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It was a cool winter day, and in about a week or so it would be Valentine’s Day. Any other time, DogDay would be excited; Valentine's Day was one of his favorite holidays. And while he may not enjoy the day as much as Bobby BearHug did, he still had a lot of fun showering his friends and family with gifts, seeing them smile widely.
But this time, this time DogDay wasn't looking forward to it at all. DogDay was still trying to do his best to recover and move on from his breakup with his now ex-boyfriend. The breakup had been mutual; they just couldn't handle the challenges that came with a long-distance relationship. And after almost two years of trying, it was decided it was best to break up.
They had tried to stay friends, but there were clearly still lingering feelings, and seeing as a long-distance relationship wasn't possible, the best course of action was to end things completely between them. Something that wasn't easy and hurt DogDay quite a lot.
They had been dating for 5 years and had known each other for longer than that, so to have someone who had been part of his life for so long no longer part of it left DogDay with an empty feeling in his heart. His friends had done their best to help him, and while he was grateful, it wasn't enough to fix the sadness that threatened to swallow him whole.
DogDay woke up a little later than he normally did, well rested since he had been this past few weeks since fully ending things. The tea that his new friend CatNap had prepared had been doing wonders for him. He stretched, did his bed, and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Making his way to the kitchen, he grabbed some pancake mix and began cooking. As he prepared the pancakes, he thought some hot cocoa might be nice. It was pretty cool, and a hot beverage might help warm him up. He placed the pancakes on a plate, then made his way to grab some cocoa powder. As he prepared the drink, he was hit with the warm, bittersweet smell. He then grimaced. Cocoa was the scent his ex had. DogDay always liked his smell. Anytime he smelled it, it was like being hit with a wave of warmth and comfort. Like home.
But now, the smell was mocking him, memories tainted with the bittersweetness of happier times that no longer existed… making it rather ironic. He let out a small, bitter laugh. He wanted to cry, rather pathetically. It's been weeks, and here he was still mourning a relationship that ended a long time ago. He really was pathetic.
DogDay was brought out of his pity party by a soft and warm feel of someone else's fur. Turning, he saw his friend and roommate, CatNap. He stared dumbly at the feline, who was tiredly nibbling on one of his pancakes.
“CATNAP!!”
DogDay jumped backward, surprised. He hadn't heard CatNap walk in at all. And now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure if he saw CatNap when he had come downstairs. Had he even greeted his friend before starting breakfast? He didn't think he had.
“Um, CatNap g–g–good morning. You're up pretty… early today.”
CatNap didn't respond, only yawned, then continued to munch on the pancake. DogDay observed CatNap. He noticed how he sways on his paws, and how his movements were rather sluggish; it looked like he was struggling to stay awake.
“CatNap did… did you just wake up or have you not gone to sleep yet?” he asked worriedly.
CatNap gave no response, but the small growl coming from his stomach kinda answered his question. DogDay stood there, fidgeting, tail wagging nervously behind him.
“If–if you're still hungry, I can make you more pancakes. We can have breakfast together if… you… like?” he asked slowly and cautiously. He waited patiently for CatNap's answer. Normally, DogDay wouldn't be this nervous around someone, but around CatNap he normally was…not because he was afraid of CatNap, far from it. There was nothing about CatNap that was scary. If anything, he was more likely to scare the purple cat. CatNap was very nervous and shy.
After a few moments, CatNap simply nodded, still absentmindedly eating the pancake he already had. He and CatNap have been roommates for a little over a month, but he still didn't know CatNap well, and this was a good opportunity to learn more about him. DogDay's tail wags happily, and he begins to prepare more of the pancake mix. He asks CatNap if there were any toppings he would like, and the cat wordlessly makes his way to the fridge, bringing out some blueberries.
So he likes blueberries? Noted. I’ll make sure to remember this.
A couple of minutes pass, and the pancakes and cocoa are ready and served. They eat in a comfortable silence, with the occasional DogDay piping up with some fun thing he and the others have done or simply asking CatNap how his night was.
Once breakfast is done, CatNap makes his way to the living room to sleep. DogDay wishes him a good rest, letting CatNap know he won't be back until late in the evening, and walks out the door.
The rest of the week till Valentines Day was a blur to DogDay. A long, agonizing blur. Where everything happened way too slowly for his liking, but he couldn't remember much of what happened. He knew he had been at the community center most of the week. Helping out with preparations for the dance, he knew he had avoided going around town much just so that he didn’t have to see all of the Valentine decorations or specials they were having for the day. The things that felt like they were mocking him, and reminding him of the stuff he and his partner used to do or go to whenever he visited.
He’s pretty sure that at some point Bobby invited him to a little party she was hosting at her place with the rest of their friends. He doesn’t remember declining or accepting her offer. Should he go? It might be helpful in distracting him, and it would be nice to spend time with his friends. Maybe. He’ll have to think about it.
He woke up and got ready. The day was nice. It was cool, but the sun was shining, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. He hoped there would be no snow to make things difficult for the children attending the dance. As he got ready to leave, he turned to say goodbye to CatNap only to find CatNap’s cat bed empty. Huh. I guess even CatNap had his own plans for Valentine's Day. Shaking his head, he departed.
