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It was a cloudy winter day in Smiling valley, and Catnap was busy doing some cleaning, because he had a very special guest coming over.
His cousin was coming from the land of luck and iron to visit him, and was planning on staying with him for a few days, so he had to make sure everything was guest-worthy.
He was dusting off some picture frames on the mantle when the doorbell rang.
Catnap gets nervous. ‘Oh no, is he here already!?’ he thinks.
But when he opened the door, it was just his beloved boyfriend, who also served double-duty as his best friend.
“Hi!” Dogday says, waving happily.
Catnap sighs in relief, smiling a bit. ‘Hello my sunshine.’ He signs, stepping aside to let him in.
Dogday notices he seems a bit stressed, getting a little worried.
“Is there something wrong?” He asks.
Catnap shakes his head. ‘No, I was just in the middle of cleaning up some stuff.’ he says. ‘Gotta get this place tidy.’
Dogday tilts his head. “Why?”
Catnap sighs. ‘Because my cousin is coming to visit for a few days, and he is very persnickety about having a clean house.’
Dogday nods. “Aha.” He says. “I don’t think I've ever met your cousin.”
Catnap keeps dusting. ‘You’d know if you had.’ He signs. ‘He’s quite hard to forget.’
Dogday smiles. “Sounds like a fun guy.”
Catnap makes a ‘so-so’ motion with his hand.
‘He can be.’ He signs. ‘I just hope he gets along with everyone else.’
Dogday nods. “Me too.”
~The next day~
Dogday had gone with Catnap to the train station to pick up his cousin, hoping to help him feel better, and it was working a little. Catnap always felt better with his sunlight by his side.
So now they were sitting on the bench next to the station, waiting patiently for the train to arrive.
“Are you nervous?”
Dogday asks.
Catnap nods. ‘A little,’ he says. ‘I haven’t seen him in a while, since he lives so far away.’
Dogday smiles. “Well I'm sure he’ll be glad to see you then.”
Catnap gulps. “I hope so.”
Just then, the train pulled into the station, making a loud screeching sound as it came to a stop, causing Catnap and Dogday to cover their ears.
Once the train had fully stopped, the doors opened, and off of it steps a cat that looks very much like Catnap, holding two suitcases.
In fact this cat looked JUST LIKE Catnap, apart from a few details. His main fur color was a slightly dulled grape, his paws, feet, belly, and the tips of his ears and tail were periwinkle, and he had a bit more fur on his head than Catnap did.
But most noteworthy was the inside of his ears, which were colored a shamrock green that matched his pendant, which was in the shape of a clover.
He smiles, seeing Catnap and waving.
Catnap nervously waves back.
The other cat walks over to them.
“Top o the mornin to ya!”
He says, putting down one of his suitcases and raising his hand for a high 5.
Catnap smiles a bit, obliging.
‘Hello there Luke.’
He signs.
The cat, apparently named Luke, smiles. “It’s been a mighty long time since I've seen ya, cousin!”
Catnap nods. ‘That it has.’ he says.
Luke then notices Dogday. “Oh, who’s this? Friend o’ yours?“
Catnap blushes a bit. ‘You could say that…’
Dogday giggles as Catnap looks at him, gesturing to Luke.
“Dogday, this is my cousin, Luke Meowluck.”
He then gestures to Dogday, looking at Luke.
“Luke, this is my best friend, Dogday.”
Luke smiles.
“Well, nice t’meet ya, Dogday!” He says, raising his hand for another high 5.
Dogday smiles and high 5’s him. “Same here!” He says.
Catnap then blushes a bit.
‘He’s… also my boyfriend.’
He says, making Dogday giggle.
Luke’s eyes widened, then he smirks. “Oh Catnap, ya sly dog!” He says.
“Never knew you’d manage to bag someone this fine!” he says, eyeing up Dogday, who blushes a little.
Catnap growls a bit.
‘Whatever.’ he says, picking up Luke’s suitcase. ‘Let’s just get going.’
