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Mr. Cat and Kaeloo walked along a familiar path away from the center of the place they called home, side by side but wrapped in a comfortable silence. Normally, they'd be teasing each other and playing their usual games, but something felt different. The air between them felt heavier like an unspoken weight neither wanted to acknowledge.
Kaeloo glanced at Mr. Cat out of the corner of her eyes. He seemed distracted, his usual smug confidence replaced with something more muted and mysterious. Something that wasn’t quite him. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, his tail flicking behind him restlessly. She knew him well enough to see through the façade, but she also knew better than to push him too soon.
"...You're quiet today, Mr. Cat," Kaeloo said softly, keeping her tone light, even though concern edged her words.
Mr. Cat didn’t meet her eyes.
"Yeah, well, sometimes I’m allowed to have an off day." His usual nickname for her came out rougher than normal, the teasing edge dulled.
She frowned but didn’t press. They kept walking, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink. Clouds swirled around the sky, painting a sight of beauty and wonder. When they reached a small clearing in the plains, they sat down on the grass, overlooking the horizon. They were behind a couple of bushes, not that they were hiding per se, but they both felt the need for privacy.
Minutes passed in silence before Mr. Cat spoke, his voice low and uncharacteristically vulnerable.
"You ever feel like… no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough?" His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, avoiding hers.
Kaeloo blinked, surprised by the sudden heaviness in the conversation.
“What do you mean?”
The cat cleared his throat, propping an arm up on his leg, clenching his fists with the unspoken tension. “You know what I mean, froggy. You and me. I’ve made it clear how I feel about you, but you’re always dodging it. And it’s fine, whatever, that's how it's always been, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending like it doesn’t bother me.”
Kaeloo’s heart clenched. She wasn’t expecting him to be so blunt.
“Mr. Cat, I…”
“I get it," he interrupted, frustration leaking into his voice. "You don’t want to mess up what we have, but I’ve been chasing you for so long, and it feels pointless. What am I supposed to do? Just keep waiting around until you figure out.. whatever it is you need to figure out?”
This had clearly been on his mind for a while.
Kaeloo lowered her gaze, her stomach churning with guilt. She knew Mr. Cat had always been more upfront with his feelings, teasing her with little jabs and snarky comments, but deep down, she knew those were just his ways of showing that he cared, but her? She hardly ever showed such openness back, and it wasn’t that she didn’t like him back, she most definitely had feelings for him, it was more of if she deserved the freedom to let herself be with him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I never meant to hurt you.”
Mr. Cat scoffed lightly, though it lacked his usual bite. “Yeah, well, it’s a little late for that. I mean, I’m not asking you to just say you love me or whatever. I just…” his resolve broke, realizing he had been far too curt with her than he intended to be. “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. I’ve been trying so hard to keep it together, but lately, I’ve just been acting like a jerk.”
He trailed on, his voice faltering. “I mean, I’ve been pushing you to the side a lot. Avoiding the group, trying to do my own thing… which is what I normally do, isn’t it?” His scarlet eyes shot to her, as if asking for validation about his own actions. “I wouldn’t care at all normally, you know that! Nowadays though, it feels like…”
He paused, his eyes squinting as he spoke his thoughts. He was practically a dam at this point, bursting at the seams with the same things he’d been telling his psychiatrist. “I feel guilty for always being away. For wanting to be away. That I somehow…” He paused, yanking a piece of grass out of the ground, watching the wind blow it away. “I’m wasting our childhood.”
Kaeloo’s throat tightened. Should she say anything? Should she really interrupt this extremely rare openness coming from her best friend right now?
He finally looked at her, his scarlet eyes clouded with confusion at his own predicament. “You’re the only thing keeping me from falling apart, tadpole,” he admitted, voice low enough just for her to hear. “I’ve been dealing with a lot. My family… they screwed me up, you know that. And I try not to let it get to me, but every time I think I’m getting better, I realize I’m just pretending.” He chuckled. It lacked life. “You’re the one thing that makes me feel like maybe everything’s not so bad.”
“Mr. Cat…” She didn’t know how to handle this, how to take in what he was saying. “I never knew you felt so–”
“Because I don’t talk about it,” he said, cutting her off again, his voice sharp. “What good is it to bother everyone with my issues? The rabbit has been in her own weird depression, Stumpy and Quack Quack are too into their idiocy, you’re always…” He held his words back with a heavy sigh. “I can handle myself, hell, everybody's life has static.” He spoke matter of factly. “But lately, I’ve been wondering if maybe I’m not enough for you. If I’ll ever be enough for anyone.”
