((AN: Probably time I submitted another little Demestrap story to this collection that I just had laying around. x3 This one's a little more lime than lemon, I think (sometimes it's hard to tell), but it's still sweet and intimate. ^^ This one actually takes place a little before any of the events in the stories, though still a while after the Ball, when they were just beginning to think about bringing their relationship to more physical levels.

Not much else to say here...other than a disclaimer I actually don't know much about the practice of being a masseur, so don't try that at home if you're not practiced. x3 So anywho...hope this next little foray is alright. ^.^ ))


Tense

Their first intimate moment had come unexpectedly for both of them...and as a rather pleasantly helpful surprise as well.

Demeter had been relaxing in with the kittens that day, just before sunset, and had been overhearing quite a dramatic story. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, with their usual flair for trouble, had been teaching some of the interested tom-kittens and a couple of the juveniles how to deal with large, fearsome dogs; they'd ended up stealing a toy from an angry Great Dane, which had chased them all the way back to the yard, and which had taken several of the protectors—and Munkustrap himself—to drive off.

Needless to say, the Toyger siblings were banned from interacting with the young ones for a while, and any of the kittens involved were given a thorough talking-to, much to the amusement of some and a shake of the head from the rest.

Of course, this whole debacle, while in a way funny, Demeter also knew would be an endeavor for the Guardian to have had...a dog as big as that, she had to hope that he wasn't injured, especially. And so, once she could get away, the tortie queen quickly began a search for her beloved, setting a quick trotting pace around the yard and keeping her eyes and ears perked for anything of his voice or presence.

She found him eventually as she peered outside of the fence toward the guard-house. There, in the front, he was pacing along the ground, his eyes closed. She was relieved...he didn't look hurt. But she could tell that he was trying to work off a bit of frustration, and watched for a moment as to the state of his temper.

Munkustrap, she knew, tended to have endless patience for the tribe. His love for them was nigh-on the same, as was his determination and diligence for his job to protect them. But sometimes...just sometimes...the antics of the more troublesome members would get to him, push a button that was already weighted by the anxiety of his duty for that day...and she would see a hidden side that could be, in a word, scary.

He was never cruel in his anger. He always kept himself in check, for everything down to his poise and manner were drilled in him, ever since the day he was told that it would be his destiny. But one could still see fire in his eyes when he showed it for a mere second, how visceral it was, deep below his layers of discipline. She saw it only twice at the Jellicle Ball: The first was when nobody could take his presentation of The Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles seriously; at his growling scream, everyone had immediately backed down, and things had immediately gotten back on track (for the most part).

The second was in his battle with Macavity. There, he'd let that temper become his strength, to place the first few halting wounds into the flesh of the monster.

She never feared his anger. Never, not once, did he ever direct it at her. She saw all of his sides, and each one was truly good...even how he used his more downward moods.

But still...Demeter couldn't help but cringe when she saw him stop his pacing and scrunch his face into a grimace, eyes still closed, fur bunched on end...before whipping around and taking a hard swipe at the wooden corner of the guard-house. Enough to leave a few gouges from his claws. With a deep sigh and a hesitant pause, the tip of his tail whipping, he reared up and wore his nails down further into the wood, adding to the no-doubt multitude of scratches he'd already left in the building from past moments.

It was at that point that she figured he could use a little bit of picking up. Taking a breath and hoping that she wouldn't surprise him too badly, she waited until he stopped his clawing before poking the fence to make a little rattle. "Munk? Darling?"

"Ah!" he gasped in surprise, whirling around toward her (and even raising his hackles briefly), before immediately sagging in relief, hanging his head. "Oh, Demeter...thank Cat it's you..."

She had to release a little giggle at his reaction to her presence; she was always humbled at how he treated her, with such respect and love, even so far as to have his mood turn instantly at her sight.

Demeter smiled as she quickly climbed the fence and hopped down to the other side. When he gave a tired, but genuine, smile in return and sat down to invite her presence, she came up to him and reached up to nuzzle her brow against his with a little purr. She hummed quizzically, however, feeling that even the muscles in his scalp were bunched up. "My word...Munk, are you alright?" She briefly glimpsed his tail tip; even though it was held straight out at her touch, it was still wriggling out of annoyance. "You seem...perturbed."

"Hah," he snorted a little, trying to smile and only making it look forced. "That's a word for it. I imagine you've heard what happened today. The whole tribe's on about it; no way you couldn't have."

"I have, yes," she nodded with an understanding look. "It had to have been quite an endeavor..." she looked him over with a quirked eyebrow. "I'm glad I came to find you, then."

At that, his current state seemed to hit him, and he sheepishly hung his head, his ears half-flat as his tail curled around his feet. "I suppose you just saw me attack the guard house..."

She smiled again, giving a little sheepish nod of her own as she reassuringly placed a paw on his shoulder. "I understand, though. You have to be so frustrated..."

