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The chase had been going on for exactly twelve minutes, and DogDay was starting to realize that for a creature made of stuffing and dreams, CatNap was alarmingly fast when motivated by pure, unadulterated spite.
"CatNap! Come back here! It’s just lavender bubbles and warm water, I promise it won't kill you!" DogDay skidded around the hallway corner, his paws clicking against the floor. A purple blur scrambled up the side of a bookshelf, perched precariously on the very top ledge. CatNap’s fur was puffed out to twice its normal size, his long tail lashing behind him like a disgruntled whip. His pupils were blown so wide they swallowed the lavender of his eyes, making him look like a very stressed, very fluffy void.
"No," CatNap hissed, though it lacked any real venom. It was the hiss of a cat who was deeply offended by the very concept of hygiene. "Water is the enemy of the state, DogDay. I am a creature of the night. I am meant to be dusty and mysterious."
"You’re meant to be 'mysterious' without smelling like the old cardboard boxes you were napping in earlier," DogDay countered, breathless and grinning. He leaned against the shelf, looking up with a wagging tail. "Come on, Kitty. I even put that special calming soap in there. You love that smell."
CatNap narrowed his eyes. "A trap. A fragrant, liquid trap."
DogDay lunged playfully, and CatNap let out a startled mewl, leaping from the shelf and sprinting toward the bathroom. He realized his mistake halfway through, he’d cornered himself. He tried to duck under the sink, but DogDay was quicker, scooping the lanky feline up in a massive, fuzzy bear hug. "Gotcha!"
CatNap went limp in his arms, the ultimate sign of feline defeat. "This is a betrayal of the highest order. I hope you’re prepared for the silent treatment for at least twenty minutes." "I’ll risk it," DogDay laughed, nudging his nose against CatNap’s cheek. He felt the cat’s heart racing, a frantic little drum against his chest. His expression softened instantly. "Hey, look at me. I’m right here. I won't let you slip, and I won't let it be scary. I'm getting in with you, okay?"
CatNap’s ears perked up. He looked at the steaming tub, then back at DogDay’s earnest, sunny face. He felt a deep flush of heat beneath his fur, partly from the humidity, mostly from the sheer devotion in the dog’s eyes. "You're... getting in? You'll get your fur all heavy and soggy too?"
"Small price to pay for a clean boyfriend," DogDay teased, gently stepping into the oversized tub, still holding CatNap close.
As the warm water rose around them, CatNap let out a tiny, high pitched squeak, his claws digging into DogDay’s shoulders. But as the heat seeped into his joints and the scent of lavender filled the air, he began to melt. DogDay sat back, leaning against the porcelain and pulling CatNap onto his lap so the feline was safely perched against his chest, half-submerged but secure.
"See?" DogDay whispered, his voice vibrating through CatNap’s back. "Not so bad, right?" CatNap grumbled, but his tail, now a soggy, heavy rope, gave a single, rhythmic thump against the water. "I hate that you're always right."
"I know you do." DogDay took a cup and began to gently pour warm water over CatNap’s shoulders, avoiding his face. He was incredibly careful, his movements steady and grounding.
CatNap leaned his head back against DogDay’s shoulder, his eyes fluttering shut. The initial panic was replaced by a heavy, syrupy sense of trust. He felt DogDay’s hands massaging the soap into his fur, the touch gentle and affectionate. It felt less like a chore and more like a long, liquid hug.
Feeling a sudden spark of his usual mischief, CatNap twisted around in the water. His face was inches from DogDay’s, his nose pink and damp. "You know," CatNap murmured, his voice dropping into that smooth, sleepy register that always made DogDay’s ears flop. "If I have to be miserable and wet, I’m taking you down with me."
Before DogDay could ask what that meant, CatNap lunged forward, not to escape, but to bury his face in the crook of DogDay’s neck, licking a stripe of soapy water right across the dog’s cheek.
DogDay turned bright red, his tail splashing the water into a frenzy. "Hey! That’s-that’s cheating!" "Is it?" CatNap purred, the sound bubbling underwater. He looked up, his expression soft and adoring, his damp fur clinging to his face in a way that made him look incredibly small and sweet. "Thank you, Sunshine."
DogDay’s heart did a clumsy somersault. He reached out, cupping CatNap’s face, and pulled him into a slow, deep kiss that tasted like lavender and pure, unshielded devotion.
"Anytime, Kitty," DogDay breathed against his lips. "Even if I have to chase you through the whole house next time, too." "Next time?" CatNap huffed, though he was already nuzzling back into the crook of DogDay’s neck. "Don't push your luck."