So yesterday I was sitting in my chair by the window overlooking the yard and noticed HB and WC full on wrestling or fighting, down by the pond. It isn't uncommon for them to get into a mostly playful tussle for a couple seconds, but this was going on longer than usual. There was no cat fight sounds, and both had their ears forward, so I guessed it was probably not a fight. Then HB knocked WC into the pond! WC climbed out and HB came back at him, chasing him 20 feet, tackling him again, and they wrestled for a few more seconds before WC broke away running to the house with HB in hot pursuit. Both had puffy tails that arched the way kittens do, and their ears forward.
I was amazed as for the past year or more, it has always been WC who chases HB, never ever the other way around. And HB usually gets scared of WC about 2 seconds into a game, and runs away. WC has REALLY been making a big effort at restraint, backing off right away if his attempt to play is not reciprocated, and even seems to intentionally come to me to help him channel his intense need to play.
Anyways... I waited to hear them charge up the stairs and burst in through the cat flap, as always happens when HB is the pursed ( I imagine he is thinking "Help! Help! Crazy WC is after me!!!) But it was silent, so I went out, and there they both were sitting a couple feet apart on the steps with tails still a bit puffy. WC was soaking wet , grooming himself,and looked a bit humiliated and not sure what had just happened. But I am so happy to see HB regain his confidence to the point he seems to be engaging with WC in games! I don't know what has changed, but have been noticing gradual improvements between them. Longer days and better weather, so they are out more, and I have been braving the dwindling number of house spiders, and sleeping with them both without a protective net. (WC hunts spiders and is causing a small scale extinction event in my house) They always position themselves at opposite ends of my bed. WC likes to get under the covers next to my tummy. I was thinking of the suggestion Witchy was given, to wipe cats down with a cloth smelling of us, to help build trust, and maybe that close extended contact with WC is having the same effect?