"I..." he took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. "I don't like to show my temper, though...I was trying to just...let it out, before I could face the others. But it's like I've gained a kitten's energy. It won't cease." As if in demonstration, a shudder ran through him, and she could feel it beneath her pads. "I'm more frustrated at that than at anything, now."

"Hrm, I would be too," Demeter murmured, a concentrating look in her eyes as she placed both paws on the front of his shoulders. "And please, do not try to conceal your frustration...it's quite healthy to have to let it out."

She paused when she looked into his eyes, right then. Munkustrap seemed to be looking into her more than at her, with a hint of welling emotion behind the pure green of his irises. "You've had enough of temperamental cats in your life, though...I could never wish to show you how I can get."

Demeter sighed with a loving smile, shaking her head. "I would have seen it soon enough, sweet Munk. You've shown me that anger isn't in your nature...but it is still natural to be angry. I did come to help you calm down, anyway. Please...don't force a smile if you don't wish to, even around me."

When he did smile, then, she knew it was genuine. "I won't...really, just having you here is already making me feel worlds better. I can't help but smile."

"Mm," she softly intoned, her pads running softly down the fur of his arms. "Well, from what you've described, you'll still have that energy to work off...perhaps I can help you work it off in better ways than destroying the guar...egad," she interrupted herself upon bringing her paws back up the side of his arms again, "You are still incredibly tense."

He shrunk into himself a little bit again. "You think so?"

"I know so," she insisted. "Hold still for a moment, if you would."

Her sudden inspecting tone indeed made him sit still and straight, as she walked around him and ran a paw down along his back. Her voice was a murmur, like she was studying him. "There must be half a dozen knots back here...no, this won't do..."

"I take it there's a plan forming to get rid of those," he had to shakily joke, not exactly knowing how to feel at Demeter's scrutiny...given with care, though it was. But one thing was for certain...her touch was making him shudder again, all the way down even to places that he didn't want to think about.

The queen didn't laugh as he expected...she hummed again and placed both paws on his back, just under his shoulder blades, and gave an experimental little push and rub. There was quite a bit of resistance, and she heard him grunt, mostly in surprise.

"Actually, yes, there is a plan," she finally replied, smoothing down his fur before walking around to him again and meeting his eyes. The look on her face right then seemed rather inviting, with a tiny smile and a half-lidded gaze. "I am actually a fairly-practiced masseur...it would probably help you a lot for me to work those out of your back. That is..." she suddenly seemed shy at the offer she was making, averting her eyes, "...Only if you wish. Otherwise I can let you work it off how you are used to."

Well...that was an inviting thought...his brow rose, but he paused in his reply, looking at her with an equally-shy expression. "I...well...that actually...does sound nice. If you're sure."

She had to chuckle a little, endeared at his mannerisms. He truly was a gentleman of a tom. "I'm sure, darling. I want to help...and I know that a little relaxing break would be perfect."

The silver tabby smiled again, feeling his heart racing now with warmth for this sweet and generous queen in front of him...whom he'd feared would turn cautious if she'd ever seen him like this. Those fears seemed unfounded now, and he was ever grateful. "Well then...should we perhaps retreat into the guard-house, for this?"

But to his surprise, she shook her head. "No. For this to work, I want you to be free of potential distraction...your human might have left work, but the rest of the tribe knows where to find you. So, I'm taking you into hiding," she said with a little grin as she took his paw and turned back to the fence, "To my den."

"Your...really?" he gulped.

The gold queen giggled. "Yes. They wouldn't look for you there. And if they did come nosing around, they know I would positively take out their eyes," she gave a little swipe through the air in demonstration. "It's quiet in there too, and I have a good amount of pillows," she intoned with a tempting, sing-song voice. "So...what say you?"

He sighed with a groan, though it wasn't at all an annoyed one...his smile told her it was more like he was falling hard into the tempting suggestion. "I believe, my dear, you had me at quiet."

At that, she huffed out a chuckle and gave him a nudge. "Let's go, then."

And so they took the short climb over the fence once more, heading back together into the yard. It was going to be a bit of a trip; her den was almost on the other side from the guard house. But, in order to avoid crossing paths with any of the other cats that were still up and about, she took him to one of her secret entrances that led to a walkway underneath the various piles.

Munkustrap was already forgetting much of his frustration, being able to get a glimpse of the pathway. He knew that she made many of them just for an easy escape back to her sanctuary. It was rather ingenious, and it made him admire the clever tortie all the more.

A short time later, successfully having traversed the junk, they reached the end of the proverbial road, and they had to climb up into her secret back entrance, inside a storage chest. The silver tom had only seen the inside of her den once before, when he was helping to set up a piece of lighting...so he was one of the very few cats who knew that she had a veritable back door.

