Flipping Between (FlippyXFlaky)

Balloon Dogo

(-A week later-)

"N- no..." he whimpered, cowering beneath the blanket Cuddles had gave him to sleep on the sofa. They were expecting this response.
"Flippy, you can't hide in here all your life! I know, it sounds scary, but I promise you we'll keep you safe," A blue skunk cooed, gently patting him, as Flaky cuddled him. Still, Flippy was truthfully terrified. Scenarios filled his head of how everything could go wrong. After all, it wouldn't be hard to recognise someone as a soldier when they wore the same uniform as a soldier.

Lumpy saw how distressed Flippy was, and made a small plan. From his pocket, he pulled out some balloons he kept from his (failed) attempt of being a clown. Once he inflated them, he began tying them together, slowly forming the loose shape of a dog. Pleased with how it turned out, he sat it in front of Flippy, who glared at it with wide eyes.
"It's a cute little dogo!" Lumpy beamed, bouncing it about like a toy. Flippy's teary eyes never left it as he sniffled, calming down. He giggled at how childish Lumpy could be. That was, until Lumpy decided to take it a step further to bring the dog to life. He began making barking sounds, Flippy falling silent. His mouth hung open slightly, and his eyes were glazed over as he completely spaced out. No one could understand why he was so scared of a balloon dog.
"Flippy?" Lumpy asked, realising the bear no longer found it funny.

Flippy lowered his head, panting as if he had been holding his breath. Flaky noticed something different though. His breathing had become more raspy, and his tone was lowered. Everyone knew something was wrong as he sat there, face hidden from his longer head fur and beret.

Flaky's eye caught a silver shine from behind Flippy's back. He'd pulled something metal out of his pocket. Flaky's shuffled slightly, getting a better look. It was a pocket knife. Before she could question it, Flippy sprung to life. He pinned the balloon dog, holding the knife above it. Then, he shoved it down, the balloon popping instantly. It startled him, making him jump back before shaking his head. He continued kneeling over the popped balloon as he came to his senses. He gazed at the pieces of rubber, genuinely confused, as if he had no recollection of moving. Everyone remained in awkward silence. Lumpy was the first one to break it.
"So... umm... I'm gonna guess you don't like dogs..." he coughed nervously, the bear going back to his sitting position. Flippy softly shook his head, his ears flat on his head.
"W- wait! You never done that to a real dog, have you?" Lumpy asked, seeming to have only just come to a realisation that Flippy thought it was real. Flippy looked at Lumpy, his mouth clamped shut until he spoke.

"I- is t- that wrong?" He asked, shocking everyone.

"Yes! Of course it wrong! It's a dog!" Petunia yelled, leaning towards Flippy, "you don't stab dogs!"

"B- but i- I was t- told to at- attack the dogs..." Flippy whimpered.

"By who!?" Petunia asked, furious someone would teach something so appalling to be right.

"E- everyone... m- many allies w- were killed by dogs..." Flippy answered, remembering the stories told to him by the general. Everyone was silent, honestly suprised.
"T- those were military dogs. T- they were trained to k- kill. Other dogs w- won't do that. M- most dogs a- aren't vicious," Flaky explained, patting his back. Flippy nodded in understanding, tears still rolling down his cheeks.
"Are there any other animals you're afraid of?" Lumpy asked, smiling reassuringly. Flippy shook his head.
"And are there any you particularly like?" He continued, Flippy's eyes lighting up.

"B- butterflies a- are pretty," he mumbled, smiling slightly, "s- so many colours, sizes, shapes..."

Lumpy nodded, pulling out more balloons. Flippy's eyes widened, not wanting a repeat of what had happened. But, he was suprised to see Lumpy forming a different shape. Once it was done, it vaguely resembled a...
"Butterfly!" Flippy yelled in excitement, amazed at how Lumpy did it. Lumpy handed it over, and he gratefully took it.
"Once we get you used to going outside, we're gonna have to take you to a butterfly garden," Lumpy suggested, a look of dread replacing Flippy's exhilaration as he remembered what the original subject was.

"R- right..." Flippy mumbled.

"Yeah, we're gonna have to discuss it," Petunia reminded him, taking a seat in front of him.