Chapter 3: Coop looks inside himself
AN: I realize Kat cannot communicate with Coop, but for the sake of this story, let's just say Kat can speak english.
The next evening, Coop felt so clueless for not picking up on the clues Kat had obviously been sending for almost eight years. But to not know his own feelings, Coop feared that he may not be not just clueless, but perhaps emotionally stunted. Which betrayed his image of being mature for his age, at least when it came to the important things.
Then Coop began to remember more than one time when he had saved Kat's life. But wasn't he only thinking about Millie? About how she would have been crushed if Kat died? But then, whenever they hugged why did he always end up giving a sigh of content and... pleasure?
And what about those times when Mr. Cheeks attacked? Whenever he saw Kat about to be ripped apart by hamsters, or a blackhole, he always felt the need to grab Kat, to save him... to kiss him. However, back then, Coop had just assumed it was in the heat of the moment. But now, now he believed it was something... more.
It was bad enough to be unaware of Kat's feelings for him, but how could he, until now, be so unaware of his feelings fo Kat?
Maybe the only reason, Coop figured, was that there was some sort of defense mechanism at work. Why set yourself up for heartbreak, when you know - or thought you knew - that your love couldn't be returned. Before yesterday, Coop never could have even dreamt Kat was in love with him. Even if Kat fell for a male human, wouldn't it be for a more handsome, more caring, smarter type?
'Apparently not' Coop thought, smiling for the first time in days. And to have the love of somone who loves you so much, maybe it didn't matter what species or gender they were. However, crossing that line would change everything forever. So, Coop decided he would sleep on it before he made his final decision.
Unfortunately, Kat was still up when Coop got home. Coop wondered if he had waited up for him. However, Kat, wathing a movie on TV, offered only a meek 'hey'. So, Coop concluded that Kat hadn't waited up for him, a conclusion he would later learn was wrong.
But then, Kat started to say something. Coop didn't want to be mean or unfeeling towards Kat, but he really wasn't ready to talk to Kat about all this yet. So he faked a headache, even taking two aspirins for show, and went to bed.
