This drabble is based in an AU where Squirrelflight left Thunderclan to join Crowfeather in Windclan.

...

Crowfeather wasn't known for being a placid tom. Any cat in the clan would attest to that. A grumpy, yet dedicated, stick in the mud, oh yes, that was Crowfeather. But peaceful? That was an idea for the kits.

But still, every cat had their moments.

The stiff upper lip of Onestar could curl into a gentle smile if he didn't realise.

The calm nuance in Ashfoot's eyes could burn into a fiery glare if she was offended enough.

And Crowfeather, for all his seemingly never-ending rhythm of thriving in work, duty and battle, even he could appreciate a warm Greenleaf day.

Crowfeather yawned as he strolled away from camp. His legs still hurt a little from the gruelling chase that hare had given him that morning, but the prey had been caught and he'd since returned, ready for his next duty. But to his surprise, and abject horror, Ashfoot had praised him for a job well done and dismissed him until he was called for again.

He'd been given, what Ashfoot called, free-time.

When was the last time that had ever happened?

"Ashfoot, if there's anything else I can do, I'll do it." He'd protested.

"I really don't think there's anything we need you for, right now, Crowfeather." Ashfoot said. She'd finished inspecting the kill-pile from the morning hunts, a satisfied purr in her throat, and turned to her son. "Your patrol already had an exceptional hunt, I can't think of anything else you can do."

"There must be something."

"Unless you want to pick the ticks off of the elder's, I don't think there is." Ashfoot smirked as Crowfeather grimaced. He was bold, but not quite enough that he'd volunteer for apprentice duties. "I suppose you could ask Nightcloud if she'd like you to give her some help with training Echopaw."

Crowfeather stiffened. "I'll pass."

Ashfoot chuckled, "I thought you would."

Nightcloud, as grateful as she could be for help, was not known for her leniency in training. Especially with Warriors that she could make an example of for her apprentice. The last time Crowfeather had helped her out with that… He still shuddered deep in his bones.

How was it possible for a cat to throw anyone that high in the air?

"Well apart from that, I think you're fine for now."

Crowfeather craned his neck, "So what do I do then?"

Ashfoot shrugged, "That's up to you. So long as you're staying in our own territory." Her lips curved into a playful grin.

Crowfeather was unimpressed, "Not funny."

"Oh, cheer up." Ashfoot wrapped her tail around her son's shoulder blades and guided him away from the centre of the camp. She extended her whiskers to the clearing of hills, shining emerald under the warm sun. "It's a beautiful day. Why don't you make the most of it?"

It was true. The day was especially bright today. The sky was a nice, clear blue that sparkled in the afternoon luminesce, no clouds hovered overhead, leaving the sun bare and beating its mellow glow over the moors. Any apprentice, and most cats, would have counted themselves lucky to be granted some time to indulge in it. But still…

"But there are so many important things I could be doing!" Crowfeather meowed. If there was one thing that incensed him, it was laziness. Frolicking about and doing nothing had no place in a thriving clan.

"Not right now, there aren't." Ashfoot batted his shoulders, "You're not quite a Deputy yet, Crowfeather. You don't have to be working every time a rabbit leaves a burrow."

Crowfeather wasn't sure how much he believed that. But one thing was true. Ashfoot was Deputy, and a great one, she knew how to manage a clan. If she said that there was nowhere he was needed for the moment, it was probably true.

"But-"

"No buts." Ashfoot said decidedly. "Windclan isn't going to burst into flames if you enjoy yourself for a little bit, Crowfeather." She patted his neck once more, before striding away to check on the apprentice's sun-high training. "You go on now." She paused. "Oh, and uh," Her head slyly tilted back, her eyes narrowed with authority. "That's an order, not a request." Off her son's unamused stare, she grinned, huffed and walked away, her long tail swaying gaily behind her.

Crowfeather knew she was joking, but there was still a nagging in his head that made him obey his Deputy. So, looking around one last fruitless time and seeing that no cat looked his way asking for help, Crowfeather sighed and padded off into the hills. The hills where he knew no patrols were scouting today.

Originally, he'd left hoping in his heart that there may be an extra rabbit or mouse he could catch for the clan. But he'd let that idea go with a grumble. Windclan only hunted when they were ordered. Unneeded prey was prey that had been killed disrespectfully, and that went against Windclan's morals.

