Foreign Affection~ Rumpleteazer's secret suffering part 4.
Three days after her little chat with Jemima, Rumpleteazer had stopped plucking the final leaves from the catnip shrub. Truth be told, the herbs barely elevated her mood because her body had become so acquainted with the herb that her body was starting to become immune to its effects. Unfortunately for Rumple, this meant she attempted to eat more of the herb in order to gain the same effects as catnip used to have on her system. which only stole her energy and made her ill.
Once her stash began to dwindle down to four miniscule little leaves, Rumple seated herself in the grass of her neighbour's house; just staring at her pathetic pile. what am I going to do? Fall is almost over…the catnip shrub wont grow more leaves until the spring. A cold feeling rolled in her stomach, as if she had swallowed ice cubes and the chills radiated through her chest and body as the cubes touched her insides and froze her stomach acid. The liquid in her stomach sloshing around the cold fluid as she laid down and nuzzled her cheek against the grass. The wet icy fire continued to expand the cold into her chest; her heart felt like bits of frost clung to the edges. Her own heart trying to beat its way through the ice, the pain made her grimace and press her paw to her chest in an effort to stop it. The feeling of not knowing what to do vexed her, started the cold in the first place. She felt so lonely and defenceless. Paws tingling, she sat up from the grass; ignoring the sloshing cold fluid in her stomach, before walking back to her own home and pushing through the cat flap. Jerrie had not been home in two days. Perhaps that's was what bothered her more than the lack of catnip. She had made plans to go to the junkyard today to politely ask her brother to return home.
Its like he's never home. Victoria grove…is just Victoria grove when Jerrie is gone. Jerrie makes Victoria grove home. Glancing at the white washed walls and antique vases and décor lining the corridor, the house was like a museum. Bland and boring. Rumple sighed as she pressed her paws to the cold metal step of the winding staircase, pausing for a moment to wait for the chills to leave her pads. Have I done something wrong? We haven't stolen anything together or had any time alone in weeks. Its always 'Tantomile this' or 'Tantomile that'. Why is she so special? What makes her more fun than me? Does he even care if I'm lonely? Rumple thought as she climbed upstairs, her tail swaying absentmindedly.
Walking towards the bedroom she preferred to sleep in, she heard a noise from the study and stopped walking. Hmm? Rumple thought as she pushed the almost closed door a few inches to squeeze inside. The dominant human of her family was reading his newspaper on his thinking couch, a plate of ginger snaps was half eaten; a cup of freshly made Chamomile tea exhausting steam on the little plate beside the cookies. Hearing the noise of the pages turning, Rumple was only staring at the cup. That smell…its so calming Rumple thought, wondering if she lapped at some if her mood would increase, as the smell had already started thawing the cold frost on her heart. Leaping onto the coffee table, Rumple lapped at the tea for about forty seconds. The amount of time it took for her owner to wonder what the noise was, set his newspaper down, and lightly smack her bottom while mumbling an extremity and saying "you horrible cat, get out of my tea!" By then, rumple's throat was warmed and her heart was fully thawed by the warm liquid soothing and melting the ice cubes in her stomach. It wasn't catnip, but whatever it was made her feel much better than she had felt before; her mood was cheerful enough to give her the confidence to ask her brother to come home. Worst thing he could say is no, Rumple thought optimistically, giggling out of pride for having been naughty as she waltzed down the stairs with a happy lift to her tail.
The sunshine rolled down her calico fur as she walked to the junkyard. The cold of ten minutes ago no longer fazed her, and daresay Rumple thought the sun felt much warmer than it had been. Its such a beautiful day! Rumple purred, hearing the birds chirping in the trees, the gentle breeze blowing the scents of honeysuckle through her fur. Brightening her demeaner.
