Two days went by slowly. Tumble just felt so low, he felt so alone. Tumblebrutus looked up as Cori and Munkustrap entered the den, holding paws.
"Hey, buddy," Munkustrap smiled.
"Hi," Tumble croaked. Munkustrap looked at him sadly.
"You're missing him, aren't you?" Tumble nodded.
"Of course,"
"Go see him," Munkustrap murmured. Tumble looked at him, his green-blue eyes wide.
"Really?"
"Yes…go," Munkustrap smiled. "We'll cover you, but just make sure you're back within a couple of hours," Tumble grinned, hugging Munkustrap tightly before he bolted from the den.
"Is that the best idea?" Cori asked softly as Tumble tore from the den. "He's going to find it harder to stay away from Macavity," Munkustrap sighed.
"I know, love…but…he needs to be with Macavity or he can never be truly happy," Munkustrap murmured. Cori sighed, resting his paws on Munkustrap's shoulders. Munkustrap gently took Cori's paw, kissing it softly. Cori smiled gently.
Tumble ran through the streets, grinning as he headed towards Macavity's lair. Tumble quickly entered the warehouse, walking through the hallways. The hench-cats just glanced at him as Tumble walked past. Tumble's ears twitched as he heard yelling when he approached Macavity's throne room. He slowly opened the door and saw Macavity yelling at a cowering hench-cat. Tumble just gave a small smile, his heart racing at the sight of his ginger lover. Macavity roared at the hench-cat suddenly, making Tumble flinch, but he still walked over to Macavity.
"Mac?" Tumble whispered, reaching out and putting a paw on Macavity's shoulder. He cried out in pain and fell back as Macavity suddenly turned, hitting out. Tumble whimpered, his paw on his sore cheek. Macavity's red eyes widened as he realised he just hit his Brutus.
"Oh…Brutus!" Macavity whispered, falling to his knees. Tumblebrutus stared at him, his blue-green eyes wide and hurt.
"Oh, Brutus, I'm so sorry," Macavity breathed, reaching out. He bit his lip as Tumble flinched away. Macavity sighed, lowering his head as hurt tore through his heart.
"Brutus…believe me, I am so sorry…I never meant to hit you," Macavity pleaded. "I didn't know it was you, if I knew it was you, I would never have hurt you…I can't…I can't hurt you, I love you too much," Macavity looked up as a paw gently stroked at his ears. Macavity looked at Tumblebrutus, who was staring at him sadly. Macavity reached forward again and gently grabbed Tumble's hips, pulling him into his chest.
"I'm so sorry, Brutus…forgive me," Macavity begged quietly, kissing Tumble's ears softly.
"I-It's okay…I forgive you, Mac," Tumble murmured, nuzzling at Macavity's chest. Macavity softly kissed Tumble's head. Tumble wrapped his arms around Macavity's waist, holding him close.
"What are you doing here?" Macavity whispered. "I didn't expect to see you for another three days,"
"I-I…just needed to see you,"
"Is everything okay?" Tumble gave a small nod.
"Everything's fine…Cori and Munkustrap were given Deuteronomy's blessing to become mates at the next ball, and I don't know…I just missed you," Macavity gently kissed his cheek.
"I've missed you too," Macavity murmured. Macavity nuzzled at Tumble, smiling as he held the young Tom close to him. Tumble was purring softly as he was held close to Macavity. Macavity gently stroked Tumble's cheek.
"Are you okay?" Macavity asked him quietly.
"About what?"
"With Cori and Munkus?"
"Yeah…I'm happy for them," Tumble said. "I-I just feel…I'm sad,"
"Why?" Macavity asked worriedly. Tumble closed his eyes, resting his head on Macavity's chest.
"Because there is no chance we'd be accepted…they're barely being accepted by the others, we'd have no chance," Macavity sighed sadly at Tumble's admission. Macavity gently rubbed Tumble's back.
"We don't need their permission, Brutus," Macavity told him. Tumble smiled at him.
"I know…but we can never really be together," Tumble said. "We'll always have to sneak around," Macavity sighed, understanding what Tumble's was saying.
