Russet ended up padding alongside Pale Light, a tail-length from Flame and Darkened Hope. An awkward silence formed a barrier between them and they made quick eye contact for a few heartbeats at a time before tearing away.

Did he really have feelings for another male?
If love was love, what could he really do?

He wouldn't like you back anyways. Russet admired the mousy brown flecks splattered over his pelt like the clouds on a partially sunny day.

The pale blue pools of determined light seemed to be contemplating something. Probably about the whole extravaganza that just happened. It all happened so suddenly, and now six animals were just astray in new territory.

Of course Russet knew that explaining himself to Pale Light wouldn't hurt; not like what happened to Blue destroyed Fern. But now that she was gone, and Sparrow was here, Russet sensed some chemistry between them.

Or maybe it was just a loyal friend.
Maybe that's what Pale Light thinks of me as.
A friend.

Why would he love even me? There so many animals, females, out there that would love him. I'm basically useless except for a warm, fluffy pelt that's good on cold, rainy days.

Maybe that's what Pale Light wants.
Or maybe he only came along for his brother.

Let's try and start a conversation. And try not to mess it up or freak out and spill everything in front of Darkened Hope and his mate.

"Lovely weather we're having." Russet was instantly regretting what he said. Can somebody dig my grave now?

Pale Light tore his gaze away from a falling leaf twisting through gusts of wind. "What?"

"You're lovely." Russet's mouth was dry and his tail was curled nervously. Oh no. . .

Pale Light gave an amused snort, "So are you, Russet." His lilac-white fur rippled as he spoke, and his eyes glittered in merriment.

Russet looked nervously at his moving paws, seeing Flame turn to look at him. She gave him a playful wink. She got the hint. Did Pale Light?

That same, awkward silence settled down again, Fern and Sparrow chatting excitedly with each other. Finally, Fern broke the silence, "We'll settle here for tonight!"

"It's not even close to sundown." Darkened Hope complained, his tongue lolled out and his breathing heavy.

"It doesn't look like you wanna keep walking!" Flame replied like she was Darkened Hope's mother. All Darkened Hope gave back was a long, tired sigh.

Their temporary camp was a small, shallow dip at the edge of the forest. Some animals said that the forest lasted forever, but Russet could see where the trees ended and the moor began for as far as the eye could see.

Short stalks of springy grass on the moor covered a large portion of the depression. Pale Light gazed longingly into the temporary camp, his tail drooping with drowsiness.

"Shall I get some moss for the all of us?" Sparrow meowed excitedly, her gaze sweeping over the animals.

"I'll come with you," Flame meowed back, her whiskers twitching with excitement.

Should I go? It'll be something to take my mind off of Pale Light. . . But it was too late, Sparrow and Flame slinking off back into the forest. They didn't need moss to sleep tonight.

"I'm going hunting. Anyone else wanna. . ?" Darkened Hope overlooked Fern, Russet and his brother longingly. He was scared and untrusting; he didn't want to be alone in the forest.

"Let's go." As Fern began to move forward, a flash of panic blazed in Darkened Hope's eyes. He doesn't believe that Fern didn't kill Blue yet. I know that something else killed her. His reaction was too real to be faked.

"Well," Pale Light sighed, stretching out his front paws and twitching his whiskers. "We can't just wait for them to get back."

"Yeah. I –– actually have something to talk to you about," Russet stared at his paws, embarrassment boiling his skin under his pelt.

"Oh, uh, what about?" Pale Light looked in Russet's direction, but didn't make eye contact.

"I. . ." Russet's mouth was dry and it felt like his throat was closing so he could say the words he needed to say so badly.

Just tell him, you mouseheart. What do you have to lose? You'll still be friends. You can't go back.

Russet lifted his chin, staring into the hopeful pale blue eyes he loved so dearly. Russet flattened his pelt and straightened his spine. "I love you."

"No. . ." Pale Light was confused. Was this a mistake? "No you don't."

"Yes. Yes I do."

"I'm. . . I'm useless," Pale Light gave an amused snort. "You're a great hunter! Your amazing at. . ." Pale Light leaned forward, touching his nose to Russet's.

A warm feeling spread throughout his body, replacing embarrassment with love and pride, in himself. Since when did he even love me? Since when did a tom love a tom?

Why do I even care, it's love.
And that's what matters.

A rustle in the bushes farther ahead startled Russet, making him jump away from an unforgettable moment with the animal he loved. It must be Sparrow and Flame.

Soon enough a wiry gray she-cat slipped out of the shrubbery with a ball of moss in her jaws, followed by a fiery blaze of ginger fur with black bands across her back.

"Sorry it took so long. We didn't. . . know where to look." Sparrow mewed smoothly, after dropping the mossball at her paws.

"Oh, it's fine." Pale Light replied, giving a glance to Russet. A hint of humor glimmered in his gaze. That quick glance told so much to Russet.

Flame licked her chest fur rhythmically and the distant cawing of birds were the only things keeping the crushing silence from settling again.

"Why are you all just standing here?" Darkened Hope remark was muffled by prey as he slipped silently through low foliage, followed by Fern.

"No idea, but we need to get the nests together!" Pale Light barked excitedly, his white fur glimmering in the faded sunlight.

Russet nodded, grabbing the mossball Sparrow has retrieved. This amount of moss can't make enough nests for all of us. . .

Fern and Darkened Hope put their prey in a small pile; two birds and a shrew. Russet patted at the mossball while Flame came to his side and helped him lay it out.

There was enough to make about four nests. Which is perfect, but the others don't know about Pale Light and I.

"There's enough moss for," a long pause and a tilted head gave Flame the look of confusion. "Barely four nests."

"Me and her can share one." Darkened Hope commented, gesturing to Flame.

"I'm getting my own nest." Sparrow growled, her gaze playful and whiskers twitching.

Fern gazed awkwardly at Pale Light and Russet. I guess we have to say something now. Fern doesn't want to sleep with another male.

"We'll share a nest." Pale Light commented brightly, nudging Russet on the shoulder with his nose. Oh, no. . .

Darkened Hope's eyes were the happiest Russet had ever seen them. Sparrow looked over at Flame with a distinct smug expression.

Fern's eyes were wide and full of relief, staring thankfully at Pale Light. Why is he so grateful? It's just for sleep. Russet looked up at the beautiful sky blue eyes of Pale Light.

His heart blazed with happiness every heartbeat that their fur touched. Every heartbeat that they were together.