[Jayvines]

 

Originally Posted by jupiter

 

Dovefluff

"I'd do anything to have them back. I don't know what to do... I don't know if I'm a queen or a warrior now, I just want my kids back." She sobbed, words muffled. Why did they have to be taken from her? They were just children. Her children. And how would she talk to Hawkbite at the gathering? her only friend from ShadowClan, surely he would ask about her kits. What did she say? How could she explain it?

The queen wept, unaware that perhaps she should've been more careful with her actions in her grief filled state, face pressed into the fur of the kind tom who had offered himself as the cat to comfort her. She wanted Morningcall. She wanted her best friend, but she wasn't here. So Dovefluff just melted into the comfort that Lioncrest offered her, her loud, heart wrenching sobs eventually subsiding into hollow sniffles as the gentle strokes of the other cat's tail lulled her into broken, silent calm. Like the calm after a hurricane, the silence, and the molly just stared off into space, numb.

Gently pressing her nose into his side, she wiped her eyes and nose. "Thank you." She whispered hoarsely, with a certain tone of defeat and numbness that only came with a parent losing their child. A broken cat, breaking more and more but somehow still holding themselves together after such a painful loss. She had been so sure that the grief would kill her, so how was she still standing? "Will you help me bury her?" She choked out, voice shaking and hollow. No one new had come over, and she assumed it would be... time.

The mere thought of burying her child, the final goodbye, made her want to vomit, but she miraculously didn't, sliding back to rise to a sitting position, legs shaking. She was shocked to realize that she was able to stand. That she was able to still breathe after the agonizing death of her daughter. That she could still function.

Crazy how the world kept turning even when you think it should stop.

(we can move this to willow's rise either with your next post or mine, just so the burial can take place butterflypost is coming out tomorrow!)

~Lioncrest~

Fluffy golden tail continuing its gentle and comforting ministrations, Lioncrest simply let out a (hopefully comforting) rumbling purr in response to Dovefluff's grief. He could not solve this terrible situation with words, but he could be there for support and comfort, so that was what he did. Careful not to overstep his bounds to far, he gently rested his chin atop her head; the grey queen was practically enveloped. Giving her some semblance of privacy as she grieved.

As wails and sobs turned to sniffs and aching quiet, the large golden tom pulled back and tilted his head down slightly to carefully observe his charge. Her gaze was distant, clearly still distraught, but the queen buried in his pelt was strong. She would be able to make it through this.

"There is no need to thank me Dovefluff," he murmured, voice low and steady as the queen finally spoke. "You are entitled to both grief and comfort in this clan, I am merely honored to provide you the later."

As she choked out her desperate request, that spark of pride burned even brighter in his chest and his amber gaze filled with a solemn sense of duty.

"There would be no higher honor than to assist you in such a sacred duty," he stated softly before rising up alongside the grey queen. "I will ensure that no harm comes to her as we traverse the territory to our ancestor's resting place. We can take as much time as you wish."

With a surprising amount of care and gentleness, Lioncrest leaned down to scoop the fallen kit up by her scruff. The scent of milk and nursery was fading from the young child, however he would not do them the disrespect of crinkling his nose at the encroaching scent of death. No, this kit would be cared for as if he was tucking them into a new nest.

Amber eyes met Dovefluff's as he gently placed his tail atop her back to lead her to Willow's Rise. This was a somber day for Thunderclan...

[ I wanted to get one more in the clearing, so if you'd like to make a starter at Willow's Rise that'd be @jupiter ]