[SuspiciousMindz]

Originally Posted by Ever

Marbledface wasn't sure what to say in return. She felt uncomfortable in the situation, even though she longed to be comforted by the non-conditional friendship that Jaguarclaw offered her. It wasn't something she'd experienced before. Her family had disowned her as much as she had to them, even though she had originally intended for her troublesome ways to result in some sort of output from her mother. Her mother's depression had turned her into something cold and self-reliant at a very young age, and she was finding it very difficult to overcome these long-constructed sentiments of self-preservation through a disconnect with her own clan. Her rhetoric was that if she didn't allow herself to be close to any cat, then it would be impossible to be hurt. Though recently she'd discovered that she could be hurt either way, as deep down she did feel. She felt very strongly as her mother once had in her youth. Though the fear was stronger than the love still, it was too hard to push away though she was working on it. Her disappearance was to work of herself, and where she stood.

She couldn't help but wonder what made him want to befriend her, she'd never offered any sort of connection or kindness to him at the beginning. She'd been in the prime of her instability, he'd met her when she had met the height of her attitude to keep others out. Somehow Jaguarclaw had managed to see through the act and still see something worth befriending in her that she would never comprehend. Though she longed to return the favor to a clanmate that was hurting. More than just helping and supporting her sole friend, she wanted to make more now. Marbledface didn't want to feel like another cat needed to shadow themselves from socialization the way that she had.

Her eyes twisted up quickly, her dark green gaze watching him affectionately for a moment. The molly couldn't think of words good enough to thank him, she would have to work on that too. Instead, she quickly leaned forward, stepped one paw out of the nest so that she could give the tom a few licks of fur that had gotten ruffled out of place on his head. Before stepping back she whispered quickly, "Thank you for being you.". It felt right to say it, as that was what she was truly thankful for. His positive outlook on life, his openness and his ability to see the good in anyone. With a flush of embarrassment at her earnest words she quickly sunk into his nest, finding great comfort in its soft edges. She laid her head against the edge of his nest, looking at him out of the corner of her eye to be sure he had nothing more to say before they rested.

Jaguarclaw allowed the small amount of silence to pass between the two before he felt soft licks on his head. To him, it was almost comforting. He hadn't really shown affection to anyone else since her disappearance, and quite frankly, he didn't mind having this affection. He didn't look at it as anymore than a friendly moment between the two, the same way he had always taken their moments together. Although Marbledface seemed to spark a happier feelings inside him that he wasn't sure how to explain. He didn't want to sound crazy so he never brought it up to her or anyone else. Since her disappearance he really didn't talk to many cats in general. Jaguarclaw let out a small sigh, leaning into Marbledface a little before her voice tickled his ears and she pulled away. His olive hues had closed when she was licking his head and he didn't bother to open them again. The space beside him felt empty again, but he could hear her breathing and he knew this wasn't just a dream. "Thank you for coming home," he replied softly. For the first time in moons, Jaguarclaw was suddenly feeling exhausted as if he'd been awake and trekking for two days straight, so he didn't mind the rest that seemed to be creeping up on the both of them. Perhaps life would get better now that his friend was home.