Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Fireheart stumbled throught the frosty undergrowth with no direction in mind but to get away, feeling every inch of him weighed down by grief and worry for Cinderpaw. He couldn't help her. What could he do? Nothing. He was no medicine cat, he wasn't a human with their strange paws. He'd been to the human healer once, when he was a small kit. He remembered seeing other cats, some trying to reassure him that the humans really were only trying to help him and that he should calm down.

Fireheart shook his head, not wanting to get lost in his memories yet again over his forgotten kithood. As he crunched through the half-frozen leaves with half-frozen paws, a new scent caught his attention and he looked up. Oh. He was near Riverclan's border. Fireheart made an unhappy sound as the Riverclan scent reminded him of his (former?) friend Graystripe, and how he seemed to have no time for Fireheart or his own apprentice. But all of his attention was on a Riverclan queen. The thought made Fireheart growl low in his throat. He made to turn around when a newer, fresher scent caught his nose. He moved forward a few more paces when he finally caught sight of a cat across the river.

Their silver-blue fur was glistening in the moonlight, highlighting their broad shoulders and long, plumy tail. Their head was large and pointed, ears alert but not tense. Fireheart was frozen for a few moments, not liking being this close to the border with an enemy warrior only a few fox-lengths away. He backed up a pawstep but a leaf crunched under his cold-clumsy paws, alerting the warrior to his presence. Fireheart winced before raising his tail in a hopefully non-threatening manner as the warrior looked at him, tilting their head.

Fireheart vaguely recognized the warrior, but couldn't be sure of who they were so he called out a "good evening!" even though his heart wasn't in it. He stayed where he was, tail drooping low as the weight of all that's happened recently came crashing down on him once more. Fireheart didn't notice he'd dropped his head until a splash made him raise it in confusion. The semi-familiar warrior was coming towards him! Fireheart was alarmed but didn't move until they were less than a rabbit-hop away.

"Good evening. What are you doing out here so late?"

The words weren't unkind, though the curiosity was apparent in their voice. Fireheart could now fully recognize this cat- it was Stonefur. Fireheart didn't know how to respond without unloading all of his emotions onto an innocent cat, so he stayed quiet with a shrug. Hopefully Stonefur would know that he wasn't here to cause trouble? He peered blearily at the Riverclan cat, noticing how the river water seemed to roll off his pelt like duck feathers. Stonefur seemed to notice Fireheart staring and shook his fur out self-consciously before he sat down and licked a paw absently.

"I've seen you before, with that gray cat. You... you're Fireheart, right? I remember that bright fur of yours," Stonefur meowed, friendly. His voice was deep, almost melodic. Maybe Riverclan cats are just like that? He remembered One-eye saying once that Riverclan cats like singing to their kits, maybe that had something to do with it? He shook his head again, trying to get the cobwebs out so he could reply. He sat down and groomed his chest fur, trying to pick out words from the haze of stress he couldn't seem to shake.

"Y-yeah. That's me. Fireheart. Sorry, I'm. I was just out on a walk and thought I could clear my head for a bit, you know? It's been kind of hectic recently," Fireheart stuttered out. His ears bent back out of mortification, because when did he ever stutter like this? Especially around cats he didn't know well? He looked back up to see Stonefur blink at him sympathetically. Surely he didn't know about Cinderpaw? But he couldn't, that happened about a half moon ago and there hasn't been a gathering yet and-

"I know how you feel. It seems like none of us can catch a break, yeah?" Stonefur looked up at the stars with a sigh, and wow. Fireheart couldn't help but notice the white stripe of fur that led from Stonefur's chin to his belly and- okay yeah Fireheart get those bees out of your brain and stop staring at the totally not handsome tom. Possibly noticing how dazed Fireheart was sure he looked, Stonefur began talking about his life and its stressors- about how his family (his sister, actually, pay attention, Fireheart!) was doing, how his deputy was being more crabby than usual (probably still upset about the accident at the gorge, Fireheart despaired for him), and more generic clan life problems.

Fireheart felt himself slowly relax from his over-tense posture after a while, soothed by the kindness and almost musical quality to the Riverclan cat's deep voice. He didn't realize, again, that his head was dipping until he heard a hesitant "Fireheart?" that made him look up. Stonefur looked... alarmed? Concerned? Fireheart shook his head for the third time, trying to make sense out of everything until Stonefur gently swished his tail until it rested on his back.

"You look really down, Fireheart. Are you okay? I know it's not really any of my business, since we don't really know each other and especially since you're from Thunderclan, but I've seen you around and you usually look a lot more responsive than this. Look, even your fur is dull. Are you sick?" Stonefur sounded really concerned, maybe Fireheart really did look as bad as he felt? He sure didn't feel like climbing trees or running laps around the territory. He simply nodded at the inquiries, too emotionally exhausted to really respond in a helpful way. He did want to tell Stonefur that his kindness was appreciated, so he made the effort to stand and stretch to wake up and thank him. When he looked back at the Riverclan cat, he was staring at the river beyond Fireheart with his ears pressed back as if embarrassed. Fireheart was too tired to ask why, but he did let out a short purr when Stonefur looked back up at him.

"Thank you for being here, Stonefur. I'm trying to not let everything get to me but sometimes it's just too much, you know? After everything with my apprentice, and Graystripe being a piece of.." He sighed, sitting down again with a grunt of effort. "My apprentice.... she got hit by a monster a half moon ago. I don't know if she'll ever recover enough to train with me again and I feel like it's all my fault because I couldn't get her to stay put and Graystripe won't talk to me or spend any time with me or his apprentice and half the clan still hates me for my blood and-" Fireheart cut himself off.

He sighed again, moving to fully lay down against the rocky ground, uncaring if the stones dug into his body. Stonefur was quiet for a few moments before moving to gently press his pelt against Fireheart's flank in sympathy.

"I'm so sorry, Fireheart. May the stars help her recover swiftly." Fireheart's heart lurched at the sentiment before pressing firmly into the warm body at his side, searching for comfort. What did it matter if Stonefur was an enemy warrior? He was the only other cat to try to reassure him aside from Yellowfang. Graystripe? Haven't seen him. Whitestorm? Too busy. Sandstorm or Dustpelt? Still hated him, probably. Bluestar? Why bother her, she's been avoiding him since he was made a warrior.

Stars above, he missed his mother. He hadn't thought of her in seasons, but suddenly he wished he could be a kit again, snuggled up against her side, unaware and uncaring of the harsh realities of life. He didn't notice he was shaking until Stonefur moved to push his full body against his side, trying to comfort Fireheart as best he could.

Eventually Fireheart's shaking stopped and he felt like he could breathe again. He breathed in deep, somewhat embarrassed for losing his cool in front of Stonefur but thankful for the company. He glanced at the sky and was jolted out of his exhaustion at the sight of early dawn on the horizon. He looked at Stonefur to see that he had done the same, and was in the process of getting up and shaking out his fur in preparation for crossing the river again.

"Thank you. Really. I feel much better. You didn't have to, but I appreciate you being here," Fireheart murmured. Stonefur stopped and looked back at Fireheart, a pleased purr making it's way out of his throat. They both said their goodbyes before leaving their secluded area, feeling better about the night even if they got no sleep once they returned to their homes.

Fireheart couldn't help but look back every once in a while, catching himself hoping he would see a glimpse of silvery-blue fur along the other shore as he made his way along the border. When he got back to Thunderclan's camp he gave his fur a quick wash before settling into his nest, hoping he saw Stonefur again soon, even if it was in his dreams.

Chapter Text

Stonefur's heart was pounding. As he made his way back home all he could think about was the fluffy red tomcat he spent the whole night comforting. He purred; he liked Fireheart. He was charming. Even half dead on his paws, with stress oozing out of him like a slug trail, he still managed to charm the fur right off Stonefur's tail. Stonefur paused at that thought, glancing at his tail. Maybe he shouldn't have been so forward? He got the feeling that Fireheart either didn't notice or didn't mind, so it was probably alright? Just in case, he would make the effort to not be so obvious next time. His mind raced with what they could talk about. Maybe they could talk about apprenticeship shenanigains? Or maybe Fireheart wouldn't be as tired and they could play in the water? His heart beat with excitement, his paws floaty and his belly full with butterflies. He stopped abruptly. What if Fireheart didn't want to see him again? What if Fireheart had a mate? What if Fireheart didn't want to be friends or anything else and Stonefur was just getting his hopes up like Mistyfoot always teased he did and-

Stonefur shook his head. He was overthinking again. He would just have to approach Fireheart again, maybe at the next gathering, and ask to see him again at the border! Simple. As he settled down to wash his pelt before slipping into the warrior's reed den, he kept thinking; Fireheart really did look terrible, with his dull eyes and fluffy fur in complete disarray. It made him worried. Stonefur hoped his apprentice recovered soon, to take that despair away.

Speaking of apprentices... Stonefur hoped his own wouldn't cause too much trouble today. He sighed deeply, finishing his wash and hoping for more than a few heartbeats of sleep before his duties required him to be awake and acting like his usual stern self. He nudged himself into his nest beside his sister and fell asleep within moments, thinking of soft red fur and green green eyes.

___________________________

What felt like heartbeats later, Stonefur felt himself being prodded awake. He lifted his head groggily, not wanting to be shaken from his dream of glowing green eyes and soft purring. His jaws cracked in a huge yawn, and he blinked sleep from his eyes as the voice calling his name sounded clearer and clearer until his dear, lovely sister poked his flank to get his attention. Her blue eyes sparked with mischief and her tail was over her paws in that smug way she does when she knows something and won't tell. Stonefur sighed and looked around the den, hoping nobody was in so they wouldn't overhear what was most definitely going to be an embarassing conversation. Seeing nobody, he sat up and stretched, releasing another eye-watering yawn as he tried to wake up fully. Finally he settled down and pointedly glanced at his sister, wanting her to get on with it. She stifled a purr before batting at his head playfully.

"So how was it? Come on Stone, you can't keep me in the dark for more than a heartbeat! Did you guys confess to each other? Did you tell him you think hes handsome? Come on come on come on-" Stonefur waved a paw at the direction of her face to stop the tirade before she could really get going and sighed.

His ears bent back in embarassment. Looked away, trying to gather his thoughts. He certainly didn't confess, and neither did Fireheart, although Stonefur wasn't sure if Fireheart was even really completely aware of what was going on the whole time, he looked so exhausted. He told Mistyfoot this, and she looked disappointed for a heartbeat before regaining her chipper attitude. I want you to be happy, she said. I want you to find someone you love. Stonefur rolled his eyes at her display of sisterly affection and headbutts her shoulder.

"I know you want me to be happy, Misty. But this takes time. We don't even know each other that well! Maybe I'll try again in a few sunrises. He might show up again. If not, I'll try to talk to him at the gathering. How does that sound?" he wonders if this will set her off into another round of 'I love you please let him know you like him' but she just purrs and leads the way out of the den so they can get on with their warrior duties.

Considering his lack of sleep, taking his apprentice out for some practice hunting was not nearly as bad as he thought it would be. Maybe she could tell he was tired? He ordered her to go try out her hunting crouches for the few land animals they hunt and sat down, lost in thought. How would he get Fireheart to come meet him? Politely asking did wonders, but Stonefur wanted to see him soon. Maybe he could go hunt around the border where they had met? He nodded to himself, mind made up.

___________________________________________________

The next few sunrises felt tortourous. Stonefur was never very good at being patient, as his mentor and entire family would attest. He wanted to take this thing (he hopes and hopes and hopes that it will be a thing) with Fireheart slow, though, didn't want to rush into anything like his rash apprentice. He hopes Fireheart had been feeling the same way, that he wants to see Stonefur just as badly.

Just as he felt like he couldn't wait one more single day, Stonefur finally found an opportunity where he could hoist his apprentice off to some other cat for the day without feeling neglectful. Turned out "she needs to spend some time with her siblings for once" was a good way of stopping any questions of why, with the added bonus of not even being a lie! Score one for him!

