Closed Thread Kits, Aspenberry! Kits! [23FW20]

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

Having left not that long ago to escape what sometimes felt like too busy of a life within camp, Aspenberry was surprised to pick up the scent of another following her, or tracking her down really. Her body was carefully positioned as she investigated a bush of azaleas, nose twitching slightly as she took in their scent. Her eyes were trained on the yellow petals, and she was almost too absorbed in her admiring to pick up that the scent was getting closer. 

She lifted her head last minute, surprised to be greeted with Beewhisker nearly running right into her. She took a step back, reach out her tail in hopes of catching her friend incase they fell. Her whiskers twitched with amusement Beewhisker seemed very eager to find her, and Aspenberry almost felt concerned for a second before noticing their cheery, excited attitude. She tilted her head slightly, asking with a little purr, 'Beewhisker? Is everything alright? You tracked me all the way here so I assume something has happened. Though from your attitude I think good.'

Sometimes strength isn't just how you fight, it's about knowing how to stand firm and when to lend a hand. That's where real strength lies.

═════ ∘◦❁◦∘ 🐝 ∘◦❁◦∘ ═════

Beewhisker nearly jumped in excitement before even trying to give an explanation as to why they were so excited to begin with. Aspenberry would be one of the first cats to know that they were expecting kits and they were ecstatic to be the one to tell her. "it’s better than good Aspenberry!" They replied, a loud purr already rising in their throat as they kneaded at the ground in an attempt to bridle their excitement. Though eventually they calmed down enough so they weren’t going to leap into the air with energy that they bared.

Once taking a seat in front of Aspenberry, Beewhisker rolled their tail over their paws, hiding the excited and anticipating kneading of their paws. "So, I just finished visiting Rowanglade so see if there was anything wrong with this bloating I’ve been getting.." Beewhisker intentionally trailed off making it more suspenseful, well in their opinion anyway, it was difficult not to scream the news from the rooftops as they’ve been looking forward to this day since Kestrelswipe had agreed to sire their kits, as nice as that action was.

With a deep breath, shaky and brimming with excitement, Beewhisker practically yowled the news across the moor in their unbridled excitement "Rowanglade told me that I’m expecting kits!" Their meow was almost shaking with their own excitement as they told Aspenberry the news of their exciting situation. Beewhisker couldn’t help but let out a small trill of excitement as they awaited Aspenberry’s response, they weren’t sure if Aspenberry was going to be as excited as they were or less than excited, but Aspenberry was going to know one way or another, Beewhisker would much rather their friends know first

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

Almost wanting to place a paw on the warriors shoulder an encourage her to relax a little, Aspenberry didn't know how to handle such enthusiasm from Beewhisker. While she had known them for a while, never had she seen them like this before, at it was almost a little overwhelming. Aspenberry his this well though, eyes gleaming with a bright smile as her friend shared their news. No matter what it would be, Aspenberry was sure she would soon be overjoyed. 

Beewhisker's tail failed miserably at hiding their kneading paws, and Aspenberry gave into the temptation, reaching out a comforting paw, placing it above one of Beewhisker's own. An indication that things were okay, and that Aspenberry recognised her excitement. Bloating....? The spotted she-cat looked up and down her friend, not much looked too different. She couldn't exactly see anything different, but the warrior seemed to smell just slightly different, something in which Aspenberry could not pinpoint what. Beewhisker paused for a moment, leaving Aspenberry confused before they finally made an announcement. Finally it made sense!

Her eyes flashed with fear for the briefest moment, knowing exactly what this meant for her friend, but she brushed it away, leaning forward, butting her head right into Beewhisker's fluffy chest, with an ever increasing purr. 'Beewhisker... I don't know what to say! Thats... I'm so excited! I- uh, how are you feeling? Are you alright? What did Rowanglade say? How long until they are due? What-' Words tumbled from the deputy until she clamped her mouth shut, giving Beewhisker all the time they needed to speak. She nuzzled her nose into the felines chest, taking comfort in her scent while excitement buzzed through her. Kits were on the way! Her friends kits!

Sometimes strength isn't just how you fight, it's about knowing how to stand firm and when to lend a hand. That's where real strength lies.

═════ ∘◦❁◦∘ 🐝 ∘◦❁◦∘ ═════

Beewhisker couldn’t stop the wide, bright grin from spreading across their face as Aspenberry’s head butted into their chest. They let out a soft purr, their paws still kneading the ground in barely-contained excitement. "I know, right? Kits! Can you believe it?" they chirped, their voice practically buzzing with energy. "Rowanglade said everything’s fine" Their eyes gleamed, always eager to pitch in however they could.

