|
|
Post by Hellion on Oct 23, 2017 18:43:39 GMT -5
StoneClan || Warrior || Tom
"What if I can't protect them? What happens if they are hurt? I can't always be there. What about Skunkspots! I was late for them being born! What are we doing?" Thoughts like those clouded the golden tabby's brain as he paced outside the nursery. Dawnblossom was doing a check up on the kits and shooed him softly out of the den to allow her better room to work. Valiantstride didn't want to go far and waited for her to allow him back inside. The new father felt his stomach twist in knots each time he thought about what could happen to his little ones out in the big world. Kits were like tiny flowers, they wilted under too much sun, broke apart with a heavy rainfall. The tom couldn't stand the idea of them hurt in any sort of fashion. He almost considered asking for them never to become warriors, but as soon as the thought entered his head he found it stupid. New father fears and like before Valiantstride longed for his own father. Weaselbite could have offered him decent wisdom but alas the older tom had passed peacefully alongside his mate.
"You can go back inside if you want, both are healthy and thriving"
Valiantstride turned his head at the sound of Dawnblossom's voice and nodded. Taking a deep breath that tom headed into the nursery and almost instantly his concerns subsided. In the nursery they were safe, protected by their mother and all the warriors of StoneClan.
"Hey," Valiantstride greeted his mate before tucking himself opposite of her, creating a sort of circle with the kits in the middle. "They seem to have gotten bigger,"He vocalized before nudging each of his little bundles with his nose. They smelled sweet and so much like their mother it made them seem more like an extension of her than himself.
"How are you feeling?" He asked after a moment his eyes settling on his mate's pretty features.
You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning.
'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you, oh oh  |
|
|
|
Post by Fawn on Oct 24, 2017 9:12:39 GMT -5
Skunkspots 44 Moons, Warrior-Queen, StoneClan
A full half-moon of motherhood and she was only slightly less freaked out about it than before. Their eyes and ears had opened, but they were still pretty much helpless lumps of fur. More active, a little noisier, but heavily reliant on Skunkspots. It made her feel useful and terrified in the same heartbeat; Skunkspots' nerves were a little calmer after Dawnblossom's visit however.
The kits were both healthy. It was leaf-fall, which was marginally better than leafbare but not as good as greenleaf to raise a litter in, but they would be just fine as long as they didn't get sick or something. Skunkspots' stomach twisted. Don't you dare get sick. Either one of you. StarClan, parenthood was stressful.
How her mother had managed to raise two litters (until the StormClan attack) without losing her mind, Skunkspots wished she knew the answer to.
Her mate's appearance soothed a little of the queen's frazzled mind, and she watched with a low, grateful purr as Valiantstride curled up opposite her, enclosing their litter of two in a safe, warm circle. "Like this isn't going to get easier," Skunkspots mewed, shaking her head at the many obstacles to come. "But... with you here... I think things might turn out okay."
Might. Dare she get her hopes up? She had Fallenleaf in her life, and Ospreywing, and Valiantstride. Those three cats might just be enough to make up for whatever she lacked as a parent or guardian. Right?
When I'm all alone, they show up on their own
Inner demons don't play by the rules Original code by Phoenix | Hellion | #245 | Notes |
|
|
|
Post by Hellion on Nov 6, 2017 22:26:20 GMT -5
StoneClan || Warrior || Tom
He tried to smile, he really did, but it came out more like a grimace. It seemed that Skunkspots had a lot more forth than he did when it came to raising their little ones. Even as he curled around them he felt like he wasn't doing enough.
He didn't carry them for nearly two moons nor did he have milk to sustain them. All he was able to provide was a half decent nest and food for their mother. He didn't think it much considering she put so much into them. But Valiantstride tired not to dwell too long on what he couldn't do and instead focused on what he could do.
