I want some kittens!Artist: Thani
Username + ID: Kazin 3262
Last accepted form: hereCat 1: PrincessPermission: owned by self
Last bred: never bred
Cat 2: HemlockstarPermission: owned by self
Last bred: never bred
Appearance or genetics based?: artist choice!
Would you like apprentice references for your litter?: artist choice!
Items using: n/a
Allow for random NR edits?: yes please!
Roll for chance at random myth edit?: yes please!
If this litter has more than one user involved, will you be splitting the litter?: N/A
Prompt: The creeping feeling of dread rose up Hemlockstar's fur on his way back from visiting Princess at her Twoleg den. He hadn't seen her in a while, and hoped that she wasn't sick or injured, or that her Twolegs were keeping her trapped. When she told him about kits, his first reaction was utter joy. Having watched other families grow in TreeClan, he had always yearned to have kits of his own.
But as he left his mate, the dread started. He had to stop himself in the forest, staring with wide eyes at nothing. Princess didn't live in the Clan. Everyone knew that, and thought most of the clan was supportive of Hemlockstar allowing Princess to join the clan while still living with her Twolegs, there were always whispers that followed him. There were those that were unhappy with how he was leading, how he allowed cats with paws in both worlds, that he was even going so far as to declare that Princess and him were mates. If some of these cats didn't like that they were mates, what would they think about his unborn kits?
Hemlockstar turned, running frantically, going back to Princess. He yowled outside until she finally appeared, her own eyes widening as she saw the look on his face. "What happened?" She asked hurriedly, nosing the tom all over his pelt to check for injuries.
"Nothing," Hemlockstar managed to answer breathlessly, giving Princess an apologetic lick. "I... well, there is something. What will the clan think?"
"What will they think?" Princess asked, incredulous.
Hemlockstar paused, looking into Princess's eyes. He did not see his own dread, fear, confusion, anxiety... nothing but love and hopefulness reflected in her eyes. It calmed him a bit, though his soul still felt weary. Once he started talking, however, he couldn't stop. "Princess... there have been whispers. I hear them. Some of the clan don't like... they don't like that I allowed you to be a part of the clan. They don't like that I won't keep my loyalty to the clan and the clan only. They think I have a paw in both worlds, but I don't! But I don't want kits to feel caught between these two worlds! I don't want them to grow up with the whispers!"
Princess watched him in silence, letting him vent out his fears and frustrations. "I understand now," she said softly, pressing her side against his. "It is scary. It is uncharted scenarios that your clan hasn't seen. But you decide what you want, not them. I know you lead the clan, but you deserve happiness to. You deserve a family. And if that means I have to leave my Twolegs, I-"
Hemlockstar, alarmed, cut her off sharply. "No! No. You deserve what you want too. I..." Hemlockstar sucked in a breath, pressing himself harder into Princess's sides. He hardened himself, pressing his nose into her fur for a moment. "It will be different. It might be hard. But I've decided I won't run away, and I won't let these kits have anything less than a good life. I will talk to my clan."
"I'm here for you, always," Princess whispered into his side. "These kits will love you. They will love the clan. We'll figure it out, we always have."
We always have. Hemlockstar thought after saying his goodbyes again, ready to face his clan this time. He would let them voice their concerns about the kits. He would hear them out. And ultimately, he would do what was best for both his family, and his clan. And somehow, thanks to Princess, he knew it would work out, and they had each other. Just like they would now have their kits.
And they always would.