Cori bit his lip as Munkustrap talked to Alonzo, smiling. Cori fixed a smile on his face as Munkustrap looked back at him and walked over to him.

"Alonzo's going to watch for me…I'll be back soon," Munkustrap told him. Cori gave a nod.

"S-See you soon,"

"I love you…and it'll be okay, Cori," Munkustrap told him softly, gently squeezing Cori's shoulder. Cori rested his paw over Munkustrap's before giving a smile.

"I love you too….and I-I know," Cori murmured. Munkustrap smiled before walking off. Cori sighed and buried his face in his paws, his heart beating fast in his chest.

He was so scared.

Tumble was walking by the oven an hour later and paused when he saw Cori lying inside, looking dejected. Tumble quickly padded over to him, hopping inside the oven and lying beside Cori.

"Are you okay, Cori?" Tumble asked softly. Cori gave a small nod, breathing in deeply before exhaling slowly. Tumble nuzzled Cori reassuringly.

"M-Munkustrap's gone to talk to his dad," Cori whispered.

"About what?"

"Munkus and I becoming mates,"

"Congratulations," Tumble grinned, happy. Cori gave a weak smile.

"What's wrong, Cori?" Tumble asked worriedly, seeing his friend wasn't his normal cheerful self.

"I'm scared, Tumble," Cori admitted.

"About what?"

"…what if Deuteronomy doesn't want me to be his son's mate?" Cori whispered, lowering his head. Tumble gave a soft purr and rubbed his head against Cori's, wrapping an arm around the sad mystic.

"He will though, Cori," Tumble reassured his friend softly. "You're the best choice for Munkus, and you two are so happy together," Cori sighed, resting his head on his paws and closing his eyes.

"And hey, it's not like it's Macavity or anything," Tumble tried weakly. Cori looked up and gave a smile.

"Do not forget that Munkus is Macavity's brother…that would just be weird," Cori laughed before nuzzling Tumble.

"But you and Macavity belong together," Cori whispered in Tumble's ear. "And you both deserve to be happy," Tumble purred and nuzzled Cori thankfully.

"Thank you, Cori,"

"Any time," Cori smiled before resting his head back on his paws. Tumble slowly got up.

"Tumble,"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," Tumble gave a small smile.

"Any time, Cori," Tumble smiled before he bounced off. Cori sighed and gave a small smile.

"Coricopat?" Cori's eyes snapped open and he shrunk down as he looked up at Old Deuteronomy. Munkustrap was standing by the tyre, smiling at him reassuringly.

"Care to join me for a walk?" Deuteronomy asked, his voice even. Cori cleared the lump in his throat as he nodded and got to his feet. Cori glanced back at Munkustrap and Tumble, who had now joined the silver Tom, before looking back to the front.

"He looks pale," Tumble murmured.

"He'll be fine," Munkustrap gave a smile. Tumble looked at Munkustrap.

"W-What did your dad say about you and Cori?"

"H-He actually hasn't said anything yet," Munkustrap admitted. "He said he wanted to talk to Cori before…before he gave us his blessing," Tumble nodded and sat on the tyre, waiting for Cori to come back.

Cori cautiously looked up at Old Deuteronomy as they walked. Deuteronomy was silent as they walked. Deuteronomy walked over to an old sofa and sat, motioning for Cori to sit beside him.

"S-Sir?" Cori croaked. The silence was killing him.

"Munkustrap told me about the two of you," Deuteronomy said evenly.

"I-I know, sir," Cori said, his voice shaking. Deuteronomy looked at him and Cori looked at his paws.

"Munkustrap told me when he asked me to be his mate," Cori said, glancing at Deuteronomy.

"You fell for each other because of your…scents," Deuteronomy said. Cori nodded.

"So, the Soul Mate theory then," Deuteronomy sighed.

"Yes, sir," Cori said quietly.

"Coricopat, I don't approve of your relationship with my son," Deuteronomy said.

A tear slipped down Cori's cheek.

"I don't think you're the right cat for my boy," Cori lowered his head, his heart shattering as he suddenly felt worthless…how could Munkustrap even fall for him? He wasn't even close to the standards of a cat Munkustrap should get.

