As Grumpy and Grams reached the top floor, Thief’s group arrived rushing up the steps. Hugs and Tugs ran to Grams to give her a welcome back hug. Swift, Treat and Cheer walked in a few moments later.
“You call for us, Tenderheart?”
“Yes, so who first?” Tenderheart leaned back as Lotsa walked over to Noble heart.
“I was able to rescue this, with Funshine’s assistance.” Lotsa handed Noble his badge. Noble’s eyes went wide as he held it close, regaining his color especially in his mane. He immediately hugged Lotsa and Funshine.
“Thank you, all of you. I could tell I was slowly falling into the Monotone state. Thief and Champ helped by bringing me into their card game they were playing with the cubs and you all working together to get me my badge back, I feel like my old self.” Noble smiled with happy tears rolling down his face. Thief smiled a bit and slyly fist bumped Champ. Even Grumpy’s frowning expression turned into a small smile seeing Noble happy. Grumpy walked over to Cheer as he composed himself.
“Hey, Cheer. I know I don’t say this enough but thanks for leading the team in the Silver Lining. You do make everyone more cheerful when we need it.”
“Well, thank you Grumpy, is this leading to what I am thinking it is?” She giggled a bit as Grumpy revealed her badge.
“Yeah, I had to let a Void Snake eat me to get it and free myself. So, here you go Cheer. We’ll need your cheerful attitude to help boost morale.” Cheer hugged Grumpy who didn’t even try to oppose it, knowing it was better to let her have this moment as she got her pink color back with her rainbow belly badge returning to it’s colorful state. Bright giggled as he walked over to Treat.
“Here, it’s not as much fun without your laughter.”
“Aw, Bright Heart, you rescued my badge? It’s funny given you were made to go because you and Champ made that…pfft…That crazy…hehe…” Treat burst into a laughter fit over how Bright was forced to go due to him and Champ planning the solo mission. Bright rolled his eyes and put Treat’s badge next to her. She eventually stopped and put the badge to her stomach, making a few jokes as she returned to normal. Funshine looked at Swift.
“Yo, heads up!” Funshine shot Swift’s badge over. They jumped up and grabbed it before returning to their blue color and landing next to Thief.
“Well, seems I got my color and my speed back! I have something we need to do soon.” Thief was confused as Grams called the twins over.
“I think you both will be happy.” Grams held out the orb, showing both badges inside.
“Whoa, it’s our badges!”
“Oh goody, goody, gosh! But how do we get it out, Grams?” Grams giggled as Hugs inquisitive nature. She gently pulled both apart, making them into their smaller singular orbs. Tugs and Hugs took their badges and together brought them close, returning their fur color. The light in their eyes glowing bright with restored vigor.
“Well now, this was a surprise. We got six instead of five.” Thief put his finger between his eyes at the bridge of his nose in thought.
“Given Hugs and Tugs are younger and twins, their badges most likely were less impactful on the bracelet than usual.” Mend plugged the five bracelets into the charging station. “We got another two hours and thirty minutes before Void Heart is ready…and it IS getting close to lunch time.” Grumpy stretched, Cheer joined him putting her arm over his shoulder.
“Guess me and Grumpy are on lunch duty!”
“Ugh, why does this stuff always happen to me?”
“Grumpy, Cheer, Um…I did have Mom and Harmony help me make a lunch for me and Thief. So…We won’t be at the Hall.” Swift put their fingers together with a bit of a blush.
“Just more for us, kidding, kidding!” Champ cowered when Cheer turned on him quickly. Thief chuckled and held his paw out to Swift.
“Well, my dear Swift Heart, shall we go on this lunch date?” Swift blushed deeply but gained their composure.
“Yes, a picnic to be exact. Let’s head to the Meadow.” Thief and Swift walked down the stairs, hands locked as they talked.
“…So, who wants to bet that they like one another?” Mend asked as the others started to discuss. It was a landslide with everyone suggesting Swift liked Thief, and Thief might like Swift. Mend countered with Thief most likely just being a gentlecat given Thief’s nature. The conversation continued for a while, meanwhile Thief and Swift arrived at the Meadow, Thief setting the picnic blanket down as Swift sat the basket down, pulling out the lunch. As they ate they talked with one another about themselves.
“…So, I was run out because I was pinned as a criminal despite not even stealing anything. Didn’t even get to finish eight grade before having to become a fugitive.” Thief finished the last of his sandwich.
“That’s horrible! You were only thirteen right?”
“Yeah, half my life has been on the run. Mend was the first person to actually trust me despite my name and hear me out, all of you here are the rest.” Swift Heart put their paw on Thief’s heart, the story made Swift Heart feel saddened.
“Thief…I trust you will get the other badges back. I can help now as well! I’m fast, I can outrun enemies and get in and out quickly. And if we have a countermeasure for Void…Um…hmmm…”
“Hehe…pfft…hahaha! Sorry, you just got me tickled Swift, of course we’d have to make a countermeasure for Void Heart to out run him and not get trapped. Thank you for listening to me. I’ve totally neglected you however.” Swift ears went up in surprise before they flattened back down.
“Well, it’s nothing major…Like everyone else I was rescued as an orphan from Dark Heart’s clutches. I was the fastest out of everyone and it got me in trouble once, when Beastly illegally entered the Care Bear Family Race, but he got so distracted by bragging that Lottie won the race. She deserved the crown and it taught me humility and not overestimating myself. At some point I started to wonder if I was really a female or not…Funshine transitioned, Togetherness joined the family as genderfluid, and a few others came out at Non-binary. I eventually worked myself out with Gentle Heart and Cozy Heart. I learned while I was still female genetically and biologically, that it was only my Sex. My Gender was Non-Binary, and I much preferred using They/Them instead of the female or male pronouns ever.” Swift Heart laid their head on Thief Heart’s lap, Thief smiled and stroked Swift’s fur as they continued.
“I never really felt feelings for others, Like mom and dad do, or how Champ and Bright do. Well…Until I met you…Ah…That…” Swift blushed and covered their face, realizing how they said that out loud. Thief smiled and moved until he was above Swift, gently pinning their arms down, not with force but with gentleness.
“So…If I’m right, Noble and True. Champ and Bright. Loyal and Proud. Tenderheart and Love-a-lot, I’ve heard from Wonderheart. I heard Bedtime mumble Wish’s name…but there’s one more.” Thief got close, his breath warm against Swift Heart.
“W-Who else…I mean, sure there's a lot of suspicions on others but—” Thief gentle put one of his fingers to Swift’s mouth and smiled as he got closer.
“Silly bunny, the last one…Us?” Thief gently kissed Swift, Swift’s first reflex was to kick, but they stopped themself as the kiss made them relax, and they deepened it before the two were a tangle of arms and legs, kissing passionately away from prying eyes. After a good five minutes they pulled away gently and just looked into each other’s eyes. They untangled themselves and sat up both blushing a bit.
“I…I’m not against it, Thief. If you aren’t against inter-species.”
“Eh, if we had kids ever they’d be Cabbits. That’s just a thought, but I’m not against it either, Swift.” Their paws interlocked until they heard Oopsy’s voice calling to them. Swift looked up and saw Wingnut carrying Oopsy over.
“I finally found you two. Mend and Tenderheart wanted you both to join them at the Watch Tower. I have to go find Champ and Bright Heart. Let’s go Wingnut!”
Wingnut made some beeps and boops as they flew off. Thief and Swift cleaned up the picnic area and headed to the Watch Tower. They however, had their paws interlocked as they did so.
