can't wiggle your way out of this one [C]

Silverpaw's visit to Wiggleworm was long overdue. Having spent so much time in the company of one another, the distance apart felt far longer than it had. It was a nagging, neglectful feeling to be without the tom, especially after everything that occurred. The choices Silverpaw had made ate them up from the inside, protecting the kits had left them unable to help Wiggleworm, not only when the wolves attacked, but on the journey too. She knew he could have used her help, that it would have made all the difference... But... The apprentice shook her head. Regrets were not useful, they would only hinder her, stop her from moving forward. Wiggleworm had not joined StarClan, or Gekala if he followed the same path as his brother, and if Silverpaw had their way she would make sure he didn't join either one soon. The largest squirrel on the fresh-kill pile between her jaws as she made her way into the den, crouching through the entrance due to their height.

It was not hard to spot her friend, the warrior was easily the largest cat in the den. But he was also the sickest. The sight of Wiggleworm, made Silverpaw's heart clench. He looked so tiny, his pelt sagging from the weight he lost, and vicious wounds curtesy of the giant lake beasts criss-crossed his back, yet to heal. He smelt too, of sickness and pain. It was beyond awful. Green eyes stung, threatened by tears. Silverpaw would not cry though, they knew how he felt all too well, it was only recently she herself had been freed from the illness' shackles. Forever grateful to be well, but they found it unjust that Wiggleworm had not gotten better. In fact, he had gotten worse. So much worse. Was it suffering or a miracle decreed by a higher power that he lived? One paw still tethered to the world that Silverpaw walked, the rest already over that edge waiting for him to lose his balance and fall with them. She should go, leave him be, let him rest and pray to whoever was merciful that their bestest friend would be well in the morning, that he could feel what it felt like to be a true warrior. Wiggleworm didn't even have to know that they had come to see him.

Was she being selfish? Cruel? The tom was so pitiful, as his chest rose and fell in an awkward rhythm, only pausing when he hacked up a lung, or two. Twitching in his nest, tossing and turning. Was this pity the same Quailprowler had felt when Silverpaw had become sick? Was this the pity Wiggleworm's own kin had felt? It certainly felt to the lithe apprentice like the pity they had loathed - that they had both loathed - during their time in the sick den together. Silverpaw was being unfair to their relationship, to the honesty the two had shared. So on silent paws, they forced themself to approach the older cat. Carefully maneuvering to avoid disturbing him, or making him more uncomfortable as she siddled up next to him. The squirrel was placed neatly beside the two, within reaching distance, but still out of the way.

Gently, Silverpaw nudged Wiggleworm awake. "Sleepyhead," she mewed quietly trying to keep the sadness from their voice. "It is Silverpaw. If you are hungry I have brought a squirrel with me. I thought you may like some comapny... and I miss my favourite denmate."

A purr rumbled in their throat as Wiggleworm recognised her. A grin worming it is way on to Silverpaw’s features, despite the despair they felt at the tom’s compliment. Even in the worst situations he knew how to make them smile. “Thank you, it is only from not being ill. You also look… You are looking a little better.” she meowed never the best at mincing her words ”Being home is good for you.” Honesty had been important, amongst what Silverpaw valued most in their friendship, just because she was better did not mean their time in the sick den was forgotten. They would not lie to Wiggleworm, even if the words that left her mouth were less than gentle. Gentle words had not saved them, and Silverpaw hoped Wiggleworm was the same. A fighter. Even if he was far kinder than them. The clan needed him, and so did she. There was much on the horizon, and hopefully the large tom would be by their side through it. Silverpaw sent prayers to StarClan and Gekala that he would be, not for her sake they told herself, for his.


“You could have fooled me, you looked as cozy as a badger. Here.” Silverpaw pulled the squirrel towards the two, offering him the first bite. “Of course, I would not have expected you to eat a whole squirrel, you are still sick after all… Plus it looks too good for you to have all to yourself.” she teased, bumping him slightly. With a sigh, they melted into his side, returning Wiggleworm’s gesture. The fever still burned through him they noticed, he was so warm. Their green eyes looked to his, sorrow she did not want to show in their gaze. “I’m sorry. You should be better now.” the apprentice took in a shuddery breath, forgoing the sadness, and pushing thoughts of his condition from their mind. No one wanted to dwell on it, and to force him to think about it… Silverpaw felt guilty all over again. “Let’s talk about something else… How is being home?”

Forest Language
Feral Language

Silverpaw shook her head. "I am not, you really are looking better." she grinned "You are even laughing." Their whiskers twitched in amusement, trying to stay serious as the tom laughed. Silverpaw was being truthful, and he was laughing at her! They sighed deeply, inhaling through their nose. They had not been this happy in moons, had not smiled so genuinely since they were a kit. As funny as Wiggleworm thought it was, Silverpaw couldn't understand his reaction, their own happiness coming from him. Her brow furrowed, trying to understand. "I don't get it, but it is good you are laughing. I am happy you find it funny." they meowed earnestly. Even if the joke escaped the apprentice, they were just happy to make their friend laugh, after everything the tom had been through recently, it was hard to believe they were laughing. The sickness, wolves, Softpaw's disappearance... Did Wiggleworm even know about that? Silverpaw frowned at the thought, they did not want to be the one to tell him. Maybe Vinecrawler or Crocusfrost had let him know and she would be making more trouble by mentioning it... Why ruin his good spirits?

