his face landing in her soft chest as they both managed to dodge out of the way of the monster lunging towards them. As much as he enjoyed his new lack of view, though, he knew he had to escape, and he never let go of the Handler's hand as he ran, his eye scanning for a safe place to go, heart pounding for fear rather than pleasure now that he was back on the hunt and remembering why he'd retired.\n\n\tHe ran out of the tree and across the branches, the two of them making impressive time as they leaped from branch to branch, but the Great Jagras was hot on their heels, not giving them any breathing room, even as it crashed through vines and snapped smaller branches, its entourage struggling to keep up and swarming behind it. While the felyne kept his eye on running, the Handler pointed out a small opening in a tree up ahead. “There! That's too small for it! Through the bark there!”\n\n\tThe Chef nodded, keeping his eye on the prize as he made one more leap, then let go of her hand for the first time as he slid through the hole, wanting to clear it and keep it open for her to do the same. Unfortunately, he didn't know about the other side, and the slick, mossy branch beyond the knothole took him careening further than he wanted, though he landed on his feet in a soft netting of vines below. He called up, watching the Handler crawling face first, and pause when she slipped, before a crash and a shaking of the whole tree as the Great Jagras impacted caused her to slip into the hole and scream out as she was falling.\n\n\tHe was right beneath her, arms out, and he quite easily caught her, his strong, but soft, warm, embracing arms wrapping around her protectively, their eyes meeting for just a moment as he saved her from the fall. It was almost successful, too, but her added momentum and the weight of two people focused on his two small paws snapped the vines under them, causing them both to tumble down further through the hollow tree. Above, the Great Jagras peeked down and, seeing them gone, pulled his head free to find some easier meals.\n\n\tA vine canopy covered the area above them, glowing scoutflies and vigorwasps lazily fluttering through the hollow, brought to alertness by the sudden intrusion into their home, but otherwise happy to share the space. One landed, for a moment, on the tuft of brown hair laying on the ground, but at the movement it flew away, the glow following with it. The Handler groaned softly, the landing hard, but not too bad, as she lifted herself up slightly. One of her gloves had come off in the fall, and as she put a hand down to brace herself, she felt warm fur under her fingers. She looked down, seeing the Meowscular Chef underneath her, eye closed, but breathing slowly, while she was on top of one of the armored plates. She gasped at that, moving slightly backwards, only to feel something against the curve of her rear through the clothes.\n\n\tShe blushed, her mind running, but... no, it surely couldn't be that. She looked at the Chef, whose cheeks did seem a little pink... then next to his head, seeing what they'd collapsed in. It was an incredibly soft bed, but the bulk of the tree seemed to be filled with felvine, the fragrant sap from which was swirling around the pair of collectors. She gasped, then started to move away, only to feel his claws on her hips, holding her tightly still, protecting her from the fall. “Chef, are you okay?” she said, gently shaking his shoulder to make sure he was alright.\n\n\tHe purred low, though it turned into a groan as he opened his eye, the slow breaths coming deeper. His iris was a little wide, the smell of the vine hitting him in a deep an instinctual place. His claws gripped slightly at the Handler's clothes, moving up from her hips to her back, keeping her close, while his sash, the flag of the First Fleet, rose awkwardly above his legs. He looked into her eyes, then smiled. “Mew're okay. Purrfect.” He had a number of conflicting emotions and thoughts all vying for the top spot, but above all, he was happy she was safe.\n\n\tShe smiled as well, nodding and blushing. “Yeah... thanks to you. You protected me and kept me safe. And even adventuring after a full day in the kitchen... You know you're amazing, right? Just... doing so much for everyone. I really want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” Her eyes looked at his, his breath washing over her face slightly, their bodies so very close. Her heart was pounding, though whether from the chase or the fall or something else, she wasn't sure.\n\n\tThough, to be fair, neither was he. He looked into her eyes, the gorgeous orbs reflecting the green glow of the vigorwasps and the scoutflies, the wet vines above looking like stars twinkling as the insects moved and their lights reflected. His nose was full of scents, felvine and and must and damp, but... mostly it was full of hers, a gentle, feminine smell he had never noticed. It was sweet, not feral like so many Lynians, and it almost called to him. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, his brain screamed at him. The difference in fleets! The difference in age! The difference in species! But he only cared about the difference in his heart.\n\n\tHis paw moved up behind her head, pulling her into a kiss as she pressed against his chest. She let out a surprised sound, her eyes going wide, while his closed, prepared for whatever would come from this moment of weakness. Her own mind raced. Did she feel this way for real about a felyne? Would she give in to this feral feeling, from this male out of his mind from felvine? Would it be wrong? What would the others think? What would the Star think? Did she care? She could taste the meat on his lips, the scent of cat filling her nose, the press of his lips foreign, and yet...\n\n\tJust as she was about to decide, he let go of her head, pushing her away and scrambling from under her. She felt that hard point slide under her clothes, gliding against them, before the tent in his apron was on display beneath his armor. He shook his head. “N-no! This isn't okay! Mew're so much younger than me, and so beautiful. I can't keep mew from someone who'll love mew, from a human who cares. Meow is not the time to give in, no matter how my heart beats whenever mew're in the canteen...” He grabbed his nose with his paw, scrunching his eye shut tight as if he could stop the intoxicating felvine from getting to him if he couldn't see it, the sap on his paws not factoring into the thought at all. “I gotta keep calm. Cmewler heads will prevail.”\n\n\tSeeing the large, strong felyne struggling with himself hurt the Handler. After the levity of before, and the moments, and all he'd given her, this was painful. The Meowscular Chef was a staple of Astera, a stern face and a kind heart, one who had brightened up her day even in the darkest times, and one who made her smile with every culinary creation friendly feast he provided. To see him fighting with himself, with something he so wanted... what they both so wanted...\n\n\tHe felt the hand caressing his cheek, brushing past his whiskers, and he leaned into it naturally, opening his eye and looking at her. He expected anger, or fear, or hatred, maybe revulsion... not the soft smile she wore, or the understanding deep in her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, to apologize for this moment of weakness, but was met instead with her lips on his, her kiss soft, but insistent. Slowly she caressed down his arms, which propped him up, while his heart felt like it stopped, the impossible scenario currently happening clearly because he'd died and gone to heaven. He felt her hand slide down his side, then over his apron, then under it to the fur beneath, gliding right up his thigh.\n\n\tHe shuddered, his paw snapping to the spot, holding her hand as it tickled his short hairs, and she broke the kiss, looking at him with slight confusion. “M-mew don't have to! I'm okay! Mew're fine if mew just want to-”\n\n\tShe placed a finger on his lips, shushing him gently. “I want to do this. Just relax and let me know if you want me to stop.” She pulled the finger away, waiting for his signal, and his paw slid away from her hand, giving it room to go further. She smiled, sliding up his thigh, brushing between his legs, feeling for his warmth hidden under the apron.\n\n(Continued elsewhere, due to Inkbunny rules (see the description))", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tSometimes it was hard to be a handler. Try as you might, there were always more missions, always more research, always hunters trying to run off and be a hero... But, at least after most of her searching was done, the Handler herself had made it a point to take plenty of time to take a load off and focus on her passions; new sights, new sounds, and, of course, new tastes! She might not have had the Excitable's appetite after he spent some time as a Dodogama, but she was regularly compared to a Pukei-Pukei, always wanting more food and more recipes. To this end, now that Shara Ishvalda had been taken care of and the Star was doing his own things with whatever monsters roamed around, the Handler spent her time in the Astera canteen, watching her favorite being in the town at work.

