Deuteronomy sighed as he stared at his brother, who gave a nod in confirmation.
"So, he heard everything?"
"I don't know, but he heard enough," Skimble confirmed. It was the later that night, after the meeting, and they were sitting in Deuteronomy's den, the kittens in bed.
"Poor Munk," Deuteronomy murmured, casting a sad glance in the direction of the kittens' room, where Munkus now had a bed.
"I told him not to pay attention to them…and told the lad how I came to be at the yard," Deuteronomy looked back to his adopted brother at that, shocked. Skimble wasn't open about his past, he preferred not to talk about how he came to the yard, but he wouldn't lie when directly asked about it. For him to openly talk about it, without being asked about it, was definitely not a Skimbleshanks behaviour.
"Don't look so shocked, brother." Skimble muttered, rolling his eyes. Deuteronomy gave a small smile.
"Sorry, Skimble, but you know why…"
"Yes, yes." Skimble murmured. Jenny took her mate's paw, squeezing it reassuringly.
"I just have to ask, why did you tell him?" Deuteronomy asked softly.
"The lad feels like a burden, he doesn't feel accepted," Skimble started. "He heard some of the…discussion, and felt rejected, when I stormed out, he startled and tried to run," Skimble sighed sadly. "I caught him and he begged me not to punish him." Deuteronomy cringed at that.
"I told him I wasn't going to, and decided I needed to tell him my story, so he could know he belongs here…and that I knew how it felt." Deuteronomy smiled, inclining his head.
"Thank you, Skimble," He told him gently. Skimble smiled back, purring when his mate nuzzled him. Deuteronomy smiled as he observed the two mates nuzzle one another.
"So, any plans so I can finally be an uncle?" Deuteronomy asked, grinning. Jenny blushed, as Skimble gave a slight chuckle before sighing sadly, looking at his mate.
"Hopefully one day soon," He murmured. Deuteronomy gave a sad smile.
"It will happen, I know it will," Deuteronomy reassured the young couple gently. "You will be amazing parents, and whether it be your own kittens or adopted ones, you will be the loving parents I know you are," Skimble smiled, inclining his head.
"Thank you," He murmured. Deuteronomy smiled.
Macavity sighed as he rolled over in bed. His uncle and auntie just left, Macavity had heard their conversation as he was having difficulty sleeping. Macavity stared up at the ceiling when he heard his father go into his bedroom. The ginger kitten sighed as he rolled over again, unable to get comfortable to go to sleep. His ears twitched when he heard a whimper. Macavity sat up, frowning, when he heard another whimper. His gold eyes landed on Munkustrap, who was tossing in his bed.
His father had brought in a bed into their room for Munkustrap, so he finally had a comfortable place to sleep.
Macavity's ears twitched again as Munkus whimpered once more, tossing about and tangling himself within his thick blue blanket. Macavity glanced at Tugger, finding his brother snoring peacefully, before he slipped out of his bed, creeping over to Munkustrap.
"Munk, Munkus, wake up." Macavity said softly, gently shaking the kitten. Munkustrap's eyes snapped open as he shot upright, panting. He looked to his side and saw Macavity was hovering by his side, looking worried.
"Nightmare?" Macavity asked gently. Munkus gave a small nod, not meeting Macavity's eyes as he untangled himself from the blankets, setting it back right. Macavity looked at the trembling kitten sadly.
"Shift over." Macavity smiled. Munkustrap stared at him, shocked.
"W-What?" Munkustrap whispered. Macavity smiled at him reassuringly.
"It helps nightmares if you know someone is with you." Macavity told him. "When we have nightmares we go to Dad, and we're okay…but I know you won't go to Dad." Munkustrap hesitantly shifted over, allowing Macavity to crawl into bed with him.
"It's alright, Munkus, you're safe." Macavity murmured as they lay back down. Macavity gently pulled Munkus into his arms, cuddling him close, purring reassuringly.