"However, because you make my son happy, and I can tell how infatuated he is with you," Deuteronomy said. "And because of that, I'm giving you my blessing to be with my boy…even though I know Munkustrap would still be your mate even without my blessing,"

Cori's heart suddenly lifted.

"T-Thank you, sir…it really means a lot to us," Cori told him. Deuteronomy nodded.

"I think you should get back to my son and tell him my decision," Deuteronomy said.

"Of course, sir…and thank you again," Cori smiled, breathless before he quickly walked back to the main clearing. As he approached the main clearing, he slowed down, thinking back to what Deuteronomy said. Cori sighed as the words of he wasn't good enough for Munkustrap came back and the pain hit his heart again.

"Cori!" Cori looked up in time to be engulfed in a tight hug by Munkustrap. Cori smiled and nuzzled at Munkus's neck.

"What did Dad say?" Munkustrap asked.

"H-He gave us his blessing," A beam broke out across Munkustrap's face.

"B-But, Munk,"

"Yes, darling?"

"H-He doesn't approve of me," Cori whispered, not meeting Munkustrap's blue eyes.

"What?" Munkustrap exclaimed.

"H-He told me he doesn't think I'm the best cat for you…but he gave us his blessing anyway because he knew we're happy together," Munkustrap pulled Cori into his arms, holding him close.

"Cori, you are amazing…I don't think I deserve you, but you are the most perfect cat I have ever met and there is no way my life will be complete without you," Munkustrap whispered, gently putting his paw under Cori's chin and guiding the mystic's face up. Cori smiled at the loving blue eyes that stared back at him.

"I love you," Munkustrap whispered before kissing Cori. Cori's eyes went wide as he realised that they were kissing…in the middle of the clearing, but then Cori just smiled, closed his eyes and surrendered to the kiss.

There was a loud wolf-whistle.

"Go, Munkus!" Munkustrap chuckled as he broke the kiss.

"Down, Tugger!" Munkustrap called back, before he nuzzled Cori lovingly. Munkustrap gently dragged his paw up Cori's back as he swept his other paw across the back of Cori's neck, drawing him close. Cori wrapped his arms around Munkustrap's waist, resting his head against Munkustrap's shoulder.

"Well, they know now," Cori said.

"I know…and I don't care, I still have you, and we're going to become mates, Cori!" Cori gave a small happy laugh at the excitement in Munkustrap's voice. Cori purred and laughed as Munkustrap wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, lifting his feet off the ground.

Tumble smiled as he watched Munkustrap swing Cori around, both of them laughing. Tumble looked around and his smile faltered at the sight of the other Jellicles just staring at the happy couple, some of them looked a bit…unsure, some even looked angry…mostly Demeter.

"I thought Munkustrap was meant to be your mate, Deme," Etcetera piped up suddenly. Demeter hissed loudly. Munkustrap put Cori back on the floor and stared the black and gold Queen. Demeter glared at Cori.

"Nah, Cetty," Tugger spoke up, grinning as he walked to Munkus and Cori, and slinging an arm each over both their shoulders.

"These two are meant to be," Tugger grinned at Cori, who stared at him, shocked. Tugger smiled at Cori, losing that arrogant façade he had.

"I'm glad you're with Munkus," Tugger whispered in Cori's ear.

"Tugger!"

"Yes, Jenny?" Tugger grinned slyly.

"Why don't you…I mean…just…oh, forget it," Jenny sighed heavily before she stalked off.

"But…Demeter…" Etcetera stated.

"Munkustrap is with Cori because he 'loves' him…what spell did you put him under, Coricopat?" Demeter spat darkly. Munkustrap pushed Cori behind him, shielding him from Demeter's harsh glare.

"Don't you dare speak to my soon-to-be mate like that!" Munkustrap snarled. Demeter went pale.

"M-Mate?" She whimpered.

"Dad's given us his blessing…at the next ball, Cori and I are becoming mates," Munkustrap told them. Munkustrap smiled as he felt Cori nuzzling at his shoulder blades.