Crowfeather groaned as the sun beat down on his back. He really was just expected to do nothing for the time being. Nothing at all.

It wasn't like there were any clear scents around him anyway. And he'd gotten far enough from the clan for the excited chatter of apprentice's or tight discussions of his clanmates to fade away. Now he was just surrounded by nothing but the flush of warmth on his fur, and the whispering breeze that crept over the moors, making his fur tingle with a regretful peace.

Crowfeather looked around, he was stood at the spur of a hill that overlooked a tangle of purple wildflowers. He thought they were lavender from how they smelled, but it was a bit too far to be sure.

But nevertheless, what he did smell, sent a serene wash over him. Auras of gentle mists, sweet and sharp, glittered inside him, mixing with the lucid sunlight that stroked each of his whiskers remarkably.

Everywhere was just gleaming. The sky, the hills, and the sun, they all glowed as if they could hold their smiles. Bright, happy smiles that were nothing but alluring, intoxicating even. Crowfeather held a breath in his throat. He hardly had time to realise just how beautiful his home was. But here he was.

It really was peaceful out here.

A soft heaviness had begun to slip into Crowfeather's eyes. He blinked slowly, sinking his body down as he stretched his tight forelegs out. An almost submissive sigh escaped him as he heard his the joints pop with relief, immediately wiping the pain of his earlier chase away. As his back arched, the glow of the sun only slid over his back with more ease. Starclan above, did it feel good.

Almost without realising it, Crowfeather had dropped onto his belly, and then his forepaws had curled over one another, prepared. Crowfeather blinked, a frown still on his muzzle. He couldn't abide laziness usually. He got his sleep when he needed it and worked the rest of the time.

But there was no work to be done.

And he had been working hard, he was no layabout.

He yawned again, and softly his head began to nudge down until his chin was resting on his forepaws. The sun was still glowing, and the breeze still stroked every strand of his fur.

A small nap would do him no harm.

After all, what good could he be if he wasn't at his very best. A little break could do him nothing but good in the future.

Letting his body curl on the warm grass, still bright under the kisses of sunlight, Crowfeather pslowly let his eyes drift closed. Gently, he felt himself go limp until the heavy air of sleep began to escape him. He let his mind accept the warm darkness as his consciousness faintly slipped into the lull of sleep.

Crowfeather slept peacefully, for six minutes.

He was awoken on the seventh by the heavy pressure of fur colliding with his back. His eyes bursting open, Crowfeather tried to jump to his feet, his heart already in his mouth as he caught onto the surprise attack. He rushed to push himself up, but something lay on his back and try as he might, he could barely budge save for a few desperate twitches.

Already planning his next move, Crowfeather hissed, he unsheathed his claws, spitting to rake his claws on the intruder's flesh.

Then he heard the laugh.

And, with a groan, the panic drained out of him, replaced by a hard frown and a rumbling irritation.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" He snapped.

The cat laying on his back snickered brightly. "Hey, it isn't my fault you had your guard down."

"I was asleep!"

"Still means you were defenceless. You can't blame me for taking the opportunity."

Crowfeather scoffed, "I'll find a way." He tried to move away again, but found he was still stuck. He struggled for emphasis, using his tail to hit his captor's legs. "Can you get off of me?"

"What are the magic words?"

"Squirrelflight!"

He could almost hear the molly smirk. "Not what I was looking for, but it's a magic word so I'll let you off."

With a quick puff, the weight relieved of off Crowfeather's back. He sat up, stretching himself and shaking his ruffled fur. At another laugh, he turned to glare at the molly beside him, who grinned smugly as she licked her one white forepaw.

Crowfeather sucked in a deep breath for strength. He got onto his belly again, his legs still stiff from his brief sleep. "Seriously, I could have scratched you!" He scolded.

Squirrelflight rose an eyebrow, her ginger chest fluffing out. "I wouldn't have given you the chance. Besides, you didn't. No harm done."

"You could have just said something."

Squirrelflight rolled her eyes. "Oh, what would be the fun in that?"

Crowfeather shook his head, his scowl softening as he did so. Squirrelflight had sat herself next to him, still grooming her paws but allowing her fluffy tail to gently slide over the back of her mate. Though he kept silent, Crowfeather had to admit, it did feel pleasant.

