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DogDay was on a mission. He was on the hunt for the perfect activity to do with his friend—his best friend, CatNap. He and CatNap were close and had been close for a couple of months now. But despite that closeness, he and CatNap didn't do much together. Sure, they were around each other a lot, but they didn't have any shared activities they would do together.
CatNap didn't participate in group activities, preferring to sleep or observe from somewhere nearby; sometimes he wasn't even around to see what they were doing. Instead, he was off doing his own thing. This upset Dogday to a degree. He knew that CatNap didn't like large groups; he preferred one-on-one interactions, and if he could, the max he would do was 3 critters. He just tended to get tired and overwhelmed easily. And he understood completely
But he just wished he could spend more time with CatNap. Be it just the two of them, or even with the others around. When they lived together while the feline's house was being built, they didn't spend much time together doing anything either.
DogDay always had something to do. Whether it was helping out in town with any events coming up, or doing something with the other critters. Helping them or making schedules with activities they could do, he was usually always up and moving.
But CatNap wasn't like that. He much preferred to stay indoors. And he was usually always asleep when DogDay woke up. It was like this when they lived together; it was like this even now with their own respective homes.
Speaking of which, now that CatNap had his own place, he saw him even less. At least back then, he had the comfort of knowing that he would get to see his best bud every morning, every time he got home, and every time he went to bed. Now he didn't get all three. Giving him less time to spend with him.
There just had to be something they could do together. Something they could both have fun doing. Maybe even just the two of them and no one else. That way they could spend more time together. But what could that be?
And that was what he was going to figure out.
When CatNap came to put him to sleep, he informed the feline with great enthusiasm that the two of them would be hanging out together the next day. CatNap let out a silent chuckle before signing that he was looking forward to it.
Knowing this made DogDay really happy; he didn't think he would be able to fall asleep. Seeing this, CatNap let out some of his poppy gas, and DogDay fell into a peaceful slumber, dreaming about all the fun he and CatNap would have once morning arrived.
The plan for the day was very simple. First, start with an energy-fuel breakfast. He made veggie omelets, egg muffins with spinach, and added yogurt with fruit and orange juice for a beverage (Picky recommended and approved). He packed it all in a basket and ran out. The air was still crisp, and the sun was now above the horizon. He took in a deep breath and exhaled; today was going to be a good day. He just knew it.
He ran to CatNap's home and went inside after announcing his arrival. Making his way to the feline room, he found CatNap all curled up tight in his bed. He was enveloped in the fluffiest blanket, surrounded by the cutest of plushies. He looked so peaceful; all snuggled in among his favorite things. DogDay felt he was about to die of cuteness.
He almost felt bad waking him up. Key word: almost.
Placing the basket down, DogDay grabbed CatNap, shaking him, calling out to him to wake up. CatNap was notorious for being hard to wake up; once he got comfortable, so force was necessary at times. He simply didn’t have time to go through the normal wake-up routine today. They had a lot of stuff to do. After a few more moments, CatNap woke up and…
…CHOMP.
DogDay was bitten right on top of his head. He froze before relaxing when he felt CatNap's sandpaper-like tongue as he received apologetic licks. This was part of the routine when force was needed.
DogDay released CatNap, watching as his friend rubbed his eyes.
“Good morning, Naps,” he greeted cheerily.
CatNap yawned, still rubbing his eyes with one paw. ‘Good morning, DogDay.’
Dodgy grabbed the basket, placing it on the bed as he sat down. He brought out the food, happily mentioning breakfast in bed. He watched as CatNap grabbed one of the muffins, taking a bite. He then watched as CatNap turned to look outside the window. He watched as CatNap's face went from still waking up, to fully awake, to annoyed.
‘DogDay?’
“Yes, CatNap.”
‘What time is it?’
“It is currently 8 in the morning!”
CatNap gave a joyful smile that didn't reach his eyes. DogDay, on the other hand, smiled, the joy reaching his eyes, oblivious to his friend's anger. CatNap put his muffin down…
‘Dog. Day. Why did you…WAKE ME UP SO EARLY!?’
CatNap began to swat and hiss at DogDay. The food, now completely abandoned, was falling onto the floor from the movement. (Thankfully he didn't bring the orange juice out yet.)
After a few more swats, CatNap calmed down enough to listen to DogDay's explanation. He was still upset with him, if the glare was anything to go by, but at least he wasn't hissing anymore.
