Curiosity Killed The Cat

by cjfreeman

Misto finds himself captivated with the only other cat he's ever seen to have abilities like his and desperately wants to know more despite harrowing tales of what a danger he is and a secret scar he left on the tribe's history. Rating soon to become 'M'.

10. Concussion

Hello. Remember me? I'm not dead! Yay!

Okay, here goes: I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry this took so long and I can't put into words how much I regret not getting this done sooner. It's not just been a few weeks, it's been months since I updated this and I cannot believe I let it get that long.

There were reasons though. I've had so much work to do ever since I came back from summer break and since most of it's been computer-based there have been so many days were the last thing I've wanted to do in the evening is sit down and write. That being said, you all deserve better than that and I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner. In addition to that, I always said I would finish this story no matter what so however long it takes please bear with me. I promise I'll finish it!

Anyway, hopefully this chapter will make up for it. It's about 19,000 words long so it'll keep you busy for a while and it's finally being pushed up to an M rating. I'll let you read on to see why rather than spill the details although I should probably stick a warning in before we start.

Once again, sorry for taking so long. Enjoy the chapter!

WARNING: Naughty bits which aren't suitable for kiddies.

Curiosity Killed The Cat

Chapter 10

Concussion

"Ow!" Misto said loudly and rather indignantly as a plastic bag filled with ice was pressed onto the side of his head. "What the hell did you do that for?"

Macavity sighed with a dejected and slightly embarrassed look about him before stooping down beside him and plonking himself on his behind whilst looking on with the same expression.

"You bumped your head," he said quietly.

"Did I?" asked Misto as he tried to pull the icy bag away from the sore spot he could feel behind his left ear only to have Macavity reach up and push it back saying,

"No, no, no. Keep it there. And yes, you did"

"When?"

"Can't you remember?"

"No…" said Misto rather upbeat despite the events that had transpired about fifteen minutes beforehand and rightly so since it seemed he couldn't recall them. That seemed to be Misto in a nutshell: unless he could see any reason not to be then he'd always and forever be quite chipper.

"Okay, well, I'll tell you in a little while. Right now I want to make sure you're alright"

"Why shouldn't I be?" the black and white tom asked pulling the bag away again only to see his sweetheart instantly push it back once more.

"Keep it there. And because, as I said, you bumped your head"

"Well, how?"

"In a moment. Now, do you feel alright apart from that bump? No sickness or blurred vision?"

Misto was quiet for a moment and Macavity could see him looking around briefly before he glanced back and said,

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Do you feel okay?"

"I've got this sting on the back of my head"

"Yes, I know, but do you feel alright otherwise?"

"Umm…yes"

"Are you sure?"

"Well, a little bit sick but not that bad"

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes, more or…" said Misto before losing his train of thought once again and glancing away to look at something else. Macavity sighed again and tried to keep from looking too guilty from causing what seemed to be Misto's minor concussion and even though he knew it really had been an accident he couldn't help but feel that if he hadn't flown off the handle then all of this could have been avoided.

"So…where am I?" Misto suddenly asked almost making the bigger tom jump.

"You're in my lair"

"Oh, right…I've been here before, haven't I?"

"Yes, you have."

"That's right. Down there's where we sleep" said Misto gesturing down a passageway before trying to get up only to be held down by the red tom and adjusted once more into keeping the ice against his head.

"Don't get up yet. Just keep sitting for a while"

"Can we at least sit on something comfortable?"

"Only if you can tell me my name"

"Why? Don't you know?"

"Yes, I do. I just want to see if you do"

"Well, of course I do"

"Okay…?"

"It's…" began Misto before pausing and thinking for a moment before carefully saying, "…Macavity"

"Correct" said the bigger tom finding a smile creep onto his face and feeling glad Misto's amnesia seemed to fading quickly. It relieved him to know he hadn't caused any lasting damage to his beau but still made him feel rather silly to think that what had happened to him now was only a side-step from what he'd worked himself up over and had been going to get revenge for. True, he was still livid with Munkustrap for hurting Misto in the first place but it seemed that he'd really have to try and rein in his temper if he was going to prevent himself from causing the black and white tom any further damage – even if he was trying to defend his honour.

The red tom took a moment to scan across Misto's body and smiled a little wider when he found himself tingling slightly from the delight that was Misto's sleek, sultry form. For a cat that had just been sent flying through the air into a crash landing he didn't look all that bad and overall he was glad to know Misto would be back on his paws in no time at all.

"I'm hungry," said Misto after a long silence had been held between them and once again he tried to force himself up from the floor of the bigger tom's den. This time Macavity simply rolled his eyes and jumped up along with him only to support the bag of ice against the smaller tom's head as he wandered off into the lair looking for who-knows-what. Misto limped slightly as he dreamily sauntered on and they only walked a short way before he stopped and turned back to look at Macavity with a curious expression before simply asking,

"We kiss a lot, don't we?"

Macavity chuckled,

"Yes. We certainly do"

"Good" said Misto before throwing his arms around the bigger tom and mashing their lips together in an animalistic fashion. Macavity was stunned and stood stock-still for a second before gently returning the kiss – albeit rather confusedly. A few moments later Misto pulled back and stared at him with lidded eyes that at first glance Macavity didn't notice were not quite matching in their level of concentration. He only became aware that something was wrong when Misto suddenly seemed to go very dizzy and managed to say, "Lovely" before falling backwards in an interestingly melodramatic fashion. Fortunately for the smaller tom Macavity was quick as a whip and caught him in his arms just as he was about to hit the floor. Once again he sighed and simply carried Misto off as he said,

"I think you need a bit more rest, darling"

Misto simply lulled in Macavity's arms as he was carried off to bed and the only sound he made was a gentle humming to himself of a tune that Macavity didn't know. He soon lay Misto down on the bed they shared in his bedchamber and sat on the edge watching him as he slowly rolled his head from side to side.

"Come on, Misto, you have to stay awake"

"Oh, why?" asked Misto with annoyance.

"Because I have to make sure you're alright"

"I'm fine"

"Then prove it to me"

"Oh, Everlasting!" the smaller tom said as he pushed himself up again and tried to get off the bed before being caught by Macavity. Clearly keeping Misto in one place whilst he put his mind back together was going to be harder than he thought.

---

About twenty minutes to half an hour later Misto lay peacefully on the bed looking much more with it than he had done a little while ago. By now he was talking as if nothing had happened and his restlessness and irritability left no trace. Macavity had been chatting to him the whole time and was happy to see his Misto getting back to normal. With his regained composure unfortunately came a persistent thumping inside his skull and as Misto tried to fend off the headache that was gripping him he finally started to remember what had given him the bump in the first place.

"I think I can remember what happened now," he said to Macavity whose smile faded a little when he heard those words.

"Right," was all he responded with.

"It's not all there though. Would you fill in the blanks?"

"If you wish"

"Okay, so…" Misto began as he thought back through the previous hour or so, "…I remember you ran off in a funk because of what I said about Munk"

"Yes" replied Macavity grimly, "and by the way, we haven't seen the end of that"

"Oh, will you please let it go?"

"No, Misto. I'm not going to let him get away with it"

"It's not that bad. Everything's fine where it is at the moment; do you really want to ruin it"

"That bandage on your paw is not fine! I'm going to make sure that brute gets what's coming to him"

"Let's discuss it later"

"Fine. Anyway, you were recalling…"

"Yes…"

---

Misto practically threw himself down the drainpipe after his furious lover and dashed around the side of the house when he got to the bottom hoping to catch up with the red tom quickly. A second later when he was in the garden he darted his eyes back and forth and it seemed to him as if Macavity had never even been there. Not knowing where he was frightened Misto and he couldn't believe what he'd just heard him say.

What if Macavity did indeed burst into the junkyard and go for Munk? What if he was about to ruin the perfect little scenario Misto had only just managed to set up where Munk thought he was simply going mad? It had seemed as if it were going to work perfectly and through his fear of it all being undone Misto felt tears begin to push at the back of his eyes. He didn't have time to cry now though, there was too much at stake and so he violently shook his head to rid himself of the panic that welled up inside him and pressed on.

In a flash the black and white tome darted over the fence Macavity had shortly disappeared over and once again there was no sign of him. Misto firmly sucked the cool air in through his nose and straight away was onto the bigger tom's scent. In an instant he was off following his trail as quickly as he could and it wasn't long before he started seeing evidence of the bigger tom venting his rage on what was around him. Every few metres lay a pile of rubble or a destroyed garden artefact that he knew the red tom had created moments beforehand and Misto hoped against hope that he'd let out all of his anger in that way before he reached the junkyard.

Around a few more corners he flew without anything else in the world to care for but stopping the angry cat charging some way ahead of him and as he ricocheted himself off a streetlamp and around one more turn he finally laid eyes on who he was following.

"Macavity!" he yelled as he watched the bigger tom rip a rather large shrub out of the ground and throw it to land a remarkable distance away where it instantly burst into flames. He hadn't heard Misto through his fury and once again took off in the direction of the junkyard which Misto could see was getting close.

Fortunately, Misto now had sight of Macavity as he quickly followed in hope of catching him. Unfortunately, Macavity was simply too quick to be caught by the smaller tom that followed and as he darted across another garden and along the side of a hedgerow Misto suddenly recognized that he was only about thirty seconds away from reaching the junkyard.

Misto didn't know what to do and was panicking by now. Everything was about to unfold and his life would quite literally be ruined.

"Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!" he yammered in quick succession as he panicked and desperately thought for what he could do. In a flash decision Misto stopped dead, slammed his paws together and disappeared in a puff of sparks.

In an instant he reappeared about two feet in front of Macavity. All he had time to do was to quickly think 'Uh oh' before the charging bull that was the bigger tom ploughed into him at full speed and quite literally catapulted him off of the ground into the air.

---

Seeing that huge, red mass of perfectly formed muscle flying at him was a sight Misto would never forget unlike the events which occurred immediately afterwards.

"That's all I can remember" Misto said as he looked up to his now embarrassed and very remorseful looking tom.

"I am sorry about all of that"

"How were you to know?"

"Still, if I'd been a bit less blinded with anger I might have been able to stop"

"Well, it's okay. No harm done"

"Apart from your memory blank, that is"

"Yes…" said Misto with a smile, "…so, if you'd be so kind"

"Okay…"

---

Misto barely had time to understand what was going on as he sailed through the air towards his landing spot. The sheer force of Macavity crashing into him had knocked him senseless so in a way it was quite fortunate that he didn't have to experience the horrible impact he was about to endure.

