"Bearchaser pssstt Bearchaser.” His paws jabbed into the side of his brother, forcing the tom awake. “I'm going to meet Paprika, cover for me.” His toothy grin was the last thing his brother saw as the large tom danced around the nest full of resting warriors, practically walking on air all the way to Skyclans border where he was to meet the small molly.
“Paprika!” Macawblazes large head gently butting into the calico loner, his purrs almost as loud as his voice. The two usually met at her barn but this time they agreed to meet at the border, he needed to share more of his life with Paprika. His tail brushing against her side, ”Come on!” Encouraging her to step further into Skyclan, not like she needed it considering how she marched right into their territory during their first encounter.
Guiding the calico through Skyclan land, telling her about all their important landmarks much like their mentors did for them when Macawblaze was still in training. Bringing her to a small stream that traveled across the territory, the water softly lapping into itself in small waves. Blazing red flowers growing along the sides of the stream, fireflies dancing around their petals. The moonlight shining as their witness, Macawblaze guided Paprika to a soft moss nest decorated with the same red flowers found by the stream. His ear tips red hot as he stared down Paprika, his cheeks flushed. “I hope you like it…” the usual confident toms voice wavering whenever the molly was near. Of course there was still so much to explore but he figured this would be a good place to settle and chat before continuing their exploration.
P A P R I K A
At Macaw's exclamation, Paprika's orange eyes widened for a moment, taken aback by his sudden outcry. That being said, she was more surprised by the volume than what he said. She'd be lying if she said that joining the Clans was something she hadn't once thought about. Especially since the majority of her kin came from the Clans and often spoke about them and their customs. They always encouraged her to explore her options and choose her own path in life. But she didn't have time to interject, for Macawblaze kept rambling at an impressive speed. The little calico let out a tiny 'oof' when he barreled his head against hers. That hard head of his was going to give her a headache!
But Paprika's desire to scold him for slamming his head into her dissipated when she saw him shrink in sadness. She frowned. He was so happy a moment ago, why would he suddenly become depressed? She didn't understand. When he pulled away, they locked eyes and she could see how serious he was when he spoke. Macawblaze's words nearly took her breath away. Well, they sure made her speechless, that's for sure. Her mouth parted quietly to speak, but she stopped herself when she saw him inhale, as if he were bracing himself.
What came out of his mouth nearly swept her away. Of course, a proposal was something every girl yearned and wished for, but it always felt like millions of miles away. Just out of reach. It was what she hoped for, especially since the two of them had gotten closer and closer. She just didn't think it would come any time soon.
Paprika smiled wide, so wide that her face scrunched up. She wrapped her paws around Macaw's neck and brought him close. She pressed her nose to his and purred gently. "I wouldn't want to spend another day without you by my side," she told him, "you are my world."
"I would be honored to join SkyClan to be with you." Paprika didn't miss a beat. She didn't have to think any further about her life at the barn. Of course she would miss her fathers and her grandmother and cousins, but her kin paled in comparison to the life she could have with Macawblaze. She would face any hardship life would throw at her when it came to him. "But, of course... You'll have to ask my father for permission. Koipetal would have a fit if you didn't ask him first," she teased.
He felt the same way, every moment of sneaking around, every lie he told his clanmates was worth it just to know Paprika. He couldnt imagine a life without her in it anymore, Macawblaze had fallen for the loner and he fell hard. Paprika to him was the sun rising every morning, the warmth that New Leaf brought but she was also the soft light that the moon brought with it and the cool air that joined Leaf Bare. If it were up to him they would never have to part….but why did they have to? A crazy idea suddenly flowing through the ginger tom “Join Skyclan!” He proclaimed. He couldn't believe he never thought of this before. It was uncommon for outsiders to join, even his older half siblings' mother was an outsider. “You could join Skyclan and then we'd never have to part!” Macawblaze rambling off faster than most could keep up “We could go on hunting patrols together, and and we’d be able to nest together, explore together you could meet Bearchaser finally!” The large tom cat was practically jumping for joy at his idea. Barreling his head against Paprika, his large forehead pressed into her smaller forehead, “We could just be together no barriers, no borders.” His heart overflowing with the idea of Paprika joining him.
His joy dissipated almost as quickly as it appeared, her joining Skyclan would also mean her having to leave her fathers and grandmother. Macawblaze knew if the situation was reversed, while in the end he would choose Paprika, it wouldn't be easy for him leaving his brother and family behind. The idea that he just placed a heavy burden on her didn't sit right with Macawblaze, would it be okay if just this one time he was selfish enough to make her stay? His weight shifted uncomfortable beneath him as he pulled his large head away from the calico, averting his gaze from Paprika. He couldn't bear to see her expression, “You….you’re my everything Paprika and you have been since the moment I saw you.” His claws dug softly into the moss nest beneath them, trying to ground himself in this moment. He didn’t need to think about the what ifs he just needed to focus on Paprika right here and now. Surely even she knew that eventually it would come to this, being driven to choose what life they wanted to live.