\tThe Meowscular Chef looked up from his massive hot plate, letting his assistants do the work of letting the meat sizzle to perfection as he looked around the canteen. As much as he enjoyed being on the hunts, he had to admit that being able to help EVERYONE as a chef was much more rewarding than he would've ever thought all those years ago. And while he was starting to get on in years, he still had more life in him than even his old partner probably knew. He looked at those enjoying their meals or coming up to order, planning out the dishes he knew would be asked of him...

\tAnd then his eye fell on the Handler and he felt his heart skip a beat. It was an odd feeling, but one he'd had for a long time now... He wasn't some kitten, or unknowing of the ways of the world, but she stirred feelings in him he'd been trying to suppress. Not like the Admiral, who had simply not wanted to be tied down with a child when he could live free, but still leaving him without any kittens of his own beyond the chefs and palicos he helped train in his spare time.

\tThe three main races of the world, the wyverians, the humans, and the lynians, weren't mutually exclusive, but anything moving between them was rare. This was normally due to cultural norms. After all, why would a wyverian take a human as a mate when they lived so much longer? And why would either risk a tryst with a felyne or a melynx and cause confusion in those dynamics? Lynians were the shortest lived, after all, and any attachments would only lead to broken hearts. And while successful mating was rare, hybrids were around between all the races, though few and far between.

