“Yes, I brought them from home. I’ve been collecting them since I... moved to the city.” I paused. “And, actually... I brought them here for you. As a gift.”
“Wh-what? For me?” Viol almost shouted. “You don’t have to do that! I—I have enough.”
I gave him a wry look, which melted his bravado instantly. He huffed and picked up the beanbag-style cat, squishing the plastic beads between his fingers.
“This guyispretty cute,” he mumbled. “But not as cute as you, Poppy.”
“It’s not a competition,” I said with a laugh.
As I continued to empty the suitcase, Viol picked up each new plushie with childlike wonder. Soon he couldn’t keep the grin off his face anymore. After each greeting, he patted their heads and placed them gently on the floor until we were surrounded by a fortress of plush toys.
Finally, there was only one left in my suitcase.
“Viol,” I said softly.
He faced me. “Yeah?”
My hand slipped into the dark clamshell suitcase and gingerly grasped the ancient toy. Its fur felt familiar beneath my fingers. I pulled it out slowly and held it in front of Viol.
For a few seconds, he didn’t breathe. He could only stare in shock at his old friend.
“Wolfy?” he whispered.
Wolfy’s fur had yellowed with age and washing, and he looked rough around the seams, but he was the same plushie that Viol had introduced me to years ago—the same Wolfy that had been Viol’s companion since before I even met him.
I nodded and smiled, then handed him over.
Viol stared wide-eyed at the plushie like he was seeing a ghost. He was speechless for a few silent moments. He swallowed audibly, choked up, as he pressed Wolfy to his chest.
“You kept him this whole time?” Viol asked in a hoarse rasp.
“Of course. I had to keep him safe.”
“Poppy...” Viol sniffled, rubbing his arm against his eyes. “Thank you. That... really means a lot to me.”
“I’m just glad I got to reunite you.”
Viol let out a wet laugh, then crushed me into a hug with Wolfy squeezed between our chests. I could practically feel Viol’s love and gratitude radiating off him in waves. We stayed in that position until my stomach growled.
“Oops,” I said.
Staving off his tears, Viol grinned and stood up. “C’mon, let’s eat. But we’ve gotta get dressed first.”
“Um... I know I have my suitcase back, but is it okay if I still wear your clothes?” I asked. My heart raced faster at the idea. Every passing second filled me with more excitement.
He blushed. “Fuckin’ obviously. Let’s see...”
First, Viol carefully placed Wolfy on the bed. Then he headed for his dresser. He picked out an oversized gray t-shirt, black cargo pants, and of course, a fresh pair of briefs. We both needed new underwear after last night.
My face got warm thinking about it.
Viol and I had been intimate for the second time in our lives—and it was the first after a very, very long separation. My heart felt so full and happy that I could barely contain it. I wanted to run around. I wanted to roll in the grass. I wanted to wag my tail at full speed...
Suddenly, I was low to the ground, and Viol’s clothes lay limp in a pile around my feet.
Or rather, my paws.
Viol turned around and frowned. “Poppy? Where’d you—” He noticed me when he glanced down, then snorted in amusement. “Oh, I see. Looks like I picked out an outfit for nothing.”
