Contentment washed over Brook as she sprawled in a field of wildflowers, basking in the sun. Sure, she’d come up in age, but that didn’t mean her vanity was entirely gone. The heightened age did mean, however, that she’d realized there were more important things in life than looks. Heterochromatic eyes opened as her attention flitted over her shoulder to the cats tussling in further down the hill. A purr rumbled through her, eyes softening at the sight of her kin.
“Don’t scratch each other!” The former ShadowClanner called down to them sternly, but there was no real heat behind the scolding. Who would’ve guessed that she’d become so motherly, of all cats? She who had scorned Dappledleaf for being a Forever Queen, for taking on the burden of so many youngsters not her own. But this was different, this was her kin, and Brook could not not care for them. Even if she and Oz were slowly becoming empty nesters as their kits moved on at their own pace.
Brook’s attention drifted to the sky. She loved this meadow — because of the sheer amount of butterflies that passed through here, obviously. Her first date with Vulturefa— Oz had been her teasing him about not knowing her name - which had unfortunately borne the nickname Franny - but the main point behind bugging him had been to force him into finding the perfect place with her in ShadowClan territory. Turned out, ShadowClan didn’t have that perfect place.
It had been out here in the outskirts all along, and Brook loved it. She loved the freedom being an outsider gave her. She’d named this place in remembrance of her birth name - Butterflykit, eventually Butterflybrook - and in memory of her missing adoptive father - Havengaze. She missed him, wondered where he was, and if he was doing okay.
She wouldn’t admit it, but Oz being here with her made it all even better. Brook knew they’d started as something not serious, that this family of hers was pure chance. She knew that it was possible Oz could get bored of her any day now and move on again, but she couldn’t help the bubbling feelings of warmth that festered in her chest upon seeing the scarred black and white tom.
Truly, it was entirely his fault, duh.
Brook wouldn’t tell him just yet. She was paranoid like that and didn’t want to be pitied or made fun of or chase him off with her affections. (Okay, fiiineeee, she was being a coward. So what, HUH? You got a proble— Calm down, Brook, stop yelling at your own mind and an invisible cat). . . Feeling a bit sheepish at her almost-mental-outburst, Brook only glanced up when a familiar shadow fell over her. “Oh, look who finally woke up. Somebody is getting old.” She drawled, but in truth even if he hadn’t been sleeping, Brook loved teasing and metaphorically poking the beast to see how far she could get before he finally got annoyed.
Her next words were more genuine, without the teasing. “Missed you.” No matter that she probably saw him every day. Pshaw, Brook was allowed to miss him, right?
Contentment washed over Brook as she sprawled in a field of wildflowers, basking in the sun. Sure, she’d come up in age, but that didn’t mean her vanity was entirely gone. The heightened age did mean, however, that she’d realized there were more important things in life than looks. Heterochromatic eyes opened as her attention flitted over her shoulder to the cats tussling in further down the hill. A purr rumbled through her, eyes softening at the sight of her kin.
“Don’t scratch each other!” The former ShadowClanner called down to them sternly, but there was no real heat behind the scolding. Who would’ve guessed that she’d become so motherly, of all cats? She who had scorned Dappledleaf for being a Forever Queen, for taking on the burden of so many youngsters not her own. But this was different, this was her kin, and Brook could not not care for them. Even if she and Oz were slowly becoming empty nesters as their kits moved on at their own pace.
Brook’s attention drifted to the sky. She loved this meadow — because of the sheer amount of butterflies that passed through here, obviously. Her first date with Vulturefa— Oz had been her teasing him about not knowing her name - which had unfortunately borne the nickname Franny - but the main point behind bugging him had been to force him into finding the perfect place with her in ShadowClan territory. Turned out, ShadowClan didn’t have that perfect place.
It had been out here in the outskirts all along, and Brook loved it. She loved the freedom being an outsider gave her. She’d named this place in remembrance of her birth name - Butterflykit, eventually Butterflybrook - and in memory of her missing adoptive father - Havengaze. She missed him, wondered where he was, and if he was doing okay.
She wouldn’t admit it, but Oz being here with her made it all even better. Brook knew they’d started as something not serious, that this family of hers was pure chance. She knew that it was possible Oz could get bored of her any day now and move on again, but she couldn’t help the bubbling feelings of warmth that festered in her chest upon seeing the scarred black and white tom.
Truly, it was entirely his fault, duh.
Brook wouldn’t tell him just yet. She was paranoid like that and didn’t want to be pitied or made fun of or chase him off with her affections. (Okay, fiiineeee, she was being a coward. So what, HUH? You got a proble— Calm down, Brook, stop yelling at your own mind and an invisible cat). . . Feeling a bit sheepish at her almost-mental-outburst, Brook only glanced up when a familiar shadow fell over her. “Oh, look who finally woke up. Somebody is getting old.” She drawled, but in truth even if he hadn’t been sleeping, Brook loved teasing and metaphorically poking the beast to see how far she could get before he finally got annoyed.
