After the Battle

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap made a disdainful sound, wrapping his arms around Quaxo again. He was grateful that the little cat wasn't shunning him. Still, Quaxo could empathize with Munkustrap, and understand. The rest of the Jellicles? Munkustrap shuddered to think of how they might react. It was one thing to find out Quaxo, a relative nobody in the tribe, was related to Macavity, quite another to find out Munkustrap, the person responsible for everyone's safety, was related to the evil cat. "Of course I was Macavity's favorite. I was the only one of us blind enough to follow him without questions, even if it meant killing others." No, Munkustrap was not proud of his past. He pushed bad memories aside, though, and leaned down to nuzzle Quaxo's cheek. "I figured Quaxo wasn't your name, once you told me about Macavity. You probably changed it for the same reasons I did."

[[scean]]

Quaxo nodded slowly and gently kissed his friend's cheek, smiling a little. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure people knew Macavity had a son named Mirza, so..." He paused, then looked up to Munkustrap. "How many cats did you help kill, Munkustrap?" he asked, biting his lip. Quaxo himself had helped kill three that he remembered: two queens and a tom.

"I think that may have been why Father liked me so much, Munk." Quaxo said quietly, leaning against Munkustrap's shoulder. "I helped him kill, too."

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"At least eight," Munkustrap said quietly. "I didn't lie to you when I said Macavity and his brother... and me... killed my siblings." He closed his eyes, remembering the four kittens he had led to their deaths, as well as the older cats. "Macavity is not a good cat. Ritzkin wasn't, either."

[[scean]]

Quaxo frowned a little, reaching up to pet his cheek softly. He leaned up, placing a soft kiss to his lips and holding it for a moment before pulling away. "I'm sorry, Munk." he said quietly. "Sorry for bringing up these terrible memories of yours. I'm sorry my father killed your siblings." He kissed him again, leaning back against the walls of the den and pulling Munkustrap close.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap shook his head, stroking Quaxo's head. "It's not your fault Macavity did what he did, nor is it your fault that I followed him." He brushed a kiss over Quaxo's lips, letting the smaller cat pull him close, but he was not the purring ball of affection he was before they started this conversation. "Quaxo - not even Deuteronomy knows about my past. If this gets out... the consequences could be horrific. All it will take is someone like Cassandra to overreact..."

[[scean]]

"I promise I won't tell anyone, Munkustrap." Quaxo whispered, gently rubbing Munkustrap's uninjured side and kissing him softly on the lips once more. "It'll be our little secret, okay?" He ran his paw down Munkustrap's back once more, wanting to bring back the feeling of complete comfort they had before. He nuzzled Munkustrap's cheek once more, biting his lip. "I love you, Munk."

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"I know," Munkustrap whispered against the top of Quaxo's head. He kissed the black fur there. "Thank you."

[[scean]]

Quaxo looked up to Munkustrap and bit his lip softly, tilting his head to the side and gently kissing Munkustrap's cheek. "Why are you thanking me, Munky?" he asked quietly, stroking the older tom's cheek.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap answered by leaning down and kissing Quaxo lightly, forgoing words in place of an action.

[[scean]]

"Love you..." Quaxo smiled, returning the kiss and hugging Munkustrap tightly. He sat up slowly and gently pulled away from Munkustrap, staring into his eyes. Quaxo laid down, holding out his arms for his older friend. "Come on, Munk. You need to rest."

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap laid down beside Quaxo, pulling the smaller tom against him. Did he love this little cat? Maybe. Munkustrap wasn't really sure, at the moment, though he was leaning more and more toward yes every day.

[[scean]]

Quaxo curled against the older tom's chest, closing his eyes and smiling widely. "I'm going to stay with you until you're completely healed, Munk." he whispered, feeling sleep start to take him over. He gave Munkustrap one last quick kiss before sleep finally took him.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap smiled at Quaxo and rubbed his ears, watching him sleep for a long time, before he himself succumbed to sleep once again.

[[scean]]

Quaxo had slept very well over the night. His eyes slid open after a while, and he found himself in the arms of an older tom. Quaxo smiled, looking up to Munkustrap, and remembered what had happened the previous night. "Munk..."

The young tom sat up a little, carefully resting Munkustrap on his uninjured side and kissing his cheek softly. Quaxo pet his friend's fur softly, staring at him for a while before deciding he should probably wake Munkustrap from his sleep... the older tom waking to find Quaxo staring at him might be a little awkward.

Quaxo gently rested his hand on Munkustrap's shoulder and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Munkustrap..." he whispered, planting another soft kiss to his lips and running his paw down the older tom's arm. "Munky, wake up..." Quaxo kissed him again softly, shaking Munkustrap gently.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

It was a sign of Munkustrap's injuries, that he didn't immediately wake up when Quaxo did, or when Quaxo moved him. Usually, he was more alert than this, even in his sleep. "Mmm..." Something was kissing him. It felt nice, so Munkustrap decided to kiss back, very slowly pulling himself back to full consciousness.