Dog Toy: A Poppy Playtime Fanfic

Chapter 4: Good Morning

The next time you wake up, you feel well rested. God, you needed that sleep after everything you've been through. You open your eyes to find that Dogday still has his arms around you and is breathing soundly in his sleep. He hasn't moved an inch since you two fell asleep together.

Your face turns red at the implications of that last thought. Surely you weren't feeling that type of attraction towards this guy, right? Yeah, it was just the fact that he was holding you like you haven't been in a very long time. And his vanilla scent soothed your soul. And his fur had stayed flurry and silky despite years upon years of neglect.

You were experiencing no more feelings for him than that of an acquaintance. Yeah. Definitely.

During your internal argument, his breathing had become shallower. He moves slightly as consciousness dawns on him and he opens his eyes slowly.

"Good morning, Angel." He says in his voice laced with sleepiness and that is all it takes for the poorly constructed lie you told yourself to crumble apart. You blush at his words, forcing yourself to respond casually.

"G-good morning, I guess." It was impossible to tell what time it was in this abyss, but it seemed like the appropriate thing to say given the circumstance. "Did you sleep better?"

"All thanks to you, Angel." Your internal voice is going crazy now, thrashing around as it shouts.

Arg! Can he stop being so damn sweet?! You don't feel that way about him, you literally just met!

"Oh, I'm glad," You say politely.

"How about you, Angel? Did you sleep well?"

"Sure did pal!" You laugh nervously.

Pal? Could you please not be weird?!

Dogday quirks his head, pulling away enough to look at you and you know that he can tell you're a bit off. "Angel, are you feeling alright?"

"Never been better!" You're sure you look like a tomato right now.

"Your face is red, Angel. Are you feeling sick?" He puts a hand to your forehead checking for a fever and you think you could combust from how cute the gesture is.

You decide to give him half an answer to ease his concern.

"No, I'm not unwell. I just... haven't been so close to somebody physically in a while."

"Oh, I see." He takes his hand off of your forehead, looking as if he's contemplating you. "Is this too much for you, Angel? Being this close to me?"

"No!" He flinches at your sudden loudness and guilt pangs at you for making him jump. "Sorry. No, it's not too much, it's just..." Just that I might be developing feelings for you even though we barely know each other? "...different. It's just not something I'm used to. It's not you, Dogday."

He's quiet as he takes in your words. When he speaks, it's soft as velvet.

"In that case, would you like to stop?"

"N-no." You resist the urge to raise your voice again. You really don't want him to stop holding you. "I... I like being held like this. It's nice."

"Nice... That's a good word for it. Nice." He snuggles you closer and you gasp quietly, praying he didn't hear it. "It sure feels nice hugging you, Angel."

That damn nickname... Your body flushes and you wonder if this cute toy is making you flustered on purpose. Surely not? But then how is heat moving to your face every time he calls you that?

"It's... I like hugging you too." You're trying so hard not to make a fool of yourself right now. With you pressed up against him this close, you can feel his heart beating. It's quite strong and steady in his plastic chest. And his vanilla fragrance is beginning to feel more and more enticing as it fills your senses.

It's too much and not enough. You sigh softly and Dogday starts to say something when a scurrying noise makes you both jump.

"Is that... them?"

"The smaller critters? Likely. I think we should get going, Angel." Dogday reluctantly unwraps his arms from you, giving you room to sit up. The loss of heat brings you back to reality, the reality of being in a place with so many routes of death that you had lost count.

"I guess so. Another day another dollar, am I right?" Despite the circumstance, you choose to poke fun at your former lifestyle as you swing the Grab Pack on. Dogday stifles a hoarse laugh behind a bloodied hand.

"Maybe for you, former employee." He retorts jokingly. "More like another day, another nightmare."

"Hah, that was true even before-" You cut yourself off, realising that no, it was definitely not as bad before as it is now. Before, they're wasn't blood on every wall and toys trying to kill you. You clear your throat. "Did you want to ride on my back?"

"Huh? Oh- no, I couldn't ask you to do that Angel. I can manage just fine down here."

You quirk a brow at him. "Are you sure? I don't mind, really."

He looks at the floor as he answers you, making you pout in sympathy for him. "I don't want to slow you down, I don't want to be a burden to you-"

"Dogday, look at me buddy." You crouch down to him and he looks up at you. The emptiness of his eyes seem more stark to you when his voice gives away his misery so quickly. "I'll say it again because it's true: You are not a burden, regardless of what anyone else says or what you might think. You are not a burden to me, alright? I'm offering to carry you because I want to do it, ok?" You offer an encouraging smile, praying your words are getting through to him.

He glances down again, then back into your hopeful eyes. "I...ok, Angel. I would like you to carry me, please."

You exhale, relieved that he's relented. You gingerly pick him up under his arms and manoeuvre him so that his hands grip onto your shoulders.

"You comfortable?"

"Yes, Angel."

"Ok. Just let me know if your arms get tired and we can take a short break, alright?"

"You're so sweet, Angel. Thank you." He nuzzles the back of your head gently, and you're glad he can't see your face right now, because he would definitely think you had a fever again.

"N-no problem dude. Let's go."