An unfortunately placed rock at the side of the hedgerow where Macavity braked and Misto flew became closer and closer to the black and white tom's head as he carried on in his trajectory. Perhaps if Misto had appeared only a few centimetres further in front of Macavity he may have been able to avoid what was coming but sadly, no.

Macavity instantly ground to a halt as soon as he collided with whatever it was he had just hit and with only a second to realise it was Misto flying away from him so did he see the smaller tom's head crack against the poorly placed rock – and what an impact it was.

---

"And that's what happened" said Macavity grimly with his whole body looking quite slumped as he sat on the bed in front of Misto.

"Really?" said the smaller tom with intrigue, "Then what happened?"

Macavity sighed,

"You were out for a few moments while I panicked and prayed you weren't dead but then you came around. Hazily."

"I see. So, then you brought me back here?"

"After reassuring myself you were alive and kissing you frantically all over your face, yes."

"Kissing me frantically?" Misto giggled

"I was so happy I hadn't killed you I couldn't stop myself."

"Well, if it's all the same: I'm glad too"

Macavity smiled weakly,

"I really am sorry"

"It's okay. As I said, how could you have known?"

"No, I mean about exploding. Hearing your side of it… I suppose I could have wrecked everything"

"Oh, right…"

"So, once again: I'm really sorry. I'll try not to let my temper get the better of me again"

"Oh, you silly kitty" said Misto leaning up to try and kiss him but then stopping himself quickly and gripping his head.

"Misto?" said Macavity with a sudden flash of worry.

"No, it's fine. It's just the bump"

Macavity pulled himself up along Misto's side and lay back down with him before kissing his cheek softly.

"I'll make sure you're okay, darling. I promise"

"Thank you" said Misto before kissing him back.

---

Night had descended as it did all the more quickly in recent weeks and accompanying it was a stronger chill that was all to be expected for the time of year. Across the streets of suburban London away from where Misto and Macavity were nestled and passing the trail of destruction Macavity had left earlier on, the Jellicle junkyard lay in its place and as usual the night signalled the beginning of many a cat coming to life. This night was much like the others with everyone falling into their daily – or rather nightly – routine with queens here, toms there and kittens everywhere although the latter were a little less so this evening. Jenny, in her infinite motherly tyranny, had decided this would be a good evening to implement her new idea for keeping the kittens warm on nights as cool as this and as such not a single kitten could be found without some kind of knitted article wrapping them up more tightly than what was surely comfortable. Up on the periphery of the junk outside her den the tabby queen stood with her arms crossed and a smile on her face as she observed what she considered a roaring success and from seeing the adoring smiles and hearing the private sniggering of everybody else she couldn't find reason to think otherwise. The kittens, however, did not seem to share her enthusiasm and complained loudly into the night as their actions were restricted by the woollen straightjackets they had been forced into. All in all it was a quite a sight to behold and was wonderful entertainment for everyone who hadn't been forced into Jenny's experiment. That was, everyone who wasn't Victoria and Jemima who lay sprawled out on the junk at the opposite side of the clearing and stared up at the stars through their foggy breath in the air.

"What do you wanna do?" asked the white queen to her satin-coloured companion who lazily replied,

"I dunno. What do you wanna do?"

"I dunno"

There was a short silence between them before Victoria spoke with a little frustration,

"Where's Misto?"

"I dunno"

"It's so boring when he's not here"

"We get by without him most of the time"

"Yeah, but knowing he's gone makes it boring"

"We haven't been hanging out with him much recently. He's always sleeping at night"

"I know but at least then I know where he is. Knowing he's not here stops me from thinking of things to do"

"Why?"

"I dunno"

"That's weird" Jemima said uninterestedly.

"Meh…" was Victoria's reply as they once again did not speak for a while. Only the sounds of the evening provided them with some kind of signal that there were things going on around them and kept them awake and it was that very dreary, semi-conscious state that maintained Jemima's mind long enough to eventually make her ask once more,

"So, what do you wanna do?"

Victoria sighed melodramatically and rolled away without responding giving the slightly smaller queen her answer leaving her to finally suggest something that might get them off of the junk pile they lounged upon.

"Wanna go through Misto's stuff?"

Victoria closed her eyes and remained still. Ordinarily she'd find herself intrigued by the idea and torn ferociously between wanting to do it and knowing she shouldn't. On the on paw she knew Misto would never allow them to paw through his possessions since he kept things far too neat to have them messed up and this only made her want to rummage more. On the other paw she liked and respected her brother too much to invade his privacy and as such her scruples would tell her not to. Still, as uninterested with life as she seemed to be at that moment something deep within her was screaming that it was too good an opportunity to pass up and so with a heave and a rather unladylike groan she sat up and simply said,

"Alright"

The two of them then lazily got up and began to make their way across the clearing to paw through Misto's bits and bobs and had it not been for their massive disinterest in anything and everything that evening they most certainly would have been fantastically excited. In a way it seemed that without the possibility of being caught going through the tidiest and strangest cat in existence's possessions was nowhere near as fun. Still, for now it would have to do.

---

"Does it feel better now?" Macavity asked as tenderly as he could as he gently manipulated Misto's sprained ankle.

"Maybe a bit" the black and white tom said quietly with a cringe here and there.

"Let me know if it hurts too much" the bigger tom said as moved his paws to a slightly different position and looked back down at his work. He wouldn't say but he didn't really know what he was doing and knew that despite something in his mind that said he was helping he knew in reality he was only doing it to be proactive. He didn't want to simply sit there and watch Misto rest, he wanted to fix what he'd done despite there not really being anything he could do. Still, it meant he got to feel up his tom a little bit regardless of it being on a strange part of his body for that purpose. Even so, Misto did have very shapely, nicely formed legs that lead down to sweet, pretty paws and Macavity could feel it was all deceptively strong which pleased him greatly somewhere in the pit of his stomach. It reminded him of how beautiful the black and white tom really was and to look at that beauty from this angle was simply a new way of appreciating him as well as knocking him six ways from Sunday in terms of besottedness.

"Your paws feel cold" he said a moment or two later when his appreciative daze dipped, "do you want me to get something for them?"

"Like what? Socks?" Misto asked cheekily but with a genuine hint of intrigue.

"If you want them. I was thinking more of a hot water bottle"

"So, I'll have ice on my head and heat on my paws. The only place I'll balance out is in the middle"

"Well, maybe that was my plan all along. I don't mind feeling you up there"

"I know you don't."

"Would you object at all to me wrapping myself around your middle?"

"Not at all. In fact, the more you want to wrap yourself around me the better"

"Well, play your cards right and you might just get your way"

"I can't wait," said Misto as their eyes met and Macavity stopped his gentle rubbing. The two stared at each other with exactly the same thing on their minds but with the same anxious reservation about stating it. It was a topic they had never discussed before but mainly due to never having the need. So far their romantic fumbling had only extended to stuffing their tongues down each other's throats and running their hands into every nook and cranny upon each other's body they could find - that is, everywhere except those very special areas whilst making sure to come very close. They had both certainly thought about it an awful lot and it certainly seemed like something they ought to be doing at this point in their relationship. There was simply something unspoken that had been stopping though them and maintaining the perfect little status quo they had achieved. Yes, they flirted and hinted to each other outrageously but it was only now they had actually paused and established some kind of acknowledgement to each their of their mutual, growing needs. To Macavity, these feelings were both old and new. In his past he'd extensively explored his desires and sexual prowess with many, many different toms and queens but with Misto the feeling surrounding it all it seemed to be so much more powerful and special. It was new and exciting and as if he were exploring it for the first time once again and to think that he could do with Misto the things he knew he enjoyed very much and was very good at opened up a new world of excitement that he had to quell with incredible willpower in order to prevent it showing on the outside. To think of Misto dirtily was almost taboo but that was what made it so delicious and exhilarating.

To Misto, everything was new – from an emotional standpoint - and as such he found it all fantastically stirring. It pushed him right to the edge of bursting out with it and yelling to high Heaviside what he wanted Macavity to do to him but his juvenile anxiousness reined it back in like putting a tiger in a cage. It was true he was no expert at this game and wouldn't really know what to do if it came to it but he didn't care. He wanted to become exceedingly intimate with Macavity and it seemed like crossing that boundary was the perfect way to go about it. If only he knew how to put it out there plainly and simply.

A second or two of awkward staring made the pair blush and then break their gaze like two embarrassed kittens before Macavity resumed his massage on Misto's leg and Misto glanced to the side whilst trying not to let his humiliation show through. How could it be they could flirt with one another and say such things that were only thinly veiled from talking about sex outright and then recoil shyly trying not to die from embarrassment when they did finally test the waters? It was insane and they both clearly knew it and as the long seconds of silence ticked on they felt their silly reservations start to eat away at them only making the situation more awkward.

Misto flicked his eyes up when he felt Macavity stop once again and waited a moment or two for the red tom to meet his gaze. To see Macavity looking so perplexed and anxious was a strange sight for Misto but it felt gratifying in a way to see his tom for once to be stuck for words. He could practically see Macavity gearing himself up for his next question and if courage were visible to the naked eye then he most certainly would have seen it building in Macavity like hot air in a balloon.

"Misto…" Macavity began before pausing and drawing in his lips for a moment, "…Misto…I…"

"Yes…?" the black and white tom asked hopefully. Macavity took a deep breath,

"Misto…do you think…I mean, would you like if…I don't know…if maybe we could…err…"

He darted his eyes quickly backwards and forwards and found that he'd never felt more embarrassed in his life - a strange feeling for him. He'd never had any trouble getting this kind of message across before and he prided himself on being a master of seduction and artist of smooth talking. With Misto, though, it felt so much stranger; as if he were putting his dignity and reputation on the line as he asked for something he hoped so desperately the smaller tom would agree to give him. He wanted Misto but not so much in the way of heated, lustful hunger as in the loving, tender and passionate yearning he held for him in his heart and it was almost as if he were terrified that the smaller tom would say no to his tentative yet hopeful advances.

In fact, there was no 'almost' about it: he was definitely terrified and had no idea what he'd do if it did come to that. His sensibility told him that expecting such a thing would be silly but because Misto was so special to him he just didn't understand how he couldn't worry about it. It seemed disrespectful in a way to this beautiful, astounding cat in front of him and as he took in the black and white tom's magnificent beauty he realised that for the first time he was going to ask to express to him his innermost feelings and become much closer to him than he had to anyone ever before. He was going to ask to make love to Misto and not simply have sex; it was a frightening concept and one that unnerved him more than anything else mainly because it meant exposing a part of himself that he'd never exposed to anyone ever before. That part of him was his heart and for years he'd denied even to himself that he had one. He'd always managed to get by in life by taking what he wanted and shielding everything that was the real him behind an iron curtain of mystery, trickery and fearsomeness. To let somebody past that shield worried him down to his very core but for some reason he knew in his now very real heart that he wanted Misto to know him in that way.