The silence that followed was thick, loaded with everything Kaeloo didn’t know how to say. She cared for him, she truly did, but her feelings had always been a confusing mess. Hell, she hardly even knew who she really was- a frog, a toad, or both. She wasn’t sure what love was supposed to feel like, be like, or if she even could love him in the way he wanted. Not to say that she didn't love him, she did in her own unique way, but in such a way that neither she nor even her psychiatrist could make sense of. She let the gentle breeze speak for them before she cleared her throat, trying to find the words.
“I don’t know what I feel, Mr. Cat,” she finally confessed, her voice barely audible. “I’ve always cared about you, but I don’t know if I’m ready for something more than that. I don’t want to lose you, and I don’t want to ruin what we have. I guess I’m… I’m scared.”
Mr. Cat let out a long breath, leaning back into the grass. “Yeah, I know that, I just said it.” He hissed a little too harshly. “Maybe we’re both too messed up for this.”
They sat in silence again, the sun now dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over them. Kaeloo felt a lump forming in her throat. She didn’t want to lose Mr. Cat, but she also didn’t know how to give him the reassurance he seemed to need. Still, she didn't want to just leave her thoughts unfinished. Maybe if he was opening up to her, maybe she can open up a little to him. At least try to make her confusion understandable.
“I’m sorry I’ve been distant,” she said softly, her eyes locked on the fading colors in the sky. “I-I never wanted to hurt you. I just… I need more time to figure things out. To figure myself out.”
Mr. Cat sighed, idly scratching the back of his ear as he stared at the faint stars beginning to come out. “I get that. I just hope that one day, you’ll let me in before it’s too late.”
Kaeloo’s heart sank at his words. She didn’t know what the future held for them, but for now, at least, they had this moment—two broken people, trying to navigate an ever-changing world of their own making. Hurt people hurting people. That’s all it felt like they were good at sometimes.
As the last light of day disappeared and the dark hue of night began to fade in, Kaeloo pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her arms around them as the two sat there. They let the silence speak for them. Normally this would be uncomfortable for both parties, but for them, silence was always a treasured moment. Sometimes words aren’t needed.
The frog’s ruby eyes darted to the ground for a moment before she spoke again, her voice soft. “You know, Mr. Cat, I’ve always sorta known that… you like Bad K more than me.”
Mr. Cat’s brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze still on the sky. “Huh? What’re you talking about?” He finally looked her way, genuinely confused.
“I’m serious,” Kaeloo continued, now holding his stare. “I always feel like when the other one comes out, that’s when you’re more… interested. That’s when you really start paying attention. So I think that maybe you only like me… for the toad.”
An uncomfortable pause held the space between them before Kaeloo gave a hollow laugh. “It’s okay to just say it, I won’t get mad. I’m kinda just, in the way.”
This… isn’t what Mr. Cat wanted to hear from her. He never wanted his actions to give her such an impression, ever. If he was an honest feline, he dreaded the day this would come. The day when they would finally have the conversation they’d avoided for so many years.
Kaeloo rubbed her arm awkwardly. "Bad K. He’s… stronger, tougher... You’ve always seemed so much more entertained when he’s around. I just figured… that was what you wanted." There was a crack in her voice, an honest sign that this was a terribly sore subject for her, as if she had prepared for such a truth many times, but was never prepared for the emotional damage.. "I’m scared that if I let myself fall for you, you’ll only like me for the toad."
Mr. Cat frowned as he sat up, scooting closer to the frog. "Tadpole, you actually think that I like the toad more?" His voice was quieter than usual, and he leaned in a bit, searching her face for more clues. He may have been hurt, but to hear his friend finally speak her mind about his teasing, something he definitely should’ve known about way sooner, only made him want to make it up to her.
She sighed, "He’s a part of me, I think, but he’s not all of me. And you’re always pushing him out, making him come out because you push my buttons and make me so mad." She chuckled dryly, not out of humor but out of nerves. "You seem to love the chaos, and sometimes I think that’s all you see. The toughness, the fights… not me." She paused before hiding her face in her hands, pressing her fingers to her eyelids as the anxiety threatened to take her. “Whoever I am.”
The cat was more still than usual, hands placed strategically by his sides. He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Froggy… I tease you, make you mad, push your buttons, all of that, yeah. But Bad K? I never asked for him. Sure, he’s fun in a twisted way, but that’s not who I…" He struggled with the last word but pushed through. "I don’t care about him like I do with you."
The look of confusion on her face when she finally looked at him made him rethink his words.
