Through the Never [Murkystrike]

The sun had just set for the evening, and Mistyfalcon spotted Murkystrike across the clearing from him, assigning patrols and fulfilling her role as Shadowclan's deputy. She'd settled into it well, he thought, taking on the new responsibilities and demands with an admirable ease he couldn't have dreamed of. Much as it may have been selfish, he almost wished that Flintstar had chosen someone else for the role, if only so they could spend more time together. It seemed like every time they were on patrol recently, something would come up. A kit sent to them, a rogue, predators... Mistyfalcon would be glad of just one day free of nonsense.

He'd asked if she would go hunting with him tonight, a chance for the two of them to spend some time together that wouldn't be overshadowed by teasing clanmates or interrupted by more important matters. She'd agreed, and once she'd settled the rest of the patrols for the day, the pair had set off from camp, blessedly unfollowed. Blessedly quiet. Mistyfalcon found himself relaxing at that, allowing his pelt to brush hers as they walked. For the moment, he was content with the silence that enveloped them.

The last of the warriors had received their orders for the day, and Murkystrike sighed as the patrols she had assigned went their separate ways. She had learned a lot about her clanmates, but she felt there was still plenty for her to learn about all of them. Her shoulders sagged a little as she stood there unmoving for a moment. There he was. Mistyfalcon was waiting for him, and she swiftly joined him as they made their way out of camp and into the territory. She had been pleasantly surprised when he had approached her about hunting together. She hadn't hesitated to agree, and as they walked into the marsh together she couldn't help the rumbling purr that escaped her throat whenever their pelts brushed. He had invited her to hunt, but... She couldn't help but wish that the moment wouldn't end. Since she had been named deputy, they had less time together. She looked over to her mate and smiled at him. "We... We should do this more often. I'm sorry, things have been so busy, and I haven't made a lot of time for you. I'll try to be better about that." She mewed softly, pressing her head under his chin briefly.

"I know being deputy has to be stressful. You're doing a fantastic job." And Shadowclan was better off for it, Mistyfalcon knew. He'd noticed the way her shoulders had seemed to sag after Murkystrike had dealt with the last of the warriors before joining him, and Mistyfalcon hoped it was just tiredness that came with adjusting to the position and nothing more.

"You don't need to apologize," A purr rumbled in his chest as his tongue rasped across her ears. In the moment, any thoughts Mistyfalcon had of hunting were forgotten. Right now it was just the two of them, and Mistyfalcon found himself reluctant to move away.

Looking up at the tom, Murkystrike smiled a little, warmth filling her chest at his praise. "Thank you... That means a lot to hear." She admitted, twining her tail with his. Mistyfalcon purred as his tongue ran across her ears, and her own purr rumbled to join his. His acceptance of her, regardless of everything, meant so much to her. The tiredness she had been feeling had dissipated in the short time they had together so far, and as she raised her gaze to meet his once again her eyes sparkled with love and happiness. "Thanks for always being by my side, Mistyfalcon. I know this has been an adjustment for us both, and I'm so grateful for your support." She mewed softly, licking his cheek before tucking her head back under his chin.

He didn't pull away as Murkystrike wound her tail with his, a contented sigh escaping him at the familiar touch. The way Murkystrike looked at him made his fur warm.

"We'll get used to it. I'm not going anywhere." Mistyfalcon reassured her. They'd get used to this new routine, he was sure. She was busier, but they'd do what they always did and adjust to it. "Things will calm down eventually." He hoped, at least. Things had been going well for Shadowclan recently, and with luck that would hold. Mistyfalcon had found himself thinking of the future more often since their talk after Murkystrike had found Ravenpaw, and after they had found Hopekit in the marshes. When Murkystrike had first sprung the question on him he hadn't known what to say at all, and he'd needed time to think. Now, though... Well, Mistyfalcon still didn't know what to say. That at least, was a constant.

Still, he had thought about it, and the thought wasn't unappealing.

