A/N: As I said in the summary, this story is a birthday gift for the amazing, talented, and absolutely stunning kathknight. She told me a few days ago what her "perfect fic" would look like and I've done my damnedest to make that happen, and I hope it satisfies. Happy birthday darling.
"So how are things going with Cassandra, Lonz?" Munkustrap asked as they made their way between mounds of junk on their way back to the main clearing. He knew they'd been trying for kittens for a while now, but so far to no avail. Anyone else and he would've approached the subject a little more gently, but he and Alonzo had been close from birth, which is why Munkustrap had chosen him as his aide and second in command, as well as the only person to whom he'd trusted the truth about his homosexuality.
"We've um… stepped up our game. That is, um… we've improving our odds. Uh…" Despite how close they were, Alonzo did always seem oddly prudish whenever the subject of mating arose. Munkustrap couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with Alonzo's knowledge of his sexuality, but he never entertained the thought long. He knew Alonzo better than that.
"Are you guys optimistic this time?" He asked as they entered the main clearing. As was to be expected after their afternoon rounds, they found the clearing bustling with activity. Tugger and his fans were off to the side, him chatting and flirting and them falling over his every move. Demeter and Bombalurina were chatting on the opposite side, and though she tried to hide it, Bombalurina was obviously keeping a jealous eye on Tugger. Skimbleshanks lay on the boot of the TSE1, and Mistoffelees on his pipe. Munkustrap's eye always seemed to linger on Mistoffelees longer than it should, but now wasn't the time to be thinking about that.
Alonzo let out a sigh and shook his head. "Cass is, but I'm not. She keeps getting her hopes up, but I've started to accept that it probably just isn't meant to happen for us." He buried his head in his paws and Munkustrap put a comforting paw on his back. There weren't many times when he didn't have just the right thing to say or some little known technique to help solve whatever problem had been brought to him. When those times did come, he hated them. He wasn't particularly controlling of other Jellicles (at least he didn't think he was), but he hated not being able to control situations. He hated not having just the right thing to say.
"This is going to sound really weird, but if it hasn't worked out before then, would you two consider adopting a kitten if someone finds one in need of a home?" Part of him was rather proud of his idea, but part of him felt like there was something off about it. He couldn't quite place what though.
"I'll talk to Cass about it, and while I think we'd both want to have our own, I think she'll be open to the idea."
"What about you Lonz? Your feelings on this matter just as much. You'd have to be the kit's father. Would you be willing to consider adopting if the need arose?"
Before Alonzo had a chance to answer their conversation was interrupted by a shriek from Demeter. "MACAVITY!" she cried out with a blood-curdling screech.
Both toms leapt up from the tire, Misto from his pipe, and Tugger from where he was reclining while the kits and queens scattered from the clearing. All four toms had their claws out and teeth bared as the ginger tom strolled into the clearing.
"My, my, my. All this fuss over me? I'm flattered. I really am."
"What do you want Macavity?" Munkustrap growled. His first urge was to protect Mistoffelees and Alonzo, but he knew that if he showed any hint of partiality towards the two they'd be the first ones Macavity would go after.
"That's no way to greet your brother, Munkustrap!" Macavity replied in faux disappointment. "And not a word from you either Tug? Why don't you just run away like that whore you call a mother?"
Tugger was on top of Macavity in an instant, tackling his half-brother to the ground and clawing and biting at his throat. He didn't have the advantage long, though. Macavity quickly managed to roll them over and pin him to the ground before raising his paw to strike what would indubitably be a deadly blow. Before he could, though, Munkustrap pounced and tackled Macavity off of Tugger.
The following moments were a flurry of claws, teeth, dust, fur, and blood. Tugger lay in the dirt still winded from his bought with Macavity. Alonzo and Mistoffelees looked for their chance to help the protector but he and Macavity were far too intertwined in their dance of death for either of the toms to be able to intervene. Neither of them could properly see what was occurring because of the dust and the speed at which blows were being exchanged. All they could do was wait. Wait and pray their protector would be alive when the dust settled.
A moment later the two toms separated, both badly injured. Macavity's red fur hid the blood stains, but from the way he walked it was obvious that Tugger and Munkustrap had given him quite a beating. Munkustrap, though, looked far worse for wear. His fur was matted with blood and he had several obvious and weeping gashes. Macavity looked at the four toms surrounding him, two of them down, the other two fresh and ready, and vanished in in a shower of sparks.
The two black and white toms rushed over to help Munkustrap, who had collapsed after Macavity vanished.
"Munk, are you alright?" Alonzo asked worriedly, fawning over him and assessing the damage. Mistoffelees meanwhile had held back when Alonzo rushed in, giving Munkustrap a very concerned look before going over to help Tugger.
"It's only a flesh wound. But it's gonna hurt like hell tomorrow…" he said with a forced chuckle as he tried to pick himself up. Alonzo caught him before he fell, and lifted him to his feet before beginning to lead him out of the clearing. "Wait. I have to make sure Tugger is okay." Alonzo nodded and helped him over to where Mistoffelees had seated Tugger. "You alright Tug?"
"It's really hard… to… breathe," Tugger wheezed before coughing. Seeing him in such a state placated Munkustrap and forced him to hold his tongue, at least for now.
"I think he cracked a few ribs, but I don't know for sure. I don't want to move him to Jenny's just yet in case something dislodges and complicates things even more," Mistoffelees said, looking at Munkustrap's own wounds with concern.
"Can you set them with magic?" Alonzo suggested.
"Well yes, but I'd have to know which ones to heal. Plus it won't really completely heal that kind of damage. I can set everything back in place and close open wounds, but the rest of the healing process is up to his body. It's not like a conjuring turn where I can just say presto and make something appear in my hand," he said, making a small vessel of water appear as he spoke. "Both of you need to drink. I'll go get Jenny, but I expect that water finished before I get back." He vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Alonzo to help Munkustrap sit himself down and wait for Jenny. They sat sipping at the water in awkward silence, not wanting to speak to Tugger because of his pain, and not wanting to carry on a conversation without him.
Although he wouldn't say anything until after Tugger had recovered, Munkustrap was livid at his brother. Didn't he know he was playing right into Macavity's paws? The whole situation was under control before he attacked Macavity. Now they had no idea of what Macavity was after and after what had just transpired, he'd be out for even more blood than usual.