Quote:
Originally Posted by Suspiciousmindz
Jaguarclaw lowered himself in the older nest. His large forepaws hanging outside the nest and his tail curling beside him, matching that of the arch of the nest. With a small sigh, he lowered his head next. It rested on his paws while his ears continued to swirl around, listening to the sounds outside as well as her speaking. Although, his olives hues remained on her face. Jaguarclaw was merely watching her reactions, wanting to see what she meant and what she didn't. It was a habit he developed, but he never made it obvious to the other cat. To him, it was obvious she meant every word and his gaze traveled to the ground in front of him. He continued to listen until he was sure she was done talking. It took a few moments before he responded merely because he was thinking about their first interaction. Marbledface had been mean to him then, but he only ever reacted with kindness and now here she was, telling him about her problems. When they first met, he never guessed it would lead to this. The black and white she-cat really was his closest friend in his eyes.
Two felines talking on the other side of the warriors den caught his attention for a moment. He had been soaked up in what Marbledface was saying that he hadn't realized they were there. Choosing to ignore them, he lifted his gaze back to her and raised his head up off his paws. "It's okay. Some battles are meant to be fought alone, I understand. I'll always be here for you though," he nodded slowly, closing his eyes momentarily, choosing not to press her into anything. As they opened, they held a warm gaze. "Besides, I can't be mad at you," he gave her a friendly smile, a little bit of his old life coming back into his body. "Or if I did, you wouldn't know because it wouldn't last long," |
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.