Keltic

DogDay didn't think he was that obsessive of a person. Sure, from time to time he could get a little... overbearing when it came to keeping peace inside the Smiling Critters, but it wasn't really that bad! That was actually a sign of him being a good leader! And while some might disagree on if responding with only light scolding or positivity to any situation, or using the same reassurances and lectures when Hoppy and Kickin got into one of their arguments over what counted as a foul or not, or even on if just staying up 36 hours to prevent any group fighting as soon as it happened was healthy or not, DogDay didn't care. All he cared about was making sure group peace stayed intact. 

He was, at the very least, sure that he wasn't someone who cared what others thought of him. Growing up lower middle-class as the runt of his family brought DogDay the gift of learning to ignore others words or opinions if he disagreed with someone. He actually would, if doing so would not contradict itself, call himself a rather humble and noble leader. Or at least, he had thought so. That all changed when he met Simon Smoke.

DogDay had originally been ecstatic to discover that a new group was moving into the neighborhood right next to the Smiling Critters's own neighborhood. A new group meant new people! And new people could possibly mean new friends! And while the name 'Nightmare Critters' did bring a small amount of concern, DogDay was sure that he could still make it all work out. Maybe the new group was just a bit dramatic and into horror, something that DogDay was perfectly fine with! CraftyCorn was somewhat into goth things, and he managed to be friends with her.  

So, as soon as he had gotten the chance, he planned to introduced himself to the Nightmare Critters when they had moved in, specifically seeking out their leader, who was, according to Bubba's research, a trust fund dragon who was the son of some secretive scientist. DogDay hadn't really known what to expect when first meeting Simon. Maybe some spoiled brat behavior from the dragon, but that was what DogDay thought the worst case scenario would have. He was sure Simon Smoke would be a pleasant individual. After all, they were going to be neighbors, surely he'd need to be kind!

But nothing could have prepared DogDay for when he first laid eyes on the dragon. DogDay definitely expected him to at least be somewhat good-looking. Simon had apparently come from wealth, after all. He was bound to have some modicum of good looks. But Simon didn't just have a modicum of good looks. He had only good looks. Just based off his appearance, DogDay already liked Simon.

The dragon had a slim, somewhat voluptuous build, with crimson red dreadlocks, eyeliner sharp enough to cut steel, and two golden earrings and a piercing above his right eye. His scales were the color of rubies, and were just about as shiny as them, as if the dragon had only just polished them. His firm jaw was the color of snow, and he had a large set of powerful-looking wings on his back that made it seem like he could have just flown to the new neighborhood rather than driving with the set of other Critters DogDay had not yet bothered to even glance at yet.

Only realizing he had been staring after a little over a minute of watching the dragon, DogDay cleared his throat and shook his head, cheeks heating up slightly beneath his fur. Now was not the time to get distracted. Sure the dragon looked a little pretty, but that wasn't what mattered. What mattered was introducing himself and seeing what kind of person he'd be living across the street from for the foreseeable future. 

So DogDay smoothed down his fur as best he could, adjusted his collar into what he deemed a perfect position, and approached Simon, who was currently in the process of checking his makeup with a small, ornate golden handheld mirror as a white and pink furred bat was whispering something into his ears with a look that could only be described as mischievous on her face.

"Heya there, pals! I'm DogDay, your new neighbor! I live right across the street." DogDay greeted cheerfully, extending a paw towards Simon to shake, abruptly cutting off whatever conversation had been occuring as both Simon's and the bat's head snapped towards him. "I know you're Simon Smoke, but who's your friend?" DogDay's paw hovered in the air as Simon eyed it like it was contaminated, the dragon's eyes momentarily narrowing at DogDay.

"Ah... DogDay. The sunny pup who leads the Smiling Critters. Rabie here was just telling me all about you and your little group." Simon didn't shake DogDay's paw, letting it hover in the air for a few moments before DogDay awkwardly let it drop back down to his side and shoved it into his jacket pocket, silence momentarily settling between the two.

The interaction certainly wasn't going as well as DogDay had originally planned, but he was sure that he could turn this around back into his favor! Maybe Simon Smoke and Rabie were both just grumpy after being in the car for so long, and they'd warm up to him if he-

"Well, if that's all, me and Rabie need to be going. I need to set up my castle and refuse to leave Icky unsupervised anywhere need it. Ta-ta, I'll come to you when I want to continue this." DogDay froze at that. Simon was leaving? Already?! He hadn't even given Simon his phone number, or told him information about the Smiling Critters, or even given him info about which house was bis own one!

"H-Hey, Simon, wait! I haven't even-" But Simon had already spread his wings and had soared up into the air, leaving DogDay sputtering on the ground and staring at Simon's flying figure make its way towards the castle Simon had mentioned earlier despite the fact that it was a five minute walk and didn't need to be flown whatsoever. Meaning that Simon was intentionally avoiding him. Desperately, DogDay whirled around, hoping to see Rabie. Maybe she was still here, and could at least give DogDay some of Simon's contact information. But she was gone too, leaving DogDay standing alone in the street.

DogDay stood there for a few moments before letting out a small sigh, chewing on his lip nervously like he always did whenever he overthought something. Why did Simon want to avoid him? There wasn't anything wrong with himself as far as DogDay could tell. Sure, he could be a little overeager or even possibly overbearing at times, but there wasn't anything wrong with that! That was just being more excited than others!

Suddenly, DogDay got an idea. Or at least, remembered his logic from earlier. Maybe they were just grumpy from the drive to the neighborhood! Moving could make anyone grumpy, and a grumpy person was less likely to be able to make friends with him. And something that always fixed grumpiness was DogDay's vanilla cookies. Maybe him and PickyPiggy could make a few batches, gift them to Simon and his group as a welcoming gift, and then Simon would be willing to be friends with DogDay!

Cheerfulness and optimism fully reignited in DogDay, he quickly turned around and sprinted his way towards PickyPiggy's barn, tail wagging eagerly behind him.

"So... What was the reason ya said ya wanted me to help out bake these cookies again, DogDay?" PickyPiggy asked as she brushed the flour that has stuck to her apron, shooting DogDay a questioning look.

"To give to Simon Smoke!" DogDay beamed, tail wagging behind him at a ridiculous speed over something like giving a neighbor cookies. "And for the rest of our new neighbors, of course! Heh, i'm sure Simon'll finally want to be friends with me more after this!"

PickyPiggy was even more confused by the answer, though she chose not to push it. She knew how DogDay got when he was like this, and knew far better than to attempt to get anything other than what he wanted for now. "If you say so... Just be careful around them, alright? They seem a lot... meaner than us. Kickin told me that the frog, Icky I think his name was, challenged Hoppy to a race and tripped her when she was beating him! These people sound like a bunch of no-good jerks if ya ask me."

DogDay paused at that. Jerks? They didn't seem too bad when DogDay talked too them. Sure, Simon was a little... unenthusiastic to meet Simon, but that didn't mean he was a jerk by any means! Surely everyone was just being a little overdramatic, and they'd all be able to ease into being friends later on.

"Pfft, I wouldn't worry about it. You know Kickin', he tends to exaggerate these things. Besides, maybe it was an accident, and Hoppy just thought he did it on purpose or something. You and I both know how stubborn she can get." DogDay said with a chuckle as he picked up and tucked the freshly-backed tin of cookies under his arm as if he had any right to judge someone for being stubborn. "Anywho, I've got a dragon to deliver these cookies to! Thanks for the help, Picky, I'm sure this'll lead to us all making new friends!" And with that, he bounded out of the barn, humming far too optimistically.

PickyPiggy sighed as she watched him leave, dragging a hoof down her face. "Sometimes I really wonder why we let that boy be the leader... I just hope this won't backfire on him later." She turned back to her now-messy kitchen that was currently cluttered with DogDay's previous failed baking attempts, which was usually an utterly pristine place "Though I do wish he could cook without help."

