After the Battle

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Quaxo was inwardly squealing. He'd given Munkustrap chaste kisses on the lips, but never before something like this! The young tom tried to keep himself calm, and rested his own paw on Munkustrap's face, closing his eyes as he returned the slowly deepening kiss. Quaxo's mind told him that this was just the catnip in Munkustrap's system talking, but honestly, the young cat couldn't care less. He was getting attention from the cat he loved.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap pressed closer, sliding one paw from Quaxo's cheek behind his head and up to the base of his ear, rubbing gently. His tongue flicked out, playing along Quaxo's lips, and his purring deepened somewhat.

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Quaxo nervously parted his lips, letting Munkustrap's tongue invade, his own pressing against the older cat's. He gently slid his comforting paw down Munkustrap's back once more, his other paw resting on the back of his friend's head as he purred quietly, loving the mixed feelings of the older tom's paw rubbing his ears and the kiss. Quaxo's tail slid around the both of them and he smiled into the kiss.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap had enough sense to remember that not only was Quaxo younger than he was, but Munkustrap had never seen Quaxo even expressing an interest in anything more than friendly conversation with another cat. Munkustrap probably could claim his first kisses - could probably claim almost all of his kisses, except for the one Cassandra stole. The thought of Cassandra stealing a kiss from Quaxo made him growl faintly and pull Quaxo protectively closer. He moved his other paw from Quaxo's cheek to his shoulder, and then down Quaxo's back, coming to rest at the base of Quaxo's tail. He rubbed there softly, knowing it was a point of pleasure for many cats.

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"Ooh..." Quaxo let out a quiet moan and a shiver at Munkustrap's paw on his tail. He closed his eyes tighter and leaned forward, pressing his lips against Munkustrap's quickly once more, smiling widely. Was this what having a mate would be like? All this pleasure and all these kisses? If so, Quaxo wanted a mate. Preferably Munkustrap. The younger tom rested his paws on Munkustrap's hips, rubbing them gently and smiling widely. Quaxo wanted to tell Munkustrap just how much he loved him... but who knew, that might ruin the moment.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap drank in the sight of the tuxedo cat's pleasure before resuming their kiss. He could feel Quaxo's smile against his mouth, and that brought an answering grin to his own lips. It had been a little while since Munkustrap had cuddled with another, and Quaxo was feeling very good in his arms right now. His size made it easier to cuddle the cat close, and his magic helped keep Munkustrap from hurting. It helped that Quaxo was an enthusiastic student when it came to kisses and caresses. Yes, Quaxo felt good.

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Quaxo pulled away after a moment, feeling the need to breathe. He bit his lip softly and stared into Munkustrap's eyes, then blushed deeply. "... uhm..." He didn't really know what to say in response to that kiss. It was simply amazing. Hey, that worked.

"That was... amazing, Munkustrap." Quaxo whispered breathlessly, nestling his face beneath Munkustrap's chin and closing his eyes. After a moment of the nuzzling, he leaned back up and pressed their lips together for a third time, pulling away after just a second to stare into his eyes, a paw on his cheek once more.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap smiled, still lightly rubbing the base of Quaxo's tail. He nuzzled the top of Quaxo's head when the smaller cat nestled against him. After the third kiss, Munkustrap leaned forward to touch their noses together, his eyes slightly dilated from the catnip. "You're amazing."

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Quaxo blushed at the compliment, closing his eyes tightly and leaning forward to place a soft, barely-there kiss to his lips. "Not as amazing as you." he whispered, moving closer to the older tom and resting their foreheads together. "Munkustrap, do you love me?" Quaxo asked quietly, biting his lip. He'd asked this before and gotten a less-than-satisfactory answer, but after this...

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"I'm not magical anymore," Munkustrap answered, speaking before he had a chance to process the ramifications of his reply. "Yes, I love you." Yes, he did love Quaxo - Quaxo was part of his tribe. Quaxo was his nephew. Quaxo was a dear friend. Quaxo was probably something more than just a friend. Quaxo was not, though, a mate

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Quaxo tilted his head to the side, pulling back a little. "Anymore?" he asked quietly, reaching over to stroke Munkustrap's cheek softly. "Munk, you had magic?" Quaxo was thoroughly confused - yes, the older tom had been a part of his father's tribe, but the only cats who had magical powers had been himself, his father, and his father's sib--... wait.

"Are you his brother?" Quaxo's eyes widened a little and he bit his lip, staring into Munkustrap's eyes. "... tell me the truth."

[Munkustrap Etc.]

By this time, what Munkustrap said had finally reached that still-sane part of his brain. Everlasting Cat, what did I say? That sane part set off warning bells, and Munkustrap blinked, shaking his head slightly as soberness rushed back upon him. When he looked back at Quaxo, he saw the little cat waiting for an answer. Munkustrap sighed. A lie now would do more harm than good. He took a moment to gather his courage before answering with just one word.

"Yes."

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"Why didn't you tell me?" Quaxo asked desperately, feeling utterly confused because here he was, thinking Munkustrap had been some random kitten from the tribe that had run away because Macavity hated him. Munkustrap was his uncle. The young tom bit his lip softly and pulled away, curling up in front of Munkustrap, but not touching him. He stared into Munkustrap's eyes and sighed quietly. "... does he know?"

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"I didn't tell anyone," Munkustrap replied, watching Quaxo curl away from him and quashing the pain that caused, "for the same reason you didn't tell anyone. Macavity has a wicked reputation. Any association with him could easily mean you yourself are wicked. And the Jellicles certainly wouldn't have let the kitten Ritzkin into their tribe." He sat back, a grimace twisting his face at the memories. "I wasn't exactly the nicest cat when I was young, Quaxo. I wanted to put my past behind me, completely." He met and held Quaxo's gaze steadily. "I'm pretty sure Macavity doesn't recognize me. He never seems to... but we never really encounter each other in a situation where he has time to stop and think. He left me for dead, after all, he wouldn't be expecting me to turn up again."

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Quaxo gave a little nod and nestled his face beneath his friend's chin once more. No... not friend. Uncle. Though, Quaxo supposed, your uncle could be your friend. He slid his arms around Munkustrap once more and leaned up, softly kissing him on the lips. "Munkustrap, your name was Ritzkin? Father always told me about his favorite little brother Ritzy..." Quaxo laughed quietly at the memories of his father's stories. "I never expected it to be you, Munky..." Quaxo bit his lip softly once more and nuzzled him. "My real name isn't Quaxo, either. It's... Mirza."