reliving memories [c]

((Set just after Dawn returns))

It had been a long journey home. Dawnfeather’s tough pads were aching, and hunger gnawed at her gut- but now that she was home, really home, she could rest, content in the knowledge that Foxpaw was okay, and Wolfblossom, and everyone else she’d come to know. Laying her head down on the grass, an ever-so-slightly-familiar scent hit her nose, one that reminded her of the hollow in the old oak, and happy times spent talking, and so much more.

The golden she-cat raised her head, looking around, the tiniest spark of hope present in her eyes.

Beetlepaw was returning from hunting, something that he found himself spending most of his time doing since returning to the Clan. The squirrel in his jaws made it hard to make out any other scents, but as he entered the temporary camp he could've sworn he smelled a very familiar scent. Golden eyes scanned the camp, not daring to hope he was actually correct. Surely it was just the jumble of smells that was SkyClan and the fresh-kill mingling together.

His golden eyes met a pair of blue eyes, and his heart stopped for a beat and he could hear the blood rushing in his ears. And then the large black tom was bounding over to the golden she-cat's side, a loud purr reverberating in his chest.

"Dawnfeather! You're alright!" Without even thinking about what he was doing, he buried his face in her fur, finally truly feeling like he was home.

It was him.

The exhaustion that weighed down her limbs vanished in a fraction of a moment, swept away by a tide of joy. Her heart pounded in her ears. The feeling of his fur against hers- the tears that clouded her vision- Dawnfeather curled around him, voice lost in an overwhelming wave of blurred emotion. Her heart felt light, truly light, for the first time in ages- he was here. He was here. He wasn’t just a trick of the mind- he was here.

“I missed you so much,” she purred, her voice trembling. “So much. I’m so glad you’re back- so glad- oh, thank the stars,” she murmured, squeezing her eyes shut, tears dripping onto his pelt.

The warmth of her body was the true feeling of coming home that Beetlepaw had been missing since his return. For the first time in moons he felt truly grounded, yet somehow lighter like the weight of missing her had been a real physical burden.

Feeling her tears, he curled himself closer around her, nuzzling and licking her cheek. He felt tears threaten in his own eyes, and blinked them away, not wanting them to cloud his vision, unwilling to let anything block the sight of Dawnfeather.

"I missed you so much, too. I'm here. You're here. We're okay." His words jumbled over each other as he tried to reassure both her and himself. "I'm never leaving you again, okay? I swear to StarClan. I'm so sorry."

“‘S alright,” she mumbled, drowning in the feeling of his long, thick fur against hers. Stars. How long had it been since she had been the one to receive comfort, instead of giving it, like she had to Foxpaw? Beechaunt, she supposed- but now, curled around Beetle, her heart throbbing, she felt truly safe- and inspired that feeling in him as well. “I’ve gotten lost before too. Just glad you’re home. You’re home. I- we’re both home.” It was hard to think through the exaltation, and through the previous exhaustion of running all day for days on end, but- she didn’t need to. She was here, with him, and even as Dawnfeather started to drift off, wonderfully comfortable in his long pelt, she was not worried. She let her eyes flutter closed- and a sweet sense of safety she hadn’t felt since she’d lost Prima filled her heart. All was well.

Beetlepaw could feel her tiredness as she relaxed into him. He was glad he could offer her some comfort, the tension he had felt in her told him more than she ever could of how much stress she had endured. Home. They were both home, together. It was every dream of his come true, and the displaced feeling he had continued to struggle with since returning to SkyClan melted away.

Knowing she was about to fall fully asleep, Beetlepaw had to get a few words in first. He had to tell her. It had been seasons that he had kept his feelings close to himself, and now...Just in case something awful happened...No, that wasn't the only reason. He just needed to tell her.

"I love you, Dawnfeather," he licked the top of her head, settling his chin over her to get comfortable enough that he, too, could sleep, "Sweet dreams."