What in the- The pale ginger tabby was taken off guard by something landing on her back. Instinctively, she wanted to shake it off, but thankfully she didn't act on that instinct because a heartbeat later that "something" was one of her's. Part of Strawberryfur was tempted to nuzzle her Sunnykit back, but part of her couldn't bring herself to do it. She still struggled with this big hole in her heart, one that she had been hoping her kits would help to fill. "That was a very good jump, honey." She mewed back, turned her head to give Sunnykit a lick between her ears.

Strawberryfur forced a smile and a purr, in the moment having enough sense not to do something that might have a negative impact on Sunny's development. It was already hard enough that she carried the same name as her brother...definitely made it challenging. What now though? Is this when moms usually do...badger rides or something? She wasn't sure. Before Sunny went missing and Silvs was banished, Strawberryfur would have jumped at the chance to play with a kit like this. But now... "Please be careful up there though, sweetie." She meowed, lowering her body into a crouch so Sunnykit could dismount safely if she tried.

Acornfall was taken off guard when Briarmask tugged him down, but his thoughts were immediately disrupted. As well as his rage. The brown tabby released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, and wrapped a foreleg around her petite frame. Resting his forehead against the top of her head and taking a deep breath, letting her scent wash through him. The sound of her giggle caused his heart to skip happily. Good, she wasn't upset anylonger.

Acornfall's instinct was to stop Briarmask's rambling when she started, he didn't want to watch her spiral down such an unpleasant path. Especially when it was so nonsensical. But the tom waited patiently, releasing a deep, rumbling purr as he enveloped her, hoping that this would quell some of her anxieties at least. She twined tails with me this time. He noted happily, all too happy to oblige. "Shhhh...don't fret my love." He murmured, giving her little head an affectionate lick between her cute, curled ears. He loved those little ears of her's.

"You never have to worry about that. It's an image brought into your mind by the unfounded whispers of cats who 'ave nothing better to do with their lives than gossip." Honestly, if he could find out who they were, he'd alleviate them of their problems by separating them from their ears. Or their throats... But, murderous wishes aside, Bri needed him. "I'm not going anywhere, Bri. StarClan themselves couldn't keep me away." The words instantly brought back the memory of Emberpaw, then a -kit, asking him to promise something similar.

Was this promise too far? But in that moment, the brown tabby believed it. The conviction was clear in his voice, and he truly believed that upon his death StarClan would have a hard time restraining him from visiting Briarmask. The thought that she would go to join their ancestors before him never crossed his mind, for he would give his life for her's in every scenario. He was sure he'd go first, and still would never leave her side. So he didn't take back his words, there was no point. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing to take back. "You could never look like a kit to me, love." He meowed with a deep chuckle. Tilting his head in hopes of catching her gaze.

Should she look up, he would lean his head down to rest his forehead against her's. Gazing into those beautiful pale eyes he loved so much. "These fears you have...I understand them. Honestly, if you ever decided you were through with me...well...it's not a pleasant thought." Acornfall, big strong tom that he was, had to suppress a shudder at the mere concept. He definitely didn't wanna picture that reality. But a much more pleasant thought suddenly occurred to him...brought on by the comment of Bri resembling a kit. "Besides, if you're a kit then I would be too. And I'm sure I'd fall in love with you all over again."

Honestly, the image of Bri as a kit made his heart ache. But then...a different image was conjured. What would...their kits look like? Acornfall, not usually one to be socially awkward, suddenly felt heat rush through him at the thought. He felt...overwhelmed by the joy and warmth he experienced picturing their kits...with her delicate paws and curled ears on a brown tabby. Or maybe her splotches with his eyes. It was too much to bear. Acornfall hid his face from Briarmask, shrinking his shoulders down enough to hide his face in her shoulder. Which...probably looked ridiculous. But he didn't know what else to do with himself, he was just...simply overwhelmed by his emotions. Would they be like him? Or more like her? He hoped more like her, he'd drive himself crazy.

What am I thinking?! We haven't even discussed kits yet! Stop it brain! But his mind mocked him. Instead he could see them now, tumbling around Bri's paws while he brought her prey. Becoming apprentices. Warriors. Him chasing off suitors for his daughters. Briarmask doing her best to restrain him, scolding him for being overprotective and following them on their training patrols. They'd never discussed kits before but...should they? Was it too soon? Maybe...maybe they should....? Before his mind has created the next several generations of their lineage and torments him with that instead... But somewhere deep inside, he had decided to wait and let Bri bring it up first. So he resisted. Though he stayed where he was, trying to gather up the strength to look her in the eyes once more...those beautiful pale blue eyes...like a clear sky in the peak greenleaf.