"I'm sorry, Brutus," Macavity murmured. Tumble sighed, gently nuzzling him.
"It's okay," Tumble murmured, gently rubbing Macavity's chest. Macavity purred at the contact. Macavity stared at his younger love, tilting his head. Tumble stared back at him, his blue-green eyes lit up happily. Macavity purred and held Tumble close to his chest.
"Hey, Mac…why are the henchies all…oh, hey, Brutus," Griddlebone's voice suddenly sounded. Tumble looked around at the white Persian Queen who was smiling largely.
"Hi, Griddle," Tumble murmured before smiling as he curled against Macavity's chest. Griddlebone smiled as she watched Macavity wrap his arms around Tumblebrutus, holding the young Tom close to his chest. Macavity cradled Brutus to him. Tumble held his head against Macavity's warm chest, listening to his heart beat.
"How long did Munkus give you?"
"A couple of hours," Tumble yawned, his arms wrapping loosely around Macavity's waist. Macavity smiled as he gently rocked the Tom enclosed in his arms. Griddle turned and walked out of the room, deciding to let the two be for now. Tumble purred as he snuggled closer to Macavity's warm body, listening to his heart beat. Macavity examined his Brutus with interest, tilting his head. After a while, he just smiled and held the Tom closer to him. Tumblebrutus just purred, happy to be enclosed in Macavity's embrace once more.
An hour went by quickly, and Tumble knew he had to get back. He pulled away from Macavity's arms and sat up on the mattress. They had moved into Macavity's room 40 minutes beforehand.
"Brutus?" Macavity asked softly as he sat up as well.
"I-I have to get back," Tumble murmured. "But I don't want to go!" He cried suddenly. Macavity's arms were quickly around him, holding him close and comforting him.
"Shh, Brutus," Macavity shushed him quietly.
"Mac, I don't want to go, I don't want to leave you!" Tumble cried into Macavity's shoulder.
"Shh, we'll be together one day, Brutus, I promise,"
"I don't want to wait,"
"We have to," Macavity sighed, gently rubbing Tumblebrutus's back. Tumble was crying against him, not wanting to leave Macavity. Macavity nuzzled Tumble's neck.
A thought suddenly came to him.
He had been changed by this young Tom, there was no cruel side to him when Brutus was around.
Macavity closed his eyes as he rubbed Tumble's back, gently kissing the top of Tumble's head soothingly. Tumble hiccupped as he went quiet in Macavity's arms, just comforted by his presence.
"You know you can always come find me, whenever you want," Macavity told him softly. "But you need to go back to your home, it's where you belong, Brutus,"
"I belong with you," Macavity gave a flicker of a smile at the kittenish tone of that sentence.
"I know, Brutus…but you are a Jellicle, and you have family there,"
"Family that's abandoned me,"
"You have Munkus and Cori,"
"I know," Tumble murmured sadly.
"You can't leave them, Brutus," Tumble looked up at Macavity.
"I don't want to leave you," Macavity smiled at him, gently brushing Brutus's head fur into place.
"It won't be long before we can be together again," Tumble sighed and nodded, resting his head against Macavity's shoulder.
"Go on now...you need to get home before the others realise you aren't there," Macavity said. Tumble gave a small nod before lifting his head. Macavity gently grabbed Tumble's face in his paws.
"I'll see you soon anyway...remember, we're seeing each other in three days anyway," Tumble smiled at that.
"We won't be apart long," Macavity gently kissed Tumbles. "Now go," Tumble nuzzled against Macavity.
"I love you,"
"I love you too, Brutus," Macavity smiled. Tumble got up and waved at him before he ran from the room and the warehouse. Macavity sighed as he watched him go.
Munkustrap gave a playful growl as he rolled around the den with Cori, fighting playfully. Cori managed to grab one of Munkustrap's ears and tugged it playfully. Munkustrap rolled again, giving Cori's tail a yank while at it.
"Hey!" Cori growled. Munkustrap smirked and yanked his tail again. Cori growled and pounced on Munkustrap, holding the stronger Protector down. Munkustrap squirmed under him, but Cori had his paws placed perfectly, so Munkustrap couldn't get up. Cori smiled smugly at him.
