The next morning Mistoffelees blinked his eyes open, registering the other weight on the bed next to him and froze for a long moment before his brain caught up and he just about melted back into the bed. Turning his head, he considered how much light was coming through the curtains.

Coricopat woke a few minutes later, his gaze darting about as he tried to reorient himself with his surroundings. It took a moment, but he finally shifted enough so he could look at the cat beside him, "Good morning."

"Morning," Mistoffelees murmured, turning on his side and burrowing against the other. "You should leave soon. It's still early."

The mottled tom, nodded, his arm moving to wrap around the younger tom, "I really should, before anyone notices."

Even though he'd said it, the younger tom was busy seeing how much of himself he could wrap around the other. "I don't want you to have to."

Coricopat had no real motivation to move at the moment, more than content to let Mistoffelees twine himself around him, "I would rather not have to as well, but we can hardly make it so by wishing."

"No, I suppose not," he murmured. The solicitor leaned down and kissed the tip of Mistoffelees' ear. "I love you," he murmured, even as his ear flickered to get away. "I was afraid I wouldn't say that again in the morning but I do."

"And I love you as well. I'm glad you can still say that this morning, and I'm glad I can as well," he ran his paw through the other's tousled headfur.

The smaller smiled faintly. "Hopefully not for the same reason, but I'm glad."

"I doubt it is." He sighed as a mantle clock chimed in the other room, "I really do have to be going soon..."

"I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go, but I can hardly stay any longer today."

"Alright," Mistoffelees said, kissing him again hard.

The mottled tom startled slightly at that before pressing into the kiss, pulling Mistoffelees closer as he deepened the kiss.

"You should go," Mistoffelees murmured finally.

Coricopat nodded, finally starting to untangle himself from the other, "I should."

Mistoffelees sighed, falling back against the bed for a moment, watching the other.

The lawyer carefully got dressed, making certain he looked at lest mostly put together. His grey gaze darted to the other, "I still say we're out of our minds."

"We are," Mistoffelees assured him with a soft smile.

He smoothed his shirt out as much as he could before pulling on his vest and jacket, "I'm not sure I mind it tough."

"I'm glad of that," Mistoffelees said, rising from the bed and smoothing Coricopat's shoulders out. "At least you have your hat."

The mottled tom's brow rose at that, "Yes...what does-oh, that first time you came by my flat I assume?"

"Yes," he said and smiled. "One of my friends found me that day on my way home."

"How did that go?" Coricopat asked in some surprised.

"Quite well. He let me into his carriage and dropped me off home," Mistoffelees smiled faintly.

"Well, that was kind of him," came the quiet response.

"Yes," the smaller leaned up to kiss the other lightly.

Coricopat's arm moved around Mistoffelees' waist as he returned the kiss for a moment, "I love you."

"Good," he murmured, tilting his head back.

"I will see you around."

"You had better," Mistoffelees laughed softly.

The lawyer chuckled and leaned down to kiss the other briefly again.

"Go," Mistoffelees murmured, pushing at his chest lightly. "Or I won't let you."

He offered a faint smile before picking up his hat and overcoat and slipping out of the room. The suite door was heard closing a moment later. Sighing, Mistoffelees plopped back down onto the bed.

v.v.v.v

Coricopat entered the offices of Bailey and Co the following Monday. He was far more relaxed than he had been in a while, not quite to the point of humming under his breath, but close. He wove his way over to the filing cabinet and withdrew his current case file before settling at his desk to get started.

Macavity swept in a few moments later, and looked the other over. "You look cheerful," he remarked. "Good plays don't make you this happy."

"It was an excellent play and a good evening besides," came the reply, Coricopat not looking up from his work.

"Good evening, huh?"

"Yes?"

"Anything in particular?" Mac asked, eyebrows arching as he flipped through his own file.

"Not of import to you?" Coricopat attempted.

Macavity gave him a long look. "And that has worked... when exactly?"

He glanced toward Bailey's office, seeing the door firmly closed, "I ran into him at the theatre."

"Him? Him of the small Quaxo variety?"

"Mhm," Coricopat nodded, not offering any more information.

"Which makes you cheerful?" Macavity's brows inched higher.

"It was a good play, we talked afterwards."

"You talked?" Macavity looked doubtful.

"Yes."

"About?" Macavity pressed. "Cause last I checked that was the last thing you wanted to do."

