Star Trek: Eventide 777 - acmo-m’ow﹢lt-jg-pendleton

They took a deep breath, adjusting their comm badge in the mirror. It was their first day aboard the station, because their shuttle had been delayed. They had no clue how anything was going to go, and it was terrifying. They could only hope for the best. “Well, here goes nothing,” they said to themself.

3

They splashed some water on their face, breathing in deeply. ‘I’m okay. I’ll be okay,’ they assured themself.

They heard the door chime, their ears swiveled to the sound. They stood up and crossed the room.

They stepped inside after Wheatley. “They need to redesign these doorframes so you don’t hit your head,” They joked, nudging him.

"That'd do bloody wonders if you ask me!" Wheatley laughed out, looking around.

“Until then, though, you’re just going to have to come see me more often,” They shrugged, sighing dramatically. “Shame. It’s so annoying when you talk to me,” They joked, hoping Wheatley could read sarcasm, and they weren’t making a grave mistake.

"What a shame, to hit my head every time so i can talk to you." He also sighed dramatically, looking down at Hsarr and winking at them. Well, there was something he could do! Read sarcasm and be a sweetie.

They grinned. Good, they hadn’t immediately screwed up. “Well, uh, this is my quarters,” They said, gesturing at the space. It was average sized, with a living room/dining room, a bathroom off to the side, and another door leading to their bedroom.

@Lt. JG. Wheatley Pendleton sorry if me pinging you is annoying

))

Oh it's okay! I'm making food rn-//

Food. Fun!))

"Oh wow, you have your own quarters!" He gasped, looking around. "I've never been up here before- Never had a reason to, so... It's nice that my first time is with you." Wheatley looked at them, unable to contain his signature dorky grin.

“Yeah, I’m pretty much senior crew,” Hsarr shrugged. “Don’t ask me how that happened. So- uh- do you want a snack or something? I’m sure I’ve got something stashed somewhere around here…” They crossed the room, stopped in front of the couch, and began poking through the cushions.

"Niiiice. And hold up, you have stashes too? I've got some those back home! Bet they still have snacks." He giggled and sat down on a chair.

“Yeah, I get hungry,” They shrugged. “Aha!” They cried, pulling out a bag of chips. “Want one?”

"I'd like the blue one, please." He answered.

They handed it to him, then flopped down on the chair next to him. “I’m really glad you’re here,” They mumbled.

"I'm glad to be here too." He popped the bag open and took some chips, munching on them. "Mmh, those are good!-"

“My godfather sent them to me when I got this posting,” Hsarr told him, sitting Plushie Hsarr in their lap.

"How sweet of him! My father didn't send me anything because he was in the hospital when i went here, but during my final day at the academy he sent me a whole chocolate cake." Wheatley sighed dreamily, since he missed that recipe so much.

An idea formed in their head. “You like chocolate?” They asked, mentally going over the recipes they had already mastered.

"Oh, chocolate is amazing. Do you have any recipes to share?-" He replied, curious.

“A couple,” They grinned. “Cooking is a hobby of mine,” *They shrugged.

"No way, I'm a baker!!" He gasped.

“That’s…that’s wild,” Hsarr’s eyes widened. “Like, what are the chances?”

"I have no clue. Seriously, I-I don't." His eyes were as wide as searchlights.

“We must be, like, soulmates or something,” Hsarr mused, looking pensive for a moment before realizing what they had said.

"Maybe so..." Wheatley looked at them, smiling a little as his face and ears went red again.

“You look really, really cute when you blush,” Hsarr told him, leaning in and resting his head on his front paws.

His whole face went crimson red in a matter of seconds as he then proceeded to hide it, feeling all flustered.

“Oh- sorry,” They said, feeling kinda guilty. “I didn’t mean to freak you out…”

"N-no, nonono... It's alright, see? I'm completely alright!- Though.... I'm not used to complements. This is just new to me, that's all." He replied, taking his hands away.

“Well…it’s new to me too…but you better get used to compliments, mister,” Hsarr grinned. “You are seriously, just, so cute.”

He turned to look at Hsarr and smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll certainly try. And look who's talkin'!" Wheatley laughed a little, scooting closer to them.

Hsarr ducked their head, suddenly shy. “Who, me?” They chuckled a bit awkwardly.

"You're way cuter than me, i won't accept no as an answer." He smirked, staring at them.

“I- okay,” They said weakly, eyes widening. “Thanks…?”

He let out a soft yawn and looked up at the ceiling of their quarters, getting a little sleepy.

"Oh, are you tired? You can go back to your quarters...o-or you can stay, either way..." They told him, suddenly forgetting their embarrassment, more concerned with his well-being.

"I think I'll stay... I get a little uncomfortable around my roommate." He smiled a little, but he was falling asleep right then and there.

"Okay! I have a guest bed somewhere...if you like..." They nodded, standing up, assuming he would want his space.

They set down their PADD, stood up, and walked out the door.