"We're not gonna let anyone hurt you ever again, Munkus." Macavity promised. "I'll protect you." Munkustrap gave a small smile as he relaxed, tucking his head under Macavity's and resting against his chest.
"Thanks, Macavity." Munkus mumbled sleepily.
"Go to sleep," Macavity yawned, gently rubbing Munkustrap's back soothingly. Munkus purred softly as his eyes slowly closed, drifting off into a dreamless sleep. Macavity smiled tiredly at the kitten in his arms before he yawned and drifted off as well.
Deuteronomy rubbed his eyes as he slowly climbed out of bed. He quietly walked from his room, glancing into the lounge and kitchen to see if Munkustrap had beaten him up…again. Munkus had been getting up earlier than him for the last week and by the time Deuteronomy had gotten up, he had found the den clean and breakfast made. Deuteronomy quietly opened the door to the kittens' room, peering in. His eyes widened when he saw Munkus was still in bed…curled up in Macavity's arms. Deuteronomy relaxed, leaning against the doorframe, as he noticed the peaceful look on Munkustrap's face. The small silver kitten was curled up in Macavity's arms, head tucked under Macavity's and arm wrapped around Macavity's chest, as though reassuring himself he was still there. Macavity was sprawled on his back, one arm across his stomach, while the other was under and around Munkustrap, holding the kitten close.
"Deut!" Deuteronomy turned and put a finger to his lips, shushing Jenny. Jenny tilted her head, confused, before Deuteronomy smiled and beckoned her over. The Gumbie cat headed over quietly, peering into the room. She smiled when she saw what Deuteronomy was trying to show her.
"Oh, how adorable!" Jenny whispered, looking to Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy gently shut the door, allowing the kittens to sleep. The two headed back towards the lounge quietly.
"He trusts Macavity?" Jenny asked quietly. Deuteronomy nodded as he went to prepare breakfast for the kittens, smiling.
"Yes, Munkus has come to trust Macavity and for that, I am deeply thankful." Deuteronomy told her. "I think Munkustrap can finally begin to feel like he's at home." Jenny sighed, smiling, relieved.
"I'm so glad," Jenny said softly. "I want to see him fit in, be happy and grow up." Deuteronomy smiled at that thought, in his mind's eye he could see a healthy, laughing Munkustrap, grown up and with loving friends.
"Yes," Deuteronomy replied softly. "I wish to see that too."
A few weeks passed and Munkustrap slowly began to adjust to life in the junkyard. Deuteronomy smiled as he watched Munkustrap trot after Macavity, keeping close to him. Macavity had become Munkustrap's friend and protector, keeping close to him and making sure that he was okay and that he was joining in with the games. Deuteronomy glanced around at the other Jellicles. He still knew that there was still some suspicion around Munkustrap, that some Jellicles wanted him out of the yard but Skimble snarled and became quite ferocious when some of the adults had voiced it, thankfully out of earshot of Munkustrap though, that poor kitten already had a low opinion of himself and hearing that other cats want him out would just crush him.
"Come on, Munkus." Deuteronomy heard Macavity call.
"Aww, does he have to come?!" Deuteronomy frowned when he heard Bombalurina whine that. He watched as Munkustrap sunk to the ground slightly, ears flattening. Macavity immediately assumed a protective stance in front of him, snarling at the red queen kit.
Macavity was furious!
How dare she?!
"He's one of us!" Macavity hissed at Bombalurina, hackles raised. Bomba scoffed.
"No he's not!" Bomba snapped. "Aunt Griz said so, no one wants him!" Macavity's ears twitched when he heard a small sob. He turned and saw Munkustrap's head was lowered, his small back heaving slightly. Macavity quickly went to him, enclosing him in his arms and holding him close.
"Shh, Munk, it's alright, it's alright." Macavity shushed him softly. "Don't listen to her, she's an idiot."
"Hey!"
"Oh, shut it, Bomba!" Macavity snapped. "You've caused enough trouble!" Bomba stared at him, wide-eyed and shocked. Tugger came bounding over from where he'd been chasing a butterfly when he saw Munkus being hugged tightly by Macavity.
