Be Careful What You Wish For

The gray tom curled up in his nest began to stir as noise filled the den. He frowned and turned away from the noise, trying to go back to sleep. But the chatting only grew louder.

“Did you see how she was all over him?” A she-cat spoke.

“I knew she was pathetic, but I didn’t think she was that pathetic.” Another she-cat snorted.

Moth frowned further and curled his tail up to himself, pressing his head further into his paws to try blocking out the noise. Take it outside. I'm trying to sleep.

“I’d rather those two be together though. I haven’t seen that disgusting she-cat lately.” One said.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the tom she’s been with that much either.” The other said.

The cats suddenly broke out into laughter, causing Moth to slightly flinch out of surprise. The laughter quickly died down and led to silence.

Finally—

“Isn’t that the tom who always hung out with him?” One of the she-cats spoke. Moth tried to keep still, hoping that they’d leave him alone.

“I think it is!” The other mewed, amused. “Wow, to think he must’ve left him all alone while he went with that she-cat.” She purred.

Moth was wide awake now. To be honest, he couldn’t have gone back to sleep from the start of their conversation.

Coffee?

He raised his head to look over at the nest beside him, only to see that it was empty. What made it worse was that in his field of view, the she-cats were staring at him, smug and amused. It was only then he realized the three she-cats were Dappled, Lily, and Oak.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of their nest.” Dappled teased.

“Must be since his precious friend isn’t there next to him.” Oak smirked.

Moth barely batted her an eye before rising to his paws and heading to the entrance of the den. He began to notice that it was raining outside as he saw the rain over the clearing’s dull colors ahead of him. Moth frowned again knowing that their chatter had managed to drown out the rain.

“He went out hunting.” Lily chirped at Moth, breaking his train of thought.

He hesitated for a moment before continuing to pad out the den. Despite being outside of the den, he still managed to pick up what they were saying behind him.

“Why would you say that?” Dappled spat.

“He deserves to know!” Lily retorted.

The rest was drowned

I’ll have to thank Lily later. He thought as he took in a deep breath and stepped out into the clearing. Not many cats were outside, most were either in dens or quickly moving around from place to place. There were only a few that seemed to enjoy the rain.

In the corner of his eye, he noticed a bright-orange pelt amidst the dullness. Squinting, he began to realize it was Fire. Moth blinked and was about to turn away when he noticed another cat coming out of Fire’s den, Crystal. The last thing he wanted was to stick his nose in any of their business. Moth walked towards the entrance of the camp, only to be cut off by a tall cat.

“Moth!” Coffee greeted his friend. “I didn’t think you’d be out considering the weather.” He tilted his head, a bit confused.

“Dappled and Oak woke me up. Being in the rain is way better than being anywhere near those two.” Moth groaned out of annoyance.

“I’m surprised you didn’t claw your own fur off. I know I would’ve.” Coffee chuckled and grinned at his friend.

“What fur? You’re practically furless!” Moth grinned and nudged Coffee’s side. He lowered his paw and glanced at the ground around him.

“Where’s your catch?” Moth asked, looking for some piece of prey.

“My catch?” Coffee furrowed his brows, confused.

“Lily said you went out hunting. You didn’t find anything?” Moth looked up at his friend.

“Oh!” Coffee blinked wide-eyed and chuckled nervously. “Nah, I couldn’t find anything. It’s a bit hard to see in this rain.”

Moth stared at his friend, a faint frown on his face. Since when is it hard for you? The shorter tom thought.

Coffee looked back at Moth, seeing him staring. It made sense if Moth was a bit put off by his response, but he didn’t really see anything on his way back to the camp.

“W-Well, let’s get out of the rain and head to one of the spare dens then. The others wouldn’t bother us there.” Coffee suggested, turning to head to the den quickly. Despite the doubt creeping on his pelt, Moth reluctantly followed behind him.

It was oddly difficult to keep close to Coffee. It felt as if there was some sort of disconnect between him and his friend. Moth lowered his eyes as he lazily gazed across the camp as they continued. What caught his eye made his blood run cold. Crystal and Fire were staring intensely at him. Even though they were far from each other, Moth can sense the intimidation coming from Fire and especially Crystal. He quickly looked away and stared at Coffee. Did they need something from Coffee? Did he even notice them looking? Moth tried everything he could to keep his fur flat until they made it to the den.

