[BEAR.]

"You--" Whatever Firehawk was going to say was lost to the grumbles of Lionstorm as he emerged from the makeshift nest he made in the edge of camp. He still hadn't transitioned into the warriors' den.

Lionstorm's tired gaze hadn't even registered Firehawk as he approached, focused on Sootstar until the familiar ginger and white fur caught his attention. Wait, wait, wait, no--- he wasn't ready-- it was like the world had frozen in front of him, the sight of Firehawk-- why him of all cats? Where was Iceflower? If this old coot came back, where was Mother?

Firehawk wasn't sure what he was expecting from this - a welcome back? An embrace? Neither of those embodied his son: he had always been a difficult child. "Lionst--Lionstorm," he chirped toward his frozen statue of a son. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "It's been a while.. did you miss me?"

SMACK.

His head jerked to a side as Lionstorm closed the distance between them and struck him across the face. Yowch! The only upside to this was Lionstorm's claws were sheathed this time. He clearly rememebered the last time he'd been hit - it felt like a lifetime ago. Shiverpetal was still alive.

It took a moment for Firehawk to recover from the force of the blow, his jaw aching as Lionstorm spoke in a hiss. "Don't-- don't you EVER leave me like that again."

Quietly, Firehawk managed to huff at him, though it wasn't without some affection. "I never wanted to leave you to begin with, cub." He reached toward his son, brushing his muzzle against his cheek. "Easy now, I'm not going anywhere again." He could feel Lionstorm deflate against him, shrinking down to push himself against his father for comfort.

Lionstorm had never felt smaller in that moment, breathing short. He never really processed the lost of his family that well - he put off the thoughts, the reality. Firehawk's return was like ripping off a bandaid over a wound that refused to scab. "i thought you were gone for good. like everyone else."

"You're not getting rid of me so easily." Firehawk rasped his tongue over Lionstorm's ears. "Come now, why don't you join me in the elders' den? I know Sootstar wanted you to get me settled in, but there's no harm in joining me for a nap."

".. okay."

Firehawk wrapped his tail around his son and together, the duo departed for the elders' den for a much needed slumber.