"Darling?" Misto asked suddenly pulling Macavity out of his inner turmoil, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I…I was just thinking about something"

"Oh. Well, alright"

"Yes" Macavity said before desperately trying to steady his nerves once more, "Okay…here goes. Misto…would you…I mean, we've been playing around with each other for a while now and…well…I was wondering if maybe you'd like to…stop playing around"

Misto's expression became one of deep confusion for a moment before saying, "Um…"

"What I mean is" the red tom cut in as he saw his love's face, "would you like to…take it further?"

"You mean…?" the smaller tom said quietly with his heart beginning to race and his breathing picking up.

"I…uh…" said Macavity with an uncharacteristic look of awkwardness and discomfort and perhaps the most unusual thing of all: fear.

"Sex?" Misto finally asked.

"Yes" was his quiet reply before gulping hard and trying to still his own thumping heart.

"Oh…wow…" said Misto dipping his eyes and wondering if he'd heard Macavity correctly. Of course the red tom had said what Misto thought he'd said, it was clear as day and yet his mind made him second-guess himself. What Macavity had asked, Misto, in any normal state of mind could have seen coming a mile off. However, this strange, juvenile energy that seemed to be surrounding them and making them act like kittens was throwing his mind right off track and leaving him looking terribly foolish.

Unfortunately for Macavity, the gap Misto left as he thought instantly made him think he'd said something he really shouldn't have and suddenly it seemed as if shame and humiliation were raining down upon him for even thinking for one moment he might be able to let someone in. Without thinking he dropped Misto's paw and jumped off of the bed before beginning to walk away in terrible embarrassment.

"Forget I said anything. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked" he said rapidly before trying to leave. He was startled when he felt Misto's paw touch his arm and turned around to see the smaller tom out of bed and looking up at him with a look of genuine wonder in his eyes. He wondered how he hadn't heard the smaller tom jump across to him so quickly without hearing him but that wonder was quickly dispelled as he gazed into those bedazzling, wondrous eyes. Those clear, bewitching blues that stared back at him bore deep into his soul and it seemed that in that moment as they looked at one another that nothing more needed to be said on the matter. They both wanted each other with an amazing fierceness but it was a tenderness that existed between them that got rid of any meaningless, animal instinct to the process and stopped them from throwing themselves at each other.

Gently, Misto lifted up his other paw, reached around Macavity and turned his body so he was facing him and then simply stood there for a moment taking in his magnificence. Every time he took in the sight of the strong, sculpted form of Macavity he felt a stirring deep inside him that now seemed to be more of a rumbling, booming explosion of desire as he anticipated what was about to happen. Similarly in Macavity there was a wonderful internal release of tension that left him unable to think of anything else but the sublimeness of Misto without even any space to wonder how this one little cat could capture his thoughts and his heart and leave him totally subject to his mercy. It wasn't just his beauty though; it was so much more than that. Misto filled a hole in his life that he hadn't even known had existed up until they'd met and now when they were parted it felt like he left that part of himself behind with the smaller tom. Misto truly made him happy and still, as he looked down upon his perfect face, he felt a true ecstasy enter his heart.

Normally such a feeling might scare him off; after all he wasn't stupid and knew what such a strange, warm sensation meant. He'd always promised himself to steer clear of feeling that way about another cat as he knew he'd lose himself forever. For some reason that he didn't understand though he just couldn't care about it anymore. He wanted to break that promise for Misto and nothing felt more right. He knew he should be scared about admitting it to himself but in that moment it just seemed so right. Through the quickly fading wasteland of confusion and desperation he'd held for so long inside him he could see a truth shining through it all that welcomed him into a new world of happiness and warmth. Without holding back through fear or uncertainty he let down the barrier to his heart he'd kept locked and bolted for his whole life and admitted to himself what he knew was the strongest truth he'd ever known. He was in love with Misto and he'd never felt more complete.

"Misto…" he said breathily as he realised the air had been knocked out of him.

"Shh…" said the smaller tom as he placed a finger to Macavity's lips.

Macavity didn't need any other sign, he knew what they both wanted and gently pulled Misto close before reaching down and pressing their lips together in the sweetest, softest, most tender kiss he could manage. It was bliss and as they poured out their feelings for each other they simply let passion consume them and take over.

Before long, Macavity bent down and lifted Misto up before wrapping the smaller cat's legs around his waist, carrying him back over to the bed and climbing on top of him as he lay him down. Misto became utterly absorbed by the feeling of Macavity's perfect, muscular body pressing him down into the soft sheets below and as the bigger tom worked magic with his tongue he ran his paws over his back feeling every firm rise and fall of his form. With every passing second he reached further and further down feeling Macavity's body move on top of him and as he allowed desire to consume him more and more he slid one of his paws down on Macavity's rear and grasped the tough flesh which resided there. Surprisingly he heard the bigger tom moan as he grabbed him but he knew it was well received when he felt his strong arms snake further around his body and hold him more tightly.

Macavity marvelled at Misto's grace even at a time like this and knew that it must have been innate. He knew Misto hadn't done this before and was far too innocent to have had such a previous experience and it was that thought that helped Macavity to lose himself even further. To feel Misto's body respond so naturally to his touch was heaven and it made the newfound love he had for him bloom inside. Misto was perfect and he made him perfect. They simply seemed to fit each another and must have been the luckiest cats on earth to have found one another.

Macavity's paws began to roam as he continued to kiss Misto and just as the smaller tom did, explored the contours of the others sweeping curves. Sensing Misto was nervous about pushing his luck, Macavity decided to take the lead and brought one of his paws around to feel where their bodies pressed together. Bringing his legs up a little higher on either side of Misto he lifted some of his weight off of the smaller tom and began to rub at his naval making him breath faster. He took it as a good sign and, without forgetting his masterful touch, inched slowly downwards to the region he hadn't allowed himself to explore before. Misto's heart pounded ever more violently as he felt that strong paw move towards his most sensitive area and couldn't believe the sense of anticipation that built up inside as he waited for Macavity's paw to caress him. The red tom could feel the smaller tom's tension and lingered just long enough to heighten Misto's excitement as much as possible before reaching down. After a few seconds he could feel that Misto could barely handle any more and so, in one firm motion, ran his paw down over Misto's hardened arousal.

Misto gasped and his eyes shot open as he felt Macavity touch him so expertly down there and even let a little whimper of pleasure escape his lips as the two of them parted momentarily. He didn't know how Macavity did it but simply his touch was enough to drive him crazy and in a flurry of excitement and sensual ignorance brought his own paw around and stuffed it down onto Macavity's privates.

In an instant his emotions completely changed and what had only moments before been occupied by passion was now replaced with astonishment. He had always seen that Macavity was a sizeable cat but he supposed he'd only ever concentrated on his height, muscles, appearance as well as things along those lines. It was only now that he realised he'd never pondered that much on the size of Macavity's manhood and as such was bombarded with sheer amazement as he rested his paw upon it. Needless to say, Macavity was absolutely enormous.

"Everlasting Cat!" Misto exclaimed breathily as he propped his head up and looked down between their bodies to where their hips grinded together.

"What? What is it?" Macavity suddenly asked worriedly as he halted his fervent kisses.

"You're…you're huge" was all Misto managed to say as he lay underneath the tom who Misto now could see was big in every conceivable manner. Macavity felt a proud smile creep onto his face and coyly replied with,

"Oh, you think so?"

Misto met his gaze with marvel,

"You bet your arse, I do! How is it…you know…going to…?"

Macavity was quiet for a moment before he cottoned onto what Misto seemed to be worried about,

"Fit?"

"Yes"

"You let me worry about that," Macavity said before trying to resume his kissing.

"Will it hurt though?" Misto suddenly asked. The bigger tom looked down at his beautiful face as he stared up and could see he was worried and so with a reassuring look caressed his face and spoke softly to soothe him,

"It's going to be wonderful. You'll see"

"Okay" whispered Misto and he didn't say anything else. He simply let Macavity begin kissing him again and after a few moments his fear died away. He trusted Macavity completely and continued to let him work his magic.

Before long the bigger tom could feel Misto getting more and more excited and as his body responded to his firm, carnal touches Macavity couldn't wait any longer. Shaking off some of his gentleness he pulled his paws away from Misto's groin and moved them onto his knees which he hooked his arms around and carefully bent before pushing them up his body to expose him almost shamefully. Taking a moment to take in not only how beautiful Misto was but also how incredibly sexy he appeared Macavity almost felt himself lose all control there and then. To see his Misto laying back like that and showing everything off drove the red tom crazy and all he could feel radiating from the smaller was that he needed him now.

That wasn't entirely true though, there was one other thing and it was really quite strong. That wonderful, magical feeling they shared whenever they were together was so hot and strong inside him at that moment and he knew Misto felt the same. It was powerful and burning and mystical all rolled into one and Macavity knew it had to mean that what they were doing was right. It filled him up right to the brim and made him feel so perfect inside that it couldn't mean anything else and he quite simply couldn't wait any longer.

Without waiting he once again lay himself down on top of Misto but this time expertly nudged his hips between Misto's outstretched legs which he then wrapped behind his back. He kissed Misto again almost desperately and tried to control his heavy breathing as he anticipated his next action and began to reach down to move himself into position.

"Misto" he whispered to the perfect little black and white tom underneath him and he felt his heart flutter as that same tom held onto him tightly and clamped his legs down against his hips pressing them together. Every other second or so he felt a small shiver run through Misto but he could tell it was his body begging for him. With his paw in place and holding himself firmly he began to position his hips forward and lined himself up to push into the smaller cat underneath. Misto gasped as he felt Macavity press against him and then breathed in sharply before letting out a quick but loud yelp as he penetrated him for the first time. Macavity stopped and the two remained still as Misto slowly adjusted to the part of the bigger tom entering him and began to vocalize each breath as he attempted to will his body to accept the massive organ. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before and he simply couldn't describe the feeling of it as the sensation of sex charged through his body like electricity. It was amazing and frightening and fantastic all at the same time and despite how strange and almost alien it felt to have Macavity inside he knew as the seconds ticked by that he desperately wanted more.

Macavity kissed him tenderly once again and when he felt Misto's nervous tension let up he gently began to press in again – this time feeling Misto's body welcome him. The feeling was truly out of this world and Macavity felt his mind spin as he felt the smaller tom caress his most sensitive area so perfectly. It was almost as if they had been made to fit one another and throughout his entire life he knew he'd never met another cat that felt so wonderful to make love to.

