Hey!

I'm really sorry for the delay; I know it's almost been a year. I've had this finished; I just kept getting into other things and eventually forgot about it.

However, I remember it now.

Thanks everyone, for reading and reviewing.

Allow me to present the final Chapter of "To Touch You Is to Know What Happiness Is."

There was not a feeling in the word lovelier than lying with Skimbleshanks, the sun gracing over every surface. Tumblebrutus was sure of it. The sunlight transformed Skimble's beautiful orange fur into a deep golden colour. Tumblebrutus pressed his face into Skimbleshanks' neck, eliciting a purr from the older tom. The tabby cat was curled up to Skimble's right, and arm and leg slung protectively over him. Skimble settled for a light grasp about Tumblebrutus' waist. The moment was quite a wonderful one.

Although, something was eating at the back of the Railway Cat's mind – Munkustrap. Until they could convince Munkustrap that their relationship wasn't wrong, such thoughts would continue to ruin Skimbleshanks' happy mood. He just wasn't one to make waves. However…Tumblebrutus expected it of him. Skimble would simply have to speak to Munkustrap.

He got his chance when Tumblebrutus was off with some of the other kits. Skimble found himself alone, so he decided to take a stroll about the junkyard. He had just been considering finding something to eat when he heard Demeter's voice.

"I can't just leave you alone, Munkus."

"If you need to go, then go."

Skimbleshanks peeked around the corner. Munkustrap was sitting on an old cushion and supported with a ramshackle pile of pillows, with Demeter standing at his side. She was wringing her paws together and turned as Skimble approached.

"If…if you need to do something, Demeter, I'll stay with Munkustrap." He said, running his gaze over the silver tom – scratches, bumps, bruises, fractured elbow…he was pretty torn up. Demeter looked between the two of them. Munkustrap hesitantly nodded at her. She gave him a soft kiss and hurried off, calling back, "Thank you, Skimble."

Once she was gone, Skimbleshanks sat at Munkustrap's side. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." Munkustrap muttered.

They were both quiet for a moment. Eventually, Skimbleshanks spoke.

"So, I was ordered to come stand up to you," he said, "But really, I shouldn'ta needed an order."

"You seemed pretty defensive, Skimbleshanks." Munkustrap said, examining some tassels on a pillow.

"Well, when someone's trying to separate you from the one you love, you do get on the defensive." Skimbleshanks admitted, "I mean, imagine if someone was trying to take Demeter away from you."

Munkustrap opened his mouth to say something, but he seemed to change his mind. He thought for a moment before trying again. "It's just…two toms being together is so odd to me. Something about it upsets me."

Skimbleshanks kept what he was thinking to himself; he got the idea that perhaps Munkustrap had once harbored some feelings for a tom that he didn't understand, so he responded with anger, as many toms would. He sighed and firmly said "I know it bothers you. I don't want to cause problems in the tribe, but Tumblebrutus and I are together and that is not going to change. We love each other, just as you and Demeter do."

The orange cat kept bringing up Demeter in hopes of using Munkustrap's fierce love for her as a way of explaining how he and Tumblebrutus felt about each other. It seems to have some effect. Skimbleshanks knew that it would take a lot of work to get Munkustrap to accept them, if it happened at all.

Munkustrap pushed himself into a more comfortable position, wincing as he put pressure on his injured elbow. Skimbleshanks leaned forward and helped Munkustrap settle. "Be careful, Munkustrap, Demeter will kill me if I let you aggravate your injuries."

"It's not as bad as she thinks it is. That queen just worries too much."

Skimble nodded. This was how it should be, two toms holding friendly conversation. He knew the issue at hand was not forgotten, however, and sure enough Munkustrap sighed and began to speak. "I heard you talking to Jenny the other day. About Tumblebrutus…you sounded heartbroken."

"I was."

"And then when I saw you and Tumblebrutus together…Everlasting, I sound like a gushing queen kit, but it looked as if you really care about each other." Munkustrap averted his gaze, returning to fuss with the tassels.

Skimbleshanks smiled. "That's because we do. Well, how about this? We'll try not to be as publicly affectionate, alright?"

"And I won't overreact if I see the two of you together."

The moment felt incredibly cheesy to both toms, but they knew that they had reached a good place.

"So is he a good kisser?"

"What?!" Tumblebrutus stared at Etcetera. He felt a blush creep upon him.

"C'mon, give us some detail!" Jemima laughed.

"I don't…but…can't…why do you care so much?" Tumblebrutus stammered. His most eloquent moment it was not, but he was flustered.

The queen kits giggled. It was a bit astonishing how quickly they became squealing fangirls. Victoria linked her arm with Tumblebrutus'. "You two are just too cute!"

Off to the side, Pouncival pitched his voice up. "Oh my Everlasting! Aren't Tumbly and Skimble like just the cutest?!"

Admetus fluttered a paw to his chin, pitching up his voice as well. "Totally! Like, the uber cutest!"

Plato jutted his hip and rested a paw on it. With his other paw stuck out in a very feminine manner, he said in a perfect falsetto, "They just SO, like, adorable together! I, like, totally can't deal!"

"They're just scrumptious!" Alonzo joined in.

"Toms that are mean don't get to go on dates…" Jemima sing-songed quietly.

Pouncival turned to his friends. "Geez, guys! You're being so immature."

"Good try, Pounce." Jemima said, "But why even think that you can fool me?"

The kits laughed. Pouncival pouted, but Jemima gave him a small kiss on the cheek, which cheered him up considerably.

"They're all just jealous." Tumblebrutus said, pulling a bit at the bandages on his chest. He didn't really need them anymore, but Jennyanydots insisted that wore them until the cuts were completely healed. "I mean, Pouncival and Alonzo – somehow – scored some babes, but Admetus and Plato are sitting over there all by themselves!"

He smiled to show it was all in jest.

"Hey there! We all know that everyone's wanting a piece of this," Plato said, gesturing to himself, "but that's just the problem! Can't be with someone without hurting someone else! Being this attractive can be a curse."

"Ooh, look who thinks he's Tugger!" Etcetera squealed. She and Electra grasped paws and giggled.

"Tumbles?"

"All the kittens looked up. Skimbleshanks was standing on a pile of junk, smiling.

"I'll see you guys later, guys." Tumblebrutus jumped to his feet and made his way up the junk pile. As he climbed, Alonzo called out. "Don't tire him out, Skimble! Tumblebrittania needs some energy to hunt tonight!"

Skimbleshanks gave him a look, but his green eyes were smiling.

The two toms ambled around the junkyard.

"I spoke with Munkustrap." Skimbleshanks said. Tumblebrutus looked at him with a worried expression, but the railway cat grinned. "It's all going to be okay. He's not going to do anything, but we've got to tone down on the public displays of affection."

Tumblebrutus pouted, looking up at Skimbleshanks with clear yellow eyes. Skimbleshanks laughed. "I see Victoria's taught you something."

"I'm using her knowledge to my gain!" Tumblebrutus said. He ducked underneath what looked like a discarded part of a wooden deck, gesturing for Skimble to follow. Once they were both underneath, they were pretty much concealed. Tumblebrutus clambered onto Skimbleshanks' lap. Skimble looked about the little grotto. Deciding it was private enough, he wrapped his arms around Tumblebrutus' waist. Tumblebrutus put his arms on Skimbleshank's shoulder, tangling his paws in the golden ginger mane. They kissed, warmer than ever before. Skimble found it wonderful to not be worrying about others, to be able to give himself fully to the tom kit at paw. He hoped…he knew that that how it was going to stay.