Unravelling [C]

Kestrelchirp's life had stagnated. Sleepyhollow has disappeared, following in his littermate's footsteps. It had hit Coyotegrin very hard, as the two of them were close. Kestrelchirp loved his sister, of course, but he was more saddened over the loss for his mother. Nectarflower had been injured by a dog, and he wasn't sure if he remembered him visiting after the incident. But he had pulled away, because the pain of hiding his feelings were becoming too much to bare. It seemed as if she had more than enough cats around her that perhaps, his unrequited crush would come off in a way he didn't want it to. Ultimately, above all, Kestrelchirp had always wanted to be her friend. He wouldn't stop doing it just because she had rejected him, but the she-cat had gone through too much to put the weight of his feelings onto her.

The air was thick with growing humidity that Kestrelchirp did not miss as he entered the camp, shooting warm greetings to any cat in his path. After what the clan has went through, he was still attempting to be a shining light. His auburn eyes shifted as he spotted Nectarflower outside of the medicine den, his paws following along as he padded over. She looked so sad. A twinge in his chest forced him to swallow hard, the familiar nerves threatening to steal his voice. Slowing his pace, the warrior neared the injured cat.

"I can help you move somewhere more comfort, if you'd like. " he said with his honey-laced voice, a friendly and charming smile accompanying it. He flicked his tail to a quiet, shady spot. "I can also gather up some moss so the ground is more comfortable." He'd run the entire territory if it meant collecting her a few precious moments of peace. Inching forward, Kestrelchirp nudged her shoulder lightly but playfully with his nose. "I know you've been through a lot, so please don't feel like you need to turn my offer down. It's the least I can do." Pulling back, the tom studied her for any negative reaction.

The handsome warrior studied her as thoughts seemed to race through her, before she spoke, accepting his offer. He moved to help support her against his body, his pelt flush with heat at her offer for him to sit with her, followed by her joke of injury. Carefully, he helped Nectarflower along until his chosen, cozy spot was reached. He settled her down, then sat a hair length away from the molly before speaking.

"I- I don't like seeing you injured, so perhaps you should avoid it." He mused quietly before silence fell upon the pair. Clearing his throat, the tom broke the silence. "I- I have something to confess, Nectarflower." He said in his honey-smooth voice, refusing to make eye contact and studying a blade of grass in front of him. "I have loved you for many moons, since we used to play in the flower fields. The flowers, they were also so beautiful, but their beauty compares nothing to you. I never wanted to impose myself upon you, I know you have faced many loss. But each day, the sun rises and it sets and nothing the sun provides in its glow compares to the dazzling glow of your soul." He swallowed, his heart tumbling through his throat like a trapped mice. "Seeing you in pain is so difficult, when all I want to do is wrap myself around you and let you sleep peacefully. If I was there, when the dog attacked you, I would gladly have thrown myself into his maw for you." The tomntrailed off, shuffling his paws before daring a glance at Nectarflower.

"I- I'm sorry if that's too forward." He whispered, throat tight.

Kestrelchirp's pelt burned. She had known all this time that he liked her? The embarrassment was tangible on his face, but he let her finish. Quickly, the excitement and relief and love washed away the sludge of the previous emotion, causing his pelt to burn hotter for a different reason. He was truly shocked by her words, left voiceless with no idea what to say. "I - that's why I never said anything." He quickly assured, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. "I promise you'll never be left alone again." he murmured softly into her ear.