Our Leaders Turn!

After some "delightful" changes to the schedule the critter crew was now finishing up their fun game of hide and seek. Well...fun for Dogday. Other than tracking their sents with his nose he's kind of been cheating. Using a bit of trickery to bait the hiders out of their spots. A free hug sign, a poorly done math problem, even a bottled up version of catnap's sleeping gas.

That one might have been a little too far, but it was all for one cause. One great cause in the dogs sunny eyes. That was finding Catnap before the time ran out! If he could find him before that he'd be able to stay up later for a week and win a bet!

"Five minutes left! I wonder how close he is?" Picky said as Dogday searched around the dark hallways of the school.

"Here kitty kitty kittyy~ you can't hide from meeeee~ I can smell the lavender all over this place!" Dogdays smile reached his ears before getting distracted by a ball being thrown in the distance. Running towards it he yipped happily.

Catnap smirked from his hiding spot watching him run away to chase it.

"What a stupid mutt" he said smugly before turning around to find Dogday right behind him with the ball.

"Dogs always bring the ball right back to the person who threw it..."

Catnap jumped straight up into the air with a scared cat scream. Claws digging into the ceiling, body shaking.

"28 minutes Catnap! I win!" Dogday smiled as he threw the ball at Catnaps back. The purple cat made a sound of pain before falling to the floor unconscious.

"AH CATNAP!" The considered sunshine ran to his aid immediately, holding him in his arms as he tried everything he could think of to revive him. When nothing worked he started crying.

"Oh Catnap! Im so sorry! I shouldn't have played so rough with you...and all the other critters too. If you wake up I promise I'll always go to bed early!"

...

"Deal~"

"AH- you tricked me Catnap!" Dogday took a deep breath "at least you actually hid this time"

The sleepy cat crossed his arms "Because of your threat yes..."

The silly pup continued "I had to do something...I'm the leader! I wouldn't be doing my job right if I just let you sleep all day!"

Catnap took a beat, processing his words carefully before replying. "And I wouldn't be doing my job right if I let you guzzle coffee, bang on pots and pans all night, and deprive yourself of the energy to do yours" He booped his nose towards the end of his sentence.

"Heh...It looks like you make a pretty good leader too...in your own Catty way" He smirked as Catnap laughed a little, softly.

"Maybe I should take your job then, if im so good at being leader" He smirked, being sarcastic.

Dogday smirked back "Sounds good to me"

Catnap's smirk widened "Alright then, since im the new leader that means, I seek...you hide"

Dogday gulped, now senses the dangerous fire in Catnap's eyes. "O-Oh! We'll were not playing that anymore! I found everyone so–"

"Five..."

"Wait! Thats not nearly enough time!"

"Four..."

Catnap's eyes didn't leave Dogday and his smirk never changed as he continued to count down.

"Catnap! At least turn around"

"Three!"

Dogday ran out the room as fast as he could looking for a place to hide with what little time the "new leader" gave him.

"Two..."

Panicked he hid under a teacher's desk a few rooms over.

"One!"

The last number seemed to echo off the walls of the empty school. Dogdays hand flew straight to his mouth to try and control his breathing. Catnaps plush footsteps thudded softly against the tile somehow matching the beat of Dogdays heart.

"You couldn't have gotten far Dogday~ not with the time limit I gave you" his smirk widened as he got closer and closer to the room Dogday was in.

Despite the intense and unfair situation he was put in behind his hand the leaders smile couldn't have been bigger. He was having so much fun!

"I can smell the Vanilla getting stronger, I know you're close, stupid mutt" Catnap spoke it with affection, Dogday rolled his eyes happily at his silly nicknames.

Catnap stepped into the room he was in. His heart now pounding so hard he was sure Catnap could hear it clearly now. The rooms air filled up with lavender and vanilla mixing together. It was a beautiful combination.

"Dogdayyyy~ I know you're in here~"

Dogday pressed his hand further onto his mouth, his tail betraying him as it thumped across the floor happily. Catnap heard it but he wasn't going to say anything just yet.

"You know whats gonna happen when I find you~" he made sure to walk next to the desk so Dogday could see him there. "I'm gonna give you a taste of your own medicine" he wiggled his claws under the desk in front of the dogs face making Dogday gasp gently out of pure instinct. His tail moving faster.

Catnap smirked before looking under the desk.

"Found you~"

"AH!"

He dragged Dogday out from under the desk with his own tail. Before straddling his hips.

"This isn't fair Catnap! You totally cheated!" Dogday complained as Catnap nodded.

"Like I said, I'm giving you a taste of your own medicine, all you did today in this game is cheat too"

Dogday sighed and nodded "Fair enough..." he continued "I'm still so sorry about that Catnap...I'll apologize to the other critters later too!"

Catnap exhaled. How dare this dog be so kind. He can't stay mad at him. "It's alright"

...

"You can let me go then now Catnap, we talked it out" He smiled his sunshine smile.

"Oh no, I'm not done with you yet!"

"Huh? I don't–" Dogday yelped slightly as Catnap dragged his claws gently down his sides

"Nononononono!– CaHAhatNap! WAIT!–" The poor pup protested but it was no use.

"This is what you get for cheating, cheaters never win" Catnap smiled as he squeezed a little more at his ribs paying attention to which section made him jump the most.

"NAHAhaha! I said SOHOHORRY! CATNAP!!" Dogday arched and kicked behind him trying to get away from the feeling out of instinct, it only drew himself closer to Catnap in return.

"Oh?~ whats this? Drawing yourself closer huh? If I didn't know any better I'd say you're enjoying this Dogday"

The Dog in question blushed a little from embarrassment. "I do nOT!"

"Your tail says otherwise buddy" Catnap laughed a little as his tickly paws moved their way to his sides squeezing gently.

Dogday yelped as his laughter got a little louder.

"WOAHAH- Haha! CaHAhatNap!" Dogdays smile widened as he kept laughing. His involuntary happy movements getting faster.

Catnap's smile widened too

"Wow! You are really ticklish Dogday!"

"Shuhut UHuHUP!"

"I should've used this trick on you years ago to get you to rest instead of my gas"

"SEhehEheriouSLY! SHH!"

"Adorable! I won't shut up, this is gold coming from our resident tickle monster. You can't take a lick of what you dish out!" Catnap laughed a little with him.

Dogday was about to protest before one of the cats claws moved to his stomach.

"NAHAHAHA NOHOHO NOHOHOT THEHEHERE!!" Dogday squirmed like a fish out of water. If he wasn't already being pinned under Catnap he would've needed to be held down.

"I found ittt~"

Dogday blushed again, a little more this time from his tone and kept laughing. Legs kicking behind him.

"CAHAHATNAHAHAP!"

"Tickle Tickle Tickle~"

Dogday threw his head back laughing. He hasn't been tickled in so long. He forgot what it felt like, and how badly it could tickle.

"You love some bully rubs huh Dogday?~" Catnap teased as the other snorted in response.

"PLEHEHEHEHEASE IM SOHOHORRY!"

Catnap smirked

"IHIHHIT TIHIHIHICKLES!"

"Thats the point buddy"

"I CAHAHAN'T"

Catnap sighed pretending to be annoyed with it ending. "Fine...if I must I will let you go..."

...

"After this!"

He took a deep breath and blew a raspberry in the middle of Dogdays stomach.

"AHAHAHAHAHAH–"

Catnap got off him and let their giggly leader catch his breath. The remaining laughter slowing down to a stop.

"Ehevil, but I deserved it!" Dogday smiled brightly, a real smile this time.

Catnap smirked back "You're welcome"

They walked back to the group together. Everyone hanging out together waiting for them. The pretty sunset illuminating the background.

"There you guys are! That took a while, we were starting to get worried man" Kickin spoke up first as Dogday gave them a thumbs up and a wink.

"It's all good! I found Catnap!"

"Good! But Dogday...We heard some screaming and maybe laughter up there, what was that about? It was pretty loud, we were going to check on you if you didn't come back in five minutes" Bubba said concerned.

Catnap smirked widely as Dogday blushed and laughed nervously.

"D-Don't worry about it! Heh!"

‐--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully this wasn't too rusty! I love them dearly! This was great for me to write! I hope you all enjoyed it too!

[Visual Note: “Angel” approaches Dogday who has his arms chained up, legs almost folded creepily neatly on a chair nearby within the jail cell in the cellar.]

[Audio Note: Running footsteps along pavement]

Dogday: [wearily] You…oh thank god. You’re Poppy’s angel aren’t you? You’ve come to save us. Look, we don’t have much time.

Dogday: I know, I’ve looked better, haven’t I? [weak chuckle] My legs? Oh, they didn’t want me to get any bright ideas…Yeah, I guess Catnap was worried the chains wouldn’t keep me here so they…[awkward cough]

[Visual Note: Angel begins to free Dogdag, taking him along his back and grabbing his fur legs as they quickly make their way down to a safer spot within the facility. They set them down within an old room filled with fabrics and more, luckily enough containing some strings and needles.]

[Audio Note: Chain movement and release, dropping onto concrete flooring. Running footsteps. Door opening. Door closing. Slight thud as Dogday is placed on the floor.]

Dogday: [panting slightly] Thanks again, Angel. I would have been dead meat without you.

Dogday: [brow raised] Oh? You found some thread? I…I dunno if sewing them on will do anything but I’m willing to give it a go. If you’re willing to spend all that time putin’ em on.

Dogday: [weak chuckle] Point taken. I can’t really do anything helpful until I can walk, huh? Go ahead.

Dogday: Hurts? Oh…[slight surprise] Yeah. Yeah, I’ll…I’ll let you know if I’m uncomfortable at all, I guess.

