[Mal reached out, instinctively, toward the cat with his right hand, but it only made it a few inches off his lap before he swapped to the left, letting Nyx rub his face against the back of his knuckles. He wondered whether there would ever be a time when that instinct fully went away. Probably not, since there was often no need.
His expression was neutral, not quite a frown. Now it did turn down, deepening at the corners.] Okay. [He paused.] Tell me.