Stonefur nosed around in Riverclan's territory for a good while before setting off toward the houses where the border between Riverclan and Thunderclan met. He had waited and waited and now he could finally have his chance! Although there was no garuntee Fireheart would be there, maybe just Stonefur's scent would be enough of a message? He padded on, absently watching the clouds pass over the setting sun. He wanted to see him. His head up with the clouds, he didn't notice the river until he was stepping in it, freezing water shoring up to his belly fur. The sudden chill made him sneeze. A sudden purr of amusement broke him out of growling at himself for being so unobservant. His eyes jerk up and see none other than the cat he's been wistfully thinking of for what felt like seasons. Fireheart!

Stonefur let out an eager mew of greeting before kicking through the icy water to get to Fireheart's side. He wanted to purr, to rub his cheek, to wrap his entire body around the fluffy red warrior. He wanted to vibrate out of his fur from excitement, but managed to keep his cool as he shook out his fur.

"Fireheart! It's good to see you. I hope you've been well?" Stonefur was pleased to note that Fireheart's fur had regained its pretty sheen and his eyes were no longer so clouded by grief. He looked like he was hiding a smile, even. Fireheart replied with a paw wave and a dismissive tail flick. He wasn't a very talkative cat, Stonefur had noticed. Didn't seem to say much beyond greetings or stress induced word-furballs.

Stonefur moved to press his shoulder against his side, pleased when he didn't move away. Noticing the stress in his posture, he began talking about anything that came to mind, happy to help this (handsome!) cat relax. Last time, Stonefur talked about his life to help Fireheart get out of his head, to offer some kind of comfort. It seemed to work, as Fireheart haltingly joined in with stories of his apprenticeship and the friends he'd had, and Stonefur noticed the shadow of anger cross his face when he mentioned Graystripe. Stonefur didn't ask, knowing what he did about Fireheart's friend, and let the red tom talk.

In a lull of their conversation where they rested against one another in silent companionship, Stonefur asked Fireheart to play with him in the water. Simple fun, he'd said, you won't get sick if you warm up immediately afterward. Fireheart agreed with some trepidation, and soon there were small splashes and mews and purrs of laughter between the two of them. Stonefur found an immediate joy in making Fireheart laugh by pretending to slip, and made the effort to try it more often when he didn't expect it. Stonefur was glad to let go of his hard exterior; he hadn't realized how much it was taking out of him to put up that front every day to his clanmates. He was so happy to be here, with Fireheart.

Stonefur was starstruck, caught by Fireheart's sweet laughter and pretty green, glittering eyes as he splashed around little pebbles he could see in the riverbed. Stonefur liked him. Really liked him.

"What?"

Oh.

Did he just say that out loud?

"You did."

Oh stars.

"Fireheart uhh... I," Stonefur stammered, unable to look at him. He felt so embarassed. How long has it been since he'd spoken without meaning to? He hastily jumped out of the river to cover his burning ears with his frozen paws. He didn't hear Fireheart approach, in his misery, and badly startled when he felt the gentle prod of a paw in his ribs. He raised his eyes to see gentle green smiling down at him.

"I like you too, Stonefur. I like hanging out with you. You're nice, and you listen to me. I can't remember the last time a cat did that for me," he said, eyes downcast. "I don't know how much I can give you, but I would like to try. You're sure about this?" About me, he doesn't say.

Fireheart looked at him, fur like a brand of fire and eyes gleaming in the cold dawn light, and Stonefur was in love.

"Listen, Fireheart. I'm absolutely sure. Let's go slow, learn more about each other- that would make me more than happy." Stonefur headbutted Fireheart in a friendly way before smashing his nose into his neck. Fireheart squeaked but made no move to get away, instead pressing closer as they settled into a warm circle to try to dry their fur. As the sun rose in earnest they had to part, but with their soft goodbyes there were assurances that they'd meet again at their place whenever they could manage it.

Stonefur couldn't wait for their next meeting, butterflies already fluttering their way into his belly. He felt so happy, he couldn't keep his stony mask in place on his walk home. It was amazing he hadn't woken up the whole camp with his thundering heart. No, there was Mistyfoot, waiting for him near a patch of reeds. He made his way over to her, tail high and a purr thrumming like a monster his throat.

He told her everything and he was so, so happy.

Chapter Text

Stonefur sat in the shade at the edge of the camp, tail tapping idly over his paws as he watched the bustle of his clanmates. New-leaf was coming soon, it seemed. His throat thrummed a muted purr as he imagined the tufts of fur everyone was no doubt going to be shedding as the sun warmed the land further.

His ear bent as he heard a scattering of pebbles from behind; his nose told him his darling sister was trying to sneak, as if she had ever been good at catching him unawares. He made to groom his paw, feigning disinterest. When suddenly- a sneak attack from both sides!

"Stonefur! Gotcha!" His apprentice giggled in his ear, having slammed right into him along with Mistyfoot, toppling all three of them over into the ground.

Mistyfoot was laughing. His apprentice had her claws in his fur, and she was laughing. 

"What was that sound you made, Stone? Sounded like one of those little yappy dogs, or maybe the human-kits- ahaha," she snickered into his paw, craning her head back to see him clearly.

"You two are actually the worst, thank you," Stonefur sniffed, pretending he wasn't absolutely embarassed, hot ears pinned back, removing his paw from Mistyfoot's muzzle by shoving her away with it. She flopped over with a dramatic groan, paws flailing into a big stretch.

Shadepaw stifled her giggles kindly into her paws, tail flipping happily even covered in dirt as she was. Stonefur rolled his eyes at her, standing with a quiet groan, ribs complaining at being bodied by a near full-grown apprentice. His back wasn't any happier with Mistyfoot, but he ignored it. 

"Don't you two have things to do?" he asked, shaking out his fur. Things that don't involve tackling me into the dirt, he doesn't say. 

