Bad to the bone! — Hornetsting

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    —— FLAXENGLARE ——

    Soon to be King

    It wasn’t that long ago that Flaxenglare laughed in the face of his mom’s lover. He had mocked the ivory former tyrant for even suggesting his kits were anyway worthy of being considered Flaxen’s siblings.he had hissed and spat and insulted the man who’d only ever meant well, and it was on that day Flaxenglare had decided he truly hated Hornetsting.


    And then, Flaxenglare found out he was going to be a dad. He learned what it meant to love someone. Even before those kits come into the world, he knew what it felt like to care so deeply for the little lives you’ bringing- you and the one cat you’re proud and overjoyed and so...so lucky to share them with.


    And suddenly, at last, Flaxenglare realized how small he truly was in the grand scheme of things.


    He spotted the dark-footed Tom as he was finishing with some conversation. He hadn’t spoken one-on-one with the man since their ah- last conversation, if you could call it that. The former Bloodclanner was pretty good at hiding his feelings towards Flaxenglare since that day - or perhaps Flax simply wasn’t paying attention- but he had no idea if the man would be willing to speak with him again. He probably would. Hornetsting had that infuriating ability to hold a “holier than thou” aura and still be completely in the right. Angelic bastard.

    “Hornetsting, I have something to say to you" Flaxenglare announces as he comes up, quick to snatch the older man’s attention before he escapes on another patrol or chore. He flicks his ear as nearby NPCs mumble the common “ooooh!” Of eavesdroppers awaited to scavenge on some melodrama, to which Flaxen quickly shuts up with a stern look in their direction. “Privately?" he suggests. He doesn’t mind if Hornet wants it to be here and now, but this is a matter between them.


    "Speech"







    The chill of autumn clung to the pebbly stones beneath he paws, shielding his fur from the muck as he crossed the clearing. Spreading his ivory jaws to roll his tongue over the points, the buzz of the early shift rotating with the turn of his limbs. His mind angling the formation of today’s patrol when something knocked his train from the rails. A voice, one branded into his ears with a hot iron. Then began Hornetsting’s list, yes, the list of things he would rather deal with other than another pointless banter with a child.


    One, walk fur-less in a blizzard without his two front paws. Two, drink the snot from an elder’s nostril. Three…. ‘privately , the word snatched the pendulum of his expectations and yanked it from its hitch. Come again?‌ Flaxenglare wanted to banter outside of the limelight?‌ The senior warrior bit gently against his tongue in thought, eyeing the NPCs and their childish coos. The ivory shard of muscle trained his eyes into the electric pools that were Flaxenglare’s.


    Hornetsting was out of opinions when it came to what the guy could possibly want. Hell, this would probably be the first time he seen him away from Firedawn’s side, he theorized they had been glued at the flank. "sure" he spoke simply, waving off the tiny patrol before slinking into a private corner beneath a willow. "what is it that you need to say?" his voice was fair, even, monotone almost. Confusion and curiosity battling in his eyes.


    // ooooh what's goin on haha I don't mind at all! <3

    ♛ — HORNETSTING'S STATS. (09/25/19)

    —— FLAXENGLARE ——

    Soon to be King

    “Ill take care of them" the words leave his mouth without hesitation. Flaxenglare is a proud young man, if he makes a decision- he makes it. The time for struggling about this is long gone, in fact it had been for a while now but Flaxen wasn’t one to rush. He meets Hornetsting’s eyes, briefly feeling an odd, exited rush as he realizes suddenly just how little this man matters to him now. Hornetsting had a hold so unreasonably strong on Flaxenglare- and yes, that hold was maintained so long because of Flaxen - so to be able to look Hornet in the eye and feel none of that one-sides hate...its like being freed from a choke hold. He sucks in a nice tasty air of freedom. “Not that I think you or Sorrelstar are kicking the bucket anytime soon, and those kits would probably prefer literally anyone besides me to take care of them...but I will. Firedawn and I- we’ll be there" he’s quiet, feeling a burn down the back of his neck as he suddenly realizes there’s more to this conversation that he thought. Angrily rubbing the back of his head, Flaxenglare says, “Look- don’t get me wrong, I still think my mom cheated on my mother, and it’s your fault that happened. I lived half my life terrified she was going to leave us for her new, prettier, non-forced on-her family- and that was all your fault " he looks up at Hornet then, his amber eyes, so like Nightfire’s glowing with cinders that blazed less with scorching head but a much gentler light. “But I’m sorry. For how I treated you - for how I messed up with your kits...my siblings. I don’t expect you to forgive me, cus I don’t know if I entirely forgive you..but hating is stupid, it always was, and I’d rather just screw it and be a family if you’re still willing" he squints, “at least by name. I’m not calling you dad- ever"


