Lakepaw slumped into his grandfather as he was wrapped in his comforting embrace. He let the tears flow freely after a few moments, and he buried his face into the tom's fluffy fur. "Sh-She does?" He meowed in relief, sniffling softly, his voice muffled by his grandfathers fur. She loved him. Even after his screw ups and flops as a kit and apprentice, she still found a way to love him. He had underestimated a mother's love and how far it extended, and he basked in the knowledge that his mother loved him.
Now, he looked up at Frogjaw with disbelief and sudden happiness shining in his amber gaze. He couldn't believe how perfectly he had described himself, and now the elder was telling him something that completely and utterly baffled him. "I'm like her? I'm.. I'm like my mother?" He whispered, suddenly overcome with joy at this revelation. He was like her? Willowpetal felt the same way he did when she was his age? She had done her best to hide her problems and emotions from everyone as well? His head was spinning with the shock of everything, but he was the happiest in this one moment than he had ever been in his young life. Every little thing he had worried about seemed to lift off his bulky shoulders, and he felt lighter and carefree. He felt like he could do anything he wanted. He could take over ThunderClan, or kill a badger single-pawed. He felt the knowledge of his mothers love, combined with his grandfathers, coursing through his veins and he felt unstoppable. He had never felt like this before, but he loved it.
"Don't be afraid to let people in Lakepaw. You have family in all of your clanmates. Ivystar is your great-grandmother, and Jaystream in your great uncle. They can be trusted, and if they do anything against you, I'll give them a good tongue-lashing from up here."
Taking in every piece of wisdom and advice that Frogjaw gave him, he nodded in understanding. He did have other kin in the clan. He should be embracing them instead of pushing them away just because he missed his mom. He suddenly realized how foolish he had been, and he couldn't wait to go home and give Splashwillow all the thanks she deserved. He laughed as his grandfather continued and threatened to 'give them a good tongue-lashing'. "Thank you, Frogjaw." He meowed, his voice and eyes full of sincerity. "I.. I wish you were still alive, so I could just come talk to you whenever I need to." He sighed sadly, burrowing deeper into the elder's starry brown fur.
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