"Our previous conversation."

"Previous...?" Macavity blinked again. "Alright, no more side stepping questions Cor. What did you talk about and why are you so damn happy?"

"We...that is...We came to the conclusion that we are both in love with each other-though God knows we're out of our minds-and we're going to find some way to make this work."

The other cat's jaw dropped. "You're kidding."

His partner shook his head, "No."

"But, you, surely..." Macavity blinked again. "What are you going to do?"

"We're going to take it a day at a time. It's not unheard of for two men to be friends, socially, and his uncle does still employ our firm."

Pausing, Macavity slowly nodded. "And you two are alright?"

"What do you mean, Mac?"

"With each other. I mean, sometimes you two have your arguments and the like. Which is what started this entire mess in the first place actually.

"We've both got our own insecurities, but I think we should be able to work through them. For my part I want to, and if he was being honest with me he does as well," Coricopat glanced up from the papers he was vaguely skimming.

"Huh," Macavity shook his head. "I never thought I'd see the day..."

"What?"

"You again. Being passionate. Being with someone."

"It's different this time," came the quiet response.

"I hope so," Macavity sighed. "And I hope he's worth it."

"He is," Coricopat replied firmly.

"Good," Macavity nodded, considering the other again.

"Anything else, Mac?"

"Naw," he said, shaking his head. "Just working on realigning my entire world, give me a second."

"Alright," he turned back to his work again.

"Just be careful," Macavity murmured, glancing down at his own work.

"We will be, Mac."

"Good," he murmured, scribbling something down on his paper.

v.v.v.v

Tumblebrutus slipped through the theatre, entering the backstage area and asking one of the stage hands to fetch Miss Forrester or direct him to her.

Moments later, the queen in question appeared. "Mr. Carpenter. What can I do for you?"

He withdrew a letter from his coat pocket, offering it to her, "Pouncival sends his regrets that he couldn't come tonight. He asked me to deliver this."

Her eyes widened slightly and she took the letter quickly, skimming it over. "Can you possibly wait while I compose a reply, sir?" she asked softly, turning her large eyes on him.

He almost declined, but finally nodded, "Of course, Miss."

"Thank you, sir," she said happily, offering him a gentle smile before scurrying off.

He watched her go, glancing around and retreating to stand near one of the walls, leaning against it as the back-stage hustle and bustle moved past him.

Coming around a corner, Tugger paused as the bustle calmed down. Since the production was not for a little while yet, there were plenty of last minute things to be seen to, but there was space enough. "Well, look who's here," he said, coming up behind the other's shoulder. "Hello, Tumble."

The young noble startled, turning, "M-Mr. Hollister."

"So formal," Tugger grinned. "Whatever brings you here?"

"I...don't think that's a-any of your c-concern."

"Well, maybe not," Tugger shrugged. "But if you have time..."

"I-if I have time, wh-what?"

"I don't know," Tugger shrugged, smirking slightly. "Anything you like to do lurking in the dark of the theatre?"

"I-I'm just w-waiting for Miss F-Forrester to finish a l-letter."

Tugger tilted his head, considering the other for a long moment. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. Wh-why wouldn't I be?"

"Nevermind," Tugger grinned. The stammer had concerned him for a moment. "You ever dance then, Tumble?"

"Wh-what?" He looked up at the other tom, his eyes wide.

"Do you dance?" Tugger replied. "Not those court dances either. Have you ever let yourself dance?"

"I-I can waltz?" he offered, still confused.

"Well, there's this new dance style coming out of Argentina," Tugger said. "But so few cats wanna do it it's hard to practice."

"I-I..." Tumble shook his head, "I h-have no idea what you're t-talking about."

"Well," Tugger turned around, taking one of his paws and holding it up. "I want to practice dancing. That clear enough for you?"

The smaller tom startled, tensing immediately, "I-I don't know th-this dance..."

"I can teach it to you," Tugger replied, arching a brow almost as if in a dare.

"I-I r-really should be g-going..."

"You don't have your letter yet," Tugger replied, pausing before pulling Tumble into the hold for this particular style of dance.

Tumble startled at that, his breath hitching, "I-I..."

"Yeah?" Tugger asked. "It's not a hard dance."

"H-here? Y-you want me t-to dance with y-you h-here?"

"Sure," Tugger replied. "You have somewhere else in mind?"

