Overdue Check-Up (Poppy Playtime)

(Chapter 3) Part 18: The Counselor's Office Ep. 1

After they were done eating, Hoppy went to Dogday, and started helping him stand up again, Dan and Nearic watching closely, "Easy Dogday, come on."

She held his hand and back as she slowly lifted him up, Dogday using her hand as leverage to try as well, then he slowly moved a leg below him and pushed, "Ngh!" pain shot through his waist, but not nearly as bad as the last time, so he kept going.

Eventually, he was up on his feet, Hoppy still by his side as he watched his own feet, his free hand spread out for balance. Then he took a shaky step forward, wincing at the spike of pain from his surgery, he took a deep breath and took another, then another, then another. After those few steps, he let go of Hoppy's hand and tried again, then again, then again, Dogday then started to take them faster, making his steps slowly speed up to normal walking, each step hurting a bit, but he endured.

Dan pumps a fist, "Yes, he's on his feet people!"

Dogday chuckles, "Yes, yes I am." He turns to his son, "Thank you Pup, you did good."

Nearic smiles, "No problem dad. The pain meds haven't fully kicked in yet, so you should be good after we start searching the Counselor's Office."

Hoppy puts her hands on her hips, "Alrighty then, if we're all set to go, let's go!"

Dan laughs as he walks out, "I'll lead the way." Hoppy follows.

Nearic stands up from his seat and walks up to his dad, "You sure you can walk right now?"

He looks down with a soft smile, "I'll be alright Pup, no need to worry."

The son sighs and looks ahead, "Alright."

They both start walking out from beneath the statue, Dogday then says, "Look, Nearic I-"

"Don't." the young man interrupts, "I know. You've been prisoner to him for nearly 10 years dad, you have every right to be upset with him, it wouldn't be fair to be mad at you for that."

Dogday 'frowns,' "I know, but I still shouldn't have called him that, I know how you think of it."

He pats his son's head, the boy leaning into him with a soft hum, "It's alright, even you are prone to outbursts..." he smirks, "That is what dogs do after all."

Dogday gasps in mock offense as they leave the statue, "What did you- Oh now you're getting it. Come here!" he grabs his son and picks him up, immediately giving him a noogie.

"AAAHHH!!!" he smiles with a wide open smile, "NO, dad, wait!!" and starts laughing, "Please stop!"

Dogday replies with a smile, his tail wagging excitedly, "Only if you apologise!"

Nearic laughs, "Never!"

The canine hums, then puts him down, Nearic letting out breathy chuckles, only to be ticked in the sides, causing him to burst into fits of laughter again, worse than last time, "NOOOOHOHOHOOOHH!!!"

Dogday then says, "I want an apology!"

Nearic cries out, "Pleaheheheheese, stoooahahhahahp!" still laughing hysterically.

Dogday sing-songs, "I can't hear youuuuu! ~"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorryhehehee!" he cries.

Dogday immediately raising his hands in the air, a sly smirk on his permanent smile, "There we go, not that hard now, was it?"

Nearic pants and the ground to catch his breath, "You're the worst." a large smile on his face.

Dogday shrugs as he lower his hands, "Part of my charm, Pup."