scaredy cat

(a/n; this is based on my cat, latte, because he doesn’t like being touched and he doesn’t like people. i always feel so bad because we have another cat named honey that is so affectionate and we’re constantly cuddling with him while latte just watches from far away. i can tell that he’s lonely, and it makes me so sad because my grandpas talking about getting rid of him because he isn’t affectionate with us. i added him to the story so please if you want a scenario without him then comment and let me know!!)

lars hated hugs, he hated being touched in general. gus and karin couldn’t even touch him. he would say hi to people, he would socialize very quietly. he was like a cat. a very lonely cat.

karin was worried about her brother-in-law, and she tried everything she could. she told gus to talk to his brother. she talked to lars herself. but nothing.

gus said it’s better to just leave lars alone, pay no mind to his little brother. let him warm up to people at his own pace. and though karin didn’t want to do that, what could she do? force lars to be normal?

so she just continued on with her life, ignoring the man in the garage. everyone did, they would only talk to lars if he initiated a conversation.

and then there was you. you moved to wisconsin all the way from wherever the hell. and since karin and gus were just going on with their lives, they took you in.

they gave you the pink room. it was nice, fresh towels and everything. when you asked about the garage, gus simply told you that it was made into an apartment for his little brother, lars, and to pay him no mind. and that made you feel... bad.

you saw him leaving to work in the morning. sometimes, though very rare, he would come for breakfast or dinner. but he wouldn’t talk. not to you, not to karin, and not to gus.

but not talking to him hurt, he was always so tense. but you needed somewhere to stay, so you didn’t interact with him. you went on with your life, you got a job. started paying rent to stay in the pink room, and things were going steady.

since karin was pregnant, she was always home. so you didn’t need a key, she would let you in. but then she wasn’t home, she went out with gus to see a movie. and the door was locked.

you got home and knocked, waiting about 3 minutes before knocking again. no answer. you looked through the window, and no one was home. you looked around anxiously before seeing lars’s garage.

you know you weren’t supposed to talk to him, you know he needs to warm up to you. but this was justified, maybe he had a key to the house. or he could call karin, or you could stay in the garage until karin and gus get home.

you hesitate before walking over to the door, knocking, “lars?” you call out. you wait about 30 seconds before the door cautiously opens. lars stands there nervously. “hi... um, do you have a key to the house? karin and gus aren’t home.”

lars blinks for a second before responding, “uh... no. no, i’m sorry.” he apologizes. he looks around uncomfortably.

“oh that’s okay. it’s okay.” you quickly reassure him. you shiver slightly and lars looks to his baby blanket. he hesitantly grabs it and hands it to you.

“can you put that on? it’s freezing out here.” he says. “um... only if you’re cold.”

you grab the blanket and put it on your shoulders. “thank you.”

lars smiles to himself before forcing it down. “do... do you want to come inside? i... it’s just cause the house, my house is a little bit... warmer than the snow.” he invites you in. you smile and walk in.

the garage was small, with a wall that was obviously built by gus separating the kitchen and small living space from what you assume is his room and restroom. it looked sad, lonely, filled with guilt.

lars points to his table, “you could, uh... you could sit there while you wait. for karin.” it was a small table with only one chair, you look to lars as he rubs his neck and squeezing his eyes shut to think. “i can go to my room.” he says softly.

you shake your head, “i don’t have to sit, i-i’ve been sitting all day. you sit. i’ll stand.” you tell him.

lars rubs his eyes before looking at you, “maybe i should get a couch.” he tries to joke. when you don’t immediately laugh he tenses up. “i’m just...” his voice trails off and he blinks before walking to his room and shutting you out.

you stand there by the table, by yourself. but at least you were warm- or warmer. and at least you had a blanket on your shoulders.

you stand there for a second before speaking out. “you- you know... i used to have this cat, latte. he was... he liked being alone.” you start thinking, “i really liked him... i was always trying to get him to like me. he liked my room! oh he loved my room...” you reminisce about the past.

lars’ door opens slightly and he looks at you. “oh yeah?” he engages.

you nod, “my grandparents couldn’t stand him, said he was mean... i never thought that though. he was just... scared. i get scared too.” you continue. lars starts walking slowly towards you.

“what... what happened to him?” lars asks, gripping his arms for comfort.

you think for a second, “i dunno... my grandpa got rid of him.” you tear up. “i hope he’s okay. i would pray that he would at least like me so i could show him the love he deserved. but i could tell he was just so... scared of people. like a hermit.”

lars let go of his arms and rubbed his hands on his thighs, “i’m... i’m sorry that happened.” he attempts to comfort you.

after that interaction you and lars would converse. he would sit on the floor in the pink room, not letting you get near him, and you would talk. or just sit there and exist.

and he was noticeably getting more comfortable with you. slowly he started moving closer to the bed, then on the bed, until you were an arms width apart. but you still wouldn’t touch him, and you stayed cautious.

you didn’t force him to be around you, you let him choose. and suddenly he didn’t feel so lonely.