\tThis was the secret to the Meowscular Chef's longevity. While he was actually only about ten years the Grammeowster Chef's junior, his physique and stature were inherited from his father, a wyverian traveler that had formed quite the bond with his mother before disappearing back onto the road. It was a secret he knew, but didn't share, not wanting to be one of the research subjects of the commission or gazed upon as some freak beyond his size and strength. And while it had made him very aggressive as a kitten to stand out so, now that he'd retired from adventuring, he was itching to make a larger mark on the world than a calorie count and a well trained kitchen staff.

\tStill, it was improper for anyone from the research commission to flirt with those from other fleets, particularly the first flirting all the way down the line with the fifth, so while the beautiful brunette with the deep, sparkling brown eyes may have always caught his attention, he'd never do anything so risky as to let his beating heart take point. He had too many years under his belt to get lost in love like some silly kitten. He sighed, then opened his good eye, only to take a startled step back as he found the very eyes he'd been picturing mere inches from his face, looking into his eye closely. “What do you want?” He said in an annoyed huff, crossing his arms and returning to his usual detached demeanor.

\t“Well,” the Handler started, the smile on her face beaming as she leaned on the counter. “I saw that you were looking for some rare ingredients, and nobody was taking you up on that offer. I happen to know where to find them, though, and figured... Well, if I had a strong bodyguard like yourself, perhaps we could get the ingredients, you could give me some tips for cooking in the field, and you'd get the ingredients for that special dish of yours... it'd be a win-win!”

\tHe tilted his head, considering it for a moment and closing his eye. In his mind he knew he shouldn't. There were too many problems, and hunters and researchers would be waiting for his meals while he was out. And the chefs, while fantastic, just didn't have the same flair or passion he did when it came to cooking. And he hadn't been keeping up his battle training, so even if he wanted to keep her safe, would he be able to? A broken sword and his claws could only take them so far, depending on what appeared. Besides, there was just too much temptation... As much as her offer intrigued him, Meowscular was going to have to say no.

\tBut when his eyes opened again, seeing her eager face, her eyes wide with wonder and her hair shining in the afternoon light, his brow softened. He considered it for just a moment, then nodded. “Alright. We'll go gathering. Let me prepare the staff for it, and we'll head out tomorrow.”

\tBehind him, in a chorus, the four melynx chefs of his staff called out in unison. “No, meowster! Go today!” “Yeah, we have the kitchen under control.” “Mew want this dish to be perfect, right?” “Not like we're serving the Star anything, or fighting another Ishvalda.” All stacked up, they bowed their heads in unison, tails flicking behind them like some strange catsune. “Enjoy an afternoon off. On us, meowster!”

\tHe gazed down at them, not lowering his head or changing his posture, his tail flicking behind him in annoyance. However, that was mostly to hide the anxiety welling in his chest. He had too much going on in his mind, didn't they see what they were doing? Or... was this their plan, letting him get soft, perhaps fall in love, just so he wouldn't treat them so badly. He growled, about to snap, when he heard the Handler's voice softly behind him.

\t“Please? I was hoping it would be alright, and I was looking forward to a little time with you... though I'll find someone else if you're needed here.” His tail flicked up straight, then his voice bellowed, his orders more barked than meowed, despite his Lynian nature.

\t“Chefs! Fall in!” They all hopped to attention, ears up and paws at their foreheads. He walked in front of them like a commander in front of an army, examining the ranks. “You four think you're able to handle it, hmm? Able to keep up meals for the gathering hub and the canteen? You're ready to serve meat, to roast veggies, and cook a perfect meal not just for one hunter, but this entire settlement, huh? Is that what you all think?”

\tIn unison they meowed out an affirmative. “Yes sir, Meowster!”

\tHe glared at each of them, prepping for any sign of weakness... then smiled, nodding. “Very well. But if I hear of anything going wrong before I get back, its your tails in the fires, understand? I won't accept anything but the best from mew.” He didn't even seem to notice the slip into his accent, nodding for them to go off. “Good luck, cats! Dismissed!” At that they moved as a group back into position, a spring in their steps and bright eyed and bushy tailed as they went to work on the next orders without their meowster's guidance for the first time in memory.

