Tugger eyed off his brother worriedly as Munkustrap walked across the clearing, looking defeated.
"Jenny is still blaming him," Tugger startled at the soft voice by his ear.
"Bast, Cori!" Tugger yelped, paw on his heaving chest. The male Mystic gave a small smile. Tugger calmed down and sat back down as Cori settled down next to him.
"What do you mean Jenny is still blaming Munks?" Tugger asked, concerned. Cori sighed.
"She keeps harping on about that its Munkustrap's fault, that if Munkus never taught him to fight, Tumble would have hidden…oh, and the new one…Munkustrap is meant to be the Protector and Guardian of the Kittens…yet, he fails to protect Tumblebrutus," Coricopat said bitterly. Tugger gave a low growl.
"Bloody old…stupid, pathetic…" Cori looked at Tugger as Tugger muttered darkly under his breath. He looked at Tugger closely. He knew Tugger wasn't always so arrogant all the time…when it came to Munkustrap he was mature; he was extremely protective of his little brother.
"When we get Tumbles back, it'll be better," Cori murmured. Tugger nodded and sighed, getting to his feet as he spotted his fan-club.
"Getting prepared for them attacking you in their…excited-ness?"
"Yes," Tugger muttered.
"Have fun," Tugger turned back and looked at Cori.
"Cori,"
"Yeah?"
"Take care of Munkus,"
"Of course," Cori murmured. Tugger gave a nod before he swaggered over to the kittens, his normal arrogance and swagger back. Cori looked over to Munkustrap's den before getting up and walking over to it.
Macavity leaned against the stone wall, watching the young Tom sleep soundly.
He had been standing in this room for an hour, watching Tumblebrutus sleep.
Why couldn't he stay away?
Macavity gave a small smile as he watched the young Tom turn and murmur in his sleep.
Macavity was at a loss…he had no idea why he was so drawn to the young Tom. Sure, Tumblebrutus had some sweet innocence to him, along with that alluring scent of his and he was sort of cute…
Macavity shook his head frantically, trying to get that thought out of his head.
"What are you doing?" Macavity stopped shaking his head and looked up, seeing Tumblebrutus staring at him through half-closed blue-green eyes. Macavity tilted his head, examining the young Tom. Tumble was lying on his side, his head resting on his arms. Macavity gave a small smile before he wiped all expression from his face. Tumblebrutus slowly sat up, yawning largely.
"So, Jellicle," Tumblebrutus winced at the harshness in Macavity's voice. Macavity watched as Tumblebrutus began to tremble.
"What are your thoughts, Jellicle?" Macavity hissed, walking around the young Tom. His ears twitched when he heard Tumblebrutus give a murmur. Macavity grabbed the fur between Tumble's ears, making the young Tom yowl in pain as he forced Tumble's head back.
"What?"
"I want to go home!" Tumble sobbed. Macavity examined Tumblebrutus's face with interest.
"You're never leaving here, Tumblebrutus," Macavity hissed, throwing the young Tom forward. Tumble hit the floor hard and coughed as he was winded. Macavity turned his head away; disgusted with himself for hurting Tumblebrutus…he didn't want to do it.
What was happening to him?
Macavity stalked from the room, slamming the door behind him as Tumblebrutus began crying loudly, curling tightly into a ball. Macavity leaned against the closed door, hearing Tumblebrutus's muffled cries on the other side. He slid down the door, sitting on the stone floor. Macavity pressed his paws against his face.
"What's happening to me?" Macavity whispered as it felt like his heart was breaking when he heard the young Tom's cries.
Macavity walked back to Tumblebrutus's room the next day. He leaned against the wall outside of Tumble's cell, tuning into Tumblebrutus's thoughts.
Tumblebrutus was thinking he'd never get out of there alive…that Macavity would kill him. Macavity sighed sadly and tuned back into Tumblebrutus's thoughts.
