Bloomthistle was resting on the SunStones, his paws tucked underneath himself. The day was warm and the sunlight wrapped around his pelt. And the tiny breeze made sure he didn't get too hot. It was a good day in Bloomthistle's opinion.
He rolled over and closed his eyes. The ginger tortoiseshell enjoyed the peace as well. Being alone. Just how I like it.
"Hey, fatass. Wake up."
Bloomthistle frowned. Spoke too soon. He thought, recognizing the voice. He turned over to his side, putting his back to the other cat. The tom prodded Bloomthistle, "Get up!"
Bloomthistle lifted his head and turned around to see a pale brown tom with a splash of white on their muzzle and had darker stripes around their paws and tail, "What? I'm trying to rest."
"You need to go with me to the Moon Dance." the tom mewed.
The Moon Dance was a ritual all the Clan participated in on the first moon of every new moon. Today was the Leaf-Fall Moon dance. The Moon Dance wasn't Bloomthistle's favorite. You had two choices: Bring a date with you or sit alone. He liked to sit alone since he was never interested in relationships. He liked being alone. Friendships were fine, even playing around with some cats was ok with him. But romance wasn't his thing, "No."
"Oh, come on! Don't be a party-pooper." the pale brown tom mewed. He blinked his blue eyes, "Pleeease."
"I said no, Owlleap. I refuse your offer." Bloomthistle mewed.
Owlleap frowned, "Oh, come on! I was going to Foxsplash but she's going with Sunnystem of all cats. Then I tried asking Littlebirch but-"
"As in Littlebirch the deputy?" Bloomthistle raised his brow.
Owlleap frowned, "Yes, Littlebirch the deputy. But she doesn't want a date. So i'm asking you. The third most handsome cat in all of AlderClan."
"I'm flattered, but still no. I don't like you or anyone else like that."
"I know that, Bloom. Everyone does." Owlleap rolled his eyes.
"Then why ask me?" The plump warrior asked.
Owlleap blinked with annoyance, "Again, third most handsome tom in AlderClan. And also, I don't like you either like that. I just wanna look good. Just pretend to be my date."
Bloomthistle frowned. The tortie thought for a moment. He had been to many Moon Dances, always by himself. He didn't care and besides, the other loners were always open for conversation. But, Bloomthistle was curious what it was like to go with someone. To not dance by himself. He looked at Owleap, "Who is the first handsome tom?"
"Ivystrike, of course." Owlleap mewed. He jumped onto the SunStones, "But still, third place is always good."
Bloomthistle licked his lips and thought for a moment. After some thought, he looked up, "You know what? Fuck it. Why not? But remember, we're just pretending. Don't get feelings for me cause' i'll break your heart in two if you do."
Owlleap smiled, "Great! Now, let's get you cleaned up, fatass."
Bloomthistle frowned, "I'm not fat. Just fluffy."
Owlleap snorted, "Yeah, and I plan to take over BeechClan. Come on."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Bloomthistle stood in front of the entrance to the Shining Cave. His fur was clean and sleek and he smelled slightly of lavender. Owlleap was catching up, a daisy tucked behind his ear and flower petals tucked in his plumy tail.
Owlleap ran up beside Bloomthistle, "Damn! For a fatass you fast as fuck!"
Bloomthistle waked into the Shining Cave, "I'm not fat."
The Shining Cave was a huge hollowed out stone that had many strong tunnels throughout. At the end of the Cave was a stone where the leaders sat. The Cave was big enough to fit three whole Clans; perfect for gatherings and the Moon Dance. The Moon shined through a hole in the roof of the Shining Cave.
Bloomthistle saw that all the leaders, Magpiestar, Nectarstar, and Finstar were up on the large stone except for Poppystar who was talking with her mate, Hollowberry.
Owlleap nudged Bloomthistle, "Alright, Bloomy. Let's mingle."
Bloomthistle frowned, "Do we have to?"
"Yes." Owlleap mewed, walking up to Foxsplash and Sunnystem. Reluctantly, Bloomthistle followed.
Sunnystem waved to Owlleap, "Hey Owlleap. Come alone?"
Owlleap smiled smugly, "Nope. Foxsplash, Sunnystem, meet my date." he mewed as Bloomthistle stood beside Owlleap. He felt stupid and embarressed for doing this.