Her next words were more genuine, without the teasing. “Missed you.” No matter that she probably saw him every day. Pshaw, Brook was allowed to miss him, right?
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It was quiet here,
this isolation was far from any chaos, any pain, and any memories that dare scratch his miserable mental fortitude. And truthfully, he liked it. Ever since he left his old life behind... well... his most recent life behind, he felt more satisfied. Making his way through the forest, the soft sounds of nature calming his being, he recalled Shadowclan and his "loyalty" that was hardly there in the first place. He remembered his lost family there, Woollyfeather and their kids... he remembered how they all slowly disappeared. Leaving him with one pathetic excuse of a son. He was glad to be free of that whiny punk. Although he did feel bad for his lady.... the thought of having to deal with him and his nagging and crying was hell. Poor women.. good lord. Oh well, it wasn't his rodeo anymore, he was sure they wouldn't last long anyway.
Letting it leave his mind, he continued to ponder Shadowclan, he thought he would stay there forever, but the sinking feeling he so commonly felt, slowly crept to him.. And day by day, he slowly wandered further and further from the familiar territory. Staying away from camp longer each time, his eyes glazing over as he sat alone staring off into the distance. He felt the creeping numbness crawl over his soul, leaving his mood darker than the spaces in between the stars. Until one day, it finally overtook him. Vulturefang had left camp and never came back. No good byes to anyone, because nobody mattered anymore. Oz didn't look back. The former deputy wanted to care, he wanted to feel sorry that he never mended the relationship with his estranged son, he wanted to stay and wait for Woolly, he wanted to help the clan, but alas... he couldn't. This always happened to him, and he was fine with it.
Oz became a drifter again, fancying any pretty mollies he met along the way, but he never stayed for long, and he kept on the move. That is, until one day, he met a familiar face. A pretty one at that. His travels just so happened to bring him here. He asked to stay the night, and she let him. While he was tempted to leave once more, the thought of talking to someone he once knew, was far more entertaining than walking astray. So he stayed an extra day... and then another, and another, and all those day turned into a week... and then a month, and then into months. And bam, now he was here. He enjoyed Butterflybrooks antics, the way she fussed over him, her snide attitude, so much so he decided to stay with her. It felt nice to be in Brooks company, he felted loved. And to show his appreciation for her, he felt more than willing to stay with her when she had his kits. And ever since then, he felt content. So content that he was terrified he would become unsatisfied once more, but the
felling would always fade when he came back to her.
And today was no different.
Leaving the undergrowth, he approached from behind, letting his overgrown shadow fall between them. Hearing her voice play in his ear he gave a counterfeit snort of annoyance. Dropping the prey he had caught off to the side, the massive cat plopped himself down next to her. " Damn right, " he grunted "Let this old man get some rest without all this nagging." He had said this in a joking manor, large paw aiming to mess up the tidy fur on her head. Sighing he took in the almost-too-hot-sun, nose filling with the smell of wildflowers and his beloved. Eyes drifting off for a moment, he caught a glimpse of their little rats tussling in the grass. Aww.. they were kinda cute in way. Giving a nonexistent smile, he chuckled " Y'know, they definitely aren't the ugliest of kits I've seen. So that's something." that was true, he wasn't a fan of children, but he would make an exception for his own flesh and blood.
Pale gaze drifting back up, he looked to Brook. Damn. Sometimes he forgot how beautiful she was. Every small detail on her body was perfect. And some days it was hard to take his eyes off of her. His feelings were only spiked by the words that came after. After completely falling in love with her again, he lowered himself into the grass; body pressing up against hers. Sticking his muzzle into her neck fluff, he inhaled. Maybe life wasn't so bad after all... " I missed you too." He mumbled, mind still in a haze. After a moment of feeling his heart stutter from pure joy, he then snickered. He didn't want to be too cheesy. Exposed teeth glinting, he moved to give her a playful nip on her shoulder. " I knew you couldn't bare to be without me Doll-face, so I decided to come back." Letting the rough voice roll from his throat, his eyes went back to their kits; head bent so half of his face was still pushed into her neck.
"How were the kiddos? Hopefully they listened to ya'." He patiently awaited her response, eyes slowly closing as he got comfortable in his position. Ugh.. he could stay here forever. This was more than perfect. She was more than perfect. God, he hoped this lasted forever.
(oopsies, this is a bit rushed)
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" Death is not mercurial. It's patient... unlike life."
Butterfly Haven [Semi-Open]
Re: Butterfly Haven [Semi-Open]