Hey Doc, remember me? - Eshen

Oh! Hello

- Hsarr

You want to go out this eve? Take a break from your busy schedule and get a coffee, or maybe see a play? - Eshen

See a play? How would that work? Can't say I'm not interested. Feels a bit late for coffee, though - Hsarr

It's never too late for coffee! Some visitors are doing real theatre in the theatre complex. They're using holograms for some effects, but they've done physical sets, props and costumes, as much as possible. A real novelty. You ever hear of the Earth bard, Shakespeare? - Eshen

2

Hmm....Shakespeare...not a big fan...Coffee sounds fine! - Hsarr

Darn. I'll take someone else tomorrow, then. Meet you in Gliqqigug's in an hour? - Eshen

You got it! See you then! - Hsarr

Hsarr and Wheatley materialized in Hsarr's living room. Shouldn't be too long a distance to carry this idiot (affectionate) to the bed, right? They lifted him up, getting as good a hold as they could on the engineer, moving quickly and laying him gently on the mattress.

He was heavy, so poor Hsarr's back would scream at him later if he carried him for too long. But for now, Wheatley's still unconscious and looking so... Fragile, despite his size.

"Wheatley, please, please be okay," Hsarr said as he prepared to wake him with a hypo.

And not long after that, he began waking up. With a soft, low groan of confusion, his blue eyes slowly opened and tried adjusting to the sudden lights. "...gh... What...?"

"Oh thank the stars," Hsarr gasped, blinking back tears. "Wheatley, you scared me half to death! Don't ever do that again!" They cried, so, so grateful that he was okay.

"Hsarr...? What... What happened..?" He groaned and tried sitting back up, shuddering a little. "Did i do something wrong...?"

"I get commed about a medical emergency in the jefferies tubes, and I get there and you're unconscious and bleeding, and that Cecil kid is standing behind you, claiming he startled you! I nearly passed out myself!" Hsarr began pacing back and forth, clearly distressed. Their normally soft and sleek fur was fluffed up, and their tail lashed behind them.

All that back and forth pacing was making him anxious, so he sighed and sat up properly. "Hsarr," Wheatley spoke out, his voice and demeanor changing from confused to oddly serious, "- I'll be fine. I... I do remember i came up from behind him, and it was seriously dark so i don't blame him for getting startled. If so, it was my fault."

"I thought I'd lost you, Wheat," Hsarr turned back to him, their voice breaking. They stopped pacing, but nothing else changed. And now all they wanted to do was hold Wheatley in their arms and never let him leave. It would break them if anything happened to him. "It wasn't your fault...Cecil should've...at-at least said something, let you know he was there-"

He sighed softly and smiled a little, "It's hard to get rid of me. Believe me, that's happened a few times now." Wheatley reached out for Hsarr's paw, having the same dorky smile of always. "You won't lose me any time soon. And i didn't know he was there either, i was going to my usual spot."

Hsarr took his hand, moving to sit next to him, fur still ruffled and ears still straight up. Curse their catlike body language; anyone could read them like a book. They tried to still their tail, but settled for holding it up against their chest. "I just...it really scared me," They said. "What if I hadn't gotten there in time?"

"Well, i wouldn't be here in your quaters for a start." He gently pet their head, giving them the best head scritches in the galaxy.

Hsarr began purring involuntarily, slowly calming down. "No...you're right...I'm sorry," They said over the motorboat sounds coming from their chest. Their fur began smoothing out, and their ears turned, relaxed again.

"It's alright, luv. Don't worry too much about it. Now I'll be fine, but you need to go back to work and honestly so do I." He sighed a little, rubbing the non bloodied part on his head. "I just hope they'll understand my absence.."

"Wheat...you have a concussion," They stared at him. "I can go back to work, but you're staying right here, doctor's orders,"

"I'll be fine.... eventually." He coughed awkwardly.

"Wheatley Middle-name Pendleton. Not only do I outrank you, I can declare you medically unfit to work. You can either agree to stay here or I will order you to," Hsarr said sternly, but their words came from a place of love.

Wheatley just chuckled loudly and nodded. "My middle name's Charles. And oh, alright, Mr. Lieutenant Hsarr M'ow. I shall stay here... Doing nothin'... But stare at a wall." He chortled and got a pillow, fluffing it up a little.

Hsarr sighed in relief. "My shift's almost over, I'll be back soon," They smiled. "Try and get some rest, nap if you can," They suggested.

"I'll most certainly try, but I'm only watching a headache that could rival a god's punishment form in my poor ol' head." He sighed.

"Let me get a painkiller," Hsarr grabbed the medkit, pulling out yet another hypo and injecting it through Wheatley's neck.

"AUGH- That hurts!-" Wheatley exclaimed out, rubbing his neck.

"I know, I'm sorry, but it'll feel better in a little bit," Hsarr said sympathetically. "I'll see you in about...an hour," They told him.

He nodded and smiled a little. "See you in an hour."

03:47

....being the little shit he was, Wheatley made sure that the coast was clear before getting up and replicating himself a whole batch of marshmallows.

2

My man's now having a sugar crash because he ate that whole thing in minutes and passed out on the bed in a funny position.

2

snoring noises™.

3

2

[D] Hsarr padded into the bedroom quietly, nearly dying at how adorable their boyfriend was. They did their best not to wake him as they went to the bathroom to put on casual, after shift clothes.

He was nearly falling off the bed, so it wouldn't be long until he woke up properly.

Hsarr rushed forward, helping him to not fall.

Too late. Poor Hsarr was soon crushed by the Wheat boi.

“Ack!” They weren’t quite sure what to do at this point, with a long twig draped over their body.

3

And this man worsens it all by cuddling his fluffy lover, holding him close like a plushie.

“Um…Wheat?” The cuddles are welcome…but not on the floor.

Man's absolutely unconscious, so feedback shan't be accepted at the moment.

Well. This is a predicament. They had picked him up once before…could they do it again? They started trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

It's one thing to carry Wheatley, but it's another to actually escape his grasp.

“Wheat…sweetheart, you gotta get off me,” Hsarr frowned, not giving up his attempt.

He eventually rolled off, but even that took a bit.

They stood up and nudged the engineer. “Do I need to hypo him awake?” This was growing concerning.

Nope, no need to because he was waking up.... slowly. His eyes opened and he groaned a little, but didn't get up yet.

“Wheat?” Hsarr crouched upon hearing him waking up. “You alright?”

He yawned and sat up, blinking as he looked around for his glasses. "....wait, where's my glasses..?" ...they were on his forehead.

Hsarr simply moved the framed down over their boyfriend’s eyes with gentle paws. “There you go,”

"Oh, there it is! Thanks, mate." He chuckled softly and got up, groaning a little as he cracked his back.

“Sleep well?” They asked with some fond amusement in their voice. “I noticed a couple marshmallows on my pillow…”

"Low blood sugar, it happens." Wheatley yawned, pulling up his glasses and rubbing his eyes a little. "And oh, i slept like a dead man!" He laughed.

“I’m glad. Let me look at your head,” Hsarr requested, brushing the blond strands away from the mostly healed wound.

He had a nasty ol' scar, but his hair was ruffled enough so it wouldn't be noticed by most. It was just a matter of washing the dried blood off.

“Not too bad,” *They said, satisfied. “And how’s your shoulder feeling?”

"Still hurts like hell, but... Hey, it's gettin' better." He lowered his eyes a little. "...sorry for scaring you, back there."

“It wasn’t your fault, I just wish you weren’t so clumsy sometimes,” They sighed. “I know you couldn’t help it.*

"I got scared, and lost my grip." He looked away, a little ashamed.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Hsarr insisted. They placed a paw on his shoulder…well, upper arm was all he could reach.

He chuckled and lowered himself a little. "Let's hope I don't get another concussion by hitting my head on the doorframes."

“You need to start remembering to duck, sweetheart,” They said, and then touched their nose to Wheatley’s.

"I know, i know." He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against theirs.

Their tail, seemingly without Hsarr even thinking about it, wrapped loosely around Wheatley’s leg.

He looked down at their tail and smiled a little, reaching out and gently petting their head.

“Thanks for putting up with my weird habits, by the way,” Hsarr said, purring quietly, their chest vibrating.

"Don't worry, i should thank you for putting up with silly ol' me." He chuckled and sat down on the bed, pulling them up onto his lap like he did with his own cat a long time ago.

“You know it’s not any trouble,” They said, looking up at Wheatley and blinking slowly. Cat body language has been extensively researched, people.

He slowly blinked back, giving them head scritches.

“‘Love you,” They mumbled, but it was almost drowned out by their motorboat-chainsaw love child sounding purring.

2

He laughed a little and nodded. "Love you too, you little purring chainsaw."

They fake pouted at the teasing. “I can’t help it,” They protested.

"Wish i could purr like that, man alive!" Wheatley noted, grinning.

Still purring Hsarr rolled over so that they were in Wheatley’s lap, looking up at him. “How come?”

"It's so easy to demonstrate affection when you're purring." He sighed dreamily.

“Well- you do it too, when you pet me,” Hsarr smiled, then sat up just quick enough to boop Wheatley’s nose with his.

He got surprised and squeaked a little, laughing out loudly. "You booped me!"

“Yep. And I’ll do it again.” They grinned, looking very much content in their partner’s lap. “It’s basically a kiss. Since I’m furry everywhere, even on my mouth, and you probably don’t want that,”

"Well, it works out for me!" Wheatley replied, shrugging a little.

"I'm glad. You got into this relationship, now you gotta put up with a clingy, chubby, purring cat that boops you instead of kisses you," Hsarr teased.

"Hey, it's better than having a relationship with someone who doesn't like me." He smiled and held them close.

“Good point, but if there’s someone out there who doesn’t at least platonically like you, I’ll fight them,” Hsarr said matter-of-factly. “You’re wonderful and deserve so much more than I can give you,”

"Oh, Hsarr..." He chuckled softly and smiled. "So do you. You deserve the same things i do."

They just leaned forward and tapped their nose against Wheatley’s again, holding it there a little longer.