Meanwhile, DogDay was practically skipping down towards Simon's castle, humming cheerfully and already making up the scenario of how he thought the exchange would go in his hear. Now he was sure Simon would accept him! After all, what reason would he have not to? He was bringing Simon a gift, being just about as positive as he could be, and was just his usual cheerful DogDay self. Who wouldn'twant to be friends with him?

Once he finally arrived outside the castle, DogDay knocked a cheerful rhythm on the large oak door, leaning forward slightly on his paws as the best and most cheerful grin he could manage spread on his face. After he waited for around 30 seconds without a response, he knocked again, this time calling out as well. "Hey, Simon! You there? It's me, DogDay, your neighbor! We talked earlier, and I brought cookies now!" The only thing DogDay got in return was silence.

DogDay's smile wavered. Okay, this might end up being a little bit more... difficult than he expected, but he wasn't going to give up on a potential new friend! He'd just knock again and again until he got a response. Just as he raised a paw to try once more, the door suddenly creaked open. Simon must've forgotten to lock it.

DogDay paused outside, grip tightening slightly on the container of cookies. He was tempted to just go inside, though even he knew that might've been a mite too far. He'd only had one conversation with the dragon so far, and didn't want to leave a bad impression. But then again, the Smiling Critters were okay with DogDay randomly entering their homes, and leaving your door unlocked in a community was practically a sign of inviting your new neighbors in! DogDay was sure Simon wouldn't mind too much if he let himself in so long as he gifted the cookies.

"Alright, Simon, I'm coming in! I've still got the cookies if you want them!" DogDay announced as he entered, glancing around and taking in the extravagant decor. Suits of armor and medival weaponry lined the walls, along with paintings of dragons that all looked oddly familiar to Simon committing heroic acts of bravery. DogDay almost stopped right there, tempted to explore the rest of the gorgeous halls, though forced himself to continue. He had come here for a reason, after all. The tour could wait for later.

Suddenly, DogDay's ears perked up as he heard whispering from the living room followed by something that sounded like a rich, smug chuckle. That must've been Simon! DogDay's grin quickly spread as he hurried towards the living room, the whispering getting a bit louder as DogDay picked up what was being said. It sounded like Simon was talking to that bat, Rabie if DogDay remembered correctly, from earlier.

"–so what do you think of your brand new doggy stalker, Si? Betcha didn't expect to get one so soon in a new neighborhood! You know, I was talking to one of those cuddly wuddly freaks we live next to now, and I heard he's been asking about you!" Rabie said with a giggle that could only be described as mischievous, followed by something that sounded like the rustling of wings.

DogDay paused before he entered, tail stilling behind him. Doggy stalker? He wasn't stalking anyone! Sure, he was a little enthusiastic over potentially being friends with Simon, but that wasn't that bad! And sure, he has asked a few of the others what they thought about Simon, but that was just so he could see how they felt about their new neighbors! There was no stalker behavior whatsoever. Surely Simon would defend him from Rabie's blatantly false rumors

Before DogDay could continue rationalizing his thoughts, he was pulled out of his thoughts when Simon scoffed and clinked a glass of something the dragon had on the table. "Tch, I wish I could know what draws in those people. I just wish they'd at be more interesting. Every one of these obsessive little plebeians are all the same bland, boring little annoyances, and that mutt is no different. I just hope he gives up faster than that iguana from the last neighborhood did. Could barely go one week without seeing him on a walk."

DogDay froze completely outside the door, tail stilling behind him. Simon thought he was... annoying? A stalker? BORING?! That wasn't true at all!... Right? All the Smiling Critters liked him, and they thought he was an amazing leader, so Simon and Rabie must've been wrong! DogDay sighed, trying to reassure himself as he reforced his usual sunny smile back onto his muzzle. Maybe they just got the wrong first impression on him. He had been a tad bit assertive when they first met. Maybe if he just he just introduced himself again, they'd like him now. Especially if he gave them his cookies. Finally, Dogday stepped into the room, trying to appear as friendly, calm, and polite as he could possibly be. "Alright, fellas, now that's not true! I'm definitely not–"

"OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK!? HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET IN HERE!?" Rabie screeched as she nearly toppled over the couch, flapping her wings in shock as Simon jolted up from where he'd been lounging in his throne-like chair. "SIMON INCINERATE HIM BEFORE HE STARTS STEALING THINGS THAT SMELL LIKE YOU OR WHATEVER THESE STALKERS DO!"

DogDay's ears immediately drooped at Rabie's words, nervously raising his paws in a placating manner as he tried to not drop the cookies at the same time. "N-Now hold on, i-i'm not stalking! The door was unlocked, that's practically an invitation! And-And I-"

Simon cut DogDay off with a sharp, deep growl that could only be described as draconic, not at all like his earlier playful chuckles with Rabie. "You have ten seconds to get out of my castle before I burn you to a crisp and have Poe sweep you up for their morbid collection, you annoying, flea-ridden, obsessive, insignificant little mutt." Smoke billowed out of his nostrils. He didn't sound amused or playful anymore. He just sounded pissed. Even Rabie had gone silent at that, eyes darting between the two figures.

DogDay took a hesitant step backwards, tail drooping behind him as if he were about to tuck it between his legs in shame. "But... But i made you cookies... And-And I just want to be friends! There's no need to be so-"

"Ten. Nine. Eight." Simon started counting down, embers sparkling at the back of his throat as he took a step closer, smoke now pouring from his clenched jaw in addition to his nostrils in enough amount to nearly cover him entirely.

DogDay finally took the hint, cookies tumbling from his grasp and clattering against the castle's stone ground, before he turned on his paws and bolted away with a whine, the castle door slamming shut behind him.

Silence settled in the castle after DogDay left, broken only by Simon's angered panting as the smoke left through the vents Simon had wisely added to the castle since billowing smoke in anger was a common enough occurrence to require them before Rabie finally broke it.

"Sooooooo... Think stalker-doggy learned his lesson from that? Don't think anyone could stare down a fire-breathing dragon like that and still annoy him." Rabie said, mischievous lilt already back into her voice as a smirk spread on her muzzle, fangs poking out as she already began to mentally draft the future gossip potential of the encounter. "Well, y'know, unless they were into that. Which, between you and me, Si, doggy boy definitely seemed like he'd be the type to-"

"Shut up, Rabie." Simon muttered, immediately making Rabie stop. He was still pissed off. And Rabie, being Simon's best friend and having witnessed the consequences of poking the dragon many times before, knew better than to continue. "I'm going to bed. Go bug Baba or drink one of those cuddly freak's blood, or whatever it is you do in your spare time." Simon was already storming off to the castle's staircase, wings folded tightly against his back.

Rabie, despite the fact that it was 5 PM and far more early than when Simon would ever consider a bed, didn't object and instead immediately began searching the rest of the castle for any gossip opportunities since she obviously wouldn't let this chance of being alone in Simon's castle for the time being go to waste.

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DogDay didn't know how long he had been crying in his doghouse, but he knew it's been for a while. He felt absolutely awful. He'd fucked it all up. Irreversibly so. Now Simon probably hated him, and wouldn't want to be friends with him, and then this would all reflect onto the Smiling Critters too, and that they would now all also be unable to be friends with the Nightmare Critters, and it was all–

DogDay was pulled out of his spiraling thoughts as heard the door to his room open, making him jerk up with a hitched gasp as he desperately wiped away the tears that'd been streaming down his cheeks, not wanting one of the other Critters to potentially see him like this.