As Rumple turned a corner, still in a bubbly mood from her little stroll, a joyous strut in her walk; someone stood in front of her quickly; accusingly. Rumple almost hissed as the sudden movement, that was seemingly out of nowhere, frightened her. Fur standing on end, she licked at her limbs quickly to adjust her fur, her tail thumping against the ground angrily. Her eyelids lowered in a glare when she discovered who it was. " Tugger! What is it now?" She meowed, thinking Tugger was still mad at her for stealing his terribly made broken bagpipes with Mungojerrie a few weeks ago. What did I do now? Who is he dating now….Rumple wondered, trying to remember if she stole anything from any one of his favourite queens. Oh there were dozens of things, but trying to remember something of extreme worth and value…Rumple sighed as she had trouble remembering anything.
However, Tugger did something Rumple would never have expected him to do. Leaning forward faster than Rumple could cartwheel away, he folded his arms around her and squeezed her in a hug. " I'm so happy for you!" Tugger exclaimed before he broke the hug after another squeeze and folded his arm around her waist to escort her into the Junkyard himself. Rumple blushed slightly, for Tugger was a very attractive tom who most queens would kill to be held like this by. There was nothing sexual about it, Rumple assumed, so the idea of making all the other queens jealous would certainly make her day. Looking up with a bright cheerful smile, Rumple noticed that a great deal of the other cats were in the junkyard waiting for her. As if they were going to throw a surprise party and forgot to shout 'surprise!'. Rumple made a face. What are they doing?!? Is today a special day? What is going on that I missed? She thought perplexingly, her confusion growing with some of the other queens took turns giving her a hug. Of all the queens in the junkyard, since Grizabella had joined the heavy side lair at last, Rumple was the least likely queen to get a warm welcome. Jennyanydots wasn't in the list, which didn't surprise her. Had Jennyanydots given her a hug, Rumple would have been shocked since Jenny distasted their naughty ways and made no secret of it.
Skimbleshanks was sitting beside Jennyanydots at the way far end of the courtyard talking with her when he saw that Rumple had entered the junkyard. Unlike his usual skip when jolly, he ran all the way to her and squeezed Rumple in a bear hug. " Oh Rumple, I'm so happy for you." Oh no, what did I do? Rumple hugged Skimbleshanks back affectionately, her mood much more elevated from all the praise and attention she was receiving. If only Jerrie could hug me too, Rumple thought; her heart singing with the idea and setting her hopes on it. But as Rumple looked around, she could not see Jerrie or Tantomile at the Junkyard…he must be at her house. Jemima was the last to hug her, and did so while Rumple was looking around for Jerrie; Leaving her little time for the pain of his absence to sink in.
Squeezing her thin arms around Rumple's waist and purring her cute little purr, Jemima's tail swayed back and forth innocently as she looked up at Rumple. " We're all so happy you found a mate Rumple." Jemmy meowed caressingly, squeezing Rumple again in another hug as other cats meowed their complements in agreement, nodded, or sighed in awe of how adorable Jemmy was being towards Teazer. Even Jennyanydots was smiling at her end of the junkyard. Which only added to the feeling of panic beginning to send electric currants through her system. Ever since Rumpleteazer heard what Jemima said, her eyes had widened and the ice cubes had returned. The icy fire burning through her body again. She actually took me seriously the other day!? Debating if she should spill the beans and confess that she had just been joking, Rumple would have done so except that, well...everyone looked so happy. Rumple was being treated like a princess. Even people she did not get along with were being affectionate. Regardless of it being a lie, it felt so good. But all good things must come to an end.
Opening her mouth to confess the truth, Rumple was unable to make a sound as Coricopat, Tantomile, and Mungojerrie walked along the fence and leapt down to the junkyard. Coricopat was carrying a link of sausages around his body, holding one in his mouth from a little sneak theft that Mungojerrie had convinced them to go on for their breakfast. Jemmy, seeing them enter, had gotten very excited and frantically waved in their direction like a loon. " Ooh Coricopat! Look who's here to see you!" Rumple's eyes widened even more. OH NO! Rumple leaned forward to clamp her paw over Jemmy's mouth, but it was too late to stop her, and so she put her paws down then behind her back as nervousness spread throughout her body. She wasn't nervous about seeing Coricopat…she was shy from seeing Jerrie. His fur was freshly washed, and he had that crooked smile he got after a good day of thieving which made him look devastatingly handsome. A fluttering in her chest, she forgot about the situation and didn't realize she was blushing as she turned her attention to Coricopat; who still had a sausage In his mouth to hold the links over him, his expression bewildered and curious.
