The White Cat (Mao Mao fanfic)

Chapter 20: Healing

Greysin found Tanya on the roof. She sat with her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs. She didn't move as Greysin climbed up and sat next to her. He let one arm rest on his knee and used his other arm to hold himself up. The stars twinkled overhead, reflecting in Tanya's sorrow filled eyes.

"The stars look beautiful tonight." Greysin said, hoping to distract Tanya from her sadness. Tanya tilted her head up, seeming to just have noticed that the stars were out.

"Wow." She whispered, "They really do look beautiful tonight."

"Not as beautiful as you." Greysin thought to himself.

"Did you say something?" Tanya turned to look at him. Greysin tensed when he realized he said that out loud. He quickly jumped for a response.

"I said, 'They sure do!'" Greysin let out a weak, nervous laugh. A cold bead of nervous sweat trickled down the back of his neck. Tanya smiled a bit, but Greysin could tell it was forced.

"You didn't have to come up here." Tanya turned her eyes back to the stars, "You don't have to be nice to me for saving you." Greysin's eyes widened in surprise, he hadn't realized Tanya might think he just wanted to repay her. Greysin inhaled deeply and exhaled in one quick breath. He gently took Tanya's shoulders and turned her to face him.

"Tanya," Greysin had to use a hand to tentatively lift her chin so she'd look into his eyes, "I didn't come up here because I felt I had to, I came up here because he wanted to." Tanya gave him a slightly confused look.

"You wanted to?" Greysin nodded to answer.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay. You looked so upset when you walked out of the dining room. Tanya I....I heard you singing the other night." Tanya's eyes widened to the point that they looked like turquoise saucers under the moonlight. Greysin decided to continue. "It broke my heart that Mao Mao didn't see your feelings for him until it was to late. You shouldn't have to suffer like this Tanya. Please talk to me. Let me help you."

Greysin lifted both of his hands and put them on both sides of Tanya's face, caressing her cheeks. Tears slid down Tanya's face, and Greysin used his thumbs to carefully wipe them away. Tanya put a hand over Greysin's right hand. Her cool and cunning act crumbled away, revealing the heart broken girl underneath.

"I just want to stop hurting." Tanya's voice hitched. "I don't want to feel like this anymore." Her tears started dribble down her face. Greysin tried to smile for Tanya, it was hard to see her so broken.

"Sometimes we have to hurt, Tanya. It's the only way for us to grow stronger." Greysin enveloped Tanya in a caring hug, Tanya put her arms around Greysin, accepting his hug.

They stayed like that for a while. Neither spoke because they didn't need to, their embrace was all that was needed. Tanya knew she had someone who cared for her now, there was someone she could talk to, someone who understood her pain. They finally broke from their hug.

"Greysin?" Tanya wiped the rest of her tears away.

"Yes?" Greysin's voice was gentle and soothing.

"You said that sometimes we need to hurt, have you hurt like this before?" Greysin froze up. "Greysin?" Tanya took his hand.

"My parents." Greysin's voice came out in such a low whisper that Tanya almost didn't hear him.

"What happened to them?"

Greysin closed his eyes to keep from crying. "They died....in a fire."

Tanya felt her chest go cold. "How old were you and Winter?"

"I was ten, Winter was eight." Now Tanya felt Greysin squeeze her hand slightly.

"We're did you go after?"

"We didn't have any other family, and we didn't want to go into an orphanage, so we went on the run."

"Oh, Greysin." Tanya gave him another hug, "I'm so sorry."

"It's fine." Greysin rubbed his eyes.

"Thank you for being here, Greysin." Tanya peered up at him.

"Thank you for listening." Greysin smiled down at her.

They were so close, less than an inch apart, and bound in each other's arms. Tanya looked so beautiful under the night sky, the stars reflected in her eyes, the moonlight glistened of her fur, which was tinted blue from the lighting. All Greysin had to do was lean his head down a bit more and they could-

"Am I interrupting something?" They sudden voice shocked both of them so much that Greysin fell backwards, pulling Tanya down on top of him.

"I'm sorry-"

"No it's my-"

"Let me-"

"I got it."

They finally managed to upright themselves and, with red faces, turned to the owner of the voice. Mao Mao stood on the roof, trying his best not to laugh.

"You guys know that you have bedrooms, right?" Tanya's crossed her arms.

"Not funny, Mao Mao." Mao Mao bit his lip to keep from busting out a laugh.

"Okay, okay." Mao Mao took a step forward, but stopped when he saw Greysin's scowl.

"What do you want?" Greysin crossed his arms.

"Well...I was hoping to talk to Tanya." Greysin met Tanya's gaze.

"It's okay, Greysin." Tanya nodded for him to go. Greysin stood up and left the roof, glaring at Mao Mao as he lowered himself in off the roof.

When Greysin was gone, Mao Mao sat next to Tanya, Indian style. There was a moment of ackward silence between the two.

"So do you want to talk about your feelings for me, or can I ask how long you've liked Greysin?" Mao Mao smirked.

"MAO MAO!!!" Tanya squeaked as she hit Mao Mao on the back of his head.

"OW!!!" Mao Mao rubbed his head. "I was just asking!" Tanya blushed madly. "Alright, I'm sorry. I seriously want to talk."

"Then talk." Tanya crossed her arms and looked away.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Tanya. I may not feel the same, but you're still my friend and I still care about you." Tanya uncrossed her arms as Mao Mao spoke. "I hope this doesn't harm our friendship. I know I'm an idiot for not being able to see that you had feelings for me, I'm really sorry. Can we still be friends?" Tanya turned back to Mao Mao and wrapped him in a one armed hug, using her other hand to rub her knuckles on his head.

"Of course we can still be friends, Mittens!" Tanya let go of him. Mao Mao rubbed his now throbbing head.

"Good, now-" Mao Mao grabbed her shoulders and gave her his usual giant smile, "spill the beans about Greysin!" Tanya stiffened and blushed.

"Wha-what beans?" Mao Mao rolled his eyes at this answer.

"Tanya, you don't have a hug moment like that with someone and not like them!" Tanya definitely didn't like this side of Mao Mao. This shippy side was scarier than any of his other sides.

"Are you saying that I have a-" Mao Mao put a finger to her lips.

"Yes, Tanya. I'm saying you like Greysin." Tanya pried Mao Mao's hands off of her shoulder.

"I do not." Tanya's nose twitched. Mao Mao smiled snuggly and put his hands on his hips.

"Your nose twitched when you lie to me." Tanya blushed furiously. "Come on Tanya~ you know you want to tell me~" Tanya sighed.

"Alright! Alright. I like Greysin." Mao Mao pumped his fist.

"Yes! I knew it! I'll make sure Winter throws her bouquet at you on our wedding!"

"MAO MAO!!!" Tanya punched him in the shoulder.

"OW!!!"