Murkystrike had different responsibilities than those of just a warrior now, but that hadn't stopped others from having families before. Flintstar had done it, Ravenmist and Ebonysong had done it too.

"If... When things have settled," Mistyfalcon began, "I've been thinking about that conversation we had after you found Ravenpaw..." He offered softly, voice trailing off as, like usual, he was at a loss of how to continue.

Mistyfalcon didn't pull away, in fact he reassured her further, saying that they would adjust and things would relax again soon. Murkystrike visibly relaxed even more, her mate's words bringing her relief and comfort. Even through her worries, she could already tell that she felt more comfortable with her duties, and was settling into somewhat of a routine. With time, it would get even easier, she was sure. And from the sound of it, so did Mistyfalcon. Silence fell between the two, and when she glanced up to his face she noticed an odd expression on it. Almost as though he was considering something. She stayed quiet, waiting for him to voice whatever was on his mind when he was ready.

When it finally came, though, she was caught by surprise. She blinked, head still tucked under his chin, pressing against his chest. Her breath caught in her throat, and her tail flicked from side to side. She hadn't forgotten the conversation, nor Mistyfalcon's reaction to it. She hadn't expected a response yet, but then again, she supposed she hadn't gotten one... yet. Pulling her head away, she gazed into his eyes intently, searching for the words he seemed to be struggling to find. In the time since the conversation, they had adopted another kit, Hopekit, Ichtaca's daughter. She had been named ShadowClan's deputy... Batglow had been confronted by his sister... So many things had happened. "When things have settled....?" She mewed softly, encouraging him to continue. Regardless of the response, she would support what he wanted. She longed to have a family with him, but if he didn't want it, she would survive. Maybe a little disappointed, but it would be alright.

Murkystrike's eyes flicked up to his, searching. Mistyfalcon knew that she'd wanted to start a family for some time now. Watching her with Ravenpaw and Hopekit, it would have been plain as day even if she hadn't asked him about kits before. She prodded for him to continue, and Mistyfalcon's expression warmed. She was always the patient one and it was something he admired about her. His mate had deserved an answer when she'd first asked him about kits.

"I know you asked about starting a family before and well... You caught me off guard." Understatement really, but Mistyfalcon could look back on it and smile now rather than feel as if his pelt had been set afire. "Still I've been... thinking about that lately. I know things are busy now, but when they settle down, if you still want kits..." Stars but he hated talking. So much. For Murkystrike however, he tried.

The silence stretched on for a bit longer, and Murkystrike relaxed when Mistyfalcon finally spoke again. What he said caught her by surprise. She blinked, her expression almost like she was looking through him. After a few heartbeats, her eyes refocused on the tom and she stared at him silently before a big grin spread across her face. His words settled over her like a cloud of fog, and her eyes took on a sparkle as realization set in. "Do you really mean it? Of course you do, you don't just say things for the sake of saying something. Oh stars, Misty...." Her voice trailed off as tears formed in her eyes, a lump in her throat choking any further discussion temporarily. Scooching in closer, she tucked her head back under his chin and purred as she tried to compose herself. "Thank you. When things get less busy.... We'll add to our family. I love you."

For a few moments Murkystrike was silent, and a tiny voice in the back of Mistyfalcon's mind said that it had been the wrong time to bring it up. Her eyes lifted to his, a glimmer of... excitement? Hope? He wasn't sure.

...Did he really mean it? She couldn't possibly think he would say that just to hear himself speak. He merely raised an eyebrow at her, but Murkystrike seemed to get over the surprise quickly enough. Mistyfalcon watched the smile light up Murkystrike's expression, and couldn't help a small smile of his own in return as a purr rumbled in his chest. He shifted slightly, cheek leaning against the top of her head as the fluffy tortoiseshell pressed against him.

"Alright." He was relieved that Murkystrike had still been onboard with the idea, though in hindsight he wasn't sure why he had worried she wouldn't be.