Tumble slowly opened his eyes the next morning, stretching out and yawning widely before he rubbed his eyes.
"Good morning, Tumble," Tumble rolled over and smiled at Cori.
"Morning, Cori," Tumble smiled. There was a cough. "And good morning to you too, Munkus,"
"That's better," Munkustrap chuckled as he walked into the den. He sat down and put down six large rats.
"Well...there's breakfast," Munkustrap grinned, pleased with himself.
"Thank you, darling," Cori murmured, kissing Munkus's cheek. Munkustrap purred happily as he nuzzled Cori back. Tumble grabbed his two rats and began eating. Munkustrap smiled at him sadly before he picked up Cori's rats, handing it to his soon-to-be mate before grabbing his own. Munkustrap quickly finished his as he had to go on patrol.
"I'll see you two later," Munkustrap smiled before he got up and left the den. Cori stretched out luxuriously before he sat up.
"So, what's your plan for today, Tumble?" Cori asked. Tumble shrugged.
"Might go for a walk, relax on the tyre for a bit," Tumble said. Cori nodded. Cori smiled.
"I might go join Munku for his rounds...see you later, Tumble,"
"Of course, Cori," Tumble smiled. Cori slowly rose to his feet, stretching out his legs again before he walked from the den. Tumble rubbed his eyes, looking around Munkustrap's and Cori's den. There were two nests set up near the back of the room, one was larger than the other because it was Cori's and Munkustrap's. There were pillows tossed around the room, all of them were brightly coloured. Posters from different theatre productions marked the walls, and there were a set of books pushed aside into the corner. Tumble stretched and got to his feet, walking into the larger part of the den reserved for visitors. There were large cushions placed around the den, so guests could be comfortable, there were silks hanging from the walls and also in the doorway separating the sleeping den from the main den. Tumble rubbed his eyes once more before he walked from the den.
Munkustrap smiled as he felt a paw slip into his.
"Hello, darling," Munkustrap murmured, kissing Cori. Cori smiled, nuzzling at Munkustrap. They walked down the paths, following Munkustrap's route. Cori smiled as Munkustrap wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him close. Cori purred as he rested his head against Munkustrap's shoulder.
"Munkustrap," Munkustrap turned, his blue eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a dark black cat.
"Who are you?"
"Macavity sent me to give you a message," The Tom said respectfully.
"And what message is that?"
"Due to business he'd rather not get Brutus involved in...he can't see Brutus this week,"
"Brutus," Cori whispered.
"Tumbles," Munkustrap murmured.
"Wait, why didn't he ask you to give Tumble this message?"
"Macavity knows that Tumblebrutus will remain closer to the yard...and he specifically asked for me to tell you this message, sir," The black Tom said.
"He asked me to tell you to apologize deeply to Tumblebrutus for him...and tell him he loves him and he'll make it up to him when the business finishes," Munkustrap inclined his head.
"Thank you," The Tom nodded and left.
"Oh...this is going to hurt Tumbles a lot," Cori whispered as the Tom left. Munkustrap sighed and nodded.
"I'll go tell him," Cori said softly, placing his paw on Munkustrap's chest. Munkustrap drew Cori into his arms, holding him close. Cori rested his head against Munkustrap's shoulder.
"I can go tell him if you want," Munkustrap murmured, rubbing Cori's back. Cori shook his head.
"It's alright, I'll tell him," Cori sighed. Munkustrap nuzzled Cori softly before letting him go. Cori sighed, touching Munkustrap's chest, over his heart, fleetingly once more, trying to get more confidence before he went to seek out the young Tom. He found Tumble lying contently on the tyre. Cori sighed sadly before he went up to get him, taking him back to the den.
Cori winced as Tumble gave a rough sob and buried his head in his paws. Cori gently got to his knees beside Tumble, rubbing his shoulder.
"He still loves you, Tumble, he loves you dearly," Cori whispered. Tumble gave a sob.
"Tumble, he does...he's trying to protect you, it's why he can't see you," Cori said gently, rubbing Tumble's back comfortingly.
"B-But..."
"Tumble, listen to me," Cori said as he gently drew the young Tom into his arms.
