Ghostcat shenanigans

[technicallyhellbound]

It had been a few weeks since they'd started this arrangement, and so far the Cat had, in fact, been a surprising amount of help. Enough so that Charles had stopped being mostly on-guard while in his presence and had even taken the 'puppy' nickname in stride, though he still hadn't really looked too deeply at why it didn't bother him as much as it probably should.

That particular day was neither a Monday nor a Friday, and was in fact a Wednesday, so while it wasn't one of their scheduled briefings, it was a visit that had been arranged in advance, a few hours while Crystal and Charles were at a concert, the kind of thing that while Edwin enjoyed being invited to, really wasn't the kind of thing he actually enjoyed going to, and the others both knew it, which was why they continued to invite him, even if he always declined.

It was late afternoon, not yet early evening when he stepped out of the mirror into the cannery, tugging at the collar of his slipover in much the same way he did the lapels of his usual jacket. He'd been branching out from his usual look, just a little, in bits and pieces, and now had something of a range of shades of those softer jumpers, this one was a deep bottle-green and was nearly a cowl-neck, but definitely less severe than his usual look.

It had been raining in London, or rather it had been misting heavily, and he wasn't quite sure if it was still raining here or if it had just finished, there wasn't the same kind of moisture in the air, which meant that if it was raining it hadn't been doing so for long, and all he knew was that the Cat had something planned for them to do, he was only now considering that he probably should have asked a few more questions beforehand.

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[technicallyhellbound]

If he'd been aiming for shocking, he was going to have to try harder, because Edwin had learned a few things and wasn't as easy to startle as he had been then. Of course, he also wasn't considering other applications of that tongue, not because he wasn't interested, but simply because they hadn't occurred to him when he was focused on the task at hand.

The question, however, got a soft smile, a genuine warmth in his tone as he replied, "You're the one with social capital to lose here, or to gain, I suppose." His head tilted, brows both lifting once more even as he caught gently at the Cat's elbow, careful not to apply too much pressure where there was a still-healing injury, "Is it going to tarnish your reputation to be seen with me, even if it is only for a half hour or so?"

The question was genuine, because Edwin, of all people, knew just how tenuous one's social standing could be, and how easily it could be tipped, for better or for worse, and he didn't want to be the cause of the Cat's losing esteem.

[catting]

The fact that the question is quite obviously genuine makes him laugh, some of his earlier warmth coming through in the sound and making it easier for him to lean in close to the touch on his arm, to crowd Edwin's form in closer. "Come on now, Edwin. I know you've got that whole British politeness thing going on, but I didn't take you for modest."

And while the Cat could already touch and feel Edwin easily without the issue of his spectral form getting in the way, it feels so different now that the Cat can't deny himself the faux-innocent little petting of his fingers over the back of Edwin's knuckles where he holds his arm, fingertips delighting in the new sensation of flesh beneath them.

"Being seen taking a stroll across the beach with someone as handsome as you are definitely won't do me any harm as far as social status goes. Who knows, I might even become local supernatural gossip for the first time in a few years. 'Has the Cat King finally managed to see someone more than once, and why the Hell is he bleeding?'" His eyes light up just at the thought of it, stepping into the main body of the cave, but pausing just before stepping outside with him.

"Thinking about it, maybe you should undo the bow tie a little — really give them something to talk about, hm?"

[technicallyhellbound]

"Absolutely not." The reply was quick, but not sharp at all, it was as amused as the question of potential damage to the Cat's social standing had been genuine.

He was, however, more relaxed even once they got outside, falling easily into step with the Cat, leaning closer in turn, pausing before adding, "Not just yet, at least. We've some time if you'd really like to give the gossips something to go on about once I've left."

It wasn't a case, which meant he wasn't going to flat-out shut down the Cat's flirtations, though it was up in the air whether or not he would return them. Bug given that he'd left an opening like that, there was a good chance he was going to, at least to the best of his ability. Just one of those things he actually needed practice at, but didn't get much of.

[catting]

He'd been expecting the refusal, so it's met with a little snickering laugh as he settles back into himself, concentrating instead on picking a path for them across the beach rather than on thinking up more ways to push Edwin's buttons (they call that personal growth)... but what he isn't expecting is for Edwin to lean in and add that little bit extra, and it's a good thing the Cat has neither ears nor a tail that can give his reaction away completely, even though his body perks up in interest as much as it can without the extra help of additional limbs, his eyes practically glowing with curiosity as he looks back at his companion. Coming to terms be damned; this is much more fun.

"Oh we do, do we?" He presses, drumming his fingers across the back of Edwin's hand, as if doing so will lure the tail of his suggestion close enough that the Cat can smack a paw on it and drag it out of the mouse hole.

But... slowly, slowly, right? He doesn't want a repeat of being too much too fast coming back to bite him in the ass. "I'm excited to see what you've got in mind..."