"How did you even find me anyway?" He asked, his voice low but level again.

Squirrelflight smiled down at him. "When I saw your patrol back at camp without you, I asked Tornear where you had gone. He said you went in this direction, so I went out to look for you." She dipped her head down and lightly groomed the tom's left ear. "Once I smelt you," She piped grinning, "It wasn't too hard to find you."

Crowfeather scoffed at the insult, but deep in his heart, there was a bright, sparkling sensation that Tornear had helped Squirrelflight so easily. He'd been one of the many cats in Windclan who'd openly protested Onestar's decision to let Squirrelflight stay when she'd first padded beside Crowfeather into camp. After it was clear that she was here to stay, Tornear had made it clear through snarls and grunts, whenever the ginger cat passed, that he didn't trust her.

He hadn't been the only one.

Crowfeather, who hissed right in the faces of his former friends, was nothing but amazed when Squirrelflight did nothing but blink, dip her head and get back to her duties when the snarls lashed at her.

It's nothing I haven't heard before. Squirrelflight had assured him once when they were curled together in their nest. At least Windclan have a reason to hate me. She'd laughed after saying that.

Crowfeather hadn't. He'd only thought of what she could have possibly heard in Thunderclan to make her so strong in the face of Windclan.

He hadn't seen Squirrelflight cry once in all the days she was met with nothing but hostility from her new clanmates. But that didn't stop him from licking her cheek every time it happened, just in case.

But eventually, as her pelt began to linger with the scent of the rabbits she'd chased and the tall grass she'd trailed, as her reluctant patrol partners gawked at how simply she snarled at the threats of those 'old clanmates' she encountered on the border with Thunderclan, as she declared day after day that Windclan was her home now and forever, even the most hardened cats of Windclan had started to look at her a new way. The twitch of consideration on their whiskers.

And when she'd jumped, without hesitation, at a Buzzard that had swept down to snatch two apprentices, who just a few hours before had joked between themselves "She definitely 'flies' between clans quicker than any Squirrel I've ever seen" right in front of her, that was when it had really begun to change.

Cats would greet her when they passed, they would build a satisfied smile when she was on their patrol, and when little Specklepaw became an apprentice and found out that Squirrelflight was to be her mentor, the excited mew that erupted made all of Windclan shine. It was later that night Crowfeather heard Squirrelflight cry, happy, breathy sounds that thankfully felt right.

The cats who didn't see her as a friend saw her as a clanmate.

And that was enough for them to know everything would be fine.

Right now, she looked well. She looked like herself – which in itself meant she was happy. Her emerald eyes were even brighter than the sun-kissed grass, and springs of sunlight cast a fiery mist over her, making her ginger fur burst all the more. She hadn't changed much from her days in Thunderclan, save for the new rhythm of run and chase that made up her hunting now. Her legs had certainly tensed with new muscle, which she'd been overjoyed to demonstrate to her mate, and underneath the extravagant tufts of her fur, Crowfeather knew when he pressed against her that she had become leaner in the past few moons.

But apart from that, nothing major had changed about her. Which suited Crowfeather just fine.

He let out a yawn, the echoes of sleep rippling in his head. "How did Specklepaw's training go today?"

"Really well!" The molly beamed. "On the dawn patrol she was practically on her belly stalking the boundaries." She let out a laugh. "Honestly, she didn't relax until we were back at camp. Then she started begging me to take her on the dusk patrol later."

"Will you?"

"I'll talk to her parents, but I don't think there's much to worry about. From what I've seen, she'll handle herself perfectly in battle. The only thing I'd say is that she needs to learn how to defend herself a little more. She really puts everything into her attack."

Crowfeather snorted, "I wonder who she got that from."

Squirrelflight scoffed batting the tom's cheek softly, "Her mentor, Crowfood. Now tell me, when are you going to become one?"

"When Onestar sees sense, I suppose." He's not so tired that he's lost his wits. As happy as he is that Squirrelflight was accepted, he couldn't help but chew at his tail that he had yet to be given an apprentice.

"Oh really? Has it not occurred to you that maybe an apprentice likes a mentor who might praise them once in a while?"

"I'm not that bad."