It took a while for Misto to properly adjust to Macavity's giant member but it wasn't long until the fluid motions of sex began to take them both over and wrap them up in a world of passion and desire. Together they opened themselves up completely and let each other swim in each other's body without hesitation or reservation. Meeting no resistance from each other they marvelled at how wonderfully their lovemaking just seemed to happen and after what could have been minutes or hours they both reached their spectacular climaxes together. Macavity had nearly lost himself in Misto's fantastic body but he still managed to make sure they reached the pinnacle of their intimacy together and the sheer magnitude of the orgasm they shared rattled them both down to their very cores and made them cry out. Neither one had felt anything like the surge of energy that rushed through them both and for just one brief moment it felt almost as if they had left their bodies and were floating somewhere miles above with nothing but each other in their own little world of magic.

When it was over Macavity collapsed on top of Misto and together they panted ferociously while basking in the perfect memory and sensation of what they'd just done. Neither one could make words even if they had tried and as seconds began to turn into minutes they stayed together and swam in the amazing feeling which wrapped them both up and suspended them in pure bliss.

---

Time was fluid as the night progressed and the dimmed light and collected heat in Macavity's secluded bedchamber was enough to maintain a dreamlike atmosphere for both he and Misto. For a while Misto began to wonder in his dazed, sleepy state if he was in a dream whilst he lay in the warm, comforting arms of his lover and gazed through lidded eyes up at the ceiling of the den playing what they'd done together over and over again in his mind. He could still feel a buzz of that magical feeling they had shared at the height of their passion and as it shifted and flowed in his body he wondered what kind of amazing being this really was that held him in his arms. Macavity seemed different now but strangely enough he also felt the same and it puzzled Misto as to what it all meant as he rested his head on the bigger tom's bicep. It wasn't a bad feeling, it was actually quite the opposite. Macavity no longer seemed anywhere nearly as mysterious and it felt, for some strange reason, as if he were much more familiar. Misto didn't know why he felt so strongly for the latter, he just knew he did and what he found above all else was that he loved it. It was as if he suddenly knew Macavity so much more and to feel so close to him filled up a space inside that had been there for a long time and had been longing to be filled. It was the part of him that needed for somebody else to truly understand him and know the cat that he had always found impossible to present to anyone. Not through lack of wishing and trying, just through having no ability or knowhow to do so. Now it seemed Macavity had seen him for whom he truly was and adored him for that. Misto rejoiced in that knowledge. He exalted that feeling in his heart and knew that what he felt now he could never let go. He'd found the cat he'd needed for so long and knew there could never be another like Macavity.

A while later Macavity opened his eyes from his post-coital nap and looked down at the cat in his arms. Misto was so soft and sweet and Macavity smiled as he felt the gentle rise and fall of the smaller tom's breathing. Misto was perfect and that moment was perfect. He wondered for a moment if it could all be real and as he continued to hold Misto tenderly he knew it had to be happening. Life rarely felt this good – at least not his life - and it was truly a moment to treasure.

Eventually, the bigger tom began to gently rub Misto's fur to stir him and after a few moments the smaller tom turned his head and met the eyes of his magnificent lover. He smiled up sweetly for a moment or two before resting his head against Macavity's chest and purring softly as he enjoyed his comfort and warmth.

"Hi" was all Macavity could think to say as they gazed at each other and even though he might have thought it was stupid he found the moment was too wonderful to be ruined by anything – least of all silly words.

"Hi" Misto responded in the same way.

"How are you feeling?"

Misto sighed happily,

"Wonderful"

"Me too. That was just incredible"

"I'm sure you must have had better," Misto said softly with another smile making Macavity chuckle.

"Nope. You're the best"

"You don't have to say it for my sake"

"Well, I promise you that you were the best"

"Really?"

"Really."

Misto closed his eyes and carried on smiling happily.

"I guess I'm more talented than I thought"

Macavity chuckled again,

"'Pure natural' talent seems to be you in a nutshell"

"Ah. Don't oversell me"

"How could I possibly oversell you?"

"I can't be as special as you think"

"Oh yes, you are"

"No, I'm not"

"Yes, you are"

"No, I'm not"

"You are, you are, you are and that's all there is to it"

"Okay, well, maybe a little"

"See? You're perfect in every way and you're all mine"

"All yours?"

"Yes. No one else can have any, I want to keep you all for myself"

"Isn't that greedy?"

"Yes, but I don't care"

"Okay" said Misto before rising up along Macavity's body and kissing him softly and saying, "then neither do I"

Macavity ran his paws up along Misto and held him gently as he looked at his perfect face for a long, drawn out moment and then saying,

"Everlasting, you're so beautiful. How can it possibly be?"

"Natural talent?" Misto said cheekily but softly and making Macavity laugh.

"It must be," he said before rolling Misto over and resting on top of him and kissing him once more. "So, how was it for you?"

"It was fantastic" Misto said smiling.

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah. I've never felt anything like it"

"Well, get used to it because we'll certainly be doing it a whole lot more"

"I won't say no," said Misto before they kissed again.

"So, all in all a good first time?"

"Brilliant first time doing that"

Macavity smiled but then paused for a moment as he thought about Misto's words. They seemed innocent enough but for some reason there was something about the way Misto put a tiny bit of emphasis on the last word that made him think and as the thought in his mind began to snowball he wondered if there was a little more to it. After a few seconds he made sure not to look at all intimidating and then gently started to probe a little further – he'd soon find he was opening a can of worms for himself.

"For that?" he asked mildly.

"Yep. I've never done that before and it was brilliant. Is it always like that?"

"Have you done anything before?" Macavity asked dodging his question.

"Well, you know, not much. That was really, really great though"

"So…you're not…I mean, you weren't a…you know, a…"

"Virgin? Oh yes, no worries there" Misto said beginning to wonder where Macavity was going and feeling the magical feeling inside begin to ebb away.

"But you have done…something…before"

"Well, I suppose, but nothing like that"

Macavity rose up and moved off of Misto who scooted up on the bed and sat in front of the bigger tom who looked at him with a more intense look than he would have liked at that moment.

"What have you done then? I thought you'd never done anything at all before. I thought that was what made it so…special"

"It was special. It was amazing," said Misto hoping Macavity still felt the same way, "No one's ever made me feel so good"

"Well, I don't understand, Misto. You said it was all new to you but then you say you've done something like it before. What precisely have you been up to?"

"I haven't been up to anything. It was just once and it was nothing"

"Well, it happened and so that certainly makes it something. Can't you tell me about it?"

"I'd prefer not to"

"Please, Misto. I'm sure you know I've got a reputation, I want to know about yours if you have one"

"I do not have a reputation," said Misto rather indignantly making Macavity regret his words.

"No, I mean…I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I just want to know…well, what you've done"

"Does it really matter?"

"Come on, Misto, you remember what happened the last time we did this back and forth thing. You ended up with that bump on your head"

"Well…" Misto said before pausing and then sighing, "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes"

Misto sighed again making Macavity feel a little sorry for him.

"Come on, Misto, I won't mind" he said pulling him close and holding him, "It's only out of curiosity"

"Okay" Misto said as he nuzzled into his fur, "Well, it was only once and it was last year. I was younger and had questions about…that side of life and there was someone who was putting the moves on me"

"A tom?" Macavity asked.

"Yes"

"Well, I suppose that's a relief" Macavity chuckled.

"Yeah, well, anyway, he came into my den one evening and I suppose one thing led to another and…"

"You slept together?"

"No! Everlasting, no. I just, well, I didn't really know what I was doing but he told me what to do and…well…"

"It's okay, I won't judge you"

"…I got down on my knees…"

Macavity's eyes opened up wider and a surprised but sly smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as he suddenly understood what Misto was having so much trouble trying to get out.

"Oh, Misto" he said with a strong sound of intrigue and menace in his voice, "you're naughtier than I thought"

Misto buried his head and moaned loudly,

"No, no, no, I was only experimenting and I'm sure I was rubbish at it"

"Did he enjoy it?"

"Who?"

"The cat to whom you were giving this blowjob"

Misto cringed as Macavity said the word 'blowjob' and it made the bigger tom laugh as he did so.

"He seemed to" Misto eventually replied, "although it wasn't much fun for me"

"You mean he didn't reciprocate?"

"No. He left when we'd…he'd finished and I didn't find it at all very fun"

Macavity chuckled again and shook his head,

"Who'd have thought it? My little Misto playing the good-time tom"

"Shut up" said Misto swatting him playfully, "If I'd known what was going on I wouldn't have done it"

"Well, I say well done for exploring your urges and thank you for saving the best for me"

"You're welcome" Misto said a little awkwardly but relieved Macavity wasn't upset about him having had prior experience – however tiny.

"So who was this lucky but apparently selfish tom?"

"Tugger" Misto said casually before instantly regretting revealing the name of that cat he'd pleasured. Straight away he felt Macavity go stiff and when he turned his head upwards he was met with a disbelieving, almost sickened stare.

"Tugger?" Macavity almost spat.

"Yes" Misto whimpered

"Oh, Everlasting Cat!" Macavity groaned as he let him go and moved to side of the bed to put his face in his paws. "Oh, Misto, really? You sucked off that sleazebag?"

Misto felt as if he were getting smaller and smaller by the second as he felt Macavity's disappointment hit him and he tried to think of something to say to alleviate that anguish he seemed to have just inflicted on the red tom.

"I…I didn't know what I was doing"

"But that fact is you did it, didn't you?" said Macavity as he pushed himself up and wandered away with his back turned.

"If I could take it back I would"

"Of all the toms in the world, Misto, you had to give in to him? You must have known what a disgusting tom-whore he was. Is. Will always be"

"He was…very persuasive" Misto said meekly and feeling like dirt.

"Oh, I bet he was. Oh, Everlasting Cat!" Macavity groaned as he tried to process the idea of Misto being taken advantage of.

"Have I…ruined everything?" Misto asked feeling horribly uncertain and ashamed inside. Macavity just looked up at the ceiling and groaned again as he listened to Misto's nervous, quiet voice. He could tell Misto felt horrible and he felt horrible for making him feel that way. Really he hadn't done anything – after all, Macavity couldn't acceptably be angry with him in hindsight - and he shouldn't have been blaming him for something that happened ages and ages before they'd even met. Still, it was Tugger and to think of his stupid, vile brother taking advantage of and enjoying the cat he adored so much just made everything seem so filthy. It was like Tugger had made Misto dirty by seducing him into doing what he'd done and Macavity didn't like it one bit. He'd only just realised that he'd fallen head over heels in love with Misto and now it really did seem too good to be true.

