So that's what Misty was up to after the events of that morning. Now we're back to me, and I'll be picking up after my revelation in bed with Bombalurina.
"Bombi?" I nudged her gently to see if she was awake. "Bombi?"
"This better be important Tug," she said, stretching out as she awoke.
"It is. I don't really know how to say it so I'll just come out with it; we're done." I could barely hear the words I was speaking, but I knew they had to be said.
"What did you just say?" She was certainly awake now and she was livid. At least I assumed she was, her red fur made it hard to tell sometimes.
"You heard me, we're done."
"There's someone else isn't there? Who is it? Electra? Etcetera? Victoria? Tell me!"
"It isn't any of them. We need to stop fooling ourselves; we haven't had a real relationship since the first time we mated."
"What are you talking about? We've done plenty of relating…" She crawled over to me and ran her hands through my mane as she spoke.
"That's exactly what I'm talking about," I retorted, making a point of removing her hands from my mane. "Our whole relationship is based on nothing more than a roll in the hay every other day or so."
"Don't act like you're not enjoying it Tugger."
"Honestly? You're not that great." If she had been mad before, it was nothing compared to now. "Besides, I want an actual relationship with someone. Someone I can actually connect with. Maybe then mating will be something more than something to do when I'm bored." That was the last straw for her. She slapped me across the face and stormed out of my den. I won't say I was terribly sad to see her go, the Bombalurina that I'd cared for growing up had gone long ago.
I waited until the stinging in my face had gone to decide on my next move. I didn't want my feelings towards Bombalurina to affect my actions concerning Mistoffelees. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but I was worried he didn't feel the same way. This certainly wasn't a scenario I'd ever been on this side of, but having been on the other side had taught me that it always ended with the one in love crying. Not that I'd cry of course, but I assumed it would provoke some similarly unpleasant emotional response, so I decided it would be best to try and play it off. Unless of course Mistoffelees did in fact have feelings for me, in which case I would tell him that the feelings were mutual. But what if I missed a signal? What if he tried to hint at it and I didn't catch it? What if I thought he was hinting but he wasn't? This was getting to be too damn confusing so I went with my only tried and true plan: improvise.
When I left my den I was swarmed by my fan club. They wanted all the details of the rather loud escapade of the afternoon and the dirt on why Bombalurina had stormed off. I resigned myself and began recounting the events of the afternoon, keeping a few details just for me and the other toms when the kits and queens weren't around. When I got to the part about the break-up everyone gasped, but I could tell none of them were terribly upset by the news. As far as they were concerned, I was back on the market and that suited them just fine. Of course, they were to be disappointed again, but I figured it was best to let them have their fantasies for a while.
I made my way towards the clearing, but paused just shy of it. I could hear voices drifting out of it, and though I couldn't quite make out what was being said I was under the distinct impression that the voices belonged to my brother and Mistoffelees. I held back, not wanting to see my brother under these circumstances, especially since I had no clue as to what Mistoffelees had just told him. I couldn't imagine that he'd ratted me out and told my brother that I'd forced myself on him, but then again I hadn't exactly imagined that I'd kiss him, fall in love with him, and break up with Bombalurina that day either. I waited in the shadows until my brother left a few minutes later. Given the expression on his face I could tell my fear hadn't been justified. His face didn't contain the rage it would have if he'd heard I'd taken advantage of someone, instead it bore the look of one processing a considerable amount of information. I decided it would be best not to speak to him, on the off chance that I say too much.
When I entered the clearing I saw Mistoffelees sitting at the bottom of the fender I enjoyed relaxing on while I watched him practice his dancing and magic. He was obviously deep in thought, but I couldn't tell anything more. I crept over, and assumed my usual position on the fender. I waited, collecting my own thoughts before speaking. Eventually I decided that I was doing nothing but worrying myself more by waiting, and I finally spoke.
"So Misty… about earlier…"