She guffaws at that, nose crinkling in outright exuberance. "Potentially. But you don't exactly help yourself."

Crowfeather closes one eye, mocking disinterest. "Really? Then how do I do that?"

Squirrelflight scratched her chin thoughtfully, "Have you ever heard of a smile?"

"Mouse-brain." He says, matter-of-factly, but simply as well. Squirrelflight giggled. There was an ever-growing heaviness in the eye Crowfeather still had open. "So where's Specklepaw now? Shouldn't you be training her still, oh glorious mentor?"

Squirrelflight stuck her tongue out at him. "I told you, I'll take her out on the dusk patrol later. Right now, she's helping clean the elder's bedding. She'll be doing her best to make a good impression, I know," Her tail swayed gracefully, "She really wants to go tonight."

Crowfeather's muzzle wrinkled, "She should be trying her hardest with her duties no matter what. Not just because they want a reward."

"And that's why every apprentice is afraid of you, Crowfeather." Squirrelflight said, bumping his side. "Of course she's working hard. But I don't want her to be on edge all the time. She's allowed to enjoy her apprenticeship."

"That's not how I remember it." Crowfeather said lowly, there hadn't been a day of enjoyment under Mudclaw.

"So maybe you can change that when you do finally get one." Squirrelflight purred, she nudged her nose against his cheek and Crowfeather fought the heat that burst at the contact. "It's not mouse-brained to want your apprentice to like you."

Crowfeather made a light murmuring sound, but they both knew he only did that when he didn't want to admit she was right. The last thing he'd ever want to do was leave the impression, his mentor had on him, with his own apprentice. He wanted an apprentice who respected him, and one who would listen to him, but never one who was… afraid of him.

Maybe that was why Squirrelflight had gained an apprentice first. She got on with cats so easily. But then, to Crowfeather anyway, she was impossible to hate.

Despite what his first impressions might have argued.

It was quiet for a moment after that. Crowfeather was still tired so he didn't notice the fragility of that silence until Squirrelflight spoke up once more. Her voice closer, but quieter. "On the border patrol," Squirrelflight's thin voice was what made Crowfeather turn her way. She was looking to the hills, a thoughtful glaze on her face. "Specklepaw noticed the Thunderclan patrol. Dustpelt was with them."

Something sank in Crowfeather's stomach, his head slowly pulled itself up until his eyes were just a whisker from her face. "Squirrelflight…"

"She asked me if it was okay to hiss at them." The ginger cat chuckled gently, "I told her no, obviously. They still noticed us, of course."

Crowfeather felt a sickly urge to burst to his paws. "Did they say anything to you?" He meowed, his neck already prickling.

Squirrelflight pressed a paw over his, her head shaking. "No. Most of them just walked away. Dustpelt… nodded at me though." She licked her shoulder, as if embarrassed to be ruffled over something so small.

But Crowfeather understood. "What happened?"

"That's it really. He nodded at me, I nodded back. That was it." Squirrelflight shrugged, "I was just surprised, that's all. I never thought he would…" She froze, then forced herself back into motion. "Specklepaw asked me who he was. I just told her he was an old clanmate, that's all. Was that wrong of me?"

"Of course not." Crowfeather said smoothly, "It's up to you what you tell your apprentice."

Squirrelflight murmured, obviously hoping she looked more unaffected than she was. She didn't. "I just didn't see the point of telling her. It wouldn't do any good after all. It's not like he's my mentor anymore."

That made sense to Crowfeather, but he knew from the strangled way she spoke that something was wrong. He didn't sit up, but he managed to edge himself close enough that his tail could touch her back. "You shouldn't blame yourself." He said stonily.

"I don't!" Squirrelflight meowed too desperately.

Crowfeather's tail tenderly trailed down her spine. "Good. They didn't deserve you." He still couldn't stop himself from growling when he thought back to all those nights they'd met in secret and found her struggling to keep strong after the harshness of that day. How Thunderclan could have been so stupid to treat her the way they did left Crowfeather with nothing but bitterness for those cats.

Squirrelflight was one of the greatest cats he knew. But she'd been forced to deal with toms treating her like territory to claim for themselves, patrols that dismissed her advice as an annoying Warrior who had barely grown from her apprentice days, and a father who, despite her pleads to not trust the blue-eyed tom over the river, had just commanded her to stop vexing their relationship with Riverclan.