Moving slightly he again nudged them both. He prayed slightly over them, asking StarClan to keep them safe when he couldn't and when his prayer was done he looked up at his mate. His grimace fading into a smile. He didn't hesitate and scooted forward enough to lick her cheek and nuzzle her, his own purr rumbling in his throat. "With you as a mom they will turn out just fine. I have faith in you and I know they will be well-loved and care for," He whispered to her before settling back to watch them. He didn't want them to grow up too fast but he also wanted to be able to do more than just watch them sleep, not that he minded.
You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning.
'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you, oh oh |
|
|
|
Post by Fawn on Nov 7, 2017 10:31:49 GMT -5
Skunkspots 44 Moons, Warrior-Queen, StoneClan
Romantic fluffball. Skunkspots griped, but inwardly her heart smiled at his support. The pssibility to disappoint everyone in her life always hovered above Skunkspots like a collection of sharp, jagged icicles - threatening to impale her and everything she cared about. But...
Valiantstride had a way of making her feel like she could handle it. That she might just miss certain disaster, this time.
"I miss Minkfur," Skunkspots murmured against Valiantstride's silky, rosetted fur. "I wish I could ask my mother all these questions." Parenthood felt like something she was going to have to stumble through, and stumbling meant making mistakes. Why was it that all she could do was pray to StarClan she didn't royally ruin her kits?
The other queens in the nursery were almost too hlepful, but Skunkspots felt better knowing they were here. If something happened to her, and to Valiantstride, Cicadakit and Beetlekit would be well loved. ... Right? "We should talk to Duskflower." Skunkspots shivered, trying not to hold on to the sense of dread. "In case something happens to us. I want to know that they'll be alright. She's so good with kits..."
She regretted it almost at once, but Skunkspots could not prevent a particularly painful thought from slipping in. Would they be better off being raised by a different queen? Skunkspots shocked herself with how passionately she wanted to keep these kits. They were hers now. Hers and Valiantstride. She may not have been a very good mother, but -- but dammit, she was trying. That had to have meant something.
She'd gotten through her apprenticeship by 'trying'. If that wasn't enough, Skunkspots didn't know what was.
Embarrassed by that morbid suggestion, Skunkspots tried to take it back.
"Sorry. I ruined the moment, talking about death. I'm such a mousebrain - just tired." Skunkspots winced. Why couldn't they just snuggle their kits without her messing everything up?
When I'm all alone, they show up on their own
Inner demons don't play by the rules Original code by Phoenix | Hellion | 309 Words | Notes: Rambled, sorry! |
|
|
|
Post by Hellion on Nov 19, 2017 3:00:22 GMT -5
StoneClan || Warrior || Tom
Hearing the saddness in his mate's voice had Valiantstride scooting closer. Nudgng his kits first so the entire family could become a little mound of fur. Valiantstride tried to comfort his mate by being closer. He too wished that his parents were present for the upbringing of his kits. He wanted to show off the little bundles to them but alas they were both in StarClan. The only comfort Valiantstride found in their deaths was they they were likely with Valiantstride's sister. Free from pain and sickness.
Trying to push away the hurt that trickled into his head, Valiantstride pressed a few soft clicks to Skunkspot's cheek. Until he heard her talk about Duskflower. He has gotten used to Skunkspot's worries, embraced them and loved her for them but he couldn't help but let it show on his face that he wasn't happy with the conversation.
He didn't want to think about not being there for his kits. He wanted to remain in the cloud of uncertainty because he didn't know how to be a dad, not worry about never getting to be one. He knew that Skunkspots was able to read his expression because she quickly tried to change the subject. At first, he wanted to agree that she ruined the mood simply because it caused his own mind to race, but he didn't dare say a thing.
Instead, he curled tighter, trying to purr despite the heaviness growing in his heart.
"It's okay and I agree, Duskflower should be the one to look after them if something happens. I'll talk to Hawkfall if he can keep an eye on them too," He added closing his eyes so his expression wasn't readable. He didn't want her to know how deeply she bothered him.
You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning.
