[Dylan/Open!] My World's Been Tipped Upside Down

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Silence. Quiet. Peace. It felt so calm. Finally, Nettlepaw was getting the sleep he needed. Or was it sleep? He didn't remember going back to his nest. A voice was pulling him back to his senses, but the sound was muffled. However, it gradually became louder, until he could make out Applepaw's words. It took him a moment to remember where he was. His heart twinged with grief as he realized that Runningleap was gone. It hadn't been just a mere nightmare.

Groaning softly, Nettlepaw felt Applepaw's nose buried in his thick fur, and a wave of fear washed over him when he heard her voice crack. New energy flowed into his limbs, and he forced himself to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was the sky. That must've meant he passed out after he buried Runningleap. The cream-colored apprentice blinked his eyes a few times, and he found Applepaw beside him. "Applepaw?" he asked, unsure if he was dreaming or not. Glancing around once more, he figured he wasn't, since he wouldn't be feeling the raw pain of Runningleap's loss in a dream.

Why is she shaking? What's scaring her? he thought, feeling his fur bristle. He felt like he needed to destroy anything that made Applepaw frightened, like he needed to keep her safe no matter what. He already lost Runningleap; he wasn't about to lose the last cat he held dear. "Hey, calm down," he told her, struggling to shift himself into a sitting position. He gently pressed his muzzle against Applepaw's for a moment, before pulling back and looking at her with concern in his silver-gray eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, feeling a prickle of uncertainty running down his spine as he awaited an answer.

[dylan]

No, no, no, no, no, no. She could not lose another friend. Not so soon into their friendship, not when she had just admitted that she trusted him. Nettlepaw couldn’t be gone, not after everything. He just had to survive and be with her, she couldn’t take it if anyone else left her life. The day was just becoming worse and worse, and who knows what she would do if she didn’t have Nettlepaw. All she could do was sit here and hope he woke up.

Applepaw’s ears twitched as she thought she heard a noise come from Nettlepaw. Was that a groan? Was she imagining things? She sure hoped not. Lifting her face from his pelt she stared at her friend. Please let him be okay she thought. But then, he had spoken. She wasn’t imagining things! Applepaw’s face instantly brightened as she saw him open his eyes. And he had recognized her! She was overwhelmed with happiness now that she knew her friend wasn’t dead. Yes, her body was still shaking from the fear of losing him, but as he spoke more and she realized he was okay it was beginning to stop a little bit. His words were soothing her, and she was able to calm herself down a little more as she felt his muzzle.

Taking a deep breath she blinked back her remaining tears as she gazed at Nettlepaw. ”I can’t lose you, I just can’t.”

[/color] she mewed softly, trying to answer his question. How could she explain what was wrong? She didn’t want to upset him, but figured she had better be honest. ”I came to find y-you and y-you weren’t m-moving.”[/color] she managed to choke out, feeling another round of tears coming. ”Please don’t ever leave me again.”[/color] Applepaw added looking toward the ground.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

It took a moment for Nettlepaw to register Applepaw's words in his mind. Lose him? Why would she ever have to lose him? He watched with wide, silver eyes filled with sympathy. Runningleap was still on his mind, but Applepaw was more important. She was more important to him than anything else in the world. Though in the back of his mind, he knew that Runningleap would've forgave him for putting her first.

Nettlepaw winced at the sight of Applepaw's eyes clouding with tears, and the new pain he felt was much more different than the one he felt when Runningleap died. He wasn't about to sit there and do nothing. An angry gleam shown in Nettlepaw's eyes for a moment. How could Applepaw ever think that he would leave her? Though, his gaze softened when he realized that it was his fault for leaving her alone - even if it was just for a small amount of time.

Nettlpaw let out a small sigh, saying nothing before resting his chin on the top of Applepaw's head. "I didn't mean to, I'm sorry," he murmured, hoping that his apology would comfort her. He sat there for a long time, trying to form the words he wanted to say - although, he was having a difficult time finding them. Breathing in her sweet scent seemed to help a little, but he knew he had to let his heart speak for him.

"Applepaw, you... you mean the world to me, and the only reason I bother to wake up each day, is, well... because of you," he confessed, feeling his paws tingle with anticipation. The more he admit his feelings, the better he felt. "Everything changed so fast; with Runningleap dying..." he trailed off before focusing on what he was trying to say once more. "B-but, I just want you to know that I'm so glad to have you as a friend, because I wouldn't have been able to go through this without you." There; he's said it. He'd completely exposed his feelings for Applepaw. Now what? Nettlepaw didn't know what else to say, so he just kept himself pressed against Applepaw's smaller body, comforted by the warmth of her fur, and he waited anxiously for an answer.

[dylan]

Applepaw was in her own state of pity. She was silently criticizing herself for caring so much about this cat. Any other tom she would have stayed away from, but something about Nettlepaw made her draw closer and closer, and made her actually want to be around him. He had won her trust, and really he was winning her heart also. But she couldn’t admit that to him, not just yet. She still had her doubts. Suddenly she felt something on her head and she let out a sigh of relief. Nettlepaw was near her again, and the feelings were stirring up.

