Chapter Text
"Come on..." The creature in front of you stared at the warm steak you held in your hand. It's juices streamed down your hand, falling onto the dry ground in drops. "It doesn't bite, Lenny."
Over the months, you and this spider beast have managed to build a rather interesting relationship. To you it almost felt like trying to tame a stray cat, but the sights of its 'works', like random piles of blocks and the occasional drawings made you think that perhaps it's more intelligent than that.
One thing was for sure. It was pretty shy. But each day you fed it, it seemed like it crept just 1 inch closer. Today should've been the day the distance closed.
It stretched one of its long arms towards yours that held the delicious food. It hesitated, but then finally, it gently grabbed the piece of meat. You took out another one and sat down slowly. To your amazement, Lenny copied you, sitting where it stood, a few inches away from you.
You two ate in silence. Lenny gobbled up their fair share in two bites, then watched as you devoured yours.
From this day onward, Lenny got even bolder. But so did you.
After you butchered half your chicken coop, your ears caught on familiar taps outside your kitchen. Looks like you got yourself a guest for dinner.
Lenny waited for you under a tree you planted as decoration. They loved having picnics with you. For some reason, they never wanted to stay in your house for long. They always looked upset after a while.
You prepared today's dinner in a pouch, then made your way to Lenny.
Before you could sit down, they were already putting their head towards the pouch in your hand. This up close, you could see the strands of hair on their body. Only the heavens could imagine what kind of ecosystem lived between them. However, their hands seemed surprisingly clean. The thought of reaching out and teasing the first digits have crossed your mind before. You even tried to poke the nail on his thumb.
However, Lenny always made it clear that they were not ready for physical affection yet.
Today though, when you sat down and he scooted right next to you... you took your chances. You lifted your arm and gently brushed the back of your fingers against their forearm
The sudden contact startled them. They snapped their head to the spot you touched them, making you retract your hand immediatelly. The way the hair on his shoulders began to stand up scared you.
What happened next shocked you. They slowly stretched their arm to yours... and copied what you did.
You let out a relieved chuckle and brushed a hand against theirs.
Weeks later, Lenny basically asked you to groom them. They saw when you groomed the fur of your dog with a brush. After showing them how nice it could make them feel, they wouldn't let you leave until all the knots in their fur were untangled.
"Such a handsome spider you are." You'd coo at them, pairing it with a good scratch under their chin. The noises they'd give in return reminded you of the ones your dog would whine when you'd scratch its back. "You are a bit stinky though."
Lenny gave you a look so betrayed, you thought they were about to cry.