"Wh-Who's there? I-I'm, uh, a little busy right now, pl-please go away!" The figure in the doorway didn't leave, however. It stepped forward, revealing CatNap. DogDay let out small sigh as he realized who it was, shifting to push himself up as he tried to keep the wobble out of his voice. "O-Oh, it's just you... W-What's up, CatNap?"

CatNap took another step forward, paws silent against the floorboards as he gently closed the door behind him, flicking the lights on enough to make the previously dark room dimly lit before he raised his paws and started signing. 'You're crying. What happened?'

DogDay hesitated, chewing on his lip nervously as he avoided CatNap's gaze directly, unable to bring himself fully to admit what had happened. The shame was still too large, and he was absolutely terrified of revealing what had happened to his stepbrother of all people, someone who DogDay considered his closest friend. "O-oh, crying? Nothing too serious, Nap! Just... Just burnt myself cooking earlier. You know how I am, a-all sensitive and clumsy... S-Silly me!" DogDay let out a nervous chuckle, internally wincing at just how pathetic his excuse sounded to his own ears.

CatNap took another few steps forward, now standing directly in front of the bed DogDay was slightly hunched over on, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Clearly, he didn't buy DogDay's rather crappy excuse. He raised his paws once more 'You don't need to lie to me. Tell me what really happened. You know I wouldn't judge you.' He sat beside DogDay on the bed. 'Please. You can't just keep bottling everything up inside like this. You know what it does to you.'. He placed a paw on DogDay's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

DogDay stared down at his lap, anxiously fidgeting with his paws and unable to meet his stepbrother's eyes. He still felt awful. His test was tight enough for breathing to hurt, and he had enough shame and discomfort coiled in his gut to feel nauseous. But he knew CatNap was right. He couldn't just keep pushing these things away, especially now that CatNao was here.

"A-Alright just... please don't tell the others..." DogDay didn't need to glance over at CatNap to know that he had nodded yes, taking a deep breath before continuing. "You... You know the new group that moved in across the street? T-The Nightmare Critters? Well I tried to befriend the leader, Simon Smoke, and I... Well, I fucked it all up, Nap. Simon made it clear he didn't want to be friends with me, but I just kept pushing it, and then I technically broke into his castle and then embarrassed myself in front of him because he was talking about me with his friend, and then I gave him an actual reason to dislike me."

DogDay took a deep, shuddering breath as CatNap's paw gave a comforting squeeze, silence momentarily settling between the two. Then, DogDay spoke again. "But... Despite that, I still like him. I still want to be friends with him. But I don't know how I can fix all this, or if I can even fix it at all! I just... Really fucked it up here, Nap. I don't know what to do anymore." DogDay finally turned towards CatNap, tears still brimming his eyes. "Do... Do you think it's even salvageable anymore, Nap? I'd give anything for a do over.."

CatNap was silent for a few moments before he retracted his paw to sign again, the movements shockingly smooth and elegant for the usually sleepy feline. 'Honestly? I don't know. I'm not the one to ask. If Simon's really who you think he is, he'll accept an honest apology if you stop doing your nothing-but-positivity behavior' DogDay chewed on his lip nervously before responding. "... And if he doesn't?" A smile smirk curled on CatNap's muzzle 'Then he doesn't, and is just a jerk you don't need. And I can fill his castle with enough sleep gas to give him enough nightmares to last a lifetime.'.

DogDay let out a weak chuckle, wiping the remaining tears from his eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll go talk to him." DogDay pushed himself off the bed, approaching the door before turning back to CatNap. "And... thanks for this CatNap. It really means a lot."

CatNap just smiled back at him, signing one last time. 'Anytime. Just promise me you'll come to me instead of bottling up your emotions or going through with your crazy plans to make people like you.' Then he finally spoke in the soft, raspy voice he rarely ever used for anyone other than DogDay. "... Good luck, you deserve this going right for you."

DogDay let out another chuckle. "No promises. Thanks for the talk, Nap. It really meant a lot. Anyways, see you later. I've got a dragon to befriend!" And with that, he marched out the door, ears perked up in determination to finally make friends with Simon.

Meanwhile, across the neighborhood, a certain dragon had been pacing his room for the past half-hour, unable to rest. And it wasn't just because it was 5:30 PM and about five hours before his usual bedtime. He was feeling an emotion he didn't all too often feel: Guilt. He had no clue why he did but he... regretted snapping at that obsessive canine. DogDay, as he'd introduced himself.

He knew it was stupid, and that he shouldn't feel anything over yet another stalker desperate for his attention and approval, but something about DogDay had just felt... Different. DogDay had seemed like he was just legitimately kind, caring, and sweet, not like how most of Simon's sycophants sucked up to him for the sole reason of his status and wealth. It was like DogDay had just genuinely wanted to be friends.

But that didn't make sense to Simon. Almost everytime someone tried to get close to him, it was for a reason of personal benefit. Rabie and the rest of the Nightmare Critters, despite their quirks, were the only few Simon considered legitimate friends and people who would accept him unconditionally, wealth or not. But he'd known some of them for years, and Rabie since they were in Kindergarten. But some new, random neighbor he had known only for one day? It was... hard accepting. Hard to believe.

Had DogDay really just wanted to be friends? Sure, the dog had little concept of the existence of any form of boundaries, but he still seemed harmless enough. And he'd seemed legitimately hurt when Simon had snapped at him. Hurt enough for Simon to feel guilty and want to maybe even apologize...

Simon shook his head with a growl, trying to displace the thought. No. He wasn't just going to apologize for being in the right. DogDay was just a stalker who was better at playing emotions, that was that. Nothing more. So why did Simon still feel so guilty? Why couldn't he stop thinking about it? Why couldn't he get DogDay's wounded, heartbroken face out of his mind?

Suddenly, the door to the castle was banged on, making Simon freeze and exit his deep thoughts and pacing. That must've been Rabie, here for some unannounced gossip session. Simon sighed, adjusting his crimson-colored blazer with clawed fingers as he exited his room and approached the castle doors. This was what he needed. A distraction. Anything to get his mind off of–

But it wasn't Rabie at the door. It was DogDay.

Simon immediately froze, eyes quickly narrowing. There was a momentary silence between them before DogDay broke it. "Alright, I know you probably don't want to see me after what I did, but I really, really, really wanted to let you know how sorry I am. I didn't mean to come off as a stalker, I just get so excited when I meet new people, and can sometimes just forget about boundaries, and-"

"DogDay." Simon cut DogDay off, not moving from his spot in the door. DogDay braced himself, expecting another verbal beatdown. But he got something else in return. The one thing he had been hoping for. "I... I accept your apology. And I want to apologize too. I was being too much of a jerk when we first met because I just assumed you were only interested in me because of my family money or my looks because I didn't consider someone could actually want to be my friend." He extended a clawed hand towards DogDay. "I can't believe I'm bringing myself to doing this, but... Can we start over?"

DogDay stared at Simon's clawed hand for a few moments in silence before suddenly grabbing it with so much eagerness, one would never know what Simon had said a mere 34 minutes ago, ears fully perked up in joy again as his tail wagged fast enough behind him to become an orange blur, eagerly shaking Simon's hand with enough speed to rival Hoppy's.

"Oh Gosh, thank you so much! I'm so glad we were able to get over that! CatNap was right, I was scared for nothing! Hey, I dropped my cookies here earlier, Wanna have them now?" DogDay was speaking at a mile a minute by this point, and Simon couldn't help but smile, an unfamiliar yet oddly nice warmth blossoming over in his chest. "That sounds... utterly pedestrian, but fine. Wouldn't want to expose you to anything you're not ready for yet, pup." Simon finally opened the door wide enough for DogDay to enter, DogDay immediately dashing in and hovering close to Simon at a close distance that Simon would normally snap at any other Critter for, though felt strangely OK with DogDay doing.