'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you, oh oh |
|
|
|
Post by Fawn on Nov 27, 2017 12:20:16 GMT -5
Skunkspots 44 Moons, Warrior-Queen, StoneClan
Valiantstride took her blunder in stride (pun not intended), and Skunkspots looked away, head low with apology. Why are you such an idiot? How Valiantstride had agreed to be her mate (and that they'd been mates for this long) would endlessly shock her. Skunkspots' brain began a desperate scramble for a better topic of conversation.
The kits already had names. They... didn't have personalities just yet, but that would happen later. What do I talk about? Hawkdung. She felt like she'd been thrown back into the early stages of their relationship, when a racing heart and paralyzing fear had been the dominant factors. "Sorry. I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else." Skunkspots didn't know Hawkfall well at all, but she trusted Valiantstride's judgment, and if he thought that warrior was a good guardian for their kits, then she believed him.
Ears flat, Skunkspots drew in a breath, trying to ease the knot in her stomach. Like she had a habit of doing, the new queen began to count the rosettes on her mate's coat, the pattern a balm to her often-frantic or deeply discouraging mind. Cicadakit and Beetlekit snuggled against her, and all the bad feelings in her heart were overwhelmed with love. It was terrifying, but in a... good way?
"Okay this is going to sound mousebrained, but... Do you ever look at them and just feel this... overwhelming rush of... of..." Skunkspots' tail lashed, embarrassment making her talk faster. "You know? Love. I... I guess. Like what I have with you but different. Like you'd fight the whole world for them." Skunkspots flushed beneath her coat. Wow, you're so articulate. Clearly he must have fallen in love with your poetic way with words.
When I'm all alone, they show up on their own
Inner demons don't play by the rules Original code by Phoenix | Hellion | #289 Words | Notes |
|
|
|
Post by Hellion on Dec 6, 2017 0:20:47 GMT -5
StoneClan || Warrior || Tom
He was relieved when she changed the subject. The last thing he wanted was to upset her and in turn upset the kits. Doing his best not to dwell on her statement any longer, he sat up and moved to lay dowb behind her. It was eaiser this way to nuzzle into her and press his neck to her shoulder. An added bonus was his slightly bigger size that allowed him to coocoon her around and their kits, his tail drapped behind the kits. He curled around them.
Content to doze off, Valiantstride laid his head on her back but still able to look up at her. Her words echoed in his ears and he nodded. It was love but a different kind. "Yeah, every time I look at them I just want the best for them. I love you so much but when I see them I see you and I love them even more. I finally have a family that is more of what I love, more of you," He meowed, purring slightly on the last 'you'. The way he was sitting with his head on her was quickly lulling him to sleep. The soft smell of the nursery was a comfort. He wanted to spend his days in the safety of the den with his mate and kits at his side.
The longer he laid there the harder it was to stay awake. He wondered for a brief moment if she cared, surely she wouldn't mind him spending time next to her, sleeping like they used to in the warrior's den. "I love you" He whispered for them all to hear.
You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning.
'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you, oh oh |
|
|
|
Post by Fawn on Dec 12, 2017 15:58:58 GMT -5
Skunkspots 47 Moons, Warrior-Queen, StoneClan
"I finally have a family that is more of what I love, more of you."
Skunkspots flushed under her black and white coat, lowering her head so he wouldn't see how flustered she'd gotten. It was always so hard to accept compliments. Sometimes she'd wake up next to him and wonder what he possibly saw in her. But... She sort of had her life together. Despite the hardships, she hadn't spiraled. If anything, she'd made progress in recent moons. As if summoned from the elder's den, Skunkspots heard her mentor's voice in her head, gently brushing away the unpleasant belief that more of her couldn't be anything else but a bad thing.
If you focus so much on the negatives, Skunkspots, then you'll never see the positives in life.
She pressed her muzzle into her mate's fur, the soft, fine hairs on the edge of his ear threatening to tickle her nose. Skunkspots sighed, praying to StarClan that she never gave him a reason to regret those words. "I love you too, Valiantstride." And our kits.
So much so, it scared her.
When I'm all alone, they show up on their own
Inner demons don't play by the rules |
|
