Munkustrap was taking a meandering stroll in the northern part of the junkyard, far away from the main Jellicle clearing. Upon finding a good, solid packing crate, he dusted off the snow and settled himself on top, curling into a ball. He closed his eyes. He needed a rest. It was the last day all the Jellicles would spend in the junkyard before going home to spend Christmas with their humans.
It was the dénouement, so to speak, after last night's Annual Snow Ballet.
Munk felt his cheeks grow heated. He scratched behind his left ear, agitated. The Snow Ballet had gone perfectly, until he discovered he had been humming, audibly, the entire time.
A paw grabbed his twitching tail. He sat up in a rush.
It was Bombalurina. She smiled sympathetically at him, crouched mere inches away. He'd been so absorbed he hadn't heard her. Jellicle Protector fail. "What's wrong, Munk? You snuck away this morning. Everyone misses you."
"Why would they?" he sighed. "I didn't exactly make everything run smoothly for the annual holiday traditions..."
Bomba rolled her eyes. "That was Tugger, not you."
"Was I-could you all really hear me humming?" Munk asked, "During the Snow Ballet?"
Bomba bit her lip. She looked as if she was trying to suppress a smile and failing miserably. It told him everything he wanted.
"Great!" he exclaimed, lying back on the crate. "It started with spending all night waiting at the railway station when I should have been decorating with you all-"
"You were doing your duty," Bomba said, soothingly.
"-And then stupid 'Red Claws', and those mice escaping when they weren't supposed to, and I got all emo over cinnamon, and I was humming during the Snow Ballet!"
Bomba looked at him curiously. "Cinnamon? No matter. Today's chill! Everything's fine, no planned events. Just come back over and hang out with us. Dem wants you to," she added, temptingly.
Munk rolled over on his side. "Much as I'd like to, Tugger breaks out into 'Silver and Gold' every time he sees me." His face felt like it was on fire, remembering the song, which Tugger sang as offensively as possible.
Bomba coughed, delicately. "I'll deal with Tugger. You just come back. Five minutes, I want you on top of the Great Tire with Demeter. Five minutes." She whirled and headed away, hips swinging. Munk watched her go.
Then, he sat up. He was the Jellicle Protector, and, no matter what, he had a duty. He stood, and jumped off the crate, landing with a smooth "crunch" in the snow.
But before he even reached the main clearing, Munk's tail started to twitch. He set his jaw. His finely tuned Jellicle Protector senses told him something was not right.
He spotted it on Pouncival. The tom-kit's fur was studded, all over, with a little green plant-mistletoe.
Munk stalked over.
Pounce and Tumble (also covered in mistletoe from ear to tail) were cackling, helping Plato and Admetus with their own "decorations".
Munk yanked a piece off Tumble. "No."
"Munk!" Pounce exclaimed in dismay, as Munkustrap started pulling off the mistletoe, left and right.
"You cannot force the queens to kiss you." Munk turned Tumble and started stripping his fur, giving a loaded look to Plato and Admetus, who, chagrined, started doing the same.
"But Munk!" Pounce pleaded, "it's a rule! You have to kiss the mistletoe! You should be kissing me, right now!"
Munk gave him a raised eyebrow. "Was that your goal? And no, I don't. It's kissing under the mistletoe, and I'm not allowing this."
"But Bomba-" Pounce started, and Tumble nodded eagerly.
Munk gave him a push, not ungentle. "No. Now, run along and participate in a good, wholesome activity!"
Apparently, the "wholesome activity" they decided on was trying to catch him, Munkustrap, under the mistletoe. Munk couldn't swear to it, but the very fact that the little green leaves showed up everywhere he stood couldn't be accidental.
When he sat with Demeter on the Great Tire, Alonzo informed him of mysterious, hovering mistletoe above their heads. Then Alonzo reached up and yanked it down from a thread-line, causing an unseen tom-kit to yelp.