They chuckled at Aspenberry’s rapid-fire questions, lightly flicking their tail against her side. "Slow down, slow down! I’m feeling good—great, actually. A bit all over the place, but when am I not?" Beewhisker’s eyes sparkled with their usual playful glint, masking any hint of nervousness. "Still got my appetite, maybe even more than usual." They winked at Aspenberry, their whiskers twitching with amusement. "Don’t worry, though, I won’t be waddling to the nursery just yet. I’ve got plenty of hunting and helping out left in me before I take it easy."

Beewhisker nudged Aspenberry's shoulder lightly. "I had to tell you first, though. You’re my best friend, and I knew you’d get just as excited as me." Their voice softened slightly, filled with warmth. "Now, just don’t be surprised if I come knocking at your den for a midnight thrush snack." They grinned, their usual playful sparkle back in full force.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

With a shaky breath, Aspenberry was glad to hear that Beewhisker was doing alright. They seemed better than alright in all honesty and it warmed the deputy's heart. Beewhisker clearly didn't want to stop their duties just yet, causing Aspenberry to shoot her friend a wary glance. 'Beewhisker, these are kits remember. Tiny bodies growing inside of you. You need to take care of yourself, and the little ones. I'm not saying you have to stop your duties just yet, but when I, or Rowanglade ask you to step down. I expect you to listen.' She turned her gaze away from Beewhisker, ashamed for speaking in such a way, especially to such a close friend, but it had to be done. She wouldn't have Beewhisker overdoing themselves, not on her watch. She sighed for a moment, before flopping her head to rest on the large tortie's shoulder. 'Maybe I'll move into the nursery with you. I'll miss having your nest beside mine.' She then gave Beewhisker a cheeky glance, 'Maybe I'll steal Bayflower from you. They can come share my nest instead. I've got to somehow squish Cloudflare in too. I've been meaning to ask if he wans to merge our nests a little once leafbare fully hits. Not sure if he's a cuddler but I know I am for sure, so if its not him, either you or Bayflower will become my next snuggle victim.'

Sometimes strength isn't just how you fight, it's about knowing how to stand firm and when to lend a hand. That's where real strength lies.

═════ ∘◦❁◦∘ 🐝 ∘◦❁◦∘ ═════

"Thanks for letting me know, for a second I thought I had an army of mice in there" Beewhisker purred, snickering, mostly to themself before flicking their tail over their paws. "In all seriousness though" They added, their normally chirpy tone becoming more suple and gentle, as if offering comfort. "I know my limits, it is my choice when I go to the nursery. I'll make it when the time comes" they meowed, trying not to seem like they were disobeying any orders from their deputy, and advice from their friend, but they knew their own worth, at least... they thought they did.

Beewhisker's eyes softened and a faint smile tugged at their lips. They used one of their large paws to place over Aspenberry's shoulders flicking their ears for a moment. "How about this" They meowed, wrapping their tail around Aspenberry rasping their tongue over Aspenberry's head, as if a queen cleaning up their kit's pelts. "I'll name one of the kits after you, so I have a little part of you no matter where you are. I like the name Berrykit, what do you think?" 

Pale eyes met bright green as Beewhisker pressed their nose against Aspenberry's head. They never wanted Aspenberry to feel worried, they didn't want any of their friends to feel that way. If Beewhisker would take all of Aspenberry's worry and doubt and carry it on their back, they would do so in a heartbeat. But StarClan wouldn't be so gracious. "You're my friend Aspenberry, and I want to name the kits something meaningful, if I remember you through whoever Berrykit will be, I'll never really be alone" Beewhisker knew that Aspenberry would always have worry, but it was also with the knowledge that they just wanted Beewhisker to be safe and happy, and happiness is something Beewhisker would always find. Even when or if their friends vanished into the ranks of StarClan, a flash of who was with them would bring happiness instead of sorrow.

