Confusing Twists | A Warrior Cats AU

Chapter 12

: Leap of Faith :

AN: I MUST COMMIT THE SIN OF A DUEL POV CHAPTER. IT IS A NECESSARY EVIL

Brambleclaw didn't exactly know how to feel. He'd figured Ashfur liked him back. But to actually hear it from his mouth was. . . Shocking. Even more shocking was the very fact Ashfur wanted to apologize to Lionblaze and Jayfeather.
He saw Ashfur staring at him.
“Hi.” Brambleclaw padded over to him.
Ashfur nodded at him. He looked embarrassed to have been caught staring.
I don't mind. I like staring at you too. Brambleclaw refused to say his thought out loud. Instead he just sat down beside Ashfur.
Ashfur tucked his paws under his chest. A silent sign of his comfort.
Should I tell Ashfur how I feel about him? Brambleclaw debated. He didn't know how long he should put it off. . . He needed to tell Ashfur eventually.

Ashfur sat beside Brambleclaw, embarrassed.
He caught me staring at him! Now he probably thinks I want to kill him or something! I'm so stupid! He wanted to burry his head in his paws. But that would be stupid.
I was never like this with Squirrelflight! I could easily talk to that rat without getting so flustered! Why is it different now?! Ashfur paused. Maybe I didn't even like Squirrelflight to begin with. . . Realization crashed over him. I never liked Squirrelflight! I was jealous not because Brambleclaw was with Squirrelflight, but because Squirrelflight was with Brambleclaw! Surprise coursed through him. The his tail fell.
But Brambleclaw doesn't like me. So who cares? Ashfur thought dejectedly.

Brambleclaw was lying in his nest, yet another sleepless night threatened him. He could tell Ashfur was awake too.
Brambleclaw sat up. StarClan was presenting him with this opportunity. He wasn't going to let it escape.
He slowly stood up and padded over to Ashfur.
The grey tom looked up at him, gaze questioning but not suspicious. “What?” he whispered.
Brambleclaw took a breath before responding. “I was wondering if you wanted to go on a walk with me.” he offered.
Ashfur’s gaze instantly lit up. He looked excited. “Sure.”

Ashfur followed Brambleclaw out of camp. He could feel his heart beating quickly. Why did he invite me to come with him? He wondered. Is there something. . . Important he needs to tell me? Ashfur for once didn't scold himself for his childish thoughts. Brambleclaw invited him on a walk in the middle of the night. What could possibly be more of a cliche in romance?
Brambleclaw turned to him. “Its a nice night.” he commented.
Ashfur nodded. “It is.” he bit his tongue to stop himself from saying more.
“I couldn't help but notice that you purposely are walking on my left side.” Brambleclaw looked at him teasingly. “Is that so you can look at me?”
Ashfur felt his face heat up with embarrassment. That was exactly why he had done it. He had been caught red pawed. “W-well of course not! I just thought it would be more polite to be able to look at you when your talking.” He stammered.
“You could do that walking on my right side.” Brambleclaw’s whiskers twitched.
Ashfur looked at the ground. He was too embarrassed to speak.
Brambleclaw laughed. “I like looking at you too.” he admitted.
Ashfur looked up. “R-really?!” he exclaimed, excitement surfing up inside him.
Could it be?! Does he really like me back?! Ashfur asked himself, bewildered.

Brambleclaw watched Ashfur as he went through his flurry of emotions. It was kind of cute to see him go from embarrassed to shocked to hopeful.
“Yeah, who wouldn't want to look at you?” Brambleclaw asked.
Ashfur flattened his ears to his head. “I’m half blind. I'm hideous.” he choked up.
Brambleclaw was appalled. “I have never heard a more ridiculous thing! You are the most handsome tom I have ever seen!” he exclaimed.

Ashfur stared at Brambleclaw, taken aback. He thinks I'm handsome?! And not just that I'm handsome, I'm the most handsome tom he's ever seen?!
“That. . . That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. . .” Ashfur murmured. Tears of happiness welling up in his eyes.
Brambleclaw shrugged. “It’s just the truth.”
Ashfur looked at him. “T-thank you.” his jaw trembled.

Brambleclaw took a deep breath. This was the moment. “Ashfur, ever since we started hanging out again I realized something. Me and Squirrelflight were never really meant to be together. And maybe that's because. . . I always liked you. I think I've always liked you. I just didn't know it. Ashfur. . . Do you. . . Want to be mates?”

Ashfur spent a long time just staring at Brambleclaw. He was beyond shocked. He half expected Brambleclaw to start laughing and tell him it was just a joke. But he never did. He just waited for Ashfur to respond.
“I. . . Feel the same. I don't think I ever actually liked Squirrelflight.” he still hated her though. “It was always you I liked. I just never realized it. Yes Brambleclaw. I would love to be your mate.” Ashfur finally responded, a purr starting to rumble in his throat.
Brambleclaw started purring too. “Thats a relief. I was terrified you'd say no.” he laughed a little.
Ashfur laughed too. “I was scared you were making it up.”
“I guess we were both scared about nothing.” Brambleclaw responded.
Ashfur nodded. He felt sheer unfiltered love flood through him. It was such a good feeling. Ashfur was surprised by its intensity. It was so much stronger and so much better than hate. Ashfur relished in it. He didn't want this feeling to ever go away.

Vixen fell out of the tree they were sitting in. “Oh my StarClan! They did it!” they exclaimed disbelievingly.