Jemima looked at Coricopat with a touch of glee to her innocent smile. She was enthralled, feeling like cupid himself. " Coricopat, I bet you haven't seen your beloved teazer for a while." Beloved Teazer! Rumple thought, thinking those were Coricopat's sentiments as well; for he almost chocked on the sausage. The other cats mistook it for him being nervous around his crush and giggled or laughed. Tugger snuck up behind teazer and quickly spanked the side of Rumple's bottom, which made her leap forward and bump into Coricopat. Both Rumple and Coricopat's eyes widened and their body's quiver from being so nervous. Tantomile was in complete astonishment, all smiles as she meowed in her 'sickeningly righteous' caring voice. " Oh Coricopat! I didn't know you liked Teazer! Oh this is great news. No wonder you were so bummed this morning." She meowed to her brother.
Rumple, hearing Tantomile meow, she couldn't help but look at Jerrie again. Distasting her pleasant meow with such a heated passion rooted in her heart; her disdain made it very hard for Rumple not to glare at her;She wanted to see Jerrie, and be close to him. Reassure Mungo she only cared for him. Seeing the hint of distaste and glare to Jerrie's eyes made Rumple's heart throb with glee herself. Now, he could have just had a lover's quarrel with Tantomile, or not liked how Tugger slapped Rumple's bottom to make her go into Coricopat's arms, or some other honourable reason…but Rumple's lovesick mind made only one conclusion plausible. Is he jealous?!? Rumple hoped beyond hope that he was, and assuming so thought: Well, well, well…What do we have here? Jerrie darling. Mischievous and scheming, Rumple didn't even hesitate when she folded her arms around her pretend lover and nuzzled her face into his shoulder. She felt like she was at a wedding when all the nearby cats cheered for her or sighed in awe of her and corico's 'happiness'. Right now, the possibility of Jerrie being jealous made her happier than she had been in months. This is what you get for making me suffer the past season! No, no no….all my life! I hope you burn in the pain of watching me with Coricopat! Even if he was only jealous for a moment, it selfishly pleased Teazer and she smiled when she heard Coricopat purr. Taking the links of sausage from Coricopat as he was off guard; the thief in her taking over, she smiled as she took a bite of one and began to walk away from the group while holding Coricopat's hand. Just to rub it in more.
As they neared the corner, Coricopat squeezed her paw with his own, his body posture indicating that he was nervous and happy. Ok, we've rounded the corner…now what? Rumple wondered worriedly, not having thought the scenario through. " So uh…were mates now?" Coricopat asked her with those hopeful eyes and nervous smile which made Rumple's heart melt and bleed at the same time. Her stomach sickening at the idea of making love with Coricopat. I have to break his heart…this isnt fair to him . Opening her mouth to say no, his hopeful eyes were just murder to imagine sadness in them. Taking a deep sigh, Rumple looked at the space between his eyes; to give the appearance of eye-contact since she couldnt look into his eyes without feeling quezy. Swallowing in preparation for what she was about to do, she meowed: " I suppose so." in as cheerful a meow as possible. Her mood was not sour, it was still elevated from the pleasant meeting, encouragement from the other Jellicles, and seeing her brother jealous. Not thrilled, she was only jolly enough to convince Coricopat; Who did not know her true nature enough to discern her hidden unhappiness. Just realizing Rumple had stolen the food meant for him, Tantomile, and Jerrie, he laughed and tried to take it back; only managing to steal one link in the chain. " I bet they're gonna be hungry." Coricopat said as he nodded his head towards the junkyard. Rumple hadn't had this much fun with someone for a few days, so she laughed and took another bite.
" Probably." Rumple said as she giggled again and took another bite. Making Jerrie Jealous and hungry. This day just keeps getting better and better. She thought, widening her eyes as a very naughty scene involving Jerrie kissing her passionatly popped into Rumple's head. The idea of him being so jealous that he kisses her desperately with ravenous need was very appealing to Rumple. Her life was even more wonderful, and she hadn't even had a speck of catnip today. Maybe I wont need to take it anymore she hoped, smiling as she and Coricopat spent an hour of talking while they ate Mungo and Tantomile's food.