Stepping inside, they immediately found a place of honor for the Bowl, next to framed pictures of Wheatley.

One of the pictures was teenage Wheatley holding his first bread. A burnt, not-bread looking loaf of bread that looked like a giant piece of charcoal. Hell, even Wheatley looked weird because he was a lanky boy with a fuckin pompom-lookin ponytail.

2

1

They sat back on their sofa, admiring their Prized Possessions wall. They weren't even sure Wheatley knew about the photos...oh well.

[D] Hsarr sat on a couch in their quarters, reading off of a PADD, tail resting on a pillow in their lap, having just put fresh bandages on. They sighed. Slowly, they were coming to terms with the fact that they'd have to figure out how to balance themself with their tail somewhat immobile. They had been practicing by doing small exercises daily, but these things took time. They sighed, rolling their neck and blinking to focus on their PADD.

[D] Xavier reached his godchild's quarters, and a chime rang throughout the room. He'd recently received a communication from the Catian saying they'd injured their tail, and he was here to make sure his godkid was recovering well.

Hsarr looked up at the sound of the chime. "Come in," They called out, not really feeling like limping to the door after a day of mostly standing (self inflicted). They'd been trying to appear strong so they weren't sent on medical leave.

"Hey, kiddo," Xavier smiled, stepping into the room as the door swished shut behind him. It had been...gosh, how long? He'd lost count, since he'd last seen Hsarr...they looked happy. He felt a sense of relief at that.

"Xavier?" Hsarr exclaimed. They could hardly believe their eyes. Unannounced, the man who'd raised them since 14 just strolled into their quarters...screw staying seated, they hopped up, setting the PADD aside, and limped over to their godfather, wrapping to furry arms around him.

4

That limp did not look good. Poor kid really had a number done on themself... "Yup," Xavier replied, patting the Catian's back. "Decided to come down and see you, make sure you were doing alright after your accident. How you holding up, kid?" It was almost second nature for Xavier to call Hsarr 'kid' or 'kiddo', despite the man being almost 32...yup, their birthday was coming up very soon. Maybe he'd stick around until then. Who knew?

"You didn't have to, you know. I'm fine," Hsarr protested, rolling their eyes and breaking the hug, stepping back. "I can take care of myself..." They began defensively, but stopped, remembering the last time they'd spoken those words: spoiler alert, it hadn't ended so well. They touched the scar on their face, remembering.

3

"Kid...." Xavier sighed. Hsarr could be stubborn when they wanted to be, Xavier knew from first hand experience. Countless arguments over petty things in the first couple of months as Hsarr adjusted to earth... "You don't need to be strong all the time. It's okay to let yourself be vulnerable," He said wisely, placing a hand on the Catian's shoulder.

3

Curse that perceptive man. Hsarr sighed, realizing there was no winning this fight. "It's...hard," Hsarr admitted in a small voice. "Knowing that walking won't quite be the same, even once my tail heals." They looked at the ground, ears doing what can only be described as drooping.

"Come sit down," Xavier instructed, keeping his hand on Hsarr's shoulder as he led the Catian back over to the couch, putting the PADD on a table and sitting where it was moments earlier. "Now, I'm no Catian, and I don't know the first thing about having a tail, but I imagine you're going through something somewhat similar to what people with permanent leg injuries go through: relearning to walk,"

Stars, was Hsarr that obvious? They did suppose Xavier had always been able to read them like a book... "Yeah, something like that," They confirmed, playing with the fur on the tip of their fluffy, bandaged-in-some-places tail nervously. "I'm fine, though. You saw me. I can walk."

"Just because you can doesn't mean you should, not just yet. C'mon, kid, you're ACMO, for crying out loud, surely you know that having your tail dragging along the floor while it's healing is counterproductive," Xavier said, taking Hsarr's paws off the injured column. "And don't play with that, you might hurt it more,"

They sighed. They felt like they were fourteen again, sitting on Xavier's couch on earth, being scolded for trying to take the bandages off their face to see the damage. "I'm fine," Hsarr insisted, their ears twitching irritably. Seriously, why did the one person (besides maybe Wheatley) who could tell they really were in pain have to fly all the way to 777?

"Hsarr." Xavier said, using the Catian's name, a sign that he was serious. "I will talk to that Lieutenant Commander Dreaxa if you don't stop this tough guy act," He...not quite threatened. Hsarr may have been stubborn, but when it came to their well being, so was Xavier. He wasn't backing down, no way.

Shit. Well, knowing Xavier, he would, so... "What do you suggest I do?" Hsarr sighed, defeated. Arms crossed in an x over their chest, they looked over at their godfather. "Just...stop working? Give up?" Their sense of pride was strong; always had been, after every injury they'd endured they'd insisted on getting right back up.

"Knowing you, if I suggested that you would kick me out," Xavier said good-naturedly. "No, I won't ask you to stop working- yet." He looked at Hsarr meaningfully. "Maybe try something like a wheelchair, something that would let you get around without that fluffy thing of yours dragging on the floor,"

3

"A...wheelchair?" That...actually wasn't a bad idea...hmm. "Maybe. But what after that? Physical therapy? Months off duty, working on balance and coordination and learning...well, learning to walk? I'd rather crawl around everywhere like a kitten," Hsarr was not giving in completely, not yet.