He says, stomp-walking off quickly.
Luke and Dogday were silent for a few seconds.
“What’s buttered his potatoes?” Luke asks Dogday, who just shrugs.
“He’s been kinda stressed today…” Dogday says. “But I don’t know why.”
“Ah, I got him.” Luke says with a smile. “We haven’t seen each other in a while and I was a lil nervous too, but I think e’ll be fine.”
Dogday smiles back. “Okay, if you say so.”
~iron transition~
On the way home, Catnap couldn’t help but notice Luke was being playfully chatty with Dogday…
They’d discussed favorite foods, colors, music, etc etc.
And with every word they spoke to one another, Catnap felt himself get madder and madder.
Even worse, Catnap couldn’t even respond because his hands were full, and he had a feeling that if he spoke, he’d get too loud and hurt his throat.
All three of them arrive back at Catnap’s house, Luke looking around as he walks in.
“Say, nice place ya got here, cousin.” He says with a smile.
Catnap nods. ‘Thank you.’ He signs, politely as he can.
He then points to the upstairs banister.
‘The guest room is down the hall upstairs, third door to the right.’ He signs.
Luke smiles, going upstairs. “Okay, thank’ya cousin!”
Catnap nods. ‘And don’t come out until I tell you!’ He signs.
Luke tilts his head. “Uh… okay?”
Once Catnap and Dogday were alone, Catnap flops down on the sofa.
“He is a handful…”
He whispers.
Dogday sits beside him.
“Well he’s pretty fun.” He says.
Catnap grumbles something, crossing his arms and looking away.
Dogday noticed that he seemed upset.
“Huh?”
He says. “Catnap, is something wrong…?”
Catnap shakes his head, looking away.
Dogday tilts his head. “Catnap?”
Catnap keeps giving him the silent treatment.
Except from him, it’s the EXTRA-silent treatment.
Dogday starts to get worried.
“Catnap, did I do something wrong?”
Catnap still refuses to speak to him.
Dogday scoots closer.
“Come on Catnap, what’s ‘buttered your potatoes’?” He says with a giggle.
Catnap glares at him.
“Do NOT say that to me!”
He says, chucking one of the uber soft couch pillows at him.
Dogday barely duck-dodges it.
“W-whoah!”
Catnap grumbles. “Darn, missed.”
He whispers angrily.
Dogday looks sad.
“Aww, Catnap, why can’t I say that?” He says.
“It’s cool, just like Luke is.”
Catnap growls.
“Oh yeah, stealing your cousin’s boyfriend is PERFECTLY ‘cool’.”
He says, scooting further away.
Dogday’s eyes widened.
“W-WHAT!?”
Catnap growls at him.
‘Don’t play dumb with me.’ He signs. ‘I heard every word of you two flirting the whole way here.’
Dogday thinks about the journey home.
Now thinking about it… he realized that he did talk a lot with Luke on the way back…
“Oh…”
He says, staring into space.
Catnap humphs, looking away from him.
“Catnap…”
Dogday says, scooting closer. “We weren’t flirting…”
He says softly.
He wraps an arm around Catnap’s shoulder.
“At least I didn’t think we were…”
Catnap slowly looks back at him, his eyes softening a bit.
“You promise…?”
He whispers
Dogday smiles softly.
“Cross my heart.”
He says, drawing an X on his chest with his finger.
Catnap sighs, turning to hug him.
“You dummy….”
He whispers.
Dogday giggles, hugging back.
“Catnap, you know I'd never cheat on you.” He says. “I love you.”
Catnap starts to purr.
“I love you too…” He whispers. “And… I’m sorry…”
Dogday nuzzles him. “It’s okay, sweetie.”
Catnap whimpers a bit.
“I-it’s just… he’s so much better than I am…”
Dogday tilts his head. “How so?”
Catnap sighs.
“He’s more confident, he has prettier colored fur, he has a cool accent, and, well…”
He nuzzles Dogday’s neck.
