Let's Keep this Civilized ((13))

[amanika]

Tugger's eyes followed Macavity's across the room to the clock, "Not for a while, I don't start til 'round lunchtime." he fiddled a bit with his mane, "I can get outta' your hair though if you got things y'need to be doin'.

[victoriousscarf]

"No, that's not it," Mac said, eyes straying to where Tugger was playing with his mane. "I just..." had no idea what to talk about that wouldn't set one or the other of them off, and the whole point was for them to try and get along. Working wonderfully, that was.

[amanika]

Tugger frowned at Macavity, shifting slightly in his seat. Even after this many years he still found himself looking to his elder brother to steer where this was going. Maybe he'd been content to rely on Munkustrap in that way for too long as well.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac ran a paw through his own hair. "I just don't know what ta say. Not right now anyway. That... that doesn't mean I want you ta go or anythin' just that I'm not sure." And how he hated admitting it.

[amanika]

Tugger's ears flicked a little more at that. He rubbed the back of his head, absently mirroring his brother's movement somewhat. "I guess there ain't as much t'talk about after a year as I figured. Like I said, ain't much that's changed where me an' 'Straps are concerned."

[victoriousscarf]

Macavity rolled one shoulder in a shrug. "In some ways, not changin' is nice. Others though..." Another slight shrug. "Things haven't been much changin' here either in the last year, but I 'uess that's how it goes."

[amanika]

Tugger nodded, silent for a moment and fiddling with his mane again, "Look," he managed finally, "Mac..."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac glanced up at that from where he had been brooding at the top of the table. "Yeah?"

[amanika]

Tugger glanced at his tail, which was still resting in his lap, rather than look at his brother. "I... I don't know, it doesn't matter."

He wanted to tell Macavity that he was glad they were talking again, albeit stilted small talk, but he was having difficulty speaking out loud the simple fact that he had missed his eldest brother's presence, more than he cared to admit. The Macavity Tugger knew wasn't into sentiment either, which only made it harder.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac watched him for a long moment. He considered pressing the issue, but on the other hand, didn't want to press his brother on much of anything in case it set one or the other of them off on more posturing and yelling. But, on the other hand, that still left them without a topic. "So, 'Straps and you. Hows that been goin'?"

[amanika]

Tugger was silent for a moment before he glanced up at Macavity's question. "It goes. Some days better than others. We kind'a didn't speak f'a few days after that night at the police station, I was tryin' t'avoid getting a lecture about it..." he admitted, "'Straps let it go til I missed a meetin' with some client, so then we kinda' talked it out. He keeps goin' on about me bein' where I say I'll be when I say I will, so I'm trying, though it ain't fair when he don't keep t'his own rules."

[victoriousscarf]

"'Straps doesn't even keep his own rules?" Mac asked with a raised brow. "How does he manage that? I thought for sure that that's the one thing he does do."

[amanika]

"I guess he does normally, I've probably bin' avoidin' him too much to notice," Tugger admitted, "but right after he said t'me about bein on time, so I made a point of makin' sure I was last night, he was home late. He said it was the bus, so I let it go, but I dunno, somethin' seemed off about it."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac arched his brows, considering that information. "Mm. That does sound a bit odd for 'Straps."

[amanika]

Tugger shrugged, "I guess I'll see when he gets in tonight. I'm due to finish same time as yesterday at any rate.