Seeing Red
By Berry's Ambitions
A/N: First Casper one-shot! I re-watched the movie today for the first time in years and was hit by a truckload of inspiration. I've discovered I really, really like the idea of Stretch/Kat. The fact I'm kind of in love with Stretch at the moment really doesn't help matters. XD I just wish he and the rest of the Ghostly Trio had more screentime, because they're epic. I hope I did these characters justice, because I really tried! Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Casper.
If there's one thing Stretch enjoys, it's messing with people.
He's notorious for this trait, of course. For worming his way into the minds of his victims and figuring out what makes them tick. Because seriously, where's the fun be if he doesn't exploit people's weaknesses for all they're worth? Stretch can't think of anything he enjoys more than winding fleshies up and watching them come undone before his eyes. (Except for perhaps happy hour. But he digresses.)
Naturally he prefers certain methods over others. And what better methods to use than ones that get him a reward in the end? Stretch has found one game in particularly that he never tires of; one that's most definitely worth the time and effort.
Making Kat Harvey blush.
Weirdly enough, Stretch figured this technique out completely by accident. Originally his goal had been to annoy the girl - to completely drive her up the wall. And for years, he'd been more than successful. But as Kat grew up, things started changing. She began to interpret his crass remarks differently.
Not that Kat ever takes his crap lying down or anything. It's one of the reasons he's continuously haunted her (pun intended) throughout her time at Whipstaff Manor. The kid can dish it out as good as she could take it - although Stretch would rather be sucked up by a vacuum than admit the fact - but that didn't stop the blood from rushing to her cheeks whenever Stretch gets the best of her.
He isn't sure why such an insignificant thing gets a rise out of him - or even why he's so drawn to the bone-bag in the first place - but it doesn't deter his efforts. Not one bit.
Maybe it's because it is Stretch, and only Stretch, who can provoke her this way. He watches the fleshie carefully whenever Fatso or Stinkie harass her, taking pride in the fact her skin remains the exact shade of porcelain the whole time. Watches the way her lips curve into a smile whenever she hurls an insult in his direction - a smile reserved for him.
Besides, pink in Kat's cheeks ain't a bad look. At least, not for her. (Did Stretch mentioned he'd rather be tortured for the next hundred years than admit this out loud?)
So instead, Stretch just grins at her. "I think I've seen a ripe tomato with less colour on its face," he comments, lazily hovering about. "If I didn't know any better, I might say you've finally taken notice of my good looks."
To his glee, the pink darkens to a brilliant scarlet. He's this close to singing 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' when suddenly the fleshie lifts her chin, planting her hands on her hips.
"That's funny, Stretch." Kat smirks. "I could say the same thing about you."
By the time the meaning behind her words registers, Kat is long gone and Stretch is sitting at the breakfast table the following day.
He chokes on his orange juice.
~The End~