"Kid," Xavier said in an exasperated voice. "You are going through what is comparative to a severe leg injury. If one of your patients was acting the way you are right now, you'd order them to listen, wouldn't you? Don't underestimate me when I say I will tell your CMO you're overworking yourself,"

3

They had to figuratively bite their tongue to keep from hissing at Xavier. "Fine," They spat out angrily. They almost said "You aren't my dad," But they stopped. That was unfair. Their dad was dead, in an unmarked grave on an asteroid in a tiny blip of 'neutral' space. He was dead, and they were here, making him proud.

"Good," Xavier nodded, patting the Catian on the shoulder. "Have you eaten yet? I can go replicate us something," He offered, and when the Catian shook their head, he stood, then returned shortly with two sandwiches.

"Thanks," Hsarr mumbled, picking up the sandwich and taking a very generous bite. Inside, though, their brain was a turmoil of thoughts and emotion. Survivor's guilt...they thought they were done with that.

"Something wrong?" Xavier asked. He may not have been with this kid since birth, but he knew them pretty darn well, and that was not the look of Content Hsarr or Relaxed Hsarr. That was Troubled Hsarr, Distracted Hsarr.

For once. In his life. Could Xavier be wrong about Hsarr? "It's nothing. I'm alright," Hsarr said, shaking out their fur and smiling. Now if Xavier would just fall for their act for once...

3

“Kid…” Xavier said warningly, giving the Catian a very serious expression. “I just told you not to lie to me; it doesn’t work,”

“I just- remembered something,” That wasn’t a lie, they had. Hsarr had remembered the smell of their father’s cooking as they charged inside beside an almost identical Catian boy, both of them aged six. They’d remembered a loud explosion and watching their home disappear.

“Alright. Well, I’d better go find my quarters,” Xavier said, finishing his sandwich and standing. “Take care of yourself, alright, kiddo?”

“Yeah,” They said absentmindedly as their godfather left, taking another bite of their sandwich and feeling regret wash over them.

Hsarr felt their vision go blurry, somewhat. Deep, steady breaths…

“Bet I’ll get home before you!” T’rirr trilled, dropping to all fours and racing ahead of Hsarr and their mother, K’allr. The Catian woman shook her head as Hsarr called out “No fair!” Hsarr chased after the boy, but skidded to a stop, watching as a small, faulty bomb that had landed unnoticed on the family’s windowsill hissed….sparked… “NO!” Hsarr yowled. Flash…and blackness.

4

13:59

They were hyperventilating, they needed to calm down, they needed- what? What did they need? What could they do? If only they had seen the bomb, if only, if only, if only…

14:02

Standing up on shaky legs, Hsarr stumbled forward, not noticing the pain as their tail dragged on the floor. They moved to the bedroom, collapsing on their mattress in a shuddering, shivering lump of fur. Deep breaths…clear mind…they’d already worked through it, but now it was resurfacing…

They pulled the blanket over their shoulder, sobbing silently into a pillow for T’rirr, not for the first time, and probably not for the last. Their twin brother had been one of their only friends growing up, and one stupid race had ended his life.

5

4

From: Lieutenant Dipoto, on behalf of Starfleet JAG corps To: Lieutenant Hsarr M'ow

Dear, Lieutenant M'ow, the JAG corps has set a trial date of stardate 80280.67 wherin Lieutenant Junior Grade Ferrufino will be tried for behavior unbecoming of a starfleet officer, failure to provide medical care, and impeding medical care. Your appearance at the trial is necessitated by law. During said trial you will be questioned under oath by both the prosecution team and defense.

4

They heard their PADD chime and looked up. “What?” They said aloud after reading the message. They hadn’t even known the Lieutenant was there…what had happened? They’d been unconscious the entire time, what were they expected to say?

[PADD]

From: Lieutenant Hsarr M’ow To: Lieutenant Dipoto With all due respect…what? I hadn’t even been aware that Lieutenant Ferrufino had been in the room…I would appreciate an explanation. And for this reason I don’t think I’m going to be much help in an investigation, though I suppose I could provide X-rays of my injuries as evidence.

From: Lieutenant Dipoto, on behalf of Starfleet JAG corps To: Lieutenant Hsarr M'ow

Your presence was requested by the prosecution. During the phase of discovery in the trial we will be examining you as to see what your truely know. It comes down to us trying to get a fuller understanding by any means we can find.

Welp. Lovely, what a perfect addition to the day, they were going to testify in a trial that they had no information on, and they likely weren’t allowed to ask around. They sighed, setting their PADD down. Now was probably a good time to put in an order for that wheelchair…who would they talk to for that?

After getting the ‘message unreceived’ notification, they stared at their PADD before letting out a string of Catian foul language, which sounded a lot like a rattlesnake and a cat having a heated debate. What the frickity frack was going on????

