Confusing Twists | A Warrior Cats AU

Chapter 17

: Worry :

Brambleclaw sat worriedly beside Ashfur.
How did I not see what was happening?! I'm his mate! I should have noticed how thin he was! I'm a terrible mate! Oh Ashfur. . . I'm so sorry.
Brambleclaw lapped Ashfur's ears. I love you. Please be ok. He willed.
Ashfur stirred. He slowly opened his eyes. “W-what. . . Happened?” he asked.
Brambleclaw helped him sit up. “You passed out. Leafpool says it was most likely because of how little you've been eating.”
Ashfur looked down guiltily. “I didn't mean to worry you.” he whispered.
Brambleclaw blinked. “Worry me? Ashfur you should be concerned about yourself.”
Ashfur flattened his ears to his head. “Why? I don't deserve to have cats worry about me!”
Brambleclaw’s eyes widened. “That’s nonsense!” he was more angry at himself than Ashfur. Maybe it was his fault! He had probably done something that hurt Ashfur without realizing it!
“Dont blame yourself!” Ashfur suddenly snapped. “I can tell you are. And don't you dare. It has nothing to do with you. You're. . .” he trailed off realizing that he might very well be overheard.
Brambleclaw took a breath. Ashfur’s assurance meant a great deal to him. He knew Ashfur wouldn't say that unless he meant it.
I really need to stop thinking everything is my fault. It's starting to get unhealthy. Brambleclaw knew that right now the only thing he should be worrying about was Ashfur.
“Alright Ashfur, I'm just worried about you. You're one of the most important things in the world to me.” Brambleclaw quickly pressed his muzzle to Ashfur's, too quick for anyone to notice.
Ashfur nodded.
Brambleclaw eyed the scratch on Ashfur's paw. “And another thing, how did you get that scratch?” he asked. He assumed Ashfur had just scratched himself on a thorn in his sleep, but he had to be sure.
Ashfur’s gaze briefly flashed with guilt. That concerned Brambleclaw, more than a little. “It must have been a thorn or something.” Ashfur mumbled.
Of course. Just a thorn. No need to worry. It was obviously just a thorn. Brambleclaw tried (and failed) to assure himself.

“If I have to be any more obvious I might- oh sorry Brambleclaw I forgot to fully mute myself. . .” Vixen sounded mortified.
What were you about to say? Brambleclaw asked, continuing his patrol with Squirrelflight and Thornclaw, as though a. . .thing hadn't just started talking to him.
“Well er. . . Just something about Ashfur. . . I mean it's good you're worried about him and all but. . . Oh fluff am I even allowed to do this? I mean. . . I was never given any rules. . . Fluff! I should have stopped the first battle. Or saved Bright Stream. . . Or both. Oh for the stars sake! I just started monologueing! In front of someone- I'm doing it again. Sorry. You need pay closer attention to Ashfur. The fact you make sure he eats daily is a good start. But you need to look closer.” Vixen’s voice faded ominously. It was hard to tell if they had done that on purpose or not.
Brambleclaw felt a pit in his stomach. He was pretty sure he knew exactly what Vixen meant.

An:
Fun fact: some iteration of ‘worry’ is (excluding the title) used 8 times