[Tim laughs and opens his arms for a hug.] And yet my friends still call me Kitten. I guess some names you never out-grow. I have missed you desperately, pretty elf.
Hawke grins and sweeps Kitten into a hug. "That is true. My mother called me her little Hawke and so I have always been. It is good to see you again. Tell me, has the time been kind to you?"
[He leans into the hug, rubbing his cheek against the gold of Hawke's hair.] It's the perfect name for you. Your golden eyes and the way you soar. [He purrs deep in his throat.] Dickie was right, your scent is different as an adult.
Time has been okay to me but.. it's been pretty rough on my brothers. It's been hard being cut off from this place.
No! [Kitten pleads, returning the tight hug.] No, please don't go. Your scent is wonderful but I'm not going to bolt or lose control. Dad did a lot of work to help us deal with our instincts. [He rolls up his sleeve to show a tiny scar on his upper arm with a lump beneath it.] He made chemicals that mean we don't have to play unless we want to. It was made for JJ but it helps all of us. I'm safe and I want to be around you, and your scent.
[He smiles brightly and purrs, pressing a kiss to the corner of Hawke's mouth.] And you mean the world to me. We missed you so much. Dickie never takes your bracelet off, even now.
You never hurt us. Dick's desire scared his because it brought him closer to his tiger side. His wild nature. He wanted to be human then. He's dealing with it better these days. He's made some good friends who let him be himself. I'm glad... even if I don't get to see him as much as I want to.
[His eyes light up.] Please? May I have it? Dick loves his so much and I always wished I had one of my own.
Sorry, my grammar seems to have failed me tonight.
You gave him the freedom to be himself, even when he didn't want to. He was glad of that. The first year after the Hub stopped letting us back, Dick and I use to curl up by the fire and tell each other stories about this place. The story about the day he hunted you in the long grass always make him smile. You have him happiness that made the distress worth it. [Kitten has become a bit of a philosopher in his mature stage.]
[He holds out a hand to Hawke.] I trust you. And will follow you. The scent might get intoxicating but it won't overwhelm me. And even if it does, I know I'm safe with you.
Hawke has his own fond smile for that day. And he ruffles Kitten's hair. "You have grown to be a wise little cat."
With their fingers twined together he starts walking deeper into the park. "It was always my fear that you would not wish to be near me once you grew. I cannot say how happy I am that this is not the case."
I try. [He shrugs and leans into the ruffling.] Since I grew up, I've been pretty active on the mission, working with Dad a lot. It's nice. I like it. It makes me feel useful.
I don't think it would have been a problem for me. I've never had... issues with my need to play. Dick was afraid of his own wild nature and JJ, well... [He shrugs again, clearly uncomfortable with the topic.] JJ had different issues. I've always enjoyed playing, I still do. And around people I trust and care about, losing control would only make it more fun.
"Still I worried. I met your JJ only once. I do not think even I could heal the wounds he carries. No one should take that joy from you, Kitten, and I am glad of it."
He opens the door to the tree cottage. It's quiet with Flame and Wing being gone, and he himself spends more time with Jack at the hobbit house, but he still has things here and he goes to open one of the chests near the wall.
I think so. I've gotten stronger and faster. And a lot, lot smarter. I think that helps.
[He sighs and scuffs the dirt.] JJ... needs more help than I think anyone can give. But he needs to want help first. until then, there's not much we can do.
[He breathes in deep, purring at the smell.] Sunlight and happy days. [He flops onto the bed, grinning brightly.] And even happier nights. I imagined heaven here.
"It has always been a haven for my brothers and I." He pulls out a package wrapped in red silk. There's another wrapped in blue, and he touches it softly, but leaves it behind. JJ was never his friend the way his brothers were and it was only whim that he made another bracelet. The bracelet for kitten is a darker gold, than Dick's still with many charms, and brightly coloured beads. "And you were always a welcome guest here."
[Kitten reaches for Hawke's hand, pulling him onto the bed if Hawke will let him. He purrs deeply, just breathing him in.] Thank you. I've always felt welcome here, even if Dick couldn't.
[He toys with the charms happily, resting his head on Hawke's shoulder.] It's beautiful, just like you. Thank you!
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Time has been okay to me but.. it's been pretty rough on my brothers. It's been hard being cut off from this place.
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"I am sorry to hear that. You know I hold all of you most dear to me."
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[He smiles brightly and purrs, pressing a kiss to the corner of Hawke's mouth.] And you mean the world to me. We missed you so much. Dickie never takes your bracelet off, even now.
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"It will keep him safe. I made one for you, but... ah there was never an opportunity to give it to you."
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[His eyes light up.] Please? May I have it? Dick loves his so much and I always wished I had one of my own.
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"It is back at the tree. If you wish to come back with me, and it won't trouble you..." He reaches to touch the little scar.
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You gave him the freedom to be himself, even when he didn't want to. He was glad of that. The first year after the Hub stopped letting us back, Dick and I use to curl up by the fire and tell each other stories about this place. The story about the day he hunted you in the long grass always make him smile. You have him happiness that made the distress worth it. [Kitten has become a bit of a philosopher in his mature stage.]
[He holds out a hand to Hawke.] I trust you. And will follow you. The scent might get intoxicating but it won't overwhelm me. And even if it does, I know I'm safe with you.
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With their fingers twined together he starts walking deeper into the park. "It was always my fear that you would not wish to be near me once you grew. I cannot say how happy I am that this is not the case."
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I don't think it would have been a problem for me. I've never had... issues with my need to play. Dick was afraid of his own wild nature and JJ, well... [He shrugs again, clearly uncomfortable with the topic.] JJ had different issues. I've always enjoyed playing, I still do. And around people I trust and care about, losing control would only make it more fun.
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"Still I worried. I met your JJ only once. I do not think even I could heal the wounds he carries. No one should take that joy from you, Kitten, and I am glad of it."
He opens the door to the tree cottage. It's quiet with Flame and Wing being gone, and he himself spends more time with Jack at the hobbit house, but he still has things here and he goes to open one of the chests near the wall.
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[He sighs and scuffs the dirt.] JJ... needs more help than I think anyone can give. But he needs to want help first. until then, there's not much we can do.
[He breathes in deep, purring at the smell.] Sunlight and happy days. [He flops onto the bed, grinning brightly.] And even happier nights. I imagined heaven here.
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[He toys with the charms happily, resting his head on Hawke's shoulder.] It's beautiful, just like you. Thank you!
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