Still, he felt both a little exhilarated and a little shy, knowing he was to enter her abode again...though he had her permission, his hard-taught manners still couldn't help but give his heart a cursory jolt. That he was still jittery—and now all but trembling at every thought of this privacy with his love—didn't help at all.

Once Demeter reached the top of the tunnel, she quickly gave a few methodical, loud scraping noises beneath the lid, and listened carefully.

"Good," she whispered after a few seconds, "Nobody's inside. Only Bombalurina would probably help herself in sometimes, so I do that to check if she responds."

"Very clever," Munkustrap hummed as the dim light of the setting sun fell on his face with the opening of the lid, "If I didn't have the guard house to stay in—as well as my human's flat—I'd endeavor to build a den of my own."

"You still could," Demeter suggested as she held the lid open for him to enter as well. "A place to make all your own, completely private...in case the others get on your nerves as much as they have done today..."

He chuckled and gave her a soft grin as he hopped out. "Privacy is well and good, but I wouldn't use it very often just for that."

"A shame, I'd like to know how the Guardian decorates," she teased with her tongue sticking out, and lightly closed the lid to the chest, also securing the latch. Then she hopped over the pillows and checked the front entrance, straightening the curtain. "Go ahead and pick a pillow, darling. It has to be a bit of a thin one, though, or a firm one."

"As you wish," he replied, already nabbing a perfect one, more like a pillow for a couch on which he could lie himself entirely, longer than it was wide. Munkustrap all but collapsed on it, letting out a loud groan.

Once Demeter was certain that they wouldn't be disturbed, she laid her paw on his side, and he immediately tensed in surprise.

She giggled. "You aren't nervous, are you?"

"Well..." he breathed in a little, "Perhaps a bit..."

Demeter walked around so that he could look up to her face, and she placed her paw under his chin with a comforting smile. "Try to relax, love...it's only me here, and I'm not about to mock you. Just take a few breaths, and stay flat on your belly. And let me know if anything hurts, or where you'd like me to go."

He nodded, closing his eyes at her touch as he did as told. He could feel her giving a soft rub of her head against his own, before hearing her move up and behind him. "Off with this, so you're completely comfortable," she informed when her paws worked off the loop of his collar, and when she slipped it over his head, he shivered, his claws doing a little kneading of the blanket below him as he stretched his limbs. Just breathe, he repeated in his head, trying to will the intensity out of himself. Breathe.

The queen, meanwhile, was all but engrossed in her concentration now, remembering easily how to go about with it. She loosened and cracked the digits of her paws before placing them where they were before, under his shoulders. It was a gentle circular motion she started with, though she went deeper into his muscles soon, and ever-carefully lower on his back.

And Munkustrap was certainly feeling it...but in a very good way. He was trying to bite back his vocalizing, but the hums and groans he couldn't help but let out weren't lost on the lovely cat above him.

"Are you feeling alright?" she asked after a few minutes.

"Y-yeah...thi—ah, wow—this is actually very—mmph—wonderful, actually...ah, if you wouldn't...mmm...mind, just a bit up from there, please..."

She pressed upward, to the center of his back, where she could still feel his bunching muscles, and kneaded on the spot. "Here?"

"Yes, right...AH!" he exclaimed when she rubbed deeply. "Oh Cat..."

"Did that hurt?"

"Y...nn...no, actually...that...do that again...please..."

So she did, and elicited another loud note and an intake of breath through clenched teeth. "Oh, that's lovely..." he groaned and he felt himself just go loose, another shudder passing through him as she kept kneading tightly in a few other places. "Wh-where did you ever l-learn how to do this...s-so well...?"

Demeter hummed. "I just...picked it up, really. In what spare time I had." At least being a former courtesan gave me something useful. She had to smile at the thought, then, that her skillful attentions were being used on a tom that was most deserving of it. And the soft noises he made, showing her just how much he was enjoying it, only made her proud...as well as just more dedicated to making sure he was happy. His voice was music to her ears.

Munkustrap felt like he was starting to lose himself now, just floating on a mental cloud of bliss at every gentle push and caress. At one point she'd seemed to finish his knots, and was simply kneading at his muscles, from shoulders to hips, and he could feel almost nothing at all, now. He was in paradise, his annoyances from the day all forgotten.

He heard the queen then give a little giggle. "Enjoying yourself?"

"Very much," he answered with a voice that was low, with a groan to it...one might say even a little growl. "You're amazing."

Demeter almost didn't want to bring a new sudden development to his attention...but then again, she should have probably expected it...and it felt right to only be honest with him. "Well...I can definitely tell that your mind is elsewhere, now," she said as her paws slid off of his fur, smoothing it down.

"That so?" he murmured dreamily, eyes still closed, oblivious to himself, "I know I feel more relaxed. I must look flat as a pancake, now."

"Well...half of you is. The other half has begun to grind the pillow."

It took him a half-second of a moan before her words struck into his mind. "I'm what?!" he exclaimed and shot his head up to look behind him...where indeed, as if of their own volition, his legs were tightly clenching the cushion in place, his pelvis pressed into it.

Demeter stepped back a little in surprise as he jumped up from the pillow and away in shock, looking rather horrified. "Oh Cat...Demeter, I'm so sorry, I almost...I..." he tried to breathe again, refusing to look at her as he hunched in on himself, both in shame and to hide his arousal. "I didn't mean to...on your pillow...I'm sorry..."

"Munk, darling, relax!" she immediately interrupted, her voice soft and concerned as she moved in front of him and took him by the shoulders. He was tense again, and shaking. "It's alright!"

His head shook, eyes squinted tightly shut. "N-no it's not...I-I didn't even realize I was...oh, you must think me so rude..."

"No, no, please...it's alright, really!" she placed her paw on his cheek, and he flinched. "Please...it's okay. I'm not angry," she tenderly rubbed the side of his face. "I'm not. Please look at me. Listen...if anything...I'm sorry."

That made him blink his eyes open, and he still looked very ashamed as he glanced up again. "What...? Why?"

She gave him a sheepish smile of her own. "Because...I probably should have warned you that would happen. I'd forgotten, myself. It's perfectly natural...especially seeing as how tense you really were."

That seemed to ease him a little more; but he was still hunched down, and a little shaky as he answered. "Natural it may be...it's still...very rude of me."

"It's not," her head shook insistently, and her soft voice made him a little calmer. She cupped his face with both paws so that their gaze stayed locked together. "I promise, it's not. As a matter of fact," she smiled a little, "I'd...have probably let you finish. This is most assuredly also something you need to do."

He thought on that a moment, biting his lip and trying not to concentrate on the ache in his crotch. "I...maybe so, but...not...not in your place..."

"Munkustrap," she softly retrieved his attention with her paw under his chin, "That would be my decision to make, what happens in my den, would it not?"

There was a pause, and he silently nodded in agreement.

"And I haven't thrown you out...or gotten angry...have I?"

He bit his lip slightly, but shook his head. "You've been...you've been so generous and kind...I just don't want to seem...seem like..."

"You are anything but rude, my sweet tom," she insisted. "I promise...you aren't in the wrong. It was unexpected, is all. But..." she smiled, giving a light rub from her paws on the front of his shoulders, "...I would...endeavor to help you with this, too."

At this, he blinked in a little surprise. "Y...you would?"

She looked a little shy herself, then...but her unwavering smile, and the sweet light in the gaze of her eyes, told him that she was sure about what she was offering. "That's what I've brought you here for, so that I can help you...no worries, no judgment. I would, even with this. In fact, I...want to, I confess. It's not like I haven't thought about...well...being with you, intimately."

Munkustrap couldn't help but melt a little at her honesty, her sincere words again warming his heart so sweetly. Though one paw still covered himself, he let one rise to touch her cheek.

"...I've...thought about it too. But...I could never...I...I don't want to be too forward, really."

She smiled, nuzzling against his pads as she placed her paw over his. "I know you don't. And I know that you're a perfectly considerate tom...now, you would be the only one with whom I'd ever considered being so close. So...I'm offering. May I help you with this?"

There seemed to be a mix of emotions behind his gaze then. Relief, love...even a little haze of lust, the way he bit his lip again, and the way he shifted on his hind feet.

"H-how would you, though...? You're not in...y-you're not..."

"No, I'm not...not yet," she confirmed, leaning forward to give him a gentle nuzzle, "But, that doesn't mean that I can't help in other ways. In fact, I think I'd be a little ashamed, as your queen, if I let a pillow outshine me," she chuckled as she leaned back and reached around to pick up the offending cushion, tossing it to the side.

That made him let out a snort, and he relaxed a little more...though he was still a bit hunched over. "...And...you're sure...this isn't extra trouble on you?"

Amazing sometimes...how easily that I'm the one reassuring him, and not the other way around. "I promise it's not, dearest...and here, I'll even get this out of the way." She reached up behind her head then and, with a little snap, undid her own collar and turned to place it next to his, on the hook of a discarded wall. "I'm very happy to do everything to ease your discomfort...you deserve it more than you know."

"I...dunno about that..."

As his voice trailed off, she was aware of his gaze lingering again, looking at her now...this wasn't the first time he'd seen her without her collar, but she still somehow looked more...elegant, and free. As she turned back to the tom, she was sure her gaze was doing the same, giving him a once-over with half-lidded eyes as she approached him.

Surely he must now be holding back a lot of built-up tension...and even so, he waited for her touch...her word. Demeter lifted her paws and placed them over his shoulders, nuzzling her face beneath his chin, and he felt so warm, almost blazing, though he shivered and leaned into her.

"You need only to ask," she whispered. "That's all. And I'm here."

His breathing hitched, and she heard him gulping as he returned the nuzzling, caressing her head with his chin.