\tHe then turned around, looking at the Handler, his ivy green eye running over her form from head to toe, his heart thudding in his chest behind the light fur, while the dark fur around his muzzle shifted as he scrunched up his mouth to the side, anxiety getting the better of him. It had been ages since he'd spent any time outside of the kitchen... but he straightened up and nodded. “Alright, I shall follow mew, miss Handler, and I'll meet mew near the wingdrake station shortly.” He saw her face light up, and he felt his own flushing, warmth running behind his cheeks, before he coughed. “I will have to prepare. Make sure people know where mew're going.” He started away, wondering if he still had any armor or a better weapon, since his sword was being used as a spatula at the moment, and didn't even notice the sound of the Handler and Moon talking frantically behind him.

\tAbout fifteen minutes later he was at the wingdrake station in his old armor. It felt heavy on his fur, and the metal and leather was old, but strong and well cared for even as it sat unused for so long. He even had a brand new sword in his paw, large for a felyne, though definitely one of the smaller blades by hunter standards. He'd thought about some of the crazier weapons when he was a kitten, but nowadays a simple blade was more than enough.

\tHe looked around for the Handler, not seeing her anywhere. Slowly his angular tail started to twitch, the scar on his right eye itching. It only did that when something bad was happening, the eye underneath long lost, and he began to shift his weight from paw to paw, anxiety creeping in. Was this some kind of trick? Was the Handler actually trying to just get him to do something stupid? No, she was too nice for that. Something must have just come up. Yeah. That or she was blabbing to the Sapphire Star, or the Commander. How deep would the paperwork be if she was blabbing to the Commander?

\tHe could feel himself getting cold feet, the weight of his armor making him antsy, the weight of his lineage making him anxious... He tried to focus himself, getting into his cross-armed stance and centering his thoughts, but they only roamed further and further. He was about to give up and head towards the kitchen to give his underlings a good yowling when he felt a gentle gloved hand on his shoulder, and he turned and looked up, her hair gleaming in the sunlight. “Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. Something came up, but Pard's got it under control on his own, so I'm still free to go with you, if you'll have me.”

\tHe cleared his throat, purring quietly to himself and nodding. “Are mew sure mew aren't needed? The ingredients can wait. Sunkissed herbs and moonlit mushrooms are rare, but I could wait a season or two before they're required.” Using them together was a rare dish, but a labor of love. One he'd contemplated for a while, as a special serving. It could wait while his heart tried to settle.

\tHowever, he found himself shaken slightly by the Handler, a smile on her face. “No way! I want to know what you're making with those, and picking them fresh makes the best scents. Honestly, if this weren't my calling, I'd just be out there getting every ingredient I could for you to work your magic with.” She then winked before whistling for a wingdrake. “Though I wonder if prismatic paprika would work together with the flavors.”

\tHe paused, forgetting that key part of wingdrake riding. Would he call his own? Or share hers? He wasn't as light as a palico, and she probably wasn't prepared for it. He let out a yowl for his own, which swirled overhead as well. “We shall see. Though if there's a flavor mew're agreeable to, I'd like to know. I can always adjust a dish to taste.” He grabbed onto the reign coming coming the wingdrake, and the Handler did the same for hers, the two setting off towards the Ancient Forest to find their prizes.

\tThe Handler's heart soared along with the wingdrake, always feeling a rush when she saw the world from above. The forest was only just outside Astera, but the best camp for finding the needed ingredients was high off the forest floor, which she knew a lot better thanks to her time with the Star. Still, she found herself a little distracted as she ascended, her attention focused on the felyne behind her. Underneath the scraps of steel held onto his buff body with leather straps, the ringed fur pattern on his arms and the felyne paw print mark on his stomach rippling and whipping as the air rushed past him. Despite spending so much time in the canteen, he was fit and buff, taking care of himself, and it showed in the way his fur gleamed from his perfect diet. The Handler wished her hair looked as soft and caressable as his fur always did.

\tThough, the grooves of the muscles beneath were running through her head. What would it feel like to run a finger along that six-pack? Would he be soft from all his food, or hard as a rock? She bit her lip, looking up towards the trees to make sure she was still on track. She knew it was odd to think this way about a felyne, but more than once she'd simply lost herself in the way his fur reflected the fires of the ovens behind him, or the way the muscles rippled as he sliced a steak perfectly or applied salt juuuuust right. For all his power and strength, he was careful, with a finesse almost unimaginable and a warm friendliness beneath his gruff and rough exterior. She wanted to consider him more than a colleague, more of a friend, but it was so hard to get him to open up. This was going to be the perfect situation! And their shared love of food would be the perfect topic. And maybe watching his toned tail bending over to pick herbs would help her out with those dreams she didn't tell anyone about back at her abode. She ground her thighs together softly, remembering the dream she'd had just last night. Maybe she'd even get a good look at his tongue today, though 'look' wasn't what she wanted to do with it.

