#finchlight

Sunbeam blinked her eyes open slowly, adjusting to the warm morning light filtering through the warrior's den. She inhaled the scents of her clanmates, of fresh greenleaf ferns, and felt at peace. This was where she was always meant to be.

And then she felt a pelt shifting beside her, hot against her flank. Nightheart. She wouldn't be here without him. Really, she owed her place in this clan to him...

And yet she avoided his gaze as he stretched beside her, nestling her paws under her chin in hopes that he'd think she was still dozing.

"I'm going hunting," Nightheart said simply, a warm affection in his eyes. "Wanna come?"

Sunbeam cracked an eye open. She worried how he'll feel if she says no.

It's too much stress, she thinks. And I'm already awake.

"Sure," she replied, forcing herself to her paws.

And they went hunting.

The sun was high in the sky by the time they returned to camp. Two mice dangled from her jaws. Nightheart complimented her catch.

"I'm so glad you came here," he said as they squeezed through the bramble-laden entrance. "Imagine if you'd stayed in ShadowClan. We never would've had this life together." He purred, rubbing his cheek against hers. Her muscles bunched under her fur. "I promised I'd share my prey with Bayshine. See you later!" Without another word, he bounded off, and Sunbeam let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

Sunbeam turned his words over in her mind. He'd failed his ShadowClan trial on purpose, left without telling her, all so he could come home. But that was okay, wan't it? It led her here. And she was happy.

"Sunbeam!"

She whipped her head around to see Finchlight eagerly padding over, amber eyes glowing with fondness. Sunbeam felt her heart swell as Finchlight gave her an affectionate lick. She paid it no mind as she meowed back.

"Hi, Finchlight. Wanna share prey?"

"I was actually wondering if you'd help me gather herbs for Jayfeather. You know how he gets."

Sunbeam's paws were raw from her patrol moments before and her belly ached with hunger, and yet she nodded without hesitation, brushing against Finchlight as they ducked through the tunnel.

They'd walked several fox lengths before Sunbeam asked, "What herbs are we looking for, anyway?"

Finchlight paused, fur fluffing up like she hadn't expected the question.

"Uhm..." She trailed off awkwardly, guilt shining in her eyes. "There are no herbs. I just wanted to talk."

Sunbeam's jaws slacked in disbelief. Finchlight continued on.

"When you came here, I swore I'd help you get settled and happy in ThunderClan, and even now I can't stand seeing you unhappy." She took a pawstep closer, concern radiating from her expression, head tilted in questioning. "What's wrong?"

"I..." Sunbeam's mouth turned dry in an instant, shame burning hot under her pelt. "I don't know what it is, Finchlight. I love ThunderClan, I'd do anything to defend it, but...something doesn't fit."

"I'm sorry," Finchlight meowed softly, eyes overflowing with worry. She leaned forward and gently licked behind Sunbeam's ear. Sunbeam suddenly found herself so at ease, burying her nose into Finchlight's soft fur.

"I think I made a mistake," Sunbeam whispered, voice breaking. "I'm happy here but I don't feel like myself. I think it's because of..." The words died in her throat. She couldn't speak it out loud, let alone to her mate's littermate.

Finchlight stared at her plainly, expression impossible to read. "Oh," she meowed softly after a moment. "Is there another cat?"

"No!" Sunbeam exclaimed a little too quickly, tail bushing up. She forced her fur to lie flat. "I mean...I don't think so. But what would happen if there was? I joined ThunderClan for Nightheart. If I leave my place beside him, will I lose my place in the clan?"

"What?" Finchlight's eyes flashed wide. "Of course not, Sunbeam. I'd shred the pelt of any cat who said you didn't belong here, no matter what happens. You're one of the most loyal cats I know, and I..." She hesitated, claws digging at the dirt beneath her. "I don't want you to leave."

"Finchlight..." Sunbeam's heart felt as though it could burst. She leaned forward, pressing her muzzle to hers and breathing in her scent.

She smells like pine needles. Like home.

Finchlight blinked her eyes open, gaze betraying what they both knew but couldn't say out loud.

"Cinderheart wants me on the afternoon patrol. I'm gonna be late." She padded a few pawsteps away, before glancing back over her shoulder. "If you still feel the same in a few sunrises, please tell me." And just like that, she hurried back towards camp.