"No, you can't!" Demeter screeched, stalking towards them. Tugger quickly took Cori into his arms, shielding him, as Munkustrap stood to his full height. Cori was staring at Demeter in shock, but was also shocked to find himself being shielded in Tugger's arms.

"Why him?"

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Tumble spat as he walked over to stand beside Munkustrap.

"They love each other and they're meant to be together!" Tumble hissed at Demeter. Munkustrap put a gentle paw on Tumble's shoulder. Tumble looked back at him and Munkus gave a small smile.

"Demeter, I do not appreciate you hissing and snarling at my mate…I love him dearly and don't appreciate you snarling at him," Munkustrap said evenly. "No matter what, Cori and I will always be together…we love each other dearly and it is never going to change," Cori purred loudly at those words. Munkustrap took Cori's paws, drawing him from Tugger's arms and drawing him into his own instead. Cori purred and rested his head against Munkustrap's shoulder. Tumble smiled at the two of them before his smiled faltered as he felt an emptiness suddenly fill his chest. Tumble sighed and walked away, biting his bottom lip. Tumble wrapped his arms around himself as tears pricked at his eyes.

He missed Macavity. He wanted to be held by him.

Tumble walked into Munkustrap's and Cori's den before he collapsed onto his nest, sniffling. Tumble rubbed his eyes, giving a hiccup.

Would he ever be able to be as happy as Cori and Munkus?

Tumble sniffled and closed his eyes tightly, biting his bottom lip as it trembled. A gentle paw touched his side.

"Hey, kid…what's wrong?" Tumble shook his head, drawing his legs in closer to his body.

"Tumble?"

"I-It's nothing, Tugger," Tumble whispered.

"Tumbles,"

"T-Tugger, please," Tumble sobbed softly. "I just want to be alone," There was a loud sigh.

"Alright, kitten…but you know where to find me if you need to talk," Tumble just gave a whimper and nodded. He listened as Tugger left. Tumble sobbed softly as soon as he knew he was alone.

He didn't want to be alone any more…he wanted Macavity!

"Hey, buddy," Tumble lifted his head and looked at Coricopat who was looking at him sadly.

"Oh…Tumble," Cori whispered, gently stroking Tumble's ears. Tumble sat up, looking at Cori's gentle face before collapsing against Cori's chest, sobbing loudly. Cori sighed and wrapped his arms around Tumble, holding him close. Tumble sobbed.

"Shhh, it's alright," Cori murmured, nuzzling him.

"I-I…"

"What's wrong?"

"I want Macavity," Tumble whispered. Cori sighed and held Tumble closer.

"I-I just want to be with him, to be happy like you and Munkus,"

"I know," Cori said simply, stroking Tumble's spine reassuringly. Tumble was trembling in his arms.

"It's not fair," Tumble whispered. Cori shut his eyes tight.

"I'm so sorry, Tumble,"

"I-I don't blame you, Cori," Tumble murmured, tears falling down his cheeks. "But…but I just want…to be with him," Cori pulled back slightly, wiping the tears from Tumble's cheeks.

"D-Do you want to live with him, Tumble?" Cori asked gently.

"W-What?" Tumble stammered.

"Would you prefer to live with Macavity, Tumble?"

"I-I…I don't want…I don't know," Tumble whispered. Cori hugged him again.

"I want to be with him, but I don't want to leave you, Munkus and Tugger…" Tumble mumbled. Cori nodded.

"I don't know what to do!" Tumble sobbed. Cori sighed, holding the young Tom close and rubbing his back.

"Shh, it'll be okay," Cori murmured. Tumble nodded, tears slipping down his cheeks. Tumble pulled away from Cori, giving a weak smile.

"T-Thanks, Cori," Tumble whispered. Cori sighed and put his paw on Tumble's shoulder.

"You will get your happy ending, Tumbles…I know you will," Cori smiled. Tumble smiled and nodded back.

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Awww...
Sorry I haven't updated for a couple of days, I was trying to finish off part of an art trade (which you can read on here now...called One Sided Love) and I've had rehearsals etc...phewww...
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!

Luv HGP!