DogDay wanted to spend the day together, like he had mentioned last night. And so he woke up extra early to prepare them breakfast so they could eat together. That was why he had come so early to wake CatNap up.
Upon hearing what DogDay was saying, CatNap softened. It was sweet what DogDay was trying to do. But he couldn’t do this late in the day? DogDay shook his head no. He had a lot of activities planned, and they were going to need the entire day to go through them.
CatNap hesitated. While he did want to spend the day with DogDay. The canine was his best friend, but he also wanted to sleep. He was very tired from last night. There was a lot he had to do once the sun set, and everyone was put to sleep. But one look from DogDay’s puppy eyes, and CatNap crumbled like a cookie. Might as well accept his fate.
CatNap apologised for the food. He did feel bad ruining his friend's hard work. DogDay waved it off. He instead brought out some yogurt for them, and they ate in peace. Once breakfast was done and after cleaning what had fallen, the two set out.
CatNap sat on the tree branch back to DogDay. To say he was upset or mad would be an understatement. CatNap was livid with DogDay. He didn't want to feel like this, especially toward his best friend, but the truth of the matter was that he was.
CatNap had been looking forward to today. He liked spending time with DogDay, and knowing that they would be spending the entire day together, well, CatNap couldn't wait for the next day to arrive. And while he was not happy with being woken up so early in the morning ( at least early for him), he was still excited.
That was until they actually started, because DogDay was just so unbelievably unreasonable. They would start one activity, and then not even a few minutes later they would start another. CatNap wasn’t allowed to really get into what they were doing. Some of the activities weren't very entertaining.
Fetch was fun to a degree, but not for long, at least to him. Frisbee took a while to get into, but when he really started getting into it, DogDay took him away. And dodgeball was not fun at all. And that was just some of what they did.
They eventually found their friends playing a fun game of cards. And CatNap wanted to play. But DogDay had a different idea and said no. He and CatNap had a whole day of fun activities to do. And they left even though CatNap wanted to stay and play.
And this became a pattern. They do something for a few minutes, DogDay changes his mind, they find their friends doing something that looks fun, and DogDay says no. Even when CatNap wanted to join and tried to tell him. Rinse and repeat.
Hiking was where CatNap drew the line. He didn't like hiking. It was far too tiring for the sleeping cat, and he didn't get enough sleep since DogDay woke him up before his usual time. Not to mention, he hasn't gotten the chance to nap at any point with all the dragging he has been subjected to by an indecisive and nervous dog.
And even though he didn't like the walking part of hiking, he at least enjoyed looking at the scenery. But nope, he couldn't even have that because DogDay was hurrying him up to move faster. Couldn't take a nap, couldn't look at the flora, couldn't just rest and breathe.
CatNap was tired, was sleepy, and his body ached from all the moving. He tried to tell DogDay, but he wouldn't pay any attention to him. He even tried talking but got ignored. Ignored. And that hurt. DogDay never ignored him when he talked.
The canine knew how hard it was for him to speak and always made sure to listen when he did. Even when others spoke over him, or there was too much noise, DogDay always listened. At least that was what he thought. Because now…he seemed more interested in listening to himself. And CatNap was done.
“OK, so after this we'll go and play some baseball. That is a fun activity, and after that how about we get something to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get kinda hungry…”
CatNap stood in place as DogDay continued to walk away. After what felt like forever, DogDay came back down the trail, looking worried. CatNap noted how, when DogDay saw him, he looked relieved. His tail was wagging a mile a minute, and he ran to CatNap, arms outstretched. CatNap moved when he got close.
This, of course, confused DogDay; he knew that. CatNap may not be the most physically affectionate cat out there, but he wasn't one to say no to a hug from a worried friend, especially if the hug came from DogDay. But right now he didn't want to be anywhere near him.
“CatNap?” DogDay asked, confused. CatNap just crossed his arms and turned his head away.
“CatNap, buddy, what's wrong?” This time CatNap turned away completely.
“CatNap, come on. Tell me what's wrong?” Oh, so now he wanted CatNap to communicate.
“Naps, if something is bothering you—” CatNap felt DogDay place his paws on his shoulder, and he tensed up, “— you know you can just tell me, and I’ll listen.”
Maybe it was the way he said it, all soft and understanding, or maybe it was the words he used, but CatNap felt his fur puff up. What would have been a comforting gesture any other day was now an insult today. He quickly turned around and whacked DogDay on the head before running away.