Thankfully for Rumple, Coricopat was far too shy to flirt or move to close to her. Taking a stroll together through the junkyard; Rumples idea, they strolled hand in hand as they walked around talking and getting to know each other. Corico had no idea that such a cute and sweet queen had a crush on him. He doubted any cat would ever crush on him, his shy nervousness seemed to rumple to be an indicator of that. Its going to be very hard breaking his heart...
Mungojerrie and Tantomile, Rumple eventually saw, were sitting in an offhand corner of the junkyard inside a tunnel. Though she would never admit it to him, Jerrie seemed very peeved and bothered by something. Her female mind going to work, she giggled and passed Jerrie her most seductive-looking smile, to try and rub it in that she was having fun with Coricopat. She didn't look long enough to see his reaction, but she assumed he would be frazzled by it. Sure enough, for that reason or another, Jerrie started to walk towards them from the tunnel five minutes later; His broad shoulders stiff and his fur frazzled from what looked to be irritation. He looks pissed! Rumple thought, giggling happily on the inside as she grabbed Corico's paw and clutched it harder, to try and see if he would get any angrier. It looked like he did, because he glared more. Almost smiling, then faking confusion, Rumple looked up at her brother from the pillow she was sitting on; tilting her head and making her cutest pout face.
" What's wrong Jerrie?" Rumple meowed with a hint of sarcasm, lifting her paw to her mouth and grooming her pad as if she wasnt truly concerned with his anger or what she hoped to be jealousy, than she actually was. Jerrie's mane puffed up, which was something that was barely noticeable that he did when he was holding in a growl or a hiss. She had no idea what was on his mind, only that Jerrie grabbed her free paw and pulled her up faster than she could move and away from Coricopat. " Were going home!" Jerrie said, not bothering to apologize to Coricopat as Rumple was practically dragged out of the Junkyard. But they didn't go home, he lightly pushed her onto a chair right outside the junkyard that was well out of earshot from the other cats.
Rumple watched as Jerrie crossed his arms and hissed a masculine growl. Rumple felt the trembling shots of fear trickle all over her body. Whatever Jerrie was mad about…she couldn't giggle at it anymore. The fun and games was over, and Jerrie looked like he meant serious business. He was so angry, that Rumple wished she could flee away back to the junkyard, just to avoid seeing the wild anger that was making his fur slightly messy from the static electricity caused by her body rubbing against his while he led her out of the junkyard. All in all, the effect made him look rather fearsome. Paws shaking, Rumple held them together and pressed her body against the cold fence, hoping her brother would stop being so mad at her, or at least explain why without yelling. But, sure enough, he yelled. Not as loud as he had ever yelled before, he had good self-control, but Teazer knew well enough how pissed he was, which made her eyes widen with bewilderment.
" What the hell are you doing?!?" Jerrie demanded as he crossed his arms again. Rumple didn't reply, his question wasn't very direct and she had not planned out what she had done, so she had no answer for him. She was too afraid to answer him, her tongue caught in her throat. But Jerrie wasn't finished talking. " Why are you doing this? You said yourself how ugly you thought Tantomile was, I heard you, and he is the spitting image of her. What, did you suddenly change your mind!?"
" W...w...ell-" Rumple started to say in a whimper, but her brother held out his finger as if to say 'not finished yet'. " I know you hate the fact that I'm in love with Tantomile. I know you hate it, but if your dating Coricopat in order to break his heart and ruin my relationship with Tantomile I'll never speak to you again!" What?!? Rumple thought, shocked and hurt to have even been considered of doing such a thing. Yes she had said Tantomile wasn't very pretty, but she had not said Tantomile was ugly; per say. She was just trying to dissuade her brother from asking her out, in a desperate attempt to keep him. " This is the lowest thing you have ever done Teazer! Do you want me to be miserable forever!?!" Jerrie further accused as his claws unsheathed like a human bunched his hand into a fist; each syllable stabbing into her heart repeatedly like a three inch dagger; over and over again. Tears welled up as the words her brother said attacked her, a sickness that had no temperature squeezing every inch of her body. A rolling dizziness as if she was about to vomit flowing all over her body. When this sickness passed her limbs, she felt like she gained twenty pounds and couldn't move, her eyes clouding over as the sickness reached her face and tears finally fell from her eyes.