"He loves you dearly and as soon as he can, I know he'll come see you," Cori told him reassuringly. Tumble nodded, sobbing softly as he buried his face against Cori's chest. Cori sighed, resting his head against Tumbles.
"It's alright," Cori murmured, rubbing his back as Tumblebrutus sobbed against him. Cori looked up as Munkustrap entered the den. Munkustrap sighed as he watched Tumble sob against Cori. Munkus walked over and sat beside Tumble, gently rubbing the young Tom's back as Cori comforted him.
The next two days didn't help Tumble at all.
On the day he was meant to go meet Macavity, he just lay on the tyre, looking depressed. Munkustrap was keeping patrol on the tyre, he kept trying to talk to the young Tom but Tumble barely responded, just looking disconnected.
"Tumble, he'll come see you soon," Munkustrap tried. Tumble just gave a small nod in response.
That night, Munkustrap and Cori stood and watched as Tumble slept fitfully on his nest.
"I-I feel so terrible, Munk," Cori whispered. Munkustrap wrapped his arms around Cori's waist.
"I feel terrible I can't help him..." Cori murmured. Munkustrap sighed, gently kissing Cori's head.
"I know, darling, trust me I know...we just need to hope Macavity will finish his business soon," Munkustrap sighed.
"Come on...Misto and Tugger will be waiting for us," Munkustrap sighed a few minutes later.
"I don't want to leave him alone, Munk," Cori murmured. Munkustrap nuzzled at his neck.
"I know...but...I think we need to give him some space," Munkustrap told him softly. Cori nodded, giving Tumble one last look before he and Munkus left the den.
A figure crept in once he knew Munkus and Cori was gone, not that he would have cared if he had run into them. The cat smiled at the sleeping Tumblebrutus. The moonlight hit the cat's ginger fur as he carefully and silently knelt beside the sleeping young Tom.
"I'm sorry, Brutus," Macavity whispered softly, trying not to wake Tumble because he knew Tumble would never let him leave otherwise.
"I'll make it up to you, I promise," Macavity murmured. He watched as Tumble gave a small murmur, his face going peaceful. Macavity hesitantly reached out and stroked Tumble's head fur, watching as the Tom smiled softly in his sleep before his breathing evened out.
"I'll see you soon, I promise," Macavity whispered, lying something beside Tumble, before leaning down, gently kissing Tumble's forehead. Macavity got to his feet, looking back at Tumble once more before he left the den.
A few moments later, Tumble woke up, sitting up and looking around. He sighed when he found himself alone; he knew Munkus and Cori were trying to give him some space. Tumble sighed and went to lay back down when something caught his eye. Tumble cautiously reached out and picked up the small ginger cat plush toy. Tumble grinned at the sight of it. His eye was caught once again by a note lying where the plush toy had been. He picked up and read it.
Brutus,
I'm so sorry that I couldn't come...but business interfered and it wasn't safe to see you, I don't want you getting involved and getting hurt.
I know you're hurting, trust me I can feel it, so I left you this...I know it doesn't replace me, but I thought it could give you some comfort until I can come see you again.
Thank Munkus and Cori for me, for looking after you so well...they care deeply for you, Brutus.
I love you...and I promise I'll make it up to you soon,
M
Tumblebrutus smiled at that, tucking the note between the blankets of his nest, keeping it safe. Tumblebrutus cuddled the ginger cat plushie close, smiling.
"Tumble, are you okay?" Tumble looked up when he heard the worried voice. Tumble nodded, smiling.
"I am, Cori," Tumble said before gently placing the plushie down. He walked over to Cori, hugging him tightly before hugging Munkustrap tightly.
"Thank you...so much," Tumble told them as he let Munkustrap go. Cori and Munkustrap looked at him, bewildered at his sudden change in mood. Cori's eyes caught the plushie first.
"Tumbles, where did you get that?" Cori asked.
"Macavity came when I was asleep," Tumble said as he walked back over to his nest, retrieving the note hidden within it. He walked back over and handed the note to Cori, who read it, Munkustrap reading it over his shoulder. Cori gave a smile and handed the note back to Tumble.