    "Speech"







    Hornetsting drinking in the first few words, uncertainty reading the fine print before him. Simple words, an indicator to a past conversation finally ringing a bell. Disbelief, or rather, hardly a reason to believe at first. If you reach to pet a dog once, and it bites you, despite its calmer state in your presence, who’s to say it won’t bite again? Hornetsting’s molten hues narrowed to slivers, searching the other’s gaze with tightly closed jaws. Flaxenglare explained himself carefully, much more calmly than one would expect from him. The ivory warrior blinked thoughtfully, heart stinging as a familiarity took over the male’s eyes. It hurt, god it sucked the life from him. Nightfire’s tune so bold in his genetic lenses in this moment.


    The resentment, it wasn’t gone, Flaxenglare explained, but the wildfire was but a flickering flame. ‘sorry’ Hornetsting’s breathing hitched for a moment. Was Flaxenglare feeling alright?‌ "Diamondkit adores you, that much I do know…. " he began with hesitance, an outline to his pleasant shock. "If my mother had taken another mate, I probably would’ve hated the very ground he walked on. I don’t expect your forgiveness…. You haven’t messed anything up, Flaxenglare. You just needed time… some take it to their grave…. some are strong enough to grit their teeth and sort things out. You, are a strong man. Stronger than I was when I was your age. " Hornetsting threaded the mud with a single claw.


    "I don’t expect you to call me father, I never had the honor of raising you. That belongs to Sorrelstar and Nightfire alone. … I would love that, Flaxenglare." Hornetsting still wondered if this was genuine, still questioned the sudden change of heart. Perhaps he was capable of changing, afterall, Hornetsting hadn’t always been a saint.


    "Did you know, that your grandfather, and my father. Were friends?…. between you and me, a family secret if you will…. your aunt Apricotpaw was a good kit-hood friend of mine, she and your grand-dad paid many visits to the city a long time ago… She was like a sister to me, and Flaxenstar…. he was a good man…. maybe family runs deeper than we will every truly know. You’re a lot like your grandpa, if I recall" Hornetsting released the memories to the open air, blinking rapidly as he dug deep in his mind. "you’re going to be a wonderful father, Flaxenglare. " he finished.


    // phew trip down memory lane. haha fun family-secret fact; flax's aunt Apricotpaw was actually renamed Deathwish before she turned on Flaxenstar. Caledon took her in when she failed but she died of greencough. It inspired the little side-story hornet is bullshitting about rn.

    ♛ — HORNETSTING'S STATS. (09/25/19)

    —— FLAXENGLARE ——

    Soon to be King

    //im sorry for how massive this is aaagh just read the paragraphs with dialogue those are the most important ;w;

    It's ironic how much power Flaxenglare seems to have over Hornetsting in this time where that was far from his goal. Flaxenglare always enjoyed it when his words punched through chests, made cats flinch and weep and rage, like Flaxen had control of their internal switch and he could violate with a simple sneer or a passing comment. Their emotions were his, and they in turn rested mercifully in his volotile paws, their civilized masks now hanging precarious in his disruptive presence. It brought him so much joy knowing he could send people reeling, but none of his attempts ever truly worked on Hornetsting, none that ended with Hornet more emotional than Flax, that is. But here, right now, Flaxenglare finally got his ivory to finally quake...such a shame Flaxenglare didn't see the guy as a tormentor anymore.

    In fact, Flaxenglare found it a bit funny that his first emotion was concern. Was Hornet feeling alright? Surely Flaxenglare's apology couldn't affect him THIS much. It was overdue, granted but...did Hornetsting honestly care this much about a boy who wasn't even his own? A boy who treated him with malice and disrespect for his entire life?

    Flaxenglare was shaken then, a cold shiver running down his spine as he realized just how...caring this man was. When that crackling wave rose back through him, making the fur on his spine bristle ever so slightly - his body reacting to this forming thought before it took center stage in his brain - it struck with a force his pelt couldn't warn him enough about:

    No wonder my mom loved you so much.


    Now it's Flaxenglare's turn to feel his breath hitch. He's forced to look away, startled by the thought. Startled by the implication of it. The anger he felt wasn't going to easily be forgotten, possibly never, but...could it be possible for him to just...forgive this dumb tom who couldn't help falling in love with a wonderful she-cat, and she for loving a man who was nothing but sweet and selfless?

    Could he possibly just...let their love be? Let them be happy...?


