[Silver]

Duskflower

Queen of StoneClan

The change of seasons marveled her as it always had. All the colors and scents, all the change brought about by the onset of leaf-fall. She loved this time of year. It felt like the fresh leaf-fall breeze was clearing the air of anything negative that yet lingered. Her body finally felt strong again after her brush with greencough, and for that she was glad. She may prefer being a queen, but she also enjoying feeling like she was helping the clan.

She stretched, enjoying the way her muscles felt as she stretched and shifted. Looking out over the Nursery now though, caused a pang of sadness to enter her heart. Her little ones were Apprentices now, and she was so very proud of them both, but now this place felt empty for the lack of their antics within it. She smiled to herself; knowing the sadness wasn't because her kits had grown, but more because it closed another chapter of her life.

She was loved and her family was well, it was all she could ask for. The dainty calico smiled to herself, flicking her tail slowly in a show of gentle contentment. She'd miss the feel of little bodies snuggled up next to her, but it was a normal feeling for a mother. It wasn't her first time doing this; after all. It just seemed wrong for the Nursery to be so quiet, but she knew it wouldn't be long before new kits would be born and the place would be full again.

She stretched again and stood, turned to go towards the Warriors Dens in hopes of finding her mate. Maybe she could convince Eagletalon to go for a walk with her. That would be nice, and spending time with her beloved was never a bad thing. Or maybe, instead of a walk, he'd just sit and talk quietly with her for a bit. Things had been so chaotic lately with everything going on and she missed her mate; though they did sleep next to each other every night. It wasn't the same though, he was always with Hawkstar or working on something or hunting.

She understood; she was a Warrior too despite her love of being a Queen. Still, she did miss him. Maybe he wouldn't be overly busy today and they could spend time together for a while before life got too busy for them all once more.

Anywhere you go let me go too. That's all I ask of you.

Tags | Fawn

[Fawn]

80 Moons // Tom // Senior Warrior // StoneClan

"There you are, Flower." Eagletalon brushed his tail along Duskflower's back as he appeared beside her, having just finished a morning patrol. Their lives had become busy again, as they always did when the weather changed and there was much to be done. That was no excuse for the senior warrior to ignore his mate, though. Knowing full well that the time they had together was both limited and invaluable, he had done his part for the Clan this morning - and stubbornly set aside as much of the day as he could for Duskflower.

He didn't want them to fall out of touch. Though he believed their bond with one another wouldn't suffer to the point of breaking from their sudden busy days, Eagletalon wasn't going to let it have the chance. With a contented purr, made low and warm by the affection he felt for the calico queen, Eagletalon stood aside so she could leave the den first. "Take a walk with me?"

Did he enjoy being a warrior? Yes. Did he enjoy having an apprentice? Yes. Did he enjoy providing council for Hawkstar and young Sandpaw? Absolutely. But was his heart happiest in Duskflower's presence? Without a sliver of doubt. "I miss seeing our kits tumbling around the nursery. Feels like it was just last night they were becoming apprentices..." The scarred up tom's golden eyes found Duskflower's. He chuckled. "Where does the time go, eh?"
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Word Count: 238 Words
Tags: Silver
Notes: Short, sorry about that!

[Silver]

Warmth filled the calico queen at the closeness of the tom at her side and his willingness to remain there. She purred in contentment and followed after him when Eagletalon asked her to walk with him. Her eyes were full of all the love and adoration she felt for him even as she verbally offered her assent to his request. "Always." She fell into step beside her mate and walked closely enough to him that their sides brushed as they moved. She was content to walk with him in silence until the subject of their kits came up and she couldn't help the nostalgic sigh that left her. "I still wake up some mornings expecting to be in the Nursery with them crawling all over me mewling to be fed or entertained or comforted from some nightmare. I miss it, now that they're grown, even though I know it's all part of life."

It felt as if time had really slipped away from her and she'd only just blinked and it was all over. It almost made her feel lonely to have so much time to herself again even as she was immensely proud of everything her family had accomplished. She much preferred being a Queen rather than a Warrior, but without kits in the den just now, she felt out of place staying there no matter that she loved doing so. Though, to think about it, the kits being older meant she had a bit more time to spend with her mate; even if he was often busy. A low, affectionate purr left the calico she-cat as she suddenly leaned her weight more fully into the tom she walked beside. She was happy that now their paths were always going to be together. She could think of no better future to look forward to. "I love this time of the seasons. There's so much promise in the air. It reminds me of everything I have to be thankful for. Including you, here, by my side."

Where she hoped he would remain for many moons yet to come.

--

Tags | Fawn

[Fawn]

80 Moons // Tom // Senior Warrior // StoneClan

Eagletalon brushed his muzzle against her cheek. He knew how much she loved kits. If he was younger, and could guarantee that he would be there to help her raise them, Eagletalon would have suggested they have another litter. Another couple of kittens to love and care for; he had very quickly fallen in love with how happy Duskflower looked when their two had been born.

She'd been radiant before, her eyes and coat glowing with the brightness of her spirit, but in the nursery that day... Eagletalon couldn't recall ever feeling so much warmth and affection. Not just for her, but from her. Eagletalon suppressed a sigh, letting it sink into his chest where it would be forgotten. He couldn't turn back time.

It was time to just be grateful for the blessings they did have and not fret over what they did not.

His mate's thoughts must have run concurrent to his, because the next words out of Duskflower's mouth rang especially true.

"There's so much promise in the air. It reminds me of everything I have to be thankful for. Including you, here, by my side."

"And our little ones. And our big ones." Eagletalon's whiskers twitched, humor glinting in his eyes. He obviously meant Smokestorm and Mistcloud. "And every cat that's touched a part of our lives." They walked together through StoneClan's territory; the cooler weather promised safety from snakes, but Eagletalon kept an eye on the ground anyway. Couldn't be too careful with the cats you loved.

"I think Smokestorm's warming up to me," said the old battered warrior, his short pelt showing an array of scars as the wind flattened it against his body. "I don't want to replace Silverstorm, and she knows that. It's important to me that your grown kits know how much they mean to me, even if I didn't sire them." They were a part of Duskflower, and she loved them beyond measure.

What else could he do, but love them just as much?
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Word Count: 334 Words
Tags: Silver Taxx (Smoke & Mist mentions)
Notes: