Open to Join What's up Small

Real strength isn't just in fighting, it's knowing when to stand firm and when to lend a paw.

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Beewhisker padded from the nursery with a little shake of their fur, tail flicking contentedly behind them. Their kits were happy tussling with Heatherpaw, thank StarClan she was patient, and that meant Beewhisker could take a breather before someone needed something else fluffed, cleaned or gently chewed on. They stretched luxuriously, a soft hun of satisfaction escaped their throat.

As they glanced around the clearing, their gaze landed on a familiar form sprawled over a sun-warmed rock. "Well, well" Beewhisker purred, bright with playful warmth "look who's melting into the stone like a sleepy lizard" They trotted over, claws clicking lightly on the edges of the rock before hopping up beside Smallclaw and flopping dramatically nest to him with a huff. "Did the den finally get too stuffy for your royal grumpiness?"

They tilted their head to peer at him, eyes crinkling in a grin. "You know, you'd almost look relaxed if I didn't know better. What are you doin' out here, soaking up the sun like some elder with moss in their joints?" they bumped his shoulder slightly with theirs. "Not that I'm judging, honestly, I was about to do the same thing after all the squealing I hear in the nursery" they added before curling their tail around their slightly plump belly.

Beewhisker let out a slow, pleased sigh, blinking up at the cloudless sky. "Tell you what, if you don't fall asleep again, we could snag something small from the fresh-kill pile and share it. Maybe find a quiet patch to talk? I haven't had a proper chat with you in moons that didn't involve patrol grumbling" they offered, they made it lightly, they wouldn't get into a tissy if the offer was refused after all.

"What do you say Smallclaw?"

Real strength isn't just in fighting, it's knowing when to stand firm and when to lend a paw.

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Beewhisker gave a warm, amused purr as they flopped down beside the rock without hesitation, tail flicking lazily over the sun-warmed stone. Who needs prey anyway? "Good thing I wasn't planning to make you move" They teased, stretching out with a satisfied sigh as the sun soaked their thick tortoiseshell fur. "I like my conversations horizonal anyway" they purred jokingly with a light twitch of their whiskers.

They blinked slowly when Smallclaw spoke again, head tilting just enough to catch his voice. "Being a queen has been... busy" they admitted, though their tone stayed light. "Kits are a whole different kind of pawful, but, stars above, they're worth every bit of it. Cedarkit keeps finding ways to slip into the elders' den and I like to make her think I don't know, and Berrykit thinks he's a lion in a kit's pelt" their voice wavered slightly at a stray memory that they pushed back with a more fond memory.

With a soft chuckle, they added, "Haven't had this many moss bits in my fur since I was an apprentice, though. I miss hunting sometimes, but I don't think I've ever felt so full-hearted" A pause, one that lasted a comfortable amount of time and then, a gentle nudge to Smallclaw's shoulder. "And what about you, huh? Still clawing up the same sunning rock every day like it's your sworn duty?"