He knew he shouldn't have done it but instead of turning around and talking to Misto he slowly began to pace out of his bedchamber leaving Misto with one quick thought,

"I'm going to get some air"

As Misto watched the last flash of red fur disappear from view he wondered if everything had just fallen apart and couldn't believe that he'd seemingly made Macavity lose his desire for him. It was all so confusing and he didn't know how he was supposed to react. Macavity couldn't really be that mad with him, could he?

Misto lay back down on the bed and remained silent for a while as he tried to think things through. He wished so very hard that any moment he'd see his big, red tom come back and tell him everything was alright but alas, there was nothing. He'd been left alone and he really didn't know whose court the ball was in to try to fix the issue he supposed he'd unwittingly and foolishly created.

---

Carefully, Gilbert manoeuvred his side of a crystal decanter along with another henchcat as they poured some of its contents into a thimble. The rich, alluring tincture of the well-aged brandy appealed to him greatly but he'd never dare take any for himself. It was his master's and he'd never dream of taking advantage of his kindness – or whatever it was that made the red tom treat him so well. In any case, he didn't waste time in placing the thimble on a small, silver tray and carrying it quickly to his master who had perched himself on the roof in one of his usual positions for musing.

When he arrived he found him just as he expected sitting on the chimneypot and staring up at the moon without moving and not even making a sound. Carefully he paced across the tiles and steadied the thimble he carried as he ascended the chimney and cleared his throat gently to alert his master to his presence – not that Macavity hadn't known he was coming.

"Thank you, Gilbert" Macavity grumbled as he reached around and grabbed the brandy he'd asked for without turning his head to guide his paw. Without wasting any time he knocked it back in one and placed it back on the tray the small, black cat held before saying, "Another"

"Yes, Sir" Gilbert obediently said before turning back and groaning internally that he'd now have to go back and repeat the cumbersome process.

"Make it a double" the red tom said as his servant climbed away and before Gilbert could reply cut in again, "Oh, and Gilbert, have you seen anything of Misto?"

"No, sir" the black tom said as he straightened himself up, "Would you like me to check in on him?"

Macavity was quiet for a moment and then said, "Yes. I mean, no. Wait, no…yes. Oh…I don't know. If you must…". He then dipped his head and firmly ground his fist against his forehead showing his internal struggle outwardly and sighing loudly with great frustration. Gilbert watched as he did so and thought for a moment before bravely speaking up – an action that was rather out of the ordinary for him and one that instantly instilled a sense of nervousness throughout his body,

"Is…anything the matter, sir?"

"Yes, Gilbert there is, but it's nothing that need concern you"

"Very good, sir" he said before turning and going to retrieve his master's drink. That is, he would have done had Macavity not stopped him once again,

"Am I being a fool, Gilbert?"

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

"Am I being a fool for reacting like this?"

"I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean, sir"

"For being annoyed with Misto"

"Again, sir, I'm not sure-"

"For being annoyed over something he did before we met but that's still something that really digs at me"

"Oh. Is it something he did to you, sir?"

"No, of course not"

"Is it something that affects you, sir?"

"…Not really" Macavity said after a pause and then saying with reservation, "it still annoys me though"

"Did he do it with forethought, sir?"

"No. More with naivety"

Gilbert paused and thought carefully about what he wanted to reply with. On the one paw he clearly had an answer that made perfect sense which, knowing from experience, is what his master preferred. On the other paw he never knew how well any answer he gave might be received. Macavity was, as all the tales told, a mysterious cat and not one to follow regular patterns of behaviour. Some might say it was genius and others utter lunacy but whatever it was it seemed to be the product of sheer, unmatched intelligence that apparently provided him with light speed thought. As such, it meant he was completely unpredictable and that was in part what made him so dangerous. As the seconds ticked by Gilbert weighed up the options and made his decision. If his master was being this open with him then it must have meant he did value his opinion to some degree. To hell with it, he decided to take a shot,

"Well then, sir, I do believe that you certainly are being a fool"

Macavity looked up all of a sudden and then turned his head back with a strange look of disbelief at what was apparently impertinence coming from Gilbert – of all cats.

"I beg your pardon?" the red tom said vocalizing that disbelief.

"Well, sir, if I may be so bold, it wouldn't quite be fair that you'd be angered by something Mistoffelees may have done before you had both even met. And, if he did it with, as you say, naivety then he couldn't have known the result of whatever the action was and therefore couldn't have known any lasting affect. Is the action something he shows remorse for?"

"…Yes" Macavity said as if it were a dirty word.

"Then I do believe, sir, that therein lies your answer. If it is you he is now seeking forgiveness from then the right thing to do is to give it"

Macavity looked down at Gilbert with a growing mixture of annoyance and embarrassment before looking away and, in an attempt to remain high and mighty, disapprovingly said,

"And why would you come to such a conclusion?"

"Because, sir, over the past weeks I've seen you become much happier than you've ever appeared before and, unless there is something else I'm unaware of, Mister Mistoffelees is the cause. I feel it would be far more detrimental to your well being to allow your current perturbation to overcome the new happiness you seem to posses. Unless I'm very much mistaken, sir, Mistoffelees is a very welcome addition to your life and one that, I expect, has benefited you more than anyone, including myself, can see"

Macavity pouted as he absorbed the words since he knew them to be right. Gilbert had succeeded in echoing what the clear-thinking part of him had been saying all along but had until now been silenced by his stubborn desire to always get his own way. He knew he shouldn't have been so annoyed but knowing it was Tugger that Misto had done what he'd done with just made it that much more discomforting. Tugger was vile and wouldn't have cared a damn about what he was doing to the perfect Misto that Macavity knew he loved. He would have looked down at Misto as an object, a tool with the sole purpose of providing him with pleasure and it made Macavity feel sick and somehow some of the loathing he had for him at that time seemed to spill onto Misto. Perhaps it was simply because he had been involved in some way in making himself what Macavity supposed was 'unclean' in his eyes even though he knew it wasn't really his fault. He'd been thinking it through for a while now and could see Misto hadn't known what he was doing. If what they'd done together only a short while ago was an indicator then while Misto made him feel amazing he certainly wasn't experienced in those matters and so it seemed to lend support to his plea.

Gilbert as right: how could Misto have known what he was letting himself in for? It did seem that his black and white tom wasn't so much in the wrong here and it did seem that it was now down to him to make things right between them even if there was still a smudge on things.

"Perhaps, sir, instead of holding onto your anger your time might be better spent thinking of how to work around it."

Macavity couldn't deny it was the truth. What Gilbert was saying was the exact thing he needed to hear and yet his annoyance still yelled at him not to accept it. On the whole he was quite impressed with Gilbert's courage at saying such things as he knew taking such a liberty with the desperate hope of getting him to see the truth through it all was quite out of character for him. Perhaps it was a sign for him to allow Misto the same give and take he'd been granted without even having to ask and through it all he still knew he loved Misto. That was the most important thing, right? He absolutely loved him and didn't want to lose him over something that he surely regretted much more than Macavity did.

With an accepting sigh, Macavity pushed himself up, cancelled his drink order and jumped off of the roof leaving Gilbert alone. The black tom stared at where his master had been for a moment before breathing a sigh of relief that he wasn't being punished for taking a shot at offering advice. It had been a risky move but Gilbert really did care about his master's happiness and loved to see him so joyful lately. To know his master was taking a forward step in his life was very gratifying and a sign he hoped to see continuing in the big, red and apparently now much less frightening, far more loving tom.

---

"What do you think he does with so many packs of cards?"

"I don't know. Razzle dazzle?"

"Razzle dazzle?"

"Well, you know what he's like. He always likes to show off what he can do without using his real magic. I think he once said it was something to do with slight of paw and naturally deceiving the feline mind or some sort of rubbish he made up"

"He does make up an awful lot of rubbish"

"Yeah, maybe" said Victoria as she stood up from the floor of Misto's den where she had been sitting with Jemima and pulling apart some of Misto's neatly arranged possessions from a box that formed a part of his den. Turning herself around she looked around at all the things they'd gone through which were now strewn across her brother's home and sighed as she found her boredom hadn't been relieved to any lasting affect.

"I think that's the last of it" Jemima said as she got up too and stared at the mess she'd also played a part in creating. "Do you think he'll mind about all of this?"

"Probably but he won't be mad for long. He likes things to be tidy so he'll probably enjoy cleaning it up"

"You know, they say there was never a cat so clever but I wonder if maybe he's more deranged and obsessive than he is a smarty-pants"

"Yeah. I've wondered that too but then when I've confronted him about it he's pulled out a piece of paper and started doing algebra just to show off"

"That's Misto…"

"Hmm…"

The two stood in silence for a moment as they continued searching in what was apparently perpetual boredom. From outside, the general nightly sounds of the junkyard radiated in but they didn't really come with any appeal to be explored and as such the two young queens were once again left high and dry for something to do.

After a few moments more Jemima piped up - albeit rather uninspired,

"Has he got any food?"

"I don't know. Did you see any?" Victoria asked looking around again.

"Do you know if he keeps any in here?"

"He does sometimes but I'm not sure where exactly he-…oh, wait a minute…" Victoria said as she suddenly recalled something and turned again to start pulling at the junk that made up one of the walls. Jemima watched happily as she continued in her destruction and then brightened up with intrigue as she saw her arctic-white friend begin to pull a clandestine can of something out from the hiding place she supposed Misto must have thought was secret. It took a few moments but eventually the can popped free and Victoria stood there with a very pleased look about her as she showed what she had found to her friend.

"Are those…?" Jemima asked with slight disbelief.

"Yep. I knew he kept them somewhere!"

"Everlasting Cat!" Jemima nearly squealed as she took in the sight of an unopened can of sardines. They were truly a delicacy to cats like them and to find them in a pristine package such as this was a huge treat.

"I don't think he'll mind that much if we ate these for him" Victoria said with a hint of naughtiness to her otherwise soft and princess-like voice.

"I don't care if he does" Jemima chirped, "Open it up!"

---

Looking back up at the house within which his lair was situated, Macavity stood silently clutching a white rose in his paws as he contemplated how he was going to do this. He had not behaved well earlier and considering the gravity their lovemaking certainly would have had on Misto as well as what lasting effect it would have on his emotions he knew he really could have handled it better. Having sex for the first time was a huge step in anybody's life and to treat Misto like he had done was not what the smaller tom deserved. Not in any way.