Thoughts that he'd never see his brother again and be able to make things up to him, seeing as they hadn't spoken since that night Munkus and Tugger had been over…thoughts of his home, of his parents, of Munkustrap and Tugger, thoughts of things that he hadn't done and would never be able to do…he'd never open the Jellicle ball, never have his first kiss, never have a mate…
Macavity's eyes snapped open at that and he looked at the door.
Tumblebrutus hadn't had his first kiss…and he was almost ready to do the coming of age ball.
Macavity walked into the room, startling the young Tom. Tumble stared at him, his eyes wide. Macavity sat beside him, staring at the young Tom curiously. Tumblebrutus stared into the dark red eyes, his heart beating hard and fast…but was it fear?
"I'm curious, Tumblebrutus," Macavity drawled.
"A-About what?" Tumble stammered.
"Why you haven't had your first kiss?" Macavity gave a small smirk as he watched Tumblebrutus's cheeks flush red.
"I-I…how do you know?"
"I was interested…and read your thoughts," Macavity admitted. Tumble stared at him, shocked.
"So, tell me, Tumblebrutus, why haven't you had your first kiss?" Tumble was blushing furiously. Macavity smiled at the blush.
"Because none of the Queens like me," Tumble whispered, looking away. Macavity was shocked to see tears fall down Tumble's cheeks.
"No one likes me…no one has even tried to come for me yet!" Tumble sobbed. Macavity drew the sobbing Tom into his arms, cradling him as the young Tom cried. He had no idea why he had pulled the young Tom close…but he liked it. Macavity gently rubbed Tumblebrutus's back, nuzzling at his neck. Tumblebrutus slowly looked up at Macavity, tears still falling from his blue-green eyes. Macavity examined him for a moment, considering. He shrugged and gave a small smile.
What the hell?
Macavity tilted his head down, meeting Tumblebrutus's lips and kissing him softly. Tumblebrutus was shocked…but he didn't pull away, he didn't want to.
Macavity broke the kiss first, pulling back and looking at Tumblebrutus. Tumble moved back, staring at Macavity in shock.
"W-Why d-d-did you do that?" Tumble breathed. Macavity just blinked.
"Wait, did you just do that so when you kill me, I don't die without having my first kiss?" Tumble asked, panicked.
"No." Macavity said simply. Tumblebrutus stared at him, confused.
"T-Then why?" Macavity sighed, reaching forward and drawing his paws down Tumblebrutus's sides. Tumble purred softly at the contact…unsure why he was purring…or liking this contact so much. Macavity gripped Tumblebrutus's hips and pulled him close, smiling smugly at Tumblebrutus's hitched breath.
"I did it…because I like you…I'm drawn to you, and I don't know why," Macavity told him.
"Why?"
"It was your scent that started it," Macavity murmured. Tumble was shocked.
"B-But…everyone says that…"
"That's not true, your scent is intoxicating," Macavity breathed, burying his nose into Tumblebrutus's neck, inhaling the pine scent.
"It's why I couldn't kill you at the yard…your scent stopped me," Macavity said as he drew his nose out of Tumble's neck. Tumble stared at him, his heart beating hard and fast still…but now he knew for sure it was no longer fear as he stared into Macavity's warm dark red eyes.
"Y-You like me?" Tumble whispered, shocked. Macavity gave a nod. Tumble was shocked still. Macavity watched him closely, waiting for him to say something.
"T-There was something about your scent too," Tumble told him. "It made me feel safe."
"Really?" Macavity asked smoothly. Tumblebrutus nodded.
"Your scent reminds me of the woods I go to when I need to be alone, to think," Tumblebrutus told him. "It's where I can be without anyone judging me," Macavity pulled Tumblebrutus, holding him to his chest. Tumble purred deeply, nuzzling at Macavity. Macavity leaned down, nuzzling Tumblebrutus again.
"I-I don't believe it," Tumble murmured.
"Believe what?"
"That you…of all cats, like me," Tumble smiled. Macavity gave a deep chuckle.
"It's strange, Brutus, I'll admit that," Macavity told him. Tumble looked up at him, blue-green eyes lit up.
