You Need Not Worry

"You loved Toad once you know."

So Wind in the Willows closed at the Palladium yesterday and it still hasn't truly sunk in yet that its over. But while watching it yesterday Moles line "You loved Toad once." stuck out to me a bit, what if Ratty and Toad dated once? But it didn't work out due to the difference in class and personality. So then this little fic happened.

I hope you enjoy it!

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"You loved Toad once you know"

-.-.-.-

Mole sat by himself in his chair by the fireside, a place where he'd spent many nights before he met a man who changed his life for the better. Though, temperature wise he was as warm as warm could be, he felt cold inside. Ratty had said he'd be back hours ago from Toads house. Mole knew full well that Ratty could take care of himself just fine- Ratty was the more capable of the two of them, this was just pain fact. But that wouldn't stop Moley from worrying.

He sighed and rose from his chair, looking out the window at the snow that was gently falling and beginning to settle on the ground outside.

Perhaps, he thought, Ratty had decided to stay at Toad house the evening to avoid the snow? Or maybe, Ratty had a few too many drinks and in his merry state he'd forgotten they were staying at Moles house and he'd gone back to the river bank by mistake. Both were very reasonable and comforting solutions to Mole, as his Ratty would be safe and sound.

But also Mole couldn't help but think that perhaps Ratty had been on his way back when he'd been attacked by some Wild Wooders and was now lying injured or worse alone in the snow. Or maybe, while having such a good time with Toad, Ratty had forgotten all about Moley and decided to re-kindle his old flame with Toad. Both were quite unreasonable and unsettling solutions for Mole, for obvious reasons.

It wasn't that he didn't trust that Ratty, it was just that Moley worries perhaps a bit more than a normal animal should. He'd been alone for so long, the thought of going back to that made a deep deep sadness settle in his stomach.

Mole took his glasses off and cleaned them on his jumper, looking around his house without his glasses on made him really understand why people say "as blind as a mole". He put them back on and blinked a few times, his eyes re-adgusting to being able to see clearly. He looked at the mug of cocoa he'd brewed for Ratty earlier for his return.

He really was late back.

Once a month Toad held a Poker night at Toad hall. Moley had attended once, but he found it all too confusing and Ratty had ended up quite frustrated as Mole kept telling everyone what cards he had. Ratty had been in quite a mood after that night but he cooled off quite quickly after Mole had apologised for 'ruining his game'. Mole was always invited but he didn't like to intrude, it was a serious game that was more complicated than it was worth. Ratty always offered to stay home and keep Mole company, but he would feel guilty if he kept Ratty from a fun evening.

Moley looked back out the window, he squinted in to the distance and he could see a very familiar silhouette moving towards his house and he let a breath he didn't know he'd been holding out. He hopped out of the little entrance to Mole end and stood in the cool air as he waited for his partner to be back at his side.

"Hello stranger." Ratty said with a smirk as he got within ear shot "Thought you'd be asleep already dear, what keeps you?"

"Oh like you don't know why I'm still up at this hour" Moley replied a little more sharply than he'd intended.

"Have you been waiting for me?" Ratty said with a frown, He was stood in-front of Moley now "You know these poker evenings can go on for sometime."