With a laboured sigh the ferocious-looking tom went around to the side of the house, scurried up the drainpipe and jumped into his lair just as the sun was beginning to light the sky signalling a new day. Inside it was dark but warm and Macavity found it comforting to know he was home with Misto again. He knew Misto surely couldn't have been feeling the same at that moment but hopefully he could fix that – hopefully, of course, being the operative word.

Navigating his way through the darkened passageways of his lair he wondered why no candles were lit or why there didn't seem to be any movement. Usually there was a henchcat or two scuttling about either running his home or going about the orders they'd been given. It was rare not to see somebody managing some of his plunder although that wasn't the most pressing thing on his mind as he stopped in front of the doorway to where Misto was. Standing there for a moment he breathed in the warm air and tasted Misto's sweet scent which now seemed to be just about everywhere in his home – not that he minded. Thank Everlasting he smelt so good or else he didn't know how he might have managed. It was a wonderful scent that made him feel completely contented – now even more so since he knew he was in love with him - and so, with that feeling in mind, he stepped around the doorframe and entered his bedchamber.

The area was dark just like the rest of his lair but Macavity's eyes were sharp. Across from him lying on the bed he could see the small but distinctive form of his lover facing away and remaining still. Gently through the air the sound of his soft breathing sailed and Macavity sighed again as he realised Misto was asleep. In a way it was relieving to know that he still didn't have to face him but in another it was annoying to have to put it off. Still, the least he could do was to allow Misto to carry on sleeping and not disturb him at all. It only seemed fair after the way he'd stormed out earlier.

Staying as quiet as a mouse – pardoning any irony – he slowly padded over to the bed and slipped onto it to kneel beside Misto and look down at him. Just as when he had first laid eyes on the sleeping beauty that was his black and white tom and like every other time he had done so prior to that moment he felt the wind knocked out of him and his heart in his throat. Much in the same way as he always contemplated the physical effect Misto's beauty had on him he wondered how such a supposedly simple thing could render him utterly defenceless and then, of course, found he didn't care anyway. The smile that plastered itself on his face as a result was warm and loving and without even thinking about it he leant his body down and gently rubbed his head in that uniquely feline way against Misto's as the smaller cat drifted somewhere far away in dreamland. Misto, as he'd told himself countless times already, really was perfect and as he felt his soft fur Macavity counted his blessings that he had come to exist with him right there, right then.

Without making a sound the red tom softly placed the white rose he still clutched in his paw down on the silk sheets in front of Misto and then pulled himself away to let him carry on sleeping. He proceeded to watch him for ages without shifting in his position apart from eventually beginning to delicately stroke his monochrome lover along the reaches of his body to which his arm could extend. He was rewarded with a soft purr that soon filled the air and there was simply no sweeter music his ears could hear. The delight carried on for a long time and Macavity wished it could last forever.

Eventually though, some light began to seep in from the doorway and it seemed that the morning sun must have been streaming into another part of the lair and bouncing off the walls to delicately caress both he and Misto. Macavity kept watching his tom as he slept and as more of his features became clearer as the light crept over him so too did he begin to stir from his seemingly peaceful slumber.

With one final stroke of his paw Macavity watched as Misto cracked his eyes open and stared out in front of himself for a moment before closing them again and trying to bury his face in the sheets below. Not wishing to wake yet he began to shift his body over to his other side but then stopped as he bumped into something big, heavy and warm. Opening his eyes wider he looked out to see the impressive chest of his big, strong tom and then flicked his eyes upwards to meet his before stopping and staring up both sleepily and anxiously. Macavity didn't say anything as Misto looked up at him and simply smiled down – albeit not too eagerly – as he let the moment pass.

Misto didn't really know how to feel. He'd had a dreamless sleep and as such was feeling quite refreshed as the new day dawned but as he returned to real life so too did memories of what had happened the night before began to slip back into his consciousness and his dreamy stupor was replaced with feelings of both joy and worry. It seemed strange to see Macavity here next to him when he had been sure that he was not at all pleased with what he'd been told and Misto had wished so hard before he'd fallen asleep that he could have simply kept his big mouth shut. Why couldn't he have just let things remain perfect? It didn't seem like it would have taken much and even though he hadn't been particularly upset by what had happened – largely because of not knowing where they stood anymore – he nonetheless wished he hadn't been so stupid as to ruin the perfection that had been last night up until the point when he'd ruined everything. Now it was crunch time. Whatever he said now had to be exactly right or else he'd risk setting Macavity off again. He had to show him that he was sorry for ever having been so stupid as to mess around with Tugger and prove that it was he that he truly desired. In his mind that was the whole problem anyway: he was an idiot for allowing Tugger to do what he'd done to him and he had to take responsibility for it. There was no one else to blame; he had to prove he was sorry.

"Hi" Misto said scratchily as he looked up into his tom's striking green eyes.

"Good morning" Macavity said with as much warmth as he could – an emotion that he'd never had much luck in showing.

"You came back," Misto said with a genuine glimmer of hope in his voice.

"Yes. I didn't want to leave you alone all night"

"You've been here all night?"

"Well, only for a few hours…I assume. I'm afraid I lost track of time"

"But you've been here?"

"Yes"

Misto smiled weakly and remained silent for a moment before carrying on.

"I…I was thinking that maybe…you didn't want to…I don't know…be around me"

"What do you mean?"

"After what I said I thought that maybe…you know...you thought I wasn't…worth it"

"Worth what?" Macavity asked only now beginning to understand what toll his leaving had taken upon Misto.

"Worth your time. I mean, you chose to have…you know…s- sex with me" Misto began and stumbling on the word 'sex' – a trait Macavity would have adored had he not been feeling increasingly rotten over how Misto apparently felt –, "and then I went and ruined it by telling you about…you know what"

"Oh, Misto…" Macavity began shaking his head mournfully and trying to think of where to begin. In the end he didn't have to as Misto pushed himself to his knees and stared down at Macavity with a glint of what seemed like desperation in his eyes as he pleaded his case.

"Look, darli-…Macavity. I know what I did was vile and stupid and I know I can't take it back but I wish I could. What we did last night was better than anything I've ever felt before and I promise that if I'd known what I was doing with Tugger then I never would have let it happen. What we did was much better than that! I know it's all my fault but I promise that if you forgive me I'll never be so stupid again. I know it's disgusting but I don't want to lose you because of it and I really hope you'll let me try to be better. Anything to be good enough for you"

Macavity lay there surprised as he thought about Misto's words. Could it be that this poor little tom that was taking full responsibility for a bad situation that he hadn't even been the cause of was asking for his forgiveness? Was it really that way around? Macavity really did feel guilty for the admission Misto had just made and really felt sorry that he actually thought it was he that had ruined what had been a perfect little love story they had been living up until he'd blown a fuse.

"Misto…" Macavity said as he quickly propped himself up and took the smaller tom's face in his paws. Misto softly turned his face into one of them as it touched his cheek and then looked back at Macavity from the side with his big, blue eyes. The sight was so dumbfounding it nearly broke Macavity's heart and as that very heart did somersaults he found his words interrupted by something inside that forced him forward to kiss Misto softly to try and ease his shame.

"Oh, Misto, you are silly" he carried on after a moment or two, "Why on earth do you think you're to blame for what happened?"

"Because I…am?" the smaller tom said doubtfully and with renewed worry.

"Oh no, darling. You're positively perfect. How could you ever get on my bad side?"

"But…I made you angry"

"No, I made myself angry. What you told me made me set myself off and it was nothing to do with you. What you said was innocent enough and I made it into something far more outrageous than it should have been"

"But…I-"

"No, no, no. Don't say anything, my sweet little tomcat" Macavity said before shutting him up with another kiss, "You did nothing wrong and I'm sorry for reacting like I did. You could never do anything wrong in my eyes because, quite simply Misto,-" Macavity stopped mid-sentence without uttering the crucial words 'I love you' like he had wanted to say so naturally. He hadn't even begun to think about how he was going to tell Misto he loved him yet and that seemed like an even more mammoth task than sorting out this silly mess. That was huge and he had to make it perfect no matter what.

"Because…?" Misto asked quietly with those same sparkling blues tugging at Macavity's heartstrings.

"Because…" the bigger tom said feeling a sweat beginning to break and trying to think of how to get out of that moment, "…because…well, as I said, you're perfect. Nothing you could do could be wrong"

"But…are you sure?" Misto asked without really knowing what was happening once again.

"Of course, my darling. Let's just forget all about it"

"O-…Okay" Misto said as a small smile crept onto his face accompanied with an internal mixture of huge confusion and relief.

"Now" Macavity said changing his tone to one that was far sultrier and picking up the rose to hold between them, "Why don't you and I pick up where we left off?"

Misto looked at him with even further misunderstanding. Is this how most cats suddenly turned it on? Sure, Macavity had the greatest sex drive of them all but this was certainly unexpected. Still, why not? Last night had been spectacular and Misto could see no reason not to go at it again. He had a hunger for it now and the idea of being ravaged by Macavity once more seemed like a fantastic way to start the day. Despite his desire though, Misto couldn't help but let a giggle slip as Macavity ran his paws up his body and pulled him on top of him in a most undignified way whilst once again exploring the areas on his body he now permitted himself to play with. To Misto it felt so naughty but that was part of what made it so fantastic. Taking the rose and gently smelling it he fluttered his eyelids before throwing it aside and pushing Macavity backwards.

How wonderful it was to know there was nothing that could keep them apart for too long. That is, nothing until later that same day.

---

At around lunchtime Misto emerged into the daylight outside his lover's lair and drew in the clear but crisp autumn air through his nose. It had an earthier scent to it now the leaves were beginning to turn and Misto smiled as he pondered the mysteries of nature. Biologically it was easy to understand, philosophically it was much harder and as that thought lingered in his mind he found himself smiling when he remembered he now had somebody in his life that could actually think on the same level. That very somebody followed him out a few moments later and snaked his arms around his waste before burying his face into his neck, kissing him there and eliciting from him a giggle. They had a spent a wonderful rest of the night together as well as what seemed the whole of the morning and Misto's head was still reeling from how fantastic it had been. He felt like he'd taken another step in life now but he didn't quite know what the feeling he now felt was. It was kind of like a new space had opened up in his mind that allowed him to think 'bigger' and whatever it may have been he knew he liked it.

"Are you sure you have to go?" Macavity said into his fur as he gently rocked him from side to side.

"They'll wonder where I am if I don't show up soon" Misto said as he turned his head as far as he could to kiss his red tom's head.

"But I want you to stay here"

"But I have to go"

"No" Macavity said playfully.

"Yes"

"No"

"Macavity"

"Misto"

"Let me go, please"

"No"

"Please" Misto whined.

