[OPEN] here's looking at you, kid

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor watched her reached out, and took her hand, guiding it over the little kitten, which was just barely bigger than his hand. It mewled in complaint, eyes half open before it began to purr. He relaxed. "H-his name's Jascaar," He breathed, smiled at her faintly.

[archer mason riley]

"Jaacar?" Her fingers brushed through the white hair, her lips spreading apart to show her missing tooth.

Archie laughed, putting the gauze away and picking up her fallen doll. "Jas-caar." Sofie stuck her tounge out, pushing at his leg before looking the tiny kitten over. "Hi, Jassie." She smiled, petting the kitten behind the ear, "Why her eyes blue?"

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor smirked faintly. "They're r-red.. But they're real f-foggy 'cos he can't s-see a-at all..." Now that he had spoken more, his stutter was rather clear. He shifted his weight, stomach feeling upset. He had barely eaten that ice cream, just hoped it didn't cramp up any more.

[archer mason riley]

"Awh, why not?" She asked, touching the tiny paw before looking up at Connor. Archer smiled, he knew she liked animals, but he hoped she didn't get any ideas. 'The last thing we need is another mouth to feed!' The voices of his mom and dad already in his head. "Sof, you know we can leave the bathroom now?" he asked and turned to walk down the hall, back to the living room.

"Does she play?" She asked, ignoring Archie as if he hadn't said anything.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor shrugged. "Was born l-like that.." He shook his head at her next question. "He's too l-little.. And he's hurt.." He pointed at the bandages around the little kitten. "Y-you wanna warm your milk a-and feed him?" He pulled a little bottle out with a shaking hand, held it out as he stood.

[archer mason riley]

Sofia stroked the kitten's back, frowning as he pointed out the bandages. She took the bottle, happily. "Really?" She smiled up at him before taking off down the hall, shouting Archer's name. He stood at the end of the hall, crouched down with arms spread open. His arms closed around her as he jumped, his laughter filled the emptiness. "Whatya need?" He asked as he stood up.

"I need milk for Jassie," Sofia held the bottle up as if he couldn't see it. Archie shook his head, taking the bottle as he sat her down. "Are you sure he wants you to nickname his kitty, Jassie?" He smiled as he walked to the fridge and pulled out the milk.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor smiled faintly as he watched her go, and got up, hugging the little kitten close. He lifted up his backpack, knew it smelled like drugs without even opening it. Wandering out, he set it by the door and leaned against the wall, watching them warily.

[archer mason riley]

The microwave beeped as the countdown ended on zero. "Come, sit on couch." Sofia peered up at Connor, tugging his shirt lightly before skipping over to the couch. Archie opened the microwave, testing the warm-ness against his wrist. Yawning, he made his way over to the couch. He leaned over the back, dangling the bottle in front of her face. She reached for it, but he pulled it back just as her fingers touched it. "Not fairr," She whined. He laughed, sitting the bottle in her lap.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor followed her slowly, self consciously tugging his shirt down more. He sat carefully on the couch, helping the kitten into her lap. "H-hold his head like this, and the bottle h-h-here so he does-sn't choke."

[archer mason riley]

She looked up at Connor before trying to hold the kitten's head and bottle the way she was told. It took a couple tries, but she got it. Sofia watched Jascaar attentively, trying to make sure he didn't choke. Archie messed with her pigtails before leaning away from the couch. "Do you want anything, Connor?" He asked, making his way back to the kitchen.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor watched her quietly, then shook his head at the question despite his clearly starved figure. He drew his legs up and curled tiredly on the couch, would give anything for some actual sleep for once. Even if it just meant more punishment later. He was exhausted.

[archer mason riley]

Archie shrugged, pulling a cabinet open. He searched for the bread and peanut butter, and then, headed to the fridge to get the jelly. Yawning, he used the back of his right hand to cover his mouth, while the other one grabbed a butter knife from the drawer. Grabbing the two sandwiches, Archer made his way over to the living room. "What 'bout mee?" Sofia asked as he sat down in the love seat.

"You can have one when your done feeding Jascaar," He answered, taking a bite out of one of the sandwiches.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor peered at him as he sat down with the sandwhich, shifted his weight and closed his eyes again. His phone buzzed and he huffed, pulling it out, scowled at his fathers name. It was him calling. He set his phone down and it stopped, then started ringing again. He shifted his weight uneasily as texts began to come in, threats because he wasn't home. He pressed silent, setting it on the arm of the couch, screen lighting up with each new text as he close his eyes again.

[archer mason riley]

Sofie shook the empty bottle above her head, her other hand petting the kitten softly. "I done," She whispered, looking at Connor as his eyes closed.
"Just set the bottle down," Archie told her, dusting away crumbs from the first sandwich. He picked up the second one, watching her as she sat the bottle inbetween two cushions.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor opened one eyes in an almost animalistic nature, smiled faintly. He glanced at his phone, already up to ten texts, nestled further into the couch, breaths soft and raspy, rugged. They were irregular, but it was damage that couldn't be reversed. He didn't want to go home. But Jon didn't have much patience. And when he lost it, he came looking. It wasn't like Connor didn't stand out.