He could hear DogDay calling to him, but he refused to stop and hear him out. He opted to instead climb up a difficult-looking tree, knowing very well that DogDay wouldn't be able to climb it.
DogDay continued to call out for him even when he found which tree he was in. Asking him to come down so they could talk, and that he was sorry for whatever he did to make CatNap upset. He looked down to see DogDay looking up, pacing at the base of the tree. Whimpering as he did.
Feeling a bit merciful, CatNap pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from the backpack he had on. On it he wrote a simple message that read:
I’m not having fun, DogDay. You keep ignoring me, not paying any attention, and not listening.
He folded it and let it fall on the forest floor. He saw as DogDay picked the paper up, unfolded it, and watched as he left, ears dropping and tail hanging low.
CatNap had felt kinda bad, but he shook it off. DogDay had to learn he couldn't treat him like he had been. CatNap instead curled up on the branch, taking a nap. When he woke up, he woke up in a much better mood.
He thought about DogDay, and really felt bad. He shouldn't have been so petty, and he shouldn't have hit him as he did. He sighed; he should go apologize and talk things out. He didn't like being mad at any of his friends, especially his best friend. He climbed down the tree with the intention of finding and hopefully making up with DogDay.
And maybe finding out what caused his friend to act like this.
DogDay sat dejectively on the grass. He ruined it; he ruined all of it. CatNap wasn't having fun; he wasn't having fun at all. What was supposed to be a fun day for the two best friends- spending time together had been nothing but a total disaster.
All he had been doing was dragging CatNap around all day, annoying and bothering him. Even ignored him when CatNap was trying to tell him something. What kind of best friend was he, ignoring his CatNap like that? He had been so focused on finding something for them, going through a list of activities, that he didn't pay his friend any mind, didn't ask him what he wanted to do or if he was having fun.
He let out a pitiful whine. He was a terrible best friend. There was no way CatNap would want to hang out with him anymore. He probably would end their friendship right here right now. He was going to lose him because of his stupidity.
DogDay cried, whining like the dumb dog he was, when he heard something. His ears perked up at the noise. It sounded scratchy, almost like a hiss, but not really. Then he heard some shuffling. He straightened up a bit, moving his head as he tried to find the source of the noise.
There, in the tall grass… a grasshopper. The one making the noise was a grasshopper. A big one too. He had never seen a grasshopper as big as the one he was seeing now. It was almost as big as his finger.
His tail began to wag, and he whimpered in excitement. He really wanted to chase it. He stared at it intensely before shaking himself out of it. He couldn’t go after it. He didn't deserve it. Not after he had been treating his best friend.
DogDay stared at the ground, slumped and defeated. Then he heard something else. Something odd. Chirping. It didn't sound like any bird he had heard before, and it was coming from right behind him.
Turning, he found CatNap. But he wasn't looking at him, but past him. The cat was staring at something with so much focus, chirping. He didn't know CatNap could make that noise. His tail was flickering. DogDay watched as CatNap then crouched down on all fours. His pupils dilated, and his tail tip twitched. He stalked in DogDay’s direction, walking right past him. He didn't know what had gotten CatNap's attention, and he didn't care. He was too intrigued by CatNap to see what it was.
He watched as CatNap wiggled (that was so cute) a bit before pouncing…
… on the grasshopper. CatNap had been looking at the grasshopper. He watched as the normally sleepy feline, now filled with energy, chased the insect, trying to catch it.
Watching CatNap, observing him, seeing CatNap stalk and pounce, watching the grasshopper rapidly jump away made DogDay want to as well. His tail wagged rapidly, and he let out high-pitched whines. Eventually, he thought, screw it, and went after CatNap and the grasshopper.
He happily barked as he gave chase, trying to get the grasshopper. He and CatNap ran side by side, jumping, leaping, but every time they thought they had it, it would escape them. They tripped over themselves, something ending up in a tangle of limbs in their failed attempts to nab the little creature.
After what felt like forever, they lay side by side, chest heaving as they tried to catch their breath. They didn't manage to catch it, but they had fun. DogDay moved his head to look at CatNap. The feline's eyes were still pretty wide, and his mouth was wide open. But he was smiling, smiling with joy. And DogDay was happy, but also…not.
CatNap was happy, but not from the activity DogDay had planned for them, but from an impromptu grasshopper chase. It was fun, yeah, but… why was he feeling disappointed? DogDay looked at the sky, watching the clouds as they lazily moved across the sky. DogDay felt a weight on his shoulder and turned to see CatNap resting on him.
