Kat-El stiffens a little at the first stroke, sniffing the offered hand and then clearly relaxing because David isn't a complete stranger, but even so, it isn't exactly easy for them to get him transferred without obvious drama. Although it helps a bit that Bart doesn't back up or leave afterwards, instead pulling out one of the 'treats' he's been using to help the kitten know something is right, and then handing the baggie to David for the next time bribery and/or distraction is needed.

"Yeah, I can see that. And I don't want to expose him to the sea until he's better with unpleasant surprises." He remembers Kon teasing that if the kitten learned to like water, they could go surfing.