"N-no?" He remained tense, not quite pulling away but considering it.

"Relax," Tugger replied, considering the hold and how close the position put them. "It's a circular dance anyway."

"R-relax? H-How the devil a-am I supposed to d-do that?"

"Breathing's a good start," Tugger replied, grinning. "Now, when I go back, I'll start on my right foot and move your left back."

Tumble swallowed hard, but finally nodded, "I-I...A-all right."

"It's basic," Tugger promised, before going through the step.

Tumble followed, still far too tense for the dance, but at least he was following. "Relax," Tugger murmured again, repeating the basic a few times.

The smaller tom focused on trying to do so, following through the basic step and doing everything he could to ignore how very close the other was.

"Now, slide over," Tugger murmured, demonstrating the step, taking a few basics and then a quick step to the side, his second foot sliding along the floor after the first.

Tumble followed him, "Wh-where did you even l-learn this dance?"

"Me?" Tugger asked. "Some sailors. Why?"

"J-just curious."

Grinning, Tugger did a few more basics before suddenly doing a quarter turn, nearly lifting Tumble off the ground to pull them around quickly enough. The smaller tom gasped, tensing again from where he'd finally started to relax a good deal, "A-a bit of w-warning?"

Tugger just grinned at him, settling back into the basic. "There's a lot of fancy moves too."

"G-great, d-do you m-mind warning me b-before you try them?"

"Well, the fancier ones need you to match me, so I suppose the warning would have to come."

Tumble swallowed, and nodded slightly, "Wh-why not pull s-some other cat into th-this?"

"I don't know, you were here?" Tugger offered. "Besides, you just stammer and blush and agree to it."

"I-I don't r-remember to agreeing to th-this before we s-started."

"But you're doing it," Tugger pointed out. "Rather than smacking me in the chest and running away."

"I-I..." Damn it the other was right.

Tugger grinned. "Are you enjoying it?"

"I-I...s-suppose so..." His ears flickered uncertainly.

"See, the thing is even though you protest and blush and stammer, you're still here and you never actually seem angry by what I say," Tugger continued.

"S-so?" Tumble attempted.

"So, it's different," Tugger replied.

"D-different isn't a-always good."

Tumble blushed, hating his light fur for the moment, "I-I..."

"You?" Tugger asked, tilting his head down slightly.

"D-don't know. Y-you confuse m-me."

"Well, confuse is not the worst thing I could be doing," Tugger said. "How do I confuse you?"

"I-isn't c-confusion enough?"

"Well, what am I doing?" Tugger prodded.

"Y-you..." He started to try and draw away, "N-nothing I s-suppose." Tugger paused before letting him pull as far away as he liked. Tumble took a step back, "Th-this. Wh-why do this? Wh-why go on and on a-about S-socialism w-when it had to be obvious what class I was f-from? Wh-why come across a crowded t-tavern to say h-hello?"

"I go on about socialism to anycat who doesn't slap me across the face," Tugger said, brows raising. "As to the crowded tavern? What can I say, it was only polite. This? I don't know. To see if I could."

Tumble's ears lay back a bit, "Do y-you often do that?"

"Do what?"

"Do th-things just to s-see if you can?"

"Yeah," he said with a small shrug. "No cat lets me get away with them like you do though."

"I-I see," Tumble said with a slight frown.

"Do you?" Tugger asked, peering down at him and taking half a step closer.

"I-I...Y-yes?"

A traumatized squeak sounded from the side, and Tugger leaned back from where he'd been inching closer and closer to Tumble. Jemi was gaping at him, eyes huge. "Tugger! And after he was so nice as to wait for me to write a letter..."

Tugger shrugged gracefully, grinning at her. "Don't worry darling, I wasn't doing anything bad."

Tumble swallowed, taking a solid step back from Tugger, "M-miss F-Forrester, I take it t-to mean y-you've finished your letter?"

"Yes," she said, holding it out. "Thank you so much for staying for it." She shot Tugger a glare.

He took the letter, sliding it into the inner pocket of his coat, "O-of course. Good evening, and I h-hope the performance goes well th-this evening."

"Thank you," she beamed.

Tugger flicked off a lazy salute. "Thanks for the dance, Tumble."

He swallowed, nodding slightly, "O-of course. Good evening." He dipped a bit of a bow and beat a hasty retreat.