Sunnystem looked up at Bloomthistle who towered over the other cats, "No-fucking-way! Seriously?"
Owlleap pressed himself into Bloomthistle's pelt, "Yep. It was love at first sight." he said with moony eyes.
Bloomthistle frowned, thinking that Owlleap was pushing it. He sighed, "Yeah. First sight." he said enthusiastically.
Foxsplash giggled, "Never thought i'd see you with a date, Bloomthistle."
"Me either." Bloomthistle mewed.
Sunnystem laughed, "Sounds like your date would rather be anywhere else but here, Owlleap."
"No no no. he's just tired." Owlleap mewed, shooting Bloothistle a glare.
Bloomthistle decided to nod, knowing he would never hear the end of it if he didn't.
A yowl sounded from the Leader's Boulder. Bloomthistle looked to see Finstar had called the meeting and Poppystar was scrambling up the stone. Sunnystem and Foxsplash waved goodbye to Bloomthistle and Owlleap and walked over to sit somewhere else. Owlleap sat down next to Bloomthistle, who shifted a few mouse-lengths away from Owlleap. He looked up as Finstar began to speak.
"We are glad all of you have made it to the Moon Dance and many of you have come with your dates. All the leaders have discussed, and we are glad to say all the Clan are healthy and safe. As tradition, each leader shall call out who will be the first couple dance of their Clan. Magpiestar will begin." he mewed, stepping back for Magpiestar.
Magpiestar looked across the clan cats, "The first couple dance for BeechClan will be Goldenmouse and Whisperspirit."
The Clans called out their names as the two mates made their way to the middle of the cats.
Nectarstar walked forward, the young leader puffing out his chest, "This season's couple dance for LarchClan will be Riversong and Fiona!"
Their names were called out.
Finstar walked forward, "I'm glad to say the couple dance for BirchClan will be Moonpelt and Whiskerclaw."
The Clans called their names.
Bloomthisle watched as his leader walked up to the front of the Leader's Boulder. The old Black tom held his head high, "I was planning on saying that me and Hollowberry. But i've noticed something very interesting thismoon, so i've decided that the couple dance that represents AlderClan will be Owlleap and Bloomthistle!"
Bloomthistle's heart stopped as he heard his name be called. He looked around as he heard his clanmates call his and Owlleap's name. No. Don't call out names! Choose someone else!
Owlleap pushed Bloomthistle, "Come on fatass! We gotta dance to do!"
"B-but I don't know how to!" Bloomthistle mewed.
"Nonsense! You'll do fine. Come on!"
Bloomthistle hesitantly made his way to the middle of the cats. The other couples mewed greetings to Bloomthistle and Owlleap as they took their place.
The medicine cats began to sing, using stones and other things to add music to the air. Cats all around began to dance as the song carried through the Shining Cave.
The selected couples began to dance in the middle, all following the same steps. Bloomthistle had seen the dance many times before, but he never thought he'd actually be doing it!
Owlleap stretched out their paw, "May I have this dance?" he teased.
Bloomthistle scowled and took Owlleap's paw, "Let's just get this over with, oaky? I'm not very comfortable doing this.
Owlleap rolled his eyes and bowed. Bloomthisle did the same and stood on his hindlegs. Owlleap pushed himself onto his hindlegs and took Bloomthistle's other paw. The two took steps that made them go in a circle.
One, two, three. One, two three. Bloomthistle thought, looking at his paws.
"Eye contact would be more romantic, you know." Owlleap mewed with a frown.
Bloomthistle snorted, "It's not supposed to be romantic. We're pretending."
Owlleap rolled his eyes, "Just, do the nest move."
Bloomthistle frowned and took a step back, still holding one of Owlleap's paws. He pulled the pale brown tom in and twirled him around. Owlleap fell to the side and Bloomthistle caught him just like the other dancers. Owlleap pressed his nose against Bloomthistle, who frowned with displeasure. He picked Owlleap up and the two took a step back, going back to all fours. The two bowed to each other and the song ended.
The cats all yowled with joy and they all broke up and began to socialize. Bloomthistle walked away from Owlleap and walked over to the corner where most of the dateless cats sat. He flopped down and frowned.