Of course, she'd been right about the latter. But by the time Firestar realised that, Squirrelflight hadn't felt at home for moons.

That was their fault. That was why Crowfeather would not open his heart to pity whenever he saw the betrayed glare of Brambleclaw, or the heart-broken grimace of Firestar.

Crowfeather had waited for Squirrelflight to make her choice, and she'd chosen a new start. And now she had a life where she was truly respected and loved like she deserved; she'd made that life for herself.

At the thought of being deserved, Squirrelflight laughed again. "Don't hold it against them. I don't."

"That's because you're a nicer cat than I am."

"That wouldn't be too hard." Squirrelflight's eyes slid over Crowfeather and he felt that endless pleasure across his spine that sparked whenever he knew that she was here and they had made it despite everything. This kind of comfort still felt so unusual. His pleasure dimmed though when he saw Squirrelflight drift off again. "Dustpelt looked well." She said, her voice jumping a little. "I was happy to see that."

Crowfeather didn't truly get why she missed members of the clan that had driven her heart away from them, but it wasn't his job to understand. Just to know that in her heart, a part of her did. After all, she had become a fine Warrior, so that Dustpelt must have done something right.

"I'm sure he's happy you're okay as well."

Squirrelflight turned, smiling, and with a swish of her tail the soft melancholy in her eyes sparkled into something bright and firm. "I wouldn't go that far." She said, her voice much stronger than before. Her ears flicked actively. "I remember him looking more tired than he was ever happy."

Crowfeather leaned comfortably down on his forepaws again, the faintest curl of a smile on his lips. "Tired? With you as an apprentice?" He rolled his eyes before he shut them again. "Who would have thought?"

"Hey, give him some credit, he never slumped about like you." Squirrelflight exclaimed.

"Wasn't my choice. I asked Ashfoot if I could help with anything, but she ordered me to head out of camp."

Squirrelflight swallowed a wave of laughter. "Of course. Only you would need to be ordered to do nothing for once."

"Well, what are you doing?"

"Me? Oh, I'm spending my precious time with my stuffy excuse for a mate." Squirrelflight chirped, "You should be so lucky."

'Lucky' was not exactly how Crowfeather would describe it. But he wouldn't complain either. In fact, if he wasn't doing anything, and if he was going to share this golden sun and warm bed of grass, he was glad it was with her.

"Yes, I'm truly blessed." Crowfeather sayid instead, dryly. "Well, if it's all the same to you, I think I might get back to-"

He heard her jump to her feet, the 'bounce' of her tail always bursting with aggressive elation. "We shouldn't just lie around like elders! Come on, let's wrestle! Just like old times!"

Crowfeather blinked a few drowsy times, before the absurdity of her request compelled him to laugh. She frowned as his toneless laughter sank into them. "I don't think so." He said eventually, closing his eyes once more.

"Why not? Scared you'll lose?"

Crowfeather wasn't so idiotic that he'd fall for that. "I wouldn't lose." He pointed out, just to make it clear. "But I didn't come out here to play apprentice games, Squirrel."

The fur around the molly's neck prickles, "Games? What kind of cat do you take me for?"

"You really want me to answer that?"

Squirrelflight growled.

"If you want to train, you should do it with your apprentice." Crowfeather said, "Not with your mate, who would like to get some peace and quiet for once."

"Peace? Quiet?" Crowfeather felt hot breath on his face as a nose pressed roughly against his. "This is coming from the cat who spent yesterday arguing with his patrol about what was the right hunting techniques to catch a rabbit!"

"Nightcloud spent the morning watching it!"

"She was showing her apprentice what to do, you feather-brained weasel."

"In any case," Crowfeather deadpanned, pushing her face away lightly, "I'm not kit-sitting you today."

"Oh, come on!" Squirrelflight protested, "What else are you going to do?"

"Umm, whatever I want. Which is nothing, right now. You're free to join me, unless you have somewhere else to be." He teased. If there was one thing Squirrelflight loathed, it was being bored. She had more energy than she had fur.

But Crowfeather had meant his invitation. Even if she didn't know it, she deserved a break herself. She'd been through so much to get where she was now. If any cat truly needed a well-earnt rest for once, it was her.