‘Do you want to talk?’ CatNap signed. DogDay averted his eyes. He felt CatNap grab his paw, squeezing it. He huffed.
“It's nothing really.”
CatNap just stared, unconvinced.
“It just…We don't spend a lot of time together, CatNap," he started, “ And I was hoping to…to spend the day with you, just us.” He paused before continuing, “ I was hoping to do an activity we would both like so we could… do it more often.” DogDay turned away. “That way we could hang out more together.”
CatNap raised himself, leaning on his elbows. He tilted his head, confused. He and DogDay were always together; DogDay was the one he spent the most time with, so if you asked him, they did spend a lot of time together. And almost like he understood what CatNap was thinking, DogDay continued.
“We spend a lot of time around each other, CatNap, but we’re rarely ever doing anything together.” He sat up, throwing his arms in the air. “So I thought if we spent the day together, I could find us an activity that we like so we would have more reason to be together.”
“But I didn't. I didn't find a single thing you liked. You didn't find anything to like, and the others tried to butt in, interrupting our time together and —” And he was rambling.
CatNap watched as DogDay rambled on and on. About how he wanted the two of them to do stuff together, about how he planned the whole day in hopes of finding something to do and failing at doing so. He was so focused on that that he failed to enjoy being with CatNap.
And now he wasn't really explaining anything anymore; he was just repeating the same thing over and over again. CatNap brought a paw to his chest; there was a nice warm feeling bubbling inside him. His face felt a bit warm too. DogDay had been like this because he wanted to spend more time with him. He liked him that much.
He was really dumb sometimes. And silly. A dumb, silly puppy. But he was CatNap’s dumb silly puppy. The critter he called his best friend.
“And then I started to think that you wouldn’t like me anymore and—”
DogDay's rambling was interrupted by CatNap, who placed a finger on his mouth, leaning in so that they were almost muzzle to muzzle.
“DogDay, stop… talking,” CatNap whispered. Talking. DogDay's eyes widened. CatNap... was talking to him. CatNap moved his paw to his cheek, gently cupping it. “ Before you overthink yourself… into a spiral, dummy.”
DogDay was brought out from his stupor by the soft motion of CatNap's thumb against his cheek. “Yeah…yeah. Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry.” His face was burning from the embarrassment.
CatNap moved his head to nuzzle DogDay’s cheek with his nose. The motion caused DogDay to giggle. CatNap leaned back, grabbing DogDay's paws with his own.
“DogDay, I’m touched that you did this… for me. That you… want to spend more time together…but you didn't have to… do all of this... you know.”
“But we barely ever do anything together, CatNap,” he argued.
CatNap chuckled. Leaning in, he whispered, “ I like to think we’re close enough… that we don't have to do anything… while we're together.”
“Huh, what do you mean?” he asked slowly.
CatNap let go of one of DogDay’s paws. ‘I like your company, DogDay, more than anyone's. And I think that we're such great friends, best friends, that we can enjoy each other's company doing nothing.”
DogDay was still not following. CatNap sighed. He grabbed DogDay's face, squishing it slightly. “Don't you understand, you silly puppy? Doing nothing… is doing something… when you’re with someone you like… being around. And I like—no, love… being with you, DogDay.”
He pressed his nose against DogDay as if that would prove everything he said. And to DogDay it did. He gave CatNap’s nose a small lick, causing CatNap to move away to wipe it. DogDay laughed at this.
He really was stupid. He had spent most of the day on a dumb list that he didn't even consider how he had gotten basically what he wanted in the first place. Being with and spending time with CatNap.
“Sorry, CatNap, really. For dragging you around and…not listening.”
‘And I’m sorry for hitting you.’
“No, I deserve that. Again, I’m sorry for hurting you as I did.”
CatNap licked his cheek. Apology accepted.
‘Just don’t do this again… not like this anyway. Just ask next time.’
“Hehe, I will. Ask that is." It really was that simple, huh? "I don't ever want to make you feel like that again.”
He smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oh, and one more thing, Naps.”
CatNap listened expectantly.
“Don't call me silly or dummy,” he playfully growled, pushing CatNap. CatNap in turn swiped at his ear.
They ended up wrestling and chasing each other for the rest of the day, even after the sun had almost set and the stars started to appear.