Caramelized catfish

Another day of Johnny at deployment means another all alone in your shared home. Texting him was like texting to the void, no replies with obvious reasons, a hangout with your friends isn't an option either cause it seems they forgot you existed and lived on with their own busy lives.

But you days are always lonely, his boisterous energy is nowhere to be found and your living room that was once loud with his voice or his team talking or playing games together was nowhere to be found.

If this moment was before you met Johnny and started dating him; then it wouldn't be a problem, but right now, it is.

So your big beautiful brain decided to get you a cheerful and good company to keep you from going insane; Of course you're not going to find another man, but you do need someone or something, to keep you company.

They must be loud, full of energy, cheerful, happy and playful. Like Johnny.

And the first thing in mind that came in your head was a pet. Yes, animal.

Well, half of which if you get a kid, they will grow up as a hassle because you can't do parenting without forgetting the kid even existed and might forget to pick them up from school--- So an animal it is.

With a new motivation, you jumped up from your couch and changed to appropriate clothes for going out(your choice), skipping happily before grabbing your car keys to get your beat up Honda civic and hopping right in and slamming your car door.

But as you jabbed the keys in to start it, the car let out a tired sigh; as if lazy to move. Well, you tried a few more times to get the same result.

You huffed in disappointment and got out before tripping over your own foot in the process, falling face first in the pavement before you got up in annoyance and decided plan B. Walk.

And don’t forget the walk there is 2 miles out.

After a long grueling walk to the pet store, you came in there disappointed. The dogs had prices that might have costed more than your monthly salary and looks like they came from royalty, fed with only the best premium dog/cat food available, but you tried to keeps your hopes up anyway, asking the employees one by one on how their behavior was like and their needs specifically, and as disappointed you already were, the answers sure didn't please you.

From your perspective, this is what you got:

Maine coon- high cost and high maintenance. Quite sassy and a heck load of shedding. Will only give you attention when it feels like it. Good factor? Can be quite cuddly and majestic. Only for show.

Chi Wawa- Bites. Aggressive, tiny monsters you don't want to pet. Good factor? Portable.

and the more you picked out, the more you realize this place is mainly for pets that hit up with show galas or Instagram-able, not literal home pets.

But then you remembered, there was a shelter 2 blocks away; why didn't you go there earlier? That’s up to you.

Politely you left and walked to the shelter, and the moment you entered, you were greeted by joyful adorable faces that genuinely look like you had the capabilities to adopt them all. Well, you do. But your wallet don't.

Some were very active and wanting for you to pick them, and honestly, you're having a hard time to pick from which one; take too many and Johnny could get jealous or pouty, so the rule is only one.

Only. One.

After a short 2 hours of finding the perfect animal to adopt, you're torn between adopting a Scottish golden retrieve and a Siamese cat.

You knew Johnny was afraid of dogs and is a cat person, but you were also torn in wanting to adopt the dog as well. And you had to make a choice.

2months later, the front door opened with a click as a tired but a joyful Johnny walked in, searching his favorite girlfriend in her flat with Bouquet of her favorite flowers, he stepped in and chirped happily, “Bonnie? Tae home?”, as he continues to walk in the house, he felt something beneath his foot as a pitched SQUEAK echoed through the house.

He lift his foot to see.. a dog toy..? And only after he scanned the room, di he realize.. was he replaced? By These critters?

A toy mouse on the corner near 2 food bowls. One big, another smaller. With a scratching post beside it. A bag of kibbles and treats lay beside the kitchen counter as he tiptoed to the Master bedroom.

Before he got time to react, a furry golden ball of energy leaped to his face, almost knocking him out off his feet; catching it to be greeted with dog wagging his tail so joyfully, it's entire body is vibrating.

Well, he froze, then looked up to see you reading on your bed like a grandma while a purring cat sat on his usual spot every time he came home from deployment. Reading a book, before looking up and throwing the book on the bed and throwing your arms around his neck as the dog he held licked his face.

“Ay Bonnie! Did you replace me? I dinnae know you loved these critters more than me..” he jokingly pouted to you, earning a kiss on the cheek by your smiling face. “Of course not Johnny, it just gets lonely without your boasting energy around my flat. So.. I decided to get these critters.”

Then you let go of him and lift up your hands in surrender “And I know you don't like dogs.. But his eyes were pleading me to adopt him okay” you whined out to him.

He huffed tiredly that sounded like a half laugh and cough.

“Alright then bonnie, anything for you. I think I can get used to this..” he murmured to you softly.

“what should we name them then?”, You asked

(Thank you for reading my one-shot. I’m still quite new in these things, so I hope I can get some feedback from you all.

Your keys rattled from you pulling them out as you entered your apartment. It's been a long day from your lousy boss screaming at you and your co-workers dumping their work on you. Worst of all, you had to finish the deadline by today; that's why you came home late this time.

You checked out of work at 10pm already and all you want to do now is just enjoy a cup of coffee and read a good book. But then you remembered that Johnny was coming home from one of his missions today, and you knew your own best friend of course. Every time he comes back from all the heavy tiring work, he would visit you no matter what time was; Usually you guys would make full blown meals for the hour before he goes back to his apartment the next day.

But it seems like this time, you were so drained and tired, all you wanted to do is tell him how awful your day was and cry about it on his shoulder. Then eat a tub of ice-cream while watching some lousy Rom-com you found the day earlier.

And just as you were about to go to your room to end the day, the door bell rang before the noise of keys opening the door filling your ears. But something was different today, he didn't call out to you like usual; no. Just silently entered and weakly smiled at you. Just that sad-tired expression from him that told you he went through something, maybe the ride here or the mission; but now, all you cared about was to make that boy smile brightly once more.

“Johnny, why so grim? You'd usually jump on me the moment you'd see my face. But now? You look like Simon told you he wants you to shut up. (Usually, he never does that)”

By this time, he said nothing. Just a sad sigh and slumped his shoulders to you, respectfully.. you didn’t push him further, but to give him the tub of ice-cream? Yeah, now you remember you already ran out of it. Netflix? You’re not even sure he seems to be in the mood. But then you remembered that he loves sweets. Your sweets specifically. You’re quite the baker, so of course he’d like it. Said it was “unintentionally skill”, but really? Maybe it was just talent. But now you have an idea of how to cheer him up; maybe you too.

The moment you invited him to bake with you, his face lit up so bright it seems like all the sadness and tiredness never existed. Of course he’d accept happily, his face gave a big grin when you took out the ingredients, cook book and much more.

“Ay bonnie, so what are we Makin’ today? Cookies? Or something else complex? Like Croissants maybe? I dinnae you still have the energy to make this for me.”, he flipped through your cookbook before you snatched it from his hand, chuckling slightly. “A simple vanilla cake will-do Johnny”

The making dough was almost hilarious, He mistook vanilla essence for chocolate. The entire process was fun too. Whipped cream means your faces is covered in it. Then comes baking, silly boy thought it was supposed to go 500°f. Well that would just burn the cake. But after all the chaos, there it lays a vanilla cake make by the both of you. Its not perfect or precisely by the manual.. but what made it taste better?

It was the time you 2 spent together at 12pm at night, just to cheer each other up. Those were great memories.