“What I’m trying to say is- Bad K is just, he’s you, but he’s a different you. He’s the one who enjoys being the villain and beating me to a pulp. Sure, I like it, love it even, but the way he is doesn’t compare to you.”
The frog glanced down at her hands which kept themselves on her knees in front of her. Even she could barely make sense of his words, and she’s the one who was suffering with a different person inside of her.
“I.. don’t buy it,” She firmly stated, looking at him with a clenched jaw. “You’ve always been more interested in him, you don’t have to keep lying to me.”
Mr. Cat’s tail twitched behind him at her words, slightly irritated.
“Who says I’m lying?”
“Me, because it’s been this way for years.”
“And since it’s gone on for years, it means it’s true?”
Stubbornly, Kaeloo looked away. Mr. Cat crawled in front of her, making sure their eyes met as he spoke again. "I know I act like a jerk sometimes—okay, a lot of the time– nut you’re not just ‘the toad’ to me. You’re Kaeloo. And I guess… I didn’t realize how much I’ve messed with your head by pushing you like that." He sat on his knees, scratching the back of his head. “I guess I just wanted to show both of you that I want your attention, so sometimes I play your games, and sometimes I’m just… insufferable.”
Kaeloo swallowed, unsure if she should believe his words. However, with his serious tone and eye contact, something made her feel more confident in him. She began to fidget with her fingers, glancing down at them in her lap.
"So… you don’t just like me for Bad K?"
He chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "No, rainette! I like you for you. The weird frog that drags me around Smileyland and makes me feel like life isn’t all… doom and gloom, and the toad that teaches me a lesson when I’ve been bad."
Kaeloo’s lips twitched into a shy smile, her heart lighter despite her lingering fears and anxiety holding her thoughts. "That’s… good to hear. I’ve been scared of losing you by being myself."
Mr. Cat leaned back, stretching his arms out with a satisfying crack. "You ain’t gonna lose me. Hell, if you haven’t already, I don’t think you will any time soon."
Kaeloo chuckled softly, “I guess so.”
“Just… don’t hide something big like that from me. Please?” He reached out to take her hand but stopped himself. “I don’t want you feeling so… so negative. It isn’t a good look for you.” he lightly flirted.
Kaeloo, of course, was oblivious to his techniques.
“I won’t. Promise.”
For a moment, they both sat in comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken words finally lifted. It wasn’t perfect, but it was honest, and that was more than enough for now.
Mr. Cat smirked, leaning back with his arms supporting himself, he had that familiar mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Sooo tadpole, how does it feel knowing you finally admitted you like me?”
Kaeloo shot him a look, immediately crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh! I didn’t admit anything!” Her voice was defensive, though the blush spreading across her face betrayed her attempt to act unbothered. “I was telling you how your stupid actions affect me!”
“Oh please!” Mr. Cat chuckled, poking at her side teasingly. “You practically said you like me, without saying you like me. Typical froggy.” He shook his head with a shrug.
“Stop that!” Kaeloo huffed, shoving his hand away, her cheeks burning even more now. She glared at him. “I only said what I feel!”
“Yeah, and what you feel is you being afraid to fall for me.” Mr. Cat leaned in closer, a smirk still playing on his lips as he nudged her shoulder. “Come on, you’re not fooling me. You like me more than you’re letting on.”
Kaeloo squirmed under his gaze, looking away and biting her lip. She could always handle Mr. Cat’s teasing, but this was different—it felt more… real now, and the tension of their conversation still lingered in the air.
She turned her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You...You’re so full of yourself sometimes.”
Mr. Cat’s smirk softened, just for a moment, before he leaned back and gazed out at the horizon. The teasing smile faded, replaced by something more thoughtful. He paused before speaking again, this time more serious.
“So… do you? Feel the same way, I mean.” His voice was softer now, a little more vulnerable, and the question hung in the air between them.
Kaeloo blinked, the words catching her off guard. She glanced at him, suddenly unsure of what to say. He was looking at her differently now, not with the usual teasing or smug expression, but with genuine curiosity, and maybe a little hope. She fiddled with her hands, trying to find the words, her heart racing.
“I... don’t really know what to say,” she admitted softly, her cheeks still flushed. “But... maybe... maybe I do feel something. I just... I don’t know how to say it.”
Mr. Cat chuckled softly, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand. “You don’t have to say it right now, froggy. Just... don’t push me away, okay?”
Kaeloo looked at him, her heart still racing, but for once, she didn’t feel like running. She gave a small nod. “Okay, but only if you promise not to push me away either.” This time, she took his hand in hers.