"...Will you?" he breathed, and in his voice, there could have been a timid whimper. "Please?"

Hearing the eagerness in his voice, Demeter felt a tremble go through her own body. She nodded against him, smiling, and enjoying the warmth of his bare neck a little longer before turning around. She guided him to sit up as she was, chest to back, his paws now tentatively being held in her own.

Slowly, she leaned over in front of him until she was crouched, pulling him along. He stood over her, limbs encasing her body, his breathing going deeper as his crotch grazed her rump.

"Use my back, as you would with the pillow," she directed quietly, her face lifting and nuzzling back where she could reach of his chest and head. Teasingly, she curved her spine against his underside, and he let out a breathy groan when his most sensitive area met her soft fur.

She could feel as well as hear the sounds that he kept holding back in his throat, his body heaving with his breaths as he began where he'd left off, slow at first, gentle, the muscles of his legs bunching tighter to hold him in place.

Demeter was reveling in how pressed he was to her, how he nuzzled against her in gratitude...she could tell there was still a thought for her in his mind, even when working for his own release. Her head rose back against his neck, shoulders rubbing his chest, and she tried to make her purr as encompassing as his could be, all while listening to how he breathed and grunted, and feeling how eagerly his head rubbed back against her. She felt a shiver go down each of her limbs when he rubbed himself fervently against the sensitive nerves at the base of her tail.

At one point, Munkustrap's pace picked up quickly, and as if on reflex, his teeth nabbed the back of her scruff. She let out a pleasured, high-pitched breath as he tugged...and then stopped. He was almost there, his trembling told her...but he was still aware of his own actions. "S-sorry..." he murmured and nuzzled where he'd bitten, "I didn't m-mean to..."

The gold-and-black queen interrupted him with a soft bump of her head. "You can hold on to me if you want...it does not hurt. I...I like it," she confessed.

"Do you?"

"Mhm...be as rough as you need; you need to let off steam, remember."

"Well, I refuse to be too rough...but...if you're sure," he whispered back, giving her scruff a tender lick before taking it in a gentle grip again. His movements resumed, and the note of a moan he released seemed to say that he was about ready to be a little more frantic, at least. She could feel just a touch of all the strength his legs must have had, as they pressed her tightly and moved him against her lower spine...held onto like this, she loved it...because she knew that he wasn't being possessive, but protective, and caring.

Eagerly, she would wriggle her back to help him along, and she would be graced with his muffled, pleasant groaning...she hummed along with him, letting him know that she was enjoying all of this too...his frantic, pressing movements, the persistent rubbing, was hitting her nerves in a way that gave her a cascade of shivers, showing in her stuttered voice.

Finally, he reached his end with a push from his hips and a tremor through his body, and he released her scruff to breathe, deep and slow, his muscles loosening their grip.

Demeter noticed with a smile that he seemed about to collapse, right then. Still surrounded by his limbs, she lowered herself to the ground and rolled on her back, inviting him to rest on top of her. He did so without question, taking deep breaths. Suffice it to say, he was now about as limp as a rag-doll cat, most if not all previous intensity gone out of his muscles.

One of her paws ran over the back of his neck, smoothing the fur there a few times. "You feel better now?" she inquired with a smile in her voice.

He huffed out a hard sigh before answering, his eyes closed. "Much." A contented smile crossed his face. "As I've said, Demeter...you are amazing. Thank you."

She hummed out a chuckle, her voice laced with a purr. "I wouldn't know if I'm that amazing."

"You are," he assured, finally lifting his head to lock his eyes to hers, also lifting his front up from her a little. He gave her a curious look. "But...I have to wonder now, really...what you are getting out of this. Other than needing to clean the fur on your back," he added shyly.

Ever warmed by his compassion, she gave a surprised chuckle. "There's no need to worry about me right now, my sweet Guardian." One paw reached up to stroke down the fur of his chest. "This was for you, and for you alone...and I am more than happy to be here for you...as you've always been here for me."

His smile was gentle and sweet, his own paw reaching up to stroke her cheek, reverently. "I know...I just can't help it. You make me feel wonderful; I want to think of you, too...and return the favor."

She sat up a little with a hum and nuzzled under his chin; her voice was a soft whisper, almost shy...but how strongly she felt, she had to tell. "Well...I'm afraid it won't be possible for me to feel that exact same pleasure until I'm ready...such is nature. But...you already make me feel just as wonderful...your touch alone makes my heart race. The way you hold me, I tremble...all of, it, so very much better than I've ever been treated by a tom."

He pulled her closer then, his heart thundering so that he'd never felt before...oh, how this one precious queen could make him so warm, make his chest ache. "You deserve it," he murmured back. "Every bit. And I would love to know exactly how you love to be held, and touched. If ever you are willing to teach me."