2

"Computer lock door," They breathed, collapsing on the ground in a shuddering, sobbing, hyperventilating pile of fur and terror. That...that wasn't Wheatley, that was someone else. Wheatley was hiding...where had he gone? Was this a joke? It wasn't a very funny one...he let out another sob. This wasn't Hsarr, either.

4

22:41

Hsarr stood up on very, very shaky legs, on all fours out of a need for extra support. They made their way to the bedroom and hid under the bed, using the mattress as a safety buffer. Fake Wheatley couldn't get them under here. Real Wheatley would find them, though. They were sure of it. They clamped their paws over their mouth to stop the hyperventilation, silent tears flowing freely from their eyes like a faucet.

3

Hsarr's Catian ears picked up the sound of knocking. Who...who? They swiveled toward the door. "Computer, who is it?" They whispered.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Wheatley Pendleton,"

"Unlock door..." They replied...but unsheathed their claws and stayed under the bed. "Let...let him in..."

He quickly made his way in, wiping his tears away as his normal, but desperate voice tone finally kicked back in. "Hsarr?! A-are you here?! I'm... I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, i.... I don't know what came over me... Please, if you're there... Please forgive me.."

That...sounded like Real Wheatley....A tiny snout poked out from under the bed frame, and a tiny, cautious mewing sound followed it.

He whipped his head around at the source of the mew and saw their extremely boop-able snoot peeking out from under the bed. Soon enough, he fell down to his knees and waited for Hsarr to get out on their own, not even daring to get close because he was afraid he'd scare them away.

Wheatley! Right? This was their Wheatley? They stuck their head all the way out, looking at the man. His eyes looked right again. They were Wheatley's eyes. Hsarr cautiously sniffed the air, opening their mouth as well to let the scent in. That was Wheatley's comforting smell.. They slid out from under the bed, sitting on their legs and looking at Wheatley. They opened their mouth but no sound came out.

4

23:04

They simply pressed their head against Wheatley's side instead.

"Hsarr, I... I don't know what came over me. I hope you can forgive me, mate... Didn't want to scare ya..." He breathed out shakily, more tears cascading down the sides of his face. "I didn't want to scare anybody..."

Hsarr looked up at the Wheatley, blinked slowly, and then stretched out some to reach their head, which they promptly gave a tiny little lick. Grooming was something they did to themself, yes, but Catians had been known to groom their close friends and family as well. It was extremely comforting for a Catian to be groomed, so by that logic, it would be for Wheatley as well. They even managed to purr softly. How was this so? Hsarr had classified the Wheatley yelling in the events hall as another person. They were just happy to see their partner again. No forgiveness was needed, because Hsarr had girlbossed their way out of trauma, once again.

4

He gasped a little, but allowed the kitty doc to groom his golden hair as more tears fell down. Wheatley would probably be unstoppable if they had given him the ability to malewife his way out of tough situations and actually given him a decent attention span.

4

They moved to Wheatley's lap, purring steadily as they used their sandpaper-y tongue to ruffle that wonderful golden hair. Wheatley was sad, and Hsarr didn't know why, but as his partner it was their job to make him happy again. Purr, purr, lick, lick, Doctor M'ow was on the job, this time as an emotional support Catian.

4

Wheatley finally stopped crying as he laughed a little, lovingly leaning down so they could reach more easily. His cat did the same thing to him when he was younger, so he was actually quite used to it.

"Feel...better?" They asked, slowly finding words again, taking a break from grooming Wheatley to nuzzle his chest affectionately. Wheatley was laughing, that was good! Hsarr was doing their job as Emotional Support Catian perfectly.

"I'll be alright soon." He held them close, his heartbeat slowing down.

"Good!" Hsarr purred happily. "Love you," They whispered, savoring the closeness and allowing themself to be calmed by the familiar scent of their lover. They nuzzled his chest affectionately.

"I love you too." He replied, but still couldn't help but to feel so guilty still.

Hsarr stood up, pulling Wheatley up by the arms and leading him to sit on the bed with them. "Why are you upset?" They asked. "That wasn't you." They said matter-of-factly, having fully convinced themself that someone else had yelled at Shark Man. (edited)

4

"Hsarr, it... It was me. I don't know what came over me, but it was my screaming." Wheatley sighed shakily and sat down next to them. "Got my mum's unruly temper till now, apparently..."

Hsarr blinked. No....no. No, that wasn't...that wasn't right. That wasn't Wheatley. They stared at a spot in the corner of the room, processing. "N-no," They stammarard, blinking again. "No...wait...Wheatley wouldn't...say that..." Ohhhh no....

"I'm sorry... I really am.." He furrowed his eyebrows in concern. "But it was me."

They just laughed. "That's...that's not true...who...who are you?" If it really was this man, then this man wasn't Wheatley, Hsarr's brain determined. Their breathing sped up as they scooted away from him. "You...you aren't..."

"Hsarr, look.. We're the same person. It was me there, and it's me here. There's no other Wheatley." He tried explaining to them, putting his hands up so he could show he wouldn't hurt them.

