Ratty thanked Badger again as Mole shook his paw gratefully, they really were so lucky to run into Badger yesterday. A weasel had tried to follow and was stupid enough to knock on Badgers door. But seeing the look on the huge badgers face he hurriedly scurried away. The next morning, Ratty gave Badger a friendly smile and took mole by the hand to guide him through the underground short cuts Badger suggested. That way they didn't run into the weasels again and get hurt..and he could go back to sleep. Ratty was looking forward to going home he didn't really like the underground made him feel very claustrophobic. Though mole seemed very comfortable underground…I mean of course he was he was a mole after all.

Ratty walked at a fast pace with Mole tagging along obediently. Both had enough adventure to last until spring came. Mole didn't let go of Rattys hand, the nasty weasels had scared him and he needed the comfort. He had expected him to give him a lecture over sneaking of to the wild woods on his own. How Toad wasn't worth it and he was been such an idiot..stupid. But he didn't, no lecture came and no telling off. Ratty just let Mole hold his hand and smiled comfortingly at him as he noticed the look mole had towards him.

Everything was calm and silent until Ratty heard mole sniffing every now and again. His ears perked up a bit in surprise then felt sadness thinking he was crying. He turned to talk to him when he realised he was sniffing the air and looking for something.

"Are you alright?"

Mole was fully concentrated on sniffing around and didn't answer, he started walking forward while sniffing with a new round of energy. He looked like he was following his instincts like Ratty with his precious river. So Ratty, knowing how his best friend felt followed him quietly letting him concentrate and guide him to where he wanted to go. He would want the same respect if he was with his river.

Mole stopped as he saw a rubble of dirt and rocks and grass, it was a huge mess. Ratty felt the grief all at once coming from the poor mole. Is eyes brimming with tears and his cheeks turning red in obvious attempt not to cry. Mole slowly looked around and looked down as he stepped on a glass photo accidentally. It was a photo, picking it up he looked at it for what seemed like forever. Ratty went over and put a comforting arm over his shoulders. Looking at the photo he saw a family portrait with mole smiling at the front. Putting two and two together Ratty realised what this was, he closed his eyes praying he was wrong about his discovery.

Suddenly all hell broke lose Mole started screaming loudly and brokenly. Growling in anger at himself tears running down his face. He started trying to dig up the dirt on the floor and scrap up his belongings under everything seeing if he could find anything under it any possessions. The heartbreak was hard to watch and Ratty acted quickly before he hurt himself. Grabbing him and holding him in a bear hug.

"It's alright. Hey hey..it's okay" Ratty stroked moles head absentmindedly and sat down on the floor with him. Neither animal noticing that mole was on his lap like a child gripping on to the rats shirt. It was breaking the rats heart seeing his friend this way he hated seeing his friends in pain, especially mole he had a bit of a soft spot for him. It was his home…Ratty just couldn't imagine losing his home.. god forbid his precious beautiful boat.

"My dear fellow…" Ratty muttered more to himself than the mole. Ratty stroked his cheek and sang to him softly noticing how mole snuggled into him and blushed slightly. Neither animal knew how much time had passed when mole had finally stopped crying. Ratty just heard a soft sigh coming from the mole. Seeing he had stopped and seemed a little flustered they finally noticed the position they were in. Both blushed heavily and mole slowly stood up apologising while looking at the floor. His hands nervously fiddling with each other in embarrassment. Rat smiled at him sadly and ruffled his hair.

The water rat looked at the tired looking animal feeling sympathy, what had happened? Why was his home destroyed? But he knew that these were questions for another day right now he knew Mole would want to look for items that survived.

"Moley, if you want to look for items it's fine, I'll help you. Though I feel like we may need more help with it. I can help better with a shovel.."

Mole nodded slowly "I know we can't do this now. I'd um..I want to leave...please..." Rat felt himself about to cry seeing the pain the mole was in, he quickly led his friend out of the sad sight holding his hand. They both were quiet as they walked back to Rattys house but Ratty kept hold of the moles hand letting him know he was there for him if he wanted to talk.

The mole sighed a few times to himself in Rattys comfy armchair once they had finally got back home. Ratty had put on the kettle and found his warmest blanket to cover up the mole he made toast but his friend had fallen asleep very quickly. This should be fine as now he can likely think of a plan to fix moles home and find out what had happened.

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Ratty paced in front of Badger, Toad, Otter and Portly, right now Mole was sleeping in the garden next to the boat tired after helping Ratty paint it. He had invited his friends over and began explaining what happened the day before leaving out the embarrassment from mole and the hug. Everyone was shocked over what happened to their newest friend and they all wanted to do something over it. Even the kids of the riverbank wanted to help so Ratty and Badger got planning.

Badger had privately talked to Ratty over keeping their mole friend company so he wasn't all alone. Both had decided it was best if didn't help them with his home, not just to surprise him but so he didn't get upset at the state his house was in. Ratty had decided to tell the Badger what happened so he understood why he wanted to do this so quickly. Badger had understood and looked distressed at the reaction the Mole gave telling Ratty to watch over him and he would take care of everything else and tell him if they needed any help.

The kids of the riverbank where in charge of digging all the extra dirt off the floor and take it somewhere out of the way. Watched by Toad who had insisted on helping though no one wanted him to break anything or getting in the way making things harder, the kids cleverly let him think he was in charge.

Badger drew the maps and organised everything, otter bought new aprons, clock, bed etc for the house when they had cleaned it up. Rabbits and squirrel friends help dig to make the house even bigger for mole and Ratty kept him company taking him on boat rides, picnics and even taught him to swim better and have a turn to row his boat. It really cheered up Mole who forgot all his problems again for a while just enjoying his time with his best friend.