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.

Comments

[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.

[catting]

He laughs at his own expense, a little exhalation of air as he looks away, but his faux-curse on his inability to make effective deals is only for show. He doesn't mind being indebted to Edwin, if he's honest — of all the people to owe a favour to, Edwin is surely the least likely to actively take advantage, after all, though he's sure there's a lot more potential for it to be mind-numbing or tedious than anything too terribly exciting. But then, who knows, maybe it'll be something like that violin case, and he'll get a chance to have some fun and some quality time with the ghost out of it.

The Cat knows he should feel a flash of irritation at the implication that he needs looking after, that he needs soft physical contact more than this brief flash of weakness... but Edwin knows him better than that. Edwin caught on to the fact that he's lonely after a few brief meetings with him, saw through his flirting and saw the need in him for more than just a pretty face to look at. So, yes, while he knows he should feel affronted, he can't quite bring himself to go through with it.

"Alright," He says, eventually, trying not to think of Edwin going back to the office and announcing to the room at large that the Cat King craves cuddles so if any of them are feeling a little empathetic, to open their arms to him. Blegh. "Alright, I get it. I'll— let you know if I need one. In future." Probably.