"No"

Misto sighed with a smile on his face

"Well, we can't just stand here all day"

"I agree. Let's go back to bed," said Macavity stepping away and trying to pull him back into his lair.

"Now, come on. Don't they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

Macavity stopped and smirked momentarily,

"You've never said that before"

Misto shrugged,

"I must be spending too much time with you"

"Never" the red tom said going forward to grab his black and white tom again but being stopped in his tracks before he could do so.

"I really have to get back but I'll see you later"

"But I don't want to wait"

"Well, you can walk me back if you like"

"Aww…wouldn't the energy you'd use to walk be better spent...in bed" he said making the last two words drip with lust.

"Stop it" Misto had to force himself to say, "I need a rest"

"Why? Am I too much for you?"

"At times I thought perhaps you might be"

Macavity didn't say anything at that and simply stood smugly and basked in the apparent compliment. Seizing the opportunity to escape, Misto turned and hurried down the drainpipe before Macavity had a chance to stop him and then startled when he, upon reaching the bottom, turned to see him standing right there.

"How the hell do you do that?" he asked.

"Practice"

"Come on then" he said as he tried to march off but then stopped dead and flinched when he felt a pain shoot up his leg. Macavity – being hugely overprotective - was on him in a flash.

"Misto! Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. It's this sprain"

"Oh...can you walk on it at all?"

"Hang on" Misto said before stepping forward and then flinching once again, "Nope"

The two stood silently for a moment before Macavity scooped Misto into his arms and began walking off without even a word of warning.

"Oh my Ever-…What are you doing?" the smaller tom asked.

"What does it look like?"

"Hmm. Well, thanks. I thought you'd take the opportunity to take me back upstairs" Misto said before regretting it when Macavity suddenly paused to consider it. "No! Stop it! I have to go home!"

"Fine" the red tom said before begrudgingly resuming his walk. As they carried on, Misto looked across to the arm of his lover that was holding up his legs and admired the bulging bicep that seemed to be completely at ease in supporting his weight. He knew he was small but his size was misleading and he was heavier than he looked. Still, Macavity's muscles weren't showing any kind of strain as they held him up and the thought made Misto feel very lucky. How nice it was to know those big, muscled arms were for holding only him and nobody else. He had become the lover of the most devilishly handsome and most jawdroppingly sexy cat in London and the feeling was just amazing.

Not wanting to waste the opportunity he snuggled his head in the crook of Macavity's strong neck and watched where they were going as he sailed along in the big tom's embrace. Could life get any better than this?

---

A while later they were nearing the junkyard and Macavity directed them behind some bushes near the entrance as they watched to ensure the coast was clear. It was difficult to know whether anyone was going to be about since on one paw it was the middle of the day when the sun was at its highest and provided the best time for basking. On the other paw there was definite chill in the air and it was just as likely that everyone would be tucked up inside keeping warm. After all, a cat never sits out in the cold when he can snuggle up in the warm.

"I'll go and have a look" Macavity said going to leave the bush they were hiding in before being grabbed.

"Are you mad? What if someone sees you?"

"No one will see me"

"How can you be sure?"

"Hello? It's me."

Misto thought for a moment and then released him. He was right after all. Misto watched as the bigger tom carefully padded over to the fence and hopped up before disappearing over the other side and remaining out of sight for a good long moment. Misto became anxious with every second that passed fearing Munk would be out moping like he was prone to doing recently and would be there to catch Macavity in the act. He hated to think the tribe would be put on high alert again since it would make it much harder for him to sneak out.

Fortunately though Macavity reappeared and hopped over to him with a cheery disposition.

"I can't see anyone out so I think if we make a dash for it we'll be fine"

"I'm sorry. We?" Misto asked cheekily, "You can't go in there!"

"I just did"

"Well, you can't go in there again. Once was risky enough"

"And just how are you going to walk in on a bad paw?"

"Easily" Misto said cockily trying to stride forward and then flinching again as the same pain from earlier stopped him in his tracks. He sighed before he felt Macavity's paw on his shoulder and turned his head to look up at him.

"Would you like some help?" the red tom asked

"How though?"

"Well, I'll pick you up and then run you over to your den. Simple"

"Simple? I don't think so"

"You over-think things"

"When it comes to this I can't think things through enough"

"Well, this time I'll save you the trouble" the big tom said before scooping Misto up once again and dashing forward with him in his arms. Misto had to stop himself from yelping and protesting so as not to arouse any suspicion from inside the junkyard as they got closer and closer. As they crossed the threshold Misto felt his heart go cold with dread and desperately prayed they wouldn't be found out. He couldn't believe how cavalier Macavity seemed to be regarding all of this but he couldn't care through his fear.

The big tom grinded to a halt and bent low as he came to the edge of the big clearing in the middle of the yard and together they looked around making sure the coast was clear. Before Misto even had time to whisper they were off again and in a flash they hurtled through the doorway to his den whereupon any celebration they might have had over circumventing Munkustrap's terrible security was instantly dashed. For there, lying on Misto's bed amongst an unholy mess of his possessions that they had undoubtedly been the creators of, were Victoria and Jemima who began to waken as they were disturbed by the commotion.

Misto became rigid and stared out with widened eyes as he saw his sister's head start to turn in his direction and just as he felt he couldn't grit his teeth any harder he saw her eyes flicker open to look in the direction of he and the tom who held him.

A silent moment passed along with another before the image presented to the white queen actually sunk in and it was only upon blinking her eyes for a third time that she actually found the cognitive capacity to process what she was seeing. In an instant she bolted up and clamoured backwards in what surely must have been an attempt to jump off of the bed and plaster herself to the wall. Unfortunately for her Jemima was in the way and her legs caught against her friend's body as she jumped preventing them from ever making it to the floor and sending her flying backwards over the side of the bed before landing on the floor in a heap. Jemima sat up quickly and shook her head at the sudden chaos and looked down to where her friend was struggling to get up. It was a very strange sight that she didn't understand in the slightest but just as she went to ask what was going on she looked to the other side of the room and suddenly no longer needed an explanation. In much the same way as the white queen her body seemed to go into a wild spasm for a moment resulting in her identical ungraceful fall to the floor and together the queens scooted up in a panic and threw their backs against the wall whilst staring back at Misto and Macavity with horror.

The four cats in Misto's den stood in silence for a moment waiting for any idea for what to do to become apparent. Unfortunately nothing came and so in a freak flurry of shock and terror Victoria threw her head back and screamed,

"Macavity!"

Time seemed to slow and it seemed everything was in slow motion as Misto threw himself from the bigger tom's arms, belted across the den and slapped his paw over his sister's mouth. Once everything was back at normal speed he did the same to Jemima as he saw her about to do the same thing and before they could protest he shushed them harder than he had ever shushed anyone ever before.

"Guys! Shut up! Shut up! shut up! shut up!" he fiercely spat at them before carrying on with the same ferocity, "It's okay! Don't freak out! We're friends"

"I think we're a little more than friends, Misto" Macavity said from across the room feeling a little indignant at the smaller tom's characterisation of him. It made Misto spin his head back quickly and shoot him a glare.

"Do you really think now is the time to be specific?"

"Forgive me" he said before looking away and surveying the messy den casually as his black and white tom went back to what he was currently occupied with.

"Okay. So, we're more than friends but whatever it is he's not going to hurt you so you have to calm down, alright?"

They did not calm down and Misto had real trouble in pinning them both back and keeping them from shouting out as they so obviously tried to do due to the incomprehensible situation that had developed.

"Vicks! Jems! Would you bloody well shut up? Munk might hear you and then everything will be completely screwed!"

Victoria now had an angry streak showing through her mind-blowing terror and although Misto couldn't make out words he knew that what she was trying to shout from behind his paw wasn't ladylike.

"It's okay! Don't you think that if he was going to hurt you then he would have done it by now? Don't you think it speaks volumes that he carried me in here? Come on, guys, think it through!"

That was more easily commanded than obeyed as Misto quickly found out although it seemed to rein in the queens' attempts at screaming somewhat. It eventually allowed Misto to feel a little less worried and after a few moments of frantic consideration he decided to allow them the privilege of speech.

"Now, you guys have to promise not to scream if I take my paws away. Do you promise?" he hurriedly said to the queens he was pinning back inadvertently resulting in even more struggling and desperate looks of horrific confusion. "Pleeease!" he begged with the most desperate look he could muster hoping it might calm them down again.

It didn't but they did at least seem to agree not to explode as soon as he took his paws away. Then again, it may have been the sheer incomprehension of the moment they both seemed to be struck by that kept them from doing anything but gawking at what was before them and keeping their jaws slacked most ungracefully.

Not wanting to waste any time, Misto decided to try and get it over with as quickly as possible.

"Okay, listen. Macavity and I have been seeing each other for a while now"

"Well over a month. Nearly two, I think" Macavity said as he fiddled with a dice he'd found on the floor.

"You're not helping!" Misto shot.

"My apologies"

"Anyway, we've been seeing each other since the ball and we've been hiding it from everyone"

"Pretty successfully up until now" the red tom cut in again.

"Would you give it a rest?"

"Are you sure? It looks like you're floundering"

"I am not!"

"Well, I'm not sure you're making it any better"

"I'm trying my bloody best!"

"Well, I think I can make this much easier for them than you can"

"No you can't!"

"Yes, I can. You're crashing and burning"

"I am not! I'm gonna make this okay and there's nothing you can do to help at the moment!"

"Oh really? Watch" he said before bounding over and standing in front of the two completely gobsmacked queens. They seemed to visibly shrink as he stood tall in front of them and without intending to do so he did look quite intimidating. It wasn't clear whether it was the general sense of power and fearsomeness he outwardly showed or the striking and even scary markings all over his body that made him look even more frightening but either way his demeanour was not at all calming to the two cowering queens. Taking a second, he relaxed and put on his most charming façade – one he knew would win them over or at least one that he knew had never failed to win over any cat ever before. Strangely enough it didn't seem to make them melt straight away – probably due to the terrible fear that was coursing through their veins - and so the smug confidence that usually came with the persona didn't arrive for Macavity in full force like it usually did.

"Ladies, it's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm sorry my presence has startled you so but I mean you no harm. Now, before we begin I'd like to say how I particularly admired your performances at the ball all those weeks ago. Especially you my dear," he said looking into the fear-stricken Victoria's eyes and eliciting a frightened squeak from her. Clearly flattery wasn't going to work either and he knew he had to try harder. "Now, to cut a long story short, Misto and I have indeed been secretly seeing each other since roughly then during which time I've grown greatly attached to him and I don't intend to stop any time soon"

Misto was silent as he listened to his beau's attempt at appeasing Victoria and Jemima's mind-blowing alarm and sheer confoundedness and watched as the two queens stared with their heads cocked backwards so as to look up to the red tom's face. Their ears were flattened and Jemima visibly shuddered every few moments as the situation became too much to contain whilst Victoria remained stock-still and locked up tight. It seemed useful thought had clearly vacated her conscious for the time being and neither Misto nor Macavity knew whether or not anything being said was going in. Still, they weren't screaming anymore and so Misto simply watched hoping that somehow everything was going to be fine. After all, what else could he do at that point other than hop back and forth on his little white paws and whip his tail back and forth which incidentally he was increasingly finding himself doing.

