Munkustrap sat beside Quaxo's bed in the infirmary, watching Quaxo sleep. Tugger was dozing in the chair on the opposite side of the bed, his chin resting against his chest and his arms folded loosely across his stomach.
Munkustrap tiredly ran his paw through his head fur, sighing.
"Is Quaxo going to be okay?" Munkustrap glanced up, giving a tired smile.
"Yes, he should be," Munkustrap replied as Tantomile and Cori came to sit beside him.
"How's Jemima?" Munkus asked, giving a yawn, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Once Jenny had seen that Quaxo was sleeping peacefully, she had gone to watch over Jemima.
"Tobias is still doing, well, whatever it is he's doing," Tantomile explained.
"It was quite…odd to watch," Cori added, "We didn't know what he was doing, but it seems to have had some sort of effect on her eye-sight." Munkustrap gave a nod, before he frowned suddenly.
"How did you know I was going to call Macavity?" Munkustrap questioned, unsure. Cori settled down to sit beside Tugger, leaning against his slim black and leopard spotted leg. Tantomile sighed as she rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"We've known since his magic started growing stronger," She answered, looking at the sleeping Tux.
"There are similarities between Macavity's and Quaxo's magic, namely their lightning ability," Cori continued. Munkustrap winced as he looked at Quaxo.
"He's scared he's going to turn out like Macavity." Munkustrap admitted to the twins. The twins exchanged sad looks.
"He mustn't fear that," Tantomile said softly. "While their magic does have some similarities, there are differences as well," She explained. "Quaxo's magic has a more positive and pure light to it, while Macavity's is cold and negative." Munkustrap nodded, casting his eyes around the immaculate infirmary. Tantomile's head wound up resting against his shoulder as she fell asleep, the long, tiring day catching up to her. Cori had also fallen asleep, his head resting on Tugger's thigh as he curled around Tugger's leg. Munkustrap smiled at that sight.
He looked back at Quaxo, finding he was still in a deep and peaceful sleep, curled up under the plush blue blankets.
Content that his family and friends were safe for the moment, Munkustrap finally allowed his tired eyes to close and fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
He startled awake a few hours later, when he felt something touch his chest.
"Oh, sorry, honey," Jenny apologized, the blanket she had been placing on him still clutched tightly in her paws. "You were shivering a little," Munkustrap smiled, sitting up, as he rubbed at the sleep in the corner of his eyes.
"It's alright, Jen," He yawned. Munkustrap blinked and looked around the infirmary, finding Tugger still asleep in the chair beside Quaxo's bed, his head tilted back and his mouth opened as he snored. Cori was still curled around Tugger's leg, head resting on Tugger's thigh. He gave a sleepy murmur and cuddled Tugger's leg closer.
"Quite the sight, isn't it?" A soft voice murmured from beside him. Munkustrap glanced at Tantomile and smiled, giving a nod.
"It is," He laughed. Tantomile gave a cheeky smirk. Munkustrap laughed at the look. "You're not going to let him forget this are you?" He asked. Tantomile grinned and shook her head.
"Oh, I'm not," She laughed. Jenny shook her head at the two's antics. She straightened up from where she was checking over Quaxo.
"Oh, you two, leave the sleepy darlings be!" She giggled, fixing the blanket back around the sleeping Quaxo's shoulders.
"It has been a rather exhausting night," Munkustrap spun around in the chair, looking around behind him.
"Tobias," Munkustrap sighed, finding the elder Tom leaning against the wall tiredly. "How is Jemima?"
Tobias smiled as he stood up, walking over to stand beside Munkustrap. He placed his slightly shaking paw on top of Munkustrap's head, mussing up his head fur.
"She's fine," Tobias reassured him. "Her sight has returned and she will be rather over the moon when she awakens!" Munkustrap sighed, relieved.
"Tobias, thank you, so much!" Munkustrap told him sincerely. Tobias smiled, gently rubbing Munkustrap's ears. Munkustrap purred softly as Tobias rubbed his ears.
"Now, how is the young Tom?" Tobias asked as he shuffled over to look at Quaxo.
"His fur has stopped changing colours, and his heart rate is back to normal," Jenny informed him.
"Has he awoken?" Tobias asked as he gently placed his paw on Quaxo's neck, feeling his pulse.
"Yes, he was awake for a while early this morning," Munkustrap murmured, looking at the sleeping tom-kit. Quaxo had had such a horrible twenty or so hours. Being so close to death and then finding out his father was still alive, and was Macavity, the enemy of the Jellicles and a murderer.
Munkustrap's attention was brought back to the sleeping fledgling when he gave a murmur, wriggling under the blue blanket as he begun to wake up. Quaxo gave a small moan, which caused Tugger to snort awake then, blinking rapidly. Cori sat up, rubbing his eyes, pouting in Tugger's direction, when Tugger's sudden jerk had woken him up. Quaxo slowly blinked open his purple-green eyes, finding everyone was looking at him.
The Tuxedo Tom slowly sat up, looking at his paws.
"How are you feeling, sweet-heart?" Jenny asked him gently as she tilted his head up, making him look at her. His purple-green eyes met her warm brown ones and she gave a reassuring smile.
"I feel a bit sore, but I'm okay," Quaxo said softly. Jenny smiled, pulling Quaxo into a tight hug.
"I'm glad, darling!" She whispered as she clutched him close. "I was so worried about you!" Quaxo hugged her back, burrowing his face into her shoulder. Jenny gently rubbed his back, cradling the Tom close, as she knew he would be struggling to comprehend the startling news he had learned that morning.
Bast, even she was struggling to believe it…but she didn't care that Quaxo was his son; she knew Quaxo had a pure heart, just like Munkustrap.
"JENNY!" Jenny pulled away from Quaxo at the excited squeal. She gently petted his cheek before rushing off to see Jemima. Munkustrap moved so he was sitting on the edge of the soft bed, next to Quaxo. Quaxo immediately burrowed into his side, holding him close.
"You alright?" Munkustrap murmured in his ear, just for him to hear. Quaxo gave a small, jerky shrug. Munkustrap gave a soft sigh, squeezing Quaxo tighter.
"It'll take time, but you'll be okay, I promise." Munkustrap promised him, voice soft. Quaxo nodded against his shoulder.
"It's good to see you're awake, Sparkle-butt!" Tugger grinned, causing the latter to look at him, a small pout on his lips.
"You're still calling me that?!" Quaxo muttered, as he leaned against Munkustrap, as Munkustrap held him close. Tugger laughed.
"No matter what happens, you'll always be Sparkle-butt to me," Tugger winked. Tugger couldn't help but notice the small uplift of the corners of Quaxo's mouth as he curled close to Munkustrap, not seeming to want to let him go. It didn't seem like Munkustrap wanted to let go of him either.
Tugger didn't blame him, they had come far too close to losing Quaxo and he knew how much Munkustrap cared for Quaxo. Tugger cared for him too, of course, but Munkustrap's love and protection went much further as he held onto his family as close as he could, not wanting to let anything bad happen to them, not after it took him so long to get a loving family.
Munkustrap lifted his head, smiling at Tugger as he noticed him staring at him and Quaxo. Tugger smiled back, giving a small wink.
"Oh, Jemima!" Munkustrap looked around at Tantomile's gasp. He beamed as he saw Jemima run into the room, unaided, and leap into Tantomile and Cori's waiting arms for a hug. She turned her head to look Munkustrap and Quaxo, showing her clear, warm, silver-blue eyes.
"Y-You can see again?!" Tugger asked, shocked. Jemima nodded happily as she hugged Tantomile tightly.
"Yes, with the help of Coricopat and Tantomile's blood, and the moonlight, her eye-sight has returned." Tobias spoke up, smiling, as he watched the scene in front of him. Tugger gaped.
"B-But…how?" He stammered. Tobias just smiled.
"That is my secret, my friend," He chuckled at Tugger's dumbfounded face. Tobias looked back to Jemima.
"You may have more of a, well, connection to Coricopat and Tantomile now," He told her. "As you have some of their blood running through your veins."
"Why have her eyes changed colours?" Munkustrap questioned, having noticed that Jemima's eyes were now a silver-blue instead of her usual chocolate brown.
"That would be from the moon." Tobias explained. "Her eyes now reflect the moon which gave her the ability to see once more."
"She has moon-lit eyes," Jenny whispered, shocked. Tobias gave a nod, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Well, I need to be returning to my home." Tobias spoke up. Munkustrap gently detached Quaxo from him so he could stand up, walking over and embracing the elder Tom.
"My, you're too tall for me now!" Tobias chuckled as he looked up at Munkustrap, who was a head taller than him. "All grown up now," Tobias murmured as he gently touched Munkustrap's cheek.
"Even I couldn't foresee the magnificent Tom that you would become." Tobias smiled, patting Munkustrap's cheek before he pulled away.
"I'll walk myself back, I need some time to gather myself," Tobias told him as he watched Munkustrap glance back at the small Tuxedo Tom now curled up in the black leopard-spotted, maned Tom's arms.
"Are you sure?" Munkustrap questioned him. Tobias nodded, chuckling.
"Yes, I am in no danger, and besides, my work here is done." Tobias sighed tiredly, looking at both of the young fledglings. Jemima looked at him, her silver-blue eyes sparkling with joy. Quaxo gave a weak smile in his direction.
Without his help, Munkustrap would have never found out the way to save his life.
"However, I do require payment of yours and Cori's blood, and perhaps some of Tantomile's if she isn't against it?" Tobias added, glancing at her. Tantomile gave a small smile.
"I'm fine with that," She answered, holding out her arm as Tobias shuffled over to her with some vials. Soon after two decent sized vials were filled, Tobias moved onto Coricopat, who held out his arm. Tobias put away the vials filled with Cori and Tantomile's blood before moving onto Munkustrap, who smiled.
"Your blood worked miracles last time," Tobias told him as he took Munkustrap's blood. Munkustrap tilted his head, interested.