The two toms came through the entrance slightly under the tree’s root. There was a good amount of space for the two of them and for a couple more cats. The walls were patted down and the ground was covered in moss and leaves. If needed, this den would be used for any queens. Coffee quickly got adjusted to the den and laid down, drained. Moth stayed sitting as he was a bit unfamiliar with being in a den under a tree. He took his time circling his spot before laying down eventually. Moth watched Coffee as he began to give his chest a few licks. It was clear how tired the brown tom was and it didn’t take much to notice how thin he was getting. Coffee halted and peeked up at the tom, as if he was reading Moth’s mind.

“I’ve just been unlucky with catching any fish. The rain has been making it harder to concentrate.” Coffee sighed.

“You still need to eat, you know.” Moth retorted.

“I’ve been eating here and there, don’t worry.” Coffee grinned slightly.

Moth frowned at him, hoping it wasn’t what he was thinking. As much as he felt like he shouldn’t, he pressed further.

“What could you have been eating? You don’t eat any mice or squirrels and I know for a fact you don’t eat any frogs or snakes.” Moth continued.

Coffee stared wide-eyed at his friend. He didn’t seem to expect Moth to continue on the matter. Nevertheless, Coffee glanced over to the side. “Just a few berries here and there-” Moth had cut him off.

“Berries? Are you kidding me?” Moth’s voice was rising a bit as his pelt prickled. “You never considered eating berries so why the sudden change?”

Coffee stayed quiet, his gaze remaining off to the side of the den as if he was guilty.

“You’re with her aren’t you?” Moth said in disbelief. “Do you know how much trouble you can get into?” He hissed.

“She has no one else to turn to!” Coffee snapped back. His amber eyes blazing into Moth’s.

“She left on her own! If she needs someone, she has Fire!” Moth stood up quickly.

“No she doesn’t!” Coffee’s pelt began to prickle a bit in frustration, but he tried to keep himself from raising his voice.

“It isn’t your job to take care of her! She’s not a kit y’know!” Moth hissed.

“She’s expecting!” Coffee hissed back, quickly standing up and facing Moth.

Moth quickly recoiled, his tail lowering as he stared at Coffee in disbelief.

“Does Fire kno—” Coffee had cut Moth off.

“No, he doesn’t. She’s afraid to tell him which is why she left.” Coffee said camly. It was clear the larger tom was irritated but the tension in the air had subsided a bit.

Suddenly, Moth recalled Fire and Crystal staring at them as they walked to the den. Moth swallowed hard and flexed his paws a bit as he wearily peered at his friend.

“I think you should stop seeing her.” Moth spoke quietly.

“I’m only going to help her until her kit is born.” Coffee flicked his tail stubbornly.

Moth took in a deep breath and sighed heavily. It was clear that Coffee wouldn’t budge from his decision. Although, it was good to know that he would stop seeing her after the kit’s birth.

There might not be time for that though. Moth frowned as he looked back up at his friend.

“I know that you care about her, but she can manage on her own. She was fine before she got here so what difference does it make?” Moth pressed on.

“What does it matter? It’s not like you even tried to get to know her.” Coffee scoffed.

A wave of irritation flooded Moth as he began to dig his claws into the moss beneath him.

“I am telling you that it isn’t a good idea.” Moth spat. Coffee leaned back a bit, as if he felt someone raked their claws against his chest. The brown tom spun away from Moth, his ears flattened. Moth’s eyes widened, regretting his tone as he watched his friend walk towards the entrance of the den.

“Coffee, I— “ Moth started, but was cut off quickly. Coffee stopped in his tracks.

“I know that I haven’t been there for you as much as I usually am, but Eliza needs me.” Coffee said, his voice strained with pain.

Moth stared at Coffee, wide-eyed and silent. When Coffee didn’t hear a response, he continued to walk away until Moth spoke up.

“Even if it kills you?” Moth croaked. Is it really worth getting yourself killed?

“Even if it does.” Moth barely managed to pick up what Coffee whispered. He watched his friend leave. Moth felt his pelt prickle with anxiety and frustration. He dug his claws into the ground below him as he held his head low, tears flowing from his face.

Please, if you’re out there. Help him Starclan.