\tShe shook the thought from her mind, causing her ponytail to flick in the wind behind her before she waved to the chef and started circling the wingdrake towards the treetop camp. As much as she wanted to land elsewhere to spend more time together, this was the best place to get the herbs, and then the mushrooms could be the longer hunt, right? Plus, today, it had seemed most of the larger monsters were elsewhere, leaving only a few jagrases and unruly gajalaka between them and their prizes. Still... might be nice to be falling into his strong arms rather than the spindly, toned limbs of the Star. If a girl had to be rescued, might as well enjoy it, right?

\tThe Handler had her normal landing, smooth enough, right on location. It was a wonder to her how often the Sapphire Star ended up hot-dropped right in front of monsters, but luckily, he was more than equipped enough to deal with them. Maybe his wingdrake just had it out for him? Either way, she turned to watch the Chef's fur fluttering beautifully in the breeze, rippling in an almost hypnotic way as he came in for a landing. At the last second, however, the wingdrake he was riding under snapped at a bug, swinging him right into a branch that pulled the rope from his paw. The Handler ran forward, ready to catch him like she would any palico in danger, but instead she watched him flip through the air, vault off of his blade, and land behind her on his feet, one claw digging through the woven vines that made the floor and the other out like he was ready to fight. His normally stern face was in a snarl, the fighting spirit he'd not used for so long immediately coming to the surface.

\tAnd just as quickly it faded as he awkwardly stood up, then glared with his one good eye at the leaving drake. “Barely even good for a meal... Meowever, we have arrived. Ladies first.” He walked over to the blade, picking it up and sliding it into its sheath, before gesturing for her to lead the way. She had to shake herself out of her entranced watching of him, coughing as she got her mind back on the prize.

\t“Right! There's a patch of sunkissed herbs that are growing right up here. Just along this branch, and...” she didn't have to do more than lift a single branch out of the way to show the herbs in question shimmering with their golden glow in the sunlight. With the way the winds rustled the tree leaves, they seemed to almost be dancing, a fact that remained true as her companion ran up to the growing grasses and picked the perfect leaves and shoots from the patch. His angular tail smoothly swayed behind him, and she could hear a low purr as he gathered, his eye closing for a moment as he savored the smell of the fresh herbs.

\t“Purrfect... these will do nicely.” He secured the satchel of herbs to his side, then motioned for her once more. “You're doing amazingly already. Meow where should we go to find those mushrooms?”

\tShe walked past him on the branch, leaning on the various vines that they'd grown through the area to act as railings and guards for other hunters that used the camps. At the end, she found the ring-shaped branch, a hole in the center marked as a good dropping point. It was one she'd seen the Sapphire Star take many times, falling from the highest point in the area to the lowest in just a few short minutes... but as she looked at the tangle and snarl of the branches and the chaotic pattern of birds and drakes and insects flying beneath her, she visibly started to seize up.

\tShe took a deep breath, about to mention that the quickest route was down there, when a paw gently took her gloved hand, breaking her from her daze. His paw was massive, the same size as her hand, even though he was a little shorter than her... but not by much, which was incredibly impressive for a Lynian. His face was stern still, the scarred eye always giving him the look of a rough customer, but the gentle movement of his eyebrows and the edge of his mouth was enough to show his understanding. “It's alright, it's a beautiful day out, and I'm not needed back at the kitchen. We can take the scenic route.” He then smirked. “Even with a hike, I feel we'll probably make it back before dark.”

\tWith the waning sun dappling her face through the leaves, and her ponytail flowing behind her in the breeze, she was a vision of beauty. Perhaps not the most beautiful, and definitely not one of those gussied up girls covered in makeup, but the Chef knew quite deeply about how complex and deep true beauty was. And the Handler, for her faults in some hunters' eyes, had it. He was purring deeply to himself as he saw her smile, then brush the hair from her face, before nodding and leading the long way down the trees. He watched her every movement, keeping an eye out for danger, or for her getting hurt, but mostly just quietly enjoying being near her as they climbed down the bark pathways both naturally made by the snarl of trees and laid out by diligent hunters and the natives of this land.

\tAs he passed by a snoozing mosswine and made his way through one of the low holes that kept the camp safe from larger beasts, he found himself once more face to face with the Handler, who was looking at him expectantly. He flicked his ears, realizing he must have missed something, and cleared his throat. “Sorry, what was that? I didn't hear mew.”

