I’d been thinking about disagreements that Demeter and Munk might have from time to time, because every couple has them, even healthy ones. x3
There’s probably nothing big that they argue about. Sometimes it’s a little tiff about methods of raising kittens, or other silly little things, like whether or not a plate of chicken was better with or without cheese...things that they could laugh about later.
If they both have had a bad day and can’t think on the same wavelength, sometimes they’ll banter, which may become a wrestling match (like IRL cats have), a way to let out their energy. They don’t “let” the other win, either; Demeter may win on sheer tenacity and speed, or Munk may win by size and strength, but neither minds losing, as seeing the other happy has a good effect on them. Then they have a talk, and the day is better.
Sometimes Munkustrap is frustrated on the times that Demeter seems to take several steps backward, and she retreats into her fears...and then even briefly fears him when he has a grimace on his face. Once she’s calm again, he reveals that his frustration is at himself, wondering how much help he is at all. She responds that he helps more than he knows, and that he is frustrating her by always worrying so much. He agrees with a timid laugh, and apologizes, and she holds him and playfully admonishes that he shouldn’t do that either.
Sometimes there might be a misunderstanding that speaks to her insecurities...like once when Demeter overheard herself being referred to as a “damsel in distress”, if jokingly (by Tugger, usually), and she’d asked Munk if he saw her like that, too. Of course he didn’t...but he’d paused when she demanded that she wanted to hear the truth, and not something that he thought she wanted to hear. He’d argued that what he always said was the truth...and still, that nagging doubt kept her from being convinced that everyone didn’t see her as weak as she saw herself.
He tried not to let his frustration show, and would simply give her some space when she was stubborn, ever patient...and ever reminding her that she wasn’t dealing with a tom who used honeyed words to keep her complacent, or kept pushing until she submitted. She wasn’t dealing with another Macavity. She didn’t need to be defensive anymore.
When she came back with an apology, he held her close and told her that he understood...and that the truth was, while he knew that sometimes she did need help, and that he’d always be there when she did...he knew that she was very strong...and if she were carried off by a dragon, he’d bet money that she’d have beaten it herself and escaped the tower before a knight could come.
It was a joke, but there was sincerity there. She saw it in his eyes. Where Macavity’s compliments came with condescension, Munkustrap’s came with adoration and a warm face, like he still couldn’t quite believe that he knew such a queen, and that’s what kept her there with him.
The more time passed, the less frustrating that their insecurities became...they knew how the other ticked, they helped to keep each other up, and it was easier to help themselves to be better, as well.