DogDay let out an excited gasp, still clutching Simon's paw. "'Pup'? We're already on nicknames status? Oh boy, now I need to give you one." Simon chuckled, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly as he led DogDay towards the castle's living room. "Oh, well, you don't need to do all that-" DogDay cut him off before Simon could continue. "How about Smokie!" Simon paused momentarily, despising the nickname but making the wise assumption that if he rejected it, DogDay would just spend the whole night creating new ones. "... You know what? Sure. It fits me." DogDay let out a smug chuckle. "You betcha it does! 'Smokie and Pup, two new besties'. Has a ring to it, doesn't it?" Simon didn't think it sounded pleasant at all, but didn't care enough to object. "Whatever you say, Day. Whatever you say."

And with that, they settled onto the couch, talking long enough into the night for DogDay to need to spend the night in the castle's spare bedroom before moving into Simon's own room because he had apparently gotten lonely, something Simon hadn't objected to all too much, which was rather shocking for a dragon who had once punted Icky Licky for so much as using the main bathroom.

DogDay was sure he was the coldest he had ever been in his entire life. He had just gotten finished shoveling the driveway of Simon's castle (which, considering it was in front of a castle, wasn't too large or hard to shovel, all things considered), right after he had shoveled the driveway of his own doghouse so he could drive to Simon's.

Normally, this task fell to one of the other Nightmare Critters, or just one of the other Critters in general. Simon usually paid someone else to do the mundane tasks he didn't want to do since he saw it as, in his own words, 'unbecoming of someone so gorgeous to do manual labor' Though DogDay had offered to do it for free.

Well, not entirely free. Simon had promised DogDay a cup of his favorite hot cocoa (which was hot cocoa with whipped cream, caramel, and a splash of vanilla) and a nice, toasty fire in the castle for the two of them to curl up in front of while they watched Christmas movies.

And that was what DogDay had been looking forward all day, and especially during the shoveling. And it was currently the only thing on his mind as he approached the large oak door entrance to Simon's castle

DogDay pushed the castle's entrance door open with a loud creak that Simon never bothered getting fixed since he liked the dramatic effect it provided, heading towards the living room where Simon had said he would be waiting.

"S-Simon?" You there with the c-cocoa and fire you promised? B-Because I could really u-use it right now, I-I'm actually kind of really c-cold..." DogDay managed to get out through his chattering teeth, rubbing his paws together for whatever warmth was left in his body.

But when DogDay entered the living room, he only saw two of the three things he had expected: The hot cocoa and a Simon Smoke who looked slightly more smug than usual. But there was no fire. No heat. No warmth.

DogDay froze. Or at least, more than he already was, tail stilling its optimistic wag. "Simon." DogDay said, voice losing its usually bubbly warmth.

"Where's the fire you promised to make?"

"Ah, there's my little pupsicle!" Simon drawled as he lazily pushed himself up from where he'd previously been lying down on the couch and scrolling on his phone, sauntering over to DogDay as if his boyfriend wasn't in an extremely rare pissed off state. "Rabie told me it was absolutely freezing out. Icky apparently got his tongue stuck to a pole after Maggie dared him to lick it. Absolutely tragic, if you ask me—"

"Simon." DogDay interjected, taking a step closer to Simon as his tail ceased its wagging entirely, the canine now seeming more pissed than most had ever seen him. "You promised me a fire and cocoa if I shoveled. Where's the fire." By this point, it'd become less of a question.

Simon's smirk just widened as if he was pulling some joke DogDay wasn't in on, arrogance providing him with smugness in situations where most would realize poking the bear was an extremely poor decision.

"Oh, Sunshine. I can do you far better than some measly old fire." Simon took one last step forward towards DogDay, standing so close to the dog that DogDay could feel the draconic warmth emanating from the dragon's body. "I can give you me."

And then, with that, Simon suddenly pulled DogDay into a tight embrace before falling back onto the couch, curling around the stunned canine and letting out a smug little chuckle at DogDay's stunned silence. "Far better than some boring old fire, hmmm?"

DogDay was momentarily silent as Simon's warmth refilled his body and chased away the cold that had built up while he had shoveled Simon's driveway, slightly too stunned to speak before he finally regained control of his brain and realized what was happening.

"... you're lucky you remembered the cocoa. I wouldn't forgive you otherwise." DogDay grumbled as he tucked his head under Simon's scaled chin, though it was obvious he was already more pleased than pissed, tail regaining its usual wag.

"You think I'd forget my dearest boyfriend's favorite part of the holiday? Tch. The cold must've gotten to your brain." Simon said with another smug chuckle, though his voice was softer now, and much more content.

A brief silence settled between the two, only broken by the occasional thump of DogDay's tail against the couch or Simon's wings rustling from behind before it was broken again by Simon.

"Alright, enough of the sappy shit. Let's start the movie marathon. Can't risk Rabie peeking into the windows and seeing us like this." Simon said, momentarily pulling away from DogDay to grab the remote for the ridiculously large TV in the center of the room.

DogDay sighed as he pushed himself into a sitting position, though it was more of a sound of happiness than any legitimate annoyance. "Alright, fine. Buuuuut I get first pick. 'Cause, Y'know, I've been such a hard-working boyfriend."

Simon gasped in mock-horror, placing a clawed hand against his chest. "You getting to pick first? In my own house? Manual labor only gets you so far, Day, you should be grateful for the cuddles."

DogDay, to used to Simon's theatrics by this point and too tired from the shoveling to argue, just leaned his head onto Simon's shoulder with a sigh. "Fine. Just don't pick—"

It was a known fact that Groddy hated most people, even his own group.

Catfeine's hyperactive chaos was grating, Dogpressed's sadness was weak, Floppy's laziness was just plain pathetic, and so on and so on.

So it wasn't all too much of a shock that he absolutely loathed the Nightmare Critters. He saw them all as pretentious, annoying, childish edgelords who were all just about equally annoying.

And there was one creature in the group Groddy hated, detested, and despised the most: The leader. Simon Smoke himself.

There weren't enough words to describe just how much Groddy hated Simon. The dragon was nothing more than some snarky, jerky, bratty pretty boy piece of shit who was spoiled his entire life and would probably whine about breaking a nail if he was forced to do any real labor.

And what made Groddy's hatred for the smug dragon even stronger was that Simon taunted him. Constantly. On a near daily basis, in fact. Simon's favorite activity around Groddy seemed to be just seeing how much he could anger Groddy or attempting to bait Groddy into maul him.

Whether it was insulting how ungroomed Groddy's fur was compared to Simon's sleek, polished scales, mocking the bear's beer gut compared to Simon's slim, well-kept build, comparing how Simon was young and full of life at 24 while Groddy was pushing 45, and many more insults and ragebaits Groddy hated thinking of, Simon was seemingly fueled by antagonizing Groddy as much as possible.

And it worked extremely well. Groddy knew it was exactly what Simon wanted every single time, and yet he gave the dragon what he wanted every time. Anytime Simon did his usual routine, it always ended with Groddy shouting at Simon, shoving him away, or, after a particularly infuriating insult, Groddy had genuinely roared at Simon in a momentary lack of judgment. He knew he was giving Simon what he wanted, and yet he never could stop himself.

The worst part of it was the true lack of any consequences Simon got. While Groddy could hurl whatever insults he wanted back at Simon (Groddy had at one point called Simon a 'Limp-wristed fairy' which had gotten nothing but a chuckle and Simon once again comparing ages and beer-guts in return) they never affected Simon nearly as much as Simon's affected Groddy.

And Groddy wasn't ever able to retaliate physically since the universe seemed to favor snarky assholes like Simon and had not only given him flight, but the ability to spit fire and the strength of an actual dragon despite being built like a twink.

So Groddy couldn't really do anything at all except for just enduring it and attempting to ignore Simon, which usually went as one would expect.