His words were exactly what they had hoped, they were soothing her aching self. Now that he was here with her, touching her, and she had tangible proof he was beside her, she felt so much better. Applepaw couldn’t talk, the tears had stopped by now, but the emotion was overwhelming her. She just nodded, accepting the apology. Why was he apologizing, she should be the one apologizing. She had caused him to be this way.

The she-cat listened as Nettlepaw began a speech and she just stayed as she was, absorbing it all. His speech brought tears to her eyes once again as he spoke, it was so beautiful and touching. The words were straight from his heart, and she could tell. He wasn’t faking, this was pure and true. Applepaw pulled away from the warmth of him for a few moments to stare him in the eyes. She only saw truth in them, and she nodded in affirmation. She understood exactly where he was coming from. ”I feel the same way.”

[/color] she murmured.

Once he had finished speaking, Applepaw buried herself deep into his fur. The scent of him was so relaxing and comforting and snuggling in deep only made it better. ”Thank you for not leaving me.”[/color] she added, well practically mumbled at this point, her face was pressed into his warm fur. She didn’t want to be without him any longer, her heart couldn’t take it. Maybe they could train together from now on, Applepaw would absolutely love that. And for once in her life, Applepaw was truly happy.

Staying like this for several moments she lifted herself from his fur, but kept her body pressed against Nettlepaw’s, not wanting to be far apart from him. ”We should probably get back to camp. You need sleep, and I wouldn’t mind a nice nap.”[/color] she mewed. While she spoke a yawn escaped her mouth and she blushed. She didn’t realize how tired she was. ”You think the older apprentices mind if I make a nest closer to you?”[/color] she asked quietly. Applepaw looked to the ground as she spoke, feeling a little embarrassed at asking something like this.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Nettlepaw was surprised when Applepaw unexpectedly snuggled into his thick fur. Her reaction made him feel overwhelmed with relief and happiness. He hadn't been this happy since Runningleap's death, and Applepaw was the first cat to make him smile. A throaty purr escaped his throat - he didn't know how he managed it after being so exhausted and sore. "I would never," he responded sincerely, licking her in between her ears.

At the mention of sleep, he almost immediately said yes but he stopped himself when he heard Applepaw's question. As she looked away in embarrassment, he smiled in amusement. Nettlepaw wondered if she was asking if he would mind, but he wasn't going to press her about it. "No, they won't mind," he told her, rising to his paws. He wanted to stay by her side for longer, but he needed sleep - badly.

"Come on, we can move your nest closer to mine," he muttered, stiffling a yawn as he glanced around. His gaze rested on Runningleap's grave, and he sighed. He would never see him again, but he was somewhat ready to accept that fact. Nettlepaw looked at Applepaw and realized that he would be able to endure anything when he had her with him. Birds chirped their songs above their heads and he figured the Clan would be awake by now, which would be convenient for him and Applepaw, since any apprentices still sleeping in the apprentices' den would be unlikely.

[dylan]

And there it was, the reassurance she was looking for. She, of all cats, was able to break through the barrier of Nettlepaw, the barrier of sadness. Between the words he had spoken and the soothing rasp on his tongue in between her ears, Applepaw felt her worry and doubt slowly fading. He was being sincere and honest about it all. Having him here with her was so comforting and the rasping on his tongue on her fur was a nice touch. What was this feeling she was experiencing. Surely it wasn’t….love? Could it be? Could she, the she-cat with tom issues, love a tom? No..it wasn’t possible. Was it?

When she felt him move, and felt the warmth disappear for a moment she looked at him. How could he be so sure that the other apprentices would mind? But there he goes reassuring her again. With a sigh she got onto her own paws, hating that the warmth was lost. Applepaw wondered what her brother would think, seeing all of this. Surely he would be happy for her. Probably, her brother was always supportive of her, if not protective.

Nodding, she began to head back toward the camp, her eyes not wanting to look back. Would Runningleap be happy that his apprentice had found a friend? She wished she could have gotten to know the tom a little better, but his spirit sill lived on through Nettlepaw. Maybe one day he could tell her all about his deceased mentor. The thought of moving her nest closer to him, made her fur tingle with excitement. Though her paws were dragging, trying to keep her from moving anymore, she ignored them. She would soon be in the den with Nettlepaw, and they could sleep.

As she saw the camp, and the rest of the camp going on and doing their duties, all she could think about was sleep. Spotting her brother he gave her a sympathetic glance and she just smiled back, letting him know everything would be alright. ”Come on, you look even more asleep on your paws than you do awake.”

[/color] she murmured to her friend softly, and made her way into the apprentices den. Looking around she noticed it was pretty much empty, maybe one or two apprentices were in there, at most. She was to the point of not really being able to comprehend what was going on around her, sleep was overwhelming her. Spotting her own nest she looked at Nettlepaw. ”Lead the way.”[/color] she said blinking at him. She let a yawn escape from her mouth as she tried to smile. She honestly had not ever realized where Nettlepaw’s nest was. She had never bothered to care before.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Nettlepaw snorted and shook his head in defiance. "I'm fine," he told her as they made their way into camp. Well, this would be the first time I lied to her, he thought in amusement. Of course he could barely keep his eyelids open; especially after everything he'd been through. But even still, he didn't want Applepaw to worry about him. Knowing that she cared about him was more than enough.

