Fear of Depths [C]

Rushpaw was surprised by the invitation but was quick to accept. Since she had been injured by that Thunderclan cat, he'd found himself wondering quite often about how her recovery was going. Based on her gait, his denmate seemed to be healing up well enough. Regardless, he thought asking anyways wouldn't be a bad thing. Just in case she needed any help while they were out. The words were on his tongue but Poppypaw broke the silence first. He'd been so focused on the one question circling in his mind, it took the large tom a moment to recover so he could properly answer.

"Oh, uh, yeah it's been great. Flywhisker is a great mentor. I really like training with them. It's nice to keep learning from a cat who has been teaching me since kithood. Other cats might not like having a parent for a mentor but they're the only one I've got so." Rushpaw shrugged slightly, eyes trailing down to her paws and watching their path as he followed in pursuit. While she avoided the water with delicate steps, the tom slid right in, enjoying the sensation. Given how could it had been, he'd hardly had a chance to swim. Now seemed like the right moment. And with Poppypaw too? Even better.

"It's a good day for swimming. Especially now that the sun had begun to thaw everything out. Would you want to join me? For a little bit?" The bright green eyes fixed the she-cat with question, a warm and hopeful smile behind them. Although they had come out here for something more productive, there was some time to waste, and it was always good to get swimming practice in. He silently willed her to join him instead of pressing on ahead.

Enjoying the feeling of the water lapping at his coat, and the sun along his back, the tom had sunk into the water. His nose was just over the surface with his eyes peering up at Poppypaw. He could have easily stayed like this forever, relishing in the sensation. Listening to the words of his denmate, his ear twitched. All of Riverclan at his side? That was certainly a comforting though. With just her alone, he felt contented. A whole clan was so much more. An internal warmth seemed to seep through his pelt and underneath the water his maw twisted upwards into a smile.

He noted the way she'd paused at his invitation. Rushpaw straightened up, breathing in the fresh air as he waited for a response. The one that came caused his features to grow more serious, almost stoic. But there was concern shining beneath the surface; it hadn't left sense witnessing her injuries but it intensified in that moment. However, there was something different about this situation - something he had to offer. Padding slowly over, with steps that were water-logged, he stopped next to the stone and stretched upwards to grow closer.


"If you want to try again, I'll be right here with you. I can't imagine how terrifying that must have been but... I'd love to see you keep going when you're ready, of course." Rushpaw meowed, his voice low, filled with genuine expression. He'd never known being any cat other than himself and it was easy to offer such comforts to a cat whose aura was so easy to enjoy. The russet tom's nose was oddly close to hers and he pulled back ever so slightly, ears heating up in embarrassment. There was a sheepish grin that crossed his maw, quickly twisting into a warm smile, "Lead the way, Poppypaw, in water or on land."

One paw rested on the base of the smooth stone as he looked expectantly up at the she-cat. It was nice to leave camp, to feel some relief from the overwhelming turmoil mounting within their older clanmates. And it was nice to have a friend too. He hoped she felt the same way.

Instead of pulling away, the she-cat lowered herself to the rock. That alone was a reassurance. Rushpaw stood a little straighter, feeling more confident in his pursuits, and entirely focused on her wellbeing. It meant a lot to him that she was even willing to consider coming closer to the water rather than carrying on. The apprentice was just beginning to get to know Poppypaw; they had interacted on a few occasions and seen each other in passing, but this was different. He felt like in these moments he was truly being exposed to something beneath the surface, a thing he'd never really considered.

Since he was so young, friendships had just began to bud. He was learning the many things that this world entailed and how it was bigger than his own sphere. Previously, he thought little more than of himself and his littermates, Flywhisker as well. Now, it seemed like his fellow denmate was going to open his eyes to the the grander picture. Poppypaw was part of life as was the rest of the clan. Even though his ears were still warm, the fluttering in his chest had stilled slightly with this growing certainty. The soft words touched his ear and brought a reassuring smile to his maw.

Instead of pulling away and further indulging his own embarrassment, he leaned into Poppypaw, "It'll be alright. You can lean on me too." The russet tom took a step to the side, causing ripples in the water around him. There was plenty of room for the she-cat to slip into the water from her current position and it would put her right at his side. Rushpaw's nose touched her paw gingerly looking up at her, "No pressure. I just figure it might help, if I'm here, right?"

He was shocked to see her prepping herself to slip into the water, and further surprised as droplets from her descent scattered across his maw. Rushpaw's eyes squeezed shut in an effort to avoid the spray and his head instinctively ducked back slightly. Quickly, he recovered, shuffling closer to the she-cat. As she found his cheek and leaned into him, the russet tom had grown a tad more serious. But, the sensation from being so close to her, alongside her, it was unlike anything else. The trust that she showed him by this simple act. It was incredible. He was grateful and in an instant had vowed himself to never harming this fragile thing between them.

At her words, Rushpaw moved his chin to settle on the top of her head ever so gently. With his tail across her back, the tom waited a moment. His whiskers twitched at the soft words. It bothered him to hear her so uncertain and he wanted to changed that, to help her move past it, "Not bad at all. You got this." Taking a slight step forward, the apprentice tried to guide her. It only occurred to him then that perhaps he'd been a bit forward, "Is this alright? I mean, are you okay?" Ears heated up. Going between a self-conscious mind and being wholly focused on her. It was an odd thing to wrestle with for such a young tom and it caused him to feel even more helpless than kithood.

"Okay. Okay." He muttered softly, worried he'd pressured her into something that made her uncomfortable when he just wanted to help. Poppypaw clung to him and selfishly, he relished in the warmth for a mere moment before trying to think of what to do. Maybe treading the water wasn't good or swimming quite yet; she wasn't ready. Rushpaw allowed his hindquarters to sink to the bottom and settled back, "You want to sit with me? We can just sit and talk if you want." The words were breathed out in an attempted reassurance.

His maw was square on her head, never pulling away. All that mattered was making sure that she was comfortable, that she was okay. There was only a brief pause before he was piping up to fill the silence again, "You could tell me about your favorite things, or things you like, it might make you feel better. If this is too much, that's okay too. We could always go hunting." Conflict was behind his eyes, genuine concern. He hoped she wouldn't blame him for making her feel this way; he wanted to help but wasn't sure this was right. Poppypaw would tell him, wouldn't she? Stuffing down the churning sensation, Rushpaw tried to ground himself in wait, and be a comforting presence no matter what she desired.

Guilt prickled up in his chest. Regardless of his intent, the tom had made her uncomfortable. Deep down, Rushpaw knew that is wasn't his fault, and her reassurance help, but it did not drive away knowing that he had perhaps pushed her too far. He knew for next time at least. Although he could have lounged in the water forever, the tom quickly followed after her. He did not bother to shake out his pelt after climbing onto the shore. The apprentice sucked in the air and settled down rather close but without their coats touching like they had been a moment earlier. If she wanted to be close to him, he'd be there, but he feared overwhelming her once again.

"It's alright, Poppypaw. You tried and that's what matters. Another time, whenever you want, alright? But don't push yourself, it won't do any good. I'm sorry if I pushed you." His voice grew ever so softer with the apology before returning to its normal volume, "Hunting then. You lead the way, I'll follow."