Tumble led Macavity into the woods, it was darkish and full of trees and green plants. It was sort of spooky and had a mystical feel to it, but it was why Tumble loved it. Tumble led Macavity to a certain part, it was sort of an opening, with trees sheltering it, the leaves and branches criss-crossed across the top of the clearing, making it dark, except for the few rays of sun that broke through the gaps. Macavity stared around the clearing. There were tufts of long grass with wild flowers around the clearing.

"So this is where you come," Macavity murmured. Tumble nodded, looking at Macavity.

"It's dark, it's quiet…and no-one ever comes here," Tumble said softly, looking around the clearing. "It's where I can escape to," Tumble smiled as arms were wrapped around his waist and his back was pulled against a strong, warm chest. Macavity kissed Tumble's neck softly.

"I missed you," Macavity murmured into the crook of Tumble's neck.

"I missed you too," Tumble whispered, turning around and wrapping his arms around Macavity's neck. They both fell to the ground, holding each other in the soft grass. Macavity nuzzled at Tumble, running his paw down the brown striped sides. Macavity stared into the blue-green eyes that stared at him softly.

"Brutus," Macavity murmured, drawing the young Tom to him, kissing him passionately. Tumble was purring as Macavity kissed down his jaw, down his neck and to his chest. Tumble just wrapped his arms around Macavity's neck, pulling the ginger Tom close. Macavity rolled over, so he was perched on top of Tumblebrutus. Macavity gently moved Tumble's legs apart, kissing him still.

"Bast, I love you," Macavity whispered, kissing Tumble again.

Afterwards, Tumble lay in Macavity's arms, purring softly. Macavity was purring as well, his eyes closed as he rested his head against Tumble's head.

"Brutus…"

"Mm?" Tumble opened his eyes, looking at Macavity. Macavity smiled at Tumble's sleepy eyes.

"Come on," Macavity sighed, sitting up and pulling Tumble into his arms. He stood up and looked down at the tired young Tom in his arms.

"Where are we going?" Tumble yawned largely.

"Home,"

"Home?"

"My home…where you always find me," Macavity murmured as he walked out of the woods. Tumble smiled tiredly at Macavity, letting his eyes slip close as Macavity carried him back to his lair.

Macavity entered the lair.

"Mac, you can't just go out like that and not tell anyone, I was so…!" Macavity never found out what Griddlebone was as she went silent as she caught sight of the sleeping Tom in Macavity's arms.

"B-Brutus?" She whispered. Macavity nodded, his red eyes alight as he looked down at the Tom in his arms.

"I found him in the park,"

"Mac…what about the Jellicles?"

"He isn't staying here, Griddle," Macavity explained as he walked down the hall, Griddlebone following him.

"He's staying for a few hours before I'm taking him back to the park,"

"Why are you taking him back?"

"Because he's meeting Cori and Munkustrap there and they're giving him an alibi," Macavity smiled slightly.

"Munkustrap…and Cori?"

"They know about us," Macavity said softly, as Tumble stirred in his arms.

"What?" Griddlebone exclaimed.

"T-They know about us…and they don't care," Macavity told her as they walked into his room. Macavity set Tumble down on the mattress softly before turning to Griddlebone.

"Why don't they care?" Griddlebone asked, curious.

"Because they know…how it is," Macavity said slowly.

"What do you mean, Mac?" Griddlebone asked.

"Cori and Munkustrap are soul-mates, like Brutus and I,"

"Oh," Griddlebone murmured before she got this cheeky grin. "Poor Deuty, two of his sons are gay,"

"Down, Griddle," Macavity growled. Griddlebone winked at him.

"I'll leave you alone with Brutus," Griddlebone smiled and left the room. Macavity walked over to the mattress and sat beside the snoozing young Tom on it. Macavity just smiled, lying beside Tumble and drawing him into his arms. Tumble's eyes flickered open.

"Oh…did I fall asleep?" Tumble asked tiredly. Macavity gave a small nod.

"Sorry," Tumble smiled. Macavity just smiled, nuzzling at Tumble lovingly. Tumble wrapped his arms around Macavity's neck, purring softly. Macavity kissed him softly.

"Brutus," He breathed. Tumble nuzzled at him furiously, pushing himself closer to Macavity. Macavity chuckled, drawing his claws down Brutus's sides, though not hard enough to break the skin. Tumble arched, his purring louder.

"Bast, I love you," Tumble gasped. Macavity gave a small chuckle.

