Dead Weight [closed]

Adderdawn

For a rare moment, Adderdawn was allowing himself just to sit rather than running into whatever work was offered to him. Hunting patrols, border patrols, helping with the tunnels– he’d been doing anything that was asked of him nearly since they returned from Highstones. Today though, he was content just to sit near the fresh-kill pile, eyes half-lidded, the warm wind that got caught in the hollow stirring through his fur. It was… surprisingly pleasant, to just relax. He was actually enjoying himself.

The sound of approaching pawsteps and an accompanying voice startled him out of his reverie, and Adderdawn blinked quickly as his eyes found Smallbean. He stared quizzically at the deputy, tilting his head to the side. He couldn’t help but immediately start to wonder if Smallbean wanted something– if he’d done something wrong. Shaking out his fur, Adderdawn only let his ears lay flat for a minute before they turned forward again. “Uh- no, I don’t mind. Go ahead,” he murmured, nodding to the spot beside him.

Paws shifting, he watched as Smallbean settled. His eyes focused on the rabbit, debating if it’d be worth it to eat. He could almost hear Flutterpetal’s voice in the back of his head, but another ruffle of his fur regretfully dismissed it. He’d had a field mouse at dawn; maybe he’d change his mind and pick over the rabbit with Smallbean, but for now he was content to wait until dusk. Curling his tail around his paws and trying to look a bit stiff, Adderdawn mewed awkwardly, “Is something up? Only a few cats usually sit by me.”

Adderdawn

Adderdawn nodded at Smallbean’s hurried answer, following his brief look of longing towards a quieter spot to eat. That’s a relief, he thought as his attention slid again toward the deputy. He was having a good day so far; thankfully, Smallbean hadn’t been sent to deliver some overdue punishment.

Shifting to sit a little more comfortably, Adderdawn met the deputy’s eyes with a slow blink. “Maybe. But you can eat,” he mewed easily. He was still debating, but he wouldn’t stop Smallbean. He was expecting silence, unsure himself of what to say and knowing the other tom was often the same, but he spoke anyway. A dark ear flicked in consideration of the question, and Adderdawn’s head tilted to the side, studying Smallbean for a moment. He wondered what it meant- if it was only small talk or a more intentional ask.

“I’m alright,” he answered after a moment. Turning away, he looked towards the path out of the dusty hollow, watching a patrol disappear from view. He was pretty alright, when he thought about it. He’d felt… good, since the weather started getting warmer. It was unusual. The answer was truthful and simple, and Adderdawn could have left it there, but… his gaze slid back toward the deputy. In as even a tone as he could, he mewed, “A lot’s happened recently, Smallbean. How do you feel about it?”