Chapter Text
It was a quiet night at Jungle Karma Pizza, long after closing time. The soft hum of the fridge was the only sound breaking the stillness, save for the occasional rustle of sheets coming from RJ’s apartment upstairs. In the dim light, RJ and Jarrod were settled comfortably on the couch, with Casey sprawled out across them, deep in sleep.
RJ had one arm draped over the back of the couch, fingers idly brushing Jarrod’s shoulder, while the other rested gently on Casey’s back. Jarrod sat with his usual composed demeanor, but there was a softness in his eyes as he watched Casey sleep, the younger Ranger nestled between them, his head resting against RJ’s chest.
Casey had fallen asleep partway through their movie night, his head gradually tipping onto RJ’s shoulder. It wasn’t long before the softest sound started to emerge from him—a gentle, rhythmic purr that matched his slow, even breathing. RJ and Jarrod had shared a look at the first sound of it, a mix of surprise and amusement playing on their faces.
RJ was the first to break the silence, his voice low so as not to wake Casey. “He does this every time, you know,” he murmured, a fond smile tugging at his lips. “Like clockwork. As soon as he’s out, it’s purr city.”
Jarrod chuckled softly, his gaze shifting from Casey’s serene face to RJ’s amused expression. “It’s… kind of adorable,” he admitted, his tone quieter than usual, as if the words felt too vulnerable. “I never expected him to be the type to purr.”
RJ smirked, his thumb tracing small circles on Casey’s back. “Yeah, it’s like he’s got some secret cat genes hidden in there. You’d think he’d be roaring like a tiger or something, but nope, just a big ol’ kitten at heart.”
They watched as Casey shifted slightly, a sleepy yawn escaping him, followed by a soft, contented sigh. His eyelids fluttered briefly, but he remained blissfully asleep, unaware of the attention from his partners. It was moments like these that RJ cherished—the quiet, unguarded times when they could just be themselves, without the pressures of being Rangers or leaders. Just three people who found comfort in each other’s presence.
Jarrod’s hand gently brushed over Casey’s hair, smoothing down a few stray strands. “He’s grown so much,” Jarrod said, his voice tinged with pride and affection. “But moments like this… they remind me how young he still is.”
RJ nodded in agreement. “Yeah, he’s got a lot of heart. Sometimes I think he feels like he’s gotta be tough all the time, to prove he’s worthy of the team, of us. But then he does this,” he nodded towards Casey, who snuggled closer, “and it’s like, dude, you’re perfect just the way you are.”
Jarrod smiled softly, his eyes lingering on Casey’s peaceful expression. “He’s strong, and he’s still learning. But I think… he teaches us things too, doesn’t he?”
RJ glanced at Jarrod, then back to Casey, nodding thoughtfully. “Yeah, he does. He’s got this way of seeing the world… kind of reminds me to lighten up, to not take everything so seriously.”
Casey’s purring continued, soft and rhythmic, a gentle background to their quiet conversation. RJ could feel the subtle vibrations against his chest, soothing and warm. It was a sound that had become familiar over time, and now it felt like home.
“You know,” RJ said after a moment, his tone playful, “we should probably tell him one of these days. Not to stop or anything, but… just to see his reaction. Bet he’d be all embarrassed.”
Jarrod chuckled, shaking his head. “Or he’d deny it outright. ‘Rangers don’t purr,’ he’d say.” Jarrod did his best Casey impression, a mock stern look that softened almost immediately. “But… I kind of like that he doesn’t know. It’s like… a little secret we get to keep.”
RJ nodded, a grin spreading across his face. “Our sleepy little kitten, none the wiser.”
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, the soft glow of the TV casting a gentle light over them. Casey stirred slightly, his head nuzzling closer to RJ’s shoulder, and his purring deepened just a fraction. RJ and Jarrod exchanged another amused look, but this time there was something unspoken shared between them—a mutual understanding of the bond they had formed, not just with Casey but with each other.
Jarrod leaned back, allowing his own eyes to close, though his hand remained resting protectively on Casey’s side. RJ followed suit, his grip on Casey tightening just a bit as he settled into the couch. The room was warm and peaceful, a cocoon of quiet moments and soft breaths.
As RJ drifted off, the last thing he heard was the comforting, gentle purr of Casey, like a lullaby that spoke of trust and belonging. It was in these simple moments, tangled up on a couch with the people he cared about most, that RJ felt truly at ease. No battles to fight, no heavy responsibilities—just the quiet assurance that they were in this together, purrs and all.
And as the night wore on, with the faint sounds of Casey’s kitten-like breaths, RJ and Jarrod knew that whatever the future held, they would face it side by side, anchored by the small but meaningful ways they cared for each other.