Her face was buried warmly in his neck when she answered, her body heaving a smitten sigh. How was she ever finally so fortunate to find someone like him? "...So long as you do the same," she murmured. "I do like the idea of us doing this more often. Just...learning of each other, privately."

Munkustrap hummed his agreement. "That...would be nice. Because I have to admit," his body shook with a nervous chortle, "I have little idea of what I'm doing in the department of such intimacy."

Demeter pulled back briefly, tilting her head with a curious smile. "...Am I your first of such? I know it's a bit of an...unspoken tradition for a tom coming of age to be...schooled in his manners by an older queen."

He snickered. "Like Bomba did with Pouncival at the Ball."

The tortie barked a laugh. "He would have certainly been educated. But yes...were you not?"

With an almost sheepish look, the silver tabby shook his head. "I've never felt inclined to even think about it, considering I've had responsibilities to focus on. But then, suddenly, I fell in love," he gave her a smile, and his paw caressed down her arm. "Now I feel almost silly for not having been schooled."

She giggled. "Don't be...after all, it's not the same for everyone. And it honestly is rather sweet...the thought that I have you first."

"It is..." he admitted, before giving a smirk and sticking out his tongue, "After a veritable horde of pillows and such."

She snorted and gave him a light smack on the arm. "Well, at least you'd discovered a suitable release. But, speaking of which," she said and stood up again, teasingly running her tail beneath his chin as she got out from under his chest and retrieved the pillow, "Lie down again, and relax. I need to finish making sure I have all the knots taken out of your muscles."

He chuckled and did as told. "I dunno...I do feel a lot of strain has been lifted from me already."

"I will be the judge of that," Demeter primly notified as she placed her paws back on his spine and started kneading on every inch of him. "Besides..." she started again, and he definitely caught the sensual note her voice took as it lowered, "Should I be good enough to prompt another rise out of you...then I can...start my teachings."

He bit his lip and moaned at the feel of her magnificently-skilled paws on his back, already knowing that the urge would soon be returning. "Mm...I've been drawn into the den of such a beautiful temptress...how am I to resist?"

The gold queen couldn't help but stop and giggle at his theatrical way of putting things, reaching over to playfully swat at his ears. "You've already got a tempting way with words yourself." She did one more cursory rub over his spine with her pads before feeling satisfied with her work, and laid herself down on the blanket beside him with a languid stretch. "I do believe you should be well free of your stress."

His answer was a long and satisfying stretch of his own limbs and spine as he stood, also hearing a bit of crackling as his muscles settled. "And again, I thank you eternally...really, it feels rather silly to have been as angry as I was."

"Think nothing of it," he heard her chuckling lightly in reply. When he shook himself off and turned to look at her again, Demeter had her back to him as she was curling around to groom the fur on her spine, more than likely taking the moment to get rid of the sticky spot that he'd left. But, from what he could see, it was in a spot that was a bit hard to reach...she was only just above the spot when she curled around and down as far as she could go.

With a soft little smile, he approached and paused her combing with a gentle paw laid just below her shoulder blades; a chaste spot, polite as he was. "May I help?"

"...If you would be so kind."

Munkustrap loved the way her eyes shone when she smiled shyly...it was almost a stark contrast to the sensual and seductive queen she was moments ago. It must have taken quite a bit of mustering up, he realized, to let out that side of herself to a tom she loved again...it made him feel all the more honored to be on the receiving end of it, and all the more willing to give back to her.

He started his gentle combing where his paw had been, and decided to make it a methodical cleaning on her back, working his way toward the offending spot. He could tell that she was enjoying the attention, through her soft sigh and the way her tail kept straight. Hm...she may not have had others groom her very often. That won't do.

Once he made his way to just about the base of the tail, the silver tom was careful to sense her reaction; he'd been aware of nearing an intimate spot. She made no complaints though, and only seemed to encourage him to keep going. And so he did, reaching where he'd meant to and making sure her soft fur would be pristine again.

He stopped immediately when he was done, and leaned back up to nuzzle his face against the back of her shoulders. "There we are."

Demeter felt herself warming up again; even his kind and careful attention was enough to make her feel flushed. Her tail felt itself curling around one of his feet. "So very considerate."

"I've learned to be that much," he replied with a chuckle, giving a few licks to the back of her neck. He then let a thoughtful hum out near her ears, and he felt her shiver a little. "Actually...in repayment...perhaps I should offer to give you a full grooming."

Demeter blinked in surprise, and her heart raced a little when his voice seemed to go a bit deeper. "I...that might be nice...but, I told you, you needn't repay me..."

"I insist," he murmured as she felt him comfortingly holding her paw from behind, his tongue starting at the back of her ear. He was suddenly so close, and so warm, and she couldn't help but want to melt against him while gentle tingles cascaded down her spine. "I want you to be pampered too, my sweet Demeter. But of course, only as far as you approve...and I do promise I'm very good at grooming, as a good cat should be."