"So, I think I can speak for Misto and myself when I say that we'd very much appreciate your cooperation in keeping this little mess to yourselves and to make sure that you don't cause a scene for us. After all, I'd hate to have to try more extreme measures to keep you both from spilling the beans"

"Like that's gonna help anything!" Misto suddenly shot at his lover, "You're trying to calm them down, not scare them into having a heart attack"

"Well, it'd keep them from telling anyone"

"Oh, stop it! Look, you've scared them so much they're on the verge of peeing themselves!"

Macavity looked and wondered how close to the truth his little tom was. The two queen's did seem like they were on the verge of something horrible happening although whether it was accidental urination or identical brain haemorrhages was unclear.

"Misto, I'm only trying to help"

"Well, so much for you being better at calming them down!"

"I've spoken much more coherently than you have. Everlasting knows how badly you've confused them"

"Me? At least I got them to shut up! You've just terrified them"

"Well, excuse me for trying to make myself appear more cat-like than demon. I thought they might like to see I wasn't a monster"

"And have you succeeded?"

Macavity looked at the queens. They hadn't changed in their statue-still positions whilst he and Misto were arguing and still looked terribly afraid.

"Well, no, but-"

"But nothing! You shouldn't have even tried!"

"Oh, shouldn't I have?"

"No!"

"At least I gave it a shot!"

"Why did you even have to?"

"Because I love-" Macavity began before catching the last word and standing there with his eyes wide and his mouth open. In the heat of the moment he'd very nearly revealed to Misto what he'd been desperately wanting to say all day and now it seemed he'd done it at the worst possible moment during their first fight. Damn his fieriness

In a sudden change all of Misto's anger instantly seemed to melt away and he stood there in front of Macavity in disbelief but also with a hugely hopeful look in his wide, bright blue eyes. Another second past and despite trying his hardest Macavity could see no other way out of the sentence he'd begun. He had to finish it and so without changing his expression simply let the last word slip, "…you"

Straight away Misto adopted the same expression as his female compatriots and gawked at the red tom who as the seconds passed began to look less conflicted and started to appear both accepting and annoyingly at ease with the whole situation. Had he actually just said he loved him? Had this astounding, amazing, totally inappropriately timed tom actually said he was in love with him? Straight away Misto felt his knees begin to shake as he was filled up to the brim with both shock and joy but he forced them to be steady as he coughed out the best response he could manage in his so very undignified state.

"What?" he strained as he looked into the big tom's eyes. They stared back at him with an astounding wash of warmth and truth that wrapped him up in the most staggering feeling of happiness he had ever experienced and even though it was most definitely the worst timing in the world he just couldn't care. How powerful that one little word was that he'd heard a million times before but only just now was realising what it meant. How amazing was the effect it had on him, even so much as to completely distract him from the abysmal situation that had arisen in the past minute that only a few seconds ago had made him simply want to die rather than deal with it? This was the most fantastic feat Macavity had ever demonstrated to him and he'd done it by simply uttering just a few simple words – no magic whatsoever. This was beyond sorcery, it was divine and Misto couldn't breathe for the shock that gripped him.

"You love me?" he eventually muttered in a way that made it seem like he had a mouth full of toffee.

"Yes" Macavity said breathily but with his alluring baritone seeping through and as he started smiling warmly he put his arms around him. "I wanted to say it earlier but I couldn't think how. Now I've gone and said it without even thinking"

Misto continued to gawk and so Macavity simply carried on even though he felt even more of his confidence beginning to slip away as the gravity of what he'd just done began to catch up with him.

"Still, that's not the main reason. It's because I really want you to know that I've never known any cat that's made me feel more wonderful or that has ever been able to break down the guard I've held up for so long leaving me completely defenceless. You've bewitched me with your beauty and kidnapped my heart so expertly that there could never be another cat I could adore more than you. And…and…oh, damn! I'm sorry for trying to be poetic" he suddenly said with a growing hint of panic in his voice making him cringe as he felt his grip on the moment slipping. "I just want this to be perfect. Oh, Everlasting Cat! Look, the fact is, I can't say how I really feel about you because there just aren't words to do it. You're perfect Misto and I want to be the only cat for you because, quite simply, you're the only cat for me. You are the best thing that has ever come into my life and I am totally, completely yours. Oh, Everlasting! I can't believe I'm rambling! Misto…" Macavity said firmly having turned from uneasy confidence to blithering uncertainty in the space of thirty seconds, "…Misto. I can only say this to you as simply as possible because I just can't do it any other way…"

With a deep breath and a small but truly genuine smile he said the words which hammered the message home deep into Misto's heart,

"I love you…so very, very much."

Macavity closed his eyes and sighed. Come to think of it, he probably could have chosen a far better moment to say what he'd just said and far more concisely too. Already he was starting to regret his sudden outburst even though in his mind it had seemed like a really romantic thing to do. Now he had a moment to think he considered whether Misto was ready to hear such a thing and thought that if he wasn't what a silly thing it was that he'd just done.

Just as he was about to look back up he was startled as he felt lips pressed against his and as he opened his eyes he saw the closed lids of Misto's right in front of his. In seconds he melted into the soft kiss that made him tingle all through his body and left him completely without his trusty sense of backbone and majesty that bolstered him at moments like these. Perhaps never actually having experienced a moment like this was the reason he was totally unknowing of what to do as he kissed his Misto but as he felt the smaller tom place his arms around his neck he let his heart lead the way and held the smaller tom in kind. All of his feelings were reciprocated in that gentle, tender moment. He loved Misto and even though he hadn't said it, he was assured through that perfect kiss that Misto loved him too.

A moment or two later they parted and gently pressed their noses together as they both smiled widely and held each other in the surprisingly serene silence of the den. They had completely forgotten about the world around them as they bathed in each other's feelings and it seemed truly as if their hearts were beating in time as that wonderful feeling of magic they had come to know entwined around them.

Sadly, as is true with all things in life, their moment came to an end when a nervous hiccup broke the silence and made them turn their heads to the two queens who stood nearby not with the astounded gawking as before but with expressions similar to ones they might have had they been repeatedly smacked over their heads with cricket bats. They were clearly confused but that was most certainly an understatement and as Misto took a moment to view them he wondered if they might begin drooling in their unfathomable stupor – let alone wet themselves.

"Umm. Right…" he said awkwardly as he came back to reality.

"Yes, right…" echoed Macavity feeling exactly the same.

"I, uh…well…"

"Mmm…"

"Does…uh…does that clear things up?" Misto asked the queens hopefully thinking there was very little that could be done to make things worse now.

The four of them stood there looking at each other in silence for a few moments more before there was a sudden scuffling at the entrance to the den. The two toms spun around as quickly as they could just in time to see Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer fall in through the door.

"Would you bloody get off me?" the orange calico queen shot at her brother who flummoxed on top of her in the pile they lay in on the floor with the same lack of grace they both employed in their everyday manner.

"Stop wriggling and I just might" he said as he hoisted himself up and pulled his sister along with him. "Alright, Mac? We thought we smelled you"

Macavity looked back at them with an increasingly perplexed look and blinked once before speaking,

"What the hell are you two doing here?"

"We live here!" the orange queen responded rudely, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was…I was bringing Misto back"

"Alright then. But why are they here?" she said gesturing to the stricken queens across from where she stood with her brother.

"They…uh…were here when we got here"

"Did they…know about you two?" Mungojerrie asked.

"Well, they do now" Misto said resignedly making the two snicker.

"Did they take it well?"

"Does it look like they did?"

"Ah, don't worry you two" the pair laughed as they pushed past Macavity and Misto and pulled the gawking queens around, "You'll get used to it"

The sudden jolt seemed to snap them out of it and with a sharp breath Victoria shook her head, looked at her brother and spoke very timidly,

"Misto. What's going on?"

"Didn't you see?" Misto responded with the same timidity.

"Yes, but…how?"

"Well, these things…just happen" he said with a nervous smile as he stepped closer to Macavity and put his paws on him.

"But…but…"

"I love him, Vicks" he said with an even warmer smile, "I don't know how it happened but I do"

"You really do?" Macavity asked as he pulled him closer.

"Yes. I really do" Misto replied before pushing up on his toes to make their lips meet again.

The action prompted jeers and kissy faces from the orange criminals who were now in their presence but they didn't really care. It seemed nothing could make this moment any more mixed up and yet strangely wonderful and so they kissed again not caring about the jeering from one pair and confusion from the other.

Despite how messy the past five minutes or so had been it now seemed everything was moving towards a happy, albeit wobbly conclusion and hopefully now they could all begin to talk without the inherent worry and fear that had recently been struck into each of them respectively. Such a scenario would have been nice had there not been another scuffling at the entrance to the den making all of them turn their heads at exactly the same time. In a split second Misto's heart went completely cold and his body rigid as he saw whom it was at his door and he quietly whimpered with fear and uncertainty as the cat in front of them straightened up and looked over. This was absolutely the worst thing that could possibly have happened to him at that moment and as he now took his turn as the one to be stricken with fear so too did he find he simply couldn't speak. Fortunately for him – or unfortunately depending on the way one looked at it – words seemed to come to his lover far more easily.

"Hello, Munkustrap" the red tom said darkly.

The silver tabby simply glared back at him angrily but not without surprise as he saw who was in his brother's arms. Suddenly everything clicked into place: Demeter's strange sensations and nightmares, his unrelenting grief and frustration, the strange feeling that things weren't right, his worries that he were going mad, all of it. What's more he now could see Misto had lied plainly to his face and had it not been for his unyielding hatred for his brother that would have been the thing that was cutting at him the most.

He was absolutely furious. He had never been so angry in all his life and the fire that was now burning within him could only let him spit one word through his clenched teeth as the rest of the cats in the den – bar his brother – cowered in his looming menace.

"Macavity!"

There it is. Did you like it? I hope it makes up for the long gap. Reviews are greatly appreciated.

Hopefully I'll write the next chapter sooner – after all, how can I possibly take several months again?

Thanks for reading. You guys are awesome. See you in the next chapter! x