Early Spring Date

Spring is nearing and a certain dark short furred cat is planning something… special. He hopes it will be a night to remember for the rest of their lives. The cat who was planning this, Nemuru, was searching a small patch of woodland hoping to find a cat there that he knew would be able to help him out to find the purrfect spot for the… date? He wasn’t sure if he could call it that. Shaking the thoughts out of his head he internally scolded himself for over thinking again. ‘Now where is that flower cat…’ the tired cat's tail tip twitched in agitation not wanting to continue on a wild goose chase when suddenly some leaves crunched under a small paw. The larger cat paused and turned around, ears pricked as a house cat sized jello cat stepped out of a bush. Their fur blended in with the surrounding foliage with their horns looking like branches of cherry maple with some flowers too. If the cat had been hiding in the bushes Nemuru could only guess that was the reason he hadn’t sensed the fellow cat.

“Well hello there stranger! You aren’t from close by are you? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before!” The light green cat tilted her head up at the larger feline before seeming to glance around to see if any cat was with them or any human companion. “Is there something I can help you with?” The cat turned her head back towards the larger one head tilted to the side in curiosity.

“Why yes…” Nemuru twitched his tail awkwardly looking down at the small cat. “I’m looking for a place that I can set up for a romantic night for myself and another cat. He’s hard of hearing though, so a place accessible would be good. Any help would be greatly appreciated…” The dark tom sat down and wrapped his tail around his paws, as he started expressing some ideas he had for places. Unfortunately, he had no idea where he could find a place that might work. Hence why he was looking for help.

The naturey cat sat quietly as they thought and hummed as she too sat down. “Let’s see…. I think I know a couple of good places that might be exactly what you're looking for stranger!” The cat grinned and started talking about a few spots and how they are at night to give the cat some ideas. “I’m Sequoia by the way! What’s your name?”

He thought about the different spot descriptions, nodding while he was thinking of a few that might work. “My name is Nemuru. I have a couple places in mind of the ones you mentioned but I would like to take a look at them.” He then mentioned two of the ones he wanted to see and stood up knowing time was running a bit short.

“Of course!” Sequoia let out a giggle and started running in the direction of one of the spots sensing the larger ones impatience to get things going. Though Sequoia then had a third location that popped into her head that she knew Nemuru would absolutely love for his date.

Nemuru got up and ran after Sequia, surprised at how quick and agile she was. He then remembered that this was a place this cat often would explore figuring that was why. That being said, he couldn’t deny that she seemed like a natural in this terrain either way. Nemuru found himself often struggling to keep up with the much smaller cat having to jump over or finding ways around obstacles like trees, holes, bushes, and boulders that the smaller cat effortlessly navigated. The breeze in the air carried the scent of warmer sweet air with the promise of a beautiful spring season with flowers producing plentiful fruit and berries. 

The two felines tore through the undergrowth passing streams, meadows, dense forests, and rivers. Some of the flowing bodies of water they had passed were still mostly frozen water rushing underneath and past ice that was only just starting to melt. This would soon trigger the colder weather adapted cats to move back to the colder climates, and bird migrations to start as well. While some moved to the cooler places, others moved to their preferred warmer locations both looking for their preferred nesting grounds that would soon be plentiful of prey and plant life. 

Nemuru wasn’t always the biggest fan of this this time of year since it also meant tourist season for the hind paw walkers. He found many of their children rather loud and obnoxious, always ruining one of his naps in the sun at one point or another. Stereo would make fun of his often naps but if he was being honest with himself he didn’t mind. Nemuru knew that he took a lot more naps then some others but he had a hard time sleeping at night. For whatever reason, he preferred to be out and about during the clear beautiful nights. The sights and sounds and feelings of peace that always sent him into a tranquil content state of mind, and Nemuru wanted to give Stereo a similar experience if he could and show how much he cared for him. 

Once they had arrived at each spot Sequoia showed the tom around and the spots that would be easily accessible, laying down spots, and even cuddle areas if the love birds so desired. She was thrilled at his reaction with each site. She then paused and turned to the tom. “So there is one more spot I would like to show you that might strike your fancy!” Then she brought him to the last one she thought would be the best, and could barely contain her excitement as the moody cat stepped inside of the location. 

This was it! The perfect spot! The spot consisted of a clearing surrounded by trees and shrubbery for privacy with early spring flowers starting to bloom and even a few night blooming flowers that Nemuru had spotted nearby as well. Nemuru was over the moon about this and thanked the cat gratefully before getting to work with the preparations for the romantic night and gaining the courage to finally ask the love of his life out to be his soul mate. 

