Overdue Check-Up (Poppy Playtime) [On Hold]

(Chapter 4) Part 23: Repair the Generator

Entering the main lobby of Safe Haven, he sees that not many toys are present. Though, that may be because of the presence of Catnap, who is snuggling Nearic as he laughs and hugs back. Dan smiles warmly as he walks up next to Dogday, who stands with his arms crossed, watching them intently.

"What's going on?" the man asks.

Dogday flinches before straightening and tightening his crossed arms, "Catnap's suffocating my Pup."

Dan arches an eyebrow towards the canine, "He cares about him too you know," he points out.

The toy's forced smile wavers, "Has a hard time showing it."

Dan puts his hands to his hips as he says, "Not from what I've seen..." he looks off to the side in contemplation, "or heard."

Dogday chuffs as he looks away, "Sure, but that may be an act for all we know."

The layer-in-training frowns, "Really? You can't be that blind, look that them!" he gestures to the two.

The canine looks back at the two, seeing Catnap rub his nose against Nearic's left cheek, which now had three long claw marks scarring over his eye, and making the teen laugh as he tries to push the feline away.

"Uncle Nap, I'm fine!" he says, putting a hand to his uncle's face and lightly pushing him back.

"You should keep it covered, you're still healing," Catnap pleads as he nuzzles the scar softly, yet firmly.

"Catnap!"

Dogday's smile slowly softens, before his eye lights blink and he shakes his head, "Nearic wouldn't have those scars if it weren't for him."

Dan rolls his eyes, "I get that, but I think we all kinda figured out that Catnap was lost in his grief to understand the situation."

The toy growls, "I think he understood it just fine," he says as he clenches his grip on his arms.

The layer-in-training rolls his eyes and elbows the canine's leg, "Enough, you can't hide it from me. That's not what's going through your head."

"Yes, it is. That's why I'm saying it," was the dog's muttered reply.

The man glares up at the toy, "That's not what I meant and you know it," he shot back sharply, making the canine flinch, "Look at Catnap's care for your son, and tell me what you really think about it. Not you're spiralling denial streak."

Dogday looked down at the man, "I'm not-"

"Do it," Dan interrupts coldly.

Dogday hesitated as he stared into Dan's glare, before sighing and looking back just in time to see Catnap's head being hugged by Nearic as the feline talked to Crafty through his son's arms. Dogday looked into Catnap's eyes, and saw only guilt, shame, begging affirmation... and remorse. The canine's arms shuddered in his grasp, his breath hitched, the hairs on his neck stood on-end, and visibly gulped.

"Well?" Dan asked.

After a moment of watching the feline, Catnap glanced back, making Dogday look away, "Alright, alright. You win..."

"I know..." Dan said softly.

"How long have you known?" Dogday asked.

"Somewhere just before the prison, I think. Maybe later," was the man's reply.

Dogday sighed, "I just don't get it."

"Get what?"

Dogday looked down at his waist, putting a hand to the bandages, "He did such horrible things to me, to everyone, even Nearic a-and you. Yet, I still care about him, his well-being, his joy... his love. I just understand why I still care, after everything he's done."