Private Thread I'm Ready if You Are

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

The mid-morning light filtering through the den stung slightly, and he groaned softly, stretching out his stiff legs above his nest. It had been a restless night, plagued by an unusually vivid dream he could barely remember now - something regarding the gorge most likely. His muscles felt like they carried the weight of it.

He blinked toward the entrance mid stretch, spotting Aspenberry’s familiar black and white spotted figure. Her voice carried a warmth that instantly pushed away the remnants of his groggy state.

“G'morning!” His voice still rough with sleep as he sat up and gave his broad shoulders a shake. A yawn escaped him before he added .“A walk sounds like just what I need. Give me a heartbeat to shake off the cobwebs.”

Cloudflare rose, arching his back in a long stretch before padding toward her with a small, easy smile. “Best take advantage of that sun.” He tossed his coat as he shook himself, giving his chest a couple of licks to seem presentable to the rest of camp. Best not let it seem Cloudflare was caught half asleep in his nest at this hour.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare chuckled at Aspenberry’s playful remark, his copper eyes alight with amusement. Her teasing tone was refreshing - a reminder of the lighter side of things, even in the midst of leafbare’s grip. Cloudflare was sure to brush his flank against her as he nearly, a soft purr vibrating from the pit of his broad chest.

Her description of the frosted heathers and the glittering moors captured his attention fully, his ears perking. "I certainly haven't shared it with you - but I'd love to." He hadn’t often made time for such moments, always busy with duties or focused on practical matters. But the way Aspenberry described it, he wanted to witness the scene she painted so vividly. Especially with her.

Before he could reply further, she bolted out of the camp like a streak of black and white, her enthusiasm infectious. Cloudflare huffed a laugh, shaking his head with mock exasperation. "At least let me catch up first!" He called after her, his steps quickening as he followed, paws crunching on the frosty ground. For once, the weight of leafbare didn’t seem so heavy.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare followed Aspenberry's path, his copper eyes tracking the playful leaps and bounds she made through the snow. The way she moved, her black and white pelt contrasting against the frosty landscape, could have reminded him of a bird in flight.

When she disappeared into the snowbank, he slowed, his whiskers twitching with amusement. He was about to call out when she popped out the other side, her pale eyes alight with mischief. Her whiskers, dotted with snowflakes glinted in the pale pre-dawn and Cloudflare couldn’t help but let out a deep, rumbling purr of laughter.

He padded closer, only to be greeted with a flurry of snow clumps shaken from her pelt. "Hey!" He exclaimed, flinching back in mock protest as the cold clumps hit his fur. His tail lashed playfully as his grin widened. "How cruel, Aspenberry. Here I was, rushing to catch up, and this is the thanks I get?"

Still chuckling, he fell into step beside her as she slowed his larger frame brushing through the frosty heather with ease. His gaze followed hers toward the large tree in the distance. Even from here, he could see the way the frost clung to the plants like delicate crystal lace.

"You weren’t kidding about the view..." Although maybe he wasn't talking about the tree, but the cat in his company.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Her shoulder brushing his own sent a brief warmth through him despite the cold, and he offered her a small smile in return, his copper eyes reflecting her enthusiasm. The incline didn’t faze him, though his steps were more deliberate than hers - his heavier frame making him more cautious about losing traction on the icy slope.

When she leapt into the tree, his ears twitched with amusement. He sat at the base, tilting his head to watch her agile movements as she wove effortlessly between the branches. Her teasing remark brought a grin to his face, and he snorted softly.

"My girth? I’m not that big..." He stood, giving the tree a measured look before launching himself up. His claws found purchase on the rough bark as he climbed with surprising ease for his size. Soon he settled onto the branch beside her, his bulk making it sway slightly under their combined weight.

Cloudflare took in the view, his breath hitching briefly. The moor stretched out beneath them like a glittering tapestry, the frost catching the early morning light. The endless expanse of WindClan territory felt both vast and intimate from this height.

"You weren’t exaggerating..." His voice was quieter now, more reflective. He glanced at Aspenberry, her pale eyes glowing as she looked out over their home. "It’s something else, isn’t it? Makes you realize how lucky we are to live here. Sometimes you just need to remind yourself of what you’re working for... and who you’re working for."