Mush and Blink walked down the streets at night. It was a stupid thing to do, what with all the members of the seedy underbelly but it was nice. It was nice to not have to hide and hold hands and walk together like a proper couple. It was foggy that night. Mixed with the pollution, it was almost a green color. Like magic fog. Mush felt like someone in a fairytale as he and Blink walked through the fog. A little kitten trotted up behind them. Blink let go of his hand and went to his knees, touching the cat's throat. Mush could almost feel the purr without having to touch the cat. But, still, in the midst of the magic, he felt devastated. Crushed and beaten and like his heart was being cracked. Blink could kneel before the cat and treat it like a baby. He could hold Mush's hand in the dark and kiss him but it wouldn't take back what he had just said.
"I still can't…" Mush stared down at the cat who scampered away. He followed it with his gaze and bit his lip. "Why, Kid?"
Blink rose to his feet and rubbed his shoulders for him how he knew Mush liked. He refused to meet his gaze.
"'Cause Mush. There ain't nothin' here for me in New York no more," he said. "I'm goin' to California. Goin' to get out there. See stuff."
Mush blinked the tears away. He couldn't stay and hear that. How Blink sprang his trip on him, not even inviting him along. He turned and ran away from him. He needed to get back to the lodging house. He wanted to go to sleep and wake up to find that Blink would smile his captivating smile and go 'gotcha' and then things would be fine. He needed to find a bed. Then things would be better.
He walked in to find, not surprisingly, everyone asleep. He looked for an empty bed. Nowadays, there was no setting for who got what. It was first come, first get. The only thing was that Jack got a top bunk. No matter what.
Mush paused his search momentarily. Moonlight, all foggy from the magic fog, illuminated one bed. It was already occupied…and then some. A bunch of little kids were curled around Skittery who lay among them. Mush smiled a little. Something about the usual grump all Bo Peep-ing with the little kids brought a smile to his face. Then a little face popped up.
"Mush?" Tumbler blinked his eyes. "Whachu doin' up?"
Before he could answer, it was like clockwork, Skittery rose.
"Tumb," he yawned. "Go back t' bed."
Then he noticed Mush. He extricated himself from the children and looked at him. There was something about the way Skittery looked at people. He didn't beat around the bush with sideways glances or shielded glares. He stared intently at someone, baldly and unblinking.
"What's wrong?" he asked, finally. Tumbler had curled back for bed, head resting on the rump of another little kid. Skittery was idly stroking his hair. "Something's wrong."
"Blink's leavin'," Mush mumbled. "Fer California."
Skittery rose and pat his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I know you guys was best friends."
He had no idea. Mush just nodded numbly and felt tears well up in his eyes. Skittery placed an arm around him. He seemed different in the night, more soothing and calm. Like being around the little kids was soothing him. Skittery would make a good parent, Mush decided. The only time he had seen him smile was when he'd help the little kids. Herding them along, making sure they dressed as warmly as they could, making sure they got something to eat. Mush felt himself wanting one of those smiles. Those rare, Skittery smiles.
"Yeah," Mush sniffed. "I just…he's…"
"More," he replied bluntly, quirking a brow.
He nodded. "Yeah. More."
"Mush," his voice sounded rough, almost. Like scratchy wool. It was an inviting sound though. Not like wool at all. At least not the scratchy kind. "If Blink didn't tell ya he was movin' to California when he was savin' money then youse deserve better than him."
Wise words. Mush rested his head on his shoulder. "I know Skits but…Blink'n'me, we had a good thing goin'."
"Not good enough for you, Mush," Skittery put an arm around him and it somehow conveyed so much sympathy that Mush felt himself start to cry again.
He tried wiping his tears away but Skittery caught one on the tip of his finger just before it curled off his cheek.
"But…it was good," he kept saying. "It was real good. Me'n'him…we was a team."
"Find a new partner?" Skittery suggested.
A moment ago, the thought would've made Mush laugh. Now he turned to Skittery in the gloom and looked up at him. He was smiling. At him. Smiling that smile he wanted so badly when he used it on Tumbler. He knew who he wanted his partner to be. Skittery kissed his temple lightly. Mush felt his face flush. He turned to face him and Skittery kissed him on the lips this time. It was different from Blink's kiss. It was like waves rising and falling. Like being in that magic fog and holding hands with someone who didn't lie about California. Like being in the ocean and feeling the water—blue, not gray-brown like the water in the Hudson—rocking you back and forth. It was storms and cats purring. And smiles. Always smiles.
A/N: I know people have requested Spottery but I had no inspiration for that and then this one hit me and I had to write it before I forgot it. So yeah, Spottery is coming. I didn't forget.