tell me it's okay, even if it's not (c)

Nightstar had just gotten back into camp with a mouse, which he would consider a successful hunting trip if anything. Putting the mouse on the pile, Shadowclans leader was just going to continue on with his duties, but his gaze landed briefly on Marshmallow and how she seemed... off. He had noticed that she had been growing a bit rounder, but he had figured that maybe she was slowing down in her grief, Froststar was her dad after all, but that was his assumption, and by going off the barely half-eaten rat in front of her was saying anything, she wasn't eating all that much.

But when it came to Marshmallow, he didn't pay particularly good attention on a good day, he still questioned her as a loyal warrior to Shadowclan as she had gotten his brother grievously hurt and when the Forgotten Order had attacked, her loyalties had been called into question by his mother, questions that he still had himself. But looking down at the black and white she-cat, curled and shaking with silent sobbing, he was forced into shoving his negative emotions down and speaking with her as a clanmate and the leader that he was.

"Marshmallow? Are you alright? Would you like to talk about it in my den perhaps? I'm sure moving out of prying eyes and ears will be appreciated." Nightstar meowed, gently waiting for her response, and in no way prodding her to move faster or respond to him quicker. He'd let her take her time when she was comfortable. This wouldn't be the first time he had to help Marshmallow pick up the pieces, after all, he had helped her with Soottail.

Nightstar raised his eyebrow, not very amused at her attempts at a joke but he let it slide. He waited until Marshmallow got to her paws and grabbed her barely eaten rat to offer himself to lean on, as they walked to his den. Nightstar's den was a sorry sight to say politely, nothing decorated the space, and the nest in the middle held only the minimum amount of material to be considered a nest. Cringing inwardly, he moved forwards to try to fluff it up, make it look a bit nicer and more like something a leader would have, before offering it to Marshmallow to sit in.

"It's not much... but I hope it will suffice for the time being. Now, if you would like to tell me about what's going on, you may. Or you can just take this time to get your barings together until you're ready to face the world again. I've got time, so you can decide on what you want to do, I won't judge." He mewed, settling himself down across from Marshmallow, allowing her the option of space.

Nightstar blinked, confusion briefly colouring his face before he caught himself up to speed. Typically, finding out you were having kits as a she-cat would be the happiest day of a she-cats life, but with Marshmallow, it seemed the opposite would be true. But it seemed to him, that most of Marshmallows grief and concern was not having any clue on how to raise kittens, and that she lacked any good reference for that. Nightstar could understand that a lot better than Marshmallow would know, but at least he knew his parents were caring... He was silent as he thought about how to approach this discussion. He had never wanted kits or a mate, and he wasn't sure if Marshmallow was in the same boat as him. All his time as deputy, and now leader, while short never trained him for these types of talks.

"I can't begin to truly understand what you're going through right now. But if it is any consolation, you are with Shadowclan, and these kits that you carry now can be raised communally. Swiftheart, and even Snowfoot I'm sure would be happy to raise them in your stead if you wish. But if you wish to try with them, even if you don't want them, and think you will fall short as a parent, then they will be there for you every step of the way should you want it." Nightstar meowed, forcing his expression to remain the slightly concerned he was showing as he spoke when he realized that he didn't know who these kits' father was. Sure, she didn't need to tell him, but to his knowledge, she was not in anyways close enough to any tom in Shadowclan to carry their kits.

Traitor.

"You are not Soottail, Marshmallow. I know you won't repeat her mistakes. You have a whole clan, and Soottail to guide you, and on Soottail's part, it's more or less a 'what not to do.' guide." He was grateful that he didn't place her on his council, as he had considered it, but he knew that she couldn't be trusted, and if his suspicions were true, then he could only be glad that he was right after all this time. He'd wait until he got a sign, or if he was in other ways made certain on where Marshmallows loyalties truly lie, and he'd toss her out depending. Maybe.

But for now, he'd play nice, maybe he could gain something from her. Maybe, if he played nice, Marshmallow would be truly loyal to Shadowclan and she'd be worth all the grief from keeping her around.

"You make good points, I suppose." Nightstar meowed, considering his words the best he could, "But I don't think that you're exactly unique in your experience, I'm sure at some point most queens feel scared and apprehensive at some point. But at least you will be there for them. There are many cats in Shadowclan who have been orphaned, adopted, and raised by Shadowclan." Nightstar meowed, quite struggling with giving comfort and reassuring the older she-cat. He was her leader sure, and he did doubt her loyalty, but she was older than him. "Why don't you take this one paw step at a time, take care of yourself and visit Fuzzybelly? They won't be here tomorrow, so you have a lot of time to consider what you want." He silently applauded himself, surely this would give enough comfort to Marshmallow?