Kitty Steve is precious! Does Winter Soldier protect "Punk" from unfriendly dogs/cats?
Protectiveness is something that comes to the Winter Soldier easily and it brings with it feelings and impressions that are far less painful than the HYDRA-enforced directive of obey without question.
Protect Steve was the Original Mission, the only Mission that actually ever really mattered. So the Soldier would be carrying out that Mission, even if he didn’t want to cross paths with Steve ever again, not broken and twisted as he was now.
It was slightly disconcerting, however, to find that his feline companion apparently felt the same way towards him and nope, Punk apparently wasn’t going to discriminate between human or animal threats.
The Soldier barely stifled a yelp when Punk hissed and jumped down from his shoulder, only to stand in front of the Soldier and a huge Doberman who looked like it could swallow Punk up in one bite. Not that it was going to stop the kitten - the kitten’s back was arched, his fur was all puffed, tail was up and he was hissing ferociously at the dog.
"Jesus, Punk!" The Soldier exclaimed, diving in to save his kitten, just as the dog’s owner yanked back on the growling animal’s leash, sending apologies towards the Soldier’s way.
The Soldier didn’t pay the dog’s owner any mind. He was just interested in getting Punk out of there.
"Are you outta your mind?" he demanded of the kitten. Never mind if the animal wasn’t actually going to talk back.
Somehow, the Soldier was half expecting the answer to be: I had him on the ropes.
"He was twenty times your size and you would have been Kitten. Chow. Do you understand that, Punk? One bite. You would have been a goner."
"Meowr." One little paw booped the Soldier on the nose.
"Nope, you’re not using cute to get away with this." The Soldier held the Kitten close, stared down into big blue eyes. "Stop picking fights on your own, you hear me?"
Stop picking fights on your own, Stevie. One day I’m not gonna be there and then you’re gonna get yourself killed.
Punk blinked at him twice.
The Soldier sighed. “You’re such a little punk, you know that?”
The Soldier sighed and set the kitten back to his usual place on his shoulder. Punk nuzzled against his chin and purred.
Note: Yeah, nope, this bunny’s not going away any time soon. Also, we need to figure out how to get human Steeb back! :P