"Don't you have a date?" a LarchClan she-cat named Ferretleaf asked.
"We're pretending. I never wanted that to happen. You know me." Bloomthistle mewed, rolling on to his back.
"Hey man. Be happy you got a date!" Comfreycoat of BirchClan mewed, "Tinypebble rejected me again for that annoying ass Boartail."
"Well, you want a date, Comfreycoat. I don't." Bloomthistle mewed.
"Bloom! Get over here!" Owl Leap called from the crowd.
"Sounds like your prince is calling you." Ferretleaf sneered.
"Don't be an asshole, Ferrie. Again, we're pretending." Bloomthistle growled, walking off.
Bloomthistle walked up to Owlleap who was talking to two AlderClan she-cats, Beetlestep and Windfeather. Owlleap smirked, "Here he is. The best dancer in all of AlderClan."
"Shut up." Bloomthistle growled, sitting besides his pretend date.
"I think you did really good." Beetlestep mewed.
"Yeah. You'll have to take me next season for the leaf-bare Moon dance." Windfeather flirted, tracing a heart in front of Bloomthistle's chest with a claw.
"Or me." Beetlestep offered, winking, "I mean, we've messed around before."
Bloomthistle frowned, feeling uncomfortable with this conversation. Owlleap stepped in front of the two she-cats, "Sorry ladies. He's my bitch." he meowed, pressing himself against Bloomthistle's chest. Bloomthistle didn't enjoy what Owlleap had called him, or the touching, but was slightly grateful for standing in.
Windfeather rolled her eyes. Beetlestep looked at Bloomthistle. The ginger tortoiseshell blinked, "Sorry, Beetlestep. We've messed around, but it wasn't for love exactly."
The black-and-grey she-cat scoffed and walked off, hitting Bloomthistle with her tail. Windfeather let out a "Humpf!" and followed her clanmate.
As the she-cats left Bloomthistle put his paw over his muzzle and shook his head, "She-cats."
"Shows them right for trying to take my date!" Owlleap said with a snort.
"Pretend date." Bloomthistle corrected.
Owlleap flicked his tail, "Whatever." he looked at Bloomthistle, "Did you and Beetlestep really…. You know…:
Bloomthistle nodded, "Yeah. I was bored."
Owlleap blinked, "Wow. I thought you were virgin."
"Hush. That doesn't mean you're getting any fun from me." Bloomthistle mewed, pushing Owlleap's face away.
Owlleap pushed Bloomthistle's large fluffy paw away, "I wasn't asking."
Bloomthistle snorted, "Good."
For the rest of the Moon Dance, Owlleap dragged Bloomthistle around to talk with cats. Though he didn't admit it, Bloomthistle didn't mind all too much. It was kinda fun, but he was always uncomfortable when Owlleap referred to him as his lover or mate and such. Bloomthistle just couldn't see himself in a relationship ever. It wasn't something he was comfortable with. As the Moon Dance came to an end, Poppytar led AlderClan away from the Shining Cave and back to their camp in the forest. Owlleap insisted that he walked with Bloomthistle.
The cats approached camp and walked inside, their clanmates greeting them. Bloomthistle spotted his expecting mother, Flamefrost, walk up to him, the queen heavy with kits. She smiled and touched Bloomthistle's shoulder with her muzzle and faced him, 'I'm really glad you went with someone this time. I told you it was a phase" she mewed, nudging his shoulder.
Bloomthistle frowned. His mother never understood why he didn't want a mate or lover and so she insisted it was a phase and as soon as he found the right cat he'd get over it. It made him sad that his own mother couldn't come to terms with the fact he wasn't comfortable with a mate, "No mom. It's not a phase. Owlleap just begged me to come and he wouldn' leave me alone until I agreed. He actually wanted to go with Foxsplash."
"Bloom!" Owlleap snapped, embarrassed.
Flamefrost giggled, "Nonsense! You're just telling yourself that! But don't worry. You'll be fine. And I'm happy for you and Owlleap. He's a good warrior and I know he'll take good care of you. You'll have a healthy relationship for sure! I did want grandkids, but perhaps the bundles I'm carrying will provide those for me before I pass."
