Lassoing the Cresent Moon

39. A Truce

Poppy called me the moment Catnap's fur stood straight as his muscles tensed.

"He's awake?" I ran toward him, and nearly skidded on the floor. My hands froze just short of touching his shoulder, knowing how frail he was. I leaned forward over his face. "Theo?" I gently tapped his cheek. His face limply turned to the side.

I went to feel his pulse- but it was hard when he was all bandaged up. I looked toward Poppy. "You sure he's awake?"

She had already cleaned up and was on her way back towards Kissy. She didn't even look at me when she gave a monotone "I'm sure."

I tapped Catnap's cheek again. "Theo... wake up. Its Audrey. I'm not mad I promise." I blinked.

He shoved Terry's mutilated body into a broken dusty television.

"Actually never mind. I'm still mad but the pasta was a good start in making up for it."

Catnap's smug grin stretched a little larger, barely, but it was there.

"Are you messing with me?" I frowned

A deep chuckle came from his chest as his eyes lit back up. The chuckle quickly shifted into a wheezy cough that made him curl inwards. The lights in his eyes flickered as the cough grew in intensity. I hesitantly rubbed his back.

"Serves you right." Dogday called out, having approached me from behind. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. "Don't mess with my angel."

Catnap gave out another wheeze before he turned on his side and took a few deep breaths.

"You good?" I asked.

Catnap nodded. He was still curled in pain, which made me doubt it, but I took his answer.

"Thank you for the food... We really appreciated it." I said softly. "It was really sweet of you to season it."

I saw his eyes almost widen for a moment before he huffed. "I didn't." It came out a little too quick, a little too loud.

I smiled softly and patted him. "Sure, Catnap..."

"And thank you." I heard Terry's voice behind me. He crawled forward with his hands. "I still haven't attached them yet- but I appreciate the-" he trailed off as Catnap frowned.

Catnap's muscles tensed as he glared at dogday.

I gently placed a hand on his hip, and another at Terry's side. "Can you guys just make up?"

A growl came from catnap's throat. "Its not that easy."

"You attacked us. We saved you from the prototype. You brought us food and Dogday's legs. He helped stitch you back up. It seems pretty easy to me." I gestured to them both."

"Audrey." Terry lifted up a paw. "Give us a moment." His eyes were trained on Catnap's expression.

I looked at Terry. Then back at Theodore before I nodded. "Don't kill each other." I said softly, more looking towards Theo.

I wandered away, coming closer to Poppy and Kissy who were talking about plans. Something about the prototype and buildings foundation. I didn't really care. I was listening to my friends, even if i was technically "giving them a moment."

There was a tense quiet before Terry spoke. "I'm sorry, Theo."

I could almost hear Catnap huff.

"For everything. I'm sorry about the re-education. I didn't know-"

"You didn't know what?" Theodore snapped. "That Playtime Co was a cruel place? What did you think it was? Just the sound of it sounds awful. You knew who I was, and you left me. You sent me with them, and you left me!" Catnap's voice grew louder before it was cut by a cough. "You didn't listen. Not to me. Not to the one person who was there for me when you weren't!"