Hehe, this is a cute commission with my characters Charlie and Kayla, done by  strawberryneko.

Before I go on, this pic is based on a story idea for an alternate history of the characters of Kit Crossing, the big change here being that Kayla and Charlie are of the same age whereas in the bulk of the artwork Kayla's a teen while Charlie's just a toddler. The story revolves around Kayla's feelings for Charlie (in the main storyline, she does have a crush on Charlie but because of age is unable to realize it) and the two are able to realize those feelings. And yes, this is gonna be a long little story for this piccy, too. :P

If absence truly makes the heart grow fonder...it's also a test of how one feels for the other. If this is true, then Kayla and Charlie both had a long journey through high school to struggle with that. Neither Auburn nor Kayla's mom knew exactly when the two started to have a crush on the other but it could be said that the two felt that way since they first met as toddlers...although Kayla was usually a surrogate caretaker for Charlie, taking charge of his care. *giggles* The two were very close till about the 13th birthday where both their mothers decided that the two for their own sake that Kayla shouldn't kitsit Charlie anymore (as they called Kayla's many playdates with Charlie because of Kayla's motherly instinct). This tore the two up...both of them frustrated at both each other (avoiding contact while at school) and their mothers (because both of them felt that their moms might have played a role and not letting them hang around). However, the two just couldn't stay part although they both tried to move on and started to spend time together at school without either one of their moms knowing it.

By the time the two were 17, the frustrations the two were having because of how they felt reached a head and their moms found that they were doing more harm than good by keeping them apart and that the two had strong feelings for each other. Eventually, their moms finally allowed the two to be together again and were stunned by how the two have grown and were very fond of each other...although neither one could admit there's love. After graduation, both their families decided to celebrate their graduations together and let the two have some time together for the next few days.

Didn't take very long at all for the two to enjoy that time. Very early on the first day, Kayla took charge and took her "Baby Boy" as she loved to call him out for some shopping and cubby fun. The two enjoyed this time together...although Charlie was a bit curious when Kayla started to pick things out for them to share. She just laid a paw on his muzzle and smiled, "Don't worry, Momma Kayla will tell ya what they are for later." He just blushed more as they returned home. The two got settled in and had some playtime in a relatively empty room, romping about in just their tops and diapers (and socks). After taking a suckle from a bottle, Kayla just blushed alot as she looked into Charlie's eyes. She toddled over closer and slowly wagged her tail as she petted him. "Charlie, there's been something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time...from the moment I met you I felt like I was connected to you. I didn't know why at the time - I just wanted to make sure you were taken care of as if you were my kit. Over time, I started to know why, but then came high school and our mothers wouldn't let us see each other."

"I-I know Momma -" Charlie said quietly as Kayla tapped his nose again.

"Baby Boy, you don't h-have to call me that," Kayla sheepishly said, blushing heavily as her heart was aflutter, "You've more than earned the right to call me Kayla...I don't mind if you still think of me that way, but I know in your heart there's more to it than that." She softly said as she laid her paw over his heart, feeling his beat with the same intensity as hers.

"K-Kayla...I know how you felt in high school. I felt angry at you at first because I thought you didn't want to be with me," Charlie confessed as he noticed Kayla scooting closer, "But I became more upset at our moms since, since I wanted to be with you so much and they held us back."

"Oh Charlie, I felt that way too...since I got to see you at high school I got to know you for more than just the kit next door," Kayla said, crying happily as she leaned in closer, "You didn't hesitate to help me or stand up for me...I knew then that you could be there for me as well. Every day I grew fonder of you and I just wanted so bad to stop hiding that from you. This last year was so wonderful...you are such a gentlefox and a charmer that I started to understand how I really felt about you."

"Me too," Charlie replied as he blushed, stroking her fur lots, "Every time I looked at you I just wanted to say it but I felt like a chicken." Kayla leaned in closer and laid a paw on his thigh.

"C-charlie...I've been waiting to say this since I was a baby vixie...and now I can, now I can open my arms and tell you," Kayla said, barely hiding back her hapiness, leaning in close and confessed, "I love you Charlie. I want to be with you and only you." Charlie was stunned and blushed deep, but his heart was shaking in happiness because he's been wanting to say the same thing forever.

"Kayla, I've been in love with you ever since I was young. It's still true today...my love for you has only grown," Charlie confessed in return, looking into her eyes, "I love you Kayla McGwire. I love you so much that I want to know if you'd like to be my lifemate." Kayla was just glowing in happiness...although the two never really courted each other, the past 16 years was very much a subtle courtship. Neither one could hide it anymore, they needed and wanted each other and they knew it...they knew the time had come to realize how much they meant to each other - they knew that it was a lifetime they wanted together.

"My word, yes Charlie! You've been the only one I've ever wanted to be with!" Kayla exclaimed in happiness. That was the last words either said as Kayla tugged at Charlie's tee and gave him a passionate kiss. The rush of hormones and pheremones swamped the room as Charlie petted her cheek and held her other arm, returning her kiss with one of his own. Kayla gently opened her maw and gave Charlie his first French kiss - Charlie couldn't stop it since it started and frenched with Kayla in return. He pulled Kayla into his lap and kept kissing with Kayla happily doing the same. The two cuddled up tight and after a while looked affectionately in each other's eyes - this was the happiest day of their lives as this was the day Kayla confessed her long kept secret and the two accepted each other's desires to be mated for life.

A big thanks to Neko for such a well-done scene. :)

Charlie and Kayla ©  charliekit
artwork ©  strawberryneko