Talltail's POV
It was the morning after he had learned the truth behind his father's death, the sun lighting the cave up bit by bit until it assaulted his closed eyelids and roused him from his sleeping state. Talltail opened his eyes bit by bit and allowed them to adjust to the sun's rays. Stretching out his legs he rolled over gasping as he realized Jake lay curled right against him, the orange tom's head now pressed against Talltail's nose. If cats could blush then surely Talltail would be as red as a robin's breast, and he moved away rattled by the fact that he had enjoyed breathing in Jake's scent while he was in shock. "Talltail?" Jake meowed, his voice hoarse from sleep his beautiful green eyes peering up at him with curiosity. Realizing that Jake had not intentionally rolled into the curve of his body, Talltail couldn't shove down the sharp pang of disappointment he felt rise up in his chest. "Good morning Jake. We should probably go, we won't be welcomed here much longer" he said giving his friend a pointed look. Jake nodded and rolled onto his paws, slowly pushing himself up with a small groan of regret. "So…you're going home now right?" Jake asked frowning slightly as his eyes met Talltail's. For a second Talltail thought he could see a glimmer of sadness in Jake's eyes, a sight that made him want to rub his head underneath the strong chin of the flame orange kittypet to comfort him. Instead he glanced out of the cave allowing the yearning he felt for the heather and marshes to slip into his eyes As he turned back to give Jake a silent nod, afraid that his voice would not be as strong as he wanted it to be.

Jake's POV
Jake padded over and flicked his tail along Talltail's flank "Lets go then.." He murmured and without looking at his friend walked into the fresh air, the sun's warming ray's caressing his pelt in a way that no Two-leg ever could. He would be happy to see his Two-leg, but he couldn't help but feel sad at the thought of leaving the wild, and most of all Talltail. Forcing a smile onto his face he turned and looked at the handsome black and white tomcat that had quickly become his friend, and unfortunately the source of his desire. Jake had longed for Talltail's touch the first time that he saw him, but had kept the feelings locked inside of him in fear of losing the warrior's friendship or even worse, a slice from the sharpened claws of the tom. Clearing his throat he smiled wider "C'mon then, maybe we can hunt one more time before you go home" he said and turned away as his eyes moistened. Damn it Jake, keep it together. Talltail is probably into she-cats, and the great above only knows he must have plenty of them.. Jake scolded himself and began to walk off, following the scent of the trail they had left when they arrived here to kill the rouge that Talltail thought murdered his father. Soon he could hear the pawsteps of Talltail following him, running to catch up to him. "jake what's wrong? You seem off today, are you sick?" the concern in Talltail's voice almost made Jake tremble. "No im alright, I guess im just tired." He said shrugging and casting a sheepish glance at the larger male.

Talltail's POV

Talltail knew something was wrong with Jake, even though the tom said he was just tired. He could see it in the defeated slump of his shoulders, and in the fakeness of his smile. "Stop lying to me Jake. You can tell me anything. I thought you trusted me" the words were a low blow, but he needed to know what was wrong with the usually sunny and optimistic Tom cat he had befriended. He watched as Jake sighed and sat down, hunching his shoulders. "Okay. I'll tell you but please don't be weirded out or anything.." he said in a plaintive mew, sounding like a frightened kitten. Talltail tilted his head to the side, fear prickling his pelt. "You're scaring me Jake..." he whispered but nodded for Jake to continue. He watched as green eyes turned to look at him, filled with fear and anxiety and…what was that? It looked like his whiskers were twitching with affection. Talltail allowed the hope to rise in his chest, not bothering to shove down the feelings he had kept hidden for so long. Could Jake possibly love him?