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Daren shrugged, "i don't really know what to ask. Rachel works construction and Amanda's a teacher. i-it might be weird for me to say this, or maybe it's oddly appropriate, but a person's past doesn't matter much to me. everyone i work with with bad pasts want nothing more than to act like it never happened and i guess i grew up with that mindset. it's the a past and yes, it made you who you are today, but i don't feel like i need to know every detail to know the person you are today. if that makes any sense at all."

Daren glanced down the hall, "pouting in my room, most likely. she was sleeping with you earlier, you didn't notice?" Tim was probably hurrying out when he heard the sounds of his mother's voices, so it made sense that he didn't. "she was comfortable against me and i moved, so she'll probably play high and mighty princess for a little while before coming out. maybe you not noticing her means you are getting used to her. that's a good thing, right?"

Daren was surprised. he wasn't sure what had gotten into Tim, but if he wanted to make friends with Daren's closest friend, then he wasn't going to argue.

Apple lifted her head and looked at Tim sleepily. he was calling her, though, so she stood up and stretched before walking over the pillows and blankets to where he stood. she mewed in her tiny, kitten meow and rubbed against his leg, purring.

Daren laughed a little and stood, moving to the bedroom. "Tim, you're doing so well. here," he hugged Tim and reached down to hold Tim's hand and then guiding that down to put the cat. "here, see? she's not going to hurt you."

Apple purred and arched into the petting, her eyes closing happily.

"look at that, she likes it. and she's not biting you, right? or scratching even, just enjoying getting scratched."

Daren shook his head, "no quills, just a little kitty with soft fur and a happy purr." Apple bumped her head against their hands, they apparently weren't scratching enough and Daren chuckled. "see? there is nothing to be afraid of, Tim." he continued to pet Apple with Tim for a long moment before he picked her up using their combined hands. he tucked the cat in against Tim's chest with both their arms and took Tim's other hand to continue the petting. Apple acted like she always did, cuddling happily and closing her eyes, her purr too big for her tiny frame. "she likes you, so there's nothing to worry about, yeah?"

Daren made sure Tim was mid-pet when he let go. he kept himself against Tim and his arms around the man, but Tim was doing the holding and the petting himself. Apple didn't even notice. she was practically asleep in Tim's arms, her little head propped up by Tim's hand as his other ran along her body. Daren waited a second or two more before he moved away. "nothing to be worried about, Tim. she won't hurt you, the only thing you have to fear is fear itself." he moved to sit on the bed, smiling as he watched the two, "you've put her to sleep. look at that, where's a camera when you need one? it's an adorable picture."

"Why can't i let go? look, you're doing just fine, and Tim?" he reached up and caught the hand petting Apple, holding it still. Apple adjusted slightly, but slept on. "there is nothing to be afraid of. come on, sit down with me." he guided Tim down to the bed and then helped him put Apple on his lap. she stretched a little from being woken up, curled into a ball, and went back to sleep. "Tim, she's not going to claw at you or bite you. she's a well behaved, good mannered cat. all she wants is to cuddle and a little scratch here and there." he rubbed Tim's back to comfort him, "see? safe, right? not a scratch on you for all that cuddling you did."

Looking at Tim's face, Daren couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "alright, tell me. What is it you are so afraid of, Tim? why does Apple scare you, what are you afraid she will do?" maybe if he could get Tim to tell him that much, then they would be able to work out those fears together. of all this things for Tim to fear, the little sleeping kitten sizes cat in his lap was one of the most absurd ones Daren had heard of. The again, there were people afraid of sillier things.