And reach out they do, although not recklessly; fingers stopping before touching, allowing the cat itself to notice the new distraction and move its head closer — and then return to ignoring them. Gentle smile on their face even as they retract their hand, naturally a part of them would’ve liked to touch its fur as well, it was so cute after all…but given it was a cat Akira didn’t know, just looking at it sleep was enough to make them feel content. Nostalgic and peaceful in one image, and a great break from the otherwise rather eventful life they led.
It was hard to believe such a sight would give them such an uncertain response, Akira still feeling like having an animal sleep on you was a sign all of them would like you, or at least most of them. Still, if Petey said so…and so they couldn’t help but wonder what the sight of when it wasn’t like this would’ve looked liked. Simply avoiding him? Not caring? Or even being scared? All of the options feeling so foreign in this moment.
“ Um…they don’t hate me…? But they don’t really love me either ”, at the very least for first meetings, because the cats they helped the old lady care for back where they lived in their world seemed to like them. Even if Akira almost always had some kind of food with them when they arrived, so, in the end, maybe it simply was a learned response. “ I guess they’re okay with me ? But I think that’s the normal reaction for most people…that’s why I thought animals get along well with you, I’ve never seen a cat sleep on someone like this before ”, well, there was a lot Akira hadn’t seen before, especially in regards to Petey.
And slightly nervous he stood, growing ever more tense from watching that hand draw closer and closer, hoping that they wouldn’t get hurt— not that he couldn’t just easily tend to their wounds should anything happen, but... it was better if none of that happened at all! This wasn’t even the most dangerous thing he’s seen someone attempt to do and yet, even if they were careful, his expression said otherwise! However, seeing as nothing bad happened in the end, a sigh of relief left the botanical boy.
Th-though, if they themself didn’t mind, he wouldn’t have minded ‘taking one for the team’ by accepting the pets in the cat’s stead! Preferably once the cat was off his head to avoid any potential bites or scratches, of course. Just in case. Their safety first!
If Akira had voiced their thoughts over his response, Petey would’ve confirmed that all three of those guesses... were right. Caution, indifference, fear... were all too common and natural reactions to his presence, similarly to how most people would. He couldn’t blame any of ‘em, though. After all, if Akira had met him at a certain point in the past... Well, it’s not a thought he’d enjoy thinking about.
Even if it was done out of both his own and someone else’s survival, that wasn’t to say he hadn’t done anything recently, though. Though it used to be something that rarely ever came to mind, he can’t help but wonder enough now: would they hate or fear him for it if they were to know or even witness such a sight? ... Do they ever fear him now despite not knowing?
Ah, the cat probably took to him because his head felt really soft right now; practically a living pillow or bed for others. It had become a bit firmer from earlier for a bit from the tension he was experiencing, but apparently not enough to disturb the cat’s nap.
Plus, he’s not sure whether they can smell him right now or not, but it’s also probably because his body had this tendency to give off a pleasant aroma... That usually played a part in why some animals would approach him or took to him quickly. In fact, the scent he gave off wasn’t even actually his, but usually other plants and even fruits. To this day, he’s still not certain how to control it nor how it works exactly, as odd as that might sound. And if it wasn’t that, then the last thing he could think of that attracted animals was that sweet sap that his mouth made, or to nibble on his petals or leaves!
“ Oh...! ” The only thing he could really reply with at the moment, actually surprised himself at the answer. He figured with the way he noticed they looked at it, on top of the fact that Akira looked like they really hopeful to find a cat, that at least cats usually took a liking to them.
Meanwhile, the cat’s head rose momentarily to let out a small yawn before lowering back down, a soft “merp” produced as it slightly adjusted its sleeping position. What were they to do with it? Was it actually lost, or was this the case of an outdoor cat going about its usual rounds? He’s not even certain if cats were common around here, so it was all a mystery to him.
