Chapter Text
“Do you miss me when I go?”
Tugger had wondered that a lot, rather, stewed over it. He had dithered back and forth about just coming out and asking before, but had always chickened out. In all fairness, it was nearly impossible to get Mistoffelees alone and fully paying attention to him! Well, alone as in the only two conscious Cats in the tavern, and fully paying attention as in, not competing with 6 other Toms for Misto’s attention.
“Like a hole in the head,” came the deadpan reply from across the room.
“Mistoooooooooo!” Tugger dramatically draped himself over the bar, beforing jumping up with a yelp. Sticky! Gross! He patted frantically at his mane, as Misto sauntered over with a snicker, depositing tankards on the bar between them.
“Why, do you miss me?” Misto asked, pausing across the bar from him to pull out a surprisingly clean cloth from under it. He began lazily wiping down the tankards. The New Providence tavern was rarely quiet, even at 9am on a Tuesday. Tugger himself was only up and about because Bomba had declared they were setting sail today, and it was in no one’s interest to disobey the captain’s orders.
“Yeah,” Tugger said, surprising himself a little with how easily he could say it. He did, though, he knew he did. Misto’s eyes widened slightly at the confession. Tugger was on thin ice here, he could feel it. Seeing Misto was his favourite thing about docking here. They came often, it was almost like a home base for them. Pirates were unexpectedly democratic, and most of their crew had friends/family/loved ones at this unruly haven. His own older brother, Munkustrap, owned this tavern. It was good to see him, too, when he wasn’t trying to get Misto to fall head over paws in love with him.
“Oh,” was all Misto said in response, a thoughtful look crossing his (very handsome) face. “I’m not sure. You dock here so often, when you go it feels like hardly any time has passed when you return.”
“Yeah, I suppose,” Tugger said, feeling his spirits sink. “You must see hundreds of Cats in here everyday.” Of course he wasn’t special to Misto, what a ridiculous thought!
“Sometimes it feels like no time has passed at all, but others the time does seem to drag. I do see many Cats in here day in, day out, but less than a pawful have managed to get me to talk the way you do,” Misto said, poking Tugger in the forehead. “Now stop looking like I’ve told you you’ve only got days to live.”
“If I did only have days to live, would you spend them with me?” Tugger grinned, leaning his chin on his paws and gazing at his friend.
“I’m sure you can find better company than me to spend your final days with,” Misto replied, his tone flat.
“I’m not!”
“I am.”
“Nuh-uh! Misto, for real, I’d wanna spend all the time I had left with you.”
That made him stop wiping and stare, his brow furrowing slightly. Tugger wanted to kiss the crinkled fur there so bad.
“I’ve been around, met a lot of Cats. Been more than friends with a lot of Cats-”
“This is not news, Tugger.”
“-but I’ve never liked anyone the way I like you!” Tugger pressed on. I’m always thinking about you when I’m not around you. Drives me mad, in a good way!”
Yes, he was a flirt. No, he was not ashamed of that. But the thought of even looking at another Cat when Misto was around was laughable. Tugger had never thought he’d ever want to take a mate, but Misto… damn, he just got him. Ever since they had met, Tugger had lost any and all interest in flirting with anyone else (well, except Bomba, but that was clearly just for a laugh as she only liked Queens). Munk and Vic had noticed, as had his whole crew, but unfortunately, the one Cat he really wanted to notice had not. It seemed deliberate at this point.
At that, Misto leaned slightly closer, abandoning any pretence he was still working. Although Tugger had fastidiously studied and mapped every inch of that gorgeous face, his current expression was completely unreadable.
“What do you want, Tugger?”
“Is this a trick question?” It felt like a trick question. Misto’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed the particular attention you’ve been paying me, Tugger. Tell me what you want from me.”
He had noticed! Tugger had thought he was too smart not to.
“I want… I want you.”
Misto didn’t move a muscle.
“I’m not interested in flings, Tugger, I’ve had enough of them to last nine lifetimes.”
“Me neither,” Tugger said, ignoring the little spike of jealousy he had just felt. If none of those Cats could see that Misto was worth the moon and stars, then they were just as undeserving as Tugger suspected.
“Are you sure about that?” How Misto was feeling was still a mystery, but his tone was incredulous. Excellent, an opportunity to flex his impressive hype muscles!
“Never been more sure about anything in my life,” he replied. “You’re strong, brave, smart, beautiful, understanding, and supportive. Frankly, I’d ask you to be my mate right now if I thought you felt the same way as me. I love you.”
“Tugger…”
“And I want you, and only you, for the rest of my life,” he added as Misto trailed off. His lovely eyes were wide. Tugger had faced down many a heavily-armed pirate, but he had never been as terrified as he was right now. This was raw, exposed, and half of him wanted to just turn around and walk into the ocean. He summoned the last of his courage.
“If it’s not something you want, you’ll never hear anything about it ever again, I get it. I just… I had to tell you, I have to know.”
Silence followed. The wait till Misto spoke again felt like a gruelling eternity.
“Are you serious?” Misto’s voice was barely above a whisper, and Tugger felt a massive swell of affection.
“Serious is an understatement,” he replied, looking Misto straight in the eye. He reached forward and squeezed Misto’s paws. “I love you,” he said again, willing Misto to believe him, “I mean it.”
“I believe you.” Misto’s voice was still so quiet, but Tugger caught what he said. He nodded.
“So… how ‘bout it?”
Did that sound too desperate? He hoped not, but probably. Misto laughed lightly.
“In that case, I don’t see why not.”
Tugger let out a shriek of elation that made Misto laugh fully. One of the passed-out pirates on the floor let out a grunt. Tugger ignored him. He slipped off his stool and vaulted over the bar a bit too enthusiastically – he would have careered into the wall if Misto hadn’t caught him. Having those strong arms around him felt magnificent. Without hesitating, he took Misto’s face in his paws and kissed him deeply.
“I love you,” Tugger murmured, not letting go of that oh-so-lovely face.
“I love you, too, you ridiculous Cat,” Misto said. There was no venom in his voice, only playfulness. How many times could Tugger say he loved him before it got boring?
“Wait for me?”
“I promise I will,” he said, “if you promise to come back safe.”
“I promise,” Tugger said firmly, stroking a paw across Misto’s ears, feeling more affection than he thought was possible.
“But if you get eaten by a sea monster, no guarantees.”
“MISTOOOOO! No sea monster stands a chance if it gets between me and coming back to you!” Tugger wailed.
“Heaviside help the sea monsters,” Misto murmured, pulling Tugger down to kiss him again. He was more than happy to be pulled. This Cat was worth more than any amount of treasure.