Ask to Join Twilight, Trout and Tidings

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright had every intention of eating earlier but instead she spent her whole day wandering from patrol to camp, unable to decide if she was hungry, tired, irritated...or all three. Lately her emotions had become impossible to predict and it was exhausting.

By the time dusk settled over camp, she finally admitted to herself that the hollow feeling in her stomach wasn't going away. Her paws ended up following the scent of trout and blinked when she saw Goosesong about to tuck into his meal.

A small embarrassed smile crossed her muzzle. "H-Hi Goosesong." She padded over more slowly than usual, easing herself down beside him with a quiet sigh. Maybe she should ask Nettleplume about it...

Her green eyes drifted toward the trout and blinked sheepishly at him. "I've been hungry all day...except every time I look at food, I somehow convinced myself that I wasn't." She frowned at herself, tucking her front paws distractedly underneath her chest. "Does that make any s-sense?"

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

˜”*°• 🐚 •°*”˜

"Evening, Cottonbright." Goosesong answered with a soft mrrp-ing sound as he continued pulling the scales from the trout. "It makes perfect sense, but the other cats have eaten. You're welcome to share with me." He offered as he turned the fish to de-scale the other side, taking his time to make sure he didn't unnecessarily score the trout with his claws. "I just returned from hunting, Skypaw promised to sort out the pile in the morning, I believe." Goosesong added before taking the first bite from the trout.

The silver tom tapped the spot beside him with his tail. His mind still teetered back and forth from the day she had offered him to sire a litter for her until now, it had been some time since then, he wondered if everything was going well, not that Cottonbright would know that, at least... not that he was aware of. 

Goosesong nudged the trout over to Cottonbright, offering for her to have a share, if she was baring kits, she would need to eat to keep them healthy, perhaps he was assuming again, but if he was right, she would rather Cottonbright be healthy during this time than to go without. So his offer stood like stone.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright's ears perked at the invitation and settled beside her friend. The fish, when presented, seemed everything she ever wanted... "Thanks..." Without really thinking, she hooked one paw into the fish and pulled it a little closer to herself.

After a moment she carefully nosed past the first bite Goosesong had taken and immediately began picking at the rich flesh at the belly line where the meat was most rich. She peeled away generous mouthfuls while barely noticing she had claimed what most cats would've considered the choicest portions. Even the offal.

She was halway to plucking out an eye when she froze and glanced sheepishly over at him. With a hasty swat she nudged the fish back to him, shuddering as if a bit mortified. "I d-didn't even think - I just..." Her voice grew smaller as she continued. "I saw the belly and..and." Without really knowing why it had been so important to her, a small nervous chuckle escaped her maw as a front paw swiped over her muzzle and began grooming the oils from her fur.

"I don't know what's wrong with me lately...I've been acting... awfully selfish....But...U-Uh, anyway...How have you been?"

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

˜”*°• 🐚 •°*”˜

Goosesong's ears pricked ever so slightly as Cottonbright dug into the prey like she hadn't eaten in moons, his ears twitched, he had suspicions but he didn't want to bother Cottonbright and least of all Nettleplume with what could very well be nothing but a bit of hunger ebbing at Cottonbright. "Nothing selfish about taking what's been offered. I offered it to you, you could have eaten it all and I wouldn't have been upset with you." He replied, the white tip of his tail twitching ever so slightly.

"I've been well." Goosesong replied, he hadn't really recalled much exciting things happening as of too recently, just warrior duties if not anything else. "I can't really think of things that have been very exciting recently. However, Skypaw and Galepaw are apprentices now, that's something I suppose. It hasn't felt that long since they were newborns." Goosesong let out a soft chuckle, something a little more than the hearty breaths he usually makes.

"It's silly..." Goosesong began, curling his tail around himself "Part of me wishes I could have spoken to them more, perhaps taken time away from my duties to play with the kits, perhaps the next litter will be different." He twitched his ears, the implication was there, but no necessarily obvious to any possible overseers from the clearing. To any curious ears, it might very well seem like casual conversation.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright relaxed, if only a little, when he assured her he wasn't upset. A slight breath left her, ears still tinged with embarassment. Thankfully, the distraction about the new apprentices was welcome. "They've grown so fast..." Chin waggling up and down with agreement, she licked her muzzle.

However...as Goosesong mentioned the next litter her smile wavered, stomach giving an odd little flutter. Surely...Surely he wasn't talking about her? She was just tired...just a little extra hungry. Fussy, picky... She'd been whining like a kit about ridiculous things. Gosh, it all was starting to add up and her small ears flattened briefly against her head.

