Taking a deep breath the small feline crept closer towards the doc, having accompanied the large tom out on a hunting patrol the molly was quick to accept. It was almost as if Strikingadder could read her mind, the want to keep busy yet being around the tom brought her complete joy in life. Having met the fellow out on a border patrol hanging on a measly thread of life the molly was lucky enough to help nurse him back to help and show him the ways of clan life. Each time Paintedleaf got to hang around the other and get to know them, the more she would find herself seeking for him in the early mornings, like it would be the end of the world if she couldn't snag another patrol with them.
Just like herself Strikingadder was one to keep busy, it was almost as if he couldn't slowdown and simply smell the roses once in awhile. It was admirable but also sad sometimes. This was the norm, a thing they would do without skipping a beat every single day and if you had asked Paintedleaf in the past she would without a doubt tell you she was fine with the way things were. But as they grew older and mutuals and close friends settled down and started having families did the molly start to question her way of life. Was she really okay with working every single day? To never have kits o her own or getting with someone she felt was the 'one''.
Letting out a soft sigh the molly slowed down to a stop, "Let's see if there's anything hiding under the docks. If we can't find anything we can try some place else. I just hope we can find something soon..." She trailed off softly before catching up to the chocolate tabby. Glancing up at him she paused for a second or so. Without hesitation the molly said, "Strikingadder have you ever thought about having kits? Slowing down for a moment and just taking things in?" Staring squarely at the tom as he walked ahead once more.
Realizing what she said could have been rash she gaze a swift lick to her chest to calm any nerves she cleared her throat a bit, "I just know a lot of our friends are settling down and was just curious on what you thought about it you know?" Hopefully that was enough to cushion her question.
The dark brown tomcat liked being on the move, sitting still just wasn't for him. A part of him felt like he needed to be working, always on his paws and ready to help whenever needed. It was the least he could do for WindClan. They had saved his life, after all. He'd been a stranger intruding on their territory all those moons ago, yet the cats that found him took pity on him, and their clanmates followed suit. He owed everything to these cats and he wanted to be sure they knew just how much he appreciated their mercy. Mercy had been hard to come by back in the city.
There was one cat who he appreciated more than anyone, though. Paintedleaf. She'd been stuck to his side since the day the patrol found his crumpled body beneath that tree branch. He'd been led into a trap by some nasty acquaintances of his, attacked, and left to die after a branch was broken off the tree to finish him off. Fortunately for Strikingadder, though, his attackers weren't very bright, and left without making sure he was dead. The branch didn't fall from high enough to really hurt him, but his injuries from the fight made it so he couldn't free himself from under the heavy limb.
His memories of that day were fuzzy, but he believed Paintedleaf was the cat that found him first. He remembered hearing her voice first, anyway. She'd been a constant in his life ever since, and he was definitely grateful for her company. It was nice to have somebody that kept pace with him, always happy to tag along on patrols or help with chores he wanted to get done that day. When the she-cat made a comment on checking under the docks for prey, the large tom nodded. "Good idea. We can each take a side so if there is something under there, it won't have anywhere to go. If there's nothing at the docks, maybe we should look around for nuts or seeds. We might be able to lure something out of a burrow," he mused, opening his mouth to scent the air as he carried on walking. As the weather grew colder, it was getting harder to find prey, a the little critters were all either sleeping or keeping warm in their dens. He just hoped they'd be able to bring something back for the clan today.
The large tabby was suddenly stopped in his tracks, though, when he finally processed Paintedleaf's peculiar question. He blinked down at her dumbfoundedly for a moment, before clearing his throat. "Kits, huh?" He began slowly, tail flicking. 'What brought this on all of a sudden? Did we...? No, of course not, I would remember it. We've been too busy for that anyway.' It was clear that the wheels in the tom's head were turning, as his brow furrowed slightly due to the thoughts swirling in his head. 'Would I even be a good father? I'm so busy all the time...' He knew Paintedleaf was waiting for an answer, so he finally opened his mouth to speak. "I'm.... not opposed to the idea. I've honestly never really had to think about it before..." He trailed off, suddenly seeming a bit shy. "Why do you ask?"