Chapter Text
His greed sickens me.
This was a certain green, peppermint-smelling rabbit's thought as she watched her so-called leader, who had his head lying on a lavender-smelling cat’s lap.
Hoppy was currently at Bobby's beehive home along with the rest of the critters. As with most Bobby Special Events, the event didn't end until all the critters gathered up, shared what they did, and what they thought of the event.
DogDay and Picky brought a strawberry shortcake and some strawberry tarts for them to try. Hoppy and Crafty shared the story of the dance class they took and how they both found that they had two left feet.
Kickin and Bobby brought their guitars and played a duet together, while Bubba and CatNap brought their star map. During this time, Bubba, with CatNap's permission, shared the story behind the lullaby he had sung for them many months ago.
It was a tragic and sad story in Hoppy's opinion. I mean, the girl didn't get to live a long life; there was probably a lot she ended up missing out on and not being able to do.
If that had been her, Hoppy thinks she would have died with many regrets. There would have been too much she would want to do and not enough time to do them.
Sad story aside, the event had been a success. Everyone felt a little closer to each other. Hoppy definitely felt closer to Crafty than she did before.
But that wasn't the point. The point was that during this storytelling, a certain vanilla-smelling dog decided to flop right on CatNap's lap. And even now that there we're all doing their own thing, DogDay remained there.
Wide goofy smile, tongue out, tail wagging lazily next to him.
“That could be you, but with Bobby if you just asked her, ya know.”
Hoppy jumped in surprise, ears pinned back. She quickly turned round to find one PickyPiggy. The pink pig critter took a bite of her tart, giving Hoppy a small wave.
Hoppy turned her head away, huffing. “I…don’t know what you're talking about.”
“Suuuuurrre.”
Hoppy ignored her, in favor of once again observing (judging) the cat and dog duo. Mainly the dog. “Does he have no shame?”
Picky raised an eyebrow. “He’s our leader. He should be setting an example, right?” Hoppy glared at the dog, nose twitching. “But instead he’s out there acting like a puppy, getting coddled and pampered by CatNap.” She watched as DogDay opened his mouth, pointing at it. CatNap rolled his eyes, but fed him a piece of the shortcake he had.
“Seriously!” Hoppy bristled. “He’s being fed!” Thumping her paw onto the ground.
“Again, this could be you with Bobby, if ya actually made a move.” Picky repeated, still eating her tart.
Hoppy only avoided her gaze. Picky sigh. At this rate, DogDay and CatNap will be married with hypothetical kids before Hoppy ever admitted aloud to the fact that she likes Bobby.
“Look, ya don’t have to do a grand gesture or anything.” Picky began. “You could just ask her to hang out or something. Or a friend date, since everyone liked those.”
Hoppy rubbed her ear. “It’s not that simple. Asking someone you like out.”
“CatNap would disagree with ya there.”
“WHAT!!”
Picky nodded, finishing her tart. “Yup, DogDay was going on and on about it while we were baking.” She licked her lips. “Apparently, before his friend date with Bubba, CatNap asked him out.”
Hoppy was dumbstruck. CatNap asked DogDay on a date!? “ Wait. Wait. Hold up. CatNap,” she gestured behind her at the feline. “ He… asked DogDay out on a date? Or a friend date?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes!”
Well,” Picky looked around absentmindedly. “DogDay said ‘friend date’, but by the way he was acting, it might as well be a ‘date date’.
Hoppy ran her paws down her face, groaning. Ok so not a ‘date date’, but still. Quiet, reserved CatNap asked someone out before her. This was a blow to her pride. She moved her gaze from the lovey-dovey ‘couple’ to the critter she liked. The red bear was talking and laughing wth Crafty. Her gaze softened, and she smiled softly.
“So, ya gonna ask her?”
Hoppy took a deep breath. “Yeah, I'm going to do it.” She took a step forward before turning back around. “Right after I hype myself up in the kitchen.”
Hoppy didn't get to take even one step before getting turned back around by Picky. “Nope. You're going to go up to Bobby and ask her out.”
“But what do I even say?”
“Tell her you want to hang out with her sometime soon. You don't even have to have an idea of what to do now. Just assure her that you would like to do something together, just you and her. Like, I don't know, a picnic?”
A picnic, huh, Hoppy thought bitterly. Sighing, no use in reminding herself of that, she decided Picky was right, though. She should at least let Bobby know she wanted them to hang out.
“Ok, let's do it.”
“Atta girl, Hoppy. Now go get her.”
Walking over to Bobby, Hoppy cleared her throat. This caught both girls' attention. Crafty waved at her. Bobby smiled sweetly. “Oh, Hoppy, I didn't see you there. Did you need something?”
“Yes… I need something. From you specifically, Bobby.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” Hoppy felt her cheeks turn pink. “I–I wanted to know… if you…” she gulped, “ would like to hang out with me sometime soon. Just the two of us?” She quickly added that last part.
Bobby tenderly smiled. “Of course, Hoppy. I would love to hang out with you.”
“Really?” Hoppy’s ears perked up straight.
“Yup. Just let me know when, so I can prepare.”
“Yes, of course.” Hoppy felt her smile grow. “I mean, cool, will do,” she finished, trying to seem nonchalant. But she was definitely smiling ear to ear now. She said goodbye to both girls, making her way to where Picky and Kickin were now sitting.
She sat down next to Kickin, wide smile still present. “What got you so happy, Hoppy?” Kickin said, smirking. “A date?”
“Yeah,” she said without thinking. A few seconds passed…
“Wait. How?” She turned to Picky. “You told?” The betrayal.
Picky shook her head. “Nope, overheard.”
“Who would have thought, though.” Kickin teased. “The critter you have a crush on is the hostess herself, Bobby.”
Hoppy grumbled, cheeks turning pink once more. Kickin pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. “Good luck, Hops. Seriously.”
“Thanks.” She looked throughout the room to see what everyone else was doing. Bobby and Crafty were now talking with Bubba, CatNap, and DogDay. She frowned when she saw DogDay blatantly nuzzling and petting CatNap.
Well, at least he’s not lying on his lap anymore.
“Seriously, he's not even being subtle?”
“Just give it a rest, Hoppy.”
“But—”
“Hoppy,” Picky warned. “Focus on the fact that ya asked Bobby out, not whatever jealousy ya got because that's not you with Bobby doing that. Yet.”
“Fiiinee.”
She turned back to the group and smiled, knowing that she finally got to ask Bobby to hang out.