Tugger couldn't sleep.
It certainly wasn't for lack of trying. He rolled over in many different positions, trying to get comfortable, but the sanctity of the unconscious world eluded him.
He knew the reason why, of course.
His darling mate wasn't there with him. He loved Misto with all of his heart, but he could be incredibly stubborn when the situation called for it. He had spent the day practicing for a new routine of his and was presumably still out there now, regardless of the fact that it was the middle of the night. Tugger knew that the tuxedo tom would never quit until his routine was perfected. Which meant that neither of them were going to be getting any sleep tonight.
The Maine Coon shook his head. A sleepless Misto was a grouchy Misto, and that simply could not stand.
Tugger yawned before leaving his den to seek out his mate.
The conjuring cat certainly wasn't hard to find. As Tugger had predicted, he was still out and about, practicing his new routine. While Misto's exhaustion was palpable, he still moved with dignity and grace, leaping and spinning around the dance floor while his coat sparkled in a multitude of different colors.
There would never be a time where he wasn't in absolute awe of him.
Misto eventually finished his routine, breathing heavily.
"Looks good to me," Tugger said, making his presence known. "Care to join me in bed now?"
Misto rolled his eyes.
"I'm not done yet."
"C'mon sparkles. There will be plenty of time to finish it tomorrow."
"I'm almost done..."
"You said that hours ago..."
"I mean it this time."
Tugger sighed, crossing his arms.
"How about this, then. You come over here, stretch out your muscles a bit, let your wonderful, talented, underrated mate give you a massage, and then you can finish."
"Tug..."
"I'm not taking no for an answer," the Maine Coon said with a smirk. "I'll sit here all night and annoy you until you agree. You know I will."
"Oh, I know."
"So...?"
"Fine," Misto mumbled, realizing this was a battle he wasn't going to win. "But I'm not going to bed until I'm finished here."
Excellent.
The small tux laid down as Tugger began massaging his aching muscles. Tugger knew was an excellent masseuse. Of course, he couldn't be anything less of an excellent one or else Misto wouldn't have come over in the first place.
He could see his mate's eyelids slowly close, just to snap back open again. And the process continued for the several minutes that he was lying under Tugger's skillful touch. He was waging an internal battle against the threat of slumber that the Maine Coon was determined to have him lose.
Tugger sighed.
It's time to pull out the big guns.
The good thing about being Misto's mate was that he knew of all the places the small tuxedo liked to be touched. Which areas of his body gave him pleasure and which gave him comfort. And no other spot gave him more comfort than right behind his ears.
Keeping one paw on his leg, Tugger brought the other up to Misto's ear and began to scratch.
His mate let out a soft purr in contentment. He watched as Misto's eyelids drooped further and further down before shutting completely. Unlike the last time, however, they did not reopen. Tugger waited a couple of minutes before he stopped scratching.
"Misto?" he said gently.
There was no response.
He was asleep.
The Mane Coon smiled, feeling rather proud of himself. He stood up, gathering his mate in his arms. Misto let out a soft mew in protest as he was lifted from the ground, and for the briefest of seconds, Tugger thought he might have woken him. But the tiny tux simply shifted positions, pressing his face into Tugger's fluffy mane. Tugger couldn't help but chuckle. Misto was certainly a cuddler, and it was not uncommon for the Maine Coon to wake up with his sleeping mate sprawled out on top of him or curled up underneath him.
He made his way back to their den with Misto nestled in his arms.
"Love you, sparkles," he whispered as he curled himself around his mate. The small tux let out a gentle purr when Tugger's thick layer of fur surrounded him. He knew that Misto would have some choice words for him when he woke up in the morning, but for now, Tugger could only think of the soft smile on the little tux's face as he burrowed himself deeply in his side.
Now, Tugger thought, he could finally get some sleep.