Wiggleworm's voice pulled Silverpaw from their moping thoughts, and this time she did laugh. Her eyes crinkled shut, as her sides heaved. "I doubt it, we have plenty of  food, but now that you mention it..." Silverpaw reached forward taking a bite of their own of the squirrel. Akin to her friend's reaction, their pupils also went wide as flavours burst on her tongue. "Mmm!" she exclaimed, swallowing their mouthful "I have never had a squirrel that good before!" Wiggleworm clearly in agreement as the large warrior chowed down on the meal. It is good he has his appetite back- Silverpaw had spoken to soon, for a moment it looked like he was about to bring the entire thing back up again. It reminded Silverpaw of when she had been sick, and how often a good meal had been wasted on them, at least he could keep it down this time. There had been many times where neither of them had.

While the sudden weight on their shoulder was unexpected it wasn't unwelcome. Silverpaw hesitated then gently nuzzled him, letting out a soothing purr. Confusion and sadness passed over the warriors face, and for a moment she worried he had upset him. That her gesture had made him uncomfortable, or their comment about the sickness had brought back negative feelings. But when Wiggleworm spoke there was no malice in his voice - there never was - just sadness. Silverpaw wanted it gone, like she wanted the sickness that plagued him gone. They pressed against him more ignoring the heat he exuded. "I do not want you to think I am bragging," she replied quietly "You stuck here, but I can come and go as I want... Do you really want to listen to that?" Silverpaw's green eyes met Wiggleworm's own brown eyes, waiting for him to agree with them, but there was only silence. She turned her head away, resting it on their paws. He was sick, she might as well indulge him with what they had busied themself with in his absence. "I am the same, though happier to be home, and I am a little excited too. I am certain I will be made a warrior soon... I returned to Highstones several sunrises ago for my moonstone..." The scent of rain, and salt came to Silverpaw's mind, along with the sound of strange birds calling out and the lapping of waves. That trip had been the final nudge they had needed to truly abandon StarClan. The dream she had experienced similar to what Vinecrawler had told her he had seen, the silver molly made a mental note to tell him when she found time. "... It was eventfully uneventful. Quailprowler has also taught me more of your language, I am not the best at it, but we can speak in it if you prefer.See?" Their own broken accent making her snort in embarrassment "She and Vinecrawler have both... been teaching me the language and of Gekala, but as you can tell... I am clearly not very good." laughed Silverpaw bumping the tom affectionately "But, this is good practice. Maybe we can go hunting... and you can give me some more lessons... I would really like that, Wiggleworm. If you feel up to it of course."

Being so close to Wiggleworm, Silverpaw felt him tense as they used his tongue. Had she butchered it so badly? Heat flooded their face, but the tom's next words quickly reassured them that it was something else. Their brow furrowed, he had also not picked up on their suggestion at spending more time together. Did he really feel so uncertain of his future? Surely... Surely after so much suffering he would be granted the fortune of good health and a long life. He was entitled to it, more so than any other cat they knew. Their ears drooped at the thought of the large warrior leaving her.

"Wiggleworm," mewed Silverpaw quietly, turning her head to meet his brown gaze "Can you promise me something? Can you promise me not to die here in this Stars forsaken den?" Their voice drew to a whisper as they spoke, gaze intensifying. She almost wanted to ask promise not to die at all? But immortality was a blessing gifted only to StarClan's blessed leaders, and even they couldn't outrun the god of death and his messengers forever.

A sigh escaped her maw, and she lowered their head, resting it atop his large paws. "I am sorry about speaking your language too, I shouldn't have assumed." Their eyes closed briefly, comforted by the rise and fall of Wiggleworm's chest - a reminder that he was still alive. Silverpaw purred softly. "Quailprowler is of the same mind, she holds it close to her, I understand."

Forest Speak
Feral Speak

Silverpaw sighed "Try is not the same as promise, but... I will let it slide. Just this once." Trying was better than nothing, and mindset was just as important as any other factor. If he would try, as hard as they had, then she was certain, someday -hopefully soon- Wiggleworm would be leaving this den. "I won't worry if you really try." mewed the apprentice, brushing her cheek against in his return. They tried to ignore his pinned ears. He would be okay. Her bestfriend had to be okay.

It was comforting to hear that they had done no wrong, but it was almost worse to try and think why it had upset the spotted tom so much. Their ears fell back as numerous possibilities crossed her mind. Before Silverpaw could try and guess again, Wiggleworm was speaking. Speaking the feral tongue. The molly remained silent, ears tilted towards him, hanging on to every word. A lot of the words he used were knew to them, but from the hurt in his voice, and his gestures she was able to piece together a rough idea. A low growl rumbled in her throat, directed at the tom that had done those things. If it weren't for the fact Cloudychase was now dead, they would have brought down the dark forest and the likes upon the foxheart. To be so cruel to anyone, especially a clanmate, and his own apprentice no less? It made them sick.

Wiggleworm's choice of the feral tongue when talking about the tom didn't go unnoticed, the story was personal, too personal for anyone else to over hear. "I think I understand." Their green gaze fell upon his torn ear, a heavy feeling settling in their stomach "Cloudychase is wrong... and he did not deserve... the honour... of having you as an apprentice." meowed Silverpaw in broken feral. "Your feral roots... it is something to be proud of... do not let dead cats... tell you otherwise."