I know you did everything just right [c]

Honeylight had something rare today; alone time with his mother. Don’t get him wrong, he loved every member of his family, but between their family being a little bigger (though not as big as it should’ve been) and the…everything that had been going on these days, it seemed like years since the last time he walked by his mother’s side through the territory. He knew that was an exaggeration, but still.

Honeylight shifted over until he was leaning on Pineblossom’s side as they walked along, letting out a little purr as he pressed against her. He could still remember when he was so much smaller than Pineblossom, when he could easily fit himself between her paws and he often did. Now, he towered above her; but still, something about being in Pineblossom’s company made him feel small, sheltered, and safe. It was a warm feeling, a good feeling, one he often craved on harder nights.

“How have you been doing lately, ma?” He asked softly. He’d done his best to help Pineblossom through losing her litter, taking on the role he’d often done for Leopardsun of ensuring she ate and rested and took care of herself. It seemed like maybe she was getting better, as better as she could be, as she moved forward but… with everything going on, especially with how close Pineblossom was to Nightpaw, Honeylight was worried about her. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

Pineblossom

Pineblossom looked up at Honeylight when he finally spoke. He was such a chatty little apprentice, and while he’s gotten older and has still kept that cheer, he was quieter now. She hoped that that was just him maturing, and not because anything had dimmed the light that he was named after.

She meowed, “I’m…alright.” She did not hurt so much when she thought about the litter that she lost, but the current events of the forest were draining her. She had still yet to talk to Nightpaw after everything that happened. She had to approach him soon. “I’m worried about the clan, and what the forest will have in store for us given everything.”

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

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

Honeylight pressed against Pineblossom for a moment, nodding at her words as he soaked in her familiar warmth. Something about being close to Pineblossom made all of his anxieties feel a little less intense. Still, he nodded. “I know what you mean.” He said with a sigh. “I really hope things start looking up again soon. I don’t know how, but… I can dream.” He shrugged.

He looked at Pineblossom and chuckled a little. “You know, I have no idea how you kept it together so well when I was an apprentice, and things aren’t nearly as bad as they were back then. I think I’m doing okay staying calm around Silverpaw, but I still feel like I’m about to jump right out of my pelt if one more thing goes wrong.”

Pineblossom

Pineblossom smiled sympathetically at Honeylight and brushed her pelt up against him. “It is hard to be a mentor, especially for your first time.” She knew that Honeylight had been the mentor for Redice but he had become a warrior so swiftly, and…given everything that happened with him, she chose to not think about it. “Silverpaw seems quite happy with you as his mentor. You’ve done a good job of looking after him, too. He’ll become a warrior in no time.” She chuckled and admitted, “I thought I was doing a terrible job of training you. I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing at all, and I was certain I was going to mess up somehow and turn you into a bad warrior. Sometimes anxiety will tell you something that is simply not true.”

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

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

Honeylight smiled and brushed closer to Pineblossom in return, his shoulders relaxing as she spoke. If Pineblossom thought he was doing a good job with Silverpaw, then he believed her. Bumping his shoulder to hers, he said, “You were amazing. Still are. Just in case you still believe that anxiety sometimes. I honestly don’t know where I would be without you, ma.” He nuzzled her side affectionately. “I think I would’ve been a very different cat if it wasn’t for you.”

Pineblossom

Pineblossom smiled and she purred softly when Honeylight nuzzled against her. “I no longer think I did as bad of a job as I used to believe.” She always had doubts, and she used to feel that she really failed Honeylight. She had not protected him well enough during such a difficult time in the forest. And yet…he had turned out to be such a lovely young tom. Not only that, but he was now her son. It made her heart swell with warmth. “I am grateful that I was chosen as your mentor all those moons ago, Honeylight. You were good for me, too.”

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

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