Tallstar x Jake (READ DESCRIPTION FOR IMPORTANT INFO!!!)

Chapter 9 Segment 1

((The screenshots is the scene I recreated below.))

"Don't worry Tallstar- it's not your fault you don't need to be sorry!" Jake said in his cheery tone. He always made everything seem like it was going to be okay through every little thing he said. I know it wasn't any sort of compliment but I instinctively brushed up against him, now becoming a bit crestfallen now that the news had sank in.

"I don't want you to leave, Jake," I whimpered. "Please don't go."

Jake looks up into my face and down again.
"Actually, that's something I wanted to talk with you about." He said almost reluctantly. I feel a small tinge of nervousness and partial excitement, a million thoughts going through my head at once, wondering what is it he had to say.

He padded a bit away from me towards the cat flap into his home, and glanced back, beckoning me with his tail for me to follow. I did so, somewhat reluctantly myself.

We made our way inside, the giant cat bed loomed slightly over our heads when Jake jumped onto it. I follows his lead and we both settled in next to each other, my ears pricked ready to here his proposal.

Jake almost stuttered as if he were afraid of what I'd say.

"I... I want you to come live with me in my new home." Jake turned his head and looked up at me almost pleadingly. "Tallstar... would you come with me?" He almost whispered.

Almost instinctively I pull my tail off of his and look away slowly. To which he flinches and looks at his paws. I think he knew what my answer was already.

"Jake- you know I'd love to go with you... but you also know that I can't. My Clan needs me-" I get cut off by an aggravated yowl.

"I need you!" Jake cries.

I flinched, never having seeing Jake so distraught. His fur was on end and he was already on the verge of tears. I wanted to comfort him but I knew the only way I could was to go with him, and say yes. I couldn't.

Jake suddenly spit, angry.

"But Jake- you know you can live with me, and join the Clan! You don't have to leave." I say, trying my best to sooth the ginger tom.

"If it wasn't for your Clan, we could be together!" Jake's voice cracked with emotion.

He turned to me, not as angry but with bitterness playing in his voice.

"Your Clan," -he said, spitting- "Your Clan hates me Tallstar. Not to mention they're prejudiced against cats who like the same gender. You'd not only put me at risk of getting hurt, but yourself. And you know I'd hate for you to get hurt." Jake's voice was soothing even in the bitter moment, Jake's fur relaxed and he turned to the side.

I started again, trying to make him feel better.

"I'd love to go with you, you're so so important to me. B-but so is my Clan." I say with such reluctance I almost don't finish the sentence.
Jake's fur suddenly bristled, and he leapt to the floor.

"You can't have both, Tallstar." Jake immediately turned away as tears started to fall down his face, hiding his sadness from me.

I leapt down and start towards him, but almost immediately he turns back to me, baring his teeth and taking a step back.

And then he shakes his head and his face falters into one of despair and sadness. He let me see the stream of his tears, and the quavering of his voice. I couldn't bare to see him so unhappy. He takes another step back.

"Go, Tallstar." He says, his voice breaking.
"I know what's more important to you. I support you and your decision. Go back to your Clan, they need you." Jake's voice was heavy, and I had felt a surge of pride for Jake, his selflessness was something I'd never forget.

Jake though, didn't notice it. He turned his back and stalked away towards his owners room.

I knew I had to go back to my Clan, but I had to do one last thing before I left.

I took a paw step forward, now suddenly flying on my paws, I tackle Jake to the ground and we tumble onto the soft carpet.

"Tallstar?" Jake almost clawed at me, furious.
"What are you do-"

Pinning him to the ground like prey, I'm on top of him, but instead of a killing blow, I lean into him.

And kiss him.

Without waiting for any sort of reply, I jump off of Jake, fleeing for the cat flap. I turn back a final time before telling him;

"That's how I feel about you. Please- don't ever forget that." I feel my own voice starting to break, knowing I wouldn't see him again.

"I love you, Jake."

I say, before taking off back into the forest.
I can hear him calling my name for me to come back but I couldn't bare to turn my head and look back- it was too painful.

Goodbye, Jake.