"Oh?" He mused. Tobias nodded as he put the first vial in his bag.
"Mm, I was led to a young pregnant Queen being held in a basement," Tobias sighed. "Her father, who was holding her captive, had hurt her terribly, but didn't want her or her unborn kittens to die, so I was naturally led to them and offered to save her." Tobias put the second vial away and dabbed Munkustrap's arm.
"I managed to save the Queen's life and heard she gave birth a day or so later, and I planned to return to free her…but when I did, she had already escaped, the smart little thing." Tobias straightened up, frowning slightly as he looked at Quaxo thoughtfully. Tobias gathered up his bag, looking at the gathering inside the infirmary once, giving a fond smile.
"If you ever need me, you'll know where to find me," Tobias winked cryptically, before he gathered up his old, battered leather satchel and left, giving a final wave.
"He's a strange Tom," Jenny mused as she picked up discarded blankets from the generally neat floor. Munkustrap gave a small chuckle as he sat beside Quaxo once more.
"He is," Munkustrap agreed. "But, he knows what he's doing." Tantomile purred from where she was nuzzling Jemima's cheek.
"And thank the Everlasting for that!" Tantomile spoke up. Cori nodded in agreement as he rubbed Jemima's ears. Tugger was playing with Quaxo's ears, annoying the young Tom, who swatted at his uncle.
Munkustrap smiled as he watched the cats in the den.
"Yes, thank the Everlasting Cat for that." He murmured in agreement.
They were all there, smiling and laughing, able to see and in perfect health.
It would be okay.
A few hours later, it was just Munkustrap and Tugger in the infirmary with Quaxo.
Munkustrap was reclined on the bed with a sleeping Quaxo curled up against his side, his arm wrapped around Munkustrap's stomach as his head rested on Munkustrap's chest, above his heart, being comforted by the sound of his steady heart-beat. Tugger was curled up on the opposite side of Quaxo, watching him with close eyes.
Though Tugger acted like he was cocky and arrogant, and at times he was and though he teased Quaxo to no end, he did truly care and worry about the young Tom.
Coricopat, Tantomile and Jenny had taken Jemima out to show the Jellicles the miracle of Jemima getting her eye-sight back and also to explain that Quaxo was okay, but he just needed to rest.
Quaxo squirmed, his face screwing up in unease and tightening his grip around Munkustrap's middle, getting Munkustrap's attention. Munkustrap glanced at Tugger, who sighed sadly as he rubbed Quaxo's back, trying to calm him. Munkustrap began humming, gently rubbing Quaxo's arm soothingly. Quaxo soon relaxed once more, slipping back into a peaceful sleep.
"You think he'll be alright, Munkus?" Tugger asked quietly. Munkustrap stopped humming as he sighed. He carefully reached over, grabbing the blue blanket and pulled it over Quaxo's slightly shivering frame.
"I hope so." Munkustrap answered simply. The two brothers looked up when Cori walked in, his expression grave and annoyed.
"What's wrong?" Munkustrap asked hesitantly. Cori slumped down in the wooden chair beside the bed, putting his head in his paws briefly.
"The Jellicles have found out Quaxo's and Victoria's true parentage." Cori mumbled as he lifted his head.
"How?!" Tugger yelped, before quieting as Quaxo gave a murmur. Cori gave a shrug.
"You know how things are here," Cori sighed, running his paw through his short, black head fur. "News spreads quickly." Munkustrap tightened his hold on Quaxo protectively at that. Quaxo just continued to dream, unaware of the conversations happening outside of the infirmary at that moment.
"What are they saying, Cori?" Tugger asked, worried. Cori rubbed his weary eyes with the back of his paw before he looked at Tugger, his gold-green eyes sad.
"Pretty horrible stuff," Cori replied. "That Quaxo will become the next Macavity and that we're all in danger, that magic is a curse, and so on," Munkustrap shook his head.
This was what he was afraid of.
"He isn't dangerous at all!" Tugger protested, paw on Quaxo's side. Cori nodded.
"I know, Tugger, I know." He murmured. "But it'll be tough trying to make the Jellicles see that once again." Cori looked to Munkustrap, who had remained silent.
"Munk?" Cori murmured, just wanting his friend to say something on this matter. Munkustrap just looked at the sleeping fledgling, watching him with sad emerald green eyes.
"I won't let anyone harm him or Vicky," Munkustrap spoke up finally. "They can't help who their biological parents are, and it doesn't mean that they'll become evil or turn out like them." Munkustrap looked at Tugger, who smiled sadly at him.
"I didn't become anything like my mother," He mumbled. Tugger reached over, squeezing Munkustrap's shoulder reassuringly.
"We just have to be there for him and show him that he isn't alone or unloved." Munkustrap spoke up, looking at the duo who nodded in agreement.
Munkustrap looked back at Quaxo as the fledgling cuddled closer.
If only he knew what was to happen when he awoke from his sweet dreams.
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Hopefully I didn't make you wait too long for this, but I was away for a bit!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP