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Grumpy (lack of better title)
By Robin Gurl
(the actual prompt. )
Part 1
Cast: Video
Pairings: Alonzostrap, Platoria, Tuggoffelees, Skimble x Jenny, and Gus Jr x Jelly
Themes: hurt/comfort, injuries, sickeningly sweet once we get there.
Jenny lifted her head seeing a familiar black and white young Tom making his way to the only sunny warm spot in the communal area. She smiled at first relieved that he was ok and at least awake. She heard movement and turned around to see her mate getting dressed to go to work. “Quaxo is up and moving again.”
“Oh? That’s a relief. I heard from Munkustrap that his magic backfired and left quite the mess.” The orange tom let his mate help button his vest. “I was worried when we didn’t see him for two days.”
“Should I go down there and ask if he needs anything? The poor thing has to be hungry after sleeping for so long.” She was usually the one meddling but this time wanted to tread carefully. “We just don’t always get along – especially when it comes to his magic.”
“As long as you treat him like a young tom and not a kitten, you should be fine. He just hates being treated like a young kitten and being punished for using his powers.”
“Well, he shouldn’t be using them in here anyway. Too many other kittens and cats walking around.” She scoffed obviously displeased. “Not to mention, every time it backfires, he’s left exhausted and injured. And furthermore, he still has one Jellicle Moon to go before he’s an actual tom. And these powers leave him so tired that he still needs to nap like the kittens. He is still a kitten whether he likes it or not.”
“Darling, you’re doing it again.” Skimble sighed. “We were all there when Tanti and Cori explained his magic. If he doesn’t use it, it can cause problems. If he over uses it, it can cause problems. The lad is just trying to figure them out and you bothering him about it won’t help the situation at all.”
She crosses her paws frustrated before she got a quick kiss.
“Either keep your meddling to a minimum or leave him alone and let Munkustrap deal with him.” Skimble called back as he left to head into the city.
“Meddling to a minimum…” She scoffed again frustrated. “My meddling keeps this tribe running and makes sure everyone is taken care of.”
She looked away from the cat in question and started to get together some of her needle work. While the younger kittens played today, she wanted to get a big chunk of this done. The faster she finished this, the faster she could start on the new pattern that Jellyorum found. As she was filling up for sewing bag, she glances back down at the half sleeping cat lounging in the sunlight.
She’d at least bring him something to eat. She knew he didn’t eat or drink anything while sleeping aftermath off. She just had to stay quiet about the other. Even if he was still a kitten. Not that she minded when he boasted about it, the other young toms were no better at hist age, but he was different. Alonzo, Plato and Victor didn’t have magical powers that left them too weak to function after using them. Using that logic, the magical cat was still a kitten, and in her eyes always would be.
--
Quaxo rolled over onto his back regretting the decision he made to leave the confines of his comfortable blankets in the stove he shared with Munkustrap. Being a short hair, sleeping on his own wasn’t fun, he was always cold at night. He had been warm the past three days but felt crappy through them all.
He was hoping no one would see him and he could just curl up in the warm sun and doze in and out. His body still ached and he still felt nauseated. The worst part was that he did it to himself. He pushed his magic too far. He couldn’t even blame the kittens who encouraged him to keep going. They just wanted to see it sparkle. They didn’t know it would cause the explosion.
He moves slowly sitting up slightly wincing in pain. He glanced down at his paws. He had rebandaged them as best he could, but they still hurt and still looked painful.
“Quaxo – I’m so happy to see you’re alright. We’ve been worried.”
He froze recognizing the voice. It was Jenny. He was thankful his back was to her so she wouldn’t see his initial reaction of displeasure. Munkustrap constantly reminded him that he didn’t have to like her but he had to remain polite. So, like always, he put on the most polite smile he could. The nicer he was, the faster she’d leave.
He took a deep breath ignoring the sharp pain in his side and turned to look down at her. “Jenny… I apologize for disappearing for 3 days. My magic got a little out of hand and well..”
“It backfired, I know. That’s behind us now, right? No more party favors, sparkles and explosions or magic for awhile at least, right?”
For some reason that rubbed him the wrong way. It was getting harder to be polite. “I have to use my magic.” He was trying to choose his words carefully and smiles as best he can. That one smile that all of the older cats loved. The “he’s so polite and sweet” smile that helped him stay out of trouble he very obviously caused. “If not, it harms me in the long run.”
“Oh, my dear, I know.. I’m just… you couldn’t handle it this time or the two times prior. So maybe just take it easy and don’t use it for awhile.”
He did his best not to roll his eyes and kept a straight face. Even if her face was starting to blur and the world around him started to spin.
“I was wanting to ask if you wanted some food or wanted to come over and just nap by the kittens? I know you don’t think you’re a kitten but we could call it a normal nap and you wouldn’t be alone.”
He tried to act normal but he could no longer understand what she was saying. He just wanted her gone before he got sick all over her.
She noticed his paws weren’t properly wrapped and reached out but he startled. Before he knew what happened she fell from his vision. He sat up sharply and looked down to see he had pushed her. “DON’T TOUCH ME!”
He was ashamed and worried. He wanted to go down and check on her. He could feel the seething anger. He knew he needed to apologize. He knew he was in trouble. At the same time climbing down meant he would get sick – again.
He started to crawl off at seeing someone coming to check on her and asked what happened. At least he hadn’t hurt her and she was safe. He wavered unsteadily a wave of dizziness joined the nausea.
He shouldn’t have left his comfortable home and blankets.
--
“Easy Jenny, did you fall?” Gus Jr asked worried as he helped the Gumbie Cat to her feet.
“No, I did not. Let me go.” She pulled away dusting herself off looking up at the now empty sunbathing spot. “I’m fine. We need to find Munkustrap.”
“He and Alonzo went out on a scouting mission not 15 minutes ago. Someone spotted a pollicle – from the report, it had a collar, so it escaped from it’s home.”
Jenny took a deep breath turning back to look at him, “Then we need to find someone else who can help. Victoria is close to him. They are siblings after all.”
“Close to who?”
“Quaxo. He’s injured and when I tried to touch him, he pushed me away.” She didn’t sound angry, just frustrated and worried. “He didn’t use his claws, but he was close.”
“I knew having a magical cat around here wasn’t safe. You can’t tell what will happen and when provoked they get mad and use their magic to harm others.” He muttered pulling away from her. “Victoria is down with the kittens and Jelly.”
The Gumbie watched him stalk off. An uncomfortable feeling grew in her stomach. He said exactly what she was thinking but as much as she wanted to hear it confirmed, she felt guilty and knew it wasn’t true.
She took a deep breath calming herself down before following him. Seeing the kittens fixed her mood immediately and she almost forgot the predicament Quaxo was in. She smiled relieved seeing her best friend Jellyorum. They had met as kittens and grew up together never leaving the tribe. They even had kitten litters around the same time.
“Are you alright? You look like you got stuck in a box or something.” Jelly asked curiously with a hint of a tease. “Did the mice run away again?”
“They do not run away from me. They sit and listen like good members of society.” As she says that she eyes Pounce who is in mid tackle of his brother.
The kitten felt her gaze and turned giving her a sheepish smile but sitting back down. His brother Tumble was none the wiser.
“Victoria? Are you here, dear? I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.” Jenny called as sweetly as she could.
Electra and Etecetera sat up together leaving a sleeping Jemima curled up between them comfortably. “She went with Plato.”
“It’s not fair. She got her Tom and I’m so sadly without.” Ettcy sighed pouting as she slid back down on her stomach.
“How long ago did she leave, do you remember?”
“An hour or so ago. She said she wouldn’t be long.” The orange and red kitten explained crawling over. She smiled as she got a stroke of the ears from her mother. “We all behaved, except Pounce.”
“Somehow I’m not surprised.” Jenny motioned for Electra to go back with the others and sat comfortably near Jelly. She wasn’t able to relax fully. Her mind was racing on who could get out there and help the black and white kitten before it got worse.
“Jenny, you are rarely this agitated, what is going on?” The other Queen asked softly.
“Quaxo is awake and moving about the junkyard.”
“Oh, well good for him. I was worried when it had been three days.” It didn’t seem to phase the gray and yellow cat as she went back to her knitting.
“He’s not doing well and his paws are injured. I tried to check on them but-“
“He attacked you? That’s not like him at all. He’s always such a sweet thing.” Jelly had only reprimanded Quaxo once as a very young kit and after that he always behaved. He rarely played rough, didn’t start fights, and preferred to be on his own.
She realized that’s why Jenny was asking for Victoria. While Quaxo was friends with everyone, he trusted his sister and didn’t push her away. She would be able to get close and check on him.
“If she’s not back in 10 minutes, I’m going to find someone else.”
--
Quaxo felt even worse now after he’d gotten sick. The exhaustion was stronger, his body felt heavier. He needed to go back home and go back to sleep then try again tomorrow.
He didn’t look where he was going and ran smack into another cat. He tried to keep himself from falling but felt his legs give out. He braced himself for smacking the ground – again but arms caught him.
“Quax? You look awful.”
The smooth suave voice. It sounded nice this time. If he was of more sound mind, he would have been mortified he had even thought that. As nice and reassuring as the other sounded he did have an image to keep up even if it was just barely, “…f-fine…t-tired..” He tried to say but his voice slurred.
He finally opened his eyes, and a worried Tugger was staring down at him. He wanted to laugh at the usual not serious Tom looked almost scared. He could only try (and fail) to hold in a moan of discomfort.
Tugger watched the smaller one worried as he held him up right. The black and white kitten’s words were slurred, and he could feel the fever coming off him. “What happened? Your paws – they are burnt.”
At not getting an answer he looked around trying to see if anyone else was around. There was no one, he was on his own. “L-Lets sit you down.”
After that one Jellicle Ball, the two of them were closer than either would like to admit. They made a show of hating each other but in reality, it was the opposite. Neither wanted to admit it yet and so it was a silent agreement to just leave it be.
“….magic b-backfired…”
The maincoone’s head lifted sharply, “What? You should be in bed. You told me you shouldn’t be on your feet when that happens. Minus your paws, what else got hit?”
“…3 days.” Quaxo’s eyes were unfocused and heavy as he reached up for the other. Darkness was growing and he knew he was going to pass out. “T-Tug-“
“Quaxo?! Quax – answer me! Damn it.” He caught the limp cat as the other passed out on him and held him close to his chest in a cradle carry. The kit weighed hardly anything as he got back to his full height. He looked around again hoping he’d see someone else.
He needed to find Munkustrap. His brother could help. His brother always fixed everything. He held the black and white cat closer, feeling the labored breathing close to his neck letting him know he was at least alive.
--
Munkustrap climbed down with Alonzo close on his heels. They scared a pollicle away while also getting some much needed them time away from everyone else. He felt something grab one of his paws and saw it was the other Tom.
They shared a smiling glance before letting go and walking into the main area. If they were lucky, they could sneak past everyone and get some more alone time before everyone got up and moving later that afternoon.
“I do need to check on Quaxo. I want to make sure he’s doing-“ The tabby trailed off as Tugger appeared carrying the cat in question. “Tugger?”
“Help – I … he fainted? Or passed out? He was walking out there like he had too much catnip.” His brother wasn’t usually at a loss of coherent sentences.
“Calm down, Tugger. Quaxo passed out on you?” Munk stepped closer reaching out to press a paw against the unconscious ones cheek.
“Yeah. He’s still out. Look – his paws are burnt and not very well wrapped. I can feel a fever. He’s – just help?”
“I feel the fever as well. It’s been three days. I thought the worst was over.” The grey and black Tom looked back to his mate.
He started to say something but Alonzo shook his head. “Go on. Do I need to get anyone?”
“J-Jenny. We need Jenny.”
The young tom saluted before running off to get the Gumbie cat’s attention. Munkustrap turned back to Tugger and the one in his brother’s arms. “Follow me – he was staying with me after his magic back fired.”
“He didn’t tell me, I didn’t know.” The taller one sounded almost hurt that he didn’t know what happened.
“It happened last week. He was trying to perform a magic trick with the kittens and it exploded. None of the kits were hurt thankfully-“
“But he was.” He stepped up towards the old stove sticking close to his older brother’s side hugging Quaxo close. “I just wish he had told me or,” His eyes darkened as he realized it was his fault, “I had come by the Junkyard earlier.”
He lifts his head at feeling a paw on his arm. “Don’t blame yourself.” This was a first to hear Tugger actually worried and upset over someone else. He crawls into the stove and moves the pile of blankets around. A familiar red blanket lay on top of the mound.
“…he still has that thing?” The maincoone blinked then laughed nervously.
“He’s had it since the last ball and his magic trick. I just assumed Mistoffelees got it for him or something. A mystical object.” The other crawled out of the way so the smaller one could be laid down on the comfortable pile.
A moan of discomfort escaped the small black and white cat as Tugger laid him down. He was so hot but so cold and it hurt to move. He felt a hand on his hand, “Easy, kit. I’m here. Just relax. Munk is here as well.”
It was Tugger’s voice again. He visibly relaxed, his head resting beside Tugger’s thigh. He drifted off again to the feeling of a hand wearing a leather glove resting on his ears.
Notes: this is the prequel to shimmering. Please understand that back when this was written, slash was still a big “deal” in the fandom, and it wasn’t always seen as “right”. There were lots of shipping fights and so writing the two of them unsure about getting a Queen or a Tom was a thing. Now I feel like it’s not as hard to write this and not get attacked by the nay-sayers.
It “is” Mistoria but against my will?
It is sorta high rated? I’m going to put it as adult content just in case. Little me claimed it was “sexual” without being “down right sexual”.
Video Cast as always
Alonzo’s POV
I couldn't handle it anymore I had to do something to show him how I felt. I watched the small black tom twirl around me. His eyes went right past me at a fake attempt to give a flirting glance to Victoria before smiling shyly at me.
I felt sorry for him knowing that he wasn't flirting with Victoria because he wanted to but because *she* wanted him to. Only known to the kittens and young adults was that Victoria had "claimed" Quaxo the day he turned a "tom" and even now he wasn't fully a tom. Only in her eyes. And everyone knew what she was really after, his magical side. When he feels like it or wants to disappear from everyone’s hovering eyes he transforms into Mistoffelees and disappears into thin air. Any Queen in her right mind would fall for his smooth-talking conjuring act. Victoria was no different.
I had already gotten Munkustrap's approval to at least try and flirt with Quaxo. Which was the big step- Munkustrap was highly protective of the beautiful Tom in front of me mostly just because of his small size but also Quaxo didn't trust many people to get close to him. It had taken me our whole kitten to tom lives to get him to trust me. Even that's not the biggest step either. I still can't "touch" him. We can sit near each other and talk but no physical contact with me.
To be honest the only two cats I've seen Quaxo ever get physical with were Tugger and Munkustrap. And even with those two Munkustrap is confined to the protective stances and the rare but obvious ear stroking. I've found that's Quaxo's biggest weakness next to stroking his white fur on his chest. Those two spots will make him floppy and full of purrs.
I only knew that because I had caught Tugger and he one night during the winter. Quaxo had gotten mad at Tugger for something, and all Tugger did was stroke the white chest fur and he flopped back purring that it wasn't fair.
I just didn't know how far I could go without scaring the tiny cat. His white face still had the facial features of a kitten, smooth soft fur that I wanted to nuzzle. I danced over to him finally getting Jemima to go over to the Tugger. For once I was thankful that flirt was there.
When I got closer, I saw him notice me. He lifted his head eyes wide and got in step with me. I could tell he was confused as to what exactly I was doing. Since this was the mating call and I had obviously answered his "cries" for a mate. "Alonzo, what are you doing?" He hissed blushing bright red.
"You weren't getting anyone interesting yet, so I figured I'd join in." I smirked finishing my part of the dance letting the others know he was taken. The advancing Victoria only glared daggers my way and hissed before reluctantly flirting with Plato. "See I just saved you from the biggest torture known to Jellicles. A night with HER."
At first, he looked generally peeved but silently agreed with me. He did crack a tiny smile and rolled his eyes. "Anything is better than being forced to claim Vicky."
I didn't know what to do now. He and I both stopped moving in mid stride and only stood there staring at one another. Then I reached out and pulled him down to the ground with me. He didn't pull away but didn't volunteer to help either. We landed with him on his back and me straddling his tiny waist. "A-Alonzo." He groaned throwing his head back as I ran both of my paws up and down his sides. "T-This isn't...ohhh..." My paws had found his chest fur. He was all mine now. "Mmmm...." His eyes closed slightly and he blushed as I bent down and licked around his cheeks before pulling him into a light kiss.
He didn't flinch or try to get away. I took this as a good sign and nuzzled the black fur around his face stroking his white chest as I did so. He was nothing but a bundle of purrs now. "Beautiful," I whispered into his ear tracing a claw around his features. "Just beautiful."
"A-Alonzo..." He finally got out, "Th...This isn't r-right.." He sat up and tried to push me away. I let go and moved away slightly giving him room. "I-I need a Queen...I'll g-go see if...Elec-Electra wants to...you know."
"I want to try, Quax. I can't do this anymore. Please- I won't hurt you." I pawed closer reaching out one paw to him. He glanced at it then at me, I could see the conflicting emotions running across his face. "You and I both know that you don't exactly go for Queens."
He blushed bright red at my comment before sighing and reaching out his one black paw to mine. Slowly so as not to scare him I moved forward and nuzzled his black fur and his ears letting him know it was ok to relax in my arms. "That's it." I breathed. "Just relaaax..." I ran my paws down his small back pushing him towards me slightly. He stumbled and fell on top of me sending us both to the ground.
I let out a muffled groan before moving my hands lower down his back. He actually squeaked when I touched 'there'. "You act as though you've never done this before..."
"I-I haven't." He hid his bright red face in my shoulder. "Victoria was going to be my first."
"What about last year’s Jellicle Ball?" I raised my eyebrows with confusion.
"I..well..I kinda made Electra "happy" but didn't worry about myself since she didn't exactly do it for in that way..." He admitted. "Munkustrap found out though and has since then been trying to hook me up with other Queens hoping I'll find one."
"Ew." I replied sympathetically. "That's not right, mate."
He shrugged before leaning back on the ground. "However, I trust you..." He whispered pulling me down on top of him. I was surprised by this but tried to act like I had planned this.
"Good. Trust me, kitten. Trust me and I'll make you feel like you’re on Katnip heading to Heaviside." I purred in his ear groping him again.
He arched his back spreading his legs slightly giving me easier access and moaned, "I do trust you."
I felt the Jellicle Moon's strength flowing through the both of us as I pleasured him over and over again. I've never seen him look so blissfully content before. Lying on the ground face up, eyes opened to slits and barely open lips breathing my name as I sent his mind and body over the top again.
Even with his small body I found pleasure myself. He allowed me to gently penetrate, and I tried so hard to be careful. He still twisted underneath me moaning about pain with each thrust. His ears flattened and his eyes clenched shut, I knew he was close again, so was I. I gave one more thrust before feeling my body go into orgasmic bliss inside his small body. He cried out in my chest as I held him.
Slowly I lowered him down on the ground and pulled out as gently as I could running my hands down there then back up to his chest stroking his fur there to comfort him. A few tears continued to stream down the white cheeks but they slowed with time and my comforting purrs in his ear.
"Beautiful," I heaved curling around him. "I've never seen anything so beautiful."
He opened his brown eyes glancing over at me with a half tired grin before curling up closer in my arms. "That..felt amazing.." He finally whispered with what little strength he had left.
I could only laugh petting his side sleepily. He lay his head down on my arm and soon he was sleeping. I looked around and saw Jenny and Skimble were the only ones still half awake. Everyone else, even Munkustrap was happily sprawled out beside their mates out like lights from their blissful experiences. Before drifting off myself I licked his cheek again then breathed "I love you, Quaxo.." He murmured something in return cuddling closer to me and I took that as his answer falling asleep with his body in my arms.
Notes from 2026 - I was in late HS when I wrote this. Sounds like Victoria voluntold Mistoffelees that they were going to be mates at the ball but then got with Plato. Mistoffelees and Alonzo were making their own kittens.
This time it's from Quaxo's POV. Video Cast as always.
It was the next morning when the rest of the tribe had started to move again. I turned over on my back staring at the bright sunshine trying to remember what had happened last night. Part of me remembered Victoria *telling* me I was to be her date and that she was going to mate with me during the big dance- great. Now I have to keep up with her today as she "thanks" me for doing that with her.
I make a face turning onto my back burying my face in my paws sighing. I'm hoping I wasn't that great so maybe she'll not want me anymore. I've been trying for the longest time to push her away, but I've been "chosen" as she says and I should feel honored that she chose me as her mate. Blergh. No thank you. I'm barely a tom. I have other things to worry about than whether she wants my kittens or not and honestly, she's not getting my kittens if I have anything to say about it.
I feel a body beside me and groan turning over to go ahead and wake her up. Might as well get this over with. Before I do though Plato's sigh of disgust catches my attention. I sit up groggily staring wide eyed at him. He had Victoria in his arms. "Plato?"
He turned and grinned at me before rolling his eyes towards the sleeping Queen in his arms. "I can't believe I did HER last night. BLEH. No more katnip for me before the mating dance. What was I on?"
I laughed nervously realizing I didn't remember a thing about last night and that Plato had Victoria while I didn't. "Um...what did I do last night?" I wanted to quickly add "and who with?"
He chuckled my direction standing with Vicky in his arms. "Quaxo, you were mewing like a kit last night in pleasure. You oughta thank Alonzo for being so kind and finishing you off so many times. I've never heard you purr so loud before. I told you it felt good after you got past your first time."
I felt my cheeks go bright red burning with embarrassment. "<i>I did what with Alonzo?</i>" I exclaimed jumping to my feet wide eyed.
"Calm down, kitten. I'm jealous to be honest, I must admit that you two had more fun than I did." Plato laid Victoria on a box top leaving her to flop off onto the dirt still out. "Queens. You can never make them happy. They always, always want more."
He petted my head before walking off moaning about needing a bath to get the queen smell off him. I could only stare blankly trying to recount what exactly had happened last night. A throbbing pain ached down below, and I was sore down *there*? What did I do last night?
Then flashes of memories from the night before played in my mind. Seconds at a time. His paws running down my sides. His tongue licking my cheek. My cries and pleas for more. I turned to stare at him. He was still sleeping. "Everlasting Cat..." I whispered pulling my knees to my chest.
It was then that he started to awaken. I felt my stomach do flips as I tried to figure out exactly what to say. He sat up after realizing I wasn't there and then he saw me. I smiled weakly uncurling myself I moved towards him falling to my knees letting them relax underneath me.
"So...um.." Great. He was nervous as well. We weren't going to get anywhere with this subject. I could already tell.
"Alonzo, um...thank you." I finally whispered not able to look into his eyes. "I'm not sure if I was any good last night, I'm having a hard time remembering much, but thank you for whatever you did."
"I should be thanking you. I've been wanting to do that for the longest time." He got closer and nuzzled my neck purring in my ear. I felt my heart speed up as I tried to come up with a reasonable logical response. "I meant what I said last night."
I felt even more embarrassed. I hung my head in shame. "I don't..." Then him whispering 'I love you' in my ear before kissing me for the last time before he drifted off played over my memory. "You..meant..that..?" He nodded silently. "Even with all the Queens, I mean you like Jemima, I'm no where near Jemima.." I stammered unable to grasp what was going on. Weren't we doing this backwards? Wasn't he supposed to I don't know hit on me first before doing it with me? Shouldn't we have already had this talk BEFORE we attempted at mating?
"Jemima?" His eyes went wide then he starts to laugh. I could only stare blankly confused. "Quaxo, she and I haven't even gotten past the flirting stage."
"Technically speaking neither have we.." I whispered blushing again.
"Oh alright, I'll admit that was a little quick, but I didn't know what else to do. I've been trying to get you to notice me for months. I was running out of options." He settled beside me laying with his back to the ground.
"So, what now...?" I curled closer to him not exactly touching but close enough for me.
"Well," He turned on his side to stare at me. "As I see it, we have two options. We can one ignore this ever happened, as hard as it would be, and go on never mentioning it again."
There was no way I was going to be to forget this. I could tell he was thinking the same. "Or?"
"Or...we can pick up where we left off and move backwards or forwards." He sat up hovering over me. I felt myself blushing even more as he stroked the side of my face. "I'll do either, I just want you to feel happy."
"I can't believe I'm saying this-" I started crawling close enough to where my head could lay on his lap. "Let's pick up and keep going." I felt his arms go around me and pull me into an awkward hug. I struggled to sit up only to fall into him from the strength of being held so tightly. "I love you.." I struggled to get out.
I felt his breathing in my ear as he stroked the back of my neck. An overwhelming sense of belonging took over, and I relaxed completely closing my eyes. "I love you to..."
Summary: Quaxo’s magic is surfacing at an early age. Something must be done before it kills him.
Notes: older fic. I went through it and tried to fix some of the nonsense. I guess there is a hint of Tumble x Misto but they are just kittens. This also runs in the AU Universe where kitten Misto is raised by Tugger.
“Come on now kittens,” Jenny called receiving more than a few mumbles of annoyance from her charges. “It’s noon by the mouse dial and that means naps.”
Ectetera glanced over to Tumblebrutus with a terrified look but dropped the ball of yarn she’d been throwing around and padded over to the motherly cat, Tumble not far behind. “Aw, but Jenny, Tugger said he’d be back very soon!” The female kitten whined. “I wanted to see him!”
“Etccy you just saw him this morning.” Pouncivial exclaimed pulling at her ears.
“So.” She pouted laying on her stomach. “I can never see enough of Tugger.”
“Ew, girls are so weird, Tumble.” Pounce laid down next to his older brother and curled close. They had been sleeping this way since they were born and neither thought enough to change it. “So glad we’re not girls.”
“There is no way I want a sister.” Tumble replied laughing. “You as a queen would be silly.”
“Yeh well you wouldn’t look that great either you know.” Pounce’s eyes watched as the old queens walked around the group of kittens making sure, they were really considering sleeping or if they were giggling with each other.
Tumble glanced over at the new kitten lying by himself over in the corner. He looked downright miserable. The kitten was shy and very quiet. He usually didn’t say much and only sat very close to Jenny or Jelly when he was forced to be out and playing with the other kittens.
Pounce felt Tumble’s arm move from being his pillow and he sat up slightly wide eyed. “Tumble, stop movin’ or we’ll get Jenny over here and get in trouble.”
“But…Quaxo.” Tumble replied softly. The brown and white kitten got on all four paws and went over to him.
“Tumble.” Pounce hissed feeling jealous that his brother would rather hang out with the freaky new cat than him. “Fine,” Pounce muttered. He lay down on his own trying to ignore his brother. “Let him ignore me. I don’t need him anyway.”
Away from the group Tumble nuzzled the kittens black fur startling the small male kitten. “Sorry, but you looked lonely.”
“No.” The kitten had a very nice voice. Kind of girly actually but Tumble thought it was a nice sound. “Just cold.”
“Come over with us.” Tumble motioned towards his brother who was doing a very sad attempt at ignoring him. “Pounce says I have enough heat to be summer.”
“I’m fine over here.” He mumbled blushing hotly at being worried about.
“We won’t bite.” Tumble offered smiling. “C’mon Quax, it’s not fun taking a nap to begin with but if you’re cold it’s gotta be torture.”
“Tumble, thank you but no thank you.” Quaxo sighed rolling his eyes. “You’d better go back to your brother before he explodes.” The black kitten reached out with one of his white paws and motioned towards Pounce who was glaring their way.
Tumble glanced over his shoulder glaring back at his brother mouthing to go to sleep then turned back to Quaxo. “But you-”
“I said go on. I’ll be fine.”
The brown and white kitten sighed and crawled back over to his brother reluctantly laying back down and allowing Pounce to curl up against him again. He didn’t go to sleep he could only stare at Quaxo wondering why he’d said no.
10 minutes later Pouncie was fast asleep snoring softly in Tumble’s ear waking him up from his “sleep”. He grumbled at his younger brother and then looked over at Quaxo hoping he wouldn’t be there anymore.
The black kitten was lying on his side in the same spot he was when Tumble left him. As he stared closer though he noticed Quaxo was shivering. He sighed and uncurled himself from Pouncivial. After he made sure that Pounce wasn’t going to wake up he crawled over to Jelly who was sewing another human pillow.
“Tumble, dear, why are you awake? Bad dream?” Jelly put down her sewing and nuzzled the male kitten’s ears affectionately.
“No. It’s Quaxo. He’s shaking.” Jelly looked up sharply her eyes narrowing. Tumble cowered slightly as he watched her claws appear. “Di…Did I say something wrong?”
“How long has he been shaking?”
“I..I don’t know. I woke up ‘cause Pounce was snoring and saw him shaking. Is he ok?” Tumble looked up with wide eyes as Jelly jumped off her perch running over to Quaxo. “He’s just cold…” Tumble added softly trailing off. “Right..?”
Suddenly a bright blue flash of light exploded from where Quaxo was. Jenny was thrown back and into the pile of kittens. They all awoke scared and huddling together. “Ever Lasting Cat.” Jenny whispered.
Munkustrap and Alonzo were the first two adult Toms to make it onto the scene. “Jelly?” Munk shouted running to her. “What happened? Is everyone alright?”
“No.” Tears were streaming down her eyes. “Check on Quaxo. That explosion came from him.” Munk held her close and motioned for Alonzo to check on Quaxo.
Plato and Ademedus were the second two to appear. They quickly corralled the kittens and brought them back a safe distance before comforting the really young ones and helping them go back to sleep.
“Munk, he’s unconscious and his fur changed.” Alonzo reported kneeling down and gathering the small kitten into his arms. “He’s almost feverish warm to.”
“Be careful, do you see any thing that could have caused the explosion?”
“Nothing.” Then the kitten started to wail in pain. The white Tom gently stroked the kitten’s back trying to soothe him. “What hurts, kit?”
“My paws. They burn.” Quaxo whimpered more tears streaming down his cheeks. “Make it stop!” He exclaimed.
To Alonzo’s amazement Quaxo’s paws were glowing blue again. He held the kitten close to him and crouched low shutting his eyes. Munkustrap let Plato handle Jelly and started his way over to Alonzo. A second explosion erupted and Munk was thrown back. “ALONZO?” Munkustrap was on his feet in seconds racing over to the smoking area.
Relief crossed his features when he saw both Alonzo and the kitten were still in one piece. Alonzo was alive and moving but what about Quaxo. The white tom sat up shaking his head in his arms was Quaxo who was shivering and crying hoarsely. “Remember that chat we had about Quaxo being “the one”? I think he passed the test.” Alonzo joked coughing.
“Then if that’s true it’s his magic.” Munkustrap knelt down and took the kitten from Alonzo. “Are you alright?”
“Shaken up. But unhurt.” The tom admitted. “I think he’s more scared then we are.”
Alonzo hovered over Quaxo with Munkustrap and together they tried to quiet the wailing kitten finally getting his sobs quieted and half asleep. In minutes the kitten was sleeping soundly curled close to Munkustrap whimpering if he was moved. “What in Heaviside was that exactly?” Alonzo asked.