And very unfortunately for Groddy, Simon had started doing that exact routine when Simon had been flying above the forest and spotted Groddy walking towards the local town since Groddy had also unfortunately drawn the short straw for who's turn it was to get the groceries for the Frowning Critters this week.

"You know, Groddy darling, you might've had one of your members from your own pathetic Critter group accompany you on your little shopping trip if you didn't growl at anything that moved." Simon taunted as his wings helped him float behind Groddy, showing off as much as possible despite the fact that Groddy was trying his absolute best to just ignore Simon. Not that ignoring Simon ever helped stop his antics. It usually just made him double down.

"What pedestrian food are you even getting anyways? More beer, pretzels, and microwave meals? Because I hope i'm not the first to tell you that that's probably not helping out your little... gut issue. Or should I say big issue?" Groddy didn't need to turn around to see the smirk on Simon's scaled snout. He could just hear it in his voice.

Groddy clenched his fists at his side, trying his absolute best to just focus on the path ahead and to keep walking. He was one mile ahead from the store, and Simon was bound to quit by the time they reached that. Groddy knew Simon wasn't about to risk his reputation over getting a reaction from Groddy since the one thing the dragon seemed to care about more than angering him was how popular he was. And bullying some 44 year old bear with a beer belly wasn't exactly something that would help that reputation.

Groddy recounted the list in his head. He just had to focus on that and his steps, and he'd be there before he knew it and Simon would leave him alone. Catfeine's coffee, Icky's stupidly specific brand of bread, Floppy's melatonin, Dogpressed's–

Groddy was yanked out of his thoughts abruptly as Simon, growing bored of the unusual lack of reaction from Groddy, had swooped above Groddy and landed in front of him, now blocking the path to town and giving Groddy no other choice than to confront Simon.

Groddy clenched his paws at his side so hard his claws dug into his fur. Do not maul the pretty boy dragon, do not maul the pretty boy dragon, do not–

"Learning to ignore me now? Now that's a first. Only took you..." Simon mockingly tapped his chin with a manicured claw as if in thought. "about three and a half weeks of this routine. Color me impressed, Groddy. Honestly. Maybe I should gift you a coupon to my groomer's spa as a reward. He doesn't just do m scales, you know. He also doesn't fur. I mean, it wouldn't be nearly as glamorous as my scales, but I'm sure he could-" "DO YOU EVER SHUT THE FUCK UP!?!?"

Groddy finally snapped, voice booming just loud enough for the birds in the surrounding trees to flee in panic. Simon immediately froze, wings rustling behind him as if he was contemplating fleeing for his own safety to avoid getting mauled, or staying to watch the meltdown he had spent most of his afternoon seeking.

"EVERY SINGLE DAY IT'S THIS BULLSHIT WITH YOU! EVERY SINGLE DAY, YOU PESTER ME, ANNOY ME, AND TRY AND PISS ME OFF WITH YOUR STUPID, CHILDISH, BRATTY BULLSHIT! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY THE FUCK CANT YOU EVER JUST LEAVE ME ALONE? ARE YOU THAT STARVED OF ATTENTION THAT YOU NEED TO GET IT BY ANNOYING ME UNTIL I WANT TO FUCKING MAUL YOU?!" Groddy's chest heaved after his shouting had finally ended, a momentary silence settling between the two after Groddy caught his breath from the meltdown

Simon was silent for a few moments, looking legitimately stunned, if not a teeny bit scared for a moment before he quickly regained his usual composure, smug smirk returning as he flicked his dreads with a scoff. "Getting this worked up over little old me now, are we? Maybe Rabie was right, maybe you are getting a little crush on me after all~" Before Groddy could respond, or more accurately begin shouting and inevitably charge Simon after the taunt, Simon quickly stepped back as his wings began to flap, lifting him off the ground.

"Anyways, I've got to get going. I promised brunch and gossip with Rabie since some of us have better things to do than growl at woodland creatures. Try not to think too hard of me when i'm gone, you'll hurt yourself trying. Bye-bye!" And just like that, Simon flew off in the direction of the Nightmare Critters's portion of the woods, leaving behind a fuming Groddy.

Groddy stood still for a few moments, watching Simon's silhouette disappear into the sky before letting out another roar of frustration and punching a tree hard enough to splinter wood. "GOD FUCKING DAMNIT!"

Groddy panted, finally sitting down and leaning against the tree as he tired his hardest to calm himself since after all that, he still needed to get the groceries. Which was just great.

Once he felt like he was done wishing he had something to throttle, Groddy finally pushed himself up with a grunt, muttering obscenities about pretty boy dragons as he stomped back along the path to the town, trying his hardest to ignore the warmth that had begun to creep its way into his chest.

Rabie was wrong. Simon was wrong. There was no way he had a crush on that stupid, pathetic, spoiled trust fund brat. No way about it. Any fantasies about him the bear had recently had, or the fact that the dragon constantly crept into his thoughts even on the days Groddy didn't get teased by Simon were simply just because he hated Simon the most and therefore thought about him the most.

Hoppy Hopscotch was trying her hardest to stay still. She really was.

She knew how much this'd mean to CraftyCorn. Art was CraftyCorn's... well, everything. Next to Hoppy, of course, but Hoppy was likely one of the few, if not just the flat out only, thing CraftyCorn held above her art.

So when CraftyCorn had asked Hoppy to mural for an art piece, Hoppy had been more than willing to do so. After all, she had nothing better to do, and the thought of pleasing CraftyCorn was far better than the thought of winning the soccer match she'd inevitably challenge Kickin to.

Though Hoppy had made a teeny, tiny mistake while waiting for the time they'd agreed on to start since CraftyCorn had to go into town to purchase a few specific supplies.

She'd had some energy drinks. And not just one, not just two, but three whole Redbulls chugged within the fifteen minutes CraftyCorn had been gone.

In her defense, she had been thirsty, and the Redbulls had just been lying there. What was she supposed to do? Just wait the thirty minutes patiently?... Hoppy chose not to answer her own mental reasoning and chose to think about something else. Like KickinChicken. Maybe she could challenge the rooster to a marathon when this was all over. She felt like she had hours of energy left in her, and the thought of his squawking face when she left him in the dust was-

"I'm back, Hops! You didn't get bored while I was out, right? I just needed this specific color for your fur, and I ran out since I used it all for that Christmas painting DogDay wanted me to make a few weeks ago..." CraftyCorn's soft yet room-filling voice made Hoppy's ears perk up as the unicorn reentered the tower, grocery bag of freshly bought, Hoppy-colored paint clutched in her teal hoof. "O-Oh, what? Heck no, Crafty! I'd never get bored if it means I get to wait for you! You know me, most patient rabbit in Crittervill! How long's it take, ten, twenty minutes? I could've waited longer, no biggie! I'm as chill as CatNap and cooler than Kickin'" Despite Hoppy's words she was currently anything but chill or cool. Her words were coming out a mile a minute as the rabbit practically vibrated in her seat, paws fidgeting with eachother, foot thumping fast and hard enough against the tower's floor to vibrate other paintings of the Critters that were hung on the tower's walls, and cottontail twitching fast enough behind her to look more like a green blur than anything. CraftyCorn paused momentarily at the sight of Hoppy's hyperness. Well, sight of her being even more hyper than usual, that is. Then she noticed the three Redbull cans stuffed into the garbage can (Not the recycling, of course. Hoppy couldn't recycle for shit no matter the amount of times she was reminded by Crafty) and quickly put two and two together. It didn't take Bubba Bubbaphant's mind to figure out what happened here. "Hoppy... Did you drink the energy drinks in the fridge while I was gone?" CraftyCorn questioned, voice losing quite a bit of its soft edge like it usually did when CraftyCorn was in interrogation mode. And it worked on Hoppy without fail everytime. That unicorn could sure as shit be scary sometimes.