"Feeling better?" Munkustrap asked Tumble softly. Tumblebrutus nodded happily. Cori smiled. Munkustrap rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Go to bed," Cori teased him. "You big kitten," Munkustrap gave a playful growl, pulling Cori into his arms. Tumble smiled before he headed back to his own nest, settling down and pulling the cat plushie into his arms, cuddling it close. He buried his nose into its head and smiled...it smelt like Macavity. He listened as Munkustrap and Cori playfully wrestled each other towards their nest. Tumble turned his head when he heard a thump and a laugh. Munkustrap was on his back, with Cori on his chest, both of them laughing.
"Get a room," Tumble teased, making Munkustrap grab a pillow and toss it at him. Tumble laughed as it hit him.
"Go to sleep!" Munkustrap laughed, rolling Cori off of him. Cori settled down beside Munkustrap, curling into the silver Tom. Munkustrap purred softly as he gathered Cori into his arms, holding him close. Tumble rolled back over, grabbing the plushie and cuddling it, his nose buried into the top of its head so he could inhale Macavity's scent.
Tumble's mood improved over the next couple of days. He was sitting on the tyre with Munkustrap one day while Munkus kept watch. Tumble smiled, looking around the yard. The kittens were all playing together while Plato and Victoria sat to the side, talking to one another softly. Jelly and Asparagus were sitting in front of TSE1, talking to Skimble and Jenny. Tumble quickly looked away when Skimble turned to look at him. Tumble continued looking around the yard. Admetus, Tugger, Misto and Alonzo were sitting near the oven, chatting to each other. Demeter, Bombalurina and Cassie sat near the oven as well, throwing dirty looks at Cori, who had his back to them. Cori was sitting cross-legged in front of his and Tantomile's den. Tantomile sat across from him, both of them frowning at tarot cards laid out in front of them. Tumble looked up and saw Admetus waving at him, beckoning. Tumble felt a small nudge in his lower back and looked back at Munkus, who was smiling at him, while pushing at him with his foot.
"Go on, go talk to them," Munkustrap told him. Tumble hesitated.
"They won't bite...now go," Munkustrap smiled. Tumble grinned back.
"Thanks, Munk," Tumble said before he slid off the tyre and went to go sit with the others.
"Hey, Tumbles, how are you?" Tugger asked, grinning as Tumble sat down.
"Good, how are you?" Tumble asked, smiling. Tumble smiled, content, as he listened to the Toms talking to one another, talking about Queens etc.
"Aww, Misto has a crush on Tanti!" Tugger laughed, pushing at the small Tux teasingly. Misto's white cheeks flushed pink.
"Shut up!" Misto hissed, glaring at his friend. Admetus chuckled, leaning back against the cupboard behind him. Alonzo yawned and stretched out, lying down.
"Lazy bugger," Tugger laughed. Alonzo just growled at him, his eyes closing.
"Hey, Tumbles?"
"Mm?"
"Why have you been living with Munku and Cori?" Misto asked curiously. Tumble froze.
"I-I had a fight with my parents," Tumble whispered. "They don't want me there,"
"Aw, geez, sorry," Admetus murmured, patting Tumble's shoulder.
"I shouldn't have said anything, sorry, Tumbles,"
"It's okay," Tumble said quickly, making sure they didn't feel bad. "I like living with Munkus and Cori, they're really nice," Tumble said, smiling. Tumble and the other Toms went back to talking about random things.
"Macavity!" Demeter suddenly screamed. Tumble looked around, watching as Macavity and a large Tom walked into the yard. Macavity was looking mildly annoyed and was glaring at the back of the Tom he was walking with.
"Oh, geez...it's Growltiger," Admetus whispered.
"Growltiger...t-the Terror of the Thames?" Misto questioned breathlessly.
"Yep," Tugger growled, watching as Munkustrap leapt from the tyre, going to intercept Growltiger and Macavity. Macavity's red eyes fell on Tumble.
Tumble felt suddenly afraid as he saw the fear and pain in Macavity's eyes.
CCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Sorry it's taken me a while to update, but I had a drama performance and I've also been quite sick over the last couple of weeks...
I wanted to update this today because it gave me a distraction to the news my cousin tried to OD at school today...
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Luv HGP!