Crowfeather anticipated a scoff or another sharp-tongued remark, but all that met him was a brisk quiet. Just the faint smell of lavender and the swelling soak of the sun in his fur. It wasn't long before his head began to swim towards sleep again. He took the silence as an indication that Squirrelflight had taken her own space to catch some rest. He hoped so anyway. If she'd padded off and he hadn't noticed, he knew he'd get an earful about it later.

He was just about to open one eye when he felt two heavy mounds, he knew must have been paws, push his shoulders down, dragging his face with them. His heart didn't even have time to race before he felt something nip on one of his ears and pull back, the way a kit would with their exhausted parents.

Crowfeather wasn't a parent yet, but he knew he was dealing with a kit of some description.

He hissed as his ear was stretched without his consent. "Squirrelflight! Stop it!"

"All you have to do is push me off!" The muffled, but still bristling with glee, voice trilled back. The weight heaved on Crowfeather's back, bringing him down and up as his legs scrambled about.

Crowfeather's face was hot, whether his anger or shame was more the reason was up for debate. Peace evaporated from his mind as he focused on shaking the ball of fluff off of him. From the looks of thing though, he'd have an easier time getting Blackstar to laugh. Squirrelflight knew fully well where his weaknesses lay, and she'd made sure that she was forcing him to put all his weight onto his thin body rather than his defined legs.

Lifting his body was like being absorbed into a small, furry mountain. Struggling just made it easier for his tormentor. His ear was released. "Is that all you've got?" Squirrelflight cooed, before taking his other ear prisoner and pulling back until he had to grit his teeth.

"This isn't funny!"

"I think that's a matter of perspective!" She said letting go of his ear again to let out a laugh.

Crowfeather just about felt weight relax on him. Just enough for him to twist his body until his chest was against hers. Squirrelflight's eyes widened as her mate turned beneath her, but a delighted flash awoke in her smile. Now things were getting started.

Crowfeather was perfectly aware that she'd pulled him into her trap. But Starclan strike him down if he cared. Adrenaline coursed in his veins and he was ready to teach his mate a thing or two.

He pressed his paws against her chest and pushed, anticipating her struggle. It would be simple, the harder she pushed back, the easier it would be to slip out of her paws, and once he did that, he would lunge where he knew she couldn't get a firm hold. He braced for the war of their paws.

And found her jump back the moment he stormed forward. There was an expectant, victorious grin on her face.

"You're so predictable." Squirrelflight winked.

Crowfeather stared for a moment, and before he could remember that cats weren't meant to hold themselves up on two paws, he felt himself fall back. Right towards the slope of the hill. No words came together in Crowfeather's mind before his head hit the first patch of grass. Just a dreadful image that somewhere, where the stars shone high and bright, there were a group of cats all staring down at him and laughing.

Luckily, he didn't need to think about it long as his head bounded down the hill, to a chorus of giggles from where he once slept.

Crowfeather tumbled down, rolling on his head and rump, bouncing again and again with small thuds here and there that made his teeth chatter and his head spin.

He finally was granted mercy when he finally met level ground, his back sliding back onto a soft bed that did nothing to ease the aches that left him winded and spinning. What he did take notice of was the strong scent around him, sharper than ever, which let him know he was currently residing in the middle of the lavender stalks.

The smell was intoxicating, but not enough for Crowfeather to hold back the long, drained groan that deflated out his belly.

He was beyond tired.

But awake enough that he noticed the shadow cast over his eyes and the satisfied pressure of a paw on his chest. He could only narrow his eyes and wearily glare as the taste of his mate's triumph surged in her voice. "And that Crowfeather," The cat with the face splitting grin meowed, "Is another reason why you don't have an apprentice yet!"

He could have tried to fight her off him again. But by this point it would just be like writhing in a snake's coils. Just all the more fun for her. Crowfeather knew when he was beat. So he just let her smile gleam down like another sun and tried not to think about how there was a serene glow in her eyes.

"Weakling." She chided, getting down low so he was forced to take in her smirk.

Crowfeather blushed and grunted as her claws tapped over his parting fur, gently pricking at his chest. He tries to avoid her eyes but she's all the more determined to stare into his, pride and victory all in her every move.

But, Crowfeather raised a brow, something else as well. Warm and doting.

