A Day with Flaky

Maple got home from work to a few missed texts and a missed call from Flaky. It was quite an odd thing, usually it was her getting dragged into everything. He did his usual de-work routine before pulling out his phone, he responded to many texts asking him what he was doing tonight and finally responded. “Just got home from work, don’t have any plans at the moment.” He put his phone away and went to the kitchen to get some water, but his phone vibrated 10 seconds after he put it down. “Oh you have nothing going on! Awesome! Do you want to come over? We could like watch a movie or eat some food or something!” There were a few typos sprinkled in it (that I didn’t add) indicating that she typed it very fast. Maple tilted his head and responded. “Uhh, sure I guess. Are Giggles and Petunia cool with it?” He saw her instantly typing a response. “Oh right! They’re just out together, it’s just me at the house, they don’t mind!” Maple looked at his phone, thinking about it for a minute, before shrugging. “Alrighty, I’ll be over in a bit, just have a few things I need to do first.” Flaky responded a few times to it, mostly just her acknowledging what he said and then making a few attempts at small talk which he didn’t respond to as he actually had things to do. —– Maple knocked on the door and heard Flaky jump off the couch and scramble to the door, quickly opening it up as she had a big nervous smile. “Oh hey Maple! So glad you could make it! I uhh- I made some sandwiches! I know how much you like sandwiches!” She was very obviously hyper, she was hovering in place as she delivered that line with great speed. Maple was a bit overwhelmed, but simply chuckled a bit as he stepped inside and took off his boots. “Sandwiches eh? I suppose I could go for one.” Maple looked around and saw some flakes here and there on the floor. Ever since Flaky moved in with Giggles and Petunia her hair condition had seemed to get better, though it was equally likely that Petunia was just way more on-top of making sure Flaky wasn’t just a litterbug all the time.

Maple followed Flaky to the kitchen where Flaky had 2 crudely made ham and cheese sandwiches. Maple took one and started eating it as he looked around. “So Petunia and Giggles are out eh? What for?” He gave his attention to Flaky as he kept munching on the sandwich. “Oh! Uhm… well.. they said they were like, going to a show or something…” Flaky instantly lowered her head as she looked around, it was clear as day that there was something bothering her. Maple noticed, but didn’t want to bring anything up, so he smiled widely and made a little “mmm” sound after getting halfway through the sandwich. Flaky seemed to smile as she watched his reactions like a hawk. He set his sandwich down and leaned against the counter. “So uh, how’s life Flaky?” She smiled, then slowly frowned as she thought about it, but quickly smiled as she got to responding. “Oh it’s been great! It’s so nice waking up next to people… they help you with your morning routine… keep you nice and clean and…” She trails off as she thinks about them, a large warm smile decorating her face. “Oh yeah? Seems like you three really kicked it off then!” Maple put on a good upbeat voice, though something inside of him hurt after hearing that. He got a bit quiet and reached for his sandwich to take another bite. Flaky instantly panicked, thinking she had done something wrong. “Too personal? Sorry I can uhm-.” “No no… it’s fine Flaky, glad you’re getting along.” He cracks a smile as he looks back at her. “They really seem to be the perfect thing at the perfect time… can’t blame you for being excited…” Maple finished off his sandwich as Flaky started looking around the room very eagerly. Eventually she picked up a remote. “Oh I know! You’re a hockey fan right? Maybe we could watch the game!” Flaky quickly turned the TV on and started scrolling through channels super quick, managing to stumble upon a sports related one. Flaky stopped and looked at Maple a few times, as though she were gauging her reaction. Maple looked at the TV for a bit and tilted his head a bit. “Here, lemme see.” He extends a hand to take the remote. She hands it over and quickly sits back, eagerly watching what he was up to. He scrolls through a few channels and then finds a hockey game, putting it on. Maple started watching it, picking up on Flaky just wanting someone to be with.

Though it wouldn’t be long before Flaky scooted over to get closer to Maple. “I’m fun to hang out with… right Maple?” She had a bit of a sombre tone as she looked at him. Maple was caught off guard, he played with the stick in his teeth and looked over, pushing the stick off to the cheek again. “Of course Flaky! There’s a reason I invite you out to everything!” He puts on a cheery smile. Flaky smiles, but then frowns a bit. “You do… it’s only ever been you…” She twindles her fingers together as she looks at the ground. “Do you think they actually like having me around?” Maple’s smile fades as he realises what this was about. He mutes the TV and looks over at her. “Of course they do Flaky! I doubt they’d let you live with them if they didn’t.” Flaky slumps over onto her side, looking up at the ceiling. “What if they’re just too nice to say no…” She lets out a sigh. “Ever since I moved in I’ve just caused problems for them…” Maple sits up a bit. But Flaky continues. Petunia washes out my quills so often… they’ve had to buy covers for furniture so I can sit down without destroying things… They have so many things around the house to prevent me from messing up even the most basic of tasks.” She sniffles a bit. “This is the second time they’ve gone out together… what if they’re just doing it to get away from me!” Maple leans over and puts an arm on Flaky’s knee, squeezing it just a bit. “Flaky… your life is different then there’s.” He takes a bit of a pause to think about how to word it. “Making accommodations to better suit you is how relationships work.” “Do you really think they’re trying to get away from you? They’ve been together for who knows how long, they’re probably off doing something they’ve been doing for years.” Flaky still seemed a little unconvinced. “Flaky, think about it really, are they putting up with you, or are they trying to help you.” He let that sit for a minute as he slumped back onto his side of the couch.

After a bit of silence Flaky sat up and looked around the house, clearly lost in thought. “Huh… I never thought of it that way…” She looked around a little more. “Come to think of it… My life has improved a lot…” She looks down at her hands. “I clean up after myself now… I wake up and I always have something to look forward to…” Maple was originally happy, but he started feeling a deep sadness within him. “Whenever I mess up I always have someone to make sure I’m okay…” Slowly but surely a big smile grew on Flaky’s face. Flaky looked over at Maple and he quickly turned his frown into a forced smile as to not ruin her sudden feeling of joy. Flaky stood up off of the couch and gave Maple a big hug. He welcomed her in with open arms, although he wasn’t happy right now. After a bit, Flaky removed herself from the hug and sat down beside Maple, watching the hockey game with him. She started asking him about it, finally giving him something real to smile about as he started explaining how hockey works to her.

It wasnt too long later when a car pulled into the driveway, both Maple and Flaky were surprised as Giggles unlocked the door, the two of her and Petunia stepped inside. Giggles smiled as she noticed Maple, but Petunia seemed confused. “Oh… hey Maple… what are you doing here?” Maple muted the TV again and looked up at the two, rising to his feet as he stretched out. “Oh! Flaky invited me over, I was under the impression that you guys were cool with it.” Petunia seemed to understand and put on a smile. “Oh really? That was nice of her!” She takes off her shoes and walks over to the couch. Flaky looks up at Maple and then looks over at Petunia and Giggles. She shrinks a bit from embarrassment. “You guys are back early… did something happen?” She seemed both worried and embarrassed. Giggles walked over and gently pet Flaky on the head. “Oh! The show got cancelled due to weather, though the bit we got to see was fun!” Flaky was still unsure, but Giggles knew how to calm her down quite well. Maple looked around. “Ah well, I suppose if you guys are back I should head out, wouldn’t want to get in the way of you three…” But Petunia nudged him a bit. “Aww, you’re not that scared of us are ya? Come on, let’s hang out!” Maple looked around and shrugged, sitting back down on the edge of the couch. Flaky was still sat beside him and Giggles sat down next to her, continuing her physical affection as she started scritching Flaky’s chin, making her melt with comfort as she leaned into Giggles. That left Petunia with the seat on the other end of Giggles. Maple returned his attention to the TV as the three gals next to him got all cuddly. There was an hour of silence outside of their little giggles and purs. Maple was slowly but surely getting more and more miserable as Flaky’s words were still fresh in his mind, it didn’t help watching her have the time of her life either.

As time went on, Flaky was slowly getting pushed into him, forcing him to dig himself deeper into the side of the couch to give her space. Eventually some quills started poking him, a few even drawing blood. By now the game was over and Maple was forced to watch slop on the TV as the pain just started getting unbearable. Eventually Maple couldn’t stand it anymore and slowly got up, pulling a few of Flaky’s quills out in the process. He tried to be slow and gentle as to not disturb them. He watched them for a moment and then tried to sneak to the door as quiet as he could. He let out a little sigh and then suddenly felt a hand grab him by the tail and pulling him back. He stumbled into Giggles’ lap as the two girls beside Maple jumped up in surprise. Flaky would notice the blood on his fur from where she unknowingly poked him, and Petunia stared at his fur wondering how clean it was. She rubbed his arm and felt her hand to make sure it felt clean. Maple let out an audible yelp. “WHA-.” He sort of crushed Giggles as he landed down, his legs spread awkwardly across her lap. He looked around at the two, panicked. But Petunia understood what Giggles was hinting at as she suddenly wrapped her arms around his chest and nuzzled her cheek into his shoulder, giggling a bit as she did so. Giggles poked her head around his tail and hugged him from behind. And finally Flaky, after watching what the other two were doing, leaned her head against his belly as she laid down on him. Maple tensed up, his knees raised a bit as he hunched down, frozen like a deer in headlights. But then Giggles’ hands crept up to his neck and suddenly she started scritching him in such a specific spot. Every single tense muscle instantly relaxed as in just a few moments he sunk so deep into giggles that he no longer towered over her. The three all slowly warmed up to the fact that it was time to get him and so over time they would slowly lean more into him. Suddenly every negative thought that was swirling in his mind was no longer there, he couldn’t think right now as he was temporarily in heaven. Eventually their snuggling efforts slowed down as they all got more and more sleepy over time. Finally after a while of enjoying the moment, Maple slowly drifted off to one of the most peaceful sleeps he had ever had, followed shortly by the other three. The end