The Silent Paw and The Gentle Bark

Valentine's Day Special: A Not-So-Secret Crush 💌

This was when they were not together

The factory had never seen a day quite like this before.

Normally, it was filled with eerie silence and the occasional distant clank of old machines. But today, something strange was in the air—tiny paper hearts were taped to the walls, faint music played in the background, and somehow, somehow, Dogday had convinced the toys to participate in a Valentine’s event.

And Catnap?

He was so done.

“What… is all this?” he asked, tail twitching as he stared at the heart-covered walls.

Dogday grinned, bouncing on his paws. “It’s a Valentine’s Day party! You like it?”

Catnap crossed his arms. “No.”

Dogday gasped, placing a paw over his heart. “How dare you? Do you hate love?”

“I hate whatever this is,” Catnap gestured vaguely at the explosion of pink decorations. “And I really hate that you’re dragging me into it.”

Dogday smirked. “Oh, Catnap… you wound me.”

“Good.”

But just as Catnap was about to escape, a heart-shaped envelope was suddenly thrust into his paws.

His ears flicked. “What is this?”

Dogday scratched his cheek, suddenly looking a little nervous. “Uh. A Valentine?”

Catnap gave him a deadpan look. “Did you force everyone to exchange Valentines?”

“No! I mean… okay, kind of, but that one is special.”

Catnap narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

Dogday’s tail wagged, but he looked away. “Just… open it.”

Suspicious but curious, Catnap carefully opened the envelope. Inside was a messy, paw-written note:

**"Happy Valentine’s Day, Catnap.
You act all grumpy, but I know you secretly like me.
So here’s your chance—let’s go on a date?
Check ‘yes’ or ‘yes.’ No other options.

Dogday 💕"**
Catnap blinked, reading it twice just to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. His tail flicked faster, and he felt his ears grow warm.

“…This is the worst Valentine I’ve ever received.”

Dogday grinned. “Sooo… did you check ‘yes’ yet?”

Catnap groaned, stuffing the letter into his pocket. “You’re insufferable.”

Dogday wiggled his eyebrows. “But you love it.”

Catnap turned on his heel. “I’m leaving.”

Dogday followed, laughing. “Where are we going? On a date?”

“No.”

“Sounds like a yes to me!”

And, despite himself, Catnap didn’t correct him.

💖 Later That Night…
Somehow, against all logic, Dogday had actually pulled off a Valentine’s date.

They sat on the rooftop under the stars, sharing a stolen box of chocolates from the party. Dogday kicked his legs happily, watching the city lights in the distance.

“Hey, Catnap?”

“…What?”

Dogday smiled, leaning against him just slightly. “You never actually said no.”

Catnap sighed, popping a chocolate into his mouth. “Tch. Shut up, Dogday.”

But when Dogday turned to look at him, Catnap wasn’t quite hiding his smirk.

And that was enough.