"Well sure, but there's nothing wrong with having a little fun, now is there, brother mine?" Mistyfoot flipped a dismissive paw at him, tone light.

"Yeah! 'sides, Leopardfur sent us to find you for a Thunder-side patrol, so. So, um," Shadepaw trailed off, shifting her weight as Stonefur shot his sister a Look. 

Mistyfoot saw his hidden alarm and flipped her tail at Shadepaw, jerking her head at the prey-pile in a silent order to eat something before they go. Shadepaw obeyed, but not before glancing at Stonefur with worry clear on her face.

With the apprentice out of earshot and their clanmates paying him no mind, Stonefur gave into his anxiety to burrow his face into Mistyfoot's flank, paws kneading the ground uneasily.

Mistyfoot's tongue rasped along his ear, her low purring a soothing anchor to focus on when all he wanted to do was- was-

"We're alright, Stonefur. We're okay, you're okay, you're safe. He's not hurt, nobody knows," Mistyfoot reassured him, her voice low and measured.

Stonefur was shaking, he realized.

He wanted to see Fireheart.

Did she know did she know how could she know, his mind kept asking, racing anxiously. I never leave a scent, does she know, she can't-

"Stone, it's fine. You're fine. I'm here, you're here, we're safe. He's safe, Stone. Shadepaw is right over there, I'm here, we're together," Mistyfoot went on, an easy cadence to her words, familiar and safe, safe, safe.

Mistyfoot kept up her reassurances, murmuring low and soft until finally, he lifted his head from her side, gulping down a deep breath.

"It's been a while since we've had to do that, Stonefur. You ok?" Mistyfoot asked, paw coming up to pat at his face gently, smearing tear tracks he didn't realize were there. He jittered back out of her reach, quickly grooming his face before anyone saw his cracked composure.

"I'm fine," he rasped, voice breaking at the lie. Mistyfoot winced with him in sympathy as he swallowed. Clearing his throat, he met his sister's kind gaze square on. 

"I worry. About her, finding out. We both do," Stonefur said, voice finally under contol. His tail trembled. "He has things going on in his clan that he's really worried about, I don't want to make anything worse by causing problems over here too, you know? I don't want to put more on him, and, and I'm probably overthinking again, like you always say I do, I'm trying Misty I really am-" 

Mistyfoot shoved a paw at his nose, startling him silent. She gazed at him quietly until he shifted uncomfortably, tail swishing nervously.

"Here's what we're going to do, brother. We are going on that patrol, with your darling apprentice to distract you, and later, you and him will talk about this. Got it?" She demanded, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. Stonefur didn't think she was upset with him but it made him recoil just a bit anyway. 

Mistyfoot softened her gaze, sitting up to brush their cheeks together. He briefly purred, forgiving her silent apology, nodding at her question even if it was a bit late to answer. He did realize it was best to talk about issues; it was just hard. He didn't like talking about things that actually bothered him, but with Fireheart, it was at least easier. Everything was easier with him.

Stonefur heaved a sigh at the thought of his maybe-mate, his heart thumping painfully with love. His ears shifted at the sound of hesitant pawsteps coming near, the air becoming heavy with the scent of fish-blood.

"You guys ok now? I didn't want to interrupt, but we do gotta go soon," Shadepaw mumbled around the carp in her jaws. She dropped it in front of the siblings, looking proud.

"I caught this one earlier! You better eat it, or I'll be super sad all day, and then what will my friends think? I ate already, by the way," Shadepaw interrupted herself, washing her face with vigor. "You looked really sad for a little bit there, so I took my time, you know how it is. Anyway, so while I was hunting earlier I caught the hugest crab, you would not believe!"

Stonefur let his apprentice's words wash over him as he and Mistyfoot shared the fish, more than fine with letting her talk for the three of them. Shadepaw was always kind to him when he was in one of his moods, happily distracting him with her stories and easy-going self. They polished off the fish in record time, leaving the camp soon after so as to not get Leopardfur on their tails for being lazy.

Stonefur finally relaxed again as they stalked the border, away from the oppressive eyes of their clanmates (even if nobody was watching them, he still felt a kind of way about freaking out in front of them), paws feeling lighter than they had been for days.

The thought of seeing Fireheart later, even for a difficult conversation, filled his heart with anticipation, with love, and he couldn't wait.

He would see him soon.

Chapter Text

A pawful of sunsets later, Stonefur made his way to the Thunderclan border with what felt like ants in his fur. Lately, he's been on edge for some reason, one he can't quite put his paw on. Mistyfoot would probably tell him, Stone, it's because you don't actually feel your feelings, you just analyze them and move on. Shadepaw would say, stress gettin' to you, need to talk about it? And they would look at him so kindly, so understandingly, he wanted to bite something.

Stonefur shook his head irritably, swallowing back the unkind words he wanted to say, even if he was alone. It wasn't that he was upset with them- far from it. He loved them both so much, his small family. He stopped in his tracks, glaring at the ground, his breathing heavier with every passing moment, claws unsheathed and tail whipping in agitation.

A sudden crack in the undergrowth on the other side of the river he realized he was standing by made his head jerk up, a snarl marring his typically impassive face, his fur bushing out to make him bigger, fiercer.

A screech built in his throat, begging to be released, until his brain caught up with his eyes. Crayfish-red fur glowed in the rays of the setting sun, grass-green eyes lighting up as soon as they met his.

"Fireheart," he breathed, his tension bleeding away so quickly it left him dizzy.

He had never swam so clumsily in his life getting to his maybe-mate, splashing through the current like a fresh wet-paw. 

Stonefur stumbled his way ashore, uncaring if stones dug into his pads, he needed, he wanted, he-

"Fireheart," he said again, "Fireheart."

Fireheart butted his head into Stonefur's shoulder, his side, following the line of his body until he came round the other side, purring like the river in full flood.

Stonefur pressed into the warmth so readily given, the sweet embrace soothing his heart like nothing else in the world.

"I'm here," Fireheart murmured into his ear with relief. "I'm here, you're here."

