Munkustrap leaned against the wall in the dark room, watching as Macavity tossed and turned in his fevered sleep. Munkustrap glanced up when he heard the door open.
"How is he?"
"He's weak, we can't open the curtains…the light hurts his eyes," Munkustrap murmured. "The fever has started to go down though," Griddlebone gave a nod, leaning against the wall next to Munkustrap. They remained silent.
"I heard Macavity told you that he wanted more kittens,"
"Did Stein tell everybody?" Munkustrap muttered. Griddlebone smiled.
"Well, I think Ronan and Regan would like a little sibling," Griddlebone told him. "Besides…I actually can't teach Ronan anymore,"
"Why not?"
"He's surpassed everything that I can actually teach him," She explained, smiling. "He's very mature for his age,"
"He is," Munkustrap said softly. He looked at Griddlebone.
"Where are the kittens anyway?" He asked her.
"The hench-cats were wrestling with them," She laughed. "They spoil your kittens." Munkustrap gave a chuckle. It was true. The hench-cats wrestled with the kittens to help them learn their technique, but they always let the kittens win.
"Whaz goin' on?" Munkustrap looked over at the bed.
"Just chatting to Munkus, Mac," Griddlebone spoke up.
"'Kay," A yawn followed.
"So…kittens," Griddlebone continued. Munkustrap looked at her.
"C'mon, Munk…what do you think of little ones running around again?" Munkustrap sighed.
"I don't know,"
"How many kittens have you had to baby-sit at a time, huh?" Griddlebone asked him. "I know you used to look after Electra, Etcetera, Tumblebrutus, Pouncival, Mistoffelees, Victoria, Jemima and all of those kittens," She continued. "When some grew older, you were left with the younger ones as well…you always had kittens running about,"
"I know,"
"Bast, you even pretty much helped raise Mistoffelees," She told him. Munkustrap sighed, his ears lowering slightly.
He missed that little Tux.
"So?"
"I don't want to make Ronan and Regan feel like we're replacing them,"
"They won't!" Griddlebone told him firmly.
"They're the ones to inherit this…organisation," She told him. "And as if they'll ever feel like that…you love them far too much," Munkustrap gave a small nod.
"I'll talk to them about it," Munkustrap sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Griddlebone looked at him.
"Take a bath, Munk…relax for a bit," She told him softly. "You've barely slept this last week or so," Munkustrap gave a nod and a small smile.
"Thanks, Griddle," Griddle nodded, settling down on the window seat as Munkustrap headed towards the bathroom.
He sighed in relief as he sank into the warm water, finally relaxing. Munkustrap let himself drift off slightly as he relaxed for the first time in a while. He couldn't remember what that fuss had been about water so long ago…it was so nice. Munkustrap's eyes snapped open when he heard the door open.
"What no bath salts this time?"
"Aren't you watching Macavity?" Munkustrap yawned.
"I was just coming to check on you," She told him as she poured some rose smelling bath salts into the water.
"And now…I'm going," Griddlebone laughed as she danced back out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
"I swear she gets weirder every day."
"I heard that!" Munkustrap gave a small chuckle, closing his eyes and leaning back.
"Daddy?" Munkustrap tiredly opened his eyes and smiled at Ronan, who was standing by the edge of the bath.
"Hey, Ro," Munkustrap murmured. Ronan grabbed the edge of the bath, trying to hop in. Munkustrap gave a small laugh, grabbing Ronan and lifting him in. Ronan purred and snuggled up to Munkustrap's chest. Munkustrap ran his paw through Ronan's head-fur, wetting it. Ronan purred as he nuzzled at Munkustrap's neck.
"Ro,"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"What do you think if you had a little brother or sister?"
"What do you mean?" Ronan asked, his hazel eyes wide. Munkustrap hesitated.
"Do you want a little brother or sister to play with and look after?"
"D-Did I do something wrong?" Ronan whimpered. Munkustrap held him tightly.
"Oh no no no, darling," Munkustrap cooed. "You've been just perfect,"
"B-But why…?"
"It's just something your Father was considering," Munkustrap told him softly. "We love you two more than anything…and you know it's fun having a little brother or sister,"
"Really?"
"Yes," Munkustrap smiled. "I used to look after all the kittens…they were like my little brothers and sisters…I adored them, like I adore you and Regan," Ronan nodded, smiling.
"D-Do you think they'll like me?"
"Of course, Ro…they'll love their big brother!" Munkustrap smiled. Ronan purred loudly.
"Come on…it's time for dinner," Munkustrap lifted Ronan out of the bath before following. He grabbed a towel, wrapping it around Ronan before wrapping one around himself. Munkustrap lifted Ronan up, holding the kitten wrapped in the towel close. Ronan purred deeply. Munkustrap smiled as he left the bathroom, carrying the sleepy Ronan. Regan was sitting next to Macavity, chatting to him. Macavity was propped up against pillows, looking worse for wear, but smiling slightly as he listened to Regan chatter.
