[Featuring a bit of an in-joke vis-a-vis the character who is 100% owned by  banderi ]

The dim lights flickered and the fox stirred a claw over the surface of the table in slow, tantalising circles. The music was set, a calm tone. The fox, simply called ‘A’, tilted his head as he looked across the table to the object of his desires.

How many months had it been since he’d come up with this plan? It didn’t matter now, he finally had the chance to carry it out. Work had kept him so busy, but everything had come together to allow this romantic get-together at the office. Everyone else had left, he had total privacy, and he’d got to work making it look as charming as possible to make sure the mood was right.

“Ah yes, my sweet, sweet love. Why, I could just drink you up, if only you’d let down your steely guard.” He said, his voice enticing as his fingers connected. “Ah, you’re cold? And yet you make me hot, and thirsty.” He paused... the line had sounded better in his head, but he shook the thought away, keeping his happy, composed smirk lest he dwell on it and ruin the mood. “I knew you were the one, ever since I laid eyes on you.”

Oh how he longed for more than that, to press his lips forward, to feel that cool exterior and it’s beautiful contents. “May I ask… for a kiss?” He reached forward, taking hold and pulling gently but firmly with one finger. A clicking hiss issued, and this close a new scent reached his nose. “Ah, what elegant perfume you wear, such a taste to it.” He said nothing more, his lips pressed tightly to seal the distance as the unique flavour touched his tongue.

The lights grew to full power as someone turned them up. “Oh, hey! Didn’t think anyone was here in the office, and-” A voice began.

A yelped, dropping the can of Red Bull. “My love, we are disturbed!” He gasped, picking up the beverage and setting it back before it spilled. He rose from the table and blocked the view with his body as the someone turned out to be Marianne, his assistant. The cat had stopped, her ear flicking at the music as she stared at the scene. Petals strewn on the floor, a tablecloth thrown over an office desk… the soft music.

“Uh… if I’m interrupting. I mean… uh.” She said, eyes darting around for the second person but there wasn’t even a second chair at the table. She broke her pause by simply saying. “I think I’d better go.” Slipping quietly into the office to grab the bag she’d left at her desk, and then slipping out again.

A’s chest heaved as he stared back for a solid minute after she’d gone. How much she had seen or heard, he couldn’t say. He looked back at the can of Red Bull… it was opened now. The whole build up spoiled before he could enjoy it. Wait, what was he thinking, there was another cold can in the fridge, he could just start again.

He walked over to the break room, setting his hand on the refrigerator’s handle and catching his reflection. “Wait, what the hell am I even doing?!” He asked, out loud. The two days without sleep must be getting to him…