She chuckled softly and leaned back against him. "Well...I certainly can't resist, when you speak like that. I seem to have brought a tempter of my own out of you tonight."

The Guardian hummed a little laugh as well. "I admit that later I might feel very self-conscious about all of this...but right now...I can't help but want to be close to you." He started to groom her again, his paw gently smoothing down the fur on her arm.

Demeter herself wasn't too far behind him; she was always enthralled by this handsome tom, and she found herself so easily falling into his every word, and his every touch...and the most blissful part was knowing that she could let herself go with no regret...because he would never, ever try to betray the trust they had.

"Then...be close...as much as you want," she whispered, eyes closed to take him in with all of her other senses. "And don't be self-conscious. This is just for you and me...no shame to be had here."

His hum seemed to reverberate through her body as he nuzzled his neck to hers in reply, and started again at her shoulder. "You make a convincing argument, darling. Now...just let me know if I go somewhere you don't want me to."

Because he'd already done her back, he started moving around her front. She felt his tongue combing diligently across every spot of her neck, the base of her jaw, and making slow passes across her cheeks, while one of his paws held her steady around her back as she stood to give him more space. She started purring in the midst of these attentions, letting it go loud and encompassing, telling him how much she was loving this moment.

Almost subconsciously, she felt herself leaning back until she was lying down, guiding him further along down her chest. He followed wordlessly, though stopped when he was getting down her chest to look up at her.

Demeter could tell that there was a silent question in his eyes, asking permission. A soft smile gracing her lip, she gave the barest nod, her voice a whisper. "Keep going."

Oh Everlasting Cat, she could never get over how his gentle, smitten smile in reply warmed her heart, and gave her little shivers across her skin. He started a thorough path along her underside, and the air cooled her body and made her hum. Her purr started again whenever he was close to her sensitive nipples, encouraging him to reach every one on the way down. Every so often, he sat a little, and one of his paws would feel along her soft belly fur, smoothing it over; it seemed that he remembered how she liked to be rubbed on her underside. It was, as she predicted, such a stark difference from what Macavity's touch was like...where he pressed possessively over every inch of her, Munkustrap took his time, careful to hear and see how she felt, and seemed to want to just...savor her presence, as she wanted to savor him back.

Once he reached the inside of her thighs, he took a moment and stood over her again. "Am I doing alright?" he asked with a shy smile.

Demeter giggled and stretched her limbs out, relaxing her muscles and also playfully pressing him between her legs. "You are wonderful, my sweet Munk," she murmured with the most pleasurable purr in her voice, and there seemed to be a sparkle in her half-lidded eyes. "Are you sure you were never taught how to make a queen melt, hm?"

He barked a short laugh of his own, shaking his head as he bit his lip. Oh if cats could blush, he would probably be red all over...she could feel his warmth through all of her lower half, over which he seemed to stand protectively. "I promise, I was never taught before all of this...however, I may have to admit to some...advice on what you'd enjoy, given to me by a certain shameless sister of yours."

At that, Demeter had to loudly snort and cover her eyes with a paw. "Bombalurina, I swear to Cat...yes, that sounds like something she'd do, actually. I never know whether to thank her for it, or kill her."

Munkustrap snorted along with her. "If it helps, it's better advice than what Tugger tends to want to give me from his philandering." Her brief laughing groan told him that she heartily agreed. He gave her another gentle smile, his paw reaching up to caress down her side. "And if it also helps...even if the advice has good intentions...I would much rather hear it from you...as you know yourself best."

The gold-flecked queen hummed and nodded, while she laid her paw comfortingly on his. "True...plus I would think it's less awkward, when it's just between us, and not privy to our siblings."

"Agreed," he chuckled, before giving a warm grin as he lowered himself down and nuzzled his cheek against her soft belly. "Now...shall I continue?"

She trilled a little in response, playfully grinning. "Well...I do believe you promised me a full grooming."

"I did...and I don't make a habit of breaking my promises," he assured with a wink, before slowly letting himself up and moving down to where he'd stopped. The silver tom took his time brushing his tongue through the fur on her legs, concentrating mostly along both inner thighs. One paw was smoothing down her fur on the outer side of each leg while he did so, but she could feel that his pads were a bit tense, keenly aware of what he was doing and how she'd react.

She got his attention by tapping her tail against his neck, and he looked up in question (and perhaps even a bit of worry).

But it was her warm smile that reassured him, as she leaned up and patted his paw. "Don't be afraid to let yourself go. Spread your pads and feel me, as you wish to."

He looked away with a tiny smile, and experimentally flexed his paw beneath hers. "If I go too far, though...?"

"I'll let you know. And I won't be angry if you do, darling...your touch can only be good, especially as you learn," she punctuated those complimenting words with promise, lying herself back down onto the blanket and giving a nod. "Go on."

And he did go on, this time with her knowing that he took her encouragement to heart. Down he went in a slow path from her feet to the base of her legs, while his pads were deeply buried in her fur, on her skin, pressing her muscles, and going up her waist and down her belly again...she was arching her back and humming sweetly, and it only made him go further without pause to worry.

There was a moment of hesitation when he reached her intimate area, though...as she figured there would be. Feeling his breathing there, his nose taking light sniffs of her essence, her toes involuntarily curled. When he glanced up for a second for permission, it was her gentle look alone, the way her legs stretched as he felt along her fur with shaking pads, that urged him to continue.

Oh...if he could make her shudder like he was doing now, she wondered what it would be like when she was finally in heat. Such bliss and warmth she felt from his touch, the rasps of his tongue so carefully passing over the sensitive nerves of her loins, she was certain that it could come from no other...such bliss she'd never felt before, even in the heights of physical passion...and she knew that it had to be coming from how lovingly he treated her, how reverently.

She was lost in the sensations that his attention brought to her, his paws, his tongue, his breath, his voice...so lost that when she caught herself shivering like she was, breathing a little more strongly, her eyes opened to him nuzzling all the way back up the white fur of her underside, and ending with a strong purr against her neck. It coaxed a loud giggle out of her, and when he caught her gaze again with such a smitten look...

Would it be possible to forever keep falling in love with this magnificent tom...?

Staying above her, Munkustrap oriented himself so that he sat close beside her (instead of between her legs; he still maintained some shyness at this point), and was laying his upper half lightly on hers, his head nestled beneath her chin. "I hope that was all satisfactory, my sweet queen."

Demeter's body shook beneath him with another giggle, and her paw caressed over his neck. "You took my breath from me, darling...what you lack in experience, you certainly make up for in your kind and sweet manners...and your instincts, I'd say. You are already worlds above anything I've had before." She let out a long sigh. "Of course, my experience only comes from...well, you know who."

The Guardian growled, and she could feel it through her body...it made her tense briefly, and relax immediately when it was followed by his paws sliding up to hold around her shoulders. "He was never worthy enough to lay his eyes on you, let alone his paws, or anything else." His head rose, and she saw a heated sincerity in his gaze, which held hers firm and fast, as much as his warm grip held her. "I feel rather honored, to be honest...to be seen as worthy for you."

She released a humming chuckle and playfully licked his nose. "You are more worthy than anyone, and I won't hear you say otherwise. Now," she smiled, wanting to bring the mood back up a little, "How are you feeling? No more stress?"

"No more stress," he echoed affirmatively, returning his head back to his place resting under her chin. "In fact, unless you kick me off, I'm inclined to nap right here."

"He says, knowing that dusk has passed, and it might be time to check on the yard," she pointed out with a chuckle as she heard him laugh along with a sigh. "Joking aside though...I'm glad to have helped, as I've said. If you need me for anything like that again..." her eyes went half-lidded as a hint, "And I do mean anything...just ask."

"I certainly will," he murmured with a hum, giving her neck one more nuzzle as he sat up and smiled down into her eyes. "Thank you, so very kindly."

"As you always say to me: no need to thank me." She grinned and rolled herself upright between his paws, her spine giving a rub against his chest. "Now...I suppose you will need to go? They will be wondering where you are."

"I think they already guess where I am, if I am ever a little late," he confessed with a chuckle, only to give a little throaty moan when he felt her head bumping back against his, a little swerve emanating from there and down her back, where he was still pressing his chest against her, now a little closer. "Ah...but, actually...you've just reminded me that, ah...I think you've managed to get that...rise out of me again..."

Demeter's sensuous chuckle reverberated through him, and she took one of his paws in hers, her pads softly and encouragingly rubbing his own. "One more time then, darling? And then I will let you go, I promise," she then shook her head, her sidelong glance at him holding a bit of a timid apology in her eyes. "As lovely as this time is, I don't really want to tempt you more than needed."

His smile was genuine and kind, his purr rumbling through her as he rubbed himself invitingly against her back again and wrapped his arms around her. "I did need you today, in more ways than one...and as you trust me with all of you, I trust you with all of me. Yes...just once more," his voice went low this time, and now he was the one tempting, with a melodious whisper through her ears.

She agreed again to help, very happily, knowing that she wasn't the only one that could be completely engrossed in their moments alone; and now so much more intimately...oh did she look forward to it...teaching him what he didn't know, and letting herself know more in return. Because where once she thought she'd never love anyone that much again...she knew he deserved it.

It would go straight over the kittens' heads later, as Munkustrap was making his rounds, just why he seemed a whole lot more chipper than he had been earlier that evening...they shrugged when they noticed, probably thinking that he'd just gotten a bit more rest.

Certain cats, however...like Bombalurina, when she turned to catch her sister's eye with a smirk...probably guessed that something else had gone on. But, they knew it wasn't any of their business to ask what the two did privately. They were happier around each other, more than they'd ever been before alone...and that's what mattered.