Ask to Join The Warmth of The Sun [9LN20]

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Despite not enjoying being doted on by anyone, Bayflower sure was willing to do it as a moments notice, while she didn’t want it that way, she appreciated Bayflower’s loyalty and care for those they were close to. Sunbear let out a chuckle, Bayflower’s worry for something so small like joint pain was amusing, but perhaps it was because her family group hardly cared for her health… well, Scarletsight, Hawktooth and Bigfoot didn’t anyway.

"It’s not like I’m forcing my body to do what it can’t, Bayflower. I just have joint pains it’s normal in leaf-bare, you act like I’m about a jump away from StarClan" Sunbear responded, twitching her white whiskers in a mix of amusement and frustration. She was well able to take care of herself. But Bayflower wasn’t going to change their ways because she tells them, StarClan knows she’s tried that. "The dens done need cleaning right away, just relax for a moment Bayflower, you’re far too tense for your own good" she added giving the black warrior a few affectionate licks between the ears and pulling them closer with one big paw.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Sunbear listened to Bayflower's words with a quiet hum, her sharp gaze softening ever so slightly. She wasn’t one for showing much emotion, but Bayflower’s concern touched her in ways she’d never openly admit. Letting out a long sigh, she gave a firm yet gentle flick of her tail against his flank.

"There’s no need for apologies, Bayflower" she rumbled, her voice low but carrying a rare warmth. "It's natural to worry about those you care for... and you care too much for your own good sometimes." Her eyes glinted with affection that she hid behind her usual bluntness. "But these old joints have been through more than one leaf-bare. They'll hold up. Besides, we’ve got kits to worry about, not some worn-out elder like me."

She shifted slightly, her body relaxed but sturdy as always, an unmovable rock in the face of time. The mention of Berrykit and Cedarkit brought a small, approving nod. "Happy and healthy, huh? That’s all that matters. Sounds like you’ve done well with them. And Beewhisker..." She hesitated for a second, the fondness she felt for Bayflower slipping into her tone. They didn't care a lot for Beewhisker, but they were WindClan, and she would die for WindClan too chirpy, she always seemed to think when Beewhisker flashed in her mind. But they were strong, even if they didn't really know that yet "Strong parent... like you."

For a moment, she paused, her gaze lingering on him before looking back out into the camp, her paw resting close to his. "Keep them close. Time’s precious when they’re still young." She said no more, but the purring sound Bayflower made resonated between them. Sunbear quietly enjoyed the silence, the closeness between them lingering for a moment and making the air feel warm and gentle. Sunbear liked Bayflower's company, as much as their doting frustrated her.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Sunbear purred softly, her amber eyes warm with affection as she listened to Bayflower. "No, I suppose not" she chuckled lightly at his question, her tone gentle. "Caring too much never did anyone harm. If anything, it keeps those around you safe." She stretched her paws out slowly, feeling the familiar stiffness in her joints, but paid it little mind. She wasn’t about to let the aches stop her from enjoying moments like this.

At his mention of worrying about both the kits and her, Sunbear gave him a fond nudge. "You’re a good cat, Bayflower. But those kits, they’re your future. I’ve had my moons, and I’m proud of what I’ve lived through." Her voice held a quiet strength, the wisdom of a cat who had seen many seasons. "They’re the ones who need your strength now. Just keep them close, like you said."

She fell silent for a moment, her gaze softening as she thought of Berrykit and Cedarkit. "They’ll be alright," she murmured, almost to herself. "With a cat like you watching over them, how could they not be?" A small smile tugged at her muzzle, and she gave Bayflower a look that was both motherly and knowing, as if she could see through his reservations, but wouldn’t push him to admit them.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Sunbear's torn ear twitched at Bayflower's question about her kits, and she gave a thoughtful grunt. Talking about her kits wasn't something that Sunbear did very often, she wasn't sure why but she just didn't find a lot of fulfilment in boasting about her kits, it was much more consistent to tell the truth about them. her gaze shortly turned into a distant glance 

"They're a strong bunch" she began, her voice flat with a faint edge of pride, despite not talking about her kits often, the truth of her kits being fine warriors made her rather proud. "I didn't get to watch my first litter grow up properly" she stated bluntly, a hint of longing in her hazel eyes. "Left ShadowClan when they were weaned. But they turned out well, all things considered" 

Sunbear shifted her paws, seeming a bit uncomfortable with the openness, but regardless, she had begun now, and Bayflower did ask. So she went on "Basilflame's got spirit. She can be stubborn as a thorn bush sometimes, but she's polite and loyal where it counts" she explained, her eyes training on a long furred flame lynx point trotting across camp towards the nursery then landed back onto Bayflower.

Her voice softened to something that was barely above a whisper, a little bit of rare sensitivity in her voice "Then there's Hazelkit. I never got to see her grown up, but she was a good kit, rather talkative. She didn't make it through her first moon though... her immune system failed her" she murmured glancing at the floor for a moment and looking at one of her paws. "She was about this size when she..." Sunbear's gruff voice trailed off, blinking away the idea before she turned her attention back to Bayflower.

Her gaze darkened for a moment at the lingering memory. She blinked again and continued, her tone regaining its usual firmness. "Fostered Aspenberry and Swanpaw too, Swanpaw wasn't very lucky either..." she paused, her eyes full of thought "But that's the way things go. Some make it, some don't. Can't change that" she meowed

She thought back to her companion, Fennelwhisker, it had been so long since he had died, fallen victim to bad prey, far too early in Sunbear's opinion, she had thought there was no way she could live without him... but here she stood. "No matter how much we wished we could"

She let out a breath, her voice softening again just a fraction. "I might not have been the best at being a mother, but they’re all tough. That’s what I wanted for them. Tough enough to survive, tough enough to fight when it matters." Her eyes narrowed, gaze flicking over to Bayflower for a second. "And that’s all that matters in the end."