Chapter Text
"Does that...hurt?"
Maine looked down at the wide-eyed cat in front of him.
"No."
He reached up to scratch at his antler and a piece of velvet came off in his hand, getting blood all over his glove.
"Itches, though."
The cat - Washington, he remembered - was speechless. The much shorter man just watched as Maine grabbed a hand towel from his pocket and wiped the blood off his face.
"You're really sure that doesn't hurt."
"Not hurting like a wound. Like...peeling a sunburn."
There was silence for a few seconds before Wash spoke again.
"So, how often does this happen?"
"Supposed to happen once a year," Maine grumbled, a clear note of irritation in his voice, but not directed at Wash. "Director messes with the growth cycle. Have to shed a lot more now."
"That guy kinda sucks."
Maine was preoccupied with itching another piece of velvet sloughing off his antler, but he gave an affirming grunt. He pulled the piece off and threw it in a small box next to him.
"Freak wants to test this shit," he mumbled, almost to himself.
Wash's face cracked into a smile, a laugh almost like a giggle escaping from his mouth. "I think that tells me all I need to know about that asshole."
Maine didn't smile much, and when he did, it was hard to see. But he smiled at that. He hadn't wanted a rookie as a new roommate, but he had a feeling he was going to like this one.