Stonefur heaved a sigh, nose full of his friend's mossy, pine-brushed scent. He would give up the world to stay like this forever. He would, he would-

"I'm glad you came, Stonefur," Fireheart mewed, pulling back to gaze at him with adoration shining in his eyes. "You worried me, looking so fierce, stomping around like a badger!"

Stonefur's ears bent in mild embarassment at being caught like that. A warrior of his standing should always be aware of his surroundings, according to Leopardfur. A warrior like him should never be caught unawares at any border, much less by an enemy warrior, according to Leopardfur.

This enemy warrior, though; Stonefur wouldn't mind being caught by him any time, anywhere, always and forever.

He pressed his face into Fireheart's soft fur, hiding his lovestruck smile. He simply breathed for a few moments, feeling Fireheart groom his shoulders rhythmically.

"I think I just wanted to see you," he mumbled. "You make me feel good, better."

Fireheart's breath audibly caught at the admission. He curled into Stonefur further with a little mew of embarassment.

"You can't just say things like that, stars above," he groaned. "My poor heart!"

Stonefur puffed a soft laugh, his own heart light, fit to burst.

It makes him wonder, how Fireheart manages to bring out this side of him. How, with just a few words, he can make him feel better as if there were no problem in the first place, his worries and agitation vanishing like morning mist in green-leaf sunlight.

He felt like he was falling, falling, falling, further and further in love with Fireheart every time they met, they spoke, they caught gazes across the river, Four-trees, the gorge.

"You're shameless," Fireheart said affectionately, rubbing his jaw and cheeks along his body, scenting him equally shamelessly.

"Like you're one to talk," Stonefur shot back, arching his back further into the touch. He felt like he could never get enough of it; luckily, one of the many things he's learned about Fireheart is that he very much enjoyed touching Stonefur. 

He gets the feeling nobody in Thunderclan is very friendly with Fireheart- he's always so eager to brush their fur together, to cross paws when they're laying together, to twine their tails when they walk. From what Fireheart has told him, his only real relationships are with his leader, his apprentice, his medicine cat, and Graystripe (for all the good that one is). And not one of them is the physically affectionate type.

When Stonefur is reaping the benefits of a cat lost for kind touch, he can hardly complain- he loves it when Fireheart feels like sharing space, anyway.

More their loss, he decides.

"Ah, Stonefur, I realized something the other day, after we talked, remember?" Fireheart mewed.

"Mhm?"

"I think the reason Leopardfur is so diligent about the border issue is because of Graystripe and your clanmate," he told him, meeting his eyes seriously. "Even Bluestar is getting fed up with Graystripe gone all the time, and you know how she is."

Stonefur didn't, but also didn't feel the need to tell him so.

"So, what I'm getting at, it really probably isn't us, you know? We have our responsibilities, we perform our duties, we hunt enough, and we aren't..." He trailed off, looking a little uncomfortable at the hint of what two cats usually do when they meet up in secret.

"It- I'm just saying. I mean, you know her better than I do, obviously, and your clanmate too probably, so I can't say for sure, but maybe it's that they're not behaving like a warrior should that's bothering her so much? And also probably what happened with Whiteclaw too," he finished sombrely.

Stonefur remembered telling him just why Leopardfur hated his friend so much; he wasn't expecting Fireheart to remember. More fool him- Fireheart seemingly remembers everything Stonefur tells him.

"Ah, you're probably right. My brain just hates me, I think," Stonefur complained, dragging his cheek against Fireheart, a wordless request for more touch. He obliged with a purr as Stonefur pushed his head underneath his maybe-mate's, crossing their paws.

"Well, that makes one of us," Fireheart murmured, a smile in his voice.

"Sap."

"Only for you."

They would have to leave this little haven, this spot they had made theirs, but only come dawn. They had time.

Chapter Text

The river was flooding.

The river was flooding.

Stonefur stood at the edge of camp, jaws agape. The river was flooding.

"My kits!" Mistyfoot shrieked from across the rapidly flooding clearing. "Where are my kits?!"

Through the flurry of splashing panicking cats, Stonefur saw her- the blazing sun to his moon- her eyes wild, full of the kind of fury that lives with all encompassing fear.

He rushed to her side, his own eyes as wide as they've ever been, afraid for her, for himself, for his kin. Surely they were alright, surely, surely-

The river is flooding.

Before he could even begin to speak, Leopardfur yowled as loud as she could, halting some in their tracks.

"We need to move to higher ground, now! Apprentices, help the elders! Warriors, the queens! To me, Riverclan!"

"My kits!" Mistyfoot snarled, not moving a mouse-tail, "they're too young to live without me!"

"You need to live first!" Stonefur mewed desperately, "we have to go, now, Mistyfoot please-"

She met his gaze, eyes burning with rage, with fear. He crouched as low as he dared in the rising water, pleading wordlessly, please please come with us we have to go-

Mistyfoot lifted a heavy, waterlogged paw as if to strike him. He bent even lower, eyes never leaving hers in silent entreaty.

"Mistyfoot! Stonefur!" Shadepaw's distressed voice. "What are you doing we have to go!"

Mistyfoot broke their locked gazes, grimacing. Stonefur saw his chance, took it, pushing his head into her shoulder in gratitude, fear, urging her to take just a step to the trees, the river is flooding please I want you to live-

His sister finally took that first step, freezing cold water rushing by their legs faster every heartbeat they stayed in camp, too fast to swim safely, dragging at their fur, stealing their breath as it brushed sensitive skin. Stonefur kept pace, their flanks pressed close.

They found a sturdy enough tree to scale (finally, finally, he thought mindlessly, terrified), bark not yet damp enough to stop them from sinking their claws in and climbing.

In the loud silence, Stonefur crouched by his littermate, gazing out at the dark water. He was trembling so terribly the leaves shook on their branch. Fur brushed his comfortingly, silently. 

"I will find them, Stonefur."

He jerked his head up, meeting Mistyfoot's eyes. Her face was blank, nothing of the growl in her voice showing. 

