Emotional Exhaustion

An orange pelted tom paced around the quiet and still den, his breathe uneven. Only a little bit more time until Graystripe came back from his border patrol. His heartbeat slowed a bit, a small smile was on his face. Soon he could be filled with the warmth he had waited for all day.

The feeling of a soft gray pelt pressed against his own fiery pelt. It would be a relief from the day. Fireheart felt Sandstorm shuffle next to him, his heart jumped a bit. He definitely hoped she wouldn't be awake by the time Graystripe arrived to the Warrior's den.

Fireheart heard barely audible paws hit against the ground. His ears perked as he peeked outside the den. He saw a couple Apprentices pass by, though still no Graystripe. His ears lowered as he hung his head a little lower. He felt something brush against his shoulder. He looked up to see who he had been waiting for.

"Graystripe!" The fiery tom meowed happily.

"Never thought I was coming back, did you?" The gray tom snickered. Fireheart laughed.

"Well, I was quite impatiently waiting for you." Fireheart looked away, a bit embarrassed. Graystripe smiled and rubbed up against Fireheart affectionately.

"Thanks for waiting." He touched his nose to the other tom's. Fireheart's face heated up.

"L-let's just lay down now." Graystripe nodded his head and moved over next to Fireheart. Fireheart laid down first, with Graystripe laying next to him. The two pressed their sides to each other. Graystripe rubbed his head against the latter tom's head. Fireheart shuffled comfortably, laying his chin on his paws. The gray pelted tom laid his head across Fireheart's back, cuddling up to him.

Fireheart felt contentment wash over him. He turned his head and licked Graystripe between the ears. Graystripe purred and wrapped his tail with Fireheart's. They both sighed lightly.

Night in the Warrior's den felt like Starclan on Earth to the pair. But then Fireheart's pulse sped up.

"Graystripe... Graystripe? You up?" Fireheart started nervously. He was given a groan and a quiet 'Yeah.' Fireheart proceeded with his words cautiously.

"Graystripe... Are we official? Like are we..." His mind became jumbled and he forgot the word for a mere second, "Mates?" Fireheart barely choked it out. Graystripe must have fallen asleep in the middle of the orange tom's words, cause no response was heard. Fireheart's eyes, as well as his heart drooped. He didn't get an answer, and he just felt like he needed one. He closed his eyes, letting sleep make him forget about the burden. For now.