Feverish

The warm rays of the afternoon sun warmed Fallenpaw’s back as he followed his mentor Cloverfall back towards their home. They were carrying fresh moss for the apprentice’s den, he had picked some honeysuckle flowers to place in the den. It was just him and Dovepaw in the den, so they didn’t have to gather too much moss. He watched Cloverfall’s long tail as she jumped into the camp clearing below. Carefully, he did the same, cautious to not drop any of his moss.

Cloverfall set the clean moss outside of his den and gave him a small smile. “Good job, Fallenpaw. I am sure you will make it very nice for you and Dovepaw.” She paused. “Do you want help?”

Fallenpaw shook his head. “No, I can handle it.” He wanted to try to make it very special for Dovepaw, the older apprentice was going to graduate any day now. For some reason, he didn’t want Cloverfall to know he was going to put that much effort in so he wished to finish the task alone. Cloverfall nodded at him before leaving him to it. Fallenpaw went inside the den and began to clear out all of the old moss.

Hmm… I think Dovepaw should have a little extra bedding… Fallenpaw’s thought to himself as he replaced the nests. He was very deliberate to not crush any of Dovepaw’s moss, trying to keep it fluffy for the other apprentice. The white cat then took his honeysuckle flowers and placed 2 in his own nest, then 3 in Dovepaw’s. Fallenpaw poked at the flowers for a bit, trying to arrange them perfectly when he heard the leaves of the entrance rustle. He jerked around to see his friend standing in the entrance.

“Oh hey, what’s up?” Dovepaw asked with a pleasant expression. “It smells nice in here.” Fallenpaw suddenly felt very hot, he hoped Dovepaw didn’t see him fiddling around with the flowers too much.

“Y-Yeah, that’s the honeysuckle. I thought it would be nice…” He watched Dovepaw examine his nest, he looked happy.

“This is awesome! Thanks, Fallenpaw!” He sniffed the plants in his nest. “This is really special.” He said with a big smile.

Fallenpaw felt his heart race. “Um… Yeah, I wanted to do something nice since you’re uh- Almost done training.” Dovepaw looked at Fallenpaw inquisitively.

“Are you trying to make me stay an apprentice longer?” The grey cat said with a laugh and Fallenpaw quickly averted his gaze.

“N-No…” He felt sick. No, no… That is not what I want him to think!

He was about to apologize when Dovepaw continued speaking. “Well I’ve actually been thinking… I talked to my dad about it and he thinks it’s a nice idea too, but I do kind of want to wait and become a warrior with you.” The senior apprentice looked to the side in a cheeky manner. “I was just lonely in here when the sister’s graduated and you weren’t in here yet.”

“That’s three whole moons though, Dovepaw!” Fallenpaw didn’t want to sound like he was too eager for Dovepaw to stay with him, but wait… Did I just say the wrong thing? “I-I mean, it’d be nice… To have you here… But y-you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to!” Dovepaw put his paw on Fallenpaw’s shoulder, great Starclan his paw is hot… Or is that just me? I need some air… The younger apprentice laughed nervously.

“Uh- That’d be cool.” He leaned back a little to make Dovepaw let go of him. “I just remembered, my mom wanted me to check in with her after I finished the nests. I’ll see you later!” Fallenpaw rushed out of the den. Now in the clearing he scanned the area looking for his mother. I hope she’s actually here…

He spotted the large black cat talking to the deputy Emberpelt near the leader’s den. Crowstar looked like she was mad at Emberpelt about something. Fallenpaw walked up to them.

“Can’t you see that we are having a conversation, kit?” Emberpelt scowled at him.

“Don’t speak to my son like that.” Crowstar growled at her. “Just do your job, got it? Now leave.” Emberpelt huffed and walked away. Crowstar turned her gaze down at her child, “What’s the matter, honey?”

“Um… Can I ask you something in there?” He pointed towards her den.

“Yes, of course.” She led him into the small cave where they would have some privacy. Once settled Fallenpaw extended his arms to give her a hug.

“Momma, I think I’m sick.” He buried his face in her fur and he heard Crowstar groan slightly.

“Sweetheart… Do you remember what Whisperleaf said about how sickness spreads?” She put one of her large paws on his back and gently tried to pry him off. “If you’re sick and you rub it all over me, I might get sick too.” Fallenpaw remained clung to her.

“But you’re strong, you won’t get sick.” He could feel Crowstar sigh in defeat.

“Let me see.” She placed her paw on his ears. “Your ears don’t feel hot. What’s bothering you?”

“I felt hot and lightheaded, and my heart was racing earlier. This has happened before…” Crowstar hummed quietly in thought for a moment.

“You should go talk to Whisperleaf about this.” Crowstar said, Fallenpaw whined a little in response. “He’s not that scary, do you want me to come with you?”

