hello! could i request a scenario with neil from anb where he's secretly named one of the animals in his shop after you and you accidentally find him talking to that animal, calling it your name, etc.
I was so excited to get something for this man lmaooo
There was a notable difference between pets and livestock. He’d known that for awhile, somewhere in the back of his mind— of course kittens were different from calves, or chicks, or piglets. It just made sense. But knowing and understanding were different things, and Neil hadn’t quite understood the difference until the kitten made eye contact as its fuzzy little paws shoved the fruit bowl off the countertop.
“Hey—!” Neil leaped forward in time to catch the bowl before it hit the hardwood floor, but the fruit arrangement was a lost cause. He let out a noise between a snarl and a sigh— those had been a gift from—
“Why would you do something like that?” he huffed as he stood back upright, staring down at the kitten that sat on his kitchen counter. It mewed softly in response, a tiny, delicate sound as its big eyes widened even further, dark pools he could almost drown in. Oh no. He'd seen that face before— the same face you’d pull when you wanted something from him. It was impossible to stay mad.
Neil sighed again as he extended his hand. The kitten wasted no time nuzzling its small face into his open palm, its loud purrs vibrating against his skin until he huffed out a laugh. “Guess I’d better name you, if you’re gonna be sticking around. Not sure what’d suit you, though…” his voice trailed off as the cat kept purring. That had been a lie, of course— with its adorable face and sassy attitude, the kitten certainly reminded him of someone special.
The cat meowed as it strode forward, almost tumbling off the counter until Neil scooped it up in his arms. Unfazed, it just began kneading at his deep red jacket, almost as if it had believed Neil would catch it the entire time. “...no, I know exactly what I’m gonna call you.”
When your fingers brushed against your jaw, the dull pain made you grimace. That was definitely going to leave a bruise… you kept rubbing at the tender skin as you followed the path through town, even though you knew the extra pressure hurt more than it helped.
One of your sheep had scored a knockout hit as you’d tried to shear it this morning, and in the process, it had managed to stomp your shears into smithereens too. Maybe you could get Neil to sell you a pair for cheap this time—
More people had been moving into town as of late, but very few of them were awake this early, so the walk to Neil’s house was quiet apart from the swish of your shoes through the dewy grass. As you approached his front door and raised your hand to knock, you faintly heard his voice— a soft “[Name], don’t do that!”
You paused. How had he known you were right there? Still, if he didn’t want you to knock— you leaned closer to the door instead. “Neil, it’s me! Sorry to bother you so early,”
No immediate response. Had he not heard you that time? You leaned in again, tempted to knock anyways, but then Neil said something. “Hey, [Name], I told you to leave those alone too!”
At that, you frowned. What was he even talking about? Had he ever told you to keep your hands off the wood of his home? You planted your hands firmly on your hips as you stared at the door, almost hoping it would simply burst into flames on its own. You were just trying to to business with a local shop—
The doorknob twisted. Neil’s voice shouted your name once more. You puffed out your chest, ready to fuss at him— but as the door finally swung open, a kitten darted past your ankles, dragging what looked like a kitchen towel through the mud. Neil was close behind, but as soon as he saw you waiting, he halted in the doorway. His face flushed red instantly, and your eyes wandered away from him and towards the kitten that had settled at your feet. You cracked a grin as you finally grasped the situation.
“Did you name the cat after me?”