He dipped his head. Of course she would, of that he had no doubt. But the first rule of Riverclan was, if you want to save anyone from violent, dangerous waters, you had to make sure you survived first. Mistyfoot knew as well as he did, as much as it broke her heart.

They crouched there silently, on their branch above the crash of dark water, hoping against hope that their kin survived.

At least they still had each other.

___________________

Stonefur's grasp of time was hazy. The roar of panic blurred his mind; all he knew for a long while was the press of Mistyfoot's fur, the rough bark under his paws, the blackened gray of snowmelt-water crashing under their tree, in his ears.

Eventually, the river calmed enough to climb down; Crookedstar led the way uphill away from camp, sodden fur just barely on its way to drying. 

The whole of Riverclan looked half-drowned, all shaking limbs and soggy unkempt fur. Stonefur stayed by Mistyfoot's side through it all, her presence the only thing keeping him from outright collapsing.

(To Mistyfoot, the only thing keeping her from raging her way through the river was her brother, her rock in the storm. The stars only knew just how much she relied on him.)

They sat together on a dry patch of grass in a daze. Shadepaw joined them, Blackclaw in tow.

In the quiet, a sudden commotion caught nearly everyone's ear- the distinct sounds of grown cat growls and mewling kit cries. Mistyfoot and Stonefur stood in tandem as Leopardfur rushed to the noise with a growl, Crookedstar following a heartbeat behind.

They heard the telltale snap of her voice muffled by the brush, the unknown intruders' voices raising in defence. Stonefur prepared to join them if things got out of paw-

Was that Fireheart?!

What was Fireheart doing here- why does he have a - are those Mistyfoot's kits-

Mistyfoot broke into a dead run, nearly knocking him over in her rush. Stonefur pelted after her as quick as he could, eager to see his mate his close friend.

He reached them in time to hear the tail end of Leopardfur's rough questioning, Mistyfoot's gratitude, Fireheart's quiet purr.

"Stonefur!" Mistyfoot rumbled happily, "They swam the river! For my kits!"

"Really?!" Stonefur stared, taking note of his mate's soaking wet coat, the mud clinging to his legs and paws.

Fireheart shifted, embarrassment flashing on his face. His companion, Graystripe if Stonefur remembered correctly, nudged his shoulder playfully.

"Don't be all bashful, mousebrain!" The gray cat turned to Stonefur, awe in his yellow eyes. "Fireheart here jumped right in, no hesitation!"

"Well," Fireheart coughed, not looking at anyone, "they're just kits, they can't swim yet, what else was I supposed to do?"

There was a beat of silence. Stonefur caught Mistyfoot giving Leopardfur a look. The spotted deputy tilted her head, an unreadable expression on her face.

"As much as I hate to admit, it was brave of you," Leopardfur grudgingly allowed.

"Agreed!" Crookedstar chimed in gratefully. "We honor you, Graystripe, Fireheart. Thank you for saving my family." He dipped his head to the pair.

Fireheart looked alarmed at the acknowledgement, wet fur trying to stand on end. Graystripe (he knew it!) simply stood taller with pride in his eyes.

Crookedstar said something else Stonefur couldn't hear, caught up in his admiration for Fireheart. He had nothing but eyes for his mate, love burning in his chest like a wildfire. He thanked the stars for his impassive face, else everyone in Riverclan would know how he felt. 

He was jostled by Mistyfoot into following the warriors as they all moved further uphill, wordlessly asked to carry one of her kits. He glanced at her while they walked. Wild fury gone, she happily carried her soggy kit further into the brush as if nothing else in the world mattered but her family's safety. As she quickly pulled together a dry nest, he sat his kit at his paws, grooming it dry. He saw no need to chance a sickness in this weather.

Mistyfoot laid down, beckoning him to bring her other kit to her belly. She counted them compulsively, nosing their little heads, their bellies, their haunches. Their tiny cries stopped as she pulled them close to nurse. The sight made Stonefur smile.

His sister finally relaxed, tension bleeding out of her body like don't think about the flood like water. She looked up at him, eyes warm.

"Go talk to him, Stone. We'll be alright."

"If," he hesitated, "if you're sure?"

"Yes, now go! He'll like it if you tell him how brave he was," she winked.

"Ugh!" Stonefur groaned. "Fine, but I'll be back!"

Mistyfoot simply rolled her eyes, making a face at him as he turned his back. 

Stonefur stomped out of the bush his sister had deemed acceptable, eyes searching for Fireheart impatiently. He spotted maple-red fur in the distance, talking with Graypool. Stonefur's ears flattened warily- stars knew what manner of embarrassing things she could be telling him.

As he hurried over, he caught the end of what had to be either a lecture or something, Fireheart looked like he needed saving himself!

"- and don't you forget!" Graypool mewed imperiously.

"Yes ma'am!" Fireheart nodded desperately.

Graypool stared at him for a heartbeat, judging. At Stonefur's approach, she narrowed her eyes before turning to him with a sunny smile.

"Ah, Stonefur! Be a dear, won't you, and tell this young cat the difference between bravery and foolishness?" Her smile turned threatening.

"Ah. Of course, mother," Stonefur dipped his head.

Graypool gave him a short purr, Fireheart a narrow glare, and stalked off to do stars knew what. Stonefur watched his mate watch his mother go; he saw the barely hidden sigh of relief, and snorted.

"Forgive her, she knows she's weird and rude," Stonefur purred. He sat down, tapping the ground with his tail. Fireheart followed suit bonelessly.

"Stars above, I'm exhausted," he groaned into the quiet. "Who told me jumping into a river was a good idea?"

"You did, fog-brain," Stonefur admonished, unable to keep the fondness he felt out of his voice. "But, do you know what I think?"

Fireheart tilted his head curiously, raising a paw to groom it. 

(His pelt was such a mess, it took every drop of Stonefur's willpower to not clean his mate's fur for him in front of all of Riverclan. But oh, how he wanted to!)

"I think," Stonefur paused, lowered his voice so only Fireheart could hear, "I think you are the bravest, kindest cat I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I think you're incredible, Fireheart. Amazing, wonderful, fa- ah!"

