THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT ☆ o, RETURN TO CAMP

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

The scent of his brother following along after them distracted Rhine momentarily, the leader's gaze lifting and searching until he found Toadwhisker. He didn't have the same amount of anger held in his heart as before, but he still shifted a bit upon spotting the other. He hadn't been sure whether or not his littermate would actually accompany them once the merger happened, and he was pleased to see that Toad had decided to return. Even with all of their issues, Rhinestone couldn't imagine a world without his brother in it, and to have the other finally reunited with the place they both should've been calling home? It warmed his heart, and he couldn't help the faint smile that curled upon his muzzle, soft and pleased despite the drowsiness that lagged his every action. Of course, when Toadwhisker tried to move into the actual camp, only to immediately faceplant into the sand, the leader couldn't help the purring laughter that bubbled up in his chest. He raise his voice slightly, calling out in amusement, "Have you been gone so long that you forgot to watch your step, Toadwhisker?" It would take some time for old wounds to truly heal, but for now, Rhi felt comfortable slipping silently into old patterns.

Of course, not everything was the same as when he and Toad were children. That became very clear as Foamkit came stumbling forward, the young boy leaning into the leader's warm fluff. Rhine blinked down at Foam in surprise briefly, before a slow and similarly affectionate smile spread over his face. He had missed the young feline greatly, and although he hadn't officially adopted the other, he couldn't help the fatherly role that he had taken up in Foamkit's life. Reaching out a forelimb, Rhinestone wrapped it loosely around the small soul, pulling him close. He spoke softly, lowering his voice from the jovial tone he had taken while teasing his brother, "Hello there, Foamkit... I missed you very much while we were at the boardwalk. But I was also happy. You know why? Cause I knew that you were here, protecting camp and making sure everything was alright." He smiled comfortingly down at Foam, trying to express the fact that he had no intentions of leaving again. At least, not anytime soon.

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan