"Humans come up with the silliest inventions…" Cassandra purred to herself, fiddling with a small white object in her paws, before a fat rain drop on her nose interrupted her thoughts. One glance upwards at the black sky was enough for her to admit defeat, and she knew Alonzo would be worried if she didn't beat the storm back to their den. The queen stood and stretched out, looking around briefly for a secure spot to store her treasure, before the sounds of someone stomping and sighing made her ears twitch upright. Bombularina stalked passed her in a blur of red, and Cassandra was barely able to catch her attention.
"Bomba! Hey!" Cassandra spun around, her bright green eyes wide and unassuming as she reached out and touched Bomba's shoulder. "Where are you off to?"
"I have no idea." Bomba replied sourly; seemingly unaffected by the rain drops as they started to fall more rapidly. "I just started walking and didn't stop…didn't realize how far I'd gotten from the junkyard." Cassandra frowned a little bit, before she guided her friend to duck underneath a large tree for temporary shelter. "I come out here to have quiet moments for myself sometimes, but it probably isn't the best place for us to be in this kind of weather." Bomba didn't really feel like talking, but she also didn't have the energy to fight Cassandra's concern, so she instead allowed her eyes to wander the area a little as Cassandra spoke. The junkyard wasn't too far away, in fact they were still technically within the property and therefore under jellicle protection, but this was an area not many cats spent much time. It was just a patch of woods-the trees large but mostly dead-and part of the fence that served as a barrier for their home was only a few feet away. One could easily hear the not so distant sounds of the city and busy traffic. It was a good spot to occasionally mouse hunt, and during the month of October it provided a somewhat spooky atmosphere that the kittens ate up enthusiastically, but that was pretty much where it lost charm.
Cassandra caught on that Bomba's mind was somewhere else, but she wasn't offended, and she began to toss her little white object up and down in the air casually. "So, uh…. can't help but recognize that look on your face. Dare I say you're having…. tom troubles?" Bomba's eyes widened at Cassandra-and then they unintentionally followed the movement of white she was tossing up and down; her pupils dilating. "Why in the great heavyside would you-…can you stop please? What the hell is that thing?"
"I have no idea." Cassandra giggled and tossed her object to Bomba. "I found it out there. I think it is some type of music player, but I can't get it work." The rain started to get a little heavier, and Cassandra stood straighter, signaling she didn't plan on staying. "You can have it."
"Er…thanks I guess." Bomba frowned down at her paws, her eyes scanning the word "Ipod" as if it was supposed to make sense to her. "You didn't answer my other question though."
"I just recognize that look on your face. I've worn it myself in the past. It is pretty easy to deduce, especially considering who the…uh….tom in question might be." Cassandra wiggled her eyebrows at Bomba, before laughing a little at the defensive stance the red queen immediately took at her words. "I am joking!" Cassandra's grin was wide, before her expression settled into a slightly more empathetic one. "If I'm right though, just know that all toms are jerks and queens are usually right to be upset with them."
"You're a true romantic, Cassandra." Bomba rolled her eyes, before she couldn't help but smirk. "Guess there is no point in trying to hide it-everybody knows about me and Tugger anyway."
"Does it bother you that everybody knows?" Cassandra edged a little closer to Bomba; searching her eyes curiously.
"Not even a little bit." Bomba's own eyes softened a little, before she sighed up at the tree they were standing under; leaning against the trunk and wincing at the wetness that greeted her. "Tugger and I are two cats that live in the spotlight and love every second of it. I have no problems with everyone else. He's just… behaving like I'm nothing more than a good time." Her browns eyes narrowed a little, and she suppressed a small hiss. "This would all be easier to deal with if I could just bring myself to hate him."
Cassandra snickered a little, before she suddenly softened her voice. "You're a fierce queen, Bomba. Tell him how you feel, and how you expect to be treated."
Bomba crossed her arms and shook her head. "Easier said then done. I've never…" she trailed off, suddenly unsure if she wanted to share this much with Cassandra. "I'm not use to being…sentimental. At least not with anyone other than Demeter."
"Well, if what you want with him is more than just a good time, sentimentality is usually the place to start." Cassandra grinned and shook off what little water was on her head. "I knew Alonzo was serious the first time he showed me he could be vulnerable. He trusted me with that…I could have laughed at him, rejected him, seen him as a lesser tom but he went out on the limb anyway. It was kind of a big deal."
Bomba thought about what Cassandra said for a moment and was seriously tempted to ask her for the full story, before a bright flash of lightening made both jump a little bit. "We better go"-
Bomba shook her head. "You go ahead-I won't be far behind. I just need a bit more of a breather."
Cassandra frowned, but she knew Bomba could take care of herself and decided she had pried enough for now. With a wink, the Abyssinian queen darted out into the rain and within seconds was no longer visible. Bomba chewed on the inside of her mouth a bit, before she frowned down at the music player in her paw. "I hate the rain." Her thumb glossed over the buttons carefully, before her ears perked upright as some music suddenly started playing out of the small speaker. "….She seriously couldn't figure out she had to hit the play button?" Bomba had to laugh, before she settled more comfortably against the tree, deciding to listen to at least one song before running home. It wasn't too long before her foot started tapping to the beat.
Oh, when he found her, there was going to be hell to pay. Tugger growled as he did his best to dart underneath any and all objects that could provide shelter from the rain, as he continued his trek to find his queen and avoid being seen by everyone else at the same time. His mane was starting to curl from the humidity in the air, and the volume that usually gave him that iconic fluff, (that drove kittens wild), had already begun to deflate. Was she really worth this? For all Tugger knew, Bomba was probably home with Demeter safe, dry, and still hating on him for melodramatic reasons. Why did he feel so obligated to set the record straight? She was hardly the first queen he ever managed to piss off, and she was the one who was acting nuts, after all.
Running around in a downpour because he felt guilty for hurting her feelings was probably just as nuts, though. Tugger growled and paused for a moment, his wild eyes scanning every inch of the junkyard before him, his nose lifting into the air to smell it fervently. A dark blur of brown color darted past him, and with it the unmistakable scent of his queen. In a movement he didn't think twice of, and probably should have, he jumped out from his hiding spot- his hair standing on end, or at least as much as it could in this weather. He was greeted with a small scream that he quickly silenced with a large paw to the mouth-the last thing he needed right now was a crowd.
Cassandra's eyes bugged out of her head as she crashed into a muscular and very wet chest, and she blinked up at Tugger a few times as they stood in silence for a moment-gulping down the scream that had erupted from her throat at the very….bizzare sight of him. Oh, oh where was Alonzo now….he so needed to this for himself!
"Ah…um…er….-" Cassandra's face looked twisted in pain, but it was only because she was holding in a burst of laughter. Tugger still managed to throw her a dashing smile in his state-the rain now pounding down on top of his head and making unflattering 'splat' noises. "Hello Cassy, my dear." Even now, Tugger's personality shone through as if the weather was as insignificant as ever. Cassandra hated the fact that even in this state, the tom could still send a shiver down her spine.
"Where is she?"
Cassandra tilted her head, before she realized what he meant, and she gave him a coy smile. Tugger watched as she pointed behind her and used her head to gesture to the woods-and squeaked when he grabbed her shoulders and gave her a wet kiss on the cheek. "I owe you one, sweetheart!" With that, the main coon sprinted off towards the direction Cassandra came from, and she watched him go with slightly flustered eyes.
Alonzo was pacing, before grumbling out loud as he and Munkustrap watched their tribe spread out and duck for shelter. "Not everybody is inside." Alonzo's voice was calm, but it was apparent he was a bit anxious all the same. Munkustrap sighed a bit, before shaking his head. At least the lightening was preventing any kittens from playing out in the rain, but he knew he was still stuck in it until everyone was accounted for.
"Shocking." His sarcasm was thick as his eyes roamed the area-mentally wishing he was curled up in his warm den with Demeter instead of getting poured on.
"Where-" Munkustrap's thought was cut off as he felt Alonzo push by him-Cassandra had suddenly jumped up to their perch and her mate wasted no time in helping her up.
"There you are." Alonzo sighed a bit in relief, before rubbing his forehead against her own. "You are the last one I expected to be straggling behind." Cassandra smiled kindly, before shrugging her shoulders. "I just got caught up."
Munkustrap's tail twitched a bit, before he glanced away from the two cats besides him. "So that means we're just missing-"
"Tugger and Bomba." Cassandra finished, before waving her paw dismissively and welcoming the embrace that Alonzo gave her. "They're fine but…it will probably be a moment before they head back." She winked and offered a somewhat knowing grin that neither toms understood.
Munkustrap crossed his arms, and with a defeated grumble he knew he would most likely be stuck out in the rain a while longer. His brother would owe him for this, that much was for sure.
Yes, Bomba hated the rain. It was cold, blocked out the sun, and made nothing but messes-mud and puddles, and it left a sogginess to everything it touched! But right now, Bombularina couldn't help but adore every drop of rain that pounded against her. That music that erupted from the small, white device Cassandra found had been too damn catchy to just ignore. Bomba had leaned it up against the tree, allowed the rhythm to radiate around her, and before she realized it she had started dancing-at first it was subtle, and controlled-the same kind of dancing she would do in front of the other jellicle cats…graceful and sexy, but it wasn't long before the reality of being alone hit her and she allowed herself a bit more freedom in her movements. Bomba released all the pent-up frustration that had come crashing on her that morning into the storm-and she found herself laughing hysterically as she danced, quite literally, like nobody was watching. The thunder and lightening were like backdrops to a stage that she created herself.
The rain pelted her fur, and she felt it clinging to every inch of her skin, but she didn't care. She whipped her head back and forth, her torso up and down-sending strands of hair and water flying in every which direction and causing an illusion of a mane of her own making to frame her face. Her feet stomped into the puddles that were forming, and she kicked up the water and spun around in it, her hips continuing to sway and buckle-all with keeping to the beat of the music in the air. She laughed, running her claws through her hair and dipped her head as far back as she is could-opening her arms up and allowing to the rain to fall relentlessly on her body. It was liberating; as if the storm was cleansing her soul from all it's troubles. Bomba was so caught up in the moment, that she only smelled him just suddenly, and with a paralyzed expression she slowly brought her face up and locked eyes with the very tom that had been the source of her horrible day.
Tugger had been standing by the tree, for who knows how long. His expression was far away, and his breathing was heavy. Bomba had caught it for just a second before he snapped himself out of it. Once his eyes came back into focus, a small spark began to flicker in them, but he remained still as the two lovers stood in silence-staring at each other as if it was the first moment they were meeting.
Bomba slowly brought her arms down and stood more upright, cursing inwardly at herself as she felt her cheeks grow hot. How long had he been standing there…? Humiliation began to rear its ugly head, and Bomba felt her stomach twist into a mighty knot. She considered running for it, but truth be told, with that very unrecognizable expression on Tugger's face she didn't want to find out if he would chase her or not...or what he would do if she ran, and he then caught her.
Tugger made the first move-his foot subtly pressing against the Ipod and pausing the music. He still said nothing, but his eyelids lowered a bit as he stared Bomba down-his paws coming up and resting on his belt-Bomba caught the sight of his claws coming out as he did this. His tail twitched awkwardly behind him, and he swallowed hard.
The silence was suffocating and Bomba couldn't stand it, so she sucked in her breath and did her best to narrow her eyes at him.
"What do you wa-" She never got a chance to finish, because Tugger was on her in a move almost as fast as the lightening flashing in the sky. His mouth claimed hers, and his paws held onto the sides of her face-his claws combing through her wet hair with ease. Bomba stood frigid, her long eyelashes batting against his face as she blinked in rapid surprise.
This was…different. Bomba didn't quite understand it. She had been kissed by Tugger many times, but this felt different somehow. There was no groping, no teasing, no biting or growling. Tugger just…held her in place, his kiss somehow managing to be gentle and forceful at the same time. Bomba felt him pull back for a moment, but he still held her face, and her eyelids lifted in surprise as she took in his expression. There was heat radiating from his expression, and his eyes bore into her and made her heart skip a few beats. The rain poured down his face, the large drops of water clinging to his eyelashes and nose, and yet he made no move to wipe them away.
