Final Space Oneshots

Time Shards (3)

Probably one more chapter after this to finish the arc

With ease, Little Cato jumped out of the vent and onto the counter, landing perfectly. Gary stared at him, refusing to get out of the vent.

"Come on, it's okay." Little Cato tried not to frown as Gary shook his head. The lack of trust was worrying to say in the least, and the Ventrexian wondered for the umpteenth time how Gary became more trusting towards everyone.

He felt Gary's blue eyes watch him carefully as he opened the first fridge, revealing all the items inside. Little Cato quickly glanced at Gary and, seeing his thin features, grabbed a pot of cheesy pasta he had got for himself the day before. It was partly eaten, but otherwise fine.

"Here. One of my dads made it for me...he's great at cooking!" Little Cato placed the food on the counter underneath the vent, hoping to lure Gary out like a wild animal.

Though only through a few sentences, Little Cato had placed together some parts of his life as a youth, and understood to some degree why Gary was acting the way he was. The way Gary was so dismissive of his injuries – the way he shrugged them off – even reflected in the Gary today. He was thinking that Gary at least had his mother with him, but he was wrong. So wrong.

The younger Gary was studying him as he thought. With a short nod of his head, he slipped himself out of the vent, stumbling as he hit the floor. Little Cato let out a small smile and sat as the table with his own bag of crisps.

After some hesitation, Gary did the same. He opened up the pasta pot, picking out a pasta piece with his fingers.

"Oh! Here." Little Cato handed him a fork, which Gary took slowly. It seemed like he hadn't used one in a while.

It was worth it when Gary let out a smile as he ate, savouring the pasta in each mouthful.

"Like it?" Little Cato asked happily. Gary nodded.

"Your dad's a great cook." He answered, stabbing another piece with his fork.

"Yeah, he is." Little Cato smiled softly. Gary was looking at him, expression blank.

They are in silence for a few more minutes until Little Cato began to ask the human more questions. He needed to know more.

"So...how did you end up on the streets?" Little Cato's asked, kicking his feet under the table.

"You really want to know a lot about me, don't you?" Gary said, sighing.

"Hey! You're the only other person my age on this ship! We might as well be friends!" The Ventrexian answered. Gary looked up at him in surprise.

"Friends?" Little Cato watched as his eyes suddenly darkened. "I don't do friends."

"Well you're my friend, and I'm bored." Little Cato could feel his heart sinking, but tried to stay light and casual in front of the other teen. "And your story is more interesting than mine so..."

"Look, my mum did a runner after my dad died, that's all that to it." Despite the short words, Gary was growing distressed at the memory. He ran a hand down his face and sighed. "Okay?"

"Okay." Little Cato answered quietly. "Did you ever have any pets?"

"Did you?" Gary didn't answer the question, the same haunted look appearing in his eyes despite the casual tone of voice.

"I had a few mice for a while, but I wasn't supposed to have them. They were rodents and ate all our stuff."

"Mice aren't that big." Gary said, confused. Little Cato laughed.