Inhaling deeply Macawblaze offered a silent prayer to Starclan before locking his eyes onto Paprika. The moonlight perfectly illuminating the feline seemed like it was an answer from the universe itself screaming at the warrior to ask her before it was too late.
“Paprika, we still have our whole lives ahead of us, but I couldn't imagine one moment of that future without you. Would you do me the honor of staying by my side as my one and only?”
P A P R I K A
She didn't think to be embarrassed of her actions until after Macawblaze flushed. She almost stammered, almost took back what she had done on impulse- almost. But she was glad she didn't. Because, what followed next sent butterflies fluttering in her chest. His muzzle touched hers and she simply forgot about the rest of the world around them. The sound of the wind and chirping insects muffled. Suddenly, her world became just him. Just Macaw. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to become engrossed in the connection between them.
When Macawblaze broke away, she felt disappointed. But her disappointment didn't last, because he was shifting them to settle into the nest he had made the two of them. When he spoke, she took in every word he said like wine. His words made her sheepish and she smiled at his cute little flirtation.
"You're worth it," Paprika told him, without missing a beat. It was true that she wasn't afraid. She didn't fear SkyClan, nor did she fear Wisteriastar, or any punishment either one would lay down upon her for seeing Macawblaze. Because that didn't mean that she would stop. Nor the heavens or the earth would keep her apart from him.
"I don't want to spend a day that doesn't involve you in it." She followed, her voice also soft. Paprika was not a cat that anyone would call insecure, but for the first time in her life, the words coming out of her mouth lacked confidence. It was her first confession, after all! Of course she was nervous. Anyone would be when it came to their first love.
His yellow tinted eyes blinked, staring into the void as air in his lung escaped the moment her muzzle met his cheek. His fur was on fire where they touched. “Pap-I..” He couldn't find the words to properly convey how he was feeling an emotion so strong since the moment he laid eyes on her, does a word even exist to describe such a feeling? Swallowing hard all the tom could think to do was return her action, except the large tom pressed his muzzle against her smaller muzzle just resting it there allowing the rest of the world to fade away from them while.
Breaking the connection for just a moment, Macawblaze guided Paprika to their nest, the hefty warrior plopping himself down before gesturing for Paprika to join him. Macawblaze shifting his body to lean slightly into hers, their fiery melts meddling as if becoming one. Finally able to gather his thoughts, “I’m glad you like it. I wanted you to see the beauty Skyclan can hold.” His yellow tinted blue gaze turning to the molly, “Though I dont think Skyclan is going to be able to compete against your beauty.” Allowing his more cheesy side to show, a toothy grin following his words.
“Thank you for putting up with all these rules just for me.” He knew the independent she cat had the confidence to completely go against his wishes, she wasn’t scared of breaking any of the clans rules.He respected her for not trampling over his clans values. “Though its kind of terrifying in the best way possible to know that you make me want to break any rules that keep you away from me.” His voice just a raspy whisper to Paprika, as if he didnt want even the stars to heat him. Its true he was scared, scared that someone had such a strong hold on him he was willing to throw away everything for them. More so he was scared he didnt deserve it.
P A P R I K A
The tiny little calico cat awaited at the edge of the barn like she always did for Macawblaze to come fetch her for their night away. She wouldn't say that the feeling she felt when waiting for the tom was anxiousness, but it was an appropriate amount of restlessness as she looked onward for his large, ginger frame to come into view.
It did annoy her slightly that she couldn't just wander out to go see him on her own time, whenever she wanted- something about "Clan rules", or whatever. She didn't personally understand or agree with it, but both Macawblaze and her family would have a fit if she just waltzed out of her own accord into SkyClan territory to go see him.
So, she waited. Like a good girl.
After what felt like hours, Macawblaze finally came into view- his big ol' head, full of fluff, appearing over the edge of the hill as he ran to her with that big, mouthy grin of his. Paprika couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. He was almost too out of place for a humble little barn like her's, but she greatly enjoyed seeing him lumber over the hill to her side.
She had come to expect his affectionate headbutting tactic- the one that nearly knocked her off her paws when she first encountered the tom. Now, she was able to take them head on without falling over, and returned it with her own little bop of a paw on his shoulder. Paprika followed him out into the territory, her curly little tail flipping to-and-fro in a happy gesture. When they reached the area that Macaw wanted to show her, she was almost at a loss for words.
Before her was beautifully and thoughtfully crafted little nest- given the most of care and attention to her nature. It was so unexpected and out of left field that Paprika nearly teared up at the gesture. "Macaw..." She muttered, turning upward to face him. She was speechless. In fact, she was at such a loss for words that, without truly thinking about her actions, she stood up on the tips of her paws to press her muzzle against his cheek. "It's beautiful. Thank you."