Dim Light (Stormwind)

Spottedpelt wished the seven cats in the nursery with her a “Goodnight,” though the She-cat herself didn’t go to sleep just yet.

Once all six kits were ushered into the extra-large nest, Shadowleaf curled around them best as she could.

Spottedpelt purred loudly, ushering some of the kits who were resistant to the idea of bedtime by gently scooting them towards their mother with a forepaw.

“You’re welcome...”, she said, calling to her kits that it was time for sleep.

Spottedpelt purred softly, laying her head down but not going to sleep just yet. “Thank you…” replied the tortoiseshell, clearly happy with this arrangement for several reasons.

The black-furred queen blinked at the other she-Cat in bewilderment but shook her head.

Spottedpelt parted her jaws in a silent yawn, glancing at the nursery entrance, then at Shadowleaf. “Do you mind if I spend the night in here?” She asked suddenly, looking hopefully at the Queen.

Shadowleaf just gave her a bemused blink before turning back to her kits.

“I know!” Spottedpelt insisted, taking a bit less of a defensive stance and turning herself around to face them again, appearing less like she was on guard now. “If Anything you’re probably still a better fighter than me.” Continuing her mew, the calico added “I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to any of you, so I had to.”

Shadowleaf looked exasperated and reluctantly amused. “I’m not helpless, Spottedpelt.”

Spottedpelt remained protectively between the kits and Shadowleaf and the outside. While whatever fight had occurred was now over, the female was still on edge, wanting no harm to come to any of the cats in the nursery.

Swiftstream stayed awake, watching over him.

Before long, sleep claimed Riverflight suddenly, the tom closing his eyes and drifting off within heartbeats.

“I love you too,” the golden she-cat murmured.

Riverflight let his troubles melt away under Swiftstream’s tongue and body heat, and his own putts increased in volume as well as he got more and more comfortable. “I love you,” the deputy mewed sincerely.

Swiftstream groomed his ears soothingly.

Riverflight curled his tail around Swiftstream’s, sighing softly as he thought about facing the leader, who would soon be punishing his son for trying to attack his clanmates. The cream-furred male did his best to relax for now, taking comfort in the way Swiftstream warmed him with her own body heat as they snuggled together.

(Ah, okay)

Swiftstream licked his ear, purring soothingly. She knew there was something he wasn’t telling her, but she wouldn’t pry.

(Yes he did. Riverflight just doesn’t wanna talk about it.)

Riverflight sighed softly as Swiftstream laid atop him, a soft purr rumbling through the Tom’s body.

(He did say..)

Swiftstream rested her muzzle in between his ears.

“I didn’t hear, and Rainstorm didn’t say, and Puddlepaw is just sulking in his nest now.” The male let out an exasperated sigh, resting his head atop one of Swiftstream’s forepaws.

“Why?” She questioned.

“Puddlepaw lashed out at Rainstorm, tried to attack him.” The tom responded simply, laying fully down in the nest with exhaustion.

“What happened?” She sighed.

Riverflight’s eyes betrayed his sadness as he laid beside her.