For a moment, they just sat there in silence, the weight of everything they’d said still lingering between them. But somehow, the air felt lighter. Maybe this was the start of something different—something that wasn’t all teasing and bickering. Maybe, for once, they could be a little more honest with each other.
Kaeloo glanced down at their hands, intertwined and warm. The contact sent a jolt of comfort through her, and she felt a wave of courage rise within her. “I want to be better at this,” she confessed, her voice soft. “I want to show you that I care, that I’m not just the frog with the toad.”
Mr. Cat’s gaze shifted from their hands to her face, and he nodded slowly, the teasing smirk replaced by a genuine interest. “What do you mean?”
“I mean...” she hesitated, searching for the right words. “I want to be more open with you. I get so caught up in my own head, especially with Bad K around. Sometimes, I feel like I’m two different people, and I don’t know how to merge that into something real.”
“I get that,” Mr. Cat said, his voice gentle. “It’s not easy.” He sighed, looking away for a moment. “I’ve been uh…” He hesitated, clearing his throat and looking away. “Dealing with my own demons. It’s hard to see the brighter side of things when you’re so used to the darkness.”
Kaeloo’s heart ached at his words. “I’m… I’m here for you. If you need to talk about it.”
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his fur, frustration evident in his expression. “It feels like the world’s just always been a heavy place for me. And when I see you being so carefree, it’s like a breath of fresh air... but I also feel like I don’t deserve it.”
The frog squeezed his hand, feeling a surge of empathy. “You do deserve happiness, Mr. Cat. You bring so much joy to everyone around you, even if you don’t see it.”
“I dunno, life isn’t too kind to people who mess with their friend’s heads to a point where they question themselves.” He gave a hollow laugh, guilt reflected in his expression. “I’m a real jerk.”
“You’re not a jerk!... Okay, well, you are, but you at least know when you go too far.” She gave him a small grin, trying to cheer him up. “We’re just… both trying to navigate this mess.”
He chuckled lightly, a sound that felt more like a release than anything. “Maybe we’re both just a bit lost.”
Kaeloo nodded, “Maybe we can help each other find our way, then!” She stated confidently. “Uh.. even if we don’t know what we’re doing.”
“Right…” Mr. Cat replied, his voice low and sincere. “I’m used to just wingin’ it.”
With a newfound sense of determination, Kaeloo leaned in closer. “Then how about this?” She took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of his presence. “Let’s try to be more open with each other. No more hiding behind jokes or pretending everything is fine when it’s not.”
He regarded her for a moment, his expression softening. “I’d like that, Tadpole.” He finally smiled at her.
With a gentle nudge of courage, Kaeloo leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The gesture surprised them both, a mix of warmth and vulnerability that hung in the air.
Mr. Cat blinked, momentarily taken aback, and then a smile broke across his face, genuine and bright. “Wow. Did you just kiss me?” he teased lightly, though there was a glimmer of awe in his eyes.
“Maybe I did,” she replied, a playful lilt in her voice returning as she feigned nonchalance. “What are you gonna do about it?”
His smile widened, but the depth of their earlier conversation lingered in the back of his mind. “You know, I think I might just have to kiss you back sometime.”
Kaeloo’s heart raced at the implication, her cheeks warming again. She was silent, looking down at their hands.
They both fell into a comfortable silence, the stars above now more visible as night settles. In that moment, surrounded by the tranquility of Smileyland, it felt like they were beginning to carve out a space for honesty, affection, and friendship—one step at a time.
As they settled into this new comfortable silence, a playful spark flickered in Kaeloo's eyes. “You know, Mr. Cat, if you’re going to kiss me back, you might have to practice a little first.”
Mr. Cat raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk creeping onto his face. “Practice? Is that how it works? I thought it was just supposed to happen.”
Kaeloo laughed lightly, her confidence growing. “Well, maybe it should be a little more... rehearsed. Like a play!”
He leaned closer, scarlet eyes narrowing mischievously. “You think I need a script for kissing? How very old-fashioned of you, Tadpole.”
“Old-fashioned is my middle name!” she quipped, nudging him playfully. “You gotta grab the person like this,” She sat on her knees, her hands holding Mr. Cat’s shoulders, “Tell them sweet nothings,” She stroked his ear, “And then you lean in and boom! Kiss secured!”
“Right, lemme try then!” Mr. Cat pounced on her, pushing back and leaning into her personal space near the bush they remained in front of.
With a burst of energy, they began lightly tussling, laughter bubbling between them as they rolled around on the grass. Kaeloo's heart raced as Mr. Cat pinned her down, their playful energy shifting into something electric.