DogDay arrived home earlier than expected. He had been helping out at the dance that had started an hour after school had ended. He had been going around doing some minor check-ins to make sure everything was correct before one of the teachers went up to him and released him from his duties, saying that a young man like him should be out and about spending time with his sweetheart rather than watching over a bunch of kids.
That struck a cord, one that hurt, but DogDay didn’t have it in him to correct her. He reluctantly agreed to go, feeling emotionally exhausted. When he got home, he quickly made his way to his bed, lying down on his stomach. He grabbed his phone, checking the time. It was currently 4:30 pm; Bobby’s party wouldn't start until 6:00 pm. He supposed he could use the time to take a nap. Might help him feel a bit better. Really seems to help CatNap, so why not him?
DogDay dreams of a Valentine's not all too different from this one. A cool day where the sun shines brightly, not a single cloud in the sky. It’s during his first winter in Rainbow Valley, and he is celebrating the day with his boyfriend, a chocolate brown dog critter with a cocoa scent and a bouncing ball pendant. There in one of the town’s coffee shops, drinking hot chocolate with some sweet pastry. It’s fun, it’s sweet, and DogDay is happy.
He listens to his love talk about something he doesn't quite understand, but he enjoys hearing his voice. Feeling a rush of happiness, he scoots closer, pulling the other dog into a big hug. His boyfriend laughs at his antics, while DogDay buries his nose on top of his head, taking in the sweet, calming scent of lavender.
Wait.
Lavender? No, it’s supposed to be cocoa. Why was he smelling lavender?
DogDay opens his eyes, still heavy wth sleep, but also confusion. His brain doesn't fully process the warmth and softness next to him. He blinked, trying to rid himself of it, when he noticed purple, and slowly realised that CatNap was sleeping next to him. CatNap. Was. Sleeping. On his bed. Next to. DogDay.
And not only was he sleeping next to him, but he was also sleeping close enough that their pelts were touching. DogDay had an arm thrown over the feline, and CatNap had yet to wake up or pull away.
DogDay’s face turns pink, and he does his best not to freak out. His tail thumps against the mattress; CatNap has never been this close to DogDay. As a matter of fact, the feline barely ever lets DogDay anywhere near him, let alone touch him. And yet here he was, sleeping next to him, snuggling him. Could you blame him for being excited?
Ok Ok. DogDay, calm down, he told himself, heart racing a mile a minute at the fact that his reclusive friend had chosen to sleep next to him. DogDay slowly raised his head, doing his best not to disturb the sleepy cat. He noticed how peaceful CatNap looked. His mouth was slightly open, and his eyelids fluttered, meaning he was dreaming.
DogDay did his best not to squeal at the fact that his friend was cuddling the moon-shaped pillow he had gifted him earlier in the month. CatNap then shifts, and DogDay freezes, but instead of waking up, CatNap simply snuggles closer to DogDay, burying his face in the canine's chest…and begins to purr.
And this was it. This was how DogDay dies. Killed by the absolute cuteness that was his friend CatNap. He could already feel his soul ascend as he lay back down, pulling CatNap a bit closer and burying his face on top of the cat's head, taking in the sweet smell of lavender. DogDay didnt have anything to do, or anywhere to go, so he was completely fine staying in; he was still feeling tired.
DogDay woke up the following morning, feeling sluggish and tired. Yup, that's what happens when you sleep at a weird time, he supposed. When he tried to sit up, he found that he couldn't. Instead, he felt something warm, something heavy on his chest.
Then he remembers. He and CatNap slept in the same bed last night. He slowly sits up, placing a paw on the feline's back to keep him steady. He tries to calm his breathing and hopes his face isn't too red from the embarrassment and joy he was feeling.
Looking around the room, he notes that the sun is making its way over the horizon. He smiles as he feels its warm rays, and looking to his side, he finds the small table next to his bed filled with gifts. The gifts vary from a white bone, some toy balls, a couple of letters, and a red heart-shaped box. He picks up a peanut buttery smell coming from it, and he might have drooled a bit.
He picks it up. Being mindful of the cat who was now peacefully sleeping on his lap. Opening it up, he finds what he had been hoping for: peanut butter cookies. He takes a bite and feels nothing but happiness at the taste. He finishes the rest of the cookie in his paw and grabs another when he notices a small note on the side.
Opening it up and reading it causes his tail to wag.
Dear DogDay,
Picky says that peanut butter cookies are your favorite, so with some help from her, I made you a batch for Valentine's Day. A gift for being a good friend to me.
With much gratitude,
CatNap
He swallowed. CatNap had made these cookies for him. He was the one who made them. Not only that, but he referred to DogDay as a friend. CatNap saw him as a friend. He looked down at the sleepy cat and felt his face turn red again. This wasn't fair; why did he have to have such a cute friend? He sigh. He was going to make sure to be the best friend CatNap could ever have in order to return the gesture.
He decides that he is still tired and that today looked to be a lazy day. He lies back down, snuggling closer to CatNap. He takes a deep breath, letting the sweet lavender smell envelop him, and drifts off back to sleep.