"I-I, uh, well, err..." Hoppy stammered, energetic bravado temporarily lost at the semi-stern look her girlfriend gave her, before she quickly attempted to reclaim it. "Well, yeah, but I only had three!" Hoppy replied as if three cans of Redbull in one sitting would a reasonable amount. "Besides, I can handle it! You know I can. You're a fast painter anyways, right? I can sit still for you during that!" Hoppy knew that was likely completely bullshit. Even on a good day she probably couldn't sit still for more than half an hour, let alone one and a half while on the energy drinks. But when it came to Crafty, she was sure she could.

CraftyCorn stared at Hoppy for a few more silent moments, eyes momentarily narrowing before she let out a sigh, running a hoof down her face as her usual gentle smile and voice returned. "Well... I guess if you say you can handle it, you can handle it. But you know you don't need to do this if you don't want to, right? I can paint you from memory, and wouldn't want to make you do anything you wouldn't want to."

Hoppy's ears drooped. "What?! No, I do want to do this! I'd never get bored doing something for you, especially your art. I swear to you, Crafty, I want to do this, and I will be able to sit still, alright? Scout's honor." Hoppy held up a paw for that last part despite having only lasted one week in Girl Scouts before being kicked out.

Crafty giggled, a sound that made Hoppy's chest flutter and feel warm way more than she'd ever probably be willing to admit to another Critter. "Alright, alright, I'll stop bugging you about that. I just wanted to make sure you didn't feel like you were obligated or anything." CraftyCorn finally moved from the doorway, setting up the paint supplies on her easel as Hoppy tried her absolute hardest to sit still for the five minutes it took CraftyCorn to set up, something Hoppy found to be a even greater challenge than the obstacle course she'd done with Kickin last week.

"You ready, Hops?" Crafty asked as she picked up her favorite paintbrush that Hoppy had gifted her when they had first started dating, tongue already begining to stick out in concentration as she dipped it in a green that perfectly represented Hoppy's fur.

"Heck yeah I am! This'll be your best painting yet, Crafts, I can feel it!" Hoppy exclaimed as she straightened up slightly on the stool, using every single ounce of will in her body to stay still.

"Alright, just hold that pose..." CraftyCorn muttered, voice even softer than usual with concentration as her gaze locked onto the canvas, momentarily glancing up one more time before beginning her first stroke.

And then with that CraftyCorn got to work on the painting. She'd actually managed to finish it even earlier than she had expected. Mostly because she figured Hoppy would spontaneously combust if she had to sit still any longer.

And in Crafty's opinion, the painting had turned out perfectly. Well, except for the fact that the painting's left leg was more of an unidentifiable green blur than Hoppy's leg since Hoppy was unsurprisingly unable to stay completely still during modeling. But it would've been inaccurate not to include it.

Hoppy Hopscotch was convinced she was the most bored she ever had been in her entire life.

The rabbit was currently sprawled out across Bobby Bearhug's plush couch, which was something she normally would have absolutely zero issues with if it hadn't been for the context of why she was here.

She'd dislocated her knee while doing soccer with KickinChicken.

And that was total bullshit in her eyes. How the hell had she been the one to get injured! That rooster had goddamn hollow bones! It was stupid. It was all stupid.

Except for the being nursed back from an injury by Bobby part. That was 100% something Hoppy saw worthy of dislocating, or even breaking bones for.

Though mere seconds after the bear had left so she could get some supplies from Bubba, boredom like Hoppy had never experienced (or more accurately, the most bored she'd been this week) had immediately set in.

Bobby hadn't left Hoppy entirely alone, of course. The bear had given her a few books to read, though the thought of reading made the boredom reach bone-aching levels. It wasn't like Hoppy hated reading. She actually enjoyed a few of the sport history novels Bubba had loaned her. She just hated the thought of it being all she could do. Especially when she was in a sporty mood.

Though there was something she could do that she actually wanted to do: Bounce a tennis ball against the wall.

Actually, she'd already have been doing that if not for the fact that it was currently across the room. She would've asked Bobby to give it to her, though Bobby's mere presence had been enough to fend off the boredom that was currently setting in, and it had completely slipped her mind.

And she'd of course go grab the tennis ball if it hadn't been for the dislocated knee that made pretty much any form of movement an impossible feat.

Hoppy was tempted to just get up and grab it. After all, she was fairly sure she could just bounce over there and grab it on one foot without breaking a sweat. And even if she did accidentally fall onto her other leg, so what? No pain, no gain was a motto Hoppy didn't exactly put her entire mindset into, though it was definitely one she believed in.

The thing that was stopping her however was the mental image of Bobby's disapproval.

Hoppy could face stern talks or lectures from almost any Critter without too much trouble. Bubba's lectures on proper safety during soccer was practically background noise to her by this point—something she only just realized was probably why she was in this situation—could face DogDay's lecturing on why borrowing his car without permission was wrong with relative ease, and could still keep up her playfulness even in the rare argument she had with KickinChicken.

Something she could not endure was any form of Bobby's disapproval. Whether it was something minor like Hoppy having the last donut for breakfast without asking Bobby if she wanted it, or something major like the extremely rare fight between the couple, any lecture or semi-stern talking to from Bobby immediately put Hoppy right back into her place with the sudden overwhelming urge to do legitimately anything possible to make whatever she did up to the bear.

And getting up and walking across the room with a dislocated knee would definitely be high up on the scale of earning Bobby's disapproval and lecturing.

But... Bobby wasn't here. She was at Bubba's getting supplies. And Bubba's bungalow was the furthest house from Bobby's in the Critters' neighborhood. Maybe if she was quick enough...

No.

Hoppy refused to risk it. She could endure the boredom for just a few minutes. How long would Bobby possibly take. Five, maybe seven at most? Total piece of cake. Hoppy could be a patient bunny when she wanted, she was sure of it.

Hoppy's resolve broke within 30 more seconds of boredom.

The rabbit quickly glanced over her shoulder at the window, checking to see if Bobby' was heading back yet, but saw nothing more than Bobby's perfectly cut lawn Hoppy wished she was scoring goals on rather than lounging around on the couch like she was CatNap.

Seeing that the coast was seemingly clear, Hoppy quickly pushed herself up on the couch, careful not to aggravate her injured leg. She glanced over her shoulder a final time just to be sure Bobby wasn't in sight. Hoppy carefully hopped onto her uninjured leg, sticking her arms out for balance as her tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth in determination. The tennis ball was around fifteen feet away, and Hoppy was sure she'd reach it relatively easily. She'd done far more difficult than this on her own lazy days.

Hop, hop, hop. She was already halfway there within three hops and without any signs of stumbling or tripping, very much so earning her name.

She was just one or two hops away from reaching it, then she could keep herself perfectly entertained. Until Bobby showed back up, anyways. But three more possible minutes of boredom was like three years of it to Hoppy.

Hop, hop- "Hoppy, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Bobby's voice was a sudden, stern rumble that nearly gave Hoppy a heart attack, the rabbit barely managing to make herself fall back onto the couch rather than the ground. She quickly pusher herself back up in an attempt to earn back the dignity the fall lost her. "Bobby! I, ah, well, I didn't expect you to get back so soon! I'm, uhm, just... making sure I keep up my routine? Yeah! I, uh, you know me, nothing's going to stop me from practicing my hops!" Hoppy cringed internally at her rather pathetic excuse, realizing she currently sounded more like Bubba when he was rambling about some obscure science fact rather than her usual self. And, judging by the Bearhug Stare of Disapproval™ Bobby was currently giving her, Bobby could tell too. And Bobby didn't even respond to the pathetic attempt at an excuse. Her eyes just narrowed at the rabbit. This wasn't something she was going to let Hoppy just simply brush off. Hoppy's ears drooped, already feeling the weight of her stare set on her shoulders. She didn't want to talk about the reason she did with Bobby, didn't want to admit that she couldn't go even five minutes without doing something stupid when she wasn't with Bobby. But Bobby's stare made her hesitate. Disappointment, slight annoyance, and a look that just said 'Why?' had all mixed into it, and Hoppy never got used to it. It always made her unable to lie or excuse herself. Not that she ever did to Bobby. "I... I'm sorry, Bobby." Hoppy finally admitted, fidgeting with her paws nervously, forcing herself to met the bear's gaze. "I just... couldn't wait. You know how it is for me! I wasn't trying to injure myself further, I just... wanted something to do while I waited for you."