“See?” he said, hovering above her, his tone mock-serious. “I’m practicing my technique. How am I doing?”
Kaeloo’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up into his eyes, feeling the warmth of the moment envelop them. The teasing banter faded into a charged stillness, their faces mere inches apart. The heat of their breaths filled the limited space between them.
“You know,” he said, an amused glint in his eyes, voice heavy and sly, “romance doesn’t have to be so complicated and old-fashioned. It can be... spontaneous. Just like this.”
With a sudden move, he began to tickle her sides, laughter erupting from her as she squirmed beneath him. “Mr. Cat! Stop it!” she gasped, her giggles filling the air.
Their playful tussle brought them closer, and soon, Kaeloo found herself on her back in the grass, Mr. Cat’s hands still teasingly hovering over her. They both blushed, the laughter morphing into a tender silence filled with unspoken emotions.
“Not bad,” she whispered, heart pounding, as he drew nearer. “But I think–”
Before she could finish her thought, Mr. Cat leaned down, closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a gentle, tentative kiss that held all the weight of their shared feelings—the uncertainty, the joy, the longing. It was electric, a spark igniting between them that felt both thrilling and safe.
As they pulled away, both flustered and breathless, a small frown creased Mr. Cat's brow. “Was that okay? I mean, I didn’t want to ruin things.”
Kaeloo's heart swelled at his concern, but her shyness melted away. Unable to hold back her feelings any longer, she surged forward, capturing his lips again with a kiss full of passion. This time, it was deeper, more urgent, as if all her pent-up emotions were flowing into that single moment.
When they finally parted, both gasping for breath, Kaeloo’s eyes sparkled with delight. A grin spread across her face. “W-Was that good? Did I do it right?”
Mr. Cat smirked with a small laugh, his earlier doubts fading away. “Good to know I’m not just winging it alone.”
“Definitely not,” she replied, her cheeks still flushed with warmth. “We should practice more often.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he said, leaning in for another soft kiss, their laughter mingling in the air as the moon began to rise, the soft glow of silvery white highlights their forms.
In that moment, they both knew they had crossed a line together—into a new territory of affection that felt both exhilarating and right. A line that neither of them knew what would happen next.
As they pulled away, Kaeloo's expression shifted, a flicker of concern crossing her face. “What if... what if we just ruined everything?” She bit her lip, quickly sitting up as reality hit her like a freight train, her voice barely above a whisper. “I mean, what if this changes our friendship?”
Mr. Cat studied her, his brow furrowing slightly. “Does it feel bad to kiss me?” he asked gently, leaning closer.”Augh… maybe i was too forward.” He muttered.
Kaeloo shook her head adamantly, a small smile breaking through her worry. “No, it doesn’t. It feels… good.”
“Then why worry?” He gave her a reassuring grin, brushing a stray leaf off her cheek. “It isn’t like we’re gonna tell anyone or that anything has to change, right? It’s just us, we’re the only ones who know what happened here.” He chuckled.
Encouraged by his words, she felt a warmth spread through her. He reached out, their hands finding each other, fingers intertwining as they explored the newfound intimacy.His fingerless-gloved hands grazed along her arms, feeling the unique texture of her amphibian skin, cold, and slightly damp.
“You’re really soft, you know,” he teased, his voice playful yet sincere.
Kaeloo laughed softly, her own slender fingers tracing the contours of his fur, admiring its softness. “And you’re all fuzzy! Or furry? One of those.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, smirking. The playful energy returned, their earlier worries slowly dissipating with each shared touch.
As they continued to explore, their laughter faded into a comfortable silence, each lost in the sensation of the other’s presence. Kaeloo felt emboldened, her worries easing as she reveled in the connection they were building.
“I really like this,” she admitted, her voice soft but steady. “I like being close to you.”
“Same here, Tadpole,” Mr. Cat replied, sincerity lacing his tone. “You’re not just some friend to me. You mean a lot more.”
Kaeloo’s heart fluttered at his words, and she leaned in closer, resting her forehead against his. “I’m glad we talked. I’ve been so confused about my feelings...”
“Me too,” he admitted, a hint of vulnerability slipping through his tough exterior. “But with you, I feel like I can be honest. Even about the harder stuff.”
Kaeloo smiled, feeling a bond form that was deeper than friendship. “Then let’s keep being honest. About everything.”
“Agreed,” Mr. Cat said, a smile breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. “And maybe more kissing?”
“Definitely more kissing,” Kaeloo replied, her heart swelling as they shared another sweet kiss, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.