Work Text:
Dovewhisper sat on Sunningrocks, a quiet sigh leaving her. A rustle in the bushes behind her made her whip her head around and narrow her eyes. A white paw stepped out of the undergrowth, with two other whites and one beige following. A familiar smile greeted Dovewhisper, and a pang of emotion rang through her heart. She quickly shoved the feeling away as the tabby warrior came closer.
“Hey, fishie,” the ThunderClan she-cat greeted, sitting down next to the silver deputy. She playfully nudged Dovewhisper. “What brings you over here?” she asked, leaning over to see if there were any fish in the water that the RiverClanner could’ve been hunting. Dovewhisper yanked her away from the water before her shadow could fall on the rippling liquid.
“I just needed to get away from things for a while.” Dovewhisper turned to the other she-cat with a teasing grin. “Yet every time I do this, more things—like you —pop up,” she jested. Robinbreeze let out a dramatic gasp in response.
“It’s not my fault!” she protested. “You just happen to be here every time I’m hunting nearby. I swear, it’s almost like you plan this stuff,” she added, her last sentence full of playfulness.
There it was again. That feeling. Dovewhisper took a breath before placing a paw over one of Robinbreeze’s own. The latter turned to look Dovewhisper in the eye, concern flashing in her green gaze. “Dovewhisper?” she murmured. “You alright?”
“I.. You aren’t too far off,” the deputy finally let out. Her heart hammered in her chest so hard she could feel her ears shake with the intensity of her own nervousness. She was really doing this. Robinbreeze cocked her head to the side, curious. “Sometimes when I come over here, I hope that you’re near,” Dovewhisper laughed out awkwardly. She held her breath as she waited for the ThunderClanner’s response.
Dovewhisper could practically see the cogs turning in Robinbreeze’s mind. She sighed, shaking her head. “I like you, mousebrain,” she muttered under her breath. Her eyes just barely caught the way Robinbreeze froze up, her posture straightening and her muscles tensing up.
“I..” Robinbreeze was speechless.
Dovewhisper feared she was going to bring up the thing with Liondawn, or worse, just leave her here alone without a word more. No, what happened was worse.
Robinbreeze stood on her paws, narrowing her eyes. “You’re RiverClan. I’m ThunderClan. Are you really a traitor, Dovewhisper?” Dovewhisper felt her heart sink. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but Robinbreeze was quicker. “Traitors shouldn’t be allowed to walk with us,” she growled.
The RiverClan deputy felt her breath fly out of her as she was knocked backwards off balance, heavy, strong forepaws pushing her off the rocks. Her back hit the water with a splash. She quickly turned herself over and tried to move her paws, but the water had somehow held her in place. She churned her paws faster, but to no avail. Dovewhisper felt fear and betrayal settle like a heavy stone in her stomach as the water dragged her down. Further, and further, down to the deepest depths.
— — —
Dovewhisper jolted awake, her heart racing. She was dry and on land. She was warm, too. She took a few moments to calm herself, steadying her breathing. Something stirred beside her, and she quickly whipped her head to see what it was. Her startled blue eyes met a pair of sleepy yet warm green ones.
Robinbreeze yawned, but she quickly shook herself to a stop when she noticed the fright in Dovewhisper’s expression. “Hey, what’s up?” she meowed, her voice thick with worry. She scooted impossibly closer to the silver feline beside her, wrapping her tail around her as well.
Dovewhisper blinked. She was alright. She wasn’t falling. She was near the embankment of the calm river underneath a stray tree, resting with her friend. What had happened wasn’t real. “Just a nightmare,” the RiverClanner responded sheepishly after realizing she hadn’t replied. Robinbreeze frowned and moved to give her friend a comforting lick on top of her head.
“Well, whatever it was, it wasn’t real, okay?” the tabby murmured, resting her head on her paws. Her eyes focused on Dovewhisper, and the latter felt the boulder of betrayal she had accumulated during her restless sleep lift from her.
“..I know,” Dovewhisper replied, yawning. She situated herself comfortably, feeling safe and warm in Robinbreeze’s embrace. Even if it wasn’t, I don’t want to risk that again…