But Beewhisker was sure that themself and their friends would grow old together, if they didn't they would want the join StarClan first, so they know that their kits would have trusted cats to look after them, even in the worst of times, and Aspenberry and Bayflower were those cats. They shook their head, shaking the thoughts away from their mind. "Lets see how that goes, I don't know Cloudflare very well, but I know Bayflower loves a good snuggle" they added, an amused twitch in their whiskers

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

It wasn't that Aspenberry didn't believe what Beewhisker said, it was just that anxiety wasn't something that would just go away. Aspenberry had spent so long learning how to cope with her own troubles, and it felt like everything was bubbling to the surface again as she worried for her friends future. 'You just don't get it though... I'm scared, Beewhisker. So scared that it's like my body is going to start shaking. It's not like we can do anything either, things like this lie in the paws of StarClan. If I loose yet another cat I care about, I'm not sure if I will be able to cope anymore' She tried to keep for voice steady, but the wavering was clear. Her ears were pinned to her head as faceless images of something that could be her mother flashed through her mind, body still as two pitiful kits wriggled beside her body. The grieved look her father gave whenever Swanblaze was mentioned. The distress she felt when she realised she would to speak to her sister again. Dreams plagued with nightmares instead of wishes. 'Just... promise me. Promise me something.. I'm not sure what but I just need to hear something.'

She felt her body relax as Beewhisker groomed her head with rhythmical licks. Aspenberry was the older one, the one not expecting, the deputy for StarClan's sake! She should be the one comforting, yet here she was panicking, but Beewhisker's tone caught her attention. Did they have some kind of proposal? No, they definitely didn't. Instead, Beewhisker told Aspenberry the sweetest thing she had ever heard. A sob racked her body, and her eyes glazed slightly, brain pretty much shutting down as she tried to comprehend what she had just heard. 'What? Beewhisker, you can't do that. I mean you can but there is no way I can have a kit named after me. I- I just-' She didn't even know what to say. Beewhisker's words 'never being alone', 'always having a part of her', it tore at Aspenberry's heart, but in a good way. 'You suck Beewhisker. You've given your stupid pregnancy feelings to me, and I'm not even expecting.' her tone was lighthearted, and she closed her eyes, fully relaxing into the pelt of her friend. One breath at a time, she took in Beewhisker's familiar scent, letting it cloud her thoughts and distract her from whatever terrible things her brain tried to scream at her. 

Sometimes strength isn't just how you fight, it's about knowing how to stand firm and when to lend a hand. That's where real strength lies.

═════ ∘◦❁◦∘ 🐝 ∘◦❁◦∘ ═════

Beewhisker knew what Aspenberry felt more than they felt Aspenberry knew. Beewhisker gave Aspenberry a sympathetic look of understanding and placed their muzzle on top of her head, a wordless purr of comfort erupting from their throat. It was in no attempt to ease any anxiety, that is not something that would just go away with words, but they could at least know that they heard Aspenberry's worries "StarClan are wise, they know what is right for all of us, and sometimes that means losing someone, or more than one cat, It has not been long since Tawnyflight and Cedarprowl died, and I know my kin would bless my kitting, I'm sure of it" Beewhisker meowed, their voice was certain, as they believed every word they said, they trusted their ancestors... they trusted the queens warriors and everything in between that came before them.

When Aspenberry went on about an unknown promise, Beewhisker knew she was speaking out of concern for Beewhisker, who wouldn't? With what happened to Swanblaze, Beewhisker didn't blame them, and Beewhisker wouldn't blame Aspenberry for shouting at them for continuing their duties. "Whatever you need Aspenberry, you have my word, there won't be anything I won't do for you, you have my promise" Their words were genuine and they didn't move their body for a long while until she spoke again. "I can and I will, you're more than worthy of getting a kitten named after you" Beewhisker added, their normally light hearted tone, now confident and certain.

A chuckle escaped Beewhisker's muzzle as they poked out their tongue playfully at Aspenberry "Oh no! Terrifying pregnancy feelings, how terrible! It will be the end of you, honorable WindClan Deputy!" Beewhisker purred loudly as the joking words left their lips, but the large feline shut their eyes, having the peaceful moment flood their senses, they took deep breaths of Aspenberry's scent before opening their pale blue eyes again.

"Bayflower has agreed to act as sire of the kits, I'll tell cat that Bayflower sired them if anyone asks" Beewhisker added, wrapping their tail around Aspenberry. "No other cat needs to know who the real sire is, for everyone's safety" Beewhisker mewed, as if giving a report to their deputy. The larger cat leaned against Aspenberry, though knowing their weight and pulling back a small amount so they wouldn't collapse on the she-cat "Let's stay here for a while, I like taking in your scent this way"