[ Why not? Hasn't he been paying attention at all? He doesn't protect things, and here is this tiny, defenseless little creature who will need nurturing and support and...and things he doesn't have the first idea how to do.
That should be obvious to anyone. ]
I can't...
[ His jaw works, and his gaze flickers down as the kitten wraps its paws around his fingers, flipping onto her back and beginning to gnaw gently. ]
For what it's worth, you're already pretty good with DC, kittens are more resilient than they look, and...honestly, "I have to feed the cat" is a good reason to get up in the morning.
[It says more about Wash than it does about Locus, which is kind of the point.]
[ A reason to get up in the morning. It says something that Wash understands what that struggle to find that purpose is, when you're so uncertain of your place in the world or the worth in continuing to try.
Some of the panic edges off of his face as he lifts the animal, to allow her to cuddle closer without risk of rolling out of his hands and to the floor. ]
...there's a living thing at risk if this doesn't work.
[Wash had specifically picked out a mild-mannered cuddlebug for Locus - that might change as the kitten grows up, but hopefully he'll be used to her before then.]
You mean the living thing you're cuddling right now?
The fact that you're that worried about it tells me that you're ready. [He shrugs.] Worrying means you care.
[ Hard to argue with that. He cares. That doesn't make him good at it, but...
Locus's eyes fall again to the kitten before he frowns at her. One hand shifts under her posterior as she stretches her paws to pat gently at his jaw, the other gently scratching her ears. ]
[Wordlessly, Wash gestures at the cart. He'd pulled the blanket off when he'd retrieved the kitten, so now the cart is visibly laden with cat supplies: food and dishes, toys, a bed, litter and litterbox, the works. He came prepared.]
[ Which is a bit of a disconnect, because it's not a question in regard to his fans. Why this? Why decide he needed a little animal in his life to wake up for? Did this have anything to do with the fight they'd just gone through, with--
With finally and abruptly making it clear where he stood on the issue of his ex-partner. ]
[ It's alright Wash, you'll learn how he communicates one day. Sometimes there are leaps, jumps in the track, but it's all still headed in a very particular direction. ]
[Oh. It's not completely out of left field, but it sure took the long way getting there.]
Because it's good to have something constant in your life. It's good to come home to something that will love you regardless of what you did that day, or ever. Cats are good for that.
[ What? That can't be right. He squints down at the kitten, who has nuzzled her little head into the crook of his neck and is breathing deeply enough to see her little belly rise and fall.
Traitor.
She's a dumb animal. She doesn't know the mistake she's making. After what he's done, he doesn't deserve something caring for him that way. ]
[ There's still trepidation in his face, but it's more concern now than anything else. Lips thinning, he nods towards the cart before tipping his head towards a corner of the room.
Alright. Let's get this set up, while she's still sitting here content. ]
[Wash drags the cart over to the corner of the room and starts unloading it, talking all the while.]
You're probably going to want to keep her confined to a room or two to start - this place is pretty big, and you don't need her hiding somewhere you can't find her. And she will find a tiny little place to hole up in, because that's what cats do. DC managed to get inside one of my socks once - not the drawer; the actual sock - and it took me almost an hour to find him. Then again, DC likes sticking his nose in everything - hopefully yours will be a little calmer.
[ Keep her to confined quarters lest he lose her. That seems reasonable. Though right now she doesn't seem very interested in going much of anywhere. A big, sturdy thing with the comforting sound of a heartbeat and as much warmth as he tends to put off? He was a born cat-rest. ]
I...I don't know.
[ He's never really considered having a pet, much less what he would name them.
Though not letting York help seems sound advice. ]
[ 'Delilah', huh? Biblical name. There's a song too, isn't there? It's a little too delicate -- even if kittens are rather delicate by nature -- and Locus lets a finger trace the long, lazy curve of her spine. ]
[ As though he needs to tell someone who decides to go by their codename, as he does. Names define them. He's not going to give anything a name lightly. ]
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That should be obvious to anyone. ]
I can't...
[ His jaw works, and his gaze flickers down as the kitten wraps its paws around his fingers, flipping onto her back and beginning to gnaw gently. ]
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[It's a legitimate question.]
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[ You generally don't try things you know you'd be terrible at, Wash. ]
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[In the interests of being less vague:]
For what it's worth, you're already pretty good with DC, kittens are more resilient than they look, and...honestly, "I have to feed the cat" is a good reason to get up in the morning.
[It says more about Wash than it does about Locus, which is kind of the point.]
Plus, it's not like you're in this alone.
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Some of the panic edges off of his face as he lifts the animal, to allow her to cuddle closer without risk of rolling out of his hands and to the floor. ]
...there's a living thing at risk if this doesn't work.
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[Wash had specifically picked out a mild-mannered cuddlebug for Locus - that might change as the kitten grows up, but hopefully he'll be used to her before then.]
You mean the living thing you're cuddling right now?
The fact that you're that worried about it tells me that you're ready. [He shrugs.] Worrying means you care.
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Locus's eyes fall again to the kitten before he frowns at her. One hand shifts under her posterior as she stretches her paws to pat gently at his jaw, the other gently scratching her ears. ]
...I don't have anything to take care of it.
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...how long have you been planning this?
[ Not that it's going to prevent him from continuing to pet the kitten. That first steadfast 'no' appears to be crumbling over time. ]
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[Locus isn't putting the kitten down or trying to give it back. That's a good sign.]
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[ Which is a bit of a disconnect, because it's not a question in regard to his fans. Why this? Why decide he needed a little animal in his life to wake up for? Did this have anything to do with the fight they'd just gone through, with--
With finally and abruptly making it clear where he stood on the issue of his ex-partner. ]
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Because that's what fans do?
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[ It's alright Wash, you'll learn how he communicates one day. Sometimes there are leaps, jumps in the track, but it's all still headed in a very particular direction. ]
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Because it's good to have something constant in your life. It's good to come home to something that will love you regardless of what you did that day, or ever. Cats are good for that.
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[ Said in the least convincing tone of voice ever. Of all time. ]
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Yeah, that's what I thought right before I went completely off the rails and lived the worst two years of my life.
Plus, it looks like she already loves you.
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Traitor.
She's a dumb animal. She doesn't know the mistake she's making. After what he's done, he doesn't deserve something caring for him that way. ]
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Congratulations, you've been adopted by a kitten.
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Alright. Let's get this set up, while she's still sitting here content. ]
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[Wash drags the cart over to the corner of the room and starts unloading it, talking all the while.]
You're probably going to want to keep her confined to a room or two to start - this place is pretty big, and you don't need her hiding somewhere you can't find her. And she will find a tiny little place to hole up in, because that's what cats do. DC managed to get inside one of my socks once - not the drawer; the actual sock - and it took me almost an hour to find him. Then again, DC likes sticking his nose in everything - hopefully yours will be a little calmer.
What are you going to name her?
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I...I don't know.
[ He's never really considered having a pet, much less what he would name them.
Though not letting York help seems sound advice. ]
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You'll figure it out. If all else fails, you can still go with Fluffy.
[He gives the kitten a considering look.]
Though she looks like a Delilah to me.
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[ 'Delilah', huh? Biblical name. There's a song too, isn't there? It's a little too delicate -- even if kittens are rather delicate by nature -- and Locus lets a finger trace the long, lazy curve of her spine. ]
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I dunno. She just does.
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[ As though he needs to tell someone who decides to go by their codename, as he does. Names define them. He's not going to give anything a name lightly. ]
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