"Mac, what's wrong?" Tugger asked worriedly, whimpering.
"Bomba was being mean to him." Macavity answered, sighing as he nuzzled Munkustrap's ears. Tugger turned to glare at Bomba.
"Leave him alone!" Tugger hissed at her as he rested his paw on Munkus's back, gently rubbing it. Bomba huffed and stormed off, Demeter throwing Munkus a sad look before running after her sister. Alonzo and Cassandra followed suit.
"It's alright, Munk." Macavity cooed softly as he held the small kitten close. Munkustrap sniffled as he buried his face in Macavity's chest fur.
"Don't listen to her, we want you here, you belong here." Macavity murmured, gently nuzzling the kitten's ears. Munkustrap just remained silent.
"Munkus?" Macavity asked worriedly.
"What's happened?" Macavity was distracted from trying to get Munkus to open up when Deuteronomy came over.
"Bomba was mean, Dad." Tugger told him. Deuteronomy frowned.
"What did she say?"
"That Munkus doesn't belong." Macavity growled, hugging the small kitten tighter. Deuteronomy sighed sadly and crouched down.
"Munkus, Munk, look at me." Deuteronomy said softly. Munkustrap reluctantly did so.
"Do not believe what Bombalurina said to you." Deuteronomy told him. "You belong here, more than you know it." Munkustrap remained silent. Deuteronomy tilted his head.
"Munkus, what are you thinking?" He asked his small charge softly. Munkustrap gave a jerky shrug.
"I-I'm a slave, I don't have opinions." Munkustrap whispered, eyes on the ground. Deuteronomy pinched the bridge of his nose.
There went all of that hard work to make him open up.
"Munk…" Tugger whispered, eyes wide. "You're not a slave!"
"He's right." Deuteronomy told him gently. Munkustrap remained still. Deuteronomy gently pulled Munkustrap out of Macavity's embrace, smiling thankfully at the orange kitten, before he focused his attention on the meek kitten.
"Munkus, you are not a slave, you are a free kitten." Deuteronomy told him firmly, but gently. "Listen to me, little one, I brought you home so you can be free and as long as you live with the Jellicles, I promise you that you will never ever be a slave again. I will protect you from that." Munkustrap slowly raised his green eyes, searching Deuteronomy's truthful face. He gave a weak smile.
"T-Thank you." Deuteronomy held the kitten close. He smiled as the kitten slowly wrapped his small arms around him as best as he could, hugging him back. Macavity grinned before looking at Tugger, grinning slyly, before tackling him and wrestling with his whining brother. Deuteronomy chuckled as he watched the two tussle playfully, Munkustrap was smiling as he watched them too.
A few days later, Munkustrap walked across the clearing, smiling at Old Deuteronomy as he wandered past the tyre.
"Good morning, Munkus!" Deuteronomy greeted the smiling kitten. Munkus had relaxed once more since the last incident with Bomba and had even opened up a bit more when he learnt he had those who cared for him and would protect him.
"Good morning!" Munkustrap greeted, grinning. "Have you seen Macavity?"
"I think he went for a walk around the clearings," Deuteronomy answered. Munkustrap nodded and headed off to go find him, going to the side clearings. He wandered into one and found the kittens. They were standing around Tugger, teasing him. Tugger was crying.
"Stop!" Tugger sobbed, face buried in his paws. Alonzo gave him a slight push, making Tugger stumble and sob. Munkus's eyes widened and he ran from the clearing, going to go get someone.
Tugger whimpered as the kittens teased him, teased him about his mane, that he had long legs, said that he was weird, that he was a baby. Tugger gave a sob.
"Hey, what are you…" He heard his big brother's voice start to say.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" The kittens stopped teasing Tugger when Jenny yelled suddenly, storming towards them with Munkustrap following close behind. Jenny took the sobbing Tugger's paw.
