Final Space Oneshots

Never Again

It had been almost a week.

Almost a week since Little Cato had been trapped on the other side of the time crystal, and ever since he hadn't left the main area of the ship – not even to sleep.

When questioned, the exhausted Ventrexian refused to say anything, but unlike when Avocato died, didn't run away from them.

Sometimes, Gary would catch him staring at his own reflection in the window. He would be struck with how similar the action was to when he was on the Galaxy One for five years.

The kid was getting eaten up by his own fears and doubts, just like Gary had been. But, as Gary looked over to Little Cato now as he sipped his cola, he vowed that the Ventrexian wouldn't end up how he had when no one talked to him about his feelings.

Little Cato hadn't seemed to notice Gary enter the room, still curled up in a chair against the wall. Ash was next to him, talking lowly, before sighing and getting up. Her eyes met with Gary's, a silent communication.

Talk to him, he trusts you the most, they said. She glanced once back at Little Cato before leaving the room.

Gary's eyes softened at the sight of the kid, a small sigh escaping his lips. He purposefully opened the can of cola loudly, alerting Little Cato. It was starting how quickly he moved towards Gary, practically launching himself into the chair next to him.

"Hey Spidercat." Gary smiled. He gestured to the other cola can. "Want one?"

Usually, Little Cato would be jumping at the chance to get extra caffeine that he really didn't need. There was even a label on the bottle saying "not for Little Cato." in bold letters. But Little Cato just took the can, opening it quickly with his claws.

"Thanks." Little Cato muttered. Gary smiled, determined to keep his worrying feelings inside.

"No problem buddy." They sat in silence for the first time in a while. Little Cato drummed his claws against the can whilst Gary held his tight. He didn't even like this cola, but Little Cato did.

"Gary?" Little Cato asked.

"Yes?"

"...nothing." The Ventrexian looked away from him, gazing on the floor. "It's nothing."

Gary gave a small I-don't-believe-you hum. He stared in concern at the bags under Little Cato's eyes, the slumped posture. The way his tail hung limply, how his eyes kept closing for seconds at a time.

These were all signs of deep distress and exhaustion, but Little Cato didn't acknowledge them. Knowing better than to ask the Ventrexian straight up what was wrong (they had done before but he would stay silent), he got up slowly. It was getting late.

"Get some sleep Little Cato." Gary told him, ruffling his Mohawk. Little Cato let out a brief smile, slapping his hand away. Gary chuckled, rubbing his shoulder.

"I'm here if you need me." He whispered. Little Cato didn't answer in any way, but as Gary walked out of the main room, he could feel Little Cato's eyes on his back.

Gary was sleeping; twisted in his covers, mouth slightly open, arm twitching. He was having a good dream for the first time in a while, until a loud knock forced him awake.

With a small yelp, he twisted for his gun, only to fall out of the bed with a thump. He cursed, stumbling as he ran to the door (the gun was lost somewhere, who knows where). He was expecting to see an emergency, but was surprised to find Little Cato standing in the doorway, eyes cast to the floor.

He quickly got over his surprise, blinking in the bright light.

"Hey Spidercat." Gary smiled softly at the smaller. He watched as Little Cato seemed to struggle with himself, arms wrapped around his middle.

"Can we talk?" He eventually asked quietly, tail twitching.

"Of course little dude!" Gary gently pulled him inside, closing the door. Little Cato stood awkwardly, so he gestured him towards the bed, hopping in it himself. When the Ventrexian still looked unsure, Gary gave a reassuring smile and patted the covers.

"This is what my Dad used to do all the time when I had things to talk about. Deep things. It really helps, well it did for five year old Gary."

Little Cato gave a weak smile, climbing onto the mattress. With a flourish, Gary wrapped a sheet around them both, making Little Cato giggle as the folds covered him completely. His head popped up from the sheet, and he wiggled into a more comfy position.

"This is nice." He said, his tail ticking Gary's foot. Gary smiled.

"Just as good as I remembered then." Gary answered. His smile faded. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about Spidercat?"

The smile slid off Little Cato's face, and he shifted in the covers. Gary waited patiently, guessing what it was about.

"I don't know how to start..." the Ventrexian gave an unsteady laugh, curling up.

"Is it about the whole time crystal thing?" Gary prodded. Little Cato nodded, turning to him.

"What was it like when you were in the Galaxy One for those five years?" He asked quietly. Gary blinked, caught off guard by the question.

"Honestly?" Gary sighed, gently scratching Little Cato's ears. "I've never felt anything like it. The days just merged into one and...it was really lonely, to be honest." Little Cato stared up at him, listening intently. Gary took this as a signal to carry on. "I used to pretend fridges were people, anything to try and pretend that I wasn't alone in space. It felt like part of me..."

"...was gone." Little Cato finished. Gary nodded.

"Yeah."

"So I'm not overreacting when I say that's how I felt when – when –" Little Cato couldn't finish, sniffing.

"No feeling is overreacting. I was alone for five years, I don't know how you survived sixty like that!" Gary sighed. "I understand what you are going through, even if it wasn't as long for me. It sucks."

Little Cato gave a small laugh.

"Yeah...it does." He snuggled closer to Gary, making him smile. "And...I don't want to go to sleep, because if I do I feel like I'm gonna wake up and you'll all be gone again..." Little Cato let out a small cry. "I don't want to be alone again!"

Gary felt tears burn in his eyes at the distress in the younger. He did the one thing that his dad had always done when Gary was with him. He pulled the Ventrexian into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around his small frame. Little Cato melted into it, his tears soaking Gary's shirt.

"Let it all out, Spidercat." Gary rubbed his back. "I'm not going to leave you, alright? You are one of the best people I have ever met, and if you think I'm going to let myself be taken from you? Because I couldn't cope if I was away from you, little dude. No matter what, I will be there."

Little Cato hugged him harder before releasing his hold.

"All these thoughts are so loud." Little Cato rubbed his head in emphasis. "How did you cope with them? They hurt." He whispered. Gary grinned, snatching some earphone wires from his desk. He pulled out his phone, plugging them in.

"I drowned them out for a while." Gary placed one bud into Little Cato's ear, and the other in his own. Soon, soft music was playing, and Gary closed his eyes. He caught a glimpse of Little Cato doing the same thing, snuggling closer to Gary.

"Somewhere through the cosmos...bound to a world I couldn't say..."

It was just like being back at the Galaxy One, but someone was sharing the pain of loneliness, both understanding of another.

"Supernova soul devoid of feeling, the heart has left me far away..."

The words in the music made his body relax, his mind only focusing on the soft melody.

"Ooh through the atmosphere..."

"Gary?" Little Cato asked sleepily. Gary paused from stroking the Ventrexian's ear.

"Yes?"

"Thanks. Thanks a lot."

Gary smiled, letting his eyes drift shut.

"I'm always here for you. Remember that."