[journal] Breakfast !!!!

      I woke up reaching, struggling, as if for the surface of a lake I was trapped under. My lungs stuttered a bit, gasping for air that was readily available now that I was awake. Laying along my whole body was my beloved husband. He'd maneuvered my tail up under his chin, using it as a pillow atop my chest. Damn, his head was heavy. No wonder I was dreaming of drowning. I roll my eyes a bit, before turning onto my side as softly as I could. I curled around Perp, hoping my warmth would prevent him from waking. It did. Honestly, I don't think the gentleness was even necessary. Perp sleeps like the dead most of the time, only waking before noon if he smells fire smoke or hears the tell-tale pop of bacon cooking. Gods above.

      Next time I wake up, it's because my darling beloved daughter-son-baby-in-law-child was pulling at my eyelids. 

      "Dad? I'm hungry." Kelpie said, her sleepy eyes shining in the dark of our make-shift home (a cave along a nice sheltered cliff face)

      "Do you want breakfast?" She nodded.

      "Does grilled fish and roots sound good?" She scrunched up her face a bit, shrugged, and nodded.

      "Could you keep Perp nice and warm while I'm cooking?" She smiled real big and nodded ferociously.

      I could hear the little rascal chanting something along the lines of  "Perp cuddles Perp cuddles Perp cuddles" under her breath as I turned to our little cooking station. I lit our travel-sized oil-stove (one that hides the flame, to curb perp's pyro tendencies) and glanced back to see Kelpie tucking themself under one of perp's arms, using the other as a pillow. When they finally twisted enough to find the perfect cuddling spot, a contented grin rested on their face. It reminded me a bit of a byun, to be honest. Smug as can be.

      When I was near finished, I heard perhaps the quietest and yet most emotional cry of distress from behind me. I glanced to see Perp had rolled over and was now getting up. Poor Kelpie was left stranded, cold, and alone on the blanketed stone floor.

      A swift glare at Perp left him to blanch a little, before wrapping Kelpie up in our most bestest (their favourite) fur blanket, and then piling all the rest of our blankets on top as well. They were absolutely swamped in coziness and quickly went back to snooze-town.

      "Auuu just roots and fish again? Don't we have anything to spice it up?" Perp looked forlornly at the (DELICIOUS SMELLING, ILL HAVE YOU KNOW) pan full of fish bits and various roots and plants I'd foraged. 

      "I added salt, some of that tasty sauce we found, and a pinch of sugar to 'spice it up'. For the last time, I'm not adding chili oil. Kelpie doesnt like it. You can add it to your own bowl-"

      Perp grabbed my face with both paws.

      "My dearest. I know."

      He gave me puppy eyes (?) Or something (???))

      "Okay... then what do you suggest?"

      "Do we... still have some of those grape preserves?"

      "Wh- grape-? Yes, we still have grape preserves. The first customer to buy one told everyone 'this shit is burnt as hell' and nobody touched it afterwards."

      "We actually got that first one back! Said they'd bring in the authorities if they didn't get a refund, or whatever (≧◡≦)"

      "I.... do not remember that part."

      "That's because I didnt tell you (≧▽≦)✨️!"

      "..... Okay. Why are you asking about grape preserves?"

      "Wellll, simply because- HOLY SHIT WHAT IS THAT?" Perp gasped suddenly, pointed back to the cave entrace. I nearly broke my neck turning it around so suddenly. But... looking back, there was-

      "Perp, there's nothing there." I turn back to look at him. He's busy shovelling the burnt as hell grape preserves over my PERFECTLY GOOD COOKING.

      Smells... kinda nice to be honest. I sigh a little and take the L. My fault for trying to cook anywhere near Perp. I'm just gonna kick him out next time right at the get-go. 

      We eat, and it's .... not what I'd consider...."great cooking". But Kelpie and Perp cannot get enough, they love it so much. A win, to be honest. I knew they were getting tired of the same old roots and fish routine. Afterwards, Perp teaches kelpie how to properly lick every single morsel off the plate, of course. Manners do not exist in this house.  And I don't mind one bit. I get a burst of warmth in my chest just looking at their shenanigans.

///

Dear Diary.... not much to write today.  I̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶k̶n̶o̶w̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶

Perp and Kelpie's "favourite dish in the world"

Ingredients:

-leftover catfish 

-whatever veggies, roots, tasty plants, etc you have on hand

-grape jam or preserves

-salt, pepper, anything, just season to taste

-oil, lard, or butter

1. Prep your fish and veggies, dicing everything into similar bite-sized pieces.
2. Preheat pan on medium-high heat, add oil and let it warm in pan.
3. Put in fish and the heavier roots or veggies, let cook until soft and golden brown.
4. Add whatever softer leafy greens that you have, like green onion or spinach. 
5. Add seasonings, cook to perfection.
6. Forget all previous grace and dump the grape jelly/preserves in. Just... measure with your heart. And soul.
7. Mix and serve.

///

      I looked down at the page, satisfied. I doodle a silly Perp and an adorable Kelpie, put the date, and close the book.

      Another day started just right.