\tShe giggled, then turned, starting down the long, spiraling set of branches that would take them through the trees and lower towards the forest floor. “I asked what you need these ingredients for, especially fresh. They're an interesting blend, I could see them being used in all sorts of ways... Are they for the same meal? I think they could make a very interesting bread bowl for a soup. Or they could make for some nice seasoning for sweet potatoes. I always like having prismatic paprika on hand, if possible, but usually while we're waiting in the field, we have to keep things simple, unlike your amazing kitchen. Ooooh, can I get the recipe? Or are you experimenting on it?” She bounced a little in excitement, turning to look at him again with those beautiful eyes.

\tHe had zoned out slightly while she was talking, keeping note of her words and her tastes, but wondering what he was going to say. He was testing a few new dishes for her and her upcoming birthday, and he didn't want to ruin that surprise. But she was such a foodie that keeping the secret from her almost seemed unfair. He frowned to himself, contemplating the pros and cons of spilling the secret, before some movement behind her caught his attention.

\tHis ear flicked, hearing the sound of claws on bark, and in a flash his blade was out as he ran around her, placing himself between her and the forces in front of him. It wasn't much, just a few small jagrases prowling the area and looking for a meal. He snarled at them, and they stayed back, but continued to watch him with hungry eyes.

\tHowever, his test of wills was going unnoticed by the Handler, whose attention had been drawn to another small hole in the tree. She watched a fluffy grimalkyne from the Bugtrapper tribe wobbling his way out of the hole, then almost swaying as he wandered off towards their main campsite. She only really noticed she was in any danger when the Chef's paw landed on her back, bringing her attention to the beasts. “Are these in the way, miss Handler? Or should we find another path?”

\tShe stepped back to a safe distance. “No, this is the way unless we want to jump. I'll get somewhere safe while you fend them off.”

\tThe Chef smiled, then nodded, swinging his blade once to have it flicker in the light and get the attention of the one in front. “As mew wish.” He then leaped forward, yowling and snarling and making as much noise as he could, trying to scare them off, while a quick swipe of his blade cut at the hide of the one in front. Whether he'd have to fell them or scare them off, he wasn't going to let anything ruin his mushroom run.

\tThe Handler used this time to investigate the hole the grimalkyne had come out of, wondering what had the fluffy Lynian so blissed out. Squeezing through the hole, she tumbled into a small chamber made of the tree, like a natural knot or growth had been hollowed out. Within it, planted in some soft moss, was a small patch of budding felvine shoots. Her eyes lit up, not knowing of any felvine naturally occurring in the New World, and was about to collect it for cultivation when she stopped herself. The grimalkyne had been pretty stoned coming out of here, and while the Meowscular Chef was from the Old World and had probably run into it before... did she really want to surprise him with something that would make him act so strange? It affected each Lynian differently, but whether he got drunk or high or otherwise off from his normal self, would it be worth the surprise to take him from his normal mental state?

\tShe shook her head, being careful not to injure the plant, as the sap was what triggered the effect, and instead simply pulled out her notebook and documented the discovery. She'd mention it to him later, and maybe he'd enjoy it then, but she respected him too much to want to do something without his consent. Even if he'd enjoy it, a prank, especially one with a mind-altering substance, was still rude. As she finished up her notes, she heard the sounds of scuffling outside dying down and started making her way back out.

\tThe Chef's armor had a new scratch on it, and he was breathing a little more heavily than usual, but otherwise he'd come out of the fight unscathed. However, as much as he liked to think he still had his palico skills, he had quickly realized just how out of practice he was when the claw had slid across his breastplate. He'd dispatched that jagras easily enough, and the others had run in fear at a “grimalkyne” that was attacking back, but he was making mental notes not to get into any more fights if he could avoid it.

\tHowever, the Handler didn't see any of his thoughts, only noticing the precision and swiftness with which his blade cut along the hide of the fallen jagras, separating the leather scales from the meat and, with a few practiced swipes, separating the meat from the bone. She admired how he wasn't letting anything go to waste, as well as his preparedness to have containers for the meat and the hide, leaving what he couldn't use for the scavengers of the forest, and all without getting a drop of blood on anything but his blade. As he wiped that off and sheathed it, he smiled at her, glad to see her unscathed. “Are we ready to continue?”

\tShe nodded happily, her face blushing again as she gestured in the direction they would need to go. “It's not far. And... you're still quite a fighter! I'm impressed.”