Bloomthistle sighed. He knew his mother would never understand and was steady on the thought that it was just a phase. He faked a small smile for his mother, "I'm sure they will, Flamefrost. You should head back to the Nursery. It's getting late."
His mother nodded and began to turn, 'Oh I suppose your right. You two get some rest too. I love you, son."
"Love you too, mother." Bloomthistle mewed, watching as Flamefrost disappeared into the Nursery.
As his mother left, Bloomthistle turned around and headed for the warriors' den, lying down in a soft nest of moss. Owlleap looked back at the Nursery and walked over, poking his head into the warriors' den. Owlleap walked up to him and crouched down in front of Bloomthistle's face, "You alright, dude?"
"Yeah, i'm fine. My mom's just… hard to convince is all." Bloomthistle mewed, frowning.
"Some cats are like that. You should hear my sisters! They think a cat can't like both a tom and a she-cat. They think i'm just confused. Fucking idiots." Owlleap mewed.
Bloomthistle raised a brow, "Aren't they both mates with she-cat?"
"Abso-fucking-lutely. That's the stupid thing about it."
Bloomthistle chuckled, "That is pretty stupid."
Owlleap blinked, "You know, we could continue to pretend to-"
"No!" Bloomthistle snapped, "The answer is no."
"Ok, ok. I was just joking, jeez. Ok, how about a different proposal?"
Bloomthistle raised a brow.
Owlleap smiled, "How about we just stay friends. Next Moon Dance, if Foxsplash rejects me as well then you can show me to all your dateless friends. Deal?"
Bloomthistle thought for a heartbeat the smirked, "Sure. Why the fuck not."
"That's the spirit!" Owlleap mewed, nudging Bloomthistle. He stood up, "Imma get a mouse. You want one fatass?"
Bloomthistle didn't even care anymore about ebing called 'fatass', "Nah. I ate before the Moon Dance, I'm good."
"Kay'" Owlleap mewed. The pale brown tom stalked out the warriors' den and headed for the prey heap.
Bloomthistle smiled. Though Owlleap was the most annoying act in the Clans, he was tolerable. And, he had to admit, he didn't mind having his friendship. Owlleap was the kind of annoying you can get along with; if that was a thing. Bloomthistle smiled, "Having friends is always good." he muttered to himself.
As Owlleap came back with a waxwing in his mouth, Bloomthistle closed his eyes, ready for sleep. Owlleap settled in his nest, "Good night, Bloom."
"Night." Bloomthisle mewed quietly, sleep taking over him.
That was soooo fun to write! I love Bloomthistle. Just so you know, Bloom and Owl are only friends, nothing more. I know Bloom is a fictional character but please, respect his real sexuality and don't ship him with anyone. I hope I wrote about Bloom correctly. I'm not aromantic myself and if u r and ur thinking "That's not how it works," i'm sorry. But, I hope you enjoyed this challenge!
Bloomthistle- Ginger tortoiseshell tom.
Owlleap- Ticked pale brown tom with splash of white on muzzle.
Foxsplash- Ginger-and-white she-cat with black muzzle.
Littlebirch- Small white she-cat with brown dapples.
Ivystrike- Tall silver tabby tom with one yellow eye and one blue eye.
Magpiestar- Black-and-whiet tom.
Nectarstar- Yellow tabby she-cat
Finstar- Pale ginger spotted tabby tom.
Poppystar- Black tom with one white paw.
Hollowberry- Dark tortoiseshell she-cat
Sunnystem- Golden-tabby tom.
Goldenmouse- pale yellow-and-whiet tom.
Whisperspirit- Silver tabby she-cat
Riversong- Dark grey-and-black spotted tabby she-cat
Fiona- Brown-and-white tabby she-cat.
Moonpelt- Grey she-cat
Whiskerclaw- Silver-point tom with white paws.
Ferretleaf- Light ginger tabby she-cat
Comfreycoat- pale grey-and-dark grey tabby tom.
Tinypebble- Grey she-cat with dark grey patches.
Boartail- brown tom.
Windfeather- Pale yellow tabby-and-white she-cat with black paws.
Beetlestep- Balck-and-pale grey she-cat
Flamefrost- Ginger-and-white she-cat.