The cream-colored apprentice noticed a few cats blinking at him sympathetically, briefly dipping their heads when he walked past. He figured they were sharing his grief, but he only returned their gestures, trying to tell them that he was feeling somewhat better. As Clan life went on, he wondered if any of his Clanmates would remember Runningleap. Of course, they wouldn't after a long time, but he would never forget. Runningleap would always be a part of his life; whether he was alive or not.
Nettlepaw was lost in his own thoughts when darkness washed over him. At the sound of Applepaw's voice, he guessed they were already in the apprentices' den. With a small purr, he silently admit that she was right; he could barely tell what was going on around him. The tabby's nest was among the older apprentices', farther away from the entrance and near the back of the den, where it offered the most quiet environment.

As he padded toward Applepaw's nest, Nettlepaw made sure not to disturb another apprentice who was sleeping near it. Carefully, he made his way around the slumbering bundle of fur and ventured deeper into the den, where the nest lay. He hoped Applepaw wouldn't ask how he knew where her nest was; he sometimes watched her sleep when he himself couldn't. The sight of her flank slowly rising and falling calmed him, and that alone usually managed to make him fall back asleep. His jaws clamped down on the woven moss and twigs, and he began to drag it back to his own nest, making sure not to make too much noise.

Finally, he positioned it so that it was pressed up against his nest, so that it was more like one single nest than two seperate ones. A yawn escaped his throat once more, and he almost collapsed into the warmth and security, but he wouldn't forget his manners. "Go ahead," he told Applepaw with a flick of his ear. He said it with a drowsy tone to his voice, and he had every intention of flopping down into their nests beside Applepaw as soon as she did.

[dylan]

All Applepaw had known about Nettlepaw’s nest is that it was toward the back of the den, like the rest of the older apprentices. Her own nest was right near the front, nearby her brother’s. She was about to show Nettlepaw where her nest was, but the tom had already made his way to it and was dragging it closer to his own. Now how in StarClan did he know where her nest was? Had she shown him before? Maybe she had, right now she could hardly remember her own name. Anything was possible.

She was a bit shocked at how close he had moved her nest to his own. Applepaw was just going to suggest having her nest move nearby, not to where it looked like their nests were one larger one. But she didn’t say a word to him, she actually liked this idea better. It meant she could feel the warmth of his fur even closer. She felt herself blush as she thought of having his fur pressed against her own once again.

The she-cat had been so absorbed in her own thoughts that she had barely heard her friend speak. ”Nice to know there are toms with manners.”

[/color] she murmured, half to herself. Blinking at him gratefully she stepped into her nest and curled herself up, tucking her tail neatly around herself, and putting her head on her paws. Sighing, she was content, and waited for her friend to come join her.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Nettlepaw managed to flash Applepaw a smile. In all honesty, he'd do anything for her if she asked him to. Being polite was just something he did without thinking. Quite a few of his friends weren't very kind; they were rough and sometimes even rude. Often times they'd tease him for being such a "softy" towards Applepaw. He'd just snort and act like it was nothing, but on the inside, he was so embarrassed. He didn't say anything about it, since if he did, he would be denying his feelings toward the pretty she-cat, and he didn't want her to think that he didn't like her.

As the ginger tabby climbed into her nest, Nettlepaw couldn't hide the warmth that glowed from his silver eyes. She just looked so adorable when she slept; he would never get tired of watching her. Of course, though, he would never admit that to anyone except for Applepaw, but she would have to cuff him behind the ears a few times before he'd muster enough courage to confess. Nettlepaw felt like he was looking at her for longer than he'd intended, and he quickly looked away and crawled into the nest.

His cream-colored tabby fur fluffed up and he shivered. Temperatures were getting colder by the day; especially at night. Leaf-fall was approaching at a frightening pace, and prey would become even more scarcer than it already was. It was unusual, really, how the prey had been disappearing. And to add to that, the flooded river made matters worse than he could've imagined. A vision of Runningleap's head bobbing above the surface of the raging water for a couple of heartbeats before going under once more made him wince inwardly.

However, Applepaw's presence made him relax, and he let out a quiet sigh. The sudden thought of becoming a warrior flashed through his mind, and he became worried. He was a few moons older than Applepaw, and when he became a warrior (which was most likely going to happen sooner or later), he would have to move out of the apprentices' den. He wouldn't be able to sleep near Applepaw. I'll manage somehow, he told himself. But it wouldn't be easy. Knowing that she was nearby calmed him.

Soon enough, exhaustion reminded him that he was about to fall asleep at any given moment. Before he could fall into a deep slumber, without thinking, he pressed his body against Applepaw's and rested his chin on his paws, feeling her warmth on his pelt. It was nice. With his long fur brushing against hers, he was able to let the darkness consume his mind, slowing his heartbeat while his flanks eventually rose and fell more slowly.