Fireheart had shoved his paw against Stonefur's jaw, halting his praise. His ears were pinned back, embarrassment coming off his pelt in waves.

"You- you! Stop saying stuff like that!" Fireheart groaned.

"Why should I?" Stonefur mumbled around a paw. "It's true! You're truly an amazing cat, I'm lucky you chose me-"

"Ugh, hush!" Fireheart cut him off, shoving him a little, smiling shyly despite his huffiness. He removed his paw slowly. Oh, how Stonefur wished they could lay together, but now certainly wasn't the time. To his utter annoyance.

"Anyway," Fireheart coughed, not looking at him, "Graystripe and I should probably get going. Crookedstar said we could rest here for a little bit, but Leopardfur is staring at me like she wants to use my fur as a nest, so."

Stonefur looked around, and- yep, there she was, face as stern as usual. Unfortunate.

"Fine, if you must," he sighed wistfully. Truly, he didn't want Fireheart to go so soon, but they both knew he had to leave at some point.

"See you later?" Fireheart gazed at him, grassy green eyes full of love.

Stonefur's heart constricted with emotion- how could his body carry so many feelings, he was going to explode-

"Mm," he nodded instead, "see you."

He watched Fireheart walk away to find his clanmate with a forlorn sigh. Ah, what it would be like to live together, to be near each other. He wanted, so badly, it made his chest ache.

Instead of doing anything regrettable, Stonefur made himself turn away. Perhaps Mistyfoot would want his company now?

He padded into the brush, heavy at heart, and imagined what it would be like to live happily with all of his loved ones near.

It was a nice thought.

Chapter Text

"Graystripe and I have been talking."

Stonefur looked up from the moonlit river, curious. He peered at Fireheart closely, noting absently how lovely his fur looked, leaf-dappled as it was.

"Yeah?"

Fireheart dipped his head, motioning with a paw for Stonefur to come closer. Stonefur gave the river a last glance, debating momentarily before joining his mate under the willow Fireheart had settled under.

"Yeah, so. Graystripe, he, uh," Fireheart murmured haltingly, "we think it would be best? For him, to go live in Riverclan?"

Stonefur blinked. Not quite what he was expecting Fireheart to say, but.

"Oh."

"Mm." Fireheart dipped his head again, tail tapping idly on the ground between them.

It was a quiet night, Stonefur mused, listening to late cricket chirps and the rush of the river. He gazed out blankly at nothing, feeling a muted roll of jealousy snake its way through his belly. To be so untethered to one's clan, to feel no obligation, to leave it... He couldn't help but be envious of someone like that.

"When?" He asked instead, opting out of voicing any of that to Fireheart, who no doubt felt similarly.

"Tomorrow, probably," his mate muttered sullenly. He pushed his head into Stonefur's shoulder, wordlessly asking for comfort. He pressed harder when Stonefur began purring, shuffling ever closer until they couldn't tell which of them started or ended, close enough to share heartbeats.

"Okay," he whispered into his mate's fur.

Stonefur groomed Fireheart's head, his face, his shoulders, and wondered.

After a while, Stonefur shifted away from his mate, foot unfortunately asleep. As he stood, shaking it out, feeling like ants were crawling up his bones, he sighed heavily. Glanced back at his heart, whose lovely green eyes were staring right back at him.

Stonefur sat back down.

"You and him are talking again?"

Fireheart scoffed halfheartedly. His gaze cut over to the river, ears bent back. His tail thumped in agitation once, twice.

"If you can call it that, yeah," he muttered.

Stonefur hummed to himself, wrapped his tail over his paws against the chill of the stones underneath. Stonefur had many thoughts about Graystripe- many of them negative. Most of them, in fact. How he had treated Fireheart these past few moons... His claws tore at the shore's pebbles as he remembered Fireheart's forlorn "he hasn't even apologized, Stonefur, I can't take it anymore-" just a half moon ago.

"I can't promise to be nice to him, you know," Stonefur stated rather abruptly. "I think I might hate him."

Fireheart blinked at him for a few heartbeats before breaking the silence with a loud snort. His laughter bounced along the river, his belly fur glowing in the moonlight as he rolled with the force of it. Stonefur laughed with him, pushing a paw into his mate's fur just to touch. As Fireheart quieted, he bent his head to nose at the soft white fur underneath his chin, purring lightly.

Fireheart raised his paws just enough to grab around Stonefur's shoulders to pull him down, to lay together again.

The silence was light and airy, bubbly with their shared happiness.

Fireheart mumbled something into Stonefur's pelt.

"Repeat that, love?" Stonefur said gently, so fondly, heart warm.

"I said," Fireheart groaned, lifting his head from where he had tried to bury it into his mate's fur to hide his embarrassment, "I'm glad you're here and I love you."

Stonefur felt his heart seize at that open admission, his ears burning. Nothing left his mouth when he opened it. His chest, oh his heart, how this cat loved him, how he loved this cat, he couldn't hardly breathe with it burning him up-

Shaking, he nuzzled his mate fiercely, scenting him with as much vigor as he would have going into battle, overcome with emotion and no words to say it with. His purr could rival a monster with how loud it was- drowning out the river and the chirp of crickets in the dark.

Fireheart seemed to understand regardless, laughing even as Stonefur all but tried to climb inside of him, stomped a foot into his belly by accident, nicked him with his claws as his paws lost balance on the loose stones and fully toppled over to finally rest on top of his mate.

Fireheart's reddish fur was in disarray but he had smile on his face and adoration shining in his eyes and Stonefur was in love.

Chapter Text

Stonefur sat by the reeds of the warrior's den.

Or, more accurately, he was waiting by the warrior's den, anxiously. Hopefully not obviously, but anyone who could tell him what he looked like was off doing apprentice things, being an elder enjoying the sun-rocks, or resting.

Fireheart's friend(?), Graystripe, was coming to the clan. Today. Stonefur was going to find out who that cat thought he was, what he actually was like. Stonefur's protective, defensive anger for his mate did not want to lend a kind ear. It did not want him to see his reasons, or understand him one bit. It certainly didn't relate to him, stars.

