[BEAR.]

Hypersensitive was a good way to describe Fernpaw's current state. He was on high alert, tensing with wide eyes at the glint of Kestrelstar's claws in the dim light of the den. His mind flashed to the beasts, the savage shadow slayers who shredded his skin and cracked his bones. His breath caught in his throat, a choked, strangled sob escaping him. "please--" don't hurt him, don't be mad, he didn't mean to trespass (he hadn't before with the patrol, but he was now. he didnt know why he was here.) He flinched even as the claws sheathed, as if anticipating something worse to come. Gnashing teeth, feral growls that'd haunt his dreams. Ripping. Tearing. Rending. Tendons pulling apart. Crack.

Instead, his head is touched. His name. The seams that kept Fernpaw composed shattered, his resolved crumbled as he moved to bury himself into the rigid form of the RiverClan leader. After the storm he faced, the slightest bit of kindness meant more to him than Kestrelstar would ever know. Words failed to escape him, only a broken sob as he tried to press further into his buddy. Fish Dad safe.

(Distantly, there's another cat. But Fernpaw was in no state to handle another, focused on the warmth and comfort Fish Bird Dad provided.)

[ @spade, @Kunaiskrill / up to spade but fern likely won't be very reactive to nightleap, he's not in a good spot right now. ]