Crowfeather kept his face stoic, but something burned inside him. A plan. An opportunity. A reminder that Squirrelflight, for all her crazy strength and quick wit, had weaknesses too.

He smiled, truly.

Squirrelflight noticed, eyes wrinkling with confusion. Predictably, she leaned closer to demand what was going on.

That gave Crowfeather the perfect time to wrap his paws over her shoulders, pull himself up, and place a soft kiss just under her jawline, just edging the tender spot on her neck.

Crowfeather smirked as he felt the tremble, the gasp, tight, breathy, ruffle all over the cat in his paws.

She melted like an ice flow. The paw on Crowfeather's chest burst open, letting him go, and her legs buckled in, giving clarity to her true size. Her back, already drenched in warm sunlight, burned fiercely, and Crowfeather wasted no moment in twisting himself, his paws still wrapped around her, until he was the one on top.

Crowfeather let a victorious purr rumble in his throat. Squirrelflight, in all her shock, still blushed feverishly, her fur still shaking with every breath. Even with Crowfeather's shadow on her face, her eyes still sparkled like mysterious pebbles. Her mouth hung halfway, absorbing the situation.

Crowfeather leant down, placing his lips to her ear. The way she loved. "And that," he whispers, "Is why Specklepaw isn't a Warrior yet."

He lets himself chuckle as she growls, coming to terms with her anger. "It's not honourable for a Warrior to cheat."

Crowfeather realised he didn't feel tired anymore. But warmth still filtered inside his head. "Maybe not. But it sure is satisfying."

Squirrelflight glared at him, but she's saw him smile, and she had to respond to such an honour. Her paws felt light as they dipped into his chest fur. The smell of fresh lavender glistened in their mixing colours. There was a warmth in their chests, easy to share, but easier to lose themselves in.

The world went quiet, as if falling silent only for them.

Crowfeather noticed then just how much Squirrelflight smelt of home. Moorland mist and grassy smoke. Not to say he'd been bothered by the shimmers of pine and oak that had graced over her before - anything felt right on her – but still, the moors suited her, he thought.

When Squirrelflight rolled them over again, Crowfeather didn't protest this time. It wouldn't have done any good. He'd had his moment, but he knew who the stronger cat was. He'd had a long time to accept that, though it didn't mean she didn't rub it in any less.

But he cared less and less. Sometimes he liked to be reminded.

"Are you going to let me up?" He asked. She wasn't holding him down like before, but he indulged her anyway.

Her eyes half-closed, reflecting lavender glows. Her claws traced over his shoulder. "What's are the magic words?"

"Squirrelflight…" He blushed. A part of him knew he would give her what she wanted but it doesn't make it any less humbling.

"Ah ah ah! I let you off once already!" She placed a forepaw over another, just over his chest. Crowfeather let his head bury in the warm grass as she waited, beaming. "You know what I want to hear." She sang.

Crowfeather held out for a while, but when she started rubbing her nose where she knew his chin was ticklish, he accepted the lesser humiliation. "Okay! Okay!" He surrendered, failing at hiding his smile as he met her patient eyes. "I love you."

"That's right!" Squirrelflight teased, and as if it had been what she was planning this whole time, she gave the tom a big smooch on his muzzle. Crowfeather felt her purr, even as she broke away. He too was purring soon enough, mostly when he felt Squirrelflight's paw slip behind his neck as she uttered, "I love you too."

They were a bundle of fur, side by side, in the grass. The tiredness had begun to take shape again, and this time they let it consume them both. Heck, they helped it. Squirrelflight's tail curled over her back and softened Crowfeather's chest like fresh bedding. Crowfeather kept one paw over it. Many cats wondered what the wonderous tail felt like, only a blessed few knew. It felt like peace to him.

"Just to be clear," Squirrelflight mewed, her paw paddling over the back of his head, "I won that fight."

"Whatever you say."

"I'll always win." She clarified.

"You're such a kit." She hasn't lost that kittish heart that was there when he met her. If luck's on his side, she never will. He's the serious one, and she's his heart.

"Yep. A kit that will always beat you." The tail winded around him, tight and possessive.

The sun flickered all over them, but it was nothing but scenery when he held her close and she squeezed them into a sturdy embrace.

...

Warriors and Characters belong to Erin Hunter.