Alright, I'm actually going out of town again tomorrow, however I'll most likely have access to a computer for most of it. So although updating will be somewhat sporadic, it'll (hopefully) still happen.

"Munk! Are you awake?" Tugger yelled into the broken pool table.

A whispered, yet still rather loud 'Shut up!' was his response. Moments later, Munkustrap emerged. "Bast Tug, there're cats sleeping in here."

"I'm sorry," The Rum Tum Tugger replied. "But I need your help. Misto has been missing for hours."

"He still hasn't found you?"

Tugger shook his head.

"I'm sure he's fine Tugger."

"What going on?" A yawning Demeter exited the den.

"Demi, you need your sleep," Munkustrap said.

"I'm fine. What's wrong Tugger?"

"Misto is missing."

Demeter's eyes widened. "What?"

"No one has seen him. I was wondering if you two knew anything."

"He came by earlier," the golden queen said. "But when he left he said he was going to find you."

Panic flashed across the Rum Tum Tugger's face.

"This is obviously really worrying you Tug. I'll find Alonzo and tell him to stay alert. Stay with Demeter okay?"

Tugger nodded and, after his brother left, Demeter coaxed him to sit down. "Relax," she said, "I'm sure he's fine."

"I just- I worry."

Demeter looked at him intently. "There's something different about you lately Tugger."

Tugger scoffed. "Why do I keep hearing that?"

"Well aren't you two gettin' snuggly," said a grinning Bombalurina. She casually approached the duo. "What's up?"

"Mistoffelees is missing and Tugger is worried about him."

"Oh really? I'm sure he's fine Tug. He disappears all the time. He's not exactly the most social of butterflies."

"I know. It's just... I'm worried okay? It's not exactly rational. I've just... had a really strange day."

"Spill," the scarlet queen replied simply. Tugger glanced briefly at Demeter. "Tugger, whatever you tell me is just going to come back to my sister anyway."

"I'm just," Tugger replied slowly, "afraid that maybe he doesn't want to come back... after the day's... events..."

"Oh Bast, you didn't sleep with him right?"

"No!" Tugger said quickly.

"What?" came Demeter's confused reply.

"Tugger, what did you do to that tom?"

"Nothing," Tugger yelled innocently. "Well, we had this sorta heart to heart chat about... stuff. Look, I'm not aloud to go spreading what I found out okay?"

"Am I missing something here?" Demeter said.

"Then what 'events' are you talking about?"

"The discussion we had. Like I said, I'm not supposed to talk about this."

"Tugger, you can't just start a secret and then not say the rest."

"You're the one pushing."

"Hey, I was just innocently asking the obvious okay?"

"Would both of you please stop!" Demeter suddenly shouted. "Now," she continued calmly," would one of you explain what's going on? I might be able to offer some advice."

"Don't. You. Dare," Tugger said menacingly to Bombalurina.

The scarlet queen ignored his protests. "Secret time?"

"Secret time," Demeter replied.

"Your brother-in-law is gay."

"What?"

"Not exclusively," Tugger piped in.

"Are you serious?" Demeter said, rolling her eyes. "This is what stunt he pulls next?"

"He's for real Demi."

The golden queen looked taken aback. "Oh," she said simply. She turned to Tugger. "So you've actually um... done it with a guy?"

A grin pulled at Tugger's face. "Do you really want-"

"Oh Bast," Demeter said, sounding somewhat disgusted. She turned back to Bombalurina. "So how does Misto-?" She stopped abruptly and turned back to Tugger. "Please tell me you didn't-"

"No, nothing like that."

"But is he... um... gay too?"

"Well... yeah. That's kind of what we were talking about before."

"I knew it," Bombalurina said smugly.

"But both of you have to swear not to say anything," Tugger continued. "Not even Victoria knows."

"Not even Victoria knows what?" Munkustrap said, coming into view.

"About her brother's disappearance," Tugger said quickly.

"That's funny... because I saw her and Plato looking for him."

"Hmm. Maybe I did tell them. Nevermind."

"I see," Munkustrap said slowly, obviously suspecting something was going on. "I'm just going to go to bed. Demi, are you coming?"

"I'm going to stay out a minute longer actually. It's nice out here."

Munkustrap nodded and left the trio alone.

Tugger's eyes went wide as he turned to Demeter. "Please don't tell him about me," he said quietly.

Surprised at his serious tone, the golden queen nodded. "I won't mention it. However, if he asks me directly, I'm not going to lie to him."

"Why are you so worried?" Bombalurina said.

"I just-" The Rum Tum Tugger stopped, unsure of how to word his feelings. "I don't want to disappoint him," he said finally. "Don't tell my father either."

"Of course," Demeter said. Silence passed between them. "Look," the small queen continued, "as much as I may not approve of you being... gay, I do care about you." She sighed. "I don't show it as often as I should, but I do like you."

Tugger was stunned. "Thank you," he finally said.

She laughed humorlessly. "You saved my life once Tugger. The least I can do is like you." She smiled. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight you two." Demeter was about the crawl through the entrance. "However," she said sternly, turning back around, "if I hear you've done anything to Mistoffelees, I'll kill you. I hope you know that."

He saluted her. "Yes sir."

She rolled her eyes and entered her den.

"So what really happened?" Bombalurina asked.

"Pretty much that. 'Cept uh, I kissed him. Just to prove that he was. Gay I mean." Tugger laughed. "That kit started sparklin' like mad."

"You kissed him?"

"It was just a little one. It wasn't even legit. I mean, he didn't exactly kiss back, he was too surprised."

"I see."

"However, we almost had a for real kiss afterwards. But Munk interrupted us."

"That sucks."

"Yep."

Bombalurina suddenly grinned. "So you like him?" she asked cheesily.

"Yes," Tugger said, giving in.

The scarlet queen gave a slight squeal. "Tug! This is so great!"

"What is it with you and my love life?"

"Tugger, you're my best friend. It's what I do. Anyway, you should probably spend some time trying to find your little magician. And of course you have to inform me if anything... progresses in your relationship."

"Yeah, sure, whatever Bombi."

She laughed. "See ya Tug," she said, slinking away.

The Rum Tum Tugger still wasn't sure how he felt about Demeter knowing, but he was feeling good about their conversation nonetheless. He left the den and continued his search for Mistoffelees.