"Ah, just in time!" Griddlebone smiled as she walked back into the room, carrying a tray of bowls.
"Okay…chicken for Ronan and Munkus, tuna for Regan and beef for Mac," Griddle listed, handing out the bowls. She sat on the edge of the bed and ate her own, watching as the others ate. She smiled and picked up the bowls once the others had finished.
"Night lovelies," She smiled before walking out. Ronan and Regan yawned, rubbing their eyes. Munkustrap reached out, bundling Ronan into his arms. Ronan giggled slightly as Munkustrap dried off the rest of Ronan's fur. Regan yawned loudly before slumping down on Macavity's chest.
"Bed time, boys," Munkustrap told them softly. "Say goodnight to your father,"
"Aww, but, Daddy!"
"Come on now," Munkustrap smiled.
"Night, Father," Ronan and Regan chorused, nuzzling Macavity. Macavity smiled weakly at them.
"Night, boys," Munkustrap took Ronan and Regan into their room. He watched as Ronan and Regan climbed into their beds, Regan immediately burying himself under the blankets, his face half buried in the pillow. Ronan lay on his back, watching Munkustrap.
"So…when do we get our little brother or sister?"
"Huh?" Munkustrap glanced over at Regan and smiled when he saw the ginger kitten sitting up, shocked.
"We're getting a little brother or sister!" Ronan grinned, bouncing. "We can play with them and teach them stuff!" Regan grinned.
"Cool!"
"So when, huh, Daddy?"
"I don't know, Ronan…there's a bit that has to be done," Munkustrap told them gently. Ronan and Regan pouted. Regan climbed out of his bed to get into Ronan's. Munkustrap sat on the edge of Ronan's bed, looking at the two of them.
They were so different, yet so alike.
They were both curious and quite playful but there were differences if you looked closely enough.
Their room for example…while Ronan's side was neat and orderly, Regan's had some mess around it, not a lot, but still enough to notice. Munkustrap smiled at their bright eyes.
"Come on now…time to sleep, we'll talk about this later, okay?" Ronan and Regan nodded. Munkustrap lifted up Regan, carrying him back to his own bed. Regan nuzzled Munkustrap's cheek.
"Night, Daddy," Regan yawned, smiling as Munkustrap set him down on his bed, pulling the blanket up to Regan's chin and tucking him in. He looked at Regan as Regan yawned and snuggled down into the soft mattress, his eyes half closed. Regan was like his father in ways, there were times when he would withdraw into himself, and was angry…but other times, he was just like any other affectionate, loving kitten.
"Night, Regan." Munkustrap murmured, leaning over and kissing the young tom's forehead. Munkustrap got up and walked over to Ronan, tucking the smiling kitten in.
"Night, Ronan." Munkustrap murmured, kissing Ronan's forehead.
"Night, Daddy." Ronan yawned. Munkustrap smiled and walked to the door, he switched off the light and looked at them both.
"Goodnight, boys, sleep well," Munkustrap closed the door and walked back to his room. Macavity's gold eyes were staring at him when he walked in.
"How are they?" Macavity croaked.
"They're just fine," Munkustrap told him as he settled down into bed, yawning himself. Munkustrap looked over at Macavity.
"They're looking forward to having a little brother or sister,"
"…what?" Macavity breathed, his eyes wide. Munkustrap looked at him.
"S-So you're okay with having more?" Macavity questioned. Munkustrap gave a small nod.
"The whole pregnancy thing I'm not looking forward to…but kittens, yes," Munkustrap told him. Macavity grinned, his eyes still feverish.
"Good…I'll tell Stein and we can start it again soon," Macavity told him. Munkustrap nodded, settling down. Macavity yawned, his eyes closing.
"N-Night," Macavity murmured as he drifted off to sleep.
"Night," Munkustrap sighed, rolling onto his side, facing the fevered Macavity. During the night, Munkustrap startled awake when he felt a weight against his chest. He opened his eyes and was surprised to find Macavity sprawled against his chest, his head resting under Munkustrap's. Munkustrap gave a tired laugh.
It was different to see Macavity like this…but then again, he was quite sick.
Munkustrap closed his eyes again, trying to get back to sleep.
He couldn't help but wonder if he'd have a little queen this time.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Alrighty…don't know when my next update will be as I start exams tomorrow…and they're more 'serious' than past exams…so wish me luck!
This is now a chapter short of matching every one of my 'Obsessions' series…but I can tell you know…this still has a faiiir bit to go ;) with tragedy to hit soon!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Luv HGP!
