Squirrelflight & Brambleclaw

Bramblestar

                  He couldn't help the warmth he felt when Squirrelflight had come back for him once she had realized he was hurt but he reminded himself sternly that they had parted ways a long time ago and thus, led to him being cruel and harsh when he had spoken to her. Why did he always act like that only towards Squirrelflight? He twitched his ear in irritation- he blamed it on the history between the both of them. Bramblestar winced in pain as suddenly he felt something warm pressing against his bleeding paw. He hissed and quickly pulled it towards him. He then looked up. Squirrelflight's green eyes were wide in fear and confusion, "Did I hurt you?" They were so close that their noses almost touched. She drew back quickly as she, too, realized the close proximity they were in. Immediately after she pulled away, he felt a cold air brushing past his fur and their closeness were once again separated by the ever widening chasm between both of them.  Her earlier clear expression is now once again covered by a mask of coolness. She was being careful with him, it seems. He regretted his earlier actions and wished his mouse dung self would have just stayed in place when she licked his paw, so they could at least have a semblance of what they were like- once. 

              "I'm sorry, I didn't realize......Nevermind," Bramblestar muttered as Squirrelflight looked at him questioningly. "Just hold still," she said, in a voice a little more gentler than it was earlier. Was it just him, or was it the temperature that made his fur rise up a little at Squirrelflight's gentle touch. Panic surrounded him and he nearly snatched his paw away again. "Squirrelflight," he opened his mouth and shut it again, he wasn't sure he wanted to hear what he wanted to say to her. "Yes?" Squirrelflight replied, still licking his paw. But he couldn't hold on any longer, he could no longer stand whatever it was between them. He wanted to be in control, he didn't want to feel whatever he feels around her, it unnerved him. Surely she felt it too? Or maybe not, maybe she already had Greenfern and no longer wanted to have anything to do with him. After all, hadn't she made it clear already? 

             He felt her pause and he looked down upon her head that was still bent over his paw. "Well?" she said. "Can we be friends again?" it came out in a rush as he feared he would never say it if he had stalled it anymore. It was then that Squirrelflight looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes. He was once again reminded of how brilliant Squirrelflight's eyes were. He cleared his throat hastily and was tempted to look away but he forced himself to stay and act as a leader- and a tom. "I am very sorry about my behaviour earlier Squirrelflight and all the times before that. My behaviour was more worse than fox- dung, it was inexcusable and I'm sorry if I had ever made you feel unappreciated or useless. Truth is, you're the most valuable warrior in the clan and I would have never made it this far with Thunderclan if it wasn't for you. And I......" Bramblestar felt something lodge in his throat when he realized what he was about to say, "I wish you all the happiness in the world with Greenfern." He nearly gagged at the tom's name but stopped himself in time. Squirrelflight said nothing but just looked at him. And looked.

               He could drown himself in those eyes of hers. Finally she spoke, her voice soft, "Yes, we could be......friends. That'd be nice." Then she looked away and swallowed, "I'll go hunt now. We need something to eat so our energy won't be depleted." Bramblestar nodded and touched his nose to her ear, "Thank you Squirrelflight." Squirrelflight drew back in shock but quickly regained her composure, "That is, if there is anything alive down here." She gave him a grin before flicking her tail across his nose. He grinned, Squirrelflight was more relaxed too, and he was glad he made her feel that way and resolved whatever he was feeling for her. Being friends was nice. But his lips curled back whenever he thought of Greenfern, for some strange reason, he didn't like that tom. Besides, he reminded him of Ashfur so wasn't that a valid reason not to like him? 

             He stared at Squirrlflight's back as she disappeared into the darkness of the cave, he almost called out to her to be careful but decided against it, he didn't want her to think he likes her or overprotective of her. He knew that would be her reaction if he did. But he did worry about her, he wanted to make sure he was safe, he wanted to tell her to becareful because she was important to the clan, to him. But that didn't make him like her- or did it? He hissed in frustration, he was no closer to solving these conflicting feelings than he was earlier.