“No… He just gets mad if you’re there.” He gave his mom a squeeze before letting her go. “Is he in his den?”

“I’m not sure, baby. I don’t keep tabs on him, he’s probably there, though.” She gave him a reassuring look before sending him on his way.

Fallenpaw looked around the clearing to make sure Dovepaw wasn’t going to be in the way. Hm… Did Dovepaw make me get sick? He didn’t see the senior apprentice so he darted across camp towards the medicine den. The white and black cat entered the medical den with a huff, thankfully Whisperleaf was present. His uncle slowly turned around to stare at him as he caught his breath in the entrance.

“What do you want, Fallenpaw?” Whisperleaf looked at him with a cold expression. It took a long time for Fallenpaw to get used to the way his uncle would glare at him. It wasn’t until a little over a moon ago til he learned why Whisperleaf did it, but it wasn’t Fallenpaw’s fault he looks like and is named after his dead father. He recalled what Whisperleaf told him that day he got his scar, that he would try to not treat him poorly just because of who his parents are. Old habits die hard…

He gulped and began to explain why he was here. “Um… I’m sick… Dovepaw is sick too, I think.” Whisperleaf blinked. “I’ve been feeling really lightheaded and sweaty, like a fever. I think Dovepaw is contagious.”

“Hm…” Whisperleaf pondered. “Any other symptoms?”

“Oh- My heart races sometimes.” Fallenpaw tried to think if there was anything else.

“When does this happen? During training?” Whispeleaf asked, still pondering the situation.

“Uh well, it tends to happen when Dovepaw is around. That's why I think he’s sick.” Fallenpaw saw Whisperleaf look him up and down suspiciously.

“Let me feel your ears and your paws to see if you have a fever.”

The older cat tested her ears and paws while Fallenpaw added on one more piece of information. “I feel fine right now, it’s only when Dovepaw is around.”

Whisperleaf’s expression changed to a subtle smirk. “I have a question, think about this very carefully, Fallenpaw.” The apprentice nodded. “Do you think Dovepaw is handsome?” Fallenpaw felt his heart skip a beat.

“U-Uh! I- He’s my friend- so… Yes? Is that the r-right answer?” He felt lightheaded again, what did this have to do with anything? He shifted on his paws.

“Do you feel sick right now, Fallenpaw?” Whisperleaf asked with a straight face.

“Umm… Yes…” He avoided his uncle’s gaze, choosing to stare at the floor instead.

“Yeah.” The older cat chuckled. “You’re fine, boy. You’re just gay.”

“Huh! No! I-!” Fallenpaw flinched backwards, feeling like he was on the verge of a panic. No… Am I? Is that what this is? Do I have a crush on Dovepaw? Oh, Starclan… This is so embarrassing… What do I-? Fallenpaw dragged one paw down his face. I’m so confused… It’s fine! It’s totally cool! … I have no idea what I’m supposed to do now, though! What should I do? What do I do!?

“Earth to Fallenpaw. Hello!” Whisperleaf started waving his paw near the apprentice’s face, trying to snap him out of his thoughts.

“Whisperleaf, what do I need to do to fix it?” He pleaded, his uncle couldn’t hold back a smug smile. Surely the older cat would have some wisdom for him?

“Fix it? I don’t know, why don’t you tell Dovepaw you have feelings for him?”

Fallenpaw froze. “No.”

“Why not?” Whisperleaf raised his eyebrows with curiosity.

The white and black apprentice was as still as a stone. “I don’t wanna.”

“Then I’m not sure what you want me to do about it.” The healer shrugged. “Unless… Are you asking me to tell him for you? Do you want me to be your wingman, boy?”

Fallenpaw almost screamed. “NO!” His eyes were wide. “Please don’t tell him…” He turned his mouth down into a pout. Whisperleaf continued to look at him with narrowed eyes. Fallenpaw angled his head down to stare up at his uncle in a pleading way.

“Ok- fine. I won’t tell him if you quit staring at me like that.” The doctor once again waved his paw, he still smiled though. “Why don’t you figure this out on your own? You’re not a little baby anymore, I’m sure you’ll find out what to do.” Fallenpaw whined in mild frustration, which just made Whisperleaf laugh at him again. I don’t want him telling Dovepaw… If anyone tells him I want to be the one to say it… Hnng… Maybe I just wont tell him. The apprentice wasn’t really certain what to do with his feelings. He’ll come up with something… Yes… I can handle this.

Fallenpaw started to leave but then remembered he had to say one more thing. “Um… Thanks for the help, uncle Whisperleaf.”

“Yeah, anytime, kid.” They waved goodbye at each other. Fallenpaw did feel better knowing that he wasn’t sick, and that Dovepaw wasn’t either… But now he had a different problem on his paws.