“It’s his magic surfacing.” Both Toms turned around to see Tantimile with her brother Corpricat standing over them. “The explosion,” Tanti started. “It wasn’t painful for you Alonzo?”
“No. Actually I didn’t feel a thing now that I think about it.” Alonzo blinked curiously at the kitten before glancing back at the two weird cats. “What do you know about magic?”
“We are magic in a sense, but he will out do us both in a month or two.” Cori replied. He knelt down and made a gesture to take Quaxo into his arms. “May I?”
“It won’t hurt, will it? He’s been through enough.” Munk exclaimed.
“It may be a little uncomfortable but, in the end, Quaxo will feel much better.” Munk glanced at the female half of the duo looking for a better explanation.
Tanti sighed but nodded. “Those explosions only happen when he hasn’t used his magic in two Jellicle Moons or more. Since he’s a kitten it’s obvious his magic has stayed untouched his entire ‘life’ per say.”
“What are you going to do?”
“We’re going to drain the rest of his magic and let it rebuild over time as he grows up. This is done in many tribes aside from ours. Magic cats must be treated with care when they are young. If we don’t help him his magic will over come his body and he will disappear.”
“Disappear? So, in essence he’ll die?” Alonzo finally asked. He got a look from Munkustrap for even mentioning that. Everyone knew that Quaxo was lucky to be alive after his parents were killed by a Pollicle. If Alonzo and Munkustrap hadn’t been patrolling, the kitten would have never been found and would have died in a few days if he even lasted that far into the cold winter nights. Both Toms remembered staying up all night with Jenny and Jelly nursing the kitten back to semi health to where he’d be able to heal on his own. “It’s what they’re saying.” He growled back. “I say do it.”
Tumble was close enough to hear the entire conversation and he felt tears well up as he wondered how painful draining the magic was going to be. He felt like he needed to be there with him. To his surprise Tanti turned sharply his direction. “I thought we had one more pair of ears than usual.”
“Tumble, what are you doing over here. Go back with Pounce and Jelly.” It was obvious the gray and black tabby was trying to act calm, but Tumble saw through the thin disguise and shook his head crawling closer.
He saw the male of the weird twins had Quaxo in his arms which he didn’t like at all. The hair standing up on his neck showed everyone how he felt. Cori glanced at Alonzo for help and the white Tom went over and started to quietly talk with the older kitten.
“You need to go back, mate, ok? I know you want to help but you can help more by staying out of the way.” Alonzo comforted.
Tumble shook his head again. “No. I talked to him earlier. He thinks no one cares. I want to be here to let him know he does have friends.”
“Alright. Stay close to Alonzo then. I’m not sure what this draining of magic requires to happen.” Munkustrap commanded.
It was then that the Tugger appeared with a Queen on each arm. Ecterea squealed very loudly and had to be held back by Pouncivial before she could jump on top of him. She noticed very quickly that his attention wasn’t on her this time. She pouted pulling away from Pouncie. “Tugger?”
“Munk? What in Heaviside happened to Quaxo? Is he alright? Who hurt him?” The queens on his arm let go with rejected looks and he ran over to the group.
Ecetera had tears rolling down her cheeks. Her favorite tom didn’t even say hi to her.
“Long story Tugger. I think maybe you’d better hold him. He trusts you more.” Tumble felt a comforting feeling wash over him when Cori let Tugger take his new friend and hold him close. He relaxed beside Alonzo and began to pray that the thing worked.
Tugger sat down holding the tiny black kitten in his arms. Quaxo’s head was buried in the ruff just like he wanted it. “Now what is going on?”
“Just hold him still.” Tanti replied. Her eyes began glowing an eerie bluish green and she reached out taking one of Quaxo’s paws in her own. She began to chant something under her breath and both she and Quaxo started to glow the same blue that the explosion was.
Quaxo started to mew in his sleep pawing at Tugger with his one free paw. Tugger caught it and held it tightly to him nuzzling the kitten between the ears. “It’s alright, kit. Tugger’s here.”
Tears rolled down the white cheeks and Quaxo suddenly shouted out with pain trying to pull away from Tanti. Cori reached over and put a paw on the kitten’s shoulder closing his eyes and joining her. The kitten’s eyes opened, a painfully dull brown, tears flooded and he kept screaming.
Victoria and Electra who were clinging to Plato’s side started to cry as well. He could only hold them close and watch the scene in front of them. He didn’t know what was going on nor what he should be doing.
The blue light started to dull and the pulsing got slower. In front of their eyes Quaxo’s fur changed back to the dirty black once again, his paws changing to their normal three white and one black pattern.
“There,” Tanti smiled weakly. “It’s done.” Her eyes stopped glowing and Quaxo fell back against Tugger heaving for breath.
Tugger stroked the kitten’s chest and cuddled him closer nodding a thanks to Tanti and then asked for explanation of what just happened. Munkustrap shrugged watching the twins walk off. “Apparently Quaxo’s magic was to much for him. So they drained it. He’ll feel better now and not be so tired all the time, I am guessing.”
Tumble uncurled from his position beside Alonzo and crawled over peering into Tugger’s arms. He felt like he was looking at a newborn kitten, like he did when Pouncivial was born. Quaxo was on his back leaning into Tugger, tears still streaming down his cheeks and he was having a hard time breathing. “You ok?” Tumble reached out and stroked Quaxo’s black paw carefully.
Quaxo sat up sharply fear in his eyes when he felt someone touch him. He looked down and saw Tumble staring up at him with the same fear in his eyes. “Tumble…?” The kitten’s white facial features turned a bright red when he noticed he was surrounded by Toms. “You saw all of that?”
The brown and white kitten nodded. “Are you feeling better now?”
Quaxo could only nod his head. “Why are you here though?”
“I was worried about you. Did you know your magic was doing something weird? Is that why you wouldn’t come sleep with us?” Tumble sat up and stared at the new kitten looking for an answer.
“I felt funny but I don’t know. Why are you so worried?” Quaxo was sat down by Tugger who nuzzled between his ears one good time before walking off to find his Queen’s he’d lost during the struggle. For the first time Quaxo didn’t start wailing for Tugger to come back. Instead he sat there in a staring contest with Tumblebrutus who looked just as scared as he was.
“You’re my friend.” Tumble replied back quietly. “I was just worried.”
“You think of me as a friend? But…But I never play with you.” Quaxo stammered.
“That’s ok. I know we play kinda rough for some cats according to Jenny. She calls it rough housing or something.” Tumble reached forward and nuzzled Quaxo’s shoulder.
Quaxo shuddered before slowly moving towards Tumble and nuzzling him back. “Can…I finish my nap beside you and Pounce?” He turned bright red again and quickly added, “If it’s not ok I understand. After all I am the weird magic cat.”
“Of course you can!” A grin took over Tumble’s features and he led Quaxo back to the group of Kittens.
When they got over there Electra and Victoria were the first to come running. “Quaxo!” They both yelled at once, “Are you alright?” Victoria took him into her arms like she was his mother and looked him over. After she was pleased that nothing was wrong with him, she hugged Quaxo tightly. “Oh. I was so worried.”
“Vicky. I’m ok stop treating me like a newborn.” Quaxo whispered bright red.
Electra crossed her arms in her tom boyish fashion and glared at him. “What was that all about making big flash of lights?” Then she smiled. “Can you teach me one day?”
Quaxo was let go by Victoria and the tiny black kitten only stared at everyone as they started to ask him questions. Fearfully he backed away from the group only to bump into Tumble. Making a quick decision he hid behind the oldest kitten.
“Leave him alone.” Tumble finally responded. “You’re scaring him.” He protectively stood in front of Quaxo daring anyone to try and get by him.
“Fine, party pooper. We were just going to talk to him.” Electra sneered his direction.
“Not right now.” Tumble slowly replied choosing his words carefully.
Jelly then stood back up with help from Plato and clapped her paws together. “Go back to sleep kittens you still have an hour before you’re allowed up again.” A series of groans, mumblings and cute hisses ran around the group. Plato looked to Ademedus who smiled back at him.
“Jelly, we’ll stay and watch over them.” Plato touched her shoulder softly. “You look stressed out.”
“I am but they need their sleep.” Jelly responded. “Can I trust you two?”
“Jenny does.” Ade put in. He already had the youngest female kitten asleep on the ground curled up beside him. “See look, Jemima’s already gone.”
Jelly smiled weakly and nodded a thanks then proceeded to give rules to the volunteering toms. The kittens watched as she left and looked hopefully to their two savors. However, Plato laid down on the ground mentioning nap time and their hope diminished. Victoria sighed and crawled over laying her head on his chest and went to sleep. Electra soon joined her wondering how much longer they’d be subjected to this forced nap treatment.
Tumble nudged Quaxo over to the ground and then turned to find his brother. Pouncie was barely awake as he crawled over and lay next to Tumble. Tumble leaned down and licked the side of his brother’s face gently before nuzzling him between the ears to sooth him back to sleep. Quaxo watched on curiously, they looked like Munkustrap and Demeter when they were close to each other. Tumble felt himself being watched and turned around smiling at Quaxo. “Sorry, it’s my brother, I got to make sure he’s ok to.”
“You two are very close, aren’t you?”
“Always have been. Jenny always tells the other Queens that we’ve been inseparable since birth.” Tumble shrugged. “We just take care of each other. I guess sorta like you and Tugger. Tugger takes care of you right?”
“Yeh. He’s very protective actually.” The tiny black form stretched out on to the ground, and he laid his head next to Tumble’s. “Th-Think you could take care of me to?” He whispered sleepily.
Tumble sat up from snuggling with his brother and smiled down on his friend. He bent down and did the same procedure to Quaxo that he’d done to Pounce not two minutes earlier. Quaxo was fast asleep in seconds after that, and Tumble turned onto his stomach so he could be close to both of his “charges” and went to sleep himself.
Older Fic - a drabble about kitten Misto not eating properly.
This is part of my AU where Tugger helps raise a kitten Quaxo/Mistoffelees.
“Has anyone but me noticed something weird is going on with our Magician?” Plato murmured crossing his arms. “I mean, maybe I’m just seeing things.”
“But?” Munkustrap replied.
“He looks smaller than usual.” The young multicolored Tom gave Munk a worried glance before turning his attention back to Quaxo.
“He’s always been tiny, I doubt anything is wrong.” Munk replied smiling. “Don’t worry.”
That night during dinner, it was Tugger who noticed his young charge wasn’t eating a thing. “Hey kid, you feeling alright?”
Startled Quaxo looked up and over to Tugger who had knelt in front of him. Since he was six months old he still had to eat his meals at a planned time of the day with the rest of the kittens. He blushed shaking his head. “I’m ok.”
Tugger’s eyes narrowed and he surveyed the plate. There was nothing on here that the black kitten didn’t like. On instinct he reached up and felt for a fever. “You sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” The kitten replied politely. “I’m just not hungry.”
“Hm.” Tugger sat there for a few minutes before stroking the ears and then he went over to Jenny. “Is it alright if I take Quaxo some food home for later? He says he’s not hungry.”
“He should be starving, the poor dear hasn’t eaten a meal all day.” Jenny exclaimed. She placed her hands on her hips tsking. “Honestly, Tugger, I’m worried about the kitten. Is he feeling alright? Any big stressors in his life?”
“Not that I know of. You’re serious though, he hasn’t eaten all day? Nothing?” Tugger almost dropped the container of extra food in shock.
“No, nothing. Jelly and I even made his favorite, mint mice pie and he wouldn’t touch it.” The queen sighed. “If he were a female kitten it’d be a little easier to handle.”
“Easier?”
“Yes, females go through a time where they are worried about their weight, you know vanity. It’s usually a very short phase lasting maybe a week or two. But they don’t eat a thing and wind up weak as a newborn.” She explained.
Tugger didn’t like to admit this because he wanted Quaxo to be a hit with the girls, but the reality was, the kitten was more of a female then some of the girls themselves. “Is it possible for a male kitten to go through this though?”
“I’ve never heard of a case, but I suppose theoretically yes.”
“How would you treat it?” Tugger inquired sitting down in front of her listening intently.
“When the young queen Rumpleteazer went through hers, I was the one who watched over her. I just made sure that she ate three times a day whether or not she liked it. I kept a close eye on her weight and made sure she didn’t lose more than the normal kitten fat. Treating isn’t the word for it Tugger. If someone is going through this it most likely means that there was another cat on the giving end who told them they weren’t pretty enough or bulged in certain places. The “treatment” is just caring.”
All of this ran through Tugger’s mind. It made sense now. The not eating, the sleepiness, the general weakness and laying around. “Thank you, Jenny. I appreciate it.”
(This is part 4 of a Tuggoffelees prompt I received in my ask box. ^ ^’ I know I said I wanted it to be a one shot but … I can never make things short. SO. XD)
Pairings: Tuggoffelees, Platoria, Alonozostrap, Jelly x Asparagus, Jenny x Skimble
--
Victoria glances above the kittens heads seeing Alonzo return. This time Skimble and Munk were with him. Her eyes widened fearfully – Skimble was carrying her brother in. He didn’t look like he was moving. She gets up narrowly knocking Etcetra over. She turns back to check on her before running towards the group.
She got there right as the group dispersed. “Alonzo!? What happened?! What’s wrong with-“
“We got attacked out there.” He admitted nervously unable to look her in the eyes out of embarrassment. “I-I couldn’t protect him and it was my fault Mistoffelees was called out again. I’m sorry. He used all of his magic protecting us.”
She tilts her head confused, “H-He just needs to rest. Right? Like always – he just pouts and takes a long nap with the kittens then he wakes up restored.”
The tom shook his head, “Not this time. He’s used too much magic. He’s got nothing left.”
“Alonzo, what do you mean he’s got nothing left.” She demanded looking around for her younger brother. “Where did they take him?”
“Don’t worry.. I-I’ll fix it. Ok?” There was a pained look in his eye that was a mix of fear and worry. He quickly drops his gaze before straightening up. He was a Tom and he could take care of his own problems, even if he was scared to death. “Trust me.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
He smiles weakly her direction, “I already did that. Listen, whatever happens, just know I did my best. If I don’t come back – tell him I was proud of him for sparkling all night during the ball?”
“What in the Heaviside layer does THAT mean?”
When he didn’t respond, she reluctantly let him pull away and start to jog towards the group. None of this made sense. She couldn’t get a straight answer out of anyone. She turned to look for her mate. She needed him now more than ever. “Plato?” She calls out at first her voice not going far as it shook. She swallowed and tried again this time getting his attention.
He met her halfway not expecting to see her almost in tears. “What happened?”
“They found Quaxo b-but… I think he’s dying?” She attempted to answer. “Alonzo is being weird about it and won’t give me a full answer. I think he’s going to do something dumb. He’s afraid he won’t come back. We have to go figure out what’s happening.”
“Ok, first. Deep breath. I overheard Munkustrap talking to the twins. Quaxo used too much magic, his body ran out. When kittens run out of magic –“
“They cease to exist because they can’t hold Mistoffelees anymore.” She finished biting her lip. She buried her face into his shoulder. “There has to be something we can do?”
“They are already doing it. Tanti and Cori are putting him in a magic trance and are going to use Alonzo as an energy buffer to help the magic return faster. That’s why he was acting like he did.” The red and white tom explained as reassuringly as he could.
“I can’t sit here and just wait.”
“That’s all we can do, Vickie. Even Munkustrap. All he can do is wait.” He smiles weakly reaching up to wipe tears away before the fell on the pretty white fur. “You want to see him?”
She nodded sniffling. She never thought the Jellicle Ball that she became a Queen would mean the following day she would lose her brother. She gets closer then tugs on Plato’s hand. He turns to look at her. “Plato – you need to find Tugger.”
“What does Tugger have to do with any of this?”
“You can’t tell anyone. I mean it.” She said seriously moving away from the group of kittens and prying older kitten almost tom’s. “Do you promise?”
“I-I promise..” Her blue eyes when she was serious like this always caught him off guard. He grinned as best he could trying to keep her spirits up even when he was just as scared as she was.
She sighed. “I’m sorry Quaxo.. but I have to.”
“Victoria-“
“He and Tugger are mates.”
The words hit like bricks and he was unable to keep his mouth shut. “What? They are together?” He asked a bit too loudly.
“Shh. He confided in me last night about it. As his older sister I had a feeling that’s what it was with how much he was following Tugger around but he confirmed it. Tugger needs to be here with him.”
Plato heaved a sigh not wanting to break her spirit. She meant well but Tugger didn’t care about anyone. “I-I mean I can try… Tugger is .. well Tugger.”
“He’ll come, I know he will. He just needs to know.” She states determined. “Can you get him and keep it a secret?”
Again that serious blue eyed gaze got him melting under it. He found himself nodding as she reached out to pull him into a brief kiss. “I’ll be back. Go to his side. He’ll be happy you’re there.”
She reluctantly let him pull away and sneak off leaving her by herself. She glanced over and realized Jenny and Jelly were none the wiser. However she felt eyes on her and realized it was Gus Jr. She smiled weakly nodding his way before silently excusing herself to go check on her brother.
She got closer to the group quietly making her way in. She was caught almost immediately though by the female of the twins. “Victoria. You’re here to see your brother?”
“Y-Yes. I heard from Alonzo that his magic has been drained?” She tried to keep her voice from shaking at seeing her brother on his back unconscious. “Q-Quaxo.. I-I told you not to use Mistoffelees…”
“What’s done is done. We move forward from here.” The Queen stated. “You can come beside him.”
She made her way over and sat beside him moving so his head was in her lap. She took this time to feel for a pulse. She needed to know he was alive. Her shoulders dropped relieved at feeling one – a few tears escaped. She drops her head to look down at him, her hand gently caresses the soft white fur on his face. “I-It’ll be ok. I sent Plato to get him. He’s coming.”
The others glanced at each other confused. “Victoria, this may not be …pretty.” Munkustrap starts nervously. “I don’t know what’s going to happen and you need to be –“
She lifts her head a few seconds later, “I’m not leaving him. When do we start?”
--
Plato crawled around the layers of junk up near the top of highest walls that surrounded the tribe’s home. He knew he’d find him up here. He was always up here lazing about. He heard a familiar laugh and followed it.
He knew Tugger and while Victoria meant well, he knew the probability of Tugger actually caring was low. Its one of the reasons he had been so nervous about Quaxo getting close to the Mane Coone. But sadly every kitten had to learn the hard way, you get enough attention to want more and then are left in the dust.
He had come to terms with it and viewed it more as a game. He thought Victoria thought the same originally but now he knew that wasn’t the case. He made it and glanced down watching as a familiar red queen teased the most popular tom in the junkyard.
Seeing this left him annoyed. If he was playing Quaxo for nothing he was going to have words with the other Tom. He was protective of all the kittens in the Junkyard, Even though Quaxo was close to aging out – he was still one of them.
“Look at you – Mr. Hero. Saving the day with the kitten.” Bomba purred running her finger down his chest. “You even got Demeter excited – now that she’ll admit it.” She stopped at seeing Plato appear. He looked more serious than usual. “Plato.”
Plato gave a short nod her direction before turning to the lazing leopard spotted cat in front of him. “Tugger – something happened and it’s not good. You’re needed.”
In response the other Tom stretched and rolled his eyes, “Whatever I’m needed for can wait, right? I have a lovely red queen here and we have things to do now that the ball is over.”
He took a deep breath not wanting to snap at Tugger but it was hard not to. Knowing Quaxo wasn’t doing well, could very well go to Heaviside early, and thought he was Tugger’s mate just made all of this worse. “Quaxo is dying.”
The other two froze.
Bomba spoke first, “Don’t joke about that.”
“He used all of his magic and is being put in some kind of trance to keep him alive until his body recharges and gets it’s magic reserves back.”
Tugger scoffed slightly trying not to look worried, “The kit will be fine. He just used too much calling Mistoffelees.”
“Victoria told me that you and he are mates now?” He continued. His gaze not wavering. “She asked me to come get you claiming you’d be worried once you knew. I knew you wouldn’t. Tugger doesn’t get attached after all right? I still had to try.”
Bomba watched him not expecting the young tom to stand up to him. She glanced down to Tugger, “Is it true?”
He sighed annoyed, “Ugh.. listen.. in the heat of the moment he and I maybe shared a kiss. That’s all that happened.”
“He’s young Tugger, you’re leading him on.” She accused. “You promised me you’d stop doing that after Etcetera fell hard for you.”
“I’m headed back. Quaxo needs us. You’re welcome to join if you care enough.” The red and white Tom pulls away and starts to hop down the precarious pile of junk. “He’d be there for you and would do everything in his power to help.”
Tugger heaved a sigh before forcing a smile her direction then realized the moment was gone. She was miffed at him again and he was feeling a new emotion… guilty? He didn’t want to admit it out loud to anyone but Quaxo had taken his heart the previous night.
“You do care for him. I can see it.” She accused pulling away from him.
“Don’t be mad-“
“I’m not mad. I’m impressed and a little jealous.” She smiled as best she could moving her fur back into place.
“Jealous?”
“Jealous that a cute almost Tom managed to worm his way into your heart when I’ve been trying for years. Go to him, Tugger. You can’t leave him like this. You’ll never forgive yourself if something happens with the trance.”
Tugger sits up rearranging his fur before letting out a sigh. He then gets to his feet and shifts his belt around on his waist. She stands up with him and straightens his fur a bit herself, “You’ve got this. It’s ok to care about someone like this. It doesn’t make you weak.”
“I know. I’m fine.” He pulls away unable to give her his signature grin. He had to get down there.
--
Plato made his way down to the junkyard communial area trying to decide how to tell Victoria without breaking her even more. He’d just have to tell her the truth.
“Plato. Wait.”
He stopped and turned around surprised to see a flustered Tugger calling after him. He didn’t know what to do or say. The most popular Tom in the junkyard left his favorite Queen to come down and be with a young almost Tom. He actually looked worried.
“I’m coming. I-I can’t leave him.” The other Tom admits nervously.
The kittens get up and gather around him but he dodges them and stalks off trying to remain confident as he follows Plato. They get closer and his resolve is dying off quickly. He didn’t expect the kit to look this ….off.
He half expected Quaxo to wake up and demand to be let go and left alone. Instead he could barely see the other breathing. He had to watch the white fluffed chest rise and fall slowly to know he was alive.
“Tugger, we don’t have time for you-“ Munk started annoyed.
“Over here.” Victoria called. “We’ll do this together. He needs you and me.”
Tugger sheepishly stepped around the group and found himself sitting beside the pretty young Queen. Quaxo was glowing a faint purple as the trance had already begun. He watched nervously unsure what to do before he reaches out and holds one paw as gently as he could. “…I’m here, Kit.”
Tanti turned to Alonzo, “Get comfortable and just relax. It’s going to leave you tired.”
The white and black Tom looked over to Munkustrap nervously. To his surprise and relief his mate crawled over and he found himself getting comfortable against him. He closed his eyes trying to relax.
He felt a warm heat pass through his body and felt it pull something from him. It left him dizzy and exhausted.
Munkustrap felt the one in his arms go limp and glanced down worried. He looked up to the twins and saw a different colored energy joining the purple surrounding Quaxo. The twins were sitting on either side sitting in a meditative pose eyes closed. He just hugged Alonzo to him and watched hoping it worked.
(This is part 3 of a Tuggoffelees prompt I received in my ask box. ^ ^’ I know I said I wanted it to be a one shot but … I can never make things short. SO. XD)
Pairings: Tuggoffelees, Platoria, Alonozostrap, Jelly x Asparagus, Jenny x Skimble
--
“Hang in there – we’re halfway back.” Alonzo reassured the smaller one on his back. He could feel a fever had formed and could tell he was shivering.
“…c-couldn’t hold him any longer..”
“Who? Mistoffelees?” The white and black Tom stopped in his tracks glancing over to see the white face on his shoulder. “I think you held him pretty well. I mean you pulled Dad back from the abyss. You held Mistoffelees the entire time. And when we sent that Griz lady off to Heaviside – you were sparkling then.”
“…really?”
“Yeah, you should be proud. I know Munk was and you know Dad was.” He could hear the other give a weak smile. He sighed smiling himself. “You’re going to be the talk of the kittens for months, ya know? You’re going to knock my hero down a few pegs. But mine just scared off a dog war – you actually saved someone.”
“’lonzo… going to be sick.” The nausea was starting back up and he didn’t want to throw up on the one carrying him.
“Alright, hold it. I’m setting you down.”
As soon as Quaxo hit the ground the wretching started. He didn’t know what to think when the smaller one vomited glitter.
This was new.
He tried to swallow lump in his throat and keep his voice steady as he rubs the other’s back gently, “Take it easy. Let your body run through the motions. It’s like having too much catnip after a ball.”
He got a questioning look and just grinned sheepishly. “Not that I’d know anything about that.”
They both go quiet at hearing footsteps. Alonzo steps in front of the kitten that was getting sick ready to protect him. His fur was already standing on edge. His claws came out and he hissed looking around.
That scent.
They hadn’t been fast enough.
“Ah Alonzo, how nice to see you again. You held yourself fairly well last night.” A deep voice said in a sickingly sweet tone coming out from the shadows. “Protecting the tribe when your pathetic leader couldn’t.”
The white and black Tom didn’t waver at the jab towards Munkustrap. He gave the red cat a warning swipe of his claws hissing. “We’re close enough to the main entrance that one loud scream from he or I and the entire tribe could come out fighting.”
“I’m not after you. I’m afraid that pathetic kitten behind you isn’t of any use either.”
“Sorry, you can’t have him. He’s already spoken for.”
Red Paw glanced past Munkustrap’s right hand Tom eying the younger one on the ground. The glitter and silky fur was gone leaving that dusty tuxedo pattern behind. He smirked. It would be an easy kill.
The kitten was barely conscious and wouldn’t have a chance to fight back if he attacked. This was almost too easy.
And yet – he wasn’t here to pick off a kitten.
“Mistoffelees.” He started raising his voice slightly. “Are you around or have you left this kitten out for dead? I could easily get rid of the two of them. They pose no threat to me.”
Alonzo backed up looking around confused, “The spirit isn’t coming. He can’t hold him any longer. I suggest you back off and go the way you came.”
He had to defuse this situation quickly and get them somewhere safe. He knew Quaxo had no energy to call Mistoffelees and if the spirit did take over it would be bad. He picks up a rock and turns throwing it at the wall he had helped build to send an alert. It hit a few pans on the way down before hitting the ground.
His smirk was quickly wiped off his face as he was grabbed held back by two of Red Paw’s henchmen. He struggled to pull away from them and looks back to see Macavity was lifting a barely conscious Quaxo by the nape of his neck. “LET HIM-“ He was muffled by paws covering his mouth. He tried to scratch his way free praying the rock got someone’s attention.
“Mistoffelees, I’m going to ask you again. Show up or I’ll end the both of them. Then you won’t have a body to take over and will only be a useless spirit again.” The tall red tom shook the one in his hand getting a pained moan in return.
He couldn’t move or defend himself. He knew Alonzo was in trouble. He had to do something. He knew this was going to hurt but he had to try.
Unseen by the large red cat, a small poof of glitter dripped off the already bruised and burned black paws. It dripped off and to the dusty ground disappearing once it hit. More glitter appeared and it tried to run up the small cats body but would get some ways before disappearing.
He felt so dizzy and sick to his stomach as he concentrated again. In his mind he was pleading and begging for the spirit to take back over. Mistoffelees only asked him if knew what this could do to him. He kept saying he did and asked him again.
His eyes opened glowing purple, internally his body was screaming. A scalding hot burning sensation ran through his limbs and through his body as the spirit took over.
Red Paw smirked letting the other go. “You look a little worse for wear, kitten. Think you can handle me in battle?”
This usually got a response and a fight would start but this time the sparkling Tom held out a paw and purple lightening shot out frying the two henchmen holding Alonzo. The purple eyes weren’t filled with excitement – they were showing the pain the one holding the spirit was in.
Macavity retreated slightly not used to seeing a show of strength like that. His henchmen let the other tom go screaming and hissing in real pain. He winced as another few lightening zaps were shot over his head. He smirked, “Aw, did the kitten miss?”
“I never miss, Macavity. I merely summoned the tribe.” This time the one in sparkles glared at him. “You are lucky. The one holding my spirit is begging me not to kill you. So I’m sparing you this time.”
Macavity ignored him and reached out to grab the magic cat but gets electrocuted in the process and is shoved back to the ground. He looks up and the two burnt paws were glowing a hot white light. He gets to his feet yanks his henchmen with him running away before the other can change his mind.
Alonzo watched them run then turned back to Mistoffelees. “…uh. Thanks for…” His eyes widened as he hit the dirt, the magic exploded hitting a few cans and bottles off a ledge. “Sheesh… look where you are..”
The one in sparkles looked pale and his eyes weren’t focused. He staggered forward nearly collapsing but was caught before he could. “T-Thank you… I-I can’t.. he can’t hold me much l-longer…”
“So get out of him already?”
“You both are not safe. If I leave him and Red Paw attacks again what is your plan?” The spirit asks in a shakey smooth tone. He leaned against Alonzo heavily. “I attempted to get their attention but they are slow to react. How much further?”
“J-Just down the hill. Is Quax-“
“He’s not. It’s why I need to try and help. I tried to s-stay attached earlier but he collapsed on me…”
Awkwardly Alonzo held the smaller tom up right and helped him down the hill. The closer they got the more of a dead weight Mistoffelees was. Coming up on the main entrance he saw Munkustrap and Skimbleshanks looking around. “OI! I need your – hey! Mistoffelees? Don’t go now, we’re almost back.”
--
Munkustrap turned at hearing a cry and saw Alonzo. He was holding up a barely conscious, “Quaxo! They found him.”
“That’s not Quaxo, if my hunch is correct – that is Mistoffelees himself. Or whats left of him.” Skimble added leading the way. “Alonzo, lad, you look a bit rough. Like you ran into someone.”
“Don’t worry about me – get him. We got ambushed by Red Paw. He forced Mistoffelees out a-and Quaxo isn’t ok.” The white and black Tom explained panicking. “H-He was throwing up glitter earlier.”
Skimble hurried over and knelt beside the smaller one. He turned and glanced to Munkustrap. “We need the twins. The boy isn’t ok. I can barely feel his pulse.”
The leader of their tribe took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s get Quaxo back with us and I’ll see if I can locate them.”
“I-I tried to help….” Alonzo trailed off watching as the small black cat was lifted into a cradle carry. The one in Skimble’s arms was limp not moving. He sighed frustrated at himself and followed the others.
The twins Munkustrap was talking about were a weird pair of cats. They stuck together and wouldn’t speak unless necessary. They rarely showed their faces in the Junkyard unless Jenny requested Coricopat help baby sit the kittens or it was the ball.
How could they help Quaxo?
The four of them stepped inside the safe confines where the tribe lived. Munkustrap stopped, the other two ran into him. “Tantimile. Coricopat. You’re-“
“He’s drained all of his magic.” Tanti stated calmly not blinking. “We felt it happen.”
Coricopat tried to keep up his façade but he had a kitten on one leg who was demanding his attention. He felt his mate glare at him. He only gave her a help me look in return.
She ignored him, “The Jellicle Moon will typically recharge a magic cats power.”
“I’m aware. Father told me that several years ago when Quaxo was a kitten… he didn’t recharge did he?”
“He didn’t have time.” Cori stepped in awkwardly pulling along the kitten attached to him. He sighs glancing down getting two wide happy eyes looking back up at him. “When Old Deuteronomy was kidnapped – he used the spirit to save him. The moon was gone before he could recover.”
Munkustrap shewed Pounce away pulling him off the other’s leg. “Go back to your brother. Leave him alone. He can play later.” He stands back up and glances back at the unconscious black cat being carried. “There has to be a way to get the magic back.”
“There is. It’s just not entirely safe.”
“If his spirit is strong he will survive.” She states.
The Tom sighs glaring at her, “…we have to put him into a deep trance and slowly regain his magic that way.”
“What does that entail?”
“He will be unconscious until the magic reserves are back to normal in his body.”
“So like a kitten nap?” Skimble offered trying to reassure Munkustrap. “Just put him down for light kip and he’ll be fine in a few hours.”
“Days.” She corrected him. “This could take days.”
“What happens if we don’t do this?”
“Then he will pass just as other kittens have who tried to wield the spirit of Mistoffelees and failed because they ran out of magic.”
Alonzo shifted uneasily, “HEY- He’s… He’s almost a Tom! Don’t treat him like a kitten.”
They all glanced back at him but he didn't back down. “Quaxo is almost grown. He can do this.”
This time Cori’s gaze changes and he glances to Tanti. They seem to be having a silent discussion. “There is a second way but it requires a sacrifice.”
“No, we’re not hurting anymore cats.” Munkustrap shakes his head.
“At least hear them out?” Skimble offered.
“Another cat could transfer energy to the kit and he would have the energy to get well faster.”
“I’ll do it.” The white and black Tom offered raising his paw. “I-it was my fault Mistoffelees was summoned the second time. I’ll help in any way I can.”
Munkustrap looked to his mate then back to the others. “Are you sure?” He stepped closer giving him a quick reassuring nuzzle making sure he was ok. “This is asking a lot.”
“He’d do it for me. He’d do it for any of us. Please let me help.” The other begged.
The grey tabby sighs, “We don’t have a choice do we?” At getting blank stares in return he straightens up. “Then we will use Alonzo as an energy sacrifice transfer strength to Quaxo.”
(This is part 2 of a Tuggoffelees prompt I received in my ask box. ^ ^’ I know I said I wanted it to be a one shot but … I can never make things short. SO. XD)
Pairings: Tuggoffelees, Platoria, Alonozostrap, Jelly x Asparagus, Jenny x Skimble
--
He was so tired and just wanted to rest.
Just for a few minutes.
Then he’d get back on his feet and continue the walk. Each step was heavy and hurt bad – a painful sting ran up each leg and it spread out to the rest of his body.
He was too tired to notice his body was no longer dripping glitter. The footprints were gone and the smooth ebony black fur was gone leaving his usual dusty black behind.
He fell to his knees and crawled just off the path and curled up. His bare paws ached and from the pain, he knew they were burned.
Another nap wouldn’t hurt.
--
Alonzo climbed to the top of one of the taller piles of junk overlooking the outer junkyard. He leaned over just enough to not fall but to see everything within a mile or so. His eyes watched as unknown cats scurried around, darting out and going back into hiding within seconds.
He had hoped to see his friend from this high up.
His eyes narrowed at seeing a familiar red figure trying to move within the shadows. He held his breath and moved back behind the object in front of him. They didn’t make eye contact; he didn’t see him.
This was bad.
If Red Paw found Quaxo out there in the state he was more than likely in, the kit wouldn’t survive the fight. He was a kitten when it came to fighting the feared enemy of the tribe. He took a deep breath his mind running the possibilities.
If he ran back now and told Munk then the rest of the Toms would join him in chasing Macavity off and the tribe would be safe. However, this didn’t promise the safety of the injured cat already out there.
Macavity could find him and it would be over.
It was no secret that Red Paw wanted revenge. A small black magical cat foiled his plans and returned their leader to the tribe. It was an embarrassment throughout the underworld and that wouldn’t do.
If Quaxo hadn’t used Mistoffelees a few hours ago, there was a chance that the spirit could come out and protect him. Victoria was right – he had used too much and there was no way Quaxo could handle another takeover of the spirit.
Even if it could save his life.
--
“Mistoffelees could still be out here – it’s not safe.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of that kitten? He can’t hurt me. He may have taken that old cat from me but it wasn’t a one-on-one fight.” A cat with sharp features glared down at his loyal follower.
“But in the day light? Munkustrap will be ready for you.” Another follower hissed. “I’m all for attacking at night but I’m not dumb enough to do it during the day. Griddlebone tried and they ran her off.”
“That was her own damn fault. Going to see Mungojerrie in broad daylight to exchange loot was a mistake that cost her. We just want one cat. This is a simple task that requires patience.” Red Paw saw something move in the upper level of junk. He stopped and stared at the spot waiting for the cat to reappear.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. I thought I saw something. Follow me but stay in the shadows. Remember if you get caught, you’re on your own. And it was a Jellicle moon last night which means my annoying do good brother is stronger than usual.”
--
Alonzo made his way down towards the bottom jumping to and from boxes and containers landing nimbly on his feet with no sound. His tail twitched as he calculated each jump with precision. He almost made it down without a problem, but his tail got caught in a can – he jumped at the noise and landed in a pile of limbs.
He laid on his back out of breath watching the tall pile above him weave back and forth. He held his breath. It slowly steadied and he let out a sigh of relief. He then set up and fished his tail out of the offending object that started this mess to begin with.
Maybe he was lucky enough that he didn’t catch anyone’s attention and he could just hurry off with no one being the wiser. He waited for a few seconds then got back up to his feet dusting himself off and tending to his poor tail before looking around.
He heard a faint sound that was high pitched.
His eyes narrowed at hearing it again. He knew this sound but couldn’t place why. He turns and starts to follow it. His mind was racing trying to remember what it was. It was the sound of small crystals clinking together – like icicles when the wind blew during winter. Only these sounded prettier – the closer he got the more of them there were.
His eyes widened seeing a familiar black and white cat curled up not moving on the ground. He quietly approached him. He had the familiar smell, and the tiniest bit of glitter was shining off the dusty fur. “Hey – kit.” He nudged him gently. “Wake up. We need to get you home.”
A groan was heard then a hiss of discomfort followed.
“Victoria is worried about you – you weren’t in the Junk Yard this morning.” He explained nudging the smaller one again.
Slowly the other uncurled, eyes heavily lidded. He didn’t attempt to sit up. “…let me sleep it off..”
“No can do Quax – it’s not safe out here.” He sighed smiling as best he could. “You can lean on me.”
The black and white cat finally forced himself to sit up. He nearly pitched forward but was caught by the other one who steadied himself. Glazed brown eyes looked up at his friend unsure what to do now. His body didn’t want to move, it was too weak, it wasn’t listening.
“You used too much magic…” Alonzo trailed off realizing the truth. This wasn’t normal exhaustion. The other’s body just had nothing left. He winced at seeing the burned signed paws. He looked around and didn’t see the usual white wrappings. “Can you stand at all?”
“I-I tried earlier.. it got me here..”
“Ok, I’m going to carry you on my back. We need to get out of here. I saw someone and we don’t need to get caught with you as you are.” Carefully the young tom got the other onto his back and stood up unsteadily at first but quickly leveled himself out.
Quaxo still had the kitten weight and didn’t throw off balance too badly. But he was getting taller and was just enough to be awkward. He wanted to tease the half coherent one on being kitten sized but decided against it. He could hear labored breathing that let him know his friend was alive but otherwise he was a dead weight.
“Just hang in there. I’ve gotcha.” He reassured him quietly before starting back towards the confines of their junkyard and tribe where the other could rest.
From a prompt for a tuggoffelees fic. Writing part 2 now. Wanted to post part 1. If you see it before its posted on main - why hello.
A groggy moan come from the pile of blankets near some abandoned cardboard boxes. He could finally feel all four paws. He flexed them slowly making note of how sore he was. His eyes were heavy and he had half a mind to curl back up and go back to sleep.
Something was wrong.
It didn’t smell right. These weren’t his blankets. He couldn’t find a scent of any cat nearby that he knew, any faint traces were unknown felines that weren’t close enough to see. He usually curled up with Munk when it got cold outside this time he was by himself.
He sat up looking around to see where he was before realizing he wasn’t in his junkyard. He didn’t remember what happened or where he was. He had to get back home before they realized he was missing.
He got to his feet and nearly fell back over. His legs ached and weren’t keeping him upright with ease. He didn’t know if he could trust them or not to hold his weight. He stumbled a bit before catching himself - the world around him started to spin.
He closed his eyes against it trying to regain composure. As he did, he heard a faint jingle... he knew this sound. He opened his eyes and looked down at himself. The spirit was still inside his body, the jingle was the glitter that was in his fur sparkling under the moonlight.
“...Mistoffelees...” He said breathlessly. “What happened?”
Though he didn’t expect an answer. The spirit always seemed to speak on his own terms and never when actually asked. It was frustrating, especially when he had no memory of previous events.
He wavered unsteadily and memories started to flash before his eyes. He had been at the ball. An older cat visited the tribe. Victoria became a Queen. Macavity attacked. Old Deuteronomy was taken.
In order to bring the older cat back, he had to use Mistoffelees.
He blinks trying to comprehend what happened before looking back down at himself. He had managed to call the spirit, take the spirit on, keep him long enough to save someone... he remembered vaguely an old cat being taken up to the Heaviside liar - but it wasn’t Gus.
If he wasn’t lost and barely on his feet, he’d be half proud of himself for succeeding. As it stood, he was fighting the urge to get sick in the first pile of trash he could see.
He looked unsure which way to go but then saw the faintest glittery foot path appearing on the ground. He started to follow them thankful that Mistoffelees was still helping him out and hadn’t left yet.
He just prayed to the Everlasting Cat that he made it back before everyone panicked. He’d never hear the end of it from Jenny and Munk. Since he couldn’t be “trusted” (Jenny’s words) - he knew he would be stuck with the kittens for the foreseeable future and forced to take kitten naps.
He shuddered.
He wasn’t a kitten.
He had one Jellicle Moon to go before he was a full Tom or so he said.
Right now, he didn’t care what he was. He just knew he hurt and wanted to curl up somewhere safe with a cat he knew so he could sleep this off.
Each step he forced himself to take, he felt glitter dropping off his fur hitting the ground. His usual dusty gray and black fur was appearing underneath it.
He had to get back before he lost the spirit.
—
Victoria pulled away from her new mate looking around their main communal area. She didn’t see her younger brother at all. Something wasn’t right.
“What is it?” The red and white Tom asked sensing her distress. “You woke up in a panic this morning.”
The two of them had fallen asleep together as a new couple and it was nice to wake up together. That quickly died off once the white queen realized her brother was nowhere in sight.
She glanced over her shoulder not expecting to see an actual worried glance from Plato looking back at her. “...just.. he had to use his magic. A-And he’s not here.”
“You mean Quaxo?”
“Last night - his magic? Mistoffelees helped him save Old Deuteronomy. If he wandered off and his magic disappeared... it wears him out.” She rambled nervously. “What if he went out of our bounds and is out there by himself? What if Macavity wants revenge and-”
“Deep breath, Victoria. If anyone can find him it will be Munkustrap and Alonzo. They keep up with every cat in our tribe.” He knew the white queen was protective of her younger brother and they were often seen together but he wasn’t aware of how protective she truly was. “Come on, I’m sure he’s fine.”
He held her hand gently but she pulled away and ran in front of him to go find the Gray and Black tabby that was always on watch from his perch on the tire that was in the middle of it all. She knew he’d be there, but it was even more reassuring this morning knowing she needed him.
He relaxed his stance watching the newest couple of their tribe greet him first thing that morning. “Good morning to you both! Did you enjoy your first-”
“Quaxo is missing. I can’t find him anywhere.” The young Queen in front of him spoke before he could finish. “Have you or Alonzo seen him? I’m worried. He used a lot of magic last night and..”
“He’s not here?” This time Munkustrap looked around hoping to find the young black and white tom curled up somewhere.
He saw the usual rowdy group of kittens messing around. Jenny and Jelly watching over them closely as always. Skimble and Asparagus were having a chat over some tea. He didn’t see Quaxo anywhere.
He glanced back to her and forced a smile, “We’ll find him.” He then turns back, “Alonzo? You said you wanted action.”
A familiar Tom white with black spots appears behind him. He comes out stretching and yawning. “I said that an hour ago. That was before my morning nap. Now - I’m not sure. What’s the job exactly.”
The tabby rolled his eyes, “Quaxo is missing.”
This got the other Tom wide awake. “What?”
“Please go find him. I’m worried. He promised me he’d rest but he’s not here. He could be outside of our bounds hurt or sick from using his magic.” She begged. “You know how it messes with him.”
“And how he refuses help?” The other muttered. “Yeah, I know. Don’t worry.” He hops down and gives a reassuring smile. “We’ll find him. Just do him a favor and don’t tell Jenny or Jelly. No need to start Jenny losing her mind over nothing.”
This time he got a small smile from Victoria. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell. Thank you.”
The one in white and black waved her off before taking off towards the outskirts of their bounds. He sounded confident for her sake but internally was dreading this job.
The missing black and white tom had an awful habit of being able to blend in with things. If he didn’t want to be found, it turned into the hardest hide and seek game in history.
He could only pray Quaxo was still sparkling. That would give him a slight edge to the search. If not, he would have to get super close to a lot of dark spots and wasn’t looking forward to it.
Summary: Quaxo’s body can’t hold Mistoffelees much longer. He managed to save old D but at what cost?
Tags: hurt/comfort, tugger/misto, cats1998
Future Chapters will include "injuries" as Misto recovers from using too much of his magic.
“Have you seen the kid? He disappeared and I can’t find him.” Tugger asked worried dodging the female kittens that kept trying to get under his feet.
“I haven’t. I’ve been helping Father get back home. Ask Jenny or Skimble? I’m sure he’s fine.” Munk reassured him. “He did great today.”
“I know he did.. what worries me is he used a lot more magic than usual. He’s told me before that it hurts when he does. If Macavity were to attack again and this time when he’s down…”
Munk sighed heavily, “I’ll send Alonzo and Plato to help look. Ask Jenny and Skimble first though. I’ll join in the search once I can.” He reached out and gently squeezed his brother’s shoulder, “He’ll be ok. Good or bad his magic makes him glitter so he can’t hide in the darkness for long.”
Tugger only nodded silently watching his brother leave. He pulled away from Ecetera’s arms as they tried to wrap around his leg, “…sorry I need to go.”
The kitten fell over and groaned frustrated, “He’s always so worried about the other kitten… I’m starting to feel like he doesn’t love me.”
The other female kittens just shook their heads at her watching him leave. Tumble joined them nudging Etcy over. “They are just worried… he used his magic and his magic leaves him sleepy.”
“Yeah remember? He used to face plant after using it and Jenny would get so angry?” Pounce added. Though his smile disappeared as well watching Alonzo and Plato pull away from Victoria and the twins.
Munkustrap would never ask them to head out on patrol unless it was serious. He started to go ask what was going on when Jelly came up behind them.
“Come on Kittens, it’s been a rough night. We need to get some sleep.” She was hiding her own fear knowing what was happening and wish she could help.
*~*
“I’m afraid I haven’t seen the poor dear since he disappeared after bringing Old Deuteronomy back. I do hope he’s alright.” Jenny sighed worried. “He’s probably hurt and nursing his poor paws.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. The last time he pulled something like this I found him outside in the cold too weak to go anywhere else. It took a week for him to be back to normal.” Tugger explained.
Jenny glanced to him shocked to hear that. Tugger rarely cared about anyone else besides himself. He had a habit of keeping to himself rarely giving Munkustrap a second glance much-less anyone else. She smiled patting his arm. “I’m sure he will be just fine; he’s got you looking out for him.”
The maine coone only sighed turning back around to look out into the small tribe of cats in the yard. He still saw no sight of the small black tom.
*~*
He winced as he tried to hide the pain in his paws while flexing them making sure he could still move them. Purple lightening flickered sending pain up his arms.
It was as if his body was punishing him for using his magic.
But he had to do it.
No one else could help Old D..
He kept trying to turn back to Quaxo but the spirit of Mistoffelees wouldn’t let go. He groaned frustrated each step he took glitter dripped off his fur.
“You’re not safe for me to go yet.”
He glanced around realizing the voice he was hearing, “I’m near our home. I just need to get there.. I can’t hide this if stay like this.”
“You are going to pass out once I leave. I’m not leaving you to pass out here. You and I both know MacCavity will be out looking for you.”
The spirit was starting to annoy him. He wished he was older so that he could transform back and forth as he pleased.
Since he was barely a tom, the spirit of Mistoffelees was stronger than he was. The transformation usually happened against his will and left him weak as a kitten when it left his body. This time he had pleaded with the spirit to help him save the tribe’s “father”.
To top it all just because the spirit joined his body, it didn’t mean his powers would even work. He had been lucky that it had.
“Even if you were older, I wouldn’t let this happen.”
“The last thing I want to do is cause a spectacle and if we go back to the ‘yard looking like this everyone will run up to me. I don’t want that to happen. What I did wasn’t something to be celebrated…it was something I had to do.” He looked down at his paws watching the purple lightening zip back and forth on the black fur. “Can you at least make it stop hurting? My paws burn.”
“Is there someone else you can trust?”
He blushed at hearing that. There was but he wasn’t going to out right say it. “…yes. I’m not sure if he feels the same so I don’t want to bother him.”
Before the spirit could answer he heard someone calling for him. He backed up and hid behind some boxes that were stacked to the side.
“Come on, kit. Stop hiding. I know the magic hurts.”
It was Tugger.
Did he dare answer? He didn’t like for anyone to worry about him and didn’t want to cause a ruckus. He was too shy to be the center of attention.
To his despair he felt his body moving against his will. The spirit was moving for him. He swallowed nervously, “I-I’m over here.”
“There you are.” Tugger hurried over doing a quick look over. He saw the almost burnt looking paws, they looked painful. “How bad is it?”
Brown eyes couldn’t make eye contact as the young tom looked to the side. “…pretty bad.” He finally admitted.
Tugger watched as the other’s eyes glowed purple, the facial expression changed as well – it almost looked more mature. He swallowed nervously; he still wasn’t used to this. “Uh… Mistoffelees right? You took over his body?”
“Yes. He will be tired. He used a lot more magic than his body is used to. He kept trying to will me away, but I didn’t want to leave until someone was with him.”
“You sound worried.”
“I am. A kitten of his age wielding a spirit like me for as long as he did, its impressive but also dangerous. Just keep a close eye on him.”
“That’s not all…what is it?”
“I can sense Macavity is nearby. He’s roaming the outer skirts of the Junk Yard looking for me. If he finds Quaxo…us, it won’t be pretty.”
Tugger nods, “I’ll let Munk know. We can start up patrols.”
“I’ll protect him and the tribe as best as I can. However sadly my power is only as strong as his body. If I over do it we risk…”
“Yeah, I know. Trust me I know. Each time you come out I’m terrified I’ll lose him.” The other admitted nervously. “Hey uh thanks for helping us find Old D. Everyone really appreciates it, and I know the kid was happy his magic worked properly in front of anyone.”
The solid black cat bowed gracefully smiling at him before disappearing in a puff of glitter. “It was my pleasure.”
Quaxo was left behind his legs giving out. The glitter rushed down his body changing his fur from ebony black to the smokey black and gray with the usual three white paws and one black.
He fell forward but was caught by Tugger before he even had a chance of hitting the ground.
“Woah, I gotcha.” He eased the young tom down and held him in his arms waiting for him to wake up. “You’re safe. You did great.” He knew the other was unconscious, but he spoke anyway, it made himself feel better.
He heard footsteps and glanced up ready to jump to his feet and fight. He held Quaxo close to him gathering him in arms, “Whose there.”
“Easy Tug – it’s me.”
The other sighed heavily relieved, he kept a strong grip on the smaller tom’s body in his arms trying to keep him safe. “Munk – you scared me. I thought it was… you know.”
“I started to come out and look for him as well.” The gray and black tabby sighed relieved seeing the younger one was safe. “How is he?”
“I spoke to Mistoffelees.”
“You spoke to him? You spoke to the spirit?”
“Yeah, it was…it was strange to say the least. He just took over the kit’s body and he looked different, even moved differently. When he left Quax turned back into himself.”
“What did the spirit say?”
“He said that too much magic was used and even though it helped bring Old D back that Quaxo would be feeling it for the next few days. I can already tell his paws are singed.”
Munk glanced over the one in his brother’s arms doing his own quick check over. He saw the injuries as well. “…let's go get him comfortable at least.”
*~*
“Why haven’t we seen Quaxo? It’s been three days.” Electra asked worried.
“We haven’t seen that magical cat either.” Victoria added curling up next to Plato. “I wonder what happened exactly?”
Ecetera flopped dramatically rolling onto her back as she wails, “What’s worse is Tugger is missing. My life is incomplete.”
The other two just sighed shaking their heads. “If Quaxo isn’t feeling well, Tugger is probably with him.”
“Vicky don’t say that… then he’ll have to be my enemy!”
Electra rolled her eyes, “You know you never had a chance with him, right? You’re just a kitten; he prefers Queen’s his age. Like Bomba..”
“Bomba prefers me.” Pouncivial says crossing his arms. “I don’t know if you saw or not, but she went down with me during the mating dance.”
The white female kitten blushed bright red sitting up moving away from the Tom cat. “T-That is not what we’re talking about.”
“He didn’t get anywhere. They went down together but Bomba shoved him to the side.” Electra grinned snickering. “I know because his elbow hit me in the face.”
Pouncivial’s facial expression dropped, “….it was because I was too close to her that’s all.”
Ecetera just giggles, “Yeah in the way.”
Plato looked over the kitten’s heads to see Alonzo coming over, “Everything alright?”
“Nah, I need you to go find Jenny. He’s taken a turn for the worst.” The black and white cat explained trying to speak quietly. Only the older cats knew what was going on with Quaxo. He finally eavesdropped enough to figure it out earlier that day. He was sworn to secrecy but knew Plato knew enough and just assumed the young tom was ill.
Matt and Blake entered the penthouse quietly. They were the last two to come back home after the show. Andrew had stayed home alone for the first time in a week and they hoped it went well.
Matt stepped down the hallway looking into their room but it was empty. He blinks looking in and out then turns to look into the other bedroom.
Blake just smiled – the other three had fallen asleep together.
Andrew was in between Eiden and Darin, his breathing shallow. His cheeks were flushed but the rest of his face was pale from being sick. It was hard watching the life go out of the usual happy brown eyes and the color leave the usual rosey face.
Matt walked in quietly to get a look. He had to reach out and make sure Andrew was breathing for his own sake.
Darin stretched hearing the movement. “You’re back.. how did it go?”
“The sponsors were happy. Not sure they expected Plato and Tugger but they were excited none the less.” Blake explained shrugging. “How is he?”
“Clingy and sick.” Their Munkustrap sighed, glancing beside him. He dropped his hand on Andrew’s head gently. “I couldn’t just leave Eiden behind and Andrew needed bodily contact before he could relax.. so… we did this.”
“Eiden agreed to put him in the middle?”
“I tried to sleep in the middle but Eiden insisted. Something about Andrew would wake up and cough so hard he’d fall off the bed.” Darin shrugged.
“Here, let me go put pajamas on and I’ll carry Andrew in with me.” Matt stepped out to go get changed.
Blake sat on the edge of the bed reaching out to run his fingers down one of Andrew’s arms gently, “He’s just getting worse, isn’t he?”
“Pnemonia is something that gets worse before it gets better. His body is fighting it off as quickly as it can but it's going to take some time.” Their Munkustrap explained groggily. “We need to have someone here… the way he clung earlier…”
The red head turned back to look at Darin. He had heard the other’s voice break for a split second. He smiles sadly, “Our kitten has always needed more physical attention than anyone I’ve ever met. But I think it’s what makes him even more adorable. The more you hug and snuggle him, the happier he is and it shows on his face.”
“It’s just hard when he’s sick with a high fever and should have constant supervision but all of us are required to be on stage at the same time.” Darin shook his head, “I know I keep saying it but I’m going to start taking more shows off.”
“You already took a week off, let the rest of us take off and help.” Blake offered worried. “You don’t have to shoulder this yourself.”
“Not right now. I need to be here.”
Matt reappeared in the doorway, “Alright .. all changed!”
Darin slid out of the bed on his side so Matt could get to the smaller one. He watched as their Tugger gathered their sleeping feverish Mistoffelees into his arms and moved as smoothly as he could not to jostle the sick one.
Munkustrap followed the other as the smaller dancer was carried into the other room. He stopped in the doorway having to take a deep breath. Against Matt’s more tanned skin, Andrew looked a ghostly pale.. almost as white as make up for Mistoffelees. He gripped the door frame with his fingers until his knuckles went white.
Blake stood beside him and pulled Darin into a hug. “He’ll be ok.”
Footsteps were behind them and Eiden appeared half away. He watched Matt tuck Andrew in seeing what Darin did. He sighs and pulls Darin into a hug after Blake was finished. Darin didn’t pull away and he just buried his face into Eiden’s shoulder.
“Come on, Matt’s got him. Blake is nearby. You need to rest. You can’t help our Mistoffelees if you’re sick as well.” Their Alonzo smiled. “Andrew would never forgive himself if that happened.”
“Oh goodness, no he wouldn’t.” Blake added, smiling. “I dare say he may try to play nurse though.”
Darin couldn’t smile at the joke. He glanced one more time to the bed then pulled away and let Eiden tug him down the hallway. They both climbed into their bed and Eiden turned on his side expecting to sleep as he was.
To his surprise, one of Darin’s arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him back to his side. He feels Darin’s face into his neck and smiles sadly. “I know… I’m scared too. He’ll be ok.”
Andrew rolled over on his back hearing them talk in the den. He glanced over to the clock, it was 8 in the morning. He listened and heard something about Kyle and his lack of skill for Mistoffelees.
He tried to close his eyes and go back to sleep but he couldn’t. He had to know. He pushed himself up right then got to his feet and made his way into where they were.
“Oh, kitten. I’m sorry, did we wake you?” Blake asked, hurrying over to steady him.
“I heard you guys talking about Kyle?” His voice was raspy and it hurt to speak but he wasn’t coughing as much. “Is he still messing up?”
The other four glanced at each other unsure what to say. Eiden was finally the one who nodded, “Yeah, mate, it’s… it’s pretty bad.”
“He only managed 3 rotations last night and still fell out of the landing.” Matt added. “Honestly we don’t know what else to do. He’s just not retaining the information.”
“But this is nothing for you to be concerned about. You need to go back to bed and rest.” The red head said smiling. “Come on, I’ll go tuck you in.”
This time Andrew didn’t follow him. “I’m sick, not stupid… Do we need someone to train him? I-I know how this works. The current Mistoffelees mentors the upcoming one.”
“Andrew, you are just coming off pneumonia.” Darin started.
“I finished my antibiotic and my fever broke yesterday.” The other argued, crossing his arms. “I won’t be back for another week … he should at least get some sort of real training to land a few turns this week.”
Eiden glanced at Darin as he shifted on his feet, “While I agree with you… are you sure? That’s a lot of work.”
“I can wear a mask and sit when I need to.” Andrew begged. “Come on, he needs help and I’m finally coherent enough to do something about it. He was unfairly thrown into this role after only being there for a few months. He hadn’t had time to learn it all and then to be terrified on top of everything else..” This time he did cough slightly.
“Ok. Fine. Let’s do it. But you will sit down when and if you feel bad. We’re taking a taxi to the studio.”
Matt and Blake blinked, shocked that Darin agreed. “I-I’ll go get his bag ready and help him get dressed…” Matt grinned nervously.
*~*
Kyle stumbled off one of the rotations nearly falling over. He caught himself this time. He hears the bell signaling someone was coming in. To his surprise Andrew was there with the rest of his group. His eyes widen and he runs over, “Please tell me you’re back.”
“Not quite.” Andrew said, pulling a face mask on.
“So what are you doing here?”
“Training you.”
“What?” Kyle asked nervously, giving an unsure smile.
“We threw you out there too fast a-and it hasn’t been fair on you.” Andrew rasped explaining. “I’m going to teach you the turns as it was taught to me.” He coughed into his arm hoarsely. “I just may need to sit down every so often.”
“You need his help, Kyle. He’s here, so use him.” Darin said seriously.
Andrew turned back to his friends, “I need the mats out that the first years use.” He then turned back to Kyle, “How well are your shoes fitting? Have you broken them in properly?”
“They are my normal practice pair?”
“You don’t have a performance practice pair?”
“N-No…”
“That’s a different shoe entirely.” The smaller one sighed. “I think I still have a pair here in my dressing room. What size are you?”
“8?”
“Good, we’re the same size.” He started to head back when Blake came up beside him.
“Where are you going, kitten?”
“He needs to practice in the actual shoes he’s going to wear. I’ve got an extra set in my dressing room.” Andrew gives a weak smile proving to Blake that he was determined even if his energy was dying off.
“I’ll go get them. No need to wear yourself out right away.” The red head hurried down the opposite direction in the rooms.
There were a few smacks as the practice mats were thrown to the floor. Kyle turned around watching them land. “Now look, I’m not that much of a first year.”
“When it comes to the turns you are. Trust me, you don’t want to face plant on a hard floor over and over again. Come on.”
Kyle follows him over and watches him curiously.
Andrew walked in the middle and started to make a space for the other to perform the turns. He leveled out the corners of the mat then looked up. “You’ll practice the rotations here and when you lose your balance, you will hit the mat.”
Blake came back with the needed shoes and handed them over. He nodded to the younger one, “Go on. Put them on.”
Kyle took them and sat down changing his shoes. His eyes widened, Andrew was right they were different. He glanced up and could tell Andrew was smiling at him through the mask.
“Do they fit?”
“Y-Yes sir.”
Andrew blinked before shaking his head, “No formalities needed… just dancer to dancer.” He crossed his arms backing up so Kyle can get back to his feet. “Perform one rotation and step out.”
“T-That’s it?”
“For right now, yes.” The company’s Mistoffelees nodded. “You can’t be expected to do all 24 rotations if you can’t even do one.”
The other’s shoulders relaxed before he smiles, “Y-Yeah I guess you’re right. They just threw me into all of them.”
“We’re starting with one. Go on.” Andrew backed off the mat and turned to cough into his arm. He was feeling dizzy but wasn’t going to abandon the newcomer.
“N-No music?”
“No. Just do a rotation.”
The other got into position and started to attempt a full rotation. He lost his balance and fell onto the mat with a groan. He sat up.
“Again.”
Matt watched from the side lines as his lover got into his rare dance instructor mode. He had only seen it one other time and secretly loved it. Andrew was confident in a way he’d never seen before, confident but kind.
He winced as Kyle fell three more times in a row smacking the mat each time. He walked over to Darin. “Think this is going to work?”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“No…I guess not.” Their Tugger sighs sitting down against the wall.
Darin joins him, “We just need to keep an eye on Andrew. Let Andrew worry about Kyle.”
*~*
Andrew staggered backwards feeling lite headed. Kyle looked up and stopped stepping out of the turn without falling over this time. It had been an hour and the other wasn’t looking great. “A-Andrew?” He runs over steadying him.
“I-I’m ok…”
“No you’re not. Do you need to sit down? I can get Matt.” Kyle looked around for the others worried.
Andrew smiled weakly, “You didn’t crash on your step off.”
“W-What?”
“You didn’t fall over with your s-step off.” Their Mistoffelees doubled over coughing hoarsely as his cough medicine wore off.
Kyle blinked then looked back to the mat. Andrew was right, he didn’t fall this time. He shook his head, “Here come sit on one of the mats.” He took the other’s hands and led him over. “I’ll go get Matt or Darin.”
Andrew sat down watching him leave. He was exhausted and just wanted a nap. He fell backwards wheezing slightly.
*~*
Kyle stepped out back behind the studio and only saw Matt. He was doing a more cardio type exercise. He walked over, “….hey uh…”
Matt stopped grinning, “Did you manage a rotation?”
“I-I did but Andrew’s not doing well. I sat him down and told him I’d come find you.” The other dancer explained.
“He’s probably tired.” Their Tugger wiped his face with the towel he brought. He wiped the rest of himself off as well. The workout he just completed felt good. His muscles burned in a good way. He picked up his water bottle and started to sip at it, “Lead the way. The other three are running laps.”
Kyle held the door open for him and led him inside. The smaller dancer was curled up on the mat breathing heavily, more of the barking coughs were coming out.
“Aw hell.” Matt pushed past their Pounce and hurried over. He knelt beside him on the mat rubbing his side. “K-Kitten? Just breathe as best you can.” He reached up and removed the face mask to give Andrew more room to cough.
Kyle stood watching uneasily.
“You need to rest. Kyle can practice something else.” The other encouraged trying to help him up.
“N-No. I n-need to help him..”
He took a deep breath. He stepped past them and rearranged the other four mats before getting into position. Andrew had come out here sick as a dog to help him and he had only made one full rotation in an hour.
He could do this. Even if not all 24 at least 5 or 6 and then land it properly. If Andrew could do this while sick, he could do it as well.
Matt pulled Andrew out of the way and held him in his lap. They both looked up and watched as Kyle got into position and started the rotations. To their surprise he manages to pull off 2 full rotations without losing his balance. Then three more.
“Y-You’re doing it!” Andrew exclaimed hoarsely relieved.
Kyle didn’t move his eyes on the spot he chose to watch but he looked utterly terrified with each one. He felt his balance start to go and he braced himself for impact as he started to step off.
Andrew winced expecting it as well and knew it was going to hurt. He felt Matt let go to help the other if he did lose his balance.
Nothing hit the mat. He opened his eyes and saw Matt was standing there wide eyed. A very shocked Kyle looked around realizing he hadn’t crashed. He got excited bouncing on his feet. “T-That’s the first landing I ever did properly!”
Andrew got up right and staggered a bit but smiled happily, “I-I knew you could do it…” He wavered unsteadily, a weird darkness was taking over. “N-need to lay down..” His words slurred together as he started to pass out on them.
Matt turned around and caught him just in time from hitting the floor. “A-Andrew?!”
*~*
Eiden opened the door to the studio out of breath but grinning, “I beat you two by several minutes. You’re getting lazy.”
“Says the one who asks for a taxi after each practice and show.” Blake muttered, wiping his face on his t-shirt.
“Say one more word, Eiden and you’re on the couch.” Darin added glaring as he drank from his water bottle. “I hope Andrew has made some movement with Kyle.”
“You always threaten me with that. It’s starting to lose its effectiveness.” Their Alonzo glared back shrugging.
Kyle stepped out of the dressing room area looking terrified. He turned not expecting to see them and ran over relieved.
“Kyle? How is it going?” Darin asked, unable to read what the other was feeling. He tilted his head. “Is everything ok?”
“N-No.. Andrew passed out on us. Matt caught him. He’s in the back trying to lower Andrew’s fever. He hadn’t woken up yet, I was told to come find-“
Darin took off running, not letting him finish. The other two turned to the other dancer. Kyle gave a shaky smile trying not to panic. “I-It’s …it’s all my fault… i-if I could have just magically learned this then Andrew could be resting…”
Blake’s eyes widened, “Oh darling, no. He begged to come out here and help you. He felt awful that you two hadn’t spent a lot of time practicing.”
“Yeah, he was pretty stubborn about it as well.” Eiden reached out patting the other’s shoulder. “Did he help?”
“…oh. Yes. I managed 6 rotations and actually stepped off.”
The other two cheered for him. “Alright! That’s what we like to hear! Progress.”
“..hey..um.. did Andrew really train for Mistoffelees as a kid?”
Eiden smiled laughing. “Yeah, he did. Said he saw CATS on tour when he was 11 and decided from then on to practice and train to be Mistoffelees.”
“How much does he train?”
“It’s not healthy but every single day for more than 10 hours.” Blake sighed. “We’ve gotten him down to 10.”
“Even at our apartment, he’s always trying a turn even if there isn’t any room.” The Australian rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
“H-He really loves Mistoffelees doesn’t he?” Kyle asked, looking around the room nervously. “It doesn’t feel like the right part for me like I thought it would. It could just be I was thrown into it without training but it doesn’t feel magical… it just feels terrifying.”
The other two glanced between each other not sure what to say.
*~*
“Matt?! Andrew!?” Darin called as he stepped inside the dressing room area.
“In here. Third to the left. Our usual.” Matt called his voice was shaking.
The other hurried in to see what they were dealing with. Matt had stripped Andrew of his hoodie and had wet paper towels on his wrists, forehead, and chest.
“Matt…”
“H-His fever got too high, I think? I-I don’t know. I stepped outside to do some cardio and …I shouldn’t have left. But he was doing so much better and even sounded normal… Kyle came out and told me Andrew wasn’t doing well…”
Darin knelt beside the two of them and reaches out feeling for the fever. “If he doesn’t come back soon, we need to call an ambulance.” He reached out and squeezed Matt’s hand, “This isn’t your fault. This was Andrew’s decision to come out here and help Kyle train.”
“I-I know.. but…” He goes quiet as Andrew moans moving his body slowly. His eyes widened with relief, “K-Kitten…?”
“Andrew? Take it slow, you passed out on us.” Darin said steadily. His tone changed to instructor mode. “You’re back in the dressing rooms.”
“…Kyle..”
“He managed to do 6 turns and stepped off perfectly.” Matt explained catching one of the wandering hands. He kissed the top of it, relieved he was moving. “Y-You scared me so bad..”
Andrew smiled weakly, “B-But he did the turns…” His voice was barely audible. “T-That’s all I wanted.”
Darin hovered over him and sighed, “That was the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while being sick. Can we please either take you home or help you get comfortable so you can rest?”
The younger of the three nodded slowly, “P-Please.. I’m s-so tired and dizzy.”
Darin watched Andrew carefully as the other started some light practicing. The fever had broken and the smaller one had more energy but still wasn’t back to full form. “Don’t force yourself.”
The one in front of him only concentrated on enjoying the movement of stretching his body and getting the kinks out. His sides still hurt, and he was pulling on both as he stretched. He tried to hide the wince but then smiled as the rest of his body stretched out properly finally.
He felt hands on his waist and knew Darin was helping him release and come back down. He stood normally trying to ignore the dizziness and exhaustion that hit almost immediately. He was relieved that Darin hadn’t let go yet.
“Andrew?”
“I-I’m alright.” He finally trusts his legs and pulls away.
“I know you want to jump right into your song but I think working through some of the first number would be better for you.” Their Munkustrap explained. “It will help you slowly get back to normal. Since no one is here, we can go as slow as we need.”
The other blushed bright red, “I’m not slowing down the first song.”
“It’s either that or you run laps while singing at the same time. I think you and I both know you couldn’t handle that. Make your choice.” Darin sighed, crossing his arms. “I had to promise to start you slow and make sure you didn’t over do it before she even agreed to let me help.”
“FINE.” Andrew rolled his eyes frustrated but then smiled weakly over at him. “What did she think I gave you kitten eyes or something to bend to my will?”
This time the other blushed bright red. He cleared his throat before walking over to bring the music over to them.
Andrew got into position amused with the other’s response. He took as deep of a breath as he could without causing a coughing fit.
Darin heard him wheezing and looked over his shoulder. The smaller one wasn’t ready to be back on his feet, but he wouldn’t understand why until he actually did something. “I’ve set it to half the speed. Just take it slow and if something hurts or you feel too winded, stop.”
*~*
Matt pushed the door open to the studio ready to work with Andrew a bit. He knew Darin had come in a few hours earlier to help their Mistoffelees warm up properly. He stood in the doorway not saying anything as the first song played from the speakers going half speed.
It sounded like some sort of horror movie but then he smirked. Darin had gotten locked out of the main office where the music was. Not that he was any better but he had Andrew’s dance bag. Andrew always had every version of CATS anyone could need for practice.
He stepped closer and watched intently. Andrew was performing it properly, although a lot slower than normal, his balance was perfect and each sequence was nearly flawless.
However, he could see Andrew was having trouble breathing. The smaller one was fighting it. He walked over hoping to be the voice of reason. He stopped the music. “Stop, stop. Andrew, you need to breathe.”
“C-Can’t.. need to cough…” Andrew was purposefully trying to hold it in. He excused himself and hurried to the bathroom.
Darin watched him go then looked over at Matt. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“How did he look?”
Their Tugger shrugged, “He looked perfect as always. The dance is awkward slowed down, we know this. But he was doing his best. I didn’t see him miss but one step and that was when the coughing hit. You can’t push him on stage like this.”
“I’m not doing anything. She thinks he needs more time as well and I agree with her. But you know how paranoid Andrew is about Kyle taking his slot officially.”
Matt sighed looking away thinking. “Too bad, he can’t just come on for Mistoffelees and be done. Like a second half kinda deal.”
“They would never approve that.” Darin started.
The other smirked, “They would when they remember how many turns Kyle managed to complete without falling over.”
“Regardless, he can’t go on as he is now.”
“No, but we give him something to work towards. Getting back on that stage as Mistoffelees is what he wants. I don’t know if it’s because Andrew makes it look flawless but that dance isn’t that hard to do.”
Darin just stared at him emotionless. “He makes it look easy.”
“Even more of a reason to let him do this.” Matt shrugged, grinning.
They heard the door open and Andrew appeared in the doorway looking more haggard than before he left. He was leaning against the wall wheezing.
“A-Andrew?” Matt ran over and caught him as he sagged to the side. “What happened?”
“C-Coughing fit… got a lot up…but…” The smaller one bit his lip, unable to make eye contact. His eyes widened as he was gathered into the other’s arms. This seemed to give him permission to break down a little and he buried his face into the other’s shoulder. “…I-I’m not ready…”
“No, you aren’t.” Darin said softly making his way over. He reaches up and rubs the other’s back. “But you did get through over half the first song and would have made it completely if you hadn’t started coughing.”
“It’s just going to take a bit to get back on your feet again.” Matt reassured him, hugging his lover closer. “But you know… you’re not over heated at all. I don’t feel a fever.”
Andrew pulled back looking down at himself, “…I-I guess I’ve gotten better after all…” He glanced past Darin at the dance floor before sighing and turning back to rest his head on Matt’s shoulders again. “…can we go home…?”
The other two exchanged glances not expecting to hear that. Darin had been fully prepared to drag Andrew out by his feet, he could tell Matt had the same idea.
He sighs and nods, “Of course. Let’s head back. You can tell Blake how well you did.”
Darin looked up as Eiden came in with the bag of prescriptions. Matt was close behind. Their Alonzo gave a thumbs up, “We picked up everything that was ready.”
Andrew was curled up on his side attempting to sleep as best he could. He had a wet cold cloth on his neck to help with the fever but was coughing in his sleep. He looked miserable.
Matt hurried over and knelt beside the bed, “Kitten?” He reaches out and places a gentle hand on the dark hair. “We brought your medicine.”
Two glazed brown eyes open and look through their Tugger. He shivered, smiling weakly. “There we go!” There was no emotional response, just a half moan of discomfort followed by hoarse coughing that left him wheezing.
Eiden carried the bag over and helped unpack it. “He said to take the antibiotic as soon as possible to get that moving.” He explains looking at the detailed list the pharmacist gave them. “He mentioned something about the night time cold meds. It has codeine in it so make sure one of us is nearby when he takes it. He said for the first few days that Andrew should take it during the day time as well so he can get some rest.”
Darin nodded looking through the bag. He pulls out the day time cough medicine, setting it aside. His hands brush against a box and pulls it out. “What’s this?”
“An inhaler. It’s supposed to help him open up his airways if used properly.” Eiden smiled as Darin pulled him into a side hug keeping his arm around the other’s waist. “And we picked up some tylenol and a new thermometer. This one works fast and only takes 30 seconds.”
“Don’t forget the decongestant. Those things are horse pills.” Matt pointed out as he forced Andrew to sit up so he could breathe better. The smaller one leaned into him, unable to stay up by himself.
Hoarse weak barking coughs came from the one curled up against their Tugger. He was going in and out of being coherent to being groggy and sleepy. He’d come back each time he coughed only to be in pain right after.
Darin sighed, “Do we force him to eat or do I just give him the night time cough meds?”
“Keeping him awake is like torture, mate. Just give him the liquid. We can feed him after.” Eiden offered, shaking his head.
Their Munkustrap opened the liquid and poured it into a small cup. “Matt, I’m going to need your help. Help him take it.”
Matt took the small cup nodding, “Kitten? We have you some cough medicine.” He waited to get a response, a minute later the other nodded. “Here, drink it. Open-“ He gently helped the other drink it down.
Andrew was so far gone that he didn’t flinch at the taste and only sat there hunched over breathing heavily. He winced as he coughed again, wavering unsteadily.
“He needs to take that antibiotic before going to sleep.” Eiden pointed out.
Blake appeared in the doorway with a full water bottle for Andrew almost on cue. “I finally found a water bottle he should be able to drink out of without a lot of help in his current state.”
“Perfect.” Matt reaches out to take it. “Andrew, sip at it for me. Then we need to take the antibiotic.”
Andrew sipped at it weakly leaning back into Matt’s chest to relax. His chest hurt from the coughing and wheezing, each inhale and exhale sent waves of pain through his body. He pulled away breathless feeling a hand on his forehead. It was cooler than his own feverish skin and felt good.
“Andrew – go on and take this.” Eiden pulls one of the pills out and hands it over.
The younger one holds it as he goes through another coughing fit. “M-Matt…water…”
“I’ve got it.” Their Tugger watched as the smaller one pushed the pill into his mouth. He held the water bottle in front of Andrew watching the other take it. “That’s it.”
Their Mistoffelees curled up into Matt’s arms, his head resting on Matt’s chest. He relaxed knowing he was safe and comfortable. “Can I go back to sleep…?”
Matt smiled down at the one in his arms, “Yes, kitten. Go on back to sleep.”
*~*
“I know it’s not easy but you need to use this inhaler. It will help clear your airways.” Darin encouraged trying to hand it over.
“I-I just want to sleep,” Andrew wheezed groggily. “Coughing keeps waking me up.”
“Which is why you need to use this.”
The smaller one blushed looking to the side, “I don’t k-know how to use it.”
“You could have just said that.” Darin smirked sitting beside him on the bed. “Open your mouth.”
Andrew obeyed and felt the inhaler be pushed into his mouth. He wanted to sleep, his eyes grew heavy as he started to go in and out.
“When I press the button, you’re going to inhale.” The other instructed.
Their Mistoffelees gave a half acknowledgement before moving his gaze to the blurry vision of Darin. Darin smiled pressing the button. “Inhale.”
Andrew inhaled as best he could, he made a face and had to pull away coughing up some gunk. His chest felt a little lighter somehow. He panted, able to get a few breaths in. His nose, however, was still stopped up. “I-It…w-worked..”
“We need to do it two more times.”
The smaller one turned back and together the two of them repeated the process twice. He was left dizzy but able to breathe properly for the time being. He fell forward into Darin resting his head on the other’s shoulder, he felt one arm wrap around his side. “…do you n-need to g-go with Eiden…?” He asked hoarsely barely audible.
“No, I’m here with you right now. If Matt comes in and takes my place I will. So until that happens you have my undivided attention.” Darin sat back placing the inhaler in the small bin they had that collected all the medicine then leaned back into the stack of pillows. He eased Andrew towards him and the smaller one curled up contently all but straddling the other. He rested his head on the other’s chest, unable to stay awake.
Their Munkustrap sighed giving a warm smile and pulled up one of the blankets on the bed to cover up the smaller dancer. He rubs his back gently, getting comfortable. He knew he wasn’t going anywhere for a while.
*~*
Blake lifted his head from his cast notebook for Plato, he finished taking a quick note then glanced over to the couch. He smiled.
Andrew was curled up against Matt and was passed out. The codeine medicine was working and it helped knock him out and keep him from coughing too badly. Matt was flicking through the TV channels, his arm around Andrew as his fingers ran through the sweaty dark hair.
Darin and Eiden had retired an hour or so ago to go back to their room and read. Now that Andrew was finally sleeping it was easier for Darin to get away.
“Our kitten is passed out.” Plato finally said closing the spiraled notebook. He got up and walked over, kneeling beside the couch. He reached out to press his hand against their Mistoffelee’s forehead. “He’s hot.”
Matt sat up straighter and gently sat Andrew up. “His fever could be back.”
“I’ll go wet a drying towel, maybe we can lay it across his forehead to help.” Blake got to his feet and hurried to the kitchen. He was startled not expecting Darin and Eiden in there making late night tea.
“Everything ok?” Eiden asked before Darin could. He watches the red head as the other wet a cloth.
“Yes, the kitten is asleep but his fever came back. I’m just going to try and lower it with a cold cloth.” Blake smiled. “I’m so relieved we got that medicine. He was worrying me being unable to sleep properly.”
Darin was fighting every internal battle to not run in there. He only hugged Eiden to him to make sure he stayed grounded.
“Matt and Blake can handle it. If they can’t, we’ll hear about it.” The Australian reassured him then pouring hot water into their mugs on top of the tea bags.
*~*
Andrew woke up slowly. The world was spinning and it felt like the bed was spinning the other direction. It hurt to open his eyes, as soon as it did the vertigo was too much and just closed them again.
He reached out on the bed hoping to find someone there but only got an empty mattress. He curled up on his side as a coughing fit took over. The coughs were deep and sounded almost like barking, with each gasp it hurt more each time.
His body was heavy and wasn’t letting him move very well. He coughed up gunk but was unable to grab anything to cough it up into. Frustrated he tried to sit up but only fell back to his side… he opened his eyes seeing the mess he had made.
He had to clean it. He forced himself to sit up not realizing this wasn’t the first time he had done this in the past few hours. In his drugged sleep, he had gone through two t-shirts and a hoodie.
He tried to get off the bed and stand but his legs gave out and he fell to his knees hard. The sound got someone else moving and footsteps were heard.
“Is everything alright in there?” It was Blake.
The red head made his way in not expecting to see Andrew on the ground. His eyes widened as he knelt in front of him, “Kitten? What are you doing out of bed?”
“M-Made a mess..” He rasped groggily. “On the bed.”
Blake stood to look over at the bed only seeing more of the yellow gunk, “Oh. You just coughed up some of what was in your chest, darling. It’s alright.”
“B-But on the bed.”
Their Plato smiled as warmly as he could kneeling back in front of their Mistoffelees. He didn’t know how to relay to the smaller one that this wasn’t abnormal after 2 ½ weeks of helping him through it all. “It’s ok. I’ll go wipe it up. Did you get any on yourself?”
Andrew looked down at his arms and the hoodie was in. His memory was hazy and his body ached. “….no…” He hunched over coughing again, it left him panting out of breath. “W-Where is everyone?”
Blake wiped the bed off and threw the towel in the hamper with the rest. He noticed it was full and time to do the wash. First, he needed to get Andrew back to bed. “They are at practice. It’s just you and me. I was doing some small chores here and there; I was hoping to be back once it was done before you woke up but I see I misjudged the time.”
He turned back to the other and reached down offering his hands. “Here, lean on me. Let’s get you back in bed.”
“….s-so groggy…”
“It’s the codeine cough syrup, kitten. It’s helping you catch up on rest. I’m surprised you’re awake as it is but after seeing what you coughed up, it makes sense.” He smiles feeling two hot hands grip his own, he pulls the smaller one to his feet.
The other staggered forward and Blake caught him. The bed looked so far away in his drugged mind and he didn’t understand how he made it over so fast. One of Blake’s hands was holding his and the other was around his waist. “…can you s-stay?” He asks groggily.
The red head smiled, “I’d love too. Let me go toss these towels into the wash. Can you curl up and rest for me until I return?” He helped a very unsteady Andrew back onto the bed, helping him lay back. The other nodded, his eyes growing heavy almost immediately. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hold that to his face, make sure his nose and mouth are covered.” The urgent care nurse instructed as she placed an oxygen monitor to her patient's finger.
Darin took it and turned to Andrew who was going in and out on him. “Andrew, this will help you get some air in. We’re at the urgent care.” He couldn’t tell if the other dancer was coherent or not. He pressed the mask onto the other’s face expecting a relieved reaction and relaxing.
The other’s eyes flew up and he weakly reached up trying to push it off his face. He didn’t know where he was or what was going on. He curled up coughing and wheezing as he got excited.
The mask was put against his face again. He struggled trying not to panic. “Andrew. Breathe. It’s me.” He recognized the voice as Darin and opened his eyes to look around to try and find him.
A few seconds later, he saw Darin hovering over him. He didn’t let go of the unknown thing over his mouth but he felt one of Darin’s hands over his.
“It’s an oxygen mask. You were having trouble breathing at home. I brought you here.” Their Munkustrap explained as calmly as possible. “You have to keep this over your nose and mouth for it to help.”
“His blood oxygen level is definitely lower than I hoped.” The nurse wrote it down. “Andrew, can you breathe with the mask on?”
The smaller one tried to calm down long enough to take a proper breath. Darin’s eyes narrowed worried, “He’s panicking.” He watched the brown eyes darting back and forth and felt Andrew’s hand clench the mask tighter trying to fight his own hand.
He was finally forced to pull it off after Andrew pushed him away physically. The smaller one sat up wheezing and heaving trying to catch his breath with no luck. His shoulders shook as he tried to calm down.
“Andrew, you need to try again. If you can’t do this, it will be a next step up and you won’t like it.” The nurse said, taking the mask herself and holding it to his face.
Darin waited to see what would happen. He could see how terrified Andrew was, his eyes were wide. “I-I’m going to call for some reinforcements.”
*~*
Blake and Matt looked up as their phones started to buzz. They step off the floor and hurry to go get it. Eiden saw them and joined.
Matt was the one who answered him and the other three gathered round as he put it on speaker. “Darin? Is everything ok?”
“No. I need some help. Andrew wasn’t able to breathe very well so I took him to Urgent Care. He’s fighting the air mask. The nurse is threatening a higher step up…”
“Higher step as to what?” Eiden asked nervously.
“Can you guys get over here? Eiden, I know it’s going to be a little awkward but can you call Richard down south and ask him if he knows anything?”
The Australian sighed, “Yeah. I can do it. But we’ve only spoken twice.”
“I can’t pull away to do it this time. The way Andrew is acting, something happened to him before and we can’t tackle it if we don’t know.”
“Alright alright, send me his number. I’ll call on the way over.” He nods to the other two and looks down at his phone waiting for the text.
“We’ll get our stuff together and come right over.” Matt relayed getting a nod from Blake. “We may be a bit sweaty but we’ll be there.”
“Speak for yourself.” Plato muttered as their Tugger hung up.
The other just grinned, “Sorry Princess but you are sweating.”
“PRINCESS?!” The red head shoved him to the side. “Well I never.”
Eiden looked up and watched the two of them play around a little. He smiled nervously but got his stuff together. A few seconds later and a ding was heard. “You two call the taxi, I’m going to step outside and see what this guy says.”
*~*
Richard stopped mid practice with some younger girls when he heard the phone in his office ring. He usually ignored it or shut the door so he couldn’t hear it. This time something was telling him to answer it.
He turns to the girls and their parents, “Excuse me.” Then heads into his office shutting the door. He picks up the receiver, “Richard’s Dance Studio.”
“…hey uh.. it’s Eiden, you remember me? I’m a friend of Andrew’s.”
His eyes widened as he sat down at the desk, “Ah yes, the Alonzo up in NY. To do what do I owe the honor?”
“Look, he's not doing great. He’s got pneumonia and he can’t breathe properly. Darin took him to urgent care but he was fighting that bloody air mask they use. The nurse threatened to do a severe step up if he didn’t calm down. You were really close to Andrew and his mom most of his life. Do you know of anything that could cause this?”
The older man sighed, “This really should be on Andrew to tell you.”
“Mate, we don’t have time for that.”
“I wasn’t there so I’m only relaying what I heard. Before he joined dance, his mom tried to get him into sports and sent him to lots of summer camps. As you can imagine with how small he is, that quickly became a physical hazard.” He sat back in his chair. “From what his mother told me, a group of the older boys surrounded him and pushed him into the lake and tried playing a game of “chicken”. Have him freak out so badly he thinks he’s drowning. They put a scuba mask on his face… you can imagine where I’m going with that.”
“I hate kids. I hate them. That's why I’m not a teacher.” Eiden stated angrily. “Thanks, I’ll go call Darin.”
“Keep me updated?”
“Of course, thank you!”
*~*
Eiden hung up as the car was pulling up to take them to where Darin and Andrew were. He quickly dialed Darin as the other two climbed in putting their Munkustrap on speaker phone. "Hey – he thinks he’s drowning. It’s a more complicated story but that’s the gist of it. He thinks he’s dying.”
Matt and Blake glanced over not expecting to hear that. Their Alonzo sighed, “You’re going to have to convince him he’s not drowning to get him to calm down. I’ll explain the rest once we’re there.”
“Got it.”
After Darin hung up the other two glanced over. Matt’s eyes narrowed angrily, “What happened?”
*~*
Water rushed past his face, and he realized he was able to open his eyes. Hands were keeping him down under the surface pushing him as far as they could go. He tried to scream but no sound came out.
He struggled trying to pull free as water started to fill up the mask once the seal was broken.
One held the mask on his face while keeping it there and the other two held him under the water. He kicked and screamed trying to get away.
He knew he was going to die right here if he didn’t get free.
*~*
Darin walked back into the room, “Andrew?! You’re safe – you’re not drowning. It’s just an air mask.” He pushed past the nurse pulling the smaller one into a hug. “B-Breathe as best you can, we’ll try again in a few seconds. You’re safe…”
Andrew didn’t know how Darin knew about any of it, but he clung shaking. He kept reliving it each time the mask went over his face.
Even though he couldn’t breathe very well, he would rather not have it over his mouth. “N-No m-more..” He rasped hoarsely. “P-Please.”
“Your blood oxygen level is dangerously low. We need to try again.” The nurse started but Darin held his hand up.
“Give me a minute.” Darin takes the mask and hands it over. “Here. See? It’s just pushing air through.” He shows the smaller one what it looked like and what it did. He then took Andrew’s hand and pushed it into it slightly, “Feel that? It’s air. Now you have to have this. If you don’t Kyle will take Mistoffelees against his will and will be your cat until further notice.”
The others eyes widened taking a shallow breath. Darin could see the two of sides of him were fighting on what to do. That worried him – usually the threat of losing Misto was enough to pull Andrew out of whatever was going on. “You can hold it on, but you’ve got to keep it there as long as you can stand it. I’ll be right here.”
Andrew nods slowly feeling dizzy from lack of air in his lungs. He leaned forward letting Darin push it up over his nose and mouth. He struggled to keep it on knowing he had to and as Darin said it was just air.
The flash backs started again and water started to fill the room around him. His eyes widened as he started to panic again.
“Andrew. It’s air. You’re in the room.” Darin said a little bit louder hoping to get through the panic. “You can do it.”
He had to get the mask off his face and push him off him or he’d never see his mom again. This time Darin held strong. The door opened and the other three were there finally.
Eiden was the one who joined first. He reached out and took one of the flying hands holding it. “Mate, you’re not there. You’re not at that bloody camp. They aren’t trying to drown you for fun. I called Richard. You’re safe. We won’t let them do it again. You’ve got bigger friends on your side this time. Matt will beat them up. Darin will scare them. Blake will chase them off and I’ll pull you out of the water.”
Darin blinked looking over to his lover. He felt Andrew stop fighting him and the panic was slowly dying away. Eiden just glanced over, giving a nervous smile as the smaller one leans into him. He wrapped his arms around him gently. “I know, it’s over. The pricks can’t get to you again. Matt sat on them.” He tried to joke.
Blake turned to the nurse who looked exhausted, “Thank you for being patient. I know in all the commotion it got crazy but is there a way to give him an anxiety med of some sort?”
“That’s what I threatened him with.” She said without emotion.
“No, you threatened him with a step up.” Darin argued, pulling away from Andrew to turn to her. “You could have just said that.”
The red head looked between them then looked behind Darin. Eiden and Matt had Andrew in an uncomfortable but safe position using the air mask. “Let’s fight later. Andrew is using it but it’s not helping if he can’t relax.”
The nurse sighed but went to get the syringe ready. Blake turned to Darin, “Look at me. Our first priority is our terrified kitten over there. Get mad at her later.” He turned his face to look at him. “I mean it. She’s not worth it. It was a tense situation and everyone was freaking out.”
Darin took a deep breath but nodded. He stepped around Blake and walked over to where the other three were. “Andrew? Are you holding it on properly?”
“We are. I’ve got a hand on it.” Eiden reassured him. “I don’t know how coherent Andrew is however.”
Matt looks over Andrew’s head, “Barely.”
The nurse made her way over. Eiden’s eyes widened, “Hey wait what is that?”
“It’s ___. An anxiety medicine. It should have been given earlier.” She wiped his arm with an alcohol wipe then moved quickly.
Andrew startled slightly but Matt held him tightly in his arms. “It’s ok, kitten. It’s just anxiety medicine. We’re here. You need to relax.”
The smaller one’s eyes glazed over then became heavily lidded a few minutes later. Darin took the mask from Eiden and put it properly on Andrew’s face with the strap behind his head. Matt just let him curl up in his arms and doze in and out.
The blood oxygen meter beeped as new numbers started to come in. “It’s working.” The nurse said, smiling relieved.