"Love you too, Brutus," Macavity murmured, kissing Tumble's neck. Tumble purred heavily as Macavity drew his claws down his sides and back once again. Tumble smiled as he was rolled onto his back, with Macavity looking down into his blue-green eyes. Macavity leaned down, kissing Tumble once more.

Munkustrap and Cori waited in the park, with Cori leaning back against Munkustrap's chest, Munkus's arms wrapped around his waist. Munkustrap was humming softly as Cori dozed against him. Cori's eyes suddenly opened and he turned slightly.

"They're back," Cori yawned. Munkustrap turned his head and saw that Macavity and Tumblebrutus were walking towards them. Macavity's arm was around Tumble's shoulders. Tumble was smiling contently, looking at Macavity. Macavity stopped Tumblebrutus as he watched Munkus and Cori get to their feet.

"Brutus…I want you to know that you can always come to me…my home is your home as well," Macavity told Tumble. Tumblebrutus smiled.

"Thank you," Macavity nuzzled Tumblebrutus, kissing him softly.

"Same time next week?" Macavity looked at Cori, who voiced the question.

"What?"

"Are we bringing Tumble here, the same time, next week so he can meet with you again?" Cori repeated slowly. Macavity blinked, shocked.

"He's not kidding, Macavity," Munkustrap said.

"Mac?" Tumble asked softly, taking his paws.

"Yes," Macavity smiled, looking back at Tumble. "Same time next week," Macavity and Tumble gave one last nuzzle and kiss before Macavity left, looking a lot better than he did before. Tumble walked over to Munkustrap and Cori, smiling happily. He startled though when Munkustrap pulled him to the ground and started grooming him thoroughly.

"W-What…?"

"We can't go back to the yard with Macavity's scent on you," Cori explained gently. Tumble nodded and waited for Munkustrap to finish grooming him.

"Alright, let's go," Munkustrap said as he finished. Tumble got to his feet and walked back to the yard with Cori and Munkustrap, smiling broadly. Munkustrap and Cori exchanged smiles as Tumble bounded along beside them.

"Feeling better, Tumble?" Munkustrap asked, smiling. Tumble looked at him and grinned.

"A lot better," Tumble laughed happily. Cori smiled at Munkustrap as they approached the yard. Tumble's smile faltered a bit as he watched Munkus and Cori let each other's paws go.

"Why don't you just come out with it and tell them?" Tumble asked softly. "They'll understand," Munkustrap sighed.

"I…just not yet," Munkustrap murmured. Tumble looked at them sadly as Munkustrap nuzzled at Cori's neck sadly. Cori just stroked the back of Munkustrap's head in response. Munkustrap sighed and gently squeezed Cori's paw before he walked through the gates.

"Do you wish the others could know?" Tumble asked Cori softly. Cori gave him a sad smile.

"So you could always be with Munkustrap?"

"I…I do, sort of…but it wouldn't be the same with the others just…watching us," Cori answered slowly. Tumble nodded and Cori smiled at him.

"Shall we go?" Cori asked, indicating to the gates. Tumble nodded and followed Cori back inside the yard. Cori gave Tumble a small smile before he headed off to talk to Tantomile. Tumble gave a small smile and walked over to the tyre.

Jenny and Skimble watched as Tumble walked away from Cori, looking like he was in a dream, a small dreamy smile on his face as Tumble walked over to the tyre and laid down on it. Munkustrap, who was standing on patrol on the tyre, looked down at him and smiled before going back to watch the yard. Skimble gave a growl before looking away. Jenny blinked before sighing.

Tumblebrutus looked up and watched as his parents talked to each other.

"Are you okay, Tumbles?" Munkustrap asked softly.

"Y-Yeah," Tumble murmured. Tumble suddenly gave a whimper as he watched Skimble and Jenny walk over to the tyre. Tumble sat up and buried his face into the fur of Munkustrap's leg. Munkustrap reassuringly put his paw on Tumble's head before moving to stand in front of Tumble, in a protective stance, hiding the younger Tom behind him. Jenny and Skimble stared up at Munkustrap, shocked.

"Yes?" Munkustrap asked coldly. Skimble blinked, staring at him.

"What do you know?"

"That you kicked him out,"

"Did he tell you the reason?" Skimble spat.

"Yes," Munkustrap said before hissing. "And that was a pathetic reason to kick him out!" Munkustrap glanced behind him as Tumble rested his head against the back of Munkustrap's leg. Skimble stared at Munkustrap.

"W-Where is he staying?" Jenny asked.

