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Valentine’s Day. February 14th. The day everyone got together to celebrate couples. With a lot of hugging, kissing, and hand holding. Probably some other stuff too… and ever since he was born, Giblet had spent every single Valentine’s Day without a partner. He often joked that he had the worst luck in doing so. Sadly, it became more and more apparent every year. Some years he wouldn’t even try to get a girlfriend. When he did though, it always ended with him being rejected and heartbroken. And this year was looking to be no different. As he walked around Playcare, he saw kids giving each other cards, flowers, and chocolates. Some were even holding hands. Huggy and Kissy sat in the middle of the area, cuddling together. Giblet just sighed. May as well go back to his room. Nothing down here for him to enjoy.
He walked towards the elevator, bumping into Leith Pierre on accident. The man grunted, looking down at Giblet.
”Hey! Watch where you’re going!”
”Sorry, Mr. Pierre.”
”Yeah, you better be sorry. Just because you’re friends with Ludwig—“
”I don’t wanna fight, dude. Please just let me go.”
”You ain’t even gonna stay down here for Valentine’s Day?”
”Why would I? I don’t have a partner.”
”Hahaha! Oh, yeah. Okay. That makes more sense.”
Giblet held back a groan. Real hypocritical of Mr. Pierre to laugh at him for that. It wasn’t like he had anyone either. At least that thought made him a bit happier.
”Anyways, I gotta get going. Me and Miss Gracie have some, uh… let’s say business to attend to. Hehehe…”
Oh. Seemed like Leith DID have someone. He waltzed off, and Giblet watched in silence. Even a jerkass like Leith had a girlfriend. Why was he so unlucky? He walked into the elevator, taking it directly to the top floor, where Elliot Ludwig’s office was. Giblet and Poppy were close friends, so Elliot, being the kind of guy who’d do something as sweet such as volunteer at a soup kitchen or help and old woman cross the street, naturally liked him. He was often invited to spend the day in his office and draw or watch TV with Poppy while he worked. It was really, really nice. Giblet walked through the door to his office, and Poppy smiled as soon as she saw him.
”Giblet! You came!”
”Hehe, yep. Miss me?”
Poppy ran up to him, throwing her arms around his body. While this was a normal occurrence (Hell, it happened ever time the saw each other), Giblet wanted to hug back… and did. But a lot more… fervently than usual. And the hug felt different, too… why? Poppy pulled away, beaming.
”Come on, let’s go to our fort!”
”What’s going on in here?”
A deep male voice came from the door adjacent to where they were standing. Giblet and Poppy both looked over to see her older brother, Oliver. Or just Ollie, as they called him. There’d always been something… off about him. Giblet couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about Ollie made him uncomfortable. Maybe it was how quiet he was. He talked very little. Unless he was angry. Which was a lot. Maybe it was his dark brown hair, which constantly cascaded around his face like a veil. His eyes were dark and glossy, and when you looked at them at the right angle, Giblet swore you could see a glint of yellow. Right now he wore his usual scowl, staring down at his sister and him.
”Ollie, Giblet’s coming for dinner!”
”Uh-huh. And you’re hugging him BECAUSE…?”
“Because I wanna hug my friend!”
”Whatever. Dad told you to pick up your toys.”
”I am!”
”Then do it!”
Poppy scowled, walking towards her room. Giblet followed behind, but Ollie stopped him. He leaned down to his face, somehow looking angrier than he normally did. Giblet backed up, staring awkwardly.
”Uh… what’s up?”
”Stay away from my sister. You got it?”
”Huh…?”
”I don’t want you around Poppy. I don’t like you, and I’m sure you don’t like me, either.”
”Actually, I do like you.”
That was a lie, and Giblet knew it. Ollie seemed to know it, too, because he gritted his teeth in anger.
”Shut up. Just shut UP! If you try anything funny with her, I’m gonna bring it to my dad’s attention. You got that?”
”Yeah… got it.”
He seemed satisfied with that, and finally got away from Giblet’s face. He walked away, and Giblet followed after Poppy. She was busy picking up various drawings and toy blocks off the ground.
”What was he talking with you about?”
”Uhh… nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
”I’m sorry about him, he’s been in a bad mood recently. Worse than he normally is…”
”Think he’s jealous he doesn’t have a girlfriend?”
”Haha, that’s funny. He actually does…”
”Wait, what?!”
”Yeah. He’s dating that Marie Payne girl down in Playcare. The one obsessed with Mommy Long Legs, I think…”
Damn, even OLLIE had a girlfriend?!? Why was Giblet feeling so jealous, anyways? It wasn’t like he cared… right? He looked down at his feet. To be honest… he did care. He’d been feeling jealous of all these couples for a long time. But then, something happened… he looked up at Poppy, and felt… different. She looked a lot different than he usually saw her. Was she wearing extra makeup today? Before he could look and determine it, she looked over at him.
”You good there, Giblet?”
”Huh? Oh! Oh, yeah!!! Fine!”
”Why are you staring at me, then?”
”Oh… you just look different. Not in a bad way… just different.”
”Oh. Okay. Thank you, I guess.”
She looked away… was she blushing? After cleaning up her room, the two walked out of the office. Giblet turned to her, and forced a smile.
”…Uh… I guess I’ll see you later.”
”Huh? O-oh, yeah. See you!”
He walked, almost possibly ran out of the office. He knew what was happening… he had a crush on Poppy. But why? Why now? He’d known her for forever… why did he have this sudden liking for her? It wasn’t like there was anything wrong with it. Poppy was very pretty… her hair was the color of a ruby, and her eyes were a beautiful diamond shade of blue… as he thought, though, he ran into the man himself. Elliot Ludwig.
”Oh. I’m sorry, Giblet.”
”No worries, sir… happy Valentine’s Day.”
”Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well! You’re still joining us for dinner, right?”
”Uh… yeah. Yeah, yeah. I am. I’m really excited about it.”
”Great! Can’t wait to see you there.”
As Elliot walked past, however, Giblet clicked his tongue. He turned, calling his name.
”Wait, Mr. Ludwig!”
”Hmm? Yes?”
”…I need some relationship advice.”
”Oh, you’ve got a girlfriend now? That’s wonderful!”
”Ehhh… not exactly. I’m more so trying to… ask her out. For Valentine’s Day, y’know?”
”Oh, yes. I understand. Well… what’s she like?”
”Uh… she’s really pretty, first of all. She’s also really nice… and creative, and is really just… the best girl I’ve ever met.”
”Well, I’d say she sounds like a great girl for you! And I’ll give you some advice! Just be yourself. And you can buy her some flowers, some chocolate, and maybe make her a card!”
”Flowers, chocolate, and card? Isn’t that what everyone does?”
”Hehehehe. There’s no correct way to give a Valentine’s Day gift, buddy. Again, just be yourself. I believe in you.”
”…thanks, Mr. Ludwig.”
”You’re welcome! I’ll see you at dinner!”
As he walked away, Giblet looked down at Playcare… would his advice really work? May as well be worth a try…
Giblet knocked on the door to Elliot’s office. He stood there, a bouquet of poppies (funny, right?) in one hand, a box of chocolate and a card in the other. He had also bought a small bow tie at the Playcare store. He hoped this would work. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Poppy or Elliot who opened the door. It was Ollie. He had switched out of his red, yellow and blue hoodie, and into a dark blue blazer with black jeans. He growled at Giblet.
”Took you long enough to get here, dumbass. Get inside, dinner’s ready.”
Giblet walked in, and saw Poppy sitting at the table. She was wearing a baby blue dress, even lighter than her normal one. Her hair, now tied into a ponytail, was lovely. She had on longer eyelashes, with ruby red lipstick. And she smelled amazing. Just like a poppy flower. She turned to him, and smiled warmly. It made his heart MELT. Ollie sat back in his seat, drinking some of his soup. Elliot sat at the end, and passed Giblet a plate.
”Welcome, Giblet! Glad you could make it!”
”I’m… glad too.”
”You still have your chocolate and flowers. Did she not like them?”
”Huh? Who are we talking about?”
Poppy sounded caught off guard. Giblet swallowed. He didn’t wanna tell her the truth. Not with her family sitting there. Instead, he took a bite of his food, looking away.
”No… she didn’t. It’s okay, though.”
”Oh… I’m so sorry… well, if it makes you feel any better, you’re still young. You have plenty of time!”
”Yeah… I know…”
After finishing their food, Giblet walked over to Poppy. For Valentine’s Day, the family always went down to Playcare to join the ball they threw. It was sweet, sure, but Giblet never danced. He wasn’t embarrassed. Not that. He just never had anyone to dance WITH. Walking towards the elevator, he sucked in a breath. Might as well get this over with. He tapped Poppy on the shoulder, holding his gifts. When she turned around, he felt his face heat up to a bright scarlet red. “Please don’t notice…”, he thought. Poppy gasped, and gingerly took the flowers. As she took the chocolates, Elliot looked over, and his eyes widened. And when she opened up the card, Ollie turned too. As soon as he saw her reading it, his fists clenched. Poppy closed the card, blushing. Before anyone could say anything, Giblet ran towards the elevator, covering his face.
”YOU LITTLE BASTARD!!!”
”Ollie! Language!”
”G-Giblet, wait–!”
But it was too late. The elevator doors shut, and he was on his way down.
Giblet sat on the corner of the street in Playcare. The entire dome was dark, only illuminated by the bright pink lights coming from the school. A few people were outside, as to hide from the caretakers and teachers. Giblet just sat there, moping. He had not only embarrassed himself really badly, but Poppy too. Not to mention, Elliot and Ollie were probably angry with him, too. As he picked the petals off a plastic flower, though, someone walked behind him. He sighed, not turning around.
”If you’re going to bother me, just know I’m not gonna acknowledge you. I know. I don’t have a date. You don’t have to remind me.”
”Get up. You’re gonna dance with me.”
Holy crap. Poppy? He looked around, and saw her standing there. Her hair was out of the ponytail, and was back in her normal pigtails. She sat next to him.
”…I really liked your card.”
”You did?! I-I mean… you did…?”
”Yes. It was really sweet…”
”…I’m sorry, Poppy. I really embarrassed you back there.”
”Who said you embarrassed me? I loved it. I just wish you didn’t run away…”
”…”
”I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we… yes, WE go into the school and… dance?”
”Y-you want to—“
”Yes. I wanna dance. With you.”
Giblet stood up, brushing his pants off of grass, and offering a hand for Poppy to stand up with. While walking towards the school, she held his hand. He had to fight the urge to jump into the air and begin cheering, instead just smiling like an idiot the entire way. Finally in the school, people noticed their hand holding almost immediately. Some gasped, and others smiled. And of course, Ollie saw. He was in fact with Marie Payne, who was wearing a bubblegum pink dress. She was trying to snuggle against his arm, but he kept pulling away, opting to glare at Giblet and his sister. Before he could do anything, however, Poppy dragged him onto the dance floor. She smiled her adorable smile, grabbing both of his hands.
”Have you ever slow danced?”
”Uh, nope…”
”That’s fine. I’ll teach you.”
Without a second notice, she softly held his arm, directing his hand to her hip. Giblet squeaked, and she giggled a small bit, before holding his other hand, putting her second one on his shoulder. She began to step from side to side, and he followed along, getting into a rhythm. And while there were a lot of other kids, even some teachers, dancing around them, they all seemed to disappear while they danced. It felt like heaven, dancing with her. Giblet slowly wrapped his arms around her, hugging her. She reciprocated it, putting her head into his chest.
”So soft…”
”Ehehehe… y-ya think so?”
”Mmhmm! I’m happy we got to dance, Giblet… I love this.”
He hesitated, words caught in his throat. Should he say what he wanted to say?
”I-I… I love you, Poppy.”
Yep. He said that out loud. For the entire world to hear. Goddamnit, Giblet. She looked up from his chest, but a small smile worked its way onto her face. She stood on her toes, kissing him on the forehead. He felt like he could’ve died right there. Especially with how some people turned to them, watching the kiss. After Poppy pulled away, she left a bright red lipstick mark against his dark maroon fur. Smiling at him, he looked into her eyes, before looking over at Ollie again. Marie’s jaw had dropped, and she was speechless, it seemed. But Ollie just stared. He looked even saltier than he normally did. He breathed in though, and nodded his head, mouthing the words “Go on”. He did roll his eyes, however, looking away. Giblet smiled. Might as well enjoy himself.
“Poppy, I’m gonna do something crazy.”
And he did. He reciprocated the kiss, this time on the lips. Poppy was taken off guard, but kissed back nonetheless. It was incredible. It felt like it lasted forever. As they pulled away for air, Poppy blushed happily.
”H-happy Valentine’s Day, Poppy…”
”Happy Valentine’s Day, Giblet.”
She kissed him on the nose, and they went back to their dance. Giblet smiled. Guess he wouldn’t be spending Valentine’s Day alone this year.