"I love you."
Bomba's mouth parted, and then her eyebrows pushed together as she slowly registered what he said.
"…you what?"
Tugger smiled, knowingly, and ran a paw down her cheek-gently pinching her there. "You heard me."
Had she heard him? Bomba's confused expression made him chuckle, and he leaned in for another quick kiss-before his strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her into a tight embrace. There was still no groping, no naughty clawing or kissing, he simply just held her there in the rain-he didn't even seem to care that she didn't hug him back. He didn't care that they were getting rained on. Bomba's arms hung limply at her sides as she stared over his shoulder-his words still replaying in slow motion through her mind.
"You can call this-you can call me whatever you want. Tomfriend, mate, asshole…" She heard him grin through his words. "I don't care." Tugger pulled back before gazing down at her again, and Bomba finally felt her throat catch a bit. The way he was looking at her….no, it wasn't like Munkustrap's gaze towards Demeter…it was definitely different. It was definitely better. His eyes were not sharp, calculated, and as bright as they normally were-but there was a gentility in his expression, and yet at the same time Bomba felt the flame; it was loving yet predatorial all at once. "I was an idiot, I'll admit it. Even I can't be perfect all the time."
Oh, yes, there was the Tugger she recognized. Bomba really wanted to roll her eyes, but he continued and he made her pause.
"You might hate me for asking this...hell, you might hate me for a lot of reasons. I've decided I don't care." His smile grew. "Just be mine."
Bomba slowly registered his words, and she forced herself to pull back just slightly-she felt his grip tighten when she did, but he allowed her the moment to meet him face to face. She tried awfully hard to think of something poignant to say, but it was hard enough to keep her resolution while he was looking at her with those eyes.
She finally managed to huff and turned her nose up in an overly dramatic way. She knew he probably saw right through her.
"…I'm still mad at you."
"I figured as much." Tugger grinned slyly at her. "You should probably get use to that." Bomba could see he was trying very hard to prevent a smirk from growing. "For what it is worth, though, I am sorry for letting you down like that. I was too busy thinking about our image, and should have seen your feelings were hurt. You were right, I was being an ass." His voice seemed sincere, and Bomba wanted to accept his apology, but she resisted the urge. He would need to do better than this.
Bomba scoffed, before her arms slowly came up around him. "If you want me, you need to want to stay with me. Don't' leave me alone in the mornings. You can't imagine how that feels."
Tugger shook his head and dipped his nose down, using it to tilt her head back, and he began to nuzzle her neck affectionately. "There is zero chance of that ever happening again."
Tugger planted a kiss on her neck and heard her sigh a bit, and he pulled his head back to meet her gaze. "Say it. Say you'll be mine.." He paused, his voice was soft.
"Please?"
Had she ever heard him use the word 'please', before?
Bomba took the moment to really let what was happening soak in. It had only just hit her how…incredibly hilarious he looked in this rain. His hair and mane were both a complete soggy mess-drenched in water and clinging to him in a very unflattering way. Yet he didn't seem to care, and Bomba would have sworn the Rum Tum Tugger wouldn't be caught dead seen in public like this-especially not in front of a queen like herself. Yet here he was, in all his drenched glory, holding her in a way she had never been held before. Asking her a question that would change everything between them. It was a truly…vulnerable moment for him, she realized.
Bomba's smile brought a gleam of hope to Tugger's face, and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping back and out of his arms-he only reluctantly allowing her to escape, but he quickly followed as she walked over to the tree, and using the tip of her tail, she pressed the 'play' button on her new ipod.
"Dance with me."
A/N: First, I apologize for any spelling errors or grammar mistakes. I will fix them as I catch them :) I hope you enjoyed my little story. I intentionally kept the music for Bomba's scene ambiguous, because I want readers to imagine whatever song they want. If you want to know, the song that inspired the scene was "I want to dance with somebody" by Whitney Houston :D so that is what I imagine in my head.