Pumpkinking was humming to himself, he was a good ways off from the DayClan camp. In his mouth he held a light green blanket that held numerous toys he'd snagged while in Twolegplace. It had been a bit of an adventure. Gotten a little dicey a few times, and he'd had to barter with some kittypets.

But he'd amassed a good amount of presents for the little ones.

He hoped it'd make up for Fallingleaves having to handle her pregnancy mostly alone. He hummed to himself. 'I really hope she likes the gifts! Everyone back home said they were a good idea!'

Raredreams had been sitting inside the nursery with Fallenleaves before the labor talking and then was still there when it’d all started and then stood frozen in the corner, out of the way, as it all went down. It was a besticht time to say the least, but he’d tried to be as supportive as always. Now the tom was couched near the nest, curiously and with wonder, watching his best friend and her new kits just...exist. It was amazing how it all happens, and even with his crush on the she-cat he could never imagine being the dad of such adorable little kits. The tom had acted as a buffer between Moltenmidnight and Fallenleaves a few times, but he wasn’t sure now what his role was. Kits changed everything, didn’t they? “Do you know what you’ll name them?”

Raredreams was almost surprised considering and his face showed it for a moment, that she had names so quickly decided. But then again, she’d had time to think about them so he really shouldn’t hav even so surprised. “Sound like fine names to me, Fallenleaves!” He was excited for her, and always would be. Even if she didn’t want to be friends any more. The tom had always admired the oddball that is Fallenleaves and was happy to continue doing so. He rose up a little, sitting back and giving her space to speak more with Icepaw if she wanted to. His eyes was constantly drawn back to the kits. Worry setting in. Where they breathing? Did she need to worry about that? How would she know they were hungry? When could they eat prey? Did they have teeth yet? Raredreams hadn’t spent much time around just to really know the answer to those questions. Especially around ones so new to the world as these ones were.

(sorry been extra busy this week!)

"Yeah, I figured as much, I just wanted to play with the kittens while you were gone," Icepaw cooed, dangling his fluffy tail in front of them, expecting them to bat at it even though they were much too young to even have their eyes open much left coordination to left a paw, "I suppose I'll just leave, then... it's getting pretty crowded in here anyways."

With that, the dark-furred apprentice disappeared almost as quickly as he had appeared, begging to question if he had ever been there at all.

~*~

A low growling proceeded Moltenmidight as he placed himself between Pumpkinking and the nursery. The motion was instinctual, his body moving before his mind had the chance to catch up, but, when he realized what was happening, he was all too ready to back it up.

"Did I hear you right?" The bengal tom asked, his tone accusatory, like his question would reveal some major crime, "You're the father of Fallingleaves's kits?"

Moltenmidnight was half Pravus Nocte but fully looked the part. Large but slim, with sleek, golden bengal fur dotted with large and beautiful jet black rosettes. Long, deadly claws that were only just barely sheathed. He was well-muscled with a fair share of scars scattered all over his pelt, no doubt from starting fights that, odds were, he had won. Bottom line: He was an intimidating dude and the way he looked at Pumpkinking, well... it was anything but friendly.

Fallingleaves was unaware of Pumpkinking's arrival, much less the confrontation that was brewing "Very well, I will talk to you later Icepaw" she rested her chin on her paws as the apprentice disappeared out of the small den "Though he does have a point, it is getting crowded in here. I'll have to start looking for somewhere bigger before the kits really start moving around" but for now she was to tired to even consider it. She had given birth alone, and then carried them most of the way back to DayClan on her own "but that can wait until later, when I feel a bit better"  its not like she had mate to assist with the move, and she didn't want to place that burden upon the shoulders of her friends or family. pao

Her ear flickered upwards, lifting her head as she heard the familiar voice from outside of her nest. She hadn't heard it since the day she had told him that she was expecting, the day she had given him the choice. She wouldn't leave DayClan to be with him, nor did she expect for him to leave SpringClan. It was his home. However the one thing she would not tolerate was the kits being put in the middle of this, being forced to choose between the two clans and two sets of parents the way she had been. If he wanted to be a part of their lives then he would have to commit and come to DayClan. She had told no one who their father was, respecting his right to privacy and right to choose. If he wanted to, he could have just walked away from the whole situation and pretended like he had never even known that the kits existed. It wouldn't be the first time a tom had chosen that path, after all they hadn't been planning on starting a family together. 

She slowly rose to her paws nosing the crying kits to quiet them "Seems like I have a visitor" she smiled at Raredream, padding to the entrance only to see the two toms staring off against  one another "Pumpkinking" she greeted, having almost forgotten that Moltenmidnight was looming outside of her den. If he found out that Pumpkinking was their father.. well this was going to get ugly quickly. She placed herself between the two toms, blocking Pumpking from an attack in the narrow tunnel unless he wanted to try and push her aside "So you have decided?" Jetclaw  Jadie

Pumpkinking blinked when she asked if he'd decided. He set down the gifts he'd brought. "Decided?" He echoed tilting his head. There was something she'd needed him to decide?

"I'm afraid I got rather caught up in all the excitement," He apologized. "I was quite euphoric with the news that they were coming soon, and I realized you were stuck dealing with all the trouble of carrying our kits. So I went and found out what gifts to give them and you! I got some nice prey, toys for the little ones, some soft things that might make them more comfortable." He said pawing the bundle he'd brought.

"What was there to decide? Not the kits names right? I'm certain whatever names you chose for them are just lovely." He assured her.

racer

"Oh I don't know if I'd say I won her heart. I fell quite head over paws for her quite easily. She's so smart, so invested, I enjoyed every moment when we'd go looking for weasels and ferrets!" Pumpkinking said with a purr. "That's how we met you know? She popped right out of a hole after a ferret, and I've looked forward to seeing her every time since!"

"I must admit I wasn't sure what to do about the whole becoming a father thing, but I'm just also so excited!" He turned to Fallingleaves once more. "Are they healthy? Are you healthy? You look well, but I'm no medicine cat. How many are there? Is Sprout excited?" He asked.

Rare dreams didn’t move form his place near the nest, curiously eyeing the father of the kits. He didn’t know pUmpikinking, Handy known his name until today and so the tom really didn’t know what to think of him. “You’re welcome…..” His words trailed off as he watched the tom approach. He seems happy enough about the kits, but wasn’t he ignoring Fallenleaves? The tom stepped back, curious gaze turned towards Fallenleaves, wandering if he should stay or go. Did she need his support in this? He’d stay, happily at that. All’s he had to do was say the word or give him a nord. it a smile or something that said stay.

Moltenmidnight fell silent as Fallingleaves and Pumpkinking entered the nursery. He stayed rooted to the spot, eyes cast downward but ears angled toward the entrance, a complex range of emotions running through his mind. He couldn't get a good grasp of them, but mostly he just felt... forgotten. Tossed aside, and not for the first time in his life. He felt like he'd missed an opportunity that he had never been given. It made him angry more than anything, but at least he had a semblance of control over that emotion. He had enough sense not to storm in and make a scene but not enough to just walk away and call it quits.

So, there he sat. Doing nothing, saying nothing, just waiting, watching and listening like a creep.