Is This Love?

How We Met.

The afternoon sun soaked into Garfield's fur and warmed him ever so slowly. A steady breeze was carried throughout the day and softly blew against his whiskers and tabby orange pelt, making his nose twitch slightly.

Today was warm, bright, and beautiful. Yet his roaming eyes could have never seen anything far more beautiful than the surprisingly handsome hedgehog shuffling around the tall green grass within the park he was passing by.

His heart practically skipped a beat.

Crisp green orbs met chocolate brown, and something within him clicked.

It was as if he laid eyes on the largest portion of lasagna that his owner, John, had made for him.

He basked in the hedgehogs features.

The way his dark chestnut quills that faded into white shuddered from a strong gust of wind, as colorful eyes with enough emotion to fill the vast emptiness of space gazed at him warmly. A shade of pink lightly dusted his cheeks as a grin pulled its way onto the small mammals face. Garfield couldn't help but smile back. His lazy eyes widened noticing that the other had been nearing him.

A comforting voice glided across the Summer breeze. 

"Well aren't you a pretty kitty?"

Garfield's face flushed underneath his fur and couldn't help but angle his face to hide his flustered self.

" Well I wouldn't exactly say I'm as eye catching as you." 

Now it was the hedgehogs turn to choke on his own words and cough awkwardly. Clearly not expecting the tomcat to reply to his flirting. His quills rattled softly as he looked back up.

Garfield muttered loud enough to reach the animals small rounded ears.

"Were you thinking I would let a cutie like you go without a compliment?"

A pregnant silence accompanied his words, until the sweet voice met the air again.

"No, but I didn't exactly think you would respond!" 

Garfield pawed the back of his head nervously.

"Sorry about that."

"No, no. It was me who technically cat called you."

The two stared silently, until they burst into a chain of laughter. Practically stumbling, the feline jumped ungracefully onto a bench beside the two, chuckling loudly as he did so. The hedgehog lifted himself up as well but rather elegantly.

"The names Garfield."

"Henry." 

They exchanged names rather awkwardly, but hey, nothing is perfect. Soon enough their conversation flowed smoothly. Pressure cleared away as they finally spoke freely.

About the weather,

How they were feeling,

Their favorite hobbies, 

and how they were happy to just sit, relax, open up, and talk.

The two had never felt so complete, so perfect, and so happy.

"Hey, quick question." Henry looked at the large cat while tilting his head.

"By any chance, would you like to... Ya know. Walk around town with me sometime? Maybe grab a bite someplace?"

A smile graced its way onto the hedgehogs kind face.

"Of course. How could I refuse an offer from someone like you?" 

Garfield cursed himself in his mind for the goofy grin that had inched its way into his features.

"I thought it might've been a bit weird comin' from me since we've only talked for a short while."

He continued as his tail curled with delight. "It's nice being able to be with you Henry."

The mammal in question had played with his paws nervously, glancing over at the tom.

"It's seriously no problem. If anything I should be thanking you Garfield."

"And why's that?"

"Because I know that I could never be myself around anyone else but you."

The breeze picked up and the great green leaves of the towering trees behind Henry danced to the song of his alluring voice.

His radiant hazelnut eyes shimmered as the light turned them into a brilliant golden honey.

"Thank you."