\tHe huffed to himself, then shook his head. “I've tackled larger. Jagrases are easy prey. But I'm no kitten anymore, and no longer a palico. I prefer my meat not jumping at me, how about mew?”

\tShe laughed as she slid down the tree trunk to reach the next platform. “Same! It's delicious, but I prefer it with some salt on open coals, or seared to perfection on a hot plate, not lunging at me or spitting fire and poison.” They shared a chuckle as they followed the path, eventually coming to the spot with the moonlit mushrooms.

\tThey grew in a clearing at the top of a fallen tree, the thick layer of dead leaves and other waste of the forest making both a perfect bed for mushrooms, as well as for some of the larger predators of the forest. Luckily, they were still out, bothering with some other problem or having turf wars with each other, leaving the two to peruse and pick mushrooms to their heart's content. They even swapped tips, with her identifying the stages of growth and which were in the safest materials to eat, while he showed her how to identify the texturing and ripeness of the mushroom itself, ensuring the meatiest interiors for the meals. It culminated in them both reaching for the perfect mushroom in unison, their hands meeting around its stem, and they looked into each other's eyes. A heat was in the air naturally in the forest, but it paled in comparison to the energy buzzing between the two, their faces flushed and growing slightly closer together with each passing moment. Her lips pursing, the low purr rumbling...

\tThe rumble was drowned out by a powerful roar that shook the old, dead tree, causing both collectors to snap their attention to the source. Considering this was a prime resting place, it really was no wonder they'd have a visitor, but the Great Jagras before them seemed to have more than rest on his mind. His mane of spines rattled on his head, and while he was still svelte, not having found a meal for the many smaller jagrases he had in tow, the massive fanged wyvern had his eyes on the two mammals muscling in on his territory. Its footsteps shook the compost the mushrooms grew in, its form looming over the Meowscular Chef and the Handler as he reared back, ready to lunge.

\tWhile a few small fanged wyverns were one thing, a Great Jagras was a proper hunt, and neither of them were hunters. With discretion being the better part of valor, the felyne grabbed the human's hand, pulling her right against him as he stepped back, his face landing in her soft chest as they both managed to dodge out of the way of the monster lunging towards them. As much as he enjoyed his new lack of view, though, he knew he had to escape, and he never let go of the Handler's hand as he ran, his eye scanning for a safe place to go, heart pounding for fear rather than pleasure now that he was back on the hunt and remembering why he'd retired.

\tHe ran out of the tree and across the branches, the two of them making impressive time as they leaped from branch to branch, but the Great Jagras was hot on their heels, not giving them any breathing room, even as it crashed through vines and snapped smaller branches, its entourage struggling to keep up and swarming behind it. While the felyne kept his eye on running, the Handler pointed out a small opening in a tree up ahead. “There! That's too small for it! Through the bark there!”

\tThe Chef nodded, keeping his eye on the prize as he made one more leap, then let go of her hand for the first time as he slid through the hole, wanting to clear it and keep it open for her to do the same. Unfortunately, he didn't know about the other side, and the slick, mossy branch beyond the knothole took him careening further than he wanted, though he landed on his feet in a soft netting of vines below. He called up, watching the Handler crawling face first, and pause when she slipped, before a crash and a shaking of the whole tree as the Great Jagras impacted caused her to slip into the hole and scream out as she was falling.

\tHe was right beneath her, arms out, and he quite easily caught her, his strong, but soft, warm, embracing arms wrapping around her protectively, their eyes meeting for just a moment as he saved her from the fall. It was almost successful, too, but her added momentum and the weight of two people focused on his two small paws snapped the vines under them, causing them both to tumble down further through the hollow tree. Above, the Great Jagras peeked down and, seeing them gone, pulled his head free to find some easier meals.

\tA vine canopy covered the area above them, glowing scoutflies and vigorwasps lazily fluttering through the hollow, brought to alertness by the sudden intrusion into their home, but otherwise happy to share the space. One landed, for a moment, on the tuft of brown hair laying on the ground, but at the movement it flew away, the glow following with it. The Handler groaned softly, the landing hard, but not too bad, as she lifted herself up slightly. One of her gloves had come off in the fall, and as she put a hand down to brace herself, she felt warm fur under her fingers. She looked down, seeing the Meowscular Chef underneath her, eye closed, but breathing slowly, while she was on top of one of the armored plates. She gasped at that, moving slightly backwards, only to feel something against the curve of her rear through the clothes.