Jerrie said something else that was horrible, but the water-like flooding sickness reached her ears as the only sound she could register was the sobs coming from her mouth; forcing her chest to convulse as fluid ran down her cheeks and a thick flemm-like saliva forming in her open, sobbing, mouth. Trying her best to stop crying, to keep from drooling, to not look so pathetic like the complete fool she thought she was; she heard her brother shut up, growl again, and kick a nearby can so hard it hit the fence with a loud crash. The noise sent shock waves through her body much like the daggers; her inner voice repeating bad thoughts such as you're a horrible person! How could you do this to them? Jerrie doesn't give a damn about you! Coricopat is far too good for you! Why don't you crawl into a cave and die; no one would notice!He thinks you would actually do that! why did you bother hiding your feelings from him in the first place? Its all been for nothing! After Jerrie kicked the can he stormed off, perhaps angry at himself for yelling at her so, or perhaps too mad to even look at her. Rumple didn't know why, only that Coricopat was talking with Skimble about what flowers Rumple might like and heading towards a garden when they saw Jerrie storm off from the end of the pathway and ran towards him before seeing Rumple. Shocked beyond dismay, they didn't think twice as they ran to Rumple.
Skimble tried to put his arms around Rumpleteazer but she pushed him away roughly and sobbed louder, her eyes clamped shut so she wouldn't have to see their sorry faces. Coricopat was too shy to do this, but he tried to hold her anyway. With her eyes closed, she hadn't expected that, so when Coricopat held her, so did her uncle Skimbleshanks and Rumple didn't have the emotional strength to keep pushing them away. Everything going on in her life up till this point, her love for Mungojerrie, his love for Tantomile, Mungo always thinking the worst of her, her torment the past season, everything which vexed her that had been built up and pented was being expelled in her loud; convulsing, sobs.
Skimble tried to squeeze his niece as she shook and wept, even when she tried to fight back. Sighing deep inside when his niece set her head on his shoulder and relaxed her muscles as she was held. Coricopat stroked his paw across Rumple's back as she cried, upset and hurt in the fact that the queen he had a crush on was so hurt and wounded. The fact that she was partway leaning on him in her emotional crisis was very endearing to Coricopat. This moment, though terrible, brought new charm to Rumpleteazer in Coricopat's eyes, and he leaned in and nuzzled his head into her neck affectionately. Rumple was so upset, she really didn't care about that, and let him do it. Even folding her arms around both of them to hold them back. Even after she stopped crying, she held them dear to her; unable to speak because she had sobbed her throat dry and her meow was cracked when she tried to mumble something that she couldn't. Why…why did I have to try and make Jerrie jealous? Why did I ever do that? How could I have felt so happy to hurt him? Oh Jerrie… Rumple thought with a sniffle, wiping her eyes on Coricopat's shoulder. Skimble saw that Rumple was done crying, so he had Coricopat help him to pick her up while he meowed: " How about you stay with me on the train tonight? Its just going to Bath and back, a few days away will do you some good." He suggested, and Rumple was too tired to complain. When she wasn't looking, Skimble nodded to Coricopat, basically wordlessly asking if he would come along. Coricopat was already smitten with Teazer, so he nodded without complaint and agreed to meet him at the station in an hour, to get something and tell his sister Tantomile so she wouldn't worry about him.
Rumple fell asleep in Skimbleshanks' arms. Waking up on a bed that was bouncy and shaky, as the train was moving. She awoke next to a warm body, not noticing the jasmine flower Coricopat had set beside her fall off of the bed onto the floor. For one split second, she thought it was Mungojerrie beside her and her heart sang in soprano out of joy; pulling the body into her before she realized the scent of the fur was not Jerrie, but Coricopat. She wasn't to saddened by it, but the bittersweet disappointment bit into her chest as she depressingly laid her head back down on the bed and tried to relax and go to sleep. Hearing rain spatter against the glass window, she heard barely any other noise except for the train moving against the tracks.
