Tugger had been instructed by Munk to train Misto in fighting. Misto had decided he would challenge Macavity to a fight, but he only knew how to fight with his magic. Tugger had taken Misto to a secluded clearing every day for the past three days the first two days Alonzo and Munk had taken turns instructing Misto on different techniques and he had gotten a lot better. Today it was just him and Misto however and Tugger was best at being resourceful.
"The techniques Munk and Alonzo taught you will help you a lot but they aren't always going to work. You also have to know how to use your resources, such as the things you'll find around you. Being resourceful will help you a lot when stuck in a spot." Tugger started to explain. Misto paying attention to every word he said.
"What would be a good example, Tugger?" He asked. "It almost sounds like fighting unfairly."
"Well, yes and no. It's really a fair way of fighting unfair. Uh, well, something like that. Besides we already know he won't fight fair, so it's best to also know his different tricks."
"But if I fight the same as him won't that be like saying I'm as bad as him?"
"No! Well, everyone knows you aren't like him, but any way this is just for when you don't have any other way out like if you're pinned down, throwing dirt in your enemies eyes will give you enough time to get back up."
"But, Tugger, that's not fighting fair. That would be putting me at his level." Misto objected. The innocent little Tom didn't believe in being unfair no matter what the situation or the person.
"Misto, please, I'm begging you, just remember it and use it if you absolutely have to." Tugger said impatiently holding the smaller Tom's shoulders, looking him in the eyes.
"But, Tugger,…" He started, before Tugger caught him completely by surprise by kissing him. For the first time that day Misto was speechless. He stared up at Tugger with wide eyes. "Tugger, what was that about?" He asked, his heart pounding in his ears as it began to swell with all his unspoken feelings for Tugger.
"I'm begging you if you have to, please, do it. I know your conscience tells you it's fighting unfairly, but please, do it. You have to win this fight." Tugger said, looking Misto in the eyes.
"Tugger, I know I have to win for everyone in the junkyard, but wha…?"
"Screw the others, Misto! I mean you have to win, because if you lose he will kill you and I can't handle that. I can't watch you die. I won't survive it. You have to win…so that you'll come home to me." He confessed, looking down at the ground as he fell to his knees his grip slipping to Misto's forearms. "You have to make it back here…for me…If I have to I'll take your place and die for you just so that you'll make it back alive."
"Tugger…" Misto started, lifting Tugger's head so that he could look into his eyes. He gasped as he saw tears streaming down the bigger Tom's face. He smiled sweetly down at him as he wiped the tears away. "I promise you it won't come to that and that I will return to you." He said, helping Tugger to his feet. He stretched up to kiss Tugger's cheek. "I love you too, Tugger."
Tugger held Misto close to him as more tears flowed down his cheeks. He rested his cheek against Misto's cheek to feel that the smaller Tom was also crying now. He looked down at him to see he was smiling. Tugger smiled down at him as he kissed him, their tears mingling together as the sun began to set, ending another day of training and the greatest day of both their lives.