Bobby held Hoppy's gaze silently for a few more moments before letting out a small sigh, her expression softening. "Honeybun, I know you didn't mean to, but you know you could've just asked me to stay if it would have affected you this much." Bobby took a step forward, settling on the couch besides the smaller rabbit. "I could've just texted Bubba to bring the supplies if you wanted me to. All you had to do was ask."

Hoppy's ears perked back up slightly as Bobby sat next to her, subtly shifting closer to the larger bear. "I know, I know. I just... Didn't want to really come off as too clingy." Hoppy sighed again, looking up at the larger bear. "How'm I going to wait for the knee to heal if I can't sit straight when you're not with me?"

Bobby stared down at Hoppy for a few moments before a sudden soft, almost teasing smile graced her muzzle. "Well, if you can't sit straight without me..." She shifted closer to the puzzled rabbit, before suddenly wrapping a strong arm around her, pulling the shorter rabbit onto her lap and wrapping both arms around her in a tight bearhug. "Then I guess I'm just going to need to hold you until you get all better!"

Hoppy's ears stuck straight up, face flushing a color that rivaled her girlfriend's fur as she squirmed slightly in Bobby's grip without any real attempts to break free. "B-Bobby! You-hey, warn me about that n-next time!"

Bobby just giggled, nuzzling into the top of Hoppy's head. "And why would I do that, honeybun? Nothing's better than a surprise hug!" She tightened her grip playfully before letting it relax slightly, giving Hoppy more wiggle room (not that she'd be using it, anyways.) "Besides, you know me of all people'd care the least if you were clingy. Not that you could be anymore clingy than me, anyways. You and me both know I'm the cuddle queen between us."

Hoppy settled against Bobby's chest with a huff that was obviously forced. "F-Fine, just... don't tell Kickin this happen, alright? He'd never let me live this down." She rested her head back against Bobby's chest to stare up at the bear's grinning face. "... You planned to wait for me to stand up, didn't you?"

Bobby let out another giggle. "Maybe, maybe not... I'll never tell." The amusement in the bear's voice made it obvious which answer was the right one. "But Kickin wouldn't have any right to tease you over this, you know. Especially after what he did with Bubba when he nearly fractured his wing skateboarding last month."

Hoppy's ears, which had been almost reverted back to their usual half-droop stuck straight back up in intrigue. "Wait, what? What'd that featherbrain do that could possibly be more stupid and shameless than what he usually does with that elephant?"

Bobby nuzzled the top of Hoppy's head again with a hum, clearly amused. "Oh, I'll tell you all about it... If you promise to actually sit still until your leg gets better."

Hoppy was silent for a few moments before leaning back against Bobby's chest with a grumble, though she was still rather obviously not actually annoyed. "... Fine. But if I can't do sports, than you owe me cuddles! And mire blackmail against Kickin!"

Bobby booped Hoppy's nose with a claw. "You say that like you even need to ask me for cuddles, honeybun."

And as Hoppy finally settled still in Bobby's lap, she realized that maybe waiting for her knee to heal wouldn't be so boring so long as she had Bobby for company. In fact, she was almost willing to forget sports for the time being!

Simon Smoke immediately knew his day was going to be bad when he woke up with a sore throat. Then he knew it was going to be horrible when he had drank a glass of water that didn't make it immediately go away. And finally, he knew it was going to be torturous when he realized his fingers had left scorch marks on the glass.

He had a fever.

For any other Critter, that'd already be bad. Nobody liked being sick, especially Simon. And he hated it for good reason. Fevers were the absolute worst for him, worse than they could be, or ever would be for the other Critters due to one simple fact: He was a dragon.

While being a dragon was one of Simon's top bragging rights, given the flight, ability to control his body temperature, fore breathing, etcetera, etcetera, having a fever ruined it. Why? Because he lost complete control over his draconic powers.

His body grew hot enough to fry eggs, his sneezed spat enough fire to put a flamethrower to sham, and his blood was near-magma levels of hot. And all that combined with just the general level of having a fever made the experience hell—quite literally, last time he had one, he had a sneezing fit that'd surrounded him with enough fire to require Bubba's fire extinguisher.

Simon dragged a clawed hand down his face with a groan at the realization, only to immediately wince and hiss in pain at the near-scalding levels of heat from his palms. Was it really that bad? He was hot enough to nearly burn himself now? He wasn't sure this day could possibly get anymore horrendous-

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!!!

"Hey, Siiiiiiiiiiiimmy!" A certain fluffy, orange dog's voice called from outside Simon's door. "Are ya ready for our hike today? Because I know I sure am!"

Simon Smoke stood frozen as the realization hit him even harder than the sore throat: He'd made plans with DogDay for a hike today. A long one too. One that he was guaranteed to start a forest fire on if he went on. Though he could've sworn they'd agreed on doing it at one PM... Has the fever really made him sleep in that late? He wasn't exactly a early riser, but even he-

"Simon? Siiiiiimoooooon? You there? Are... Are you okay?" DogDay's voice snapped Simon out of his thoughts for the second time within five minutes, the cocker spaniel's worried tone piercing through Simon's fever-hazed mind.

For a single, short moment, Simon considered immediately telling DogDay he was sick. He knew for a fact that there was no way in hell he was walking any hike like this, much less the one they picked out, let alone the very real fire hazard that'd come with it.

But then he thought of his image. Him, the great Simon Smoke taken down by some stupid, insignificant little sickness? Too weak to go on a damn forest hike? Like hell he was going to do that! Even if only DogDay knew, Rabie would somehow find out anyways. Sometimes, Simon could swear that bat had a hyperrealistic costume of DogDay with the secrets she somehow found-

"SIMON?! ARE YOU HURT?! DO I NEED TO GET BUBBA?!?!" Oh right. DogDay was still outside. Simon really needed to stop thinking for so long and answer the door. He probably should've also moved before he realized he now had also left scorch marks on his carpet too, but unfortunately he definitely wasn't the genius of the Nightmare Critters.

Quickly moving to the door (though it was more of a stumble mixed with a limp than anything else) Simon pulled the door open to reveal the anxious face of his boyfriend who currently looked moments away from breaking Simon's door down.

For a brief moment, there was silence. Then Simon finally spoke up as he tried to act like he didn't currently feel like a microwaved lizard.

"Sorry I took so long, darling, I was just finishing up my eyeliner." Simon lied in his usual drawl as he casually leaned against the doorframe, hoping that DogDay would be too distracted by finally seeing Simon again to notice the fact that Simon looked like he had just rolled out of bed, Which he had.

"Now, are you ready for the hike, Pup? Because I know that..." Simon's voice trailed off as he realized that Dogday wasn't looking at him. Dogday was looking at the doorframe. "Hey, Day, my eyes are up-"

hsssssssssssss.

Simon was only just now realizing that, for the third time, he had burnt a piece of his property. Now the doorframe had a smokey, charred, Simon's-hand shaped singe on it

Ah, that was why DogDay seemed distracted.

