coming back to base to Wash, random scrungly feral kitten hidden in your coat or armor or smth because you don't know about his love for cats yet and you don't want him grumpy, only to be revealed via loud ass meow... (bonus points if one of the reasons you picked it up was because the scrungle of it reminded reader of wash...)
It's just a little scrunk of a kitten. Wobbled right up to you with a loud ass meow like he was telling you 'I'm YOUR problem now buddy'. But he looks up at you with big blue eyes and has such pretty gray fur under the dirt and mud that you don't think twice about picking him up.
In fact the only time you rethink things is when you approach Armonia after finishing your walk with this tiny creature curled up safe inside the warmth of the hoodie you have on. He's giving unsteady purrs and kneading those little paws right into the shirt you had on. At first you think about Caboose going nuts over having a cat even though you're sure he's a dog person- but then you think about Wash. The team already has Freckles as a pet. What are you even going to do with a cat?
Maybe it's better to hide it for a little while. Feed the kitten some food, let it get stronger and then you'll fess up and ask forgiveness for the adorable stowaway.
The kitten has other ideas.
You're walking right by Wash when the little creature meows again, fighting to poke its head out.
Both of you freeze when he meows again.
"What was that?" Wash turns to you in time to see that little fuzzy head pop out, blinking big eyes at the Freelancer.
"....He found me?" As if this is explanation enough. The kitten just rumbles away with his little internal motor as Wash steps closer. You think he's going to complain. You think maybe he's going to tell you to throw it out.
Instead Wash carefully unzips your hoodie enough to pull the kitten out and the kitten doesn't even complain about it- instead his eyes are closed and clings to Wash's t-shirt as Wash cradles him close. This has to be the Twilight Zone. You can feel your eyes bug out of your head as Wash gives the kitten a little smile while scratching under his chin. "Wow. Found a new recruit huh? He looks like he needs a bath."
"You- I- You're okay? With this?"
"I like cats a lot. I used to have one as a kid, actually. He was a tough customer. This little guy seems to be one too." Wash is acting more indulgent than normal. More indulgent than you've ever seen as he hums softly to the little kitten. "I think we've got some canned tuna here to give him. Let's feed him before we wash him up. Have you figured out a name yet?"
"We can work that out while he eats then. Come on little guy. Got some nice fish with your name on it." Wash is practically cooing to the cat and you're left standing there as he walks to the kitchen with the newest member of Blue Team in tow.