\tShe blushed, her mind running, but... no, it surely couldn't be that. She looked at the Chef, whose cheeks did seem a little pink... then next to his head, seeing what they'd collapsed in. It was an incredibly soft bed, but the bulk of the tree seemed to be filled with felvine, the fragrant sap from which was swirling around the pair of collectors. She gasped, then started to move away, only to feel his claws on her hips, holding her tightly still, protecting her from the fall. “Chef, are you okay?” she said, gently shaking his shoulder to make sure he was alright.

\tHe purred low, though it turned into a groan as he opened his eye, the slow breaths coming deeper. His iris was a little wide, the smell of the vine hitting him in a deep an instinctual place. His claws gripped slightly at the Handler's clothes, moving up from her hips to her back, keeping her close, while his sash, the flag of the First Fleet, rose awkwardly above his legs. He looked into her eyes, then smiled. “Mew're okay. Purrfect.” He had a number of conflicting emotions and thoughts all vying for the top spot, but above all, he was happy she was safe.

\tShe smiled as well, nodding and blushing. “Yeah... thanks to you. You protected me and kept me safe. And even adventuring after a full day in the kitchen... You know you're amazing, right? Just... doing so much for everyone. I really want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” Her eyes looked at his, his breath washing over her face slightly, their bodies so very close. Her heart was pounding, though whether from the chase or the fall or something else, she wasn't sure.

\tThough, to be fair, neither was he. He looked into her eyes, the gorgeous orbs reflecting the green glow of the vigorwasps and the scoutflies, the wet vines above looking like stars twinkling as the insects moved and their lights reflected. His nose was full of scents, felvine and and must and damp, but... mostly it was full of hers, a gentle, feminine smell he had never noticed. It was sweet, not feral like so many Lynians, and it almost called to him. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, his brain screamed at him. The difference in fleets! The difference in age! The difference in species! But he only cared about the difference in his heart.

\tHis paw moved up behind her head, pulling her into a kiss as she pressed against his chest. She let out a surprised sound, her eyes going wide, while his closed, prepared for whatever would come from this moment of weakness. Her own mind raced. Did she feel this way for real about a felyne? Would she give in to this feral feeling, from this male out of his mind from felvine? Would it be wrong? What would the others think? What would the Star think? Did she care? She could taste the meat on his lips, the scent of cat filling her nose, the press of his lips foreign, and yet...

\tJust as she was about to decide, he let go of her head, pushing her away and scrambling from under her. She felt that hard point slide under her clothes, gliding against them, before the tent in his apron was on display beneath his armor. He shook his head. “N-no! This isn't okay! Mew're so much younger than me, and so beautiful. I can't keep mew from someone who'll love mew, from a human who cares. Meow is not the time to give in, no matter how my heart beats whenever mew're in the canteen...” He grabbed his nose with his paw, scrunching his eye shut tight as if he could stop the intoxicating felvine from getting to him if he couldn't see it, the sap on his paws not factoring into the thought at all. “I gotta keep calm. Cmewler heads will prevail.”

\tSeeing the large, strong felyne struggling with himself hurt the Handler. After the levity of before, and the moments, and all he'd given her, this was painful. The Meowscular Chef was a staple of Astera, a stern face and a kind heart, one who had brightened up her day even in the darkest times, and one who made her smile with every culinary creation friendly feast he provided. To see him fighting with himself, with something he so wanted... what they both so wanted...

\tHe felt the hand caressing his cheek, brushing past his whiskers, and he leaned into it naturally, opening his eye and looking at her. He expected anger, or fear, or hatred, maybe revulsion... not the soft smile she wore, or the understanding deep in her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, to apologize for this moment of weakness, but was met instead with her lips on his, her kiss soft, but insistent. Slowly she caressed down his arms, which propped him up, while his heart felt like it stopped, the impossible scenario currently happening clearly because he'd died and gone to heaven. He felt her hand slide down his side, then over his apron, then under it to the fur beneath, gliding right up his thigh.

\tHe shuddered, his paw snapping to the spot, holding her hand as it tickled his short hairs, and she broke the kiss, looking at him with slight confusion. “M-mew don't have to! I'm okay! Mew're fine if mew just want to-”

\tShe placed a finger on his lips, shushing him gently. “I want to do this. Just relax and let me know if you want me to stop.” She pulled the finger away, waiting for his signal, and his paw slid away from her hand, giving it room to go further. She smiled, sliding up his thigh, brushing between his legs, feeling for his warmth hidden under the apron.

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