#crowhare

Harestar paced around his den. StarClan I can’t take another moon of this; I have to do something. He sighed and peered outside, scanning the camp. It was just past sunhigh on a hot greenleaf day, but a cool breeze kept it from being unbearably so. The camp was mostly empty, save for Crowfeather who was sunning himself idly. The black tom’s fur had a soft sheen in the sunlight that accentuated the strong muscles underneath. The sight of it drove Harestar wild.

I should just talk to him, but what do even I say? ‘Hey Crowfeather, nice day we’re having. Do you like toms?’ Really smooth. Perhaps I can offer to share some prey with him and work up to it? It wasn’t much of a plan, but he knew he wouldn’t get a better chance than this.

He gave his pelt a few licks and stepped out of his den, heading towards the fresh-kill pile. It was well stocked, he noticed. Hunting had been good that day. He felt a deep pride at that. His clan was doing well.

From the pile he grabbed a plump rabbit. He recalled them to be Crowfeather’s favorite. Taking a deep breath, he walked over to him, trying his best to remain calm.

He dropped the rabbit at Crowfeather’s paws. “Hey Crowfeather. I-I was going to eat this rabbit; Would you like to share?” Once again, really smooth. The black tom cracked one of his blue eyes open and Harestar felt butterflies in his stomach. Oh how he longed to get lost in those eyes. Crowfeather glanced down at the prey and then let out a yawn. “Okay.” To the point. Harestar loved that about him. You never needed to wonder how the tom felt.

Crowfeather rose and stretched, his back arched and his butt raised. Harestar couldn’t help but admire the sight; A strong body built by the lifetime of being a warrior. He shivered at the thought of that frame pressed against his own. He was sure he looked like a lovesick apprentice, but if Crowfeather noticed he gave no indication.

They each took a turn taking a bite from the rabbit. The rich flavor of the prey washed over his tongue. His heart pounded as they sat there eating in silence. He needed to say something; He might not get another chance alone like this for awhile. “So Kestrelflight tells me Heathertail might have her kits any day now.” StarClan, what a romantic topic he thought, chastising himself. To his surprise though, Crowfeather laughed. Crowfeather! His laugh was deep and gruff. It made Harestar’s legs weak.

“You should have seen Breezepelt’s face when he heard the news.” Crowfeather said with a smile. “He’s been on every patrol since. I think he’s trying to keep himself busy so he doesn’t have to think about it. Of course, I told him he’s being a mousebrain. Because he’s being a mousebrain.” He sounded proud of his son.

“I’m sure you were the same way.” Harestar said defending his old friend from the playful mousebrain accusations. Though, truth be told, it was hard imaging Crowfeather worrying about anything. To Harestar, he seemed sure in everything he did.

“Ha! If you asked Nightcloud, she’d say I was worse.” Crowfeather said and took another bite of rabbit. “Though admittedly I probably was. If you tell her I said that last part I’ll claw your pelt off.”

“I don’t doubt you would.” Harestar said, chuckling. “Of course, if you clawed my pelt off I’d have to exile you and it’d be a shame to exile such a handsome tom.”

“A handsome tom, huh?” Crowfeather said and Harestar realized that he said that second part out loud. He had meant to ease into confessing not jump in head first.

“Y-yes. I mean, enough she-cats have said it. That you’re handsome, that is.” Harestar mewed, his mouth dry. He wanted to run but his paws stayed firmly fixed to the ground.

“Ah, the she-cats. Of course.” Crowfeather said, his crystal blue gaze on Harestar. His muzzle was graying and his face had a few scars, but to Harestar that just made him all the more attractive. “For a moment there I thought you were calling me handsome.” His tail swished from side to side. Was he playing with Harestar, the way you might with a cornered shrew?

“You are- I mean, I was. I like you, Crowfeather.” Harestar stammered. In his head, whenever he confessed to Crowfeather he was always so articulate- romantic even. Now he struggled to get the words out, like an apprentice trying to explain why they snuck out of camp.

Harestar tried to regain his composure, but before he could Crowfeather had taken a step toward him. The black tom leaned in and Harestar closed his eyes unsure of what to expect. To his surprise, their muzzles met and his heart skipped a beat. StarClan his mouth was warm. He dug his claws into the ground as if he might float away if he didn’t. A deep purr filled him and he realized Crowfeather was purring too. After a moment that felt like an eternity, the black tom pulled away and the kiss ended.

Harestar let out the breath he was holding. He searched for words, but none came.

“You know, I wondered if you were ever going to make a move.” Crowfeather said, his tail waving playfully from side to side.

“You.. knew?” Harestar hid is eyes, embarrassed.

“This isn’t my first trip across the moor, Harestar. Of course I knew. I’m sure half the clan has seen you mooning over me like a lovesick apprentice.” Crowfeather said.

Harestar was stunned. Others had noticed how he was acting around Crowfeather? He grew hot thinking about his clanmates gossiping about him. “I see.” was all he could manage.

Crowfeather circled him and pressed his flank up against his, the way Harestar had dreamed of so many times. “Come on now, head up. You’re supposed to be a leader, remember?” he teased.

Harestar straightened his posture and then, in a moment of boldness, curled his tail with Crowfeather’s. “So then, you are okay with it?” He asked finally.

“Yeah.” Crowfeather said. “You’re a little handsome yourself, you know? You’ve really grown into being a leader.” He was smooth. The Crowfeather in his dreams wasn’t half this smooth.

“Does this make us, mates?” Harestar asked.

“Let’s take it slow, at first, and see where it goes.” Crowfeather replied gently. “There’s no need to rush.”