This is a place where I feel at home [c]

Emotional exhaustion was draped upon Honeylight’s shoulders like a particularly heavy cloak. As war loomed, it was becoming increasingly difficult to present his normal, cheerful self for his clanmates. But he tried, and he tried to be there for them, and he tried especially hard for Silverpaw. Pineblossom had been an unshakable pillar of support and strength during Honeylight’s rocky apprenticeship; he was determined to be the same for Silverpaw.

Honeylight’s tail flicked affectionately over Silverpaw’s shoulders as they returned from their hunt. “Good job today,” He purred, squinting his eyes at Silverpaw before looking around the camp. It wasn’t long before he spotted a welcome sight; Pineblossom and Forestbreeze, resting in a corner of camp together.

Affection for his adoptive parents flooded Honeylight’s chest, and, spotting a rare opportunity for the four of them to spend time together, Honeylight looked back at Silverpaw with a smile. “Grab yourself something to eat,” He said, gesturing with his head towards the other two cats. “And let’s go bug ‘em.” He gave a playful little wink, before scooping a mouse off the pile for himself.

Approaching his mom and dad with a wave of his tail in greeting, Honeylight paused in front of them with a soft smile around his food. “Room for two more?” He purred softly.

Pineblossom

Pineblossom enjoyed her time spent in camp when she was at Forestbreeze’s side. Everything was still difficult. There were still echoes of tragedy when she thought about them for too long, but enough time had passed that it felt more like the ache of an old wound than a fresh scar. She could spend hours curled up with Forestbreeze and enjoying the day without thinking about anything bad. It was a nice feeling, and one that she had missed.

She looked up when Honeylight approached, and she sat up too. “Honeylight,” she purred. She spotted Silverpaw not far behind him and she chuckled. “Of course. There is always room.” When Silver returned within earshot, she asked, “How was training today?”

ShadowClan • Tier 5 • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #6699ff

Credits: code inspiration - 1 2 | image 1 | image 2 | image 3

Silverpaw

It was hard not to be aware of the weariness and agitation that blanketed ShadowClan as of late; that clung annoyingly to his own pelt. Silverpaw sighed as he followed his brother into camp, a mixture of relief and frustration. He was happy to be back in camp, to relax for a little while… but ugh. The air in camp was dreadful now. He would’ve just as quickly turned and left again with the first patrol that passed by, if he didn’t know better— and if Honeylight’s tail hadn’t tapped his shoulder.

Silverpaw looked up, smiling brightly in response to the praise. It still made his ears warm a little, even though there was no shortage of it from Honeylight. He followed a few steps farther into camp until Honeylight looked at him and nodded towards Pineblossom and Forestbreeze in a corner of camp together. They were a welcome sight, and he relaxed more at the sight of them. Grinning back, Silverpaw followed suit, grabbing his own mouse and padding over.

“Hi,” he mewed warmly around the mouthful as he approached. Silverpaw nodded to each of them and settled onto his haunches, bending down briefly to drop the mouse before straightening again. Chest puffing out a bit, “It was fine. I’m getting better at hunting! It’s kind of fun, actually. When it goes well, at least.”

Honeylight grinned when Forestbreeze and Pineblossom both welcomed them in. He set down his meal and flopped bodily onto the ground beside his adoptive parents, settling close enough to rest against his dad. A deep purr to match his dad’s broke out in Honeylight’s chest as he settled in with his meal, smiling as his family spoke. It still meant so much to Honeylight that he had a family like this. This was how family was supposed to be. Not like what he had with his birth mother. Warmth, love, and support flowed equally between the four of them, and for the afternoon, Honeylight set aside his fears for the future and just basked in it.

Honeylight’s smile only widened as Forestbreeze commented on Silverpaw’s progress, feeling his own pride, both for himself and for Silverpaw, fill his chest. “We’ve been doing some,” He said with a nod. “Sil’s a speedy lil’ guy,” He wrinkled his nose playfully at his little brother. “Gets me all tripped up. But it’s a good challenge! He’s improving fast.” Honeylight said brightly.

Pineblossom

Pineblossom listened to her family as they gathered with their meal. Silverpaw looked cheerful and that warmed her heart. She was worried that the tragedy of losing his mother would make it hard for him to get any sort of cheer back, but it seemed like he was able to hold onto some of that happiness still.

“Hunting is difficult, especially when first starting out. You’ll only become more consistent at is as you train,” she told Silverpaw. “Speed is good in battle. We can’t all be large titans like Honeylight.” She wrinkled her nose playfully at her older son and leaned against Forestbreeze. “We should all spar together some time. It’s good to learn to focus on attacks from multiple fronts. Even predators sometimes hunt in groups.”

ShadowClan • Tier 5 • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #6699ff

Credits: code inspiration - 1 2 | image 1 | image 2 | image 3