Work Text:
The days with Korone were always the best.
It would be fun, having her laugh with ease and forget about anything bothering them. They’d make moments for themselves that lingered in her mind for a long while. It didn’t matter what they were doing, they were simply the best.
Even if one or two things went wrong.
Even if she was stuck waiting one to two hours for the dog.
Okayu checked her phone again before she sighed and leaned up against one of the entryway’s stalls. It wasn’t like she minded waiting that long, but the amusement park was incredibly busy, meaning she was pushed around like no tomorrow. She was certain people didn’t mean to be rude, but the cat had to stick near the walls to keep herself from being forced to go with the flow of foot traffic.
Not to mention the whole thing was very, very loud.
There were so many conversations happening at the same time, it was hard to focus on just one. People also waiting, people just arriving, people who had driven together. All of them loud and just grabbing enough of attention to disorient her. Her ears pressed down to mute at least some of the noise.
“Hey, you finally made it!” “Yeah, sorry, got caught up!”
“Oh, I told you what he said, right?”
“Geeze, you’re lucky I love you.” “I love you too~”
‘ It sucks we had to come this day. ’ She hummed idly as her tail flicked. ‘But hey, Korosan’s been busy lately, I’ll finally get some time with her. ’
Her tail drummed on the bin next to her. She had been scanning the sea of people for a while for any sign of her partner, but stopped to give her eyes a bit of a break. It did not help she played a bit too much last night and her eyes were still hurting a bit from the bright screen in the dark.
It felt better to just completely forgo looking at the time. Hoping that maybe it’d go faster that way. But, eventually, her patience was rewarded.
“Okayu!”
Her ears perked up and she grinned.
Cutting right through the noise was one of her favorite sounds, and her favorite person.
“Okayu!” Korone called out again, voice strong enough to be heard above the crowd, as she ran over to hug her. “Okayu! I missed you!” Like always, she gave the cat kisses before finally pulling away, taking her hand. “Let’s get going!”
And just like that, they were off again.
They bounced from attraction to attraction, ride to ride, only stopping occasionally for Okayu to keep up with her as they tripped over themselves with laughter. However, they steered clear of one particular part of the amusement park they knew all too well.
Because they always saved it for last.
Everyone knew the games were rigged, but it made it all the more fun to try them out. Given how crowded it was, they couldn’t even necessarily see the games in question with everyone around. The only thing visible were the giant plush toys and other prizes hung above the crowd, just out of reach.
“See anything you want?” Korone shouted above the noise.
Okayu hummed and looked around. It was the typical pool of prizes.
‘ Nothing we don’t already have back at home from the past dozen times here, ’ she mused before shrugging and shaking her head.
Korone looked around too before grinning at her.
“Let me know if you do!”
Rolling her eyes, the cat tugged at her to continue walking. Still, by the time they made it to the end, there hadn’t been much to catch their eyes.
Though there was one she wasn’t expecting. A large ghost plush.
“Oh? Wanna try that one?”
The cat blinked but, not wanting to wait for any answer, the dog charged forward past the crowd and to the stand. Korone was already paying as Okayu looked the game over.
‘Oh, it’s one of those bottle games.’ She smirked and shook her head. ‘These poor people.’
Korone tossed the ball in her hand a few times, getting an exasperated look from the stand owner, before winding it back fully.
...And breaking all the bottles.
‘ Aaaand, there is goes. ’ Okayu laughed as the crowd looked in awe at the dog, who just grinned and quickly pointed towards the plush that caught her eye.
As soon as she grabbed it, she passed it to the cat.
“Here you are!” Korone beamed as Okayu held the plush securely.
The dog took her free hand as they made their way away from the stand through the crowd. The cat’s ears pulled back from the noise around them.
“Woah, I want a prize like that!”
“Just how strong is that girl anyhow…?”
“Hey hon?” “Hm?” “Can you get a prize like that for me?” “O-of course!” “Yes! I love you!” “Heh, love you too.”
“Okayu?” Korone looked back at her and tilted her head. “Why’d you stop? Is something wrong?”
She shook her head before smiling at her partner.
“Hm… well, you better let me know if something is, okay?” The dog grinned. “I love you, Okayu.”
Okayu purred quietly and her smile grew.
‘ I love you too, Korosan.’
Her ear twitched.
2am glared back at her.
Defeated, she set the phone down and laid back down. The various figurines on her shelf provided little help for her dilemma. Even trying to think of her favorite scenes and episodes brought a sour taste to her tongue. The ceiling didn’t help either. All of the glow-in-the-dark stickers she had suited Korone’s room much better.
‘Korosan...’
Turning to her side gave her full view of the sleeping dog, a sight that filled her with warmth once again.
With a mouth slightly agape, Korone slept unburdened and it was such a calming thought to Okayu. To have the dog beside her, limbs put wherever, snoring lightly, and know that she wasn’t alone. Korone herself was such a comfort.
Her ear twitched.
‘I can never say it. What she wants to hear.’
She played with her sheets and opened her mouth.
Nothing.
She tried again.
Nothing.
Her claws dug into the fabric as she felt her eyes start to burn.
Nothing.
Korone needed those words and yet it was something she would never get from Okayu.
She tried again.
“...Okayu?”
Her eyes shot up to see Korone looking back at her, blinking sleep from her eyes.
“What are you doing up?”
The cat shook her head, but the dog’s eyes only grew used to the dark.
“What are you trying to say?”
She felt her tail curl around her leg shyly and looked away.
“Okayu...” Gently, Korone took her hands and moved them up near their faces before letting go. The smile she gave made Okayu’s ears press against her head. “What do you want to say?”
She lowered her hands and shook her head.
‘ I could say it’s nothing, but… ’ She looked up at the concerned look she was getting and sighed with a smile . ‘ ...Nah, she’d see right past it. ’
She tried again, mouthing those words she had seen a million times from the very person she was speaking to.
“...Has it been bugging you?”
Truthfully, the cat shrugged and Korone chuckled.
“Okayu… geeze, what am I gonna do with you, kitty?”
Okayu grinned and kissed her back once she leaned in, only pulling away to lift her hands back up to sign:
Feed me.
“You’re hungry? Now?” Korone laughed and kissed her again. “Spoiled.”
Not nearly enough.
“Yeah right,” she huffed playfully before taking the cat’s cheek. “You know, there’s other ways of saying that.”
The cat blinked and tilted her head slightly before the dog brushed her hair aside.
“Like, spending your time with me even though you’re busy.” She hummed and started gently running her hand through her hair. “Listening to me in the middle of the night when I need it.” Okayu closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling, getting amusement from the dog. “Being by my side when no one else is.”
A faint rumble escaped the cat and Korone laughed before pulling her close.
“And that. That purr tells me a lot, you know.”
Okayu sighed contently before leaning against her.
“I listen for it. And you… You make a lot more sound than you think!” Korone gently nudged her to get the cat’s attention and smiled. “When I’m anxious, I listen for your heartbeat. It’s so very… you. Calming and... Just knowing you’re there, whether you say anything or not, is what matters to me.” She kissed her again gently. “So… yeah.”
The cat blinked before smiling back a bit nervously. She could feel her face begin to heat up. It was tight, but Korone pulled away a bit to let her get her hands up again to sign:
That’s weird, Korosan.
“Maybe,” Korone chuckled. “But I like it. I like to think… I can hear what you say from your heart alone.”
Okayu hummed and took a moment before growing comfortable in the crook of Korone’s neck.
“Hm?”
Against her skin, Okayu said the silent, yet warm, words again.
“I love you, Korosan.”
“I love you too, Okayu. So, so much.”