“He’s a living good luck charm…”
Dogday pulls back. “Now hold on!”
He says, looking into Catnap’s eyes.
“Catnap, I like the color of YOUR fur.” He says, smiling. “And YOUR accent.”
He giggles. “And, Luke may be a lucky cat, but…”
He kisses Catnap’s cheek.
“I feel lucky just to have you.”
Catnap smiles, tearing up and hugging him tightly.
“Oh Dogday…” He says. “You’re the brightest thing in my life.”
Dogday smiles, kissing his head. “And you’re mine, moonlight.”
After hugging for a while, Dogday gets an idea.
“Hey!”
He says, pulling back. “Why don’t we plan a little gathering so the others can meet Luke too?”
Catnap thinks for a minute before nodding.
“Sure, that sounds nice.”
Dogday gets up, his tail wagging.
“I’ll go let the others know!” He says, walking towards the door.
“Bye Cutie!”
He says, waving goodbye.
Catnap blushes and smiles, waving back.
‘Bye, babe.’
Once Dogday is gone, Catnap takes a few deep breaths, relaxing.
He then gets off the couch, making his way upstairs.
He then walks over to the guest room door, knocking on it.
“Hey Luke?”
He whispers.
“You can… come out now.”
Luke slowly walks out, a sad look on his face.
“Yer sun leave?”
Catnap looks confused.
‘Uh… yes.’ he signed. ‘How’d you know?’
Luke sighs.
“I… was kinda eavesdropping…”
He says. “I heard everything you guys said…”
Catnap feels guilty.
‘Oh…’
He looks down. ‘I-i’m sorry.’
Luke swats the air. “Eh, it’s okay.” He says.
“I get that I'm irresistible, but he’s not my type.”
He says with a smirk.
Catnap grunts a bit.
“Besides…” Luke says, putting a hand on Catnaps shoulder.
“He’s YER boyfriend, Catnap.” He says. “I wouldn’t try to steal him from ya.”
Catnap smiles a bit. ‘Really.’
Luke nods. “Really!” He says.
“Plus, I’ve already got my own true love, back in iron land.” he adds.
Catnap’s eyes widened. ‘You do?’
Luke nods. “Yeah!”
He blushes a bit and sighs, putting a hand on his chest. “And she’s the most gorgeous lass in the world~”
Catnap laughs. ‘Well with your luck, I'm not surprised.’
Luke nods. “Yup.” He says happily.
Catnap then smiles a bit.
‘Well, I'm glad you’re not trying to steal him from me.’ He signs.
Luke shakes his head.
“Never!” He says, throwing his arm around Catnap’s shoulders. “We are kin! You share my blood, and blood is stronger than liquid metal!”
Catnap giggles. ‘Actually, blood kind of IS liquid metal.’
Luke rolls his eyes. “Oh whatever.” He says.
Catnap then smiles.
‘What’s your girl like?’ He signs.
Luke sighs dreamily.
“She’s wonderful.” He says. “She has the most beautiful eyes, and the most sparkling smile.”
He clasps his hands together. “She loves to draw, and write, and she likes taking long, romantic walks in the emerald fields and along the shoreline.”
Catnap hums. ‘She sounds nice.’ He signs.
Luke nods. “Oh, she is.”
Catnap smiles softly.
‘Maybe you should bring her over here sometime.’ he signs. ‘I’m sure the others would like to meet her as well.”
Luke smiles too.
“Maybe I will.” He says. “And I'm sure she’d like to come over as well, especially since this valley is chock-full of beautiful scenery.”
Catnap nods. ‘That it is, Luke, that it is.’
That evening, Catnap all the others over to meet his cousin, and they had a big ol party welcoming him to the valley.
It was a lot of fun, with food, drinks, dancing, and like with every new critter, all of them got a chance to talk and bond with him one on one.
With his luck spread throughout the valley, Luke fit right in with the rest of the critters.