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*but a week is a fair amount of time and once he begins to understand things, it should go faster... true? if he dallies at it, then he really isn't putting his full effort into it, correct?*

Tam keeps a close eye on him, making certain he takes small significant breaks to eat and rest, but other than that he leaves him to his task and asks nothing else of him, doing all the cooking and cleaning on his own. The task before Kero right then was far more important than taking out the trash. And when Kero seems stumped, he hums or plays his harp, quietly, choosing soothing musics that he knows help people clear their heads.

*you dragged this out on purpose... why? sigh... the last part should be the easiest to write... let's just get it done, why prolong it?*

Tam sighs as he watches Kero work. He knows he's given him enough time, and still he hasn't finished. He's worked hard though and that troubles him. Kero is usually far quicker with things than this. Tam had actually allowed him extra time to finsih it, thinking he'd be done long before now, and it troubles him that he's struggling with the task. Apparantly this whole business has hit the cub closer to home than he thought it had.

He looks up bleary eyed at Tam and holds the sheets out to him in a tired shaking paw. "Done..." he breathes with a sigh of relief.

Tam takes the piece and examines it, nodding. "And as neat as a pin. Very good, dulcha. You had me worried there for a moment. I really did not wish to have to punish you anymore than I had. Now go to bed. We will talk about the rest of your punishment tomorrow... about when and where and for whom you will perform this. You need to get some sleep. You're about to fall flat on your faceeee...."

Too late he sees Kero keel over on his stool. In a flash he's there, catching him in his arms just before he connects with the floor. Sighing, biting back a bark of bitter laughter, Tam carries him to his bed thinking that this might be the last time he does this. Kero is practically full grown and he might be an angel, but he didn't have super human strength to draw on. Tucking him in he blows out the lamp and goes to lock up the house.

On his way to bed, he stops to peek in on the sleeping lion and finds himself walking to sit on the edge of the bed. Sitting down he is struck by a surge of familiar longing, that twists his heart in two. How was it he could love another so much and still be true to someone else? Kicking off his shoes he curls up under the covers, pulling the cat close. It was a conundrum, a puzzle he had yet to figure out, but he could not deny that it was so. Closing his eyes, he drifts off to sleep listening to the familiar soft gravely breathing of one who had stole his heart through no more effort than to simply be himself.

Tam is halfway to and finds himself smiling sleepily as he snuggles close. Kero was warm and him being there helped chase the worries away.

As he always did when they slept together, Tam buries his face in Kero's fur, gently working his fingers in a gentle massage.

Feeling the tension drain from the cat, Tam allows himself to fall asleep at last. Tomorrow was soon enough to deal with their problems, There was no need for him to ponder them now.

He doesn't remember going to bed. All he can honestly recall of the night before was working on his ballad and handing it to Tam. After that it is a blur.

Tam mutters something in his sleep, too soft for him to catch, then pulls him closer with a breathy sigh. He is still fast asleep, His long red hair fanned out across the pillow, one leg draped across him in a rather embarassing spot.