"Yes... their father is Goldstep from CrestClan.
We had met before I joined the Clan... I fell out of love with him soon after coming here, but he still wanted to meet.
I... I'm sorry."
"Having kits with a cat from another Clan is an offense punishable by exile... and I should follow the Code.
However. I am not cruel.
I will not punish your kits for their heritage nor throw you out."
"Until you have proven yourself loyal to OrioleClan, you will become an apprentice and be confined to camp.
You will never meet that tom again.
Am I understood?"
The question drew Endless out of their stupor, eyes blinking from the spot of leaves they'd spent staring at for who knows how long. They turned towards the entrance of the nursery where Sorrelnut stood, his gloomy blue eyes looking even duller than usual.
Even though the tom had more matted fur than most cats, he had made an effort to keep himself somewhat clean after he had met Endless... though it seemed like he was reverting back to his old habits.
"What...?"
"...Do you still love him?"
Sorrelnut had an unreadable expression as he stared down his mate, tail low behind him.
"No. I don't."
The answer didn't seem to faze Sorrelnut as he continued to stare, finally breaking the momentary silence by walking into the den to sit down next to Endless.
"...why did you lie to me? You told me you were pregnant and... and I was so excited, Endless," he rasped, ears falling behind his head, the pitiful look on his face growing ever more bitter. "Why didn't you say they weren't mine?"
"I... I was scared, Sorrel," they whispered back, curling into a tighter ball on the currently empty nest. Galekit and Oakkit were out in the camp clearing, probably playing mossball or letting Cindermurk regale them with a story of OrioleClan's beginning. "I was scared you'd yell at me, or- or expose me... I wanted kits with you— I want kits with you! I-I thought they were yours!"
"But why lie about still meeting him, Endless?" His head turned towards the silver cat, brows drawn together as he fought back the prickling sting of tears. "Do you know how dangerous it is to... finangle with cats from other Clans?"
Endless sniffled and looked down, shuffling on their paws. They were aware of the Code, having been recited by the others when they had first joined. They weren't used to such a "silly notion" at the time; they'd been meeting Goldstep for a few moons prior to that, and he never mentioned anything wrong with their meetings.
...but they knew after joining, and still met them.
"...I'm sorry, Sorrel. I love you... I shouldn't have betrayed you like that..."
"...I think I need a break from this," Sorrelnut sighed, deflating at the apology. "I-I can't do it right now."
Endless watched hopelessly as Sorrelnut got up to exit the den, their fur bristling with fear.
"W-Wait, please-!"
Sorrelnut paused and turned towards Endless, seeing their expression crumble with tears.
"...at least... c-can you be there for them? If not for me... for them. It's n-not their fault."
"...okay."
Sorrelnut left with a gentle sway of his tail, beelining slowly for the warrior den to curl up in his own nest. Hairs from Endless' pelt still were interwoven in the moss, their scent fragrant in his nose as he breathed in deeply with a shaky sigh.
Endless was no better in the nursery, scooting the nest as close to the wall as possible to curl up and cry to themself.
ALT TEXT:
Endless can't run as long or as quickly as before, but they're glad their leg healed at all.
"Useless. That should be her name.
"She hasn't pulled her weight once being here."
"Her damn leg was broken, Dark."
"And? You can still be a useful warrior even with that.
"She won't last another moon here if she's this lazy."
"I suggest you shut your trap."
Endless heard Darkrain talking badly about them.
Charredpaw gets stuck under some fallen branches. She is shaken, but uninjured.
