Fluffy Critters

“Hehe….” He continued to pet her in a slow rhythm, “Oh…? What is it….?” 

She clearly had something to say, but as a cat, Cheri couldn’t speak much. Still, he encouraged her regardless… even if there weren’t words being shared, just feeling like someone was listening would help both of them. 

“So cute…” He cooed, scratching under her chin. 

This illness never did leave him, but at least animals treated him the same as anyone else. If anything, therapy animals usually liked him– cats and dogs alike licked him a lot, likely due to his salty skin. It was a comfort. 

A shame, really, that humans couldn’t be the same way. 

“Thank you… I feel… a lot better now.” 

She continued to nuzzle his hand before licking it. Oddly enough, it tasted saltier than usual. She eventually placed her front paws on his leg, and her tail slowly swayed.

Cheri’s ears dropped. “This machine called me stupid.”

“What… a good girl….” 

The boy softly, quietly chuckled, in a weak, breathy voice. Once she approached, he started to pet her. His hands were bony, but his touch was surprisingly gentle. 

Cheri purred when he petted her and stood up to make it a little easier for him to reach her whole back. She could sense how bony his hand digits were. It made her concerned that he was not eating well, or if it was because of his sickness which seemed to never vanish.