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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[catting]

With eyes closed, it's easier to let his sense of touch take the forefront, and even easier still to let his mind - sprawling, fast-paced thing that it is - remain slow and languid, sinking almost entirely into a feeling he didn't realise he'd been starving without. Seduction comes easily to him, being enticing enough to overwhelm is natural, but seeking out quiet and tender comfort like this? It isn't something strays can find, and it's never easy to know if you are truly safe in the midst of it even when you do find it... and the Cat isn't fool enough to think this is safe, because he knows Edwin is only doing this because he asked him to-- but he hadn't asked Edwin to hold him closer, to put a hand to his back as if to silently reassure him.

The brilliantly smart but still somehow completely clueless ghost boy somehow figures out exactly what he needs without him so much as hinting at it. The jumbled feelings between his heart and head settle in his throat, and he lets out a weak little chirp, though he isn't sure why. Longing? A desperate need for this to never end? A desperate need to make it stop before he fully memorises the feeling of hands holding him so softly, so that it's all the more torturous to remember it when it's gone?

That's when he raises his hands to Edwin's chest, snaking them between their bodies to tense, just once, the briefest pulse of pressure, in the fabric of Edwin's coat, before he pushes him away just as gently. But it is, undeniably, a push. A break. Before this indulgence gets any worse.

When the Cat opens his eyes they are wide and glassy, and he looks at Edwin with an entirely unguarded expression he hasn't let anyone see in a long time.

"... Thanks." His eyes flit away, dancing down the alleyway to look at nothing in particular as colour starts to warm his golden cheeks, and the purr continues in his chest.

[technicallyhellbound]

Edwin did draw himself away again as the Cat instigated the breaking of closer contact, though he did rest his fingers just lightly against the back of that hand on his chest, "You're welcome." It was sincere in the same way the hand on the Cat's back had been. Sure, the cat had asked for the embrace, but it wasn't the kind of thing Edwin would have instigated on his own anyway, it wasn't really in his nature, though between Crystal's impulsive bear hugs and Charles' equally as impulsive, but somehow more exuberant -and sometimes lightning-quick- hugs in passing he was learning to be more of a hugger, but it was a long road.

He did, however, straighten a little, tugging his jacket straight if only to keep from grinding his knuckles in consideration and deep thought, not letting himself overthink before speaking again, "You know, our... arrangement, really only covers your predilection towards kissing. I'm hardly going to deny a hug, should you need one in future." His brow creased just a little, "Though I daresay Charles has had far more practice at it than I have, and I sincerely doubt that he would deny you either."

He'd be surprised by it, certainly, but that apparent, more than just occasional need for physical reassurance was something that Charles and the Cat had in common, and while Edwin wasn't about to say so aloud at the moment, he was reasonably sure that hugging it out might actually be good for the pair of them.

[catting]

He's relieved, at first, that Edwin doesn't seem to want to talk about it beyond pleasantries, and is in the process of racking his mind for a topic change when Edwin speaks again. Fuck. So maybe he does want to talk about it. Had it been that bad, had he really been so pathetic that it inspired Edwin of all people — Mister 'The Case Comes First' — to attempt to make it easier for him? It makes him feel miserable, only it also makes his heart feel light and tender, makes him feel seen in a way he hasn't for quite some time. Edwin has recognised a desire for closeness in him that's nothing to do with his obvious attraction to and frequently fumbled seduction of the ghost.

The mention of Charles, though, makes the Cat King scoff lightly. It had made him ridiculously vulnerable to share this with Edwin, someone he somewhat trusts to not yank on the strings of his heart (at least not purposefully), but Charles? Their relationship is easier now, certainly, but the Cat isn't sure either of them are ready for that kind of new direction. Although, he can't help but wonder if perhaps a little softness between their biting remarks might be the thing that makes it easier.

He grumbles a noise of consideration, purr starting to quieten, and then restructures his smile and directs his golden eyes back at Edwin.

"Does that mean you're not going to hold me to that IOU?"

[technicallyhellbound]

"Oh I absolutely am." Edwin replied, though there was definite amusement in the tone, not at the Cat specifically, but at the situation, "You made the offer before making the request, that's a binding agreement."

He did catch at the Cat's elbow lightly, expression and tone gone earnest once more, "But as to the rest," not that the Cat had said anything further, but Edwin had a better read on him now that they'd spent some time together, not just today, but cumulatively, "you are part of the Agency now, whether that was your original intention in offering help or not, and we look after our own."

Which was something that the Cat had undoubtedly seen already, that it wasn't just Edwin and Charles keeping each other safe, but Crystal's willingness to translate something modern into language they could understand, or using her abilities to put the fear of God -or just the fear of Crystal- into someone who was being an ass.

But also the fact that they would do -and had done- the same for her in a myriad of ways. Opportunities to do so for the Cat were much fewer and further between, in that none had come up so far, but Edwin expected they would sooner or later. That kind of thing always did.