    The next thought that came was a sobering one. Where his previous left him reeling, this was a new weight that crash landed hard on his back. This weight promised it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, digging fearsome claws into his chest, one claw between every rib, reaching for his heart but careful not to actually pierce it - for Flaxenglare would suffer this weight but never get the sweet release of death to avoid it. Though death would not be too great an alternative for this thought came with the bonus of knowing he was damned because of it.

    If only Flaxenglare had wised up and forgiven them...before Nightfire died.


    To have waited so long to finally give his support - that was something Flaxenglare knew no amount of apologies could ever make up for. He messed up. He ruined the lives of two - no, three cats if you include Sorrelstar, even more if you include the kits...The damage was done. Flaxenglare was far too late.


    And still, the man his mom fell in love with only spoke to Flaxenglare with the kindness he never reserved for her and her alone. Flax can't help but let out a laugh - which comes out far shakier than he expected, "Yeah well, your daughter has bad taste" But thinking about Dia makes Flax smile. The girl is one of the rare ones, a prodigy in the way her father is - the way both their mom was. She reminds him so much of Firedawn it takes his breath away, especially when he imagines one of his kits taking after them. He hopes Dia won't mind being an aunt so young. He hopes Dia will rub off on those children who are unfortunate to have a part of Flaxenglare in them.


    Flaxenglare can only huff at Hornet's compliment, looking away as if his words are unnecessary - of course Flaxenglare is a great warrior! But truly it's just to hide an irritating shine in his eyes. How long he's waited to hear someone say that to him...who would've thought apologizing would be the thing that made him truly worth respecting?

    Yeah...Flaxenglare had it all wrong didn't he?

    It doesn't help that Hornetsting adds in that he's similar to the man he feels he must become.

    "Yeah yeah our family runs deep who cares" he says dismissively, waving a paw- hoping its enough to distract Hornetsting while he quickly rubs the moisture in his eye. Still, that is interesting. Their lives are far closer connected than Flaxenglare had thought. Being a boy raised on ideas of destiny, it rings deep just how much Hornetsting seems to be meant for this family. To be a part of this family.


    That last comment finally does it and Flaxenglare lets out a noise between a cough, a chuckle and a whine, "Yeah well - i'm great at everything so of course I will" he chokes out, staring hard at his paws, then when that doesn't work up at the sky. Men don't cry you dumb jerk! But the thought just makes Flaxenglare bubble with laughter. "Apologies have always been difficult for me - never thought it'd be THIS hard" he snickers, finally dropping his gaze to Hornetsting. For what feels like the first time in his life, Flaxenglare smiles softly at the man he sees now as more than just a clanmate. "Even if you can't be my father, I'd be..It'd mean a lot if you could be a grandfather. If they're anything like me they'll need a good role model keeping them in line"


    "Speech"





    Hornetsting could never say that he learned how to be the way he was. No, he was trained to be a brutal monster, crafted to destroy. Yet, the love and compassion that bled from his heart had colored his soul, he loved , powerfully so. That love didn’t come without a monster though, and anyone who pressed a threat to anyone he cared about, would become acquainted with it.


    ‘your daughter has bad taste’ "Well. A bad taste in role models… certainly runs in the family" he thought deeply of how badly he wanted to be like his father once. "however, such isn’t the case with you, Flax. " he admitted, he was proud that Diamondkit had a brother to look up to.


    Flaxenglare was shifting, like a chameleon's touch to a most vibrant color. Taking swift notice, the black-footed tom’s brow raised ever so slightly. It was pleasant, to say the least. He may have looked away to smile but he returned his gaze just in time to watch the striped warrior wipe his eye. Be it the wind’s sting, or the changing within. Hornetsting wouldn’t mention it, pretending he didn’t notice with a light cough into his wrist. God knows he wouldn’t want anyone to see him cry, Hornetsting was anything but arrogant but even he was a bit too proud to cry from any other emotion besides death, in the presence of another.


    Flaxenglare’s words seemed to lack the haughtiness it usually takes to, and the snowy warrior sighed softly but yet another smile graced his features. More-so when the younger warrior mentions his invitation to the role of ‘grandfather’ the concept was laughable but he’d be damned if it didn’t warm his heart. Every pearly blade in his jaws flashing as he pulled a big grin. It was weird to be on the edge of ‘grandpa’ with not a single grey hair to his pelt. "I’d be honored" he breathed finally. "some people weren’t made for apologies, …. but maybe you don’t owe one. You can’t beat yourself up over how you feel… but I’m happy you came around. My family was broken the moment I was born… maybe I’m finally putting it back together" he mumbled for a moment, a glint of sadness passing his hues.


    // 10000 years later <3 I'm sorry!

    ♛ — HORNETSTING'S STATS. (09/25/19)