Set in Stone
For Brighteyes of Thunderclan, who inspired me to try writing a story of my own
AN: The events of this fic takes place directly after the epilogue of "Promise", which is a standalone called "Once". To understand this story please check those out first :)
Link to Promise: s/10003059/1/Promise
Link to Once: s/12509108/1/Once
Prologue
Never had Timbermask imagined that in a sky full of stars he would feel so alone.
"I'm so sorry." Whitefang whispered, turning away. On the distant horizon, Timbermask could just barely make out the glowing ginger shape of Falconshade, waiting for her return. He felt his heart blacken and crumble, reduced to ashes as she doused his flame.
"Wait, Whitefang!" He called. She turned but barely, so her eyes glowed just over the great white mountain of her shoulder. Framed by stars, Timbermask couldn't imagine a time where she'd appeared more heartrendingly beautiful.
"Was there ever a chance for us?" He asked softly. Her eyes welled up with fresh tears and she couldn't bring herself to face him; Whitefang turned her head toward the horizon and faded away. He could just barely make out the soft tremors of her voice on the cool night air as she said "Once."
…
"I never hated you!" Timbermask whispered harshly, his voice cracking. She fell silent. "I loved you Whitefang. Even with Swanmist…when Swanmist...I loved you, Whitefang, and nothing you ever told me could have changed that." Whitefang stared at him, her golden eyes wide with pain.
"And I loved you once," she said softly, her white face now stained with tears, "a long time ago when we were both so different than we are now.
And maybe, maybe somewhere along the line if something - anything - had gone differently we could have had a future together. But we never got that chance, Timbermask, and now it's too late."
Timbermask would give anything to rewrite his messy life. Anything for a second chance. Anything.