"O-Oh...Oh, Stars." Her tail was puffing out in alarm. "I hadn't thought really of that...W-Well, sure it crossed my mind, but already?" Another frantic thought struck her like a bolt of lightning before she could contain it. "What is...What if I'm not okay?" Cottonbright's heart was hammering so loudly she was certain the entire camp could hear it.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

˜”*°• 🐚 •°*”˜

When Cottonbright began to rapidly panic, Goosesong wasted no time. He placed his paws atop of Cottonbright and looked at her with that steady presence that he warried with him consistently. "Look at me, Cottonbright." he stated, stern but soft enough to be a possible comfort to the she-cat in front of him. "You're alright. Queens don't kit this early, and even if they did, I'd be here, so would Nettleplume, so would RiverClan. You wouldn't be alone, you're never alone when you're with your clanmates." He meant to be comforting, but he admittedly came to the terms that it has been a while since he needed to.

Goosesong then laid his broad head on top of Cottonbright's letting his own warmth press against her. "And even if you didn't have RiverClan, you would have me." He added, flicking his dark ringed tail until it curled around his friend. Hopefully this was working. He knew Cottonbright could be like this but it hadn't happened in some time. But she would be fine, she had to be.

"Nettleplume could help you find out if anything is wrong. And, not to overstep, but if you want, I can be there with you, you'll have my fur to lean on whatever it is you need Cottonbright." Goosesong's voice didn't falter, not one, the truth was also strong in his eyes, he just had to trust that Cottonbright could see it. "You trusted me enough to do this for you, I need you to trust me again when I say you'll be fine, Cottonbright." He added, letting his muzzle rest a little lighter on Cottonbright, if this didn't work, Goosesong wasn't quite sure what would.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright's breathing came quick and shallow for another few seconds then she felt the weight of his paws and his breath stirring her fur. Sure her frantic thoughts didn't stop all at once... but they stumbled enough for his voice to reach her.

Her wide green eyes found his own, searching them. "I-I know..." She tried to draw comfort from the familiar weight on her and could feel the frantic pounding of her own heart begin to settle.

His promise lingered louder than anything else. "Thank you...I've been such a mousebrain..." She reached up, gently pressing her nose beneath his chin. Ears feeling red with embarassment, she sighed through her nose. "I've spent days wondering why everything feels different...A-And then because I thought I might have been lonely." It was only a moment when she buried her head in his chest.

"Please don't tell anyone...Not until I confirm it with Nettleplume...b-but I'd like that...If you come with me. When I ask...Not now. Maybe I should just eat more of your trout." Her expression melted, gratitude warming her features despite the uncertainty still gripped like talons in her chest.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

˜”*°• 🐚 •°*”˜

To help Cottonbright feel more comfortable, he allowed whatever she did, even leaning softly into the touch that was given when Cottonbright pressed herself into his chest fur. The large silver tom leaned his head forward to give Cottonbright a few affectionate licks across her head. "Not a soul will know, except you and I. For now." For Goosesong, it wasn't tricky to keep secrets, especially secrets of his friend and ones close to him. Until Cottonbright wanted to reveal it, it would stay with him.

"You're welcome to it." Goosesong replied, his voice bone dry, but there was a sincerity in his gaze, beneath the sturdy rock that was Goosesong, there was a tom that was openly caring, willing and talkative, but he was hidden a long time ago. However... Cottonbright did seem to bring him out ever now and then. It felt strange, but not something he wished to change.

Goosesong moved the trout closer to Cottonbright with a spare paw and did his best to offer her what was hopefully a smile, the softest of ones, but still, his lips curled upward for her. "Would... would it be out of place to ask... if you're with kits, would I be able to be in their lives? As their sire? My father never really... gave me or Reedpaw a relationship to think positively back on. I don't want that for my kits, as theoretical as they are right now." He requested, part of him worried it wasn't his place, but he trusted that Cottonbright wouldn't judge him for it.

"I know Stoneclaw had no duty to us, but ridicule was hardly a good place to start... I don't want kits to feel like they aren't loved. If I could have the honor, of course."

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright's ears flicked gently beneath the affectionate rasp of his tongue. Despite everything that had sent her emotions tumbling today...she felt herself settle against him. A stable river rock against the turbulent tide of her anxiety. His promise was a warm balm to soothe her.