"How dare you all do that to him?!" Jenny growled, tail swishing angrily. "I expected better from you all, especially you, Macavity!" Macavity blinked, shocked and confused to what he was being yelled at about.
"I will be talking to your parents and you will all be doing chores and helping Jellylorum and I out as punishment!" And with that, Jenny turned and stalked off, pulling the sniffling Tugger with her. The kittens all turned to Munkustrap, glaring.
"Tattle-tale!" Demeter hissed, angry.
"You ruin everything!"
"Such a suck up!"
"Loser!" Munkustrap lowered his head, ears lowering as he took the abuse…just like he had done with his past masters.
"ENOUGH!" Macavity roared as he shook himself out of the confused daze when he heard the kittens spitting and snarling. Munkustrap looked up at Macavity as he yelled at the other kittens.
"Mac, he got us in trouble!" Bomba whined.
"You deserved it!"
"We were just teasing him!" Alonzo growled, crossing his arms. "He didn't have to be such a wuss and go get Jenny!" Macavity looked behind him when he heard a choked sob and his face fell when he saw Munkustrap running back towards their den.
"He's just protecting Tugger!" Macavity hissed angrily at the kittens. "It's taken Munkus so much to trust us after what he's been through and he wants to belong and protect us!" Macavity snarled as he turned and went to go after Munkustrap.
"Stop being such brats and treat him right!" Macavity snapped before he ran off to Munku.
He found Munkus in their den, in their room, curled up tightly in the corner, sniffling.
"Hey, kitten," Macavity said softly as he curled up next to him. Munkustrap wouldn't look at him.
"Don't listen to them, Munkus," Macavity murmured gently, drawing the silver kitten into his arms and rubbing back.
"I'm proud of you for getting Jenny and helping Tugger." Macavity told him. Munkustrap sniffled, looking up at Macavity.
"P-Proud?" Munkustrap asked, seeming shocked. Macavity frowned.
"H-Hasn't anyone…do you know what it means?" Macavity asked him. Munkustrap gave a slow nod.
"Yes, but-but no one has ever told me they were proud of me before." Munkustrap admitted softly. Macavity held him tightly.
"Well, I'm proud of you…we all are." Munkustrap purred softly at that.
"Macavity!" Macavity looked up at the sound of his dad's call. He slowly got to his feet, walking out to meet his dad. Deuteronomy had hold of Tugger's paw; Tugger was cuddling close to his arm. Deuteronomy frowned as he looked at Macavity.
"Jenny told me you were part of the group teasing Tugger today, Macavity, I am very disappointed." Deuteronomy said, unimpressed.
"Dad, I…"
"Dad, Macavity wasn't there when they were makin' fun of me." Tugger told him, looking up at his dad. Deuteronomy frowned once more.
"Jenny said you were there…"
"He had only just turned up when Jenny and I were going to Tugger." Deuteronomy looked over and saw Munkustrap standing hesitantly by the bedroom.
"Oh?" Munkustrap gave a nod.
"I-I guess Jenny was focused on Tugger a-and she didn't notice." Munkustrap stammered hesitantly, scared that Deuteronomy would be angry that he was saying these things about Jenny. Instead, Deuteronomy just smiled softly.
"Thank you for clearing that up, Munkustrap." Deuteronomy smiled before turning to Macavity.
"I am sorry for telling you I was disappointed without hearing you out first." Macavity gave a small smile.
"It's alright, Dad." Macavity smiled, wrapping his arm around Munkustrap's shoulders. Munkus smiled at him.
"Thank you for getting Jenny, Munkustrap, you did the right thing." Deuteronomy continued. He gave a small chuckle as he saw Munkus blush slightly, not used to being praised.
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Okay, firstly so so sorry for taking this long to update but I've been completing my last couple of weeks of uni!
Only three more days and two more assessments to go and I'll be writing when I can (hoping my brain decides to function again after the assessments haha) when I don't have a photo-shoot (doing one for Ronan), charity events, face-painting gigs etc :P
Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter!
Please read and review!
Love always,
HGP