The Silent Paw and The Gentle Bark

Chapter 35: The Carnival Date

So sorry it took so long to write this I kept falling a sleep 😴  I didn't sleep till 8am today so I am super tired 😭 have fun love you All 💗

A rare event was happening near the factory—a small carnival had set up just beyond the abandoned warehouse district. Most of the toys weren’t interested, but Dogday was practically bouncing with excitement when he heard about it.

“Catnap, we HAVE to go!” Dogday said, tugging at Catnap’s paw. “Think about it—rides, games, snacks! It’ll be fun!”

Catnap gave him a skeptical look. “You just want an excuse to eat five funnel cakes.”

“Uh, correction, I plan to eat at least SIX funnel cakes,” Dogday said with a grin. “But that’s beside the point. Come on! A date at the carnival? That’s classic romance!”

Catnap’s ears flicked at the word "date," but he covered it up with a smirk. “So now you’re a romance expert?”

Dogday struck a dramatic pose. “I’ve seen movies! I know the rules.”

Catnap sighed but couldn’t fight the warmth bubbling in his chest. “Fine. But if I catch you sneaking funnel cake number seven, I’m leaving you there.”

“Deal!” Dogday said, tail wagging wildly.

The carnival lights glowed brightly against the night sky, colors flashing in every direction. The smell of popcorn, fried dough, and sweet treats filled the air, making Dogday practically vibrate with excitement.

Catnap, ever the cautious one, kept a slow pace while Dogday dragged him from booth to booth. The first stop was, of course, the food stands.

“One funnel cake, please!” Dogday chirped to the vendor. He turned to Catnap with a teasing grin. “Want to share?”

Catnap scoffed. “You’ll eat 90% of it.”

Dogday gasped dramatically. “I would NEVER! I’d let you have at least… 20%.”

Catnap chuckled. “Generous.”

They found a quiet spot near a flickering carnival light and sat down to eat. Dogday made a mess almost immediately, powdered sugar covering his snout. Catnap rolled his eyes and reached over, brushing the sugar off with his thumb.

“There. Now you don’t look like you lost a fight with a sugar shaker.”

Dogday blinked, his tail slowing as he realized how close they were. Catnap’s paw lingered on his cheek for just a second too long before he pulled away, his ears flicking.

Dogday swallowed. “You’re gonna make me fall even more in love with you if you keep being cute like that.”

Catnap nearly choked on his bite of funnel cake. “Wh-what?”

Dogday grinned. “Nothing.”

Catnap huffed. “I hate you.”

“And I love you!” Dogday said cheerfully.

Catnap sighed, but his tail flicked in a way that said he didn’t actually mind.

After finishing their snacks, Dogday pulled Catnap toward the game booths. “I’m winning you a prize.”

“You’re going to waste all your tickets,” Catnap said dryly.

“Wrong. I’m going to win the biggest, best, most amazing prize here and give it to you!”

Dogday’s confidence lasted exactly five minutes before he realized he was horrible at carnival games.

He lost the ring toss. Failed miserably at the balloon pop. And don’t even get started on the strength test—Catnap was still laughing about that one.

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Dogday groaned, rubbing his sore paw. “Carnival games are rigged.”

Catnap smirked. “Or you’re just bad at them.”

Dogday pouted. “Not all of them. I’ve got one more chance.”

The last game was a simple one—hooking a floating duck from a tiny water pond. It was definitely meant for little kids, but Dogday wasn’t taking any chances this time.

With extreme focus (and his tongue slightly sticking out), he fished a duck from the water. The booth worker handed him a small, stuffed purple cat.

Dogday held it up triumphantly. “For you!”

Catnap blinked at the toy before hesitantly taking it. “You… won me a stuffed version of me?”

Dogday grinned. “I wanted to get something that reminded me of you!”

Catnap stared at the plush for a long moment before clutching it close, his ears lowering slightly. “…Thanks.”

Dogday’s tail wagged. “See? Told you I’d win you something.”

Catnap rolled his eyes, but his smile was undeniable. “Alright, alright. Let’s go before you try to win me a stuffed version of yourself next.”

Dogday gasped. “WAIT, THAT’S A GREAT IDEA!”

Catnap groaned. “I walked into that one.”

And with that, they wandered off into the glowing lights of the carnival, laughter ringing through the night.

Let me know if you want more cute dates, deeper emotional moments, or even a new adventure for them!