It might have been perhaps thirty minutes before she noticed that the clock said it was just six thirty pm. For some reason, Rumple had thought it was much later than that. Midnight. Sitting up, she stared at the nearly empty little room and tried to groom herself. The sickness in her body was just situated in her heart instead of overflowing through all her limbs and extremities. Which meant the sickness was much more concentrated, and her body felt like it weighed twenty pounds again. Why did I agree to go on this train? How could Jerrie just let me go for days just like that? Why did he already leave me for days at a time without a care or word to me…I wish he missed me as much as I miss him. Jerrie. I love you. Rumple thought to herself as she imagined his spicy scent and ginger calico fur against her body; imagining him in her arms. Cradling him to her like those nights growing up where they could just relax in each others company together without a care in the world. Like holding each other was all that mattered. Why did that have to change…
Rumple's thoughts were interrupted as she heard a little cart being pulled rather noisily in the corridor outside her small little room. The racket woke up Coricopat, who smiled when he saw her awake and sat up. Folding his arms around her and grooming rumple's cheek boldly to be loving and affectionate. Rumple didn't mind much…but she was secretly imagining Mungojerrie's raspy tongue grooming her. Like he used to. Seeing the door open, she saw Skimble trying to push a small cart with two cups of tea and a mouse on a little plate inside. Rumple hadn't ever been on a train with her uncle before, and she assumed he was trying to make the experience the best as possible. Perhaps in the hopes of her wanting to come again. This brightened up rumple a tiny bit, but as long as the bitter sickness of her broken heart remained, she would not be truly happy.
Skimble smiled and explained that he was still rather busy, but that he wanted to make sure Rumple ate something for dinner. Saying he would return when his shift was over when he had the time. Rumple was in no mood to eat, but Coricopat got the mouse and handed it to her before she could say no. Thanking both of them with a smile, she began to eat so that Skimble could leave, but could not finish the whole mouse. Coricopat understood, and ate what she didn't finish. Like a mate would. Like what Jerrie used to do…Everything reminded her of Jerrie, the tom she loved even though she shouldn't love him. She sometimes wished it wasn't 'shouldn't' but 'couldn't'. If she had never felt anything but sisterly love, she wouldn't have been feeling this. This wouldn't have happened.
Coricopat and Rumpleteazer snuggled on the bed for a while, all while Rumple was imagining Jerrie in Coricopat's place. He groomed her and kissed her cheek and neck, and for a moment Rumple thought he was trying to put the moves on her; so her tail puffed up and her eyes widened. Please no!...But Coricopat stopped then and just hugged her. Perhaps he sensed her uneasiness, perhaps he was just to shy to actually do it.
The train trip lasted four days. Two there, two back. The entire time was mostly spent with Coricopat. Once, while she was exploring the train by herself, she stumbled upon the store room in the back which contained the medicine cabinet and other such supplies right beside where the luggage cart was located. Thinking perhaps that there was something worth looking at or possibly stealing, she wandered inside and began to open cabinets and boxes. When she got to the medicine cabinet, it took a while for her to open the latch. medicine normally wasnt very interesting, but being cooped up on a train when you have run out of things to talk about would make watching grass grow interesting. Opening the box, a few different bottles fell out. skimbleshanks had been following her when he noticed her walk in this direction, as he knew she was a thief and didnt want her going into the luggage van. Walking in beside Rumple, Skimble meowed a "hello." before seeing the open medicine cabinet.
Rumple was surprized, but not afraid. she wasnt stealing anything. yet. Admiring one bottle in particular, she admired the shiny red gem-like pills in the see-through bottle. They looked like miniature rubies, and for a second or two Rumple considered what they might taste like. When skimble saw her reach for the bottle his eyes widened and he grabbed it first, putting all the bottles away.