"What?" Macavity asked.
"Brutus?" Macavity gave a small smirk.
"Well…everyone else calls you 'Tumbles',"
"I like Brutus," Tumblebrutus smiled, leaning back against Macavity.
He couldn't believe this had happened so fast…or with Macavity.
"You know…I hated myself when I hurt you," Macavity told him. "And I'm sorry for that," Tumblebrutus looked up at him. Macavity was looking towards the door.
"I had no idea what these feelings were…but they were making me look weak," Macavity sighed. "I thought I had to hurt you…but the more I did, the more it hurt me," Tumblebrutus hesitantly reached up, putting his paw on Macavity's cheek. Macavity closed his eyes and leaned against Tumble's paw. Tumblebrutus sat up and stared at Macavity. Macavity slowly opened his dark red eyes, looking at Tumblebrutus. Macavity pulled Tumble back into his arms, kissing him once more, smiling against Tumblebrutus's lips. Tumble's paws entwined through Macavity's wild head fur. They broke apart, Macavity purring deeply as he rested his head against Tumblebrutus's. Tumble stared at him, shocked.
This was happening…so quickly…but he loved it.
Macavity's paw drifted down Tumble's back, making Tumble purr loudly. Macavity gently laid him down. Tumble looked up at Macavity nervously.
"Are you okay, Brutus?"
"I-I'm nervous," Tumble whispered. Macavity smiled, gently rubbing his cheek reassuringly.
"It'll be alright,"
"Okay," Tumble murmured, smiling at Macavity.
He couldn't believe how quickly this was happening…but he felt so connected to Macavity, he didn't mind at all.
"If I'm hurting you, tell me to stop," Macavity whispered. Tumble nodded and Macavity leant down to kiss him once more.
Tumble clutched onto Macavity's chest fur as Macavity moved slightly.
"Hey, hey, it's alright," Macavity cooed. "Give it a second," Tumble relaxed and nodded. Macavity murmured in Tumble's ear, reassuring him and whispering sweet words into his ears.
After, Macavity collapsed beside Tumble, exhausted. Tumble breathed heavily, but his eyes were alight as he looked at Macavity.
"I…I…wow," Tumble panted. Macavity smiled at Tumble, drawing the young Tom into his arms. Tumble was purring softly.
"Let's get you out of this room." Macavity yawned moments later. He sat up and pulled Tumblebrutus into his arms. Tumble tiredly wrapped his arms around Macavity's neck as Macavity carried him bridal style from the room. All the hench-cats watched, wide eyed, as Macavity walked past them, carrying Tumblebrutus. Macavity pushed the door to his room open and set down Tumblebrutus on the mattress. Tumble smiled at him sleepily. Macavity lay down beside him, pulling Tumble into his arms. Tumble purred softly, nuzzling Macavity and inhaling his unique scent. Macavity stroked Tumble's cheek, smiling as he caught scent of Tumble's pine scent.
"Love you, Brutus," Macavity murmured sleepily, his eyes closing.
"Love you too, Macavity," Tumble whispered, smiling, before he let himself fall asleep in Macavity's arms.
Munkustrap sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, Tugger," Munkustrap murmured, looking around the empty yard. A paw gently rested on his shoulder. Munkustrap looked up at Tugger, who was smiling at him.
"What is it?"
"We've found Macavity's hide out," Tugger said. Munkustrap leapt to his feet. Tugger smiled at the fire in Munkustrap's eyes.
"Gather the others…we're getting Tumblebrutus back," Munkustrap ordered.
"On it, Fearless," Tugger winked. Munkustrap gave a small laugh at that nickname…Tugger had picked it up when they were kittens, when they were watching a human T.V show about Ninja Turtles. Munkustrap watched as Tugger ran off to get the others. Munkustrap breathed out.
It was time to get Tumblebrutus back…five days was long enough for the young Tom.
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I know...they moved quickly...but hey, there scents were driving them insane...and you'll find out the reason in...2 chapters :)
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