Damage Control ((1914))

[amanika]

"I dunno, what did the doctor say?" Tugger asked, choosing to take the question literally, it was safe to say he was far from okay at the moment, going to be? Well, time would tell. "It ain't stopped hurtin' since the injection wore off." he added, more an observation than a complaint.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac could feel his fur stand on end just a little at the mention of the doctor. "He said that with rest it should heal alright. It... it will scar but if you take care of it not noticeably." He swallowed. "Try not ta pop the stitches. I, I'm sorry it's still hurtin'."

[amanika]

Tugger tensed slightly at the mention of the cuts scarring, but he knew it was too late to do anything about it, "Ain't your fault."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac sighed, reaching over to turn the lamp off and laying down on the bed. It might be easier to say this in the dark. "I should have been here. You shouldn't've been here alone with him."

[amanika]

Tugger unhooked his arms from his knees and crawled underneath the blankets, curling up much like he had been when Macavity first found him.

"It ain't your fault Mac," he even managed to sound a little bit fierce in the dark, "I know you gotta work. Besides, if I'd got in on time, I'd've been back before him and he wouldn't've had a reason t'get mad."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac sighed up at the ceiling. "He would've found another reason," Mac said quietly. "He always does. It ain't your fault, it's his." He turned his head on the pillow. The sheets smelled clean and un-used. It was a strange thought, that no one had been sleeping in this bed for a while, that 'Straps was gone. The bastard, he was gone. His eyes adjusted to the dark and he looked over at Tugger. "We'll be okay," he said very quietly. "Just take it easy the next couple days, okay?"

[amanika]

"I'll try." Tugger's eyes were shining in the dark, at least it was okay to cry again now no one could see him. "You think he'll have forgotten this tomorrow?" a pause, "I don't think I ever saw him that mad before."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac opened his mouth and shut it, trying to give himself time to think. "He'll be too drunk tomorrow ta remember anythin'," he said finally. "Just try to stay out of his way the next few days and it should blow over." Mac's ribs twinged a little, remembering when their father had been angry at him.

[amanika]

"I'll try." Tugger didn't sound convinced. "Mebbe I could meet you at work after school?" his tone was hopeful, "I'd stay outta' your way."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac nodded and realized that Tugger probably couldn't see so well in the dark. "Of course," he said. "It shouldn't be a problem." If nothing else, a couple of the queens at work probably wouldn't mind pampering him for the half hour or so.

[amanika]

"Thanks Mac." Tugger's voice wasn't much above a whisper, "I just don't...." he cut off unable to finish the sentance with just one thing. He didn't want to be around when his father was tomorrow and he didn't want to be alone either. There was a certain need to stay close to his brother right now, he didn't know what he'd have done if Macavity hadn't got home when he did.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac nodded in the dark, forcing a sigh back. "It's no problem," he said. He didn't want Tugger to be home alone with their dad. "I look forward ta seein' you then."

[amanika]

"Thanks for lookin' out for me. I'm sorry t'be a pain."

[victoriousscarf]

"You're not a pain," Mac replied. "And you have nothin' ta be sorry for. Just, try ta sleep alright? It's been a lon' night."

[amanika]

" 'Kay, g'night Mac." Tugger pulled the covers a bit closer around him, he knew he wouldn't sleep well tonight, but didn't want Macavity worrying about him. For now, it was enough to have his brother in the next bed.