Chapter Text
Jaykit would only ever allow two cats to touch him: his siblings, Hollykit and Lionkit. It hurt both Leafpool and Squirrelflight that their son didn’t like to be cuddled. What they wouldn’t do to be able to cuddle the tiny grumpy kit and make him cheer up. But cuddling the kit would only make him grumpier. The mothers soon realised that the best way to make Jaykit happier, was to respect his choices and stay a safe distance away from him. Only Hollykit could get Jaykit to clean his fur. Only Lionkit could guide Jaykit around. All the sisters could do was wait for Jaykit to come to them, or support him with only their words. A few times Jaykit had come to Squirrelflight and cuddled next to her after having a tough day. Squirrelflight couldn’t believe her eyes the first time it happened (it has only happened again three other times), she didn't want to disturb the upset kit, so she had curled her tail around him, offering silent support, and went to sleep beside him. The next morning Jaykit was sleeping as far away from Squirrelflight in the nest and she knew that he didn't want her comfort anymore.
It was hard to remember that Jaypaw didn't like things the other apprentices liked, so the warriors around him often forgot. They got a clawed side if they kept forgetting. It was sometimes difficult for Brightheart to remember that Jaypaw hated being guided and would only accept her touch when they were practising fighting against each other. Jaypaw would only accept verbal correction for his hunting crouches; if Brightheart forgot and used her tail or paws to correct him, she would receive a prickly apprentice afterwards. Soon, all the warriors didn't need reminding that Jaypaw would not like to be touched.
When Jayfeather worked in the medicine cat den, he didn't like sleeping close to Leafpool, but when he was an apprentice he slept next to Poppypaw when she was at the brink of death, and even afterwards. Comforting the apprentice who was missing her siblings' constant touch. He would sometimes sleep next to Briarlight when she was feeling extra sad once he was a full medicine cat.
Jayfeather would only touch others if he was comforting them, and only accepted it from his siblings comforting him.
So it was a surprise when Leafpool woke up from the moonpool after sharing tongues with StarClan, to see her son, who hates any cat touching him, cuddling with the WindClan medicine cat.