[Rue follows his gaze down to their joined paws, quietly admiring the way they fit like this, his tiny one in theirs, two sets of talons gleaming under the bright lights of the shop. The silence stretches for just a few moments too long as Rue focuses on how tiny and small Casey looks beside them.

(As he should, after all, he's still a child.)]

Do you think I'm useless? I cannot fight. I make others step in to take care of me, because I refuse to lift a paw to save myself. Despite my wild shape, I am no better at keeping myself safe, much less fighting back.