"I trust you." The trout didn't need much invitation and she took another bite. She relished its flavor, and maybe it was even more rich in knowing that it was given freely. Moreso the smile that shifted lightly on his face that made her own heart flutter.

Her expression both doured and softened at his speech. Even before he brought up names and kin her heart was already aching for him. "You'd never be out of place. If Nettleplume confirms it...they'll know exactly who their sire is. The Clan as well."

Cottonbright wanted Goosesong here with her, for her kin and Clan. Her purr rumbled softly within her chest, her nervousness soothed as her lime eyes shifted towards the entrance to the warren. "I think...they'd be very lucky kits. Thorectically." Another bite disappeared within her mouth andshe chewed politely.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

˜”*°• 🐚 •°*”˜

As much as Goosesong would have wanted to, he couldn't stop the purr that followed her confirmation, pressing his body softly against Cottonbright's in an affectionate gesture, grateful even. "They'd be lucky even if they didn't know, because they have a mother that will care for them and pass on her golden heart to them." He added with a soft hum, a purr still rumbling gruffly in his throat.

Part of him could already imagine playing in camp with his kits, spending his free time with them and treating them how they deserved, to make them know that they mattered. The more realistic part of himself stopped him from looking forward to it, he didn't truly know what to expect, so he was wary to keep the vision of the future open to change, because only StarClan knows what lies ahead for them. And the kits.

A single white paw brushed over Cottonbright's fur softly, allowing her to scarf down as much of the trout as she wanted to. After all, if she was carrying kits, she needed to be full to do so properly. "Whenever you decide to go to Nettleplume, you are free to let me know. I will go with you if you wish for it to be so. You're stronger than you see Cottonbright. Always have been." He murmured the end of his words as they trailed off, but it was no less genuine or affectionate. His excitement hidden beneath compliments.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright could have predicted his purr, and when he did it rumbled through her. "You really think so?" She blinked shyly up at him, a tad playful behind the bashfulness. His paw smoothing over her fur coaxed another slow breath from her. "I think...tomorrow." It didn't seem final, merely a suggestion to herself that she was slow to believe.

"I don't think I could sleep tonight wondering...And if it isn't, then Nettleplume will help me with my fussiness. Thank you..." Alongside him she needed to hold onto these peaceful moments before the anxieties punctuated and complicated her life.

"I don't want to assume...but it's nice...thinking about what they could be like." After another generous bite of trout the large white she-cat rested her head on his shoulder again.

What are you afraid of losing if nothing in the world actually belongs to you.

˜”*°• 🐚 •°*”˜

It felt right having Cottonbright rest on his shoulder, having to listen to all of her words like they were the leader's word. Goosesong let himself settled down beside her, wrapping his tail around her mostly white fur to the best of his ability. "I know they will." He added with a soft hum, his muscles relaxing under Cottonbright's warmth. First time they had done that in a while.

When Cottonbright spoke of not being able to sleep, he nodded in agreement, in all honesty, the best of sleep had been a bit of a stranger to him over the past moon. So many things that was happening, RiverClan and ThunderClan, Cottonbright, everything just seemed to launch at him all at once, and he wasn't entirely sure what to do about it all except think. "Tomorrow sounds good, I don't think I'll be able to get much sleep either. At least the two of us could share tongues for the night." He offered politely, dipping his head.

He gave her the option to refuse, and if she did, he wouldn't be upset by the decision, and Goosesong was quite used to it. But if she chose to accept his offer, he would bring his company in return, it seemed like she liked that. "We can share a nest if you want the company. I'm warm enough for the both of us." The words came to try and make a bit of a joke to his long fur, but he was unsure whether his dry tone would be misconstrued as something serious, regardless, the offer was there, if Cottonbright took it, he wouldn't complain.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright lwas content in the thrum of his heartbeat through his chest. Tomorrow didn't feel quite as frightening. "I wouldn't mind...I think I might sleep better." She looked back at him, her expression open in a way she rarely allowed herself to be.

Her tail found his beneath the folds of his longer fur, giving it a gentle, affectionate curl. "And you are very warm." That familiar purr colored her muzzle as she directed the tom to his catch. "You should finish the rest. Y-you did catch it."

Whatever advice Nettleplume would pass to her, they'd do it together. Cottonbright leaned close one last time, brushing her cheek affectionately against his before beginning her return to her den.

Thankfully, she was already feeling lighter...and that was enough for now.