All Of Me[C]

Ever since he had been promoted to being deputy, he had been a lot more patrols with Fennelbreeze. Not that he was abusing his power; WindClan had so little available warriors that every other day he would have ended up on some kind of duty with the beautiful she-cat anyway. Still, Sootstorm couldn't deny that he enjoyed spending time with his dear friend. Everytime they had a conversation, he felt at peace, as if he no longer needed to put on a strong front for her. As if he knew that she'd understand if he was scared of the future.

Now, as they padded through the unfamilair lands, Fennelbreeze's lovely voice filling the air around them and sending his heart hammering in his chest, Sootstorm was overcome with a sudden urge to nuzzle his friend's curled ears. He made to lean forward, but stopped himself in time, and instead gave his companion a small smile. She wouldn't mind, would she? He moved closer, until their tails could curl together. His heart was throwing a fit, and he felt his paws heat up. What is this feeling? He had felt in once, but not for such a long time that he had also forgotten it. What was its name again?

Fennelbreeze's purr, no matter how familiar it was to him, always sent his heart into a flurry. He matched it, a low rumble rising from his chest as he nuzzled the she-cat. Sootstorm didn't knew when it was that he started getting so affectionate with his friend, but he was glad for the precious moments of joy she gave him amongst all the stress. If only this could last forever, just the two of them tucked in each other's embrace, their purrs filling the silence between them... the tom was broken out of his daydream by the melodious voice of his companion. He had not even looked at the flower fields, too busy starring at his friend's face, but for the interest of Fennelbreeze he spared the fields a glance. "You're prettier," Sootstorm decided, then froze when he realized he had said it out loud. What did he just say?

Sootstorm watched as shock registered over Fennelbreeze's face, and waited for the inevitable backing away and awkward laughter that would fill the once-warm air between them. It never came. Instead, he watched joy seep into his friend, eyes wide with excitement and mout open to say something. He could only stand still, starring at Fennelbreeze blankly as she began talking. She liked him? Oh, that's okay, he was fond of her too. But something told him Fennelbreeze didn't mean it in the "friends" way. But why? How? His heart was pounding again, spreading warmth to every corner of his body despite the chill in the air. This feeling again? Sootstorm opened his mouth to ask his friend just what she was getting at, when it hit him.

Oh. Oh.

He immediately flushed, and hurried to deny it, but the words didn't make it out of his mouth. He recalled the previous few moons, no, previous few seasons, and with each memory of Fennelbreeze that resurfaced he grew more and more doubtful. He didn't love Fennelbreeze, did he? Sootstorm glanced at the she-cat, saw her beautiful iridescent eyes that looked up at him so fondly, and felt his heart pounding in his chest. He bit back a laugh when he realized that his heart had given him his answer a long time ago.

Sootstorm curled his tail around Fennelbreeze's and replied, "Well, I think I like you too." His body was flushed with warmth as he waited eagerly for the she-cat's response.

Sootstorm couldn't help but purr as well when Fennelbreeze began excitedly nuzzling him. Stars, how long had she been in love with him? And why did he take so long to realize how precious Fennelbreeze was to him? He nuzzled the she-cat's cheek, laughing softly when his mate-- Stars, she was his mate now!-- stumbled over her words in her excitement. They had known each other for so long, and always been there, leaning on the other when times got tough, when tragedy struck time and time again. Fennelbreeze was there when Ferntwist died, she was there when he griefed, she was there to take care of his kits when he couldn't... she was a blessing, a gift from the Stars, just waiting for him to realize it. How many times had he cursed StarClan for their cruelty, when their kindness was always with him? "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you," He purred softly, tail curling with her's.