The preparations were, by no means, easy or perfect but Nemuru did the best he could. He flattened the grass area (without killing it) for a blanket to be set up, making sure the most accessible path was clear of anything that might hurt Stereo or get tangled in his fur or clothing, and let’s not forget the food and drinks as well! He was pulling all the stops to make sure the cat of his dreams would be happy and remember this night for the rest of their uncertain lives.

It then came time to bring him to the spot. The nervous jitters in Nemurus’ gut were no joke. He was nervous beyond description. Trying and failing to work out the jitters including but not limited to; pacing, breathing exercises, and taking a nap with no luck much to his annoyance. Eventually, he gave up and just went to Stereos place. Padding along the walkways before stopping in front of the place. Nemuru stepped up and rang the doorbell that would vibrate through the place to alert Stereo of someone being at the door. The door then opens to a nicely dressed cat with his head hair/fur done up with the biggest grin on his face and signed to Nemuru “Nemi!! Is it time! I know you said you had something planned for us and I’m sooooooooo excited!” He then let out a squeal like sound jumping up and down radiating pure delighted energy. 

Nemuru smiled, seeming to relax and sat back so he could sign; “yes would be today and I want to bring you there. I hope you don’t really have many plans for tomorrow because I was thinking of spending most if not all night with you tonight.” The more hyper cat grinned even more, shaking his head to say he did not have any other plans. Nemuru then nodded and motioned for him to follow his tail brushing against Stereo's shoulder and the walk to the spot began. The two then transitioned to their hind legs for a good portion of the walk so they could talk. They looked at each other to catch the sign language talking about random things passing the time as they enjoyed the warming weather. 

“So why are you wearing such dark colors? Aren’t you worried you're gonna start melting?” Stereo asked out of nowhere causing Nemuru to let out an amused purr. He then chuckled, shaking his head, signing back; “I could ask you the same thing with you wearing leather right now and shiny metal bits.” Stereo grinned back, signing “fair enough!” as they continued on. 

After a good hour they got to the spot as the two were back to walking on all fours. Nemuru then paused and had Stereo blind folded and guided him to the spot with his tail tip on his shoulder as he led him through the path to the blanket. At this point the sun was starting to set and Nem undid the blindfold to let Stereo's senses finally take in the beautiful scenery. The sunsets light shown through the branches and newly budding leaves and wisps of clouds catching the light and taking on dazzling colors of oranges, yellows, reds, purples, and many other colors creating a breathtaking sunset. Nemuru looked over at Stereo and smiled at what he saw. Stereo’s expression was priceless as he took in the colors and feelings that his whiskers were picking up as Nemuru then looked back to watch the rest of the sunset with him moving closer on the blanket and wrapping his tail around Stereos. 

The two enjoyed the sight until the last rays of sunlight could no longer be seen, and the two then turned to each other. The next phase of the date had begun and Nemuru brought out the food but finding he didn’t have any rolls though. Stereo chuckled at Nemurus' grumpy expression as the edgy cat glared at the empty basket. Neither of them noticed at first that a whirring sound was growing louder but never did get too loud as a small box then dropped from the sky. The box dropped creating a loud noise and vibration being out of nowhere. This then caused both cats to leap into the air with startled yowls and hisses as they landed. The two had their backs arched and fur fluffed out and ears pinned back before Nemuru finally relaxed enough to look around. He ended up looking up seeing a quiet helicopter flying in circles above them with a white and baby blue fluffy cat with a more vanilla caramel fluffy cat besides the one pioletting. Both were grinning down at them with cheeky cheshire grins before the white and blue cat waved a paw before flying off high-pawing at a job well done at saving a date. Nemuru staired after them with his mouth open in shock, confusion, and wonder about how by the worlds they had known he didn't have any biscuits and where they would be. 

Once he realized, Stereo started to howl with laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Ozzie and his little brother Peanut had come to the rescue and had scared the two out of their fur while doing so! Nemurus' fur fluffed out in indignation and embarrassment before he went back over and opened the box to indeed find a box full of warm, fluffy, white, dinner rolls and a note. The note said;

“Dear Nemuru,

 I’m so sorry about the dinner rolls…. I had walked by when the food you had set up was out to cool off, and I couldn’t help but smell the freshly baked dinner rolls…. Soooo after you packed them I may have helped myself to a few then next thing I knew there was none left! They were absolutely amazing though! So to make up for the ones I ate and all the ones that went missing here is a full crate of freshly baked dinner rolls! 3 dozen fresh dinner rolls on the house!

-Ozzie

P.S. You really are a good cook! Maybe you should make a shop for your goods! I would love to buy them!”

Stereo had come over to read over Nemurus’ shoulder then burst into laughter again and ended up on the ground laughing gasping for air with how hard the laughing fit had hit. Stereo's laughter was infectious, causing Nemuru to eventually start to chuckle before ending up in a good laughing fit of his own. He had never laughed so hard like he had at that moment. Laughing with the love of his life under the stars over the craziness of two highly respected canine like cats had dropped off a small crate of new rolls after the older one had supposedly eaten all of the original ones! Once they finally calmed down enough, they looked at eachother and went to enjoy their meal of homemade foods. 

“Ozzie was right! This food is really good Nemi! Did you make this all of this yourself?” Stereo signed to Nemuru curiously with a tilt of his head. Nemuru smiled pleased at the compliment from Stereo signing back; “yes, most of it I did make but some of the desserts I didn’t make and got at those really good markets in town that make the sweets you said you absolutely love.” Stereo was absolutely delighted by this news and the attention to detail Nemuru had done to set this whole thing up. Nemuru then got the desserts after another basket he had off to the side pulling out Stereo's favorite desserts and a few they both really enjoyed too. Stereo was practically bouncing up and down in pure joy and delight and was purring loudly. The two then split the desserts, though Nemuru didn’t eat as many being quite full from the other dishes. The two ate in silence as Stereo was relishing the delicious foods while Nemuru mentally thought over different ways of how to officially ask the cat across from him out. 

Nemuru was very much head over paws for this cat. His flowing soft hair that he effortlessly styled even looking good when he first wakes up, his confident personality, his kind and energetic heart, and how even though he could not hear his actions screamed out how amazing he was. Frankly, he was scared he would lose him to another cat, and it shocked him that others hadn’t made more moves on Stereo. He could not fathom why others had not gone after Stereo with the amazing cat he was. Deafness and all  Stereo was literally the center of the universe for Nemuru and had been crushing on him, both when he didn’t want to admit it and finally did admit it to himself, for a very long time. Years more than likely. As he was thinking all of this, he watched the musical outgoing cat eating and looking around at the beautiful location. Stereo then looked at Nemuru and tilted his head curiously, noticing that his friend was kinda staring off into space from his deep thoughts.

Stereo let out a little snort and waved a paw in front of his face to catch his attention knowing that times like these when he zoned out, it was sometimes hard to get him back into the zone of reality and the present. Nemuru jolted, snapping out of it. He then turned his face back in the direction of Stereo, his ears forward alertly. Stereo giggled at this grinning signing; “you good bro? You spaced out big time!” Nemuru blushed in embarrassment and nodded before taking a deep breath looking up and seeing a shooting star and muttering a wish under his breath for this to go well…. He then looked back at Stereo moving his weight from paw to paw nervously before taking another soothing breath before sitting back.

“Stereo? I have something very important to ask you…” This catches Steros attention as he watched as Nemuru then moved and pulled out a full bouquet of Stereos favorite flowers and a necklace that was attached to the bouquet. He began signing again looking at Stereo's face to try to read his reaction. “Will you be my boyfriend?” At this point Nemuru was honestly scared for all of his worth subconsciously holding his breath. Stereo was stunned having absolutely no idea that Nemuru felt this way about him of all cats! Him! This rugged, dashingly handsome cat had feelings for him! At first he just stared at him.Then once reality really set in, he grinned tackle hugging the more introverted cat nodding his head vigorously nuzzling Nemuru purring deeply and loudly the vibrations going through both of their bodies. Nemuru had let out a squeak at the tackle before noticing the nodding and began to purr as well nuzzling back wrapping his arms around Stereo. 

After that the rest of the night was heavenly. They watched the stars pointing out constellations, making new ones, talking in sign language, sharing music with Stereos special headphones, giving each other snacks, and over all just having a great time together as it sank in even more about how they were now boyfriends with both of them thinking how lucky they were to have the other in their life now. By the end of the night, Stereo had passed out sleeping and Nemuru cuddled him, their tails wrapped around each other, and for the first time ever in his life Nemuru slept…. He slept the rest of the night purring and content from the most magical and memorable moment up until that point.