"No, that doesn't make sense, because Wheatley isn't scary," They stated, looking at the man next to them. "Wheatley isn't scary, and yelling is," They explained to him, ears falling back and fur bristling in a defensive response.

4

"I'm sorry for yelling like that... I didn't mean to scare you." He looked away in shame and scooted away from them, knowing he was scaring them.

"Where is he?" They asked, desperation creeping into their voice. "Where is my boyfriend? I miss him," They said in a tiny voice, looking around.

4

"I'm here, Hsarr... It's me.." That was hurting him so badly.

1

Relying on only their senses, he was right. But their brain told them something was off "Wheatley?" Hsarr asked, ears twitching but remaining glued flat as they zeroed in on the man once again. Their brain was messing with them, playing with their memory some, truly, fundamentally believing there were two Wheatleys...theirs, and the one who yelled at people.

"It's me. There's no other Wheatley, there's just.... Me." He replied, taking off his glasses and cleaning them.

Their brain stopped letting them hear him say that part about One Wheatley. Just 'it's me'. They rushed forward, rubbing their cheek (the non-scarred one) against Wheatley's. "Wheatley," They said in a small voice. But speaking of the scar...it was in clear view, the thing Hsarr never talked about but was a permanent reminder of trauma no one that wasn't family knew.

".... you've never told me about your scar, mate." He motioned to his cheek, putting his hand down again.

1

Hsarr blinked, surprised. Oh. Oh, okay... "Uh...I got it when I was 13," They said. "From a bomb," They continued cautiously. Trust...they trusted him, because this was Real Wheatley.

He put his hand over the scar and frowned a little, almost subconsciously taking off his glasses to clean them, even if they were already cleaned up.

[D] Alone in their quarters, Hsarr was a mess. It had taken a bit, but eventually, they’d noticed. Wheatley was avoiding them. They hadn’t seen their boyfriend, their world, in almost two days, and there was a heavy cloud of worry, anxiety, and fear that they’d done something wrong. They paced back and forth in their living room, mind racing as their tail, finally healed enough so that the pain was a dull, almost unnoticeable throb rather than the sharp, dagger like pain it was before. What had they done wrong? Was Wheatley upset with them? They thought over all the things that had happened in the past week. Was it…was Wheatley put off by Hsarr’s Catian instincts and abilities? Were they…were they making him uncomfortable, with their purring and grooming him and occasionally wearing one of his old sweaters for his comforting scent? On and on the possibilities spiraled until they felt like they were drowning in self doubt.

3

Meanwhile, Xavier had arrived at their godchild’s quarters, and like a true father, barged right in. “Kid?” He looked around and spotted the little furball pacing back and forth in front of the couch. “What’s up?”

Hsarr turned, ears pinpointing Xavier’s voice. Shit. They didn’t want to have to explain themself, not while they were vulnerable and questioning whether or not Wheatley had truly been happy in the last three months they’d been together. “Um- just thinking,”

“What about?” Xavier asked, walking over to his godchild and ruffling the longer fur on the top of their head. Fur, hair, whatever you wanted to call it.

Ears twitching as Xavier’s hand went to their head, Hsarr sighed. “Wheatley’s been avoiding me, and I don’t know why,”

“Your boyfriend? What? He’s avoiding you? Tell me where his quarters are and I’ll make him regret it,” Xavier said, anger flaring. “Just say the word,”

3

2

“What?! Xavier, no, I…need him,” Hsarr said in a rush, ears going flat. “I- I don’t know what I did wrong but…I want to apologize. I want him to love me again,”

“Alright, kiddo, let’s go have a seat and we can talk about this. But just know that if he hurts you in any way I will have a little…chat, with him.” Hsarr was his pride and joy, his little phoenix cat, having gone through so much but recovered nonetheless.

4

They nodded, following their godfather over to the couch. They sat down, expecting him to sit beside them, but were startled when he sat down, crossed his legs on the couch cushion, and pulled them into his arms.

Xavier looked down at Hsarr, holding them gently. “Tell me what happened,” He asked in a soft voice.

They took a deep breath and began with the story of what had happened after the trial, but of course it was skewed by their perception of what had happened.

As Hsarr described the ‘Two Wheatleys’, Xavier’s face began to cloud with worry. “Kid…” He stopped, rethinking. He wasn’t a professional therapist, he couldn’t sort this out for them. “Wheatley still loves you. I think you need to go find him.”

They looked up Xavier, frowning. “He does?”

“Yeah, kid. I think he’s trying to give you distance,” Xavier nodded, rubbing Hsarr’s back comfortingly.

“Oh.” They hadn’t been expecting that.

“I’ll leave you to think. Good luck, kid. You’re a good person, you’ll figure it out,” And with that, Xavier exited, leaving his wonderful little miracle kid to stew in their thoughts.

An hour or so later, Hsarr was still in their quarters, this time lying on their bed looking up at the ceiling. They were too much for Wheatley, that was fine. He could find a nice, tall human and they could have lots of nice tall human babies together and Hsarr could continue on with their life. And if he didn't love them anymore... Tears began to dampen the fur on their cheeks as they rolled over and sobbed into a pillow.

