[Gift] A Day Out

     Corn Chips grumbled as flopping against his roommate, Chester as he came out of his room. He seemed to be rather down about something. Chester put his hand on Corny’s back, trying to consolidate him. “What’s wrong Corny? You’re making the face again…” Corny pressed more against Chester, not unlike a cat would, mumbling into Chester’s shoulder. “He’s gone again… He always does this… I love him but it’s upsetting when he just leaves like this…” Chester rolled his eyes in a manner Corn Chipz wouldn’t see, knowing darn well that the Scarfox moping against him was talking about his ‘boyfriend’... If you can even call it that. Corny’s ‘boyfriend’ was a small novelty rock with a face painted on its surface, with some faux fur glued to the top to represent hair. Chester didn’t understand it fully, but he loved and cared for his dear friend. Chester sighed as he gave Corny a gentle pat on the back. “Again?... I thought he was done with all that the last time…” 

     Chester led Corn Chipz to the sofa to comfort him, trying to think
up any way to clear Corny’s mind, as an advertisement came onto the muted television, giving Chester an idea. “Hey, I know what we can do while Rekoj is out.” Corny looked up at Chester waiting for him to continue. “It’s late, and very last minute, but we could go see what’s cooking still for the Mother’s Day celebration out in the Wind Valley. Today and tomorrow are the last days for it, but there should still be some snacks leftover. Plus, it would do you some good to get away from the house and fair grounds, as it’s been a while since you’ve left your little comfort circle here.” Corny’s eyes seemed to sparkle as he nodded, excited, getting up and running to his room to get ready. Chester sighed, thankful his on-the-spot idea worked. After no longer than 5 minutes, Corn Chipz returned to the living room at Chester’s side, somehow, not only dressed in his full jester costume, but he had his clown makeup done as well, perfectly. Chester was baffled how Corny was always able to get ready so fast, but just brushed it off, grabbing some crystals for their day out. “Ready?” Corny nodded in reply, following them leaving and locking up.

      Once at the Wind Valley, either Scarf took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the area. It was beautiful and sunny out, yet a gentle breeze rustled through the thrush and their fur, small pink petals dancing in the wind, and the bamboo shoots made soothing clink sounds as they tapped against one another in the drift. It was peaceful. Chester smiled some as he took it all in, wishing the moment could last forever, smiling at Corny, admiring him. Chester’s moment of peace was promptly interrupted when Corn Chipz became excited, grabbing Chester by the hand and yanking him along the hills over to a small snack table set up by one of the event coordinators, Chester doing his best to keep up with Corny and not stumble. Corny did some excited little hops once they were at the table, looking at Chester, enthused as one Scarf could ever be. “Chess, can we get snacks? They look so good I just wanna try them all! Can we can we can we?” Corny pleaded as Chester sighed with a chuckle as he regained himself, getting some crystals out to pay the owner of the table. “Fine, just don’t get so much that you can’t carry around with you while we walk.” He watched as Corny chose out several snacks, paying the table owner and walking off with Corn Chipz, snickering a bit as he watched his friend struggle to scarf down everything he got.

      Eventually, Corny and Chester were walking along one of the paths, holding hands so Corny wouldn’t get lost. Chester smiled, enjoying the moment once more, looking to the ground as they walked. “You know, Corny, I really enjoy spending time together with you like this. It makes me happy when I see you being your fun-loving self.” Corn Chipz paused, candy apple in his mouth mid-bite. He tried to speak with it still in his mouth, only for unclear muffles to come out, causing Chester to laugh slightly. He finished his bite repeating what he said, chuckling to himself some as well. “It is pretty fun hanging out with you as well Chess. Rekoj misses a lot of the fun when we do things like this. Kinda sucks, but I do enjoy having fun, so you snooze, ya lose I guess then, am I right?” He shrugged as Chester nodded slightly. “He does miss a lot… Might I ask you something? If he misses so many fun times, why do you keep that roc– Scarf around?” Corny ran his fingers through the grass as they walked by, trying to think of how he could reply to Chester right. “Well… I love him… Surely that must be enough? We don’t need to spend a lot of time together for things to work.” Chester half frowned, accepting defeat, quickly fixing his expression to return to a soft smile before Corny could see Chester being bummed about losing to a literal rock. “I guess you have a point there. You do seem to really love your movie nights together. I know you requested I don’t interrupt them, but it’s hard to not see when the door to the bathroom runs through the living room.” 

     Chester sighed, picking a small flower, holding it between his fingers, turning to Corn Chipz, tucking the flower behind Corny’s ear. “This little flower suits you. It’s cute.” Corny smiled in reply to Chester’s comment, picking a piece of grass and putting it behind Chester’s ear. “I guess this suits you? It’s long and… Uh… You have a long tail?” Both chuckle at Corny’s attempt to be genuine. “You know, Chess, you’d make a really great dad if you ever had kits. You’re a good dad figure to me… Even if we are the same age.” Corny smiled warmly as something caught his attention and he ran off going to see what it was. Chester stood there in disbelief, a bit defeated. “Did I seriously just get dad-zoned? Ah come on…”