HAT: T-T *sniffle* Why don't I get anymore reviews? TT-TT I miss them! It let me know your opinions... *sigh* I'll continue in hopes of gaining more opinions of the story. ON WITH THE STORY!
Munkustrap: *stops and jumps* Bipolar much?!
HAT: *glares* Munkustrap... please do me a favor and shush.
Munkustrap: *rolls eyes and continues as he was* Review while your at it.
Disclaimer: T-T I don't own Cats, only the plot and OCs.
Skimbleshanks wakes up in the morning and feels a weight on his chest and something- or rather someone- in his arms. He looks down at Tugger and realizes how peaceful he looks. Tugger nuzzles closer, tightening his grip before relaxing and Skimble finds himself smiling at this little action. Glass-green eyes take in the handsome features of the Maine Coon and the marmalade tom feels something inside of him jerk in a strange way. He knows that he'll do anything to protect Tugger, even if it's from Tugger himself... even if it's from Skimbleshanks himself. Skimble's mind turns to a dark brown tabby with glass-green eyes for a brief moment before he shoves such thoughts away and focuses on Tugger... at the wrong point because Tugger's face is now inches away from his own because of the mere fact of this Skimble blushes furiously.
He's really cute, he thinks and then blinks, wondering where that through had come from when Tugger curls down, face no longer extremely close to Skimbleshanks' and then he wakes up soon after with an adorable sleepy kitten face Skimble remembers from when he spent the night with Deuteronomy. "Morning, lad... How'd you sleep?"
"Better than I have in ages," the maned cat answers, getting up and stretching, leaving the brown tailed tom's body a bit colder, but he passes it off as the loss of body heat... and his paw's asleep. "I wonder why."
I do too... you didn't stay asleep until I got here... the Railway Cat thinks before he shrugs. "I don't know, but you're welcome here anytime."
Tugger nods, looking out the window with a distracted look on his face as Skimble smooths his fur and then quickly grabs his vest. "Well, another day, another phase of the plan... we're at the part where you're jumpy right?
"You're right," Skimble assures, his numb paw having trouble buttoning up his waistcoat.
The black and brown tom swats the orange cat's paws away from the button. "Here let me get it." Skimble frowns at needing help, but not only that, but the peculiar tingle he gets when Tugger's fingers brush his fur and skin at some points. Tugger smirks when he's finished at the look. "There you go."
Now the cat of the railway train has no choice but to defend himself. "Gah! Your fingers aren't numb and tingly because a heavy head cutting off the circulation of your blood."
It's harder to see the blush under the curious cat's fur, but Skimble can see it. "Sorry."
"Alright, best for you to sneak out before someone wakes up."
"Okay, see you later Skim Milk."
The nicknamed Skim Milk's ears flatten in annoyance and he moves to say something but Tugger leaves. Skimble grumbles under his breath about the horrid nickname, but other than that he drops it. He finishes getting ready, his mind buzzing through the train schedule briefly and then somehow finds itself focused on Tugger. The way he smiles, no, beams whenever something goes his way, the way he gets all nervous and shy on those rare occasions, and that cute overprotective look he gets when the topic of any young queens (especially Victoria, Jemima, and Etcetera (who, though she's his biggest fan-queen, has a familial type of bond with him as well)) dating. He feels butterflies in his stomach at these thoughts before he quickly shakes his head to clear these thoughts.
Where are these thoughts coming from? He wonders before he walks out of his den and fixes his waistcoat after shutting the door.
"Hey Skimble!" a familiar voice says that sends his heart leaping as he jumps and whirls around, remembering how he's supposed to be acting.
"H-Hello Tugger. What is it you need from me, lad?"
"I was wondering if you'd let me come with you to work?"
Skimble fondly remembers when he'd be asked when he was an apprentice, but he makes himself look heistant before he nods slowly. "I suppose that couldn't hurt."
Tugger grins and they walk together. Skimble pretends not to notice the look Tugger gives Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer and smirks internally himself. When they reach the train station the two joke rather comfortably as friends, but Skimble feels butterflies the entire time especially then physical contact is made. As Skimble workds, Tugger helps, which is much appreciated. Tugger goes off for a break and Skimble easily heaves luggage. This is one of those days when Skimble's just there to make sure everything's ready to go, but doesn't go with them. He notices Tugger not where he was before while taking a break and wonders where he is. He follows the scent and finds Tugger doing the most heartbreaking thing... crying.
"Tugger... Tugger, what is it?" questions the orange tabby as he rushes to the Maine Coon's side and hugging him.
"It's just... I hate having these nightmares and I miss them so much... I don't want you to have to carry my burden..."
Skimble thumbs away the tears with a heavy heart, and he's little angry as well that Tugger doesn't thin he can rely and trust Skimble. "I know you miss your old brother and your mother... but I don't ever want you to think that you can't come to me about this. Understand?"