"Thanks, Lonz," Munkustrap said. Demeter would never go for kissing in such a public venue. And he didn't want to pressure her, or allow any pressure to be put on her. Other couples caught under the mistletoe happily complied with the Christmas tradition, exchanging long, affectionate kisses that made him roll his eyes.
Alonzo toyed with the little plant, smirking at Munk. "You two didn't kiss," he pointed out.
Demeter blushed. Munkustrap bristled at Alonzo. "Give me that."
"No way." Alonzo grinned. "I'm going to use it..."
Munk had to keep on the move. No matter where he tried to rest, some cat or other held up mistletoe. Even, when he sat under the TSE car, Coricopat. And Tantomile.
Demeter was in the same situation. It seemed the whole Jellicle tribe was conspiring to make the reluctant lovebirds kiss. Munk hadn't spoken to her about the delicate situation, but made himself scarce for her benefit. If they weren't together, they couldn't be forced to kiss!
He finally took up hiding, resting underneath a wilted old hatbox.
"Munk?"
Ears twitched involuntarily. It was Tugger's voice. But he sounded rather...apologetic?
Munk crawled out. He stood, expectantly, as the Rum Tum Tugger strode closer, paws held open. "No mistletoe. I come in peace."
"I'm glad," Munk said wryly.
Tugger sighed. "Listen. I'm sorry I was more difficult than usual."
"It's alright." Suddenly, Munk felt like everything was much better. Tugger acting normal did that to him. Add to it the fact that he wasn't singing "Silver and Gold"...
"And everyone's sorry for trying to mistle-bomb you. Come back to the clearing. Demeter sent me to get you. What would the last day before Christmas be without the Jellicle Protector? Who gave us a spectacular week of traditions? And performed a perfect, musical version of the Snow Ballet last night?" His green eyes glinted, but in good fun.
Munk, whose heart lifted at the sound of "Demeter," cuffed his brother's maned shoulder affectionately. Together, they walked back into the clearing. Jemima and Electra rushed over to greet him, while Etcetera took a detour nuzzling Tugger's legs. Alonzo, arms wrapped around a smiling Cassandra, gave him a respectful nod. Jellyorum and Jennyanydots both pressed in and thanked him warmly for such a wonderful week. Pouncival nodded in enthusiastic agreement, although his mischievous twinkle hadn't entirely disappeared. From the TSE car, Coricopat and Tantomile saluted him.
Munk swelled in happiness. Hearing that everyone appreciated his efforts...well, it was the best Christmas present he could have asked for. Almost. Munk smiled at everyone, and went straight to Demeter, hovering by the open mouth of the oven. He sat down by her, pressing up against her shoulder.
"Have you liked this Christmas?"
She smiled secretly. "It isn't over yet."
To his complete surprise, Demeter held up a piece of mistletoe. She lifted it over her own head. Munk's mouth dropped open in shock. But he thought...for sure...Demeter wouldn't...want to...
But she was smiling, looking up at him bashfully.
Well...he hadn't asked...
She jingled the mistletoe enticingly, as if it was a holiday bell. Munk leaned down and claimed her lips, softly, then fiercely, as she responded with passion.
He could hear cheers and applause behind him, the entire Jellicle junkyard celebrating with him. His heart beat fast, overflowing with joy and gratitude.
And love. He pulled Demeter closer, deeper, and since she didn't pull away, neither did he. The cheers grew louder, in fact, he could hear Tugger hooting.
Finally, Demeter slipped back. She smiled, a sweet, loving smile, and told Munk: "This is the best Christmas ever. In the history of ever." She leaned back in, and Munk was in his happy holiday place.
It was the best Christmas ever.
A/N: *collapses in exhaustion* Merry Christmas. Hope this gives you tons of holiday cheer! Enjoy, and have a wonderful, fantastical Christmas!
Note: My other fic, "The Epic Jellicle Snowball War" will be continued next week and themed for New Year's. I need a lil' break.
Again, Merry, Merry Christmas!
