#rohvee

Jayce had nodded, keeping his distance, content just to watch. His heart melted as he observed their interactions. Rio wiggled excitedly, circling around Viktor's head a few times before settling lightly on his shoulder. Viktor pressed a kiss to her head, absently stroking her back as he wandered toward the fridge to grab them drinks.

— Black Tides by @rohvee

@rohvee He is finally done! That version of your Cat Viktor, Vikitty I promised over.... dear lord a year? Ohhh man. Was this a fun but grueling project. Hand sculpted hair, lots of painful trial and error and the most amazing doll clothes made by DolluxeDesigns on Etsy!!! And man I am so proud of him. He took so much effort but he came out so wonderfully and I absolutely adore him!!

His thoughts were interrupted when a flash of pink caught his eye. He reached out, cupping his hands to catch a cryptobiote flitting by. He carefully pinched it between his fingers, just enough pressure to keep it still without harming it. It wriggled against his grip as he counted its tarsomeres, searched for unique features. Its minuscule, beady eyes blinked up at him.

He felt an odd tug in his chest as he looked at it, a flicker of something he couldn’t quite place.

“I don’t know what to say,” she sighed. “I told her everything. What else can I say to get her back?”

Viktor was quiet for a moment, thinking. Jinx had the look of a wounded animal, caught in a trap. In pain so long she didn’t know anything else. Lashing out was all she had left.

He knew that feeling well.

He glanced up as a blur of pink drifted into view. Rio landed atop the TV, skittering back and forth with restless little hops. Viktor watched her for a moment. She kept her distance—still wary of Vi, the only one she hadn’t fully warmed up to. Vi was too loud, her energy a little too much for the skittish creature.

“Maybe you don’t need to say anything,” Viktor said softly. “Maybe you just need to be there. Quiet. Open. Let her come to you... at her own pace.”

He held out his hand. Rio flitted closer, hovering uncertainly before settling onto his wrist. Slowly, he turned and extended his arm toward Vi. Rio twitched but didn’t bolt.

“Give her time. But don’t stop trying.”

Vi’s eyes widened as Viktor carefully lowered Rio into her lap. She froze, then, slowly, reached out and stroked Rio’s soft back. To her amazement, Rio tolerated it, even if she was a little twitchy under her touch.

Vi smiled—small, but genuine—and Viktor held onto the hope that they would be alright.

— Black Tides, Chapter Three, by @rohvee