The Illusion of Danger

Chapter 43

It was after around six forty-five that evening when Mordecai finally entered the apartment building. It took longer than he had calculated, but he wasn't going to let that get in his way. He had informed Calvin during one of the calls that he would be a bit late which seemed to be fine with him and Rocky.

The tuxedo stopped to check the mailbox before going up the stairs despite knowing that any responses to the two letters he had sent out the day before wouldn't be around for a while.
After adjusting the bags he had in his arms, he climbed up to the third floor and fished around in his pocket for his key since he knew that he locked the door before leaving for the day and knew that the two inside probably hadn't been anywhere near that part of the apartment.

Once Mordecai managed to unlock the door, he stepped inside and locked it behind him again out of habit. His ears perked when he heard some faint giggles coming from down the hall. Well, at least they weren't dead and nothing seemed to be broken.

"Hello?"
The black and white cat called as he slipped his shoes off before starting for the bedroom.

"In here Mordecai!"
Rocky shouted from their bedroom. He and Calvin both laughed and waited for the tuxedo to enter the room. The tabbies had their day full of building a blanket fort in the bedroom with all the spare towels and sheets Mordecai had had in the spare bedroom. The chairs from the kitchen table and some cleaning utensils were used as posts to hold up the fabric. They blocked out as much light as possible to use hanging flashlights as their light source. They were currently playing poker with crackers as currency.

As soon as Mordecai turned into the darkened room, his brows knitted together, and he tilted his head.
"What... are you doing?"
He asked once he processed what he was looking at. He wasn't at all mad about any of this but rather confused by it. This was the sort of thing he expected a pair of five-year-olds to come up with, then again, one of these young men was Rocky.

The tabby poked his head out of the sheets and smiled at his lover.

"Hey, Mordecai! We made a blanket fort! Cute boys only! So I don't know what Freckle is doing in here..."
Rocky said coyly, receiving a punch in the arm from his cousin, which made him laugh in turn.
"You're welcome to join us! I can deal you in."
The tabby held up the cards he was playing with.

The tuxedo stood with groceries and a package of clothing in his arms, just staring at all that had come to be while he was gone. He was trying to figure out how long it was going to take for him to dismantle all of that and put everything back in order.
"I should start preparing our meal first, then decide whether I want to join your 'cute boys club' consisting of a single member..."
He replied as he set the package of clothing down near the wardrobe, his eyes not moving away from the fort.

Rocky's tail wagged, excited at the prospect.
"When Freckle is gone, we can neck in the fort."
He smiled at Mordecai, giving him a wink. Calvin rolled his eyes, he was getting used to the open flirting Rocky was acting out with Mordecai.

"As fun as that sounds, I think cleaning up and putting everything back in order sounds just a little bit more fun."
Mordecai replied as nicely as he could.
"I can't imagine myself at twenty-eight years of age having a structure such as this in my home, not to mention being inside of it and partaking in silly activities."

"Get that stick out of your butt and live a little Mordecai. I bet you'd have fun with me in a blanket fort."
He wiggled his eyebrows. Calvin rolled his eyes at his cousin's response. Rocky caught the eye roll out of the corner of his eye.

"Don't be a prude, cousin. You'd neck Miss Pepper in this fort if you had the chance."
He elbowed the younger tabby teasingly.

"Regardless,"
Mordecai began, making sure to cut that bit of conversation short.
"I have to prepare supper before it gets any later. I'm sure your cousin would like to leave at some point this evening. Speaking of which, Mr. McMurray, I assume Rocky has mentioned that I am inviting you to stay for supper?"