Tugger nods slowly as he stares into glass-green eyes. "I understand."
With that said Skimble brings the nightmare plagued tom into a hug and the mostly black cat buries his face in his companion's shoulder as he cries. Skimble ignores the calls for him, not wanting to leave this broken tom alone, but Tugger doesn't and tries to get Skimble to leave and do his job, but Skmble refuses to leave. When Tugger finally convinces Skimble he's alright and the orange cat leaves he finds the other tom now working beside him, but his shoulders are sagged and his eyes look bruised underneath.
"Go home, Tugger. You're in need of rest," Skimble suggests, worried for this tom's health.
Tugger nods and walks away without his usual swagger, which makes Skimble's ears lower and tail droop. He hates seeing the maned cat so depressed. He knows that those he's working with can tell that he'd distracted and then an Irish voice rises.
"Skimble!"
Damn it! Skimble thinks. "What do you want, Lyon?"
Lyon steps back at the unusually high amount of hostility and his dark brown eyes softening. "How about I finish up work here? You look worried about something."
Skimble stares at the gray and brown tom. "Really?"
"Yes. You go check on whoever you're worried about, I'll finish up here."
"Thank you," Skimble says, breathing out a sigh of relief.
"Go, go!" Lyon says, waving him off.
Skimble takes off in the direction of the junkyard, pausing for nothing at all besides to make sure he crosses the street just fine. He follows Tugger's scent in the direction of his sister's den and when he nears he hears screaming and runs forward, his heart leaping to his throat as many scenarios play out in his mind and none of them turn out any sort of good. When it suddenly stops he pauses and then continues with a greater speed and upon his entrance he sees Asparagus, Jellylorum, and his sister in the room with Tugger who seems to have just finished his tea.
"Good to see you're alright, lad," he says, glass-green eyes still observing his face to make sure he's okay.
"We'll give you a moment," Jelly says which means they'll leave the room, but there's no promise of it being completely private.
"What happened?" Skimble asks when they finish leaving, unable to kill his curiousity.
"You know..." Tugger trails off.
Skimble shakes his head and puts his paws on Tugger's shoulder's. "Do you need Jenny's herbs?"
"I've been taking them, they don't work," Tugger admits, looking at the ground. "Please, stop worrying about me."
"No. I won't. You drive me crazy! Why do you always have to try and be strong, keep everything to yourself? I'm tired of you doing this to yourself," he admits, anger, worry, and butterflies filling his stomach as he thinks about Tugger's actions of trying to be strong. "It kills me."
Tugger observes Skimbleshanks for a moment before he lowers his gaze, unable to meet the gaze of the other before he mutters, "I'm sorry..."
Skimble kneels in front of Tugger and caresses his face, wanting to see Tugger's eyes. "Stop... please," he begs quietly, unable to keep a small bit of pain out of his voice. He suddenly recognizes the butterfly feeling for Tugger... he gulps and shakes this for the time being, needing to get his point across and do one thing. "For me..."
And then their lips press together and he's surprised that Tugger kisses back, an arm starting to wind around Skimble's shoulders. Then suddenly the door opens and they jump away from each other guiltily and Skimble, though not blushing like Tugger, is a bit flustered and he's frustrated with the two friends and one sister and he resists the urge to glare and snap at them like he would've done in the past before he became a mature adult tom.
"Were we interrupting something?" Jenny asks, a twinkle in her eye that says clearly she knows.
Skimble clears his throat, trying to find his voice for a second. "Not at all."
But if you'd have stayed out a bit longer, I'd have appreciated it, he thinks.
Rumpelteazer: Since HAT jumped into a new black hole and we need to find out how to get her out, she wanted me to tell you to review... also something about holding the next chapter for ransom or something along those lines until she gets... *glances at paper* Five reviews... wow, you guys must be slacking for her to resort to this. Well, anyway, enjoy.
HAT: *muffled scream from black hole*
Macavity: Damn it, HAT, hold still and I can get you out!
Rumpelteazer: Did you try water?
Macavity: Do you think I'm an idiot?!
Munkustrap: Well did you?
Macavity: I did!
Old Deuteronomy: Try the- no not that!
Macavity: Damn it, stop jumping into black holes!
HAT: *muffled insult*
Munkustrap: Can't we just leave her?
HAT: *muffled protest*
Macavity: *sighs* No... she'd haunt us and we'd never get sleep.
HAT: *muffled agreement*
Rumpelteazer: Wait... you're a friggin' magic cat use your magic and get her out!
Macavity: ...
Old Deuteronomy: You're being replaced with Rumpus Cat until you redeem yourself.
Munkustrap: I don't claim you...
RUmpelteazer: *facepalm* I can't believe I work for him.
Macavity: SHUT UP!