Backwritten RiverClan then the letting go // brook

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teddy

Pine dips beneath the undergrowth, stepping onto the pebbled shore of the little island. The feeling is unfamiliar under his large paws, which had long ago grown used to the sandy beach of the shipyard. He was not fond of change, was not fond of moving. But he was, however hard he'd tried not to be, fond of Torrent and Squid. He was fond of Brook and Lilac too.

He looks into the rippling surface of the river, watching his distorted face look back up at him. He thinks of his mate, Lily– would he be able to find his way back to her and their kits grave from here? He'd tried to keep track of the direction they'd walked, their relation to the sun, to the shipyard, mapping out where they'd rest. But he wasn't sure. It's strange. When he'd just buried them, he refused to leave them for days, weeks– he had to start moving further away to hunt, but he always came back, eating next to them, like if he kept doing this maybe they'd come clawing their way out, hungry and scared. It took moons before he finally ventured so far as to reach the shipyard. And now he's even further away… he can't help but feel he's abandoning them again, betraying them– he shakes his head.

Den materials. That's what he'd come for. The reeds behind him rustle, and he turns to see Brook approaching him, her expression determined. She'd left Rain behind in the ocean. How broken must she feel…? He can imagine it, but he does not know which words to say to comfort her.

"Brook," he says. "How are you feeling, after everything?" A beat. "After everything Pike said?"



  • ooc: takes place just after rc first arrive at their camp and Pike tells them about riverclan.
    @Brook <3
  • 94036900_k9U5hUl7IY7jbLA.png
    PINE, - 48 moons / riverclan + warrior
    large brown tabby town
    adopted guardian of Torrentpaw and Squidpaw / future mentor to Torrentpaw
    healing and peaceful powerplay allowed


 
⋆˚✿˖° I was dancing in the rain, I felt alive and I can't explain
" It is difficult. " Brook finally admitted, her voice quieter than before. At Pine's question, a hesitant smile flickered across her maw, brief and uncertain. " Too much to take in all at once, especially after such a… trying journey. And… " She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the ground as her mind drifted back, to the moment she had said her goodbyes to Rain. The mother in her wanted to turn back, to beg for forgiveness for moving so far away. But the other part of her, the practical part, knew she couldn't. Their home was here, not there. Not anymore.

And the water was still here too, but hopefully, this time, it would be more merciful. Hopefully, it wouldn't take from her again.

" My heart aches... " she murmured, finally lifting her gaze. Pain flickered in her eyes, raw and unguarded. " I feel like I abandoned him there. I know it's ridiculous. He's… he's gone, but… " She shook her head, as if trying to clear the weight pressing down on her chest. Her eyes searched the space around them, desperate for something else to focus on, something to ground her. Something to hold onto.

" What… what do we need for den materials? " she asked suddenly, her voice unsteady, cracking just slightly. " What should I look for? "

 

Brook both replies and does not reply; Pine can't exactly blame her for the half-answer. It isn't easy to talk about what you've lost, what you've left behind. He would know better than most. And because he knows, he doesn't coddle.

"Perhaps you did," he says evenly. "Perhaps I abandoned my family too. But I think… I think they'd rather we abandon them and live, than stay and die." An offer of perspective instead of useless words of comfort. After this, he lets Brook change the subject, glad to be distracted. "Reeds, plenty of reeds. Dead or alive, reeds will work. And moss, if we can find any. Perhaps some bramble, to reinforce the perimeter… ah, later," he says, flicking his tail as if to dismiss the thought. "Reeds and something soft first."



  • ooc: -
  • 94036900_k9U5hUl7IY7jbLA.png
    PINE, - 48 moons / riverclan + warrior
    large brown tabby town
    adopted guardian of Torrentpaw and Squidpaw / future mentor to Torrentpaw
    healing and peaceful powerplay allowed

 
⋆˚✿˖° I was dancing in the rain, I felt alive and I can't explain
Brook couldn't stop the slight flinch that crossed her face as Pine confirmed what she had feared, that perhaps she really had left Rain behind. Abandoned him to the sea. And… perhaps Pine had too. Her eyes flickered up, widening slightly at his words. She had never thought of it that way before. Oh… She gave a slow nod, mulling over his words as she dropped her gaze to her paws. Rain would have wanted this, wanted his sister, the one he gave his life for, to thrive. He would have wanted his mother to live, not drown in grief.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her gaze back to Pine and gently bumped her shoulder against his. " Thank you. " The words were soft, murmured almost as an afterthought before she cleared her throat and took a step forward, scanning the area. " Reeds! Okay, time to gather plenty of those. " she meowed, her voice lighter now as she turned back to the larger tom with a small smile. " We can check for bramble later, let's start with the reeds and softer stuff first. "

With that, she set to work, tugging at a few reeds nestled near the water's edge.

After a few moments of quiet, she finally spoke again. " Torrent is growing big. " she mused, glancing at Pine. " And Squid too. They must be happy to have you in their life. " Her tone was warm, a softness settling over her features as she continued gathering reeds, the weight on her heart just a little lighter than before.

 
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