"Cheeky," Munkustrap growled. Cori laughed.
"Hey...oh...sorry," Cori looked around and saw Tumble looking at the floor nervously. Cori climbed off Munkustrap.
"It's alright, Tumbles...we were just playing," Cori laughed. Tumblebrutus gave a small smile as he walked into the den. He sat down and gave a smile as Munkustrap gave a playful growl as he nuzzled happily at the crook of Cori's neck.
"Did you see Macavity?" Cori asked as he swatted at Munkustrap.
"Yes," Cori's eyes narrowed as he saw the red mark on Tumble's cheek.
"Tumble, what happened to your face?" Cori asked sternly. Munkustrap quickly drew his face out of Cori's neck at that.
"Macavity...he was yelling at a hench-cat, he didn't know it was me when he hit out," Tumble whispered.
"Oh, Bast,"
"He said he was sorry, he was so sorry...he said it was an accident...it was an accident!" Tumble cried, needing to defend Macavity.
"Hey, hey, buddy, I know," Munkustrap said soothingly. "I know he would never hit you purposefully," Tumble nodded. Tumble moved closer to Munkustrap, who wrapped his arms around him, allowing Tumble to curl close and purr loudly. Munkustrap gave a small chuckle as he hugged the tall Tom close.
"Thanks for everything, Munku,"
"My pleasure, Tumbles," Munkustrap murmured. Tumble reached out and took Cori's paw.
"And you too, Cori...thank you, for everything," Tumble smiled. Cori smiled back warmly, clasping Tumble's paws between his.
"Any time, Tumbles," Cori murmured. Munkustrap sniffed Tumble and sighed.
"We should get you groomed," Munkustrap said softly. Tumble nodded and let Munkustrap groom him. Tumble rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Get some sleep, Tumble," Cori told him gently. Tumble looked at him and gave a smile.
"I'm alright," Tumble smiled. "Thank you anyway, Cori," Cori smiled. Tumblebrutus stretched out once Munkustrap had thoroughly finished grooming him.
"Well...I need to get on duty...I'll see you later," Munkustrap said as he stood up, walking over to Cori, kissing him gently before walking from the den.
"See you later, Munku," Cori called after him, receiving a chuckle from the silver Tom as he left the den. Tumble smiled at Cori, who smiled back.
"Is everything going okay, Cori?" Tumble asked. "With you and Munkus...and everyone knowing?"
"It's hard sometimes," Cori admitted. "Because we know not everyone approves...but we do love each other, so that's all that matters," Tumble nodded.
"Did you enjoy spending time with Macavity?" Cori asked softly. Tumble nodded, smiling.
"I missed seeing him...and he said he's looking forward to seeing me again in..."
"Three days," Cori interrupted, smiling. "I know, Tumble," Tumble smiled before it faltered.
"I...I didn't want to leave him," Tumble whispered. He listened as Cori shifted, getting closer to him, trying to comfort him.
"H-He told me I had to come back, that I belong here," Cori sighed. "I-It's hard, Cori,"
"I know, buddy,"
"I only have you and Munkus here for me,"
"And Tugger, Misto, Admetus," Cori added.
"Cori..."
"Okay," Cori murmured.
"I belong with him...but Macavity told me I had to come here, because it's where I belong,"
"He's right, Tumble,"
"But I can't be happy...I can't be like you and Munk...Mac and I can't be together,"
"Yet, but you will be, Tumble, I promise you," Cori whispered, gently grabbing Tumble's paws.
"How long til we can be accepted?" Tumble whispered. "If...if they'll ever accept us,"
"I don't know, Tumbles...I'm sorry, but this...I don't know," Cori murmured, drawing the softly sobbing Tom into his arms.
"It's not fair, Cori!"
"I know," Cori sighed.
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Sorry it's been a few days since I've updated but I've been sick and I've had rehearsals and work induction, so yeah...
From next week, I might be uploading less as I have my first two shifts at my new job next week and I have exams just after that...but I'll see how I go okay?
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Luv HGP!