Silence fell between them once more for just a moment before Simon broke it again. "Day, this isn't what it looks-" But he was rather quickly cut off by DogDay.

"Ohmygod, Simon, are you okay?! Oh God, do you have a fever again? Do-do you want me to get Bubba, or maybe-" DogDay's worried whine quickly cut off Simon's rather pathetic attempt at an excuse as the cocker spaniel slipped past Simon, pressing his fuzzy paw against the dragon's scaled forehead only to yank it back with a yelp as he felt just how hot it was. "Oh, biscuits that's hot! Well, hotter than usual. But you must feel horrible, Si! Why didn't you just tell me you felt sick? You're really burning up!"

Simon's fever-hazed mind took a few moments to properly catch up with the worrywart dog currently rambling in front of him as DogDay fidgeted with his paws as if he wanted to touch Simon and try to help him, hut knew the burns that would come with it. And when his brain did finally catch up, he let out a scoff that was obviously forced, planting a clawed hand on his hip attempting to strike one of his usual flamboyant poses as if he were trying to convince the canine that he wasn't currently a few degrees hotter from being completely bedridden

"No need to worry, Day! It isn't anything serious. Just a little cold, nothing I can't handle. Now, are we going to do this hike or what? Not like this day's going to get any-" Simon was cut off once again as he went into a coughing fit that caused spittle to land on the ground and sizzled through the hardwood like liquid magma, quickly disproving Simon without DogDay even needing to add comment.

"Simon... are you sure you're okay? You're burning up, and the last time you were like this it took you three weeks to recover!" DogDay said with a worried sigh, stepping closer to Simon (or at least as close as he could to Simon without bursting into vanilla-scented flames)

Simon let out a sigh, posture deflating slightly before he puffed his chest out again, choosing to ignore his sickness in favor of looking good to DogDay again "I... Okay, maybe I'm a little sick. But that doesn't mean I can't do the hike! I still feel perfectly fine-"

Simon was cut off for a THIRD time and in possibly the worst way of all three: DogDay deploying the look.

The look was the single, most powerful thing Dogday could possibly do. The most powerful thing any canine could do. It was when DogDay gave Simon puppy-dog eyes, drooped his ears low on his head, and tucked his tail between his thighs. It made Simon immediately feel like the word 'no' was a foreign, non-existent word anytime he saw DogDay use it. And unfortunately, Simon's fever-hazed mind had completely forgotten about Dogday's ability to utilize it, and got it full blast. Simon honestly believed he was incredibly lucky that DogDay didn't weaponize his cuteness more often. That dog could probably take the world over within a day if he used it.

Simon quickly looked away with a sharp intake of breath, though it was already too late. The pleading, desperate look in DogDay's eyes was burned into Simon's brain. He wanted to press it further. Wanted to prove that he could handle the hike, that he could handle anything for DogDay, but the disappointment at Simon's continued denial at his sickness coming from DogDay made it seem impossible.

"Please, Simon... Just rest today. I won't even tell Bubba you need his help, I can take care of you... It'd just be us, I promise. Rabie won't find out." DogDay pressed forward as he saw Simon's resolve beginning to crumble, taking another step closer towards Simon as his paw hovered near Simon's bicep, unable to touch but offering all the comfort he could.

Finally, Simon deflated. "... Fine. I'll... I'll rest, Day." Simon said with a sigh, turning back to face the canine, who almost immediately perked back up, weaponized cuteness vanishing without a trace once more.

"Great! I knew you'd come around, Si!" DogDay beamed, becoming his usual sunny self once more, tail gaining back its usual wagging as DogDay ushered Simon back to the couch (or at least as best as he could considering the dragon's current heat)

Simon, still slightly shell-shocked by DogDay's momentarily weaponized cuteness complied and laid back down as DogDay draped a custom-made blanket he had asked both Bubba and CraftyCorn make over the dragon that'd been heat-resistant for situations exactly like this one.

"Alright, just stay right there 'till you're all better! Now, do you want me to get you anything? Gingerale? Crackers? Soup?" DogDay asked, clasping his bright orange paws in front of himself as he beamed down at Simon, who was currently sprawled across the couch like a miserable, melted lizard, having given up on pretending he wasn't currently feeling like the most miserable Critter in the neighborhood.

"No, I... I don't need anything, Day." Simon sighed as he pushed himself hack up on the couch, trying to maintain at least a small part of his normal image. That was one of his favorite parts about himself, after all. Second to the fact that he was dating DogDay, of course.

"Just..." Simon's voice momentarily trailed off, as if he were contemplating whether or not to continue, before he forced a smirk, setting back into his usual confident, lovable-jerk self DogDay had learned to love. "Just need my sweet, fluffy doggy to take care of me. After all, I deserve only the best, right? And you, of course, are nothing but."

DogDay's tail momentarily stopped wagging behind him, a rare flush covering the cocker spaniel's face as his ears stuck straight up before his tail immediately continued it's side-to-side motions, though much faster this time, going nearly a mile a minute at this rate.

"Awww, Simon! C'mon, you know you're the perfect one! You always get so sappy when you're like this." DogDay said with a giggle, pressing a paw over his muzzle before he quickly recovered, slightly dopey grin settling back into something more warm and sincere as he plopped down on the couch beside Simon. Or at least, as close to Simon as he could without igniting himself and taking the final step he could in fully embracing his sunny self.

"But... If it's me you want, It's me you're going to get. I'll always stay by your side, Si. Sick or not." DogDay shifted closer to Simon slightly, enduring the furnace-like heat emanating from his scaled boyfriend. "And I mean all of me, too. Even the corny jokes you pretend to hate." DogDay added, tail flicking in something that could almost be called cheeky.

That actually earned a laugh from Simon, though it was something that quickly dissolved into a series of coughs that forced DogDay to scoot away. It didn't make DogDay's grin show any signs of going away at all, though. Neither did Simon's.

"I'm willing to put up with anything you do if it just means getting to be with you, Day." Simon sighed as the fit eased back down, shifting back towards DogDay so they were sitting side by side once more. "Even if it means dealing with you thinking swearing is the most unforgivable crime known to Critterkind."

"Hey, I'll have you know there's nothing wrong with me saying biscuit instead of the S-Word! I'm just not falling for your corruption." DogDay shot back with another giggle, tail wagging behind him at such a speed where it was now just a blur of orange.

DogDay then when silent for a few moments before a grin that was nearly mischievous spread on his muzzle, something rather uncharacteristic for the happy-go-lucky leader. "Well... Maybe you corrupted me a little..." Then, suddenly, DogDay leaned in and gave Simon a short, quick smooch right on the dragon's scaled muzzle, causing Simon's face to flush with something that wasn't caused by the fever.

DogDay then immediately pulled back with a yelp, seemingly only just now remembering the fact that Simon was fever-ridden and at a heat that rivaled Pickypiggy's stove. "OUCH! Darn it, I forgot you were sick! Aw, now I'M probably going to get sick!" DogDay whined, leaning back into the cushions.

Simon just chuckled again. "Then I'll just take care of you, Pup. It's least I can do in return for my perfect boyfriend."

A peaceful silence momentarily settled between the two, only slightly broken by Simon's wings weakly rustling against the cloth of the couch.

This was honestly perfect. Simon wouldn't probably fully admit it for a while, but this was the best thing in his life. DogDay was the best thing in his life. He wouldn't trade it for anything. His riches, role as leader of the Nightmare Critters, his popularity and fame would all be given up in a heartbeat if it came to choosing between them and DogDay. Hell, he didn't even care if Rabie found out about this by this point. So long as he had DogDay at his side, he could endure any rumors or gossip

Too bad she was, in fact, currently finding out, was outside Simon's window, had been recording the entire scene, and was now sending it to the Nightmare Critters' group chat.