Vent Writing
Eggbee and Ryechicory - Complicated Relationship
Set in the future
Laying in his nest at night, sleep playing an intense game of hide and seek that seemed impossible to win, was Eggbee's biggest enemy. You see, during these times, the tom's mind liked to wander, anywhere from stores he made himself to the darkest corners of his mind. Things that had always been there, but lay forgotten and untouched. No one would want to go near those filthy things, they held too many diseases to name. Tonight was one of those nights. It was still early, well, for him at least, and Eggbee knew he wouldn't be sleeping any time soon.
Why was he thinks out these things? Apparently it was just one of those nights where his heart felt heavy and something felt
wrong. He'd never been able to explain it, and usually there was nothing to it. Just the feeling of the world being out of line. Like a border marked in the wrong place, or the disappearance of prey. Not once had he figured out what this feeling was for, but occasionally it led him down that dark burrow, to where the
bad things were kept. The parts of himself he'd rather not acknowledge.
The day had felt like any other, something he'd just get done, because what was the point of complaining? It was much easier and more productive to do what you had to, taking it in stride. Looking back at the events left a bitter taste in his mouth, heart feeling as if it were now a ragged pebble. He'd done things like this before. Too many times. Every time he regretted it, yet he'd gloss over it and move in. Not tonight.
I suppose I'm in a bad mood from Wall Building, so I'm actually noticing now. It was a reasonable assumption. Something about the job irked him, putting a scowl on his face and a burning rage across his skin. Eggbee's favourite thing about being a Protector was the satisfaction of building things how he liked, giving them his own flare of beauty or invention. Wall Building was different. While it should have been his favourite, with such a large space to work with and so many materials.
But no,
we have to do it exactly like Foxtrot. 'Put some bramble in there' he says. What if I don't want to? What if I think the bit by the nursery would would look better with soft ferns?Releasing his frustration in a huff, the tom let it slip away from his mind. It wasn't that important, he could be creative in his own time, making silly things for Ryechicory.
Rychi... Today's hot gossip in the Clan that was Eggbee's thoughts. They whispered to each other, passing it along, each one adding to it, exaggerating it, and before long no one knew what was truth and what was sick, twisted lies. However Eggbee was unaware of all of this at the time, simply lost in the tidal wave of whispers.
It had started earlier that morning. He'd woken up late, but wasn't about to let that taint his whole day in grey. Waking up and reporting to Sunstream had gone fine. The tom had felt guilty for his lazy attempt last time and dedicated himself to completing his task as well as he possibly could. Sure, it was Den Building, much like Wall Building, but the tom was happy to copy what needed to be done when he was allowed even that slightest bit of freedom with it. Everything was off to a good start.
Having while the sun stood tall in the sky as free time, the small tom padded beside Ryechicory, determined to spend what he could with his mate before the tom had to go and work. Now that he was looking back on it, Eggbee couldn't even remember what he'd done with the tom before he'd lashed out. All he knew was that the two had been sat together, close, as always. Ryechicory was being his self, mumbling some stupid song with ridiculous, nonsensical words, not for the first time that day. Temper never the best in the first place, it quickly got on Eggbee's nerves.
"Stop singing that, it's annoying."
Letting out a small chuckle, the tabby continues to sing.
"Stop," Eggbee repeated, humour quickly vanishing. It was an overreaction, obviously.
Yet Ryechicory continued, a smirk tugging on his lips. Scowling, the small cat's paw flashed out, no destination decided. It made contact with the fluffy tom's face, halting the sound. "Hey, that hurt," the tabby spat back, no bite to his words. And then he continued that
stupid song.
Really, Eggbee had no reason to hate it so much. Hadn't he said he loved hearing the tom singing? Why was it different just because his unchecked anger flared up? However, reflection in easy. Living in the present isn't. Blind to his faults, the cat tipped his head away before swinging it back, headbutting his mate. "Shut up."
"Ow!" Before he could say any real words, Nightshade made the call for all fighters. Standing, Ryechicory glanced back at Eggbee with a faux hurt expression. The smaller cat felt his heart sink.
"Wait, give me a hug before you go," he meowed nonchalantly, unwilling to show the small see of guilt now taking root in his chest.
"I thought I was annoying? Look, you made me cry!" There were no tears in his eyes, it was a joke. Every cat in FlareClan knew him for his jokes. But this didn't stop the seed from sprouting. Watching his mate walk away, Eggbee shook his head and body in the attempt to dislodge it.
After that free time, it had been Wall Building, his worst nightmare.
It won't be so bad, he'd told himself, knowing he'd almost finished the section he'd been assigned. It seemed to be true too, until Foxtrot had come over, prattling on about brambles and too much moss. Eggbee still sucked it up, getting on until it was time to stop. Now here he was. Ryechicory had been back for a while, and the two talked in hushed, happy whispers beside the fresh kill pile, the topics light-hearted and often romantic.
The change was invisible. No one would be able to spot the exact moment when the seed came into full bloom, and he doubted even a Healer could tell him why. Nonetheless, it had happened.
"I'd better groom myself," Ryechicory and said after a long pause, signalling the end of that conversation.
Eggbee wrinkled his nose, having washed himself as soon as he'd finished with his job. "Yeah, you should..." When the tabby made no move to do as he'd said, instead openings mouth with a smile that could only mean a dumb joke, the small tom excised himself. "I'm heading to my nest, and I'm not talking to you until you've done."
Following through, he rose to his paws and padded away, Ryechicory's joke falling on deaf ears. Settling down, Eggbee let his mind travel up into the clouds, attempting to create a story to pass the time. A good while passed, and, to no cats' surprise, he grew impatient. Sticking his head out the den, he called for his mate. "Hurry up Rychi!"
Glancing over from the same spot he'd left him were those familiar eyes. "What? Of I'm just about to start," he called back with a light laugh.
"You're so stupid," the smaller tom called back, coldness creeping into his voice, yet went undetected. The tabby simply went in with his business. Eggbee marched back to his nest and flopped down in a sulk, frown frozen in place on his face. That was, until he noticed the flower now inside him, screaming for attention.
Oh...It was uncalled for. No matter how annoying the tom could be, things like this were Eggbee's fault. Ryechicory couldn't change how he was, and even if he could, he'd never wish that if his mate. He loved him, and he should treat the tom how he does.
So when the tabby padded into the den, making his way towards Eggbee and curling into his own nest, the small cat took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Rychi," he mumbled, honesty as thick as honey in is tone.
Tilting his head to the side, said cat glanced back curiously. "For what?"
"For being mean to you. All the time," Eggbee explained in shame.
"I don't know what you're talking about? You're not mean to me."
"I am! I hit you, and I got mad at you for no reason. And that's just today, let alone all the other days," he cried in quiet despair.
As soon as Ryechicory opened his mouth to defend him, Eggbee felt stubbornness and rage blind him. The argument (StarClan did he hate that word) washed over him, only fueling his emotions. The tabby tired desperately to convince him he wasn't mean, meowing on about how he made him happy and that he could see the other cared, meaning he would be mean, but none of it made
sense.
The facts were there, clear as day. Why Ryechicory would discard them was beyond him, and in his eyes, render his views invalid. It went on, backwards and forwards, the bigger tom desperately trying to sooth him and explain that he loved him, as did those around him. Insisting because Eggbee cared about others, it automatically made him not mean.
"You're not listening to me!" He'd called it out mid sentence, cutting his mate off. "Me being mean isn't up for debate. I just wanted to apologize."
"No, you're not listening to me," Ryechicory retorted. These words triggered something inside Eggbee's odd world, and suddenly this conversation was the most important thing. It was a challenge. One he knew he was right in, and had to let the other know it.
Things went back and forwards again like a moss ball in the nursery. The feisty tom was growing frustrated, guilt blending with anger as it always seemed to. He hadn't wanted to be told he was wrong. He'd just wanted to address the problem, admitted it, and fixed it. Yet the other tom seemed unable to do so.
Ryechicory snapped first. "Stop. I can't do this now. I'm going to sleep."
Resentment shot through Eggbee, flowing through his heart and being pumped around the rest of his body. Fur on end, the small cat debated on speaking his mind, but settled with a cold and curt "Fine. Goodnight," before turning his back on the tom and screwing his eyes shut.
"I love you," Ryechicory tried, but got no response. "Stop being grumpy. We have a free day together tomorrow."
Nothing.
The words has done nothing but build up the fury inside Eggbee, and he cut all contact with his mate, determined to block him out. He was vaguely aware of the other attempting to reach out, but all tries ended in the same harsh silence. One Eggbee knew he'd regret later, as he'd done with lashing out at his mate earlier that day. Yet he continued, too stubborn to let up.
If he wants to sleep, he can go sleep!Still, his throat burnt with unsaid thoughts, wailing and clawing in the attempt to get out.
I hate it when he doesn't take things seriously! Does he actually think I was joking? Why does he always play it off as if nothing happened? I guess if he doesn't want to address the problem, I'll bottle it up and let it fester then. You know, like all good relationships stay strong. Stupid cat. I don't want to talk to him. Maybe I'll be cold to him tomorrow, will be get the hint then? Maybe I just shouldn't see him tomorrow. Maybe we shouldn't be mates-Heart pausing before tripping over his words, back to life, Eggbee's eyes widened in shock. Sure, he'd thought about it a lot. He'd even mentioned it to the other on another one of this dark days, and that had ended terribly. Of course Ryechicory didn't want to break up with him, he loved the small tom. However, Eggbee knew sometimes it wasn't about what you wanted, and rather, what you needed. Ryechicory didn't need Eggbee. He didn't need the short temper and flashes of crulety that came with him. He didn't need these stupid arguments with a cat so stubborn they refused to fix that part of themselves. Most importantly, He didn't need to keep picking up the broken tom, when he had himself to worry about.
He doesn't deserve to put up with me, and I definitely don't deserve his defence...