" Thats poison Dear. For if the stationmasters daughter's catch me showing any sign of rabies or violence. Or any other cat traveling on the train who goes haywire." Skimble said matter-of-factly. Rumple nodded, now fearing the beautiful red gems and sitting back down. I was that close to death Rumple concluded, keeping her distance from the medicine cabinet. She appreciated Skimble coming in her and explaining this to her, as she left to go find Coricopat, she thought about the bottle for a moment or two before thinking of Jerrie again. A slight dissapointment overweighed her broken heart. She knew Skimble was watching her to make sure she wouldnt go in the luggage van. Yes she was a thief...but did he really think she would steal from him? I would always give it back!
On the night before they got home, Coricopat and Rumple were snuggling together, as Rumple had gotten over thinking of Jerrie when they just hugged or held each other. That seemed to improve Coricopat's confidence. Wanting this train trip to be the first of many romantic interludes in their relationship, Coricopat did something Rumple hadn't expected but knew would eventually happen. Leaning in, Coricopat pressed his lips to hers and caressed them with a slight pull as he kissed her and tried to keep kissing her in a deep kiss.
Rumple's eyes widened for a moment out of shock, but then she felt sick. Nauseated. The idea of anyone other than Jerrie kissing her made her want to throw up. If not for the fact that she cared about Coricopat she would have shoved him off. What do I do? Rumple thought, just then the idea came to her of how she could stomach a relationship with any other tom. I have to pretend he is Jerrie. Clenching her eyes shut and imagining Jerrie's mouth, she imagined his lips and his rough tongue as she pressed her lips back against Coricopat and slipped her thin tongue inside of his mouth. Pretending was not as easy as Rumple thought it would be. Coricopat's tongue was soft, not as rough as Jerrie's was when he used to groom her fur, his scent was calming. Not spicy, and the texture of his saliva was thick instead of a smooth and flowing. Another thing she remembered from when she and Jerrie used to groom each other. Kissing Coricopat frantically, to try and make the kiss enjoyable while it lasted, because the memory of Jerrie was slipping from her mind and she did not think she could be able to keep kissing him once she stopped thinking about Jerrie; Coricopat took this as needing him more and began to scratch his claws softly against her sides. His paws holding her hips as he tried to lean over her. Rumple parted the kiss immediately. Now he really is putting the moves on me! She didn't think badly of him, as she had lead him on. But she hated hurting someone she cared about. Coricopat didn't deserve this, Jerrie was right, she was horrible. A tear running down her face, Coricopat began frantically apologizing for moving too fast, but Rumple put her paw on his mouth to silence him.
" Coricopat…I cant do this. I'm so very sorry. You're a wonderful tom. Very wonderful, any queen would be very lucky to have you…but I cant keep doing this. I'm in love with somebody else. I know he doesn't feel the same, but until the feelings go I cannot kiss another. I tried, I really did, but I cant do it." rumple said in her most affectionate sounding voice possible. She wasn't crying on the outside, other than that one tear. Her tears were on the inside, rushing over her heart as she felt the bitter remorse of breaking Coricopat's heart.
Coricopat's eyes saddened and it looked like tears might have welled up, but then they stopped. He thought in silence for a long while, not saying anything or looking into Teazer's eyes. But then, he breathed a deep sigh and clutched Rumpleteazer's hand.
" I wont ask you who it is…even though I want to know. Jealousy is driving me mad as it is. But Rumple…I know I feel very strongly for you. I can wait for you to love me. I will wait whether we are together or not. If he loves you and wants you, then I hope you the best of luck for your happiness. But don't give up on me. Please. Still be with me? I promise I wont kiss you or-" Teazer had started purring halfway through his little speech. He was taking this so well, much better than she had hoped, and it showed how good a person Coricopat was. How could she not give him this chance? Especially if Jerrie never loved her. At least this way, she wouldn't be at Victoria Grove alone and waiting for Mungojerrie. She would have someone she cared about, a friend, there to talk to and comfort her.
This knowledge gave her comfort and Rumpleteazer put her paw on his mouth and meowed: "yes." This made Coricopat smile, and the uneasiness ceased. Cuddling together as they slept, when they arrived in London again, Coricopat hugged Teazer farewell, and Skimbleshanks invited her to have tea with Jennyanydots. To which Rumple accepted.