[Visual Note: Listener begins sewing on Dogdat’s legs, carefully threading the fabric along his lower waist to reconnect his lower and upper half]

Dogday: I’d ask you how you’ve been but uh…I know the answer to that. I hope you’re doing alright. [deep sigh] It’s…It’s a mess down here. Catnap and I…he…[trailing off]

Dogday: [slight rambling to pass time] Yeah. Maybe…maybe I shouldn’t talk about it. You’ve got a point. It’s not like anything ever been great since I’ve been…this…but it’s worse when someone you had relied on for so long as some sort of emotional support becomes…that.

Dogday: I’m all good, comfort-wise. I’m honestly surprised you’re doing this. It’s not like anyone’s ever been considerate the way you have as long as I’ve been here. Even the whole ‘are you comfortable’ thing is a new one. I’m not complaining though [chuckle]

[Visual Note: Listener finishes the rough sewing, and sits between his legs on the floor.]

Dogday: [pondering] Can I move? Uh, yeah? I think so. It’s tingling, I don’t really…Listen, I was up there for a long time without them. I don’t really know what to or…how to move them, to be honest.

Dogday: [nod] A massage? Sure, I don’t mind if you touch them. Just…be gentle? I don’t know how sensitive they’re going to be.

[Visual Note: Listener begins gently massaging Dogdag’s lower body, starting with his hips and making their way downward.]

Dogday: [trying to regain movement/sensation] I can feel it yeah…no, it’s fine. No pain or anything. If anything it just feels kind of weird- ah, wait. Can you use less pressure- yeah like that. Lighter is better, I’m starting to get a sort of feeling again-

Dogday: Aha- wait. Wait, too light. It- it tickles…huh? Tickles, yeah. I mean I can feel your hand, I thought it was sort of obvious I’d be able to be ticklish. Hold on, why are you looking at me like that?

[Visual Note: Listener begins to lightly tickle over Dogday’s knee now.]

Dogday: [giggling] Hey! Hey, stop that! I…I can’t exactly move right now, that is so unfair! Nonono, not there! What? Making sure I can feel it? That’s such a bad excuse and you know it!

Dogday: [giggling] I-I’m being serious! Stop it, I- I’m not in the condition for your tickle attacks! They’re sensitive!

Dogday: [frantically giggling now] No, please! I'm- I can’t move right now, this is not fair! [giggles] Damn it! I can’t even kick you! Stop it! If you know they’re sensitive, quit it!

Dogday: [continues] Lighten up? Have fun? Are you being serious? This isn’t fun or helping at all! This is torture! Hey, hey, where are you going? Don’t- Don’t go any lower! Angel, no!

[Visual Note: Listener begins moving down towards Dogday’s lower paws, still tickling along his legs to his ankles]

Dogday: [still giggling] Yeah, yeah, I get it! My nerves are working just fine! You don’t have to keep testing it, Angel! [tries to catch his breath unsuccessfully] Okay, okay, you’ve had your fun—seriously, stop or I’m gonna lose it!

Dogday: [giggling louder] H-Hey, wait! Just where do you think you’re going? You’re taking advantage of the fact that I can’t fight back! You’re so mean! C’mon I- wait! No, not there!

Dogday: [laughing] Necessary?! There’s no way this is a test! You’re just—ah! Stop! I’m serious! Fine, fine, they work, okay?! Legs confirmed functioning! Are you happy now?

[Visual Note: Listener makes it to his ankles.]

Dogday: [squirming as much as he can] Wait, not the ankle—oh no! No, no, no, no, no! Not there! [voice pitches higher] That’s the worst spot! You’re gonna—

[Visual Note: Listener moves to gently ‘massage’ his paws.]

Dogday: Lower? No! I lied, okay, my paws are the worst! Don’t! You don’t need to check on them, I- [dissolves into frantical laughter and squirming] Okay! Okay, yes! They’re clearly working! I-I can move my toes, don’t- you don’t need to tickle- No! I can feel it, I can feel it! See? They’re moving! Stop! I can’t take anymore!

[Visual Note: The listener relents, finally giving Dogday a chance to breathe]

Dogday: [grinning tiredly] You’re... unbelievable. I’m here, barely holding myself together—literally—and you’re out here tickling me. [pauses with a faint smile] But... thanks. For real. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt... well, anything good, y’know?

Dogday: Oh, no rush or anything to get the leg situation sorted, right? It’s not like walking is that important or anything. [pauses, then sighs] Yeah, I’ll give it a shot. Just don’t laugh if I fall straight on my face, alright? Oh, yeah, I’ll take a hand. If you don’t mind. Might mitigate the risk.

[Visual Note: Listener steadies Dogday on his feet as he carefully tries to stand, legs shaky but functional]

[Audio Note: Staggering footsteps.]

Dogday: [gritting teeth] Okay…one foot in front of the other. Easy enough, right? [begins taking shaky steps] Look at that - I’m not completely useless anymore! [nervous chuckle] Just give me a minute. This might take some getting used to.

Dogday: Thanks for the encouragement, Angel. I mean it, seriously I can’t thank you enough. You’ve been more of a miracle than I deserve. I hope I can help you get out of this mess, it’s the least I can do.