"He's staying in my den…at least there he'll always be welcome," Munkustrap growled. Jenny made a flustered noise before she stalked away. Skimble eyed Munkustrap off before he walked off as well. Tumble gave a low whimper and Munkustrap sighed, turning to look at the young Tom. Tumble looked at him and gave a weak smile.

"T-Thanks, Munkus," Tumble whispered. Munkustrap sat beside him and hugged Tumblebrutus close. Tumble buried his face against Munkus's shoulder, sniffling. Munkustrap purred softly, trying to reassure and calm down the young Tom. Tumble began to calm down as he listened to Munkustrap's rumbling purr. Tumble's eyes began to close as he listened to the resounding purr…it was so calming. Tumble felt his eyes growing heavy as the events of the last two days began to catch up with him. Tumble let his eyes slip close as Munkus's purrs continued. Munkustrap gave a small smile as he felt Tumble lean more heavily against him and as he heard the sound of Tumble's breathing heavy and even out. Munkustrap gently moved Tumble slightly and smiled as he saw Tumble was asleep in his arms. Munkustrap looked around before waving Alonzo over. Alonzo smiled as he climbed onto the tyre, taking over Munkustrap's patrol. Alonzo gave a small smile as he looked down at the sleeping Tumble.

"Is he okay, Munkus?" Alonzo asked softly. Munkustrap gave a smile and a nod as he pulled Tumble into his arms.

"Yeah…he's just had an exhausting couple of days," Munkustrap smiled before standing up, with Tumble in his arms.

"Thanks, Lonz,"

"It's alright," Alonzo smiled. Munkustrap walked across the yard with the sleeping Tumblebrutus in his arms. Cori spotted Munkustrap heading towards their den and nuzzled his sister before slipping off the cupboard to walk beside Munkustrap.

"Today finally caught up with him?" Cori murmured as they walked into their den. Munkustrap nodded as he set Tumble down on the nest they had set up for him that morning. Tumble curled up, smiling contently, on his nest. Cori gently slipped his paw into Munkustrap's as they looked at the sleeping Tom.

"What else happened?"

"Jenny and Skimble," Munkustrap murmured. Cori stared at him, shocked. Munkus told him the full story which left Cori fuming.

"How…why those…!" Munkustrap pulled his fuming mate into his arms, kissing him softly. Cori went silent and his muscles relaxed as he found Munkustrap's lips on his.

"That's not fair," Cori murmured as Munkustrap broke the kiss. Munkustrap gave a sly smile.

"Well, I had to calm you down somehow," Munkustrap replied softly, rubbing Cori's back. Cori sighed sadly, resting his head in the crook of Munkustrap's neck.

"Hey, Cori?" Munkustrap asked hesitantly.

"Mmm?"

"I was thinking,"

"About what, dear?"

"I-I…" Munkustrap broke off, sighing. Cori lifted his head, looking at him.

"Munkus, what's wrong?" Cori asked, worried.

"I love you so much, Cori…I want you to be in my life forever,"

"I will be," Cori whispered.

"No, Cori…I mean, I want you to be my mate," Munkustrap smiled softly as Cori's eyes widened.

"Cori, please…say you'll be my mate,"

"Munkus, of course!" Cori said. "B-But…will they let us?"

"What do you mean?"

"Munk, we're the only tom-tom couple that have actually gotten to the stage where we want to be mates," Cori said sadly. "Will they let us become mates?"

"I'm planning to go talk to Dad tomorrow," Munkustrap said. He frowned as Cori suddenly looked frightened.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"W-What if h-h-he doesn't approve of me?" Cori whimpered. Munkustrap gave a soft smile, drawing Cori into his arms.

"Babe, I love you, I adore you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Munkustrap whispered. "I know my Dad will be happy because I am," Cori looked at him. Munkustrap wiped away a stray tear from Cori's cheek.

"We'll always be together…no matter what,"

"No matter what," Cori echoed, smiling as he rested his head against Munkustrap's chest. Munkus kissed the top of his head.

"Do you want to watch Tumbles?" Munkustrap murmured a few minutes later. "I can't leave Alonzo covering my shift,"

"It's fine, Stripes…go," Cori smiled. Munkustrap kissed him once more before leaving the den. Cori sighed as he watched Munkustrap leave the den.

He looked back to Tumblebrutus and gave a small smile at the contently sleeping Tom who was smiling as he dreamt.

Cori sighed and hoped everything would turn out for the better.

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So, there we have it!

Well...I have to do my induction for this week, so I might not update until Saturday?
And I have my exams in two and half weeks, but we'll see how that goes...and then I have two weeks off to write endlessly :D
Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review!

Luv HGP!