Tugger watched him for a long moment, Jemi still looking shocked. "Can't you be nice?" she begged.

"I was nice," Tugger replied, though he sounded distracted before shaking his head and bowing. "But now, m'lady I must be off."

Shaking her head, Jemima watched him leave, sighing softly.

v.v.v.v

Victoria descended the main staircase, she and her aunt were going to go out shopping for possible fabrics that afternoon. She reached the bottom of the stairs and paused at the sight of a ginger tabby in the foyer, "Good afternoon sir."

Fiddling with his gloves while waiting for somecat to tell him what to do, Macavity glanced up as offered her a broad smile. "Miss Jones," he greeted.

She dipped him a bit of a curtsey, "Mr. Hollister."

"It's good to see you again," Macavity said. "How have things been?"

"And you. Things have been going well enough. And yourself?"

"Life is life, and work is work," he replied with a small shrug.

"And they have been going well?"

"As well as can be expected," he replied. "Considering our cases got all switched around at the firm. I can only hope I give your father the same level of service."

"I'm certain you shall."

"Your vote of confidence is inspiring," he said with an incline of his head.

She inclined her head to him as well, "I assume you're here on business then?"

"Eventually, I hope," he said, glancing around. "No one has yet told me where to go or if he wants to deal with any business."

"I'm certain they shall soon."

"Honestly," the ginger tabby continued. "This is about the point I would half expect the nep-Mr, Quaxo to take over the business for the day."

Victoria's ears flickered back at that, "My cousin is not at home today."

He took note of the ear flicker. "Of course. You like your cousin then?" He really should not be prying but he could not help himself—and not just because he was naturally inclined to snoop but considering Cor he thought it might be extra relevant.

"He's a fine young tom."

"What a diplomatic answer," he grinned.

"I do like him, yes," she replied, trying not to sound testy.

"Sorry," he said, glancing around and laughing a bit nervously. "I suppose I'm not used to standing in such a grand place now knowing what to do with myself."

"I'm certain it shouldn't be much longer," she assured him quietly, her gaze darting toward the stairs.

"Hopefully not," he said, fiddling with his gloves still. "And where are you heading today if I may be so bold?"

"Out for an afternoon of shopping with my aunt," she replied softly.

"Shopping," he nodded. "That sounds... relaxing."

"It should be, yes," Victoria nodded slightly, though her ears flickered.

"Well, what are you two looking for today?" Macavity asked, genuinely curious as well as wanting a topic to keep his mind occupied.

"Just some fabrics for a gown."

"Any particular sort? I hear purple is fashionable this season," alright, so he might be inching toward babble.

"I...it's not that sort of a gown. And I don't think purple would suit in this situation."

"Oh," he said, brain processing. "Of course. I'm sure it will be quite a lovely gown when you are finished."

She blushed very slightly, "I do hope so." Her gaze drifted to the stairs again as her aunt finally descended them.

"Are you ready, Victoria?"

"Yes, Aunt."

Macavity arched a brow but took half a step back. Serafine's gaze moved to the tom, "Good afternoon, sir."

"Afternoon, m'lady," he replied, taking her paw and bowing to kiss the back of it.

Her brows arched at that, "May I enquire as to the cause of your visit?"

"Your brother," he started and realized that sounded wrong, squaring his shoulders. "I am the solicitor working for your brother, and have been left hanging in the foyer."

Sera nodded, "I see. Well, have you sent word up that you are here?"

"Yes," he replied, checking his watch. "Ten minutes ago."

"Give him another ten, and if you still haven't heard, stop the butler on his rounds to find out."

Pausing, Macavity nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course. Good afternoon to you, sir." She glanced at her niece, "Come along, Victoria, we should be on our way."

Macavity inclined his head. "It was lovely to meet you," he murmured.

"And you," Sera inclined her head to him.

Victoria offered him a faint smile and a bit of a curtsey, "Good day to you, Mr. Hollister."

"Miss Jones," he inclined his head, considering kissing the back of her paw as well but resisting. The two queens slipped out to get into the carriage that was waiting in front of the house. Sighing, Macavity returned to his gloves, waiting for Jones to stoop to call the solicitor into his presence.

Welcome to our latest installment! Hope everyone enjoyed and always remember to drop us a line/review! It makes our job as writers so much easier and more enjoyable!