5

Hsarr looked up, pressing a button on their nightstand to open the door. “Come in,” They called out, still staring up and the ceiling.

Wheatley slowly walked in and tried wiping away the tears brimming at his eyes, mainly from the pain of nearly knocking himself unconscious and sadness of not being there for Hsarr. "H-hey there, mate..."

“Wheatley!” Hsarr sat up, eyes wide. “I-I- I’m sorry for whatever I did, I really miss you,” They began. “I promise that I’ll stop doing whatever it is, just…please don’t leave me,”

"Hsarr," He stepped out into the light with the intention of showing his face, but he was so distracted he had forgotten his forehead was bleeding heavily. "I-i'd never leave you because of that, i.... I won't lie to you, mate, but i was so scared you'd leave me because i scared you." Says the one who's bleeding and forgot about it like a dumbass.

“Wheatley, you’re bleeding!” Hsarr exclaimed, jumping up and grabbing a medkit. They stood up on the mattress of their bed to reach his head, running a dermal regenerator over his gash. “You don’t have to love me, just let me fix this,” They whispered.

He grabbed their paws and looked straight into their eyes, "But i love you either way!! You don't have to fix this, but... I love you, i love you so much it'd kill me to hurt you. I'd never leave you, you didn't do anythin' wrong mate..."

Their breath caught in their throat as they heard his words. His would had been healed, they could focus on the real problem issue. “You mean you don’t- I mean- you aren’t uncomfortable with my culture?”

"Of course I'm not! I don't mind at all!!" He replied, still making direct eye contact.

Slowly, cautiously, Hsarr leaned forward and touched Wheatley’s nose with theirs, closing their eyes and purring softly.

He closed his eyes and reciprocated the action, even leaning down a little so Hsarr wouldn't have to be on their tippy toes for that.

“I love you, Wheat,” Hsarr whispered, pulling back after a few seconds with an enormous smile on their face. “Actually…now that I know that- um, that I was being paranoid earlier, I wanted to ask you something…”

"I love you too." He pulled away and turned to them, confused. "And hm, go ahead! What would that be?"

“Well…I was wondering…would you like to move in with me?” Hsarr asked with a hopeful face. “Y-you could have your own bed if you aren’t ready to share one yet, and-“

"I'd love to!" He smiled brightly at them, sighing softly in relief. "Man alive, I'm glad you asked... My roommate scares me."

“If I’d have known that, I would have asked sooner,” Hsarr replied, smiling back. “So…would you want your own room…or…?”

"Only if you'd like. I'm fine with everythin', really!" He happily replied.

“I…think I would like that, if you wouldn’t mind…” Hsarr said, tail twitching nervously. “You feel safe,” They admitted.

"How do i feel safe?" Wheatley quirked an eyebrow.

"You feel...like home," They said softly, looking into Wheatley's eyes with trust and adoration. They leaned in and gently pressed their head into his chest.

3

He chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around them, but soon realized... Oh shit, he was late for his shift. Immediately gulping a bit in nervousness, he pulled away and laughed awkwardly as his shoulders slumped a little, "Eheheh, I... Uhm, not to interrupt the whole thing goin' on at thr moment, but I... Er, um. I need to go to work-"

"Oh, crap, you're right, shift started a while ago, didn't it?" Hsarr realized with a start. * "I'd probably better get to sickbay...I'll talk to Captain Mo about the quarters arrangements today! Just know that my godfather is probably gonna bother us in two days..." *Wait, Wheatley doesn't know. Nevermind.

[PADD] From: Xavier Mills To: Lieutenant Hsarr M'ow

Kid, I know you aren't looking forward to your birthday tomorrow, but I'm going to be there anyway. If you want, it can be just the two of us, playing cards like we did when your face was still healing. You can even invite that blonde british twig you call a boyfriend (I kid, I'm sure he's a lovely man). I know this day is hard for you, and I'm sorry, but I'll try and help you enjoy it. Happy early birthday, Xavier

(edited)

2

[D] After an uneventful day in sickbay, the Local Kitty Doc returned to their quarters, rolling their neck and flopping face-first onto the couch. “Wheatley?” They called, muffled by the cushions. “You home?”

Wheatley, who was in the room messing around with replicated parts of old wind-up music boxes, turned towards the source of the voice and got up. "Yeah, I'm here! How was work?"

"Boring. Nothing happened. I didn't even do any physicals! Just paperwork!" They replied, sitting up and stretching, much like a cat. They were almost tempted to walk into the bedroom on all fours, just to see how Wheatley would react. They would save that for another day.

"Well- Only that? Nothin' else?" He tilted his head, and shoved his screwdriver in a wrong place. Cue the squeaking noise as he was hit on the forehead by a spring.

"Only that. I was bored out of my brain. You wouldn't believe how boring Medical work can be sometimes," Hsarr sighed, standing up and moving towards Wheatley. "Also. I really, really missed you. I pretty much always do,"