He made no promises to actually like this cat.

He made no promises to Fireheart either, about whether Graystripe would even be allowed to stay; his mate knew that already. Crookedstar was fair, but he was a leader. Whatever he decided would happen would happen.

And on that point, Stonefur would finally find out which clanmate it was that Graystripe was seeing- probably not Loudbelly. Absolutely not Mistyfoot. Blackclaw would be funny, but he didn't think the black cat leaned that way, if he leaned any way at all. Maybe Silverstream? If it was Leopardfur he was going to choke and die from laughter. Oh, the irony! It would kill him.

He suppressed a snort, whiskers twitching. As funny as that'd be, he very much doubted it was his deputy. She was a lot of things, but a hypocrite wasn't one. Stonefur himself didn't care much one way or the other if a cat was born to the clans or not, if cats left their original clans for another. The only reason he disliked Graystripe doing so was how it affected his mate, and maybe a little jealousy that he couldn't do the same.

Anyway.

Stonefur groomed his paws as he waited. No pressing things to attend to for him, he was on the mandated break all Riverclan warriors had once the sun reached its highest point. Usually he pushed it back, but today... No point in rushing around and tiring himself out before the show began, he figured. 

He hoped Graystripe didn't want to be friends with him. He knew other Thunderclanners knew of Stonefur and Fireheart's friendship; Riverclan as well. Possibly the other clans too, if they cared enough about either of them to notice them talking together during gatherings. He did not want this newcomer to assume that since he and Fireheart were friends he was then entitled to Fireheart's friends, too. The thought brought a growl to his throat, a crawling, grating thing. He wasn't too proud to admit to jealously guarding his relationships, nor the want to keep them private and his. His fur itched at the thought of intrusion, of the violation it would seem like.

Thinking about this too much made his head ache. Made his chest burn. He decided to stop thinking about it.

Rustling in the bushes- the scent of deep forest wafted by on the wind.

Stonefur took a deep, steadying breath. Graystripe had arrived. He remained sitting but his ears followed the noise, absently noting his clanmates rousing, Crookedstar exiting his den with a fish head in his jaw.

The gray warrior finally revealed himself, his typical stocky Thunderclan build nearly dwarfed by Silverstream (so that's it, Stonefur realized with a sigh,) leading him forward with her tail over his striped back. What little he could see of the gray cat's face looked nervous, maybe a little anxious.

Stonefur watched Crookedstar drop his fish in shock. He watched his other clanmates bristle, hissing at the intruder. Stonefur could do nothing but sigh as he stood up, already tired of this whole ordeal. He padded over to the two cats with a blank expression.

"Silverstream." He offered her a nod, welcoming her back as per usual. He shifted his gaze to Graystripe. Narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here?"

The warrior looked a little intimidated; good. Stonefur wasn't pleased and made no effort to not be. Some of his clanmates were louder about it, but he didn't like this situation any more than they did, if for not the same reasons.

(And it might be petty, he could admit that, to use his size and strength as intimidation; but when he could battle with what seemed like every clans' best warriors and win, he figured he had earned it.)

Silverstream shielded her mate with her body from the upset warriors, shooting him a look in some unspoken plea that reminded Stonefur heavily of his own mate. He ignored the (jealous, jealous,) pang in his chest at seeing it. Silverstream nodded respectfully to Crookedstar, who had come close when Stonefur wasn't paying attention.

"Graystripe is my mate, and we want him to join Riverclan." She spoke for them both, voice firm.

The loudest of the clan immediately took further issue, calling to Crookedstar, Leopardfur. Even to Stonefur, surprisingly, but probably because he was standing close to their leader. Leopardfur was... Ah, over by Mudfur, her pelt bristling and ears laid flat. Stonefur sighed.

He kind of felt like this entire situation was a foregone conclusion, actually, despite everything. Silverstream was a respected warrior in her own right, and her word meant a lot to the clan, but her father was a soft-heart, was kind. And everyone knew he'd do anything for his family; Mistyfoot's kits adored him, loved it when he visited, and he doted on Mistyfoot herself when she let him. And Stonefur loved spending time with his uncle, regularly shared tongues and went on patrols with him, helped him with clan issues sometimes.

Anyway.

His point was, he didn't see this going any other way than letting Graystripe join Riverclan. Silverstream just meant that much to Crookedstar, point blank.

He didn't. He didn't want to be seeing this anymore, actually. His clan was suddenly so very loud. He wanted to leave. He wanted to go see Fireheart. He could feel his fur moving in the breeze, he could feel his whiskers, his ear fur, the ground under his paws, and it was suddenly too much. He needed to be away. He hadn't been paying any attention to his cousin, or her mate, or his leader anyway.

So...

"I'm going," Stonefur said shortly, interrupting the three- no, four cats, Leopardfur had joined them spitting furious words, stars above he needed to leave. He barely raised a paw before Crookedstar tried to stop him.

"Wait," his leader asked him, "you don't want to weigh in? You're a senior warrior, you have a say."

"Sorry, but if I have to stay here for this I'm going to bite someone," Stonefur replied calmly.

Or not, because his clanmates blinked at him warily, Silverstream even taking a step back and pushing Graystripe further away from him, which. Hm.

Yeah, alright.

"Sorry," he tried again, dipping his head at Crookedstar, "I don't care if he stays, if that helps."

The leader studied him, eyes narrowed and head tilted. He nodded after a long moment, realization dawning over his face, waving him off with a paw when Stonefur didn't move.

"Alright, go, go, thank you," Crookedstar sat where he was, flipping his bushy tail over his paws. He glanced at Graystripe, who looked very confused, then back to Stonefur.

"I get anxious," he stated shortly, taking the obvious cue to explain. He avoided looking at the gray cat directly in the eyes, but he did see his body jolt a little with surprise, and it annoyed him. Time to go.

One last nod to the gathered cats, and Stonefur was gone.