[Estelle]

 

Originally Posted by SuspiciousMindz

[Hawkbite]

Once the vole was placed before Nightshiver, he had already begun to step away to leave her in peace but was cut off when she invited him for a bite. He paused with thought, blinking a moment as his gaze studied the she-cat. Her eyes seemed to glow with an emotion he wasn't super familiar with, concern? They were captivating nonetheless, a welcomed comfort.

Hawkbite cleared his throat, tearing his own gaze away to hide the embarrassment finding it's way into him. He must look rough. He felt rough. Since Vixensnarl's presumed death, he hadn't been the best at taking care of himself. It felt hauntingly familiar to how he'd found Nightshiver the first time they met. She hadn't been taking care of herself at the time, but now she'd found her spot in the clan it seemed and had be happier. Although, he could only assume based on how she'd evolved over the last few moons of knowing her.

Hawkbite eventually nodded, accepting the invite. It'd been rude to decline it in his mind. The Enforcer took a few steps back towards her, settling himself half a tail-length away. "I can stay for a bite," he assured, offering the queen a half smile as he settled himself into a crouch. His tail wrapped close to his side, hiding it from the kits around them, knowing all too well how intriguing a toy it can be.

She feared he would decline - after all, they weren't that close, at least not in her mind. She may... Begin to consider him a friend, but did he do the same? She was concerned over his health by all means - he looked less... Energised than before, so to speak. And yet a part of her was so relieved when he turned back and reassured her already growing worries; worries that she'd been too forward, too indelicate in offering to stay for a bite when he might've just been doing something nice. Nothing more, nothing less.

A smile spread across her maw as allowed herself to sit where she'd been standing, eyes briefly from him to the vole and then the ground as she felt a little rush of nerves tickle her stomach. It'd been some time since she'd shared a meal with anyone - stars, she could barely remember the last time. Or had that been with him, too? Her mind had been so preoccupied, that she was uncertain. Either way, she was glad he agreed to stay. You could call her selfish but truthfully, the simple act had her realise how much she'd missed this type of company... Or just company in general, one she knew she needn't be afraid of.

Don't get her wrong, she was concerned and first and foremost the forever queen wanted to be certain Hawkbite would be alright, just like he ensured her wellbeing all that time ago. And she adored working with kittens, even of she found herself overrun by them from time to time. But sometimes, just sometimes, it was a lonely existence. Tucked away inside the nursery, no family, no friends... At least no friends who stayed - not that she blamed them, she knew it was out of their control. But she had noticed Brackenfire disappear once again. And it stung.

And yet this little reminder of her quiet life, it brought back memories of Hawkbite. Someone she'd so feared, only to see him be so gentle and kind with Mothkit, only to remember that up until now he'd done nothing to warrant her fear, to warrant distance. On the contrary, he'd been more present than... She didn't finish that thought, it was wrong. Even so, he had helped her when he had no obligation to - she could only presume, rare as it might be among ShadowClan, that it was from the kindness of he held within. And that made her smile.

Hawkbite had been present, Hawkbite had been nothing but helpful and kind. And friends help each other. If she should consider him a friend now and until the day he disappears - please let him stay - then the least she can do is dare to share this meal, dare to offer him a moment of quiet. Maybe it was selfish to want his company, but she at least needed to try and lighten his mood or accept whatever he was feeling, or let him rest should this still just have been a rough night.

Ah, but she was getting wrapped up in thought. So many things rummaging through her mind and yet no action was taken, she'd just been sitting in silence, offering that gentle smile as she wasn't certain where to look. Carefully reaching out, she nudged the vole closer to Hawkbite, offering the enforcer a first bite, searching for words. What did one say when someone might be having a difficult time? She wasn't all too sure, but maybe she could start with a thank you.
"I... never.. thanked you... for.. hel..helping.. me. before. Ah... so... thank... you."

She lifted her eyes to try and meet his gaze, albeit a bit uncertainly, she did want him to know she was genuinely thankful, as long as it might've taken her to realise. That said, she didn't elaborate, only shuffling her paws together as her tail tightly wrapped around herself. She wasn't certain what to say next, digging herself deeper into the hole of not knowing what to do - so she spoke on, after a few moments of silence, gaze averting to the ground before sweeping over the nursery.
"And. And.. for playing.. with... Moth..kit. W-woollyfeather, she..."
She trailed off, unable to speak to the sentence. Clearing her throat,
"Mothkit... must've... appreciated it."

And then a smile, turning back to look at Hawkbite. She realised a little too late that the enforcer had likely been unaware of her watching them, even so, these sorts of interactions were so important for the young. Admitting to watching the pair may earn some embarrassment, but spending time with the little ones like that... It was beautiful, special. And so important when there may little else in a kits' life, which happened far too often. As such, a thank you was for that, too.