I know you think that I shouldn't still love you
Or tell you that
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it
Where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

But I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Whitewing and Ashfur padded quietly along the grassy trail toward the lakeside, neither said anything, but the connection was there. The ivory she-cat let out a light sigh and watched as Ashfur trotted along ahead, her heart was warmed with affection—although she knew very well that Birchfall was awaiting back at camp. His gray-flecked pelt vanished in the tall grasses and she quickly sucked in all of her doubts.

They had arrived at the lake side.

“Wow! It’s so beautiful!” She mewed. The waves of water foamed along the shore and the sunlight turned the grass many shades of green. She smiled and cocked her head to sniff a flower, the scent tickled her nose and she let out quiet sneeze. Lifting her head, she saw that Ashfur was watching her, mixed emotions across his face. He quickly ducked away. He was looking at me? She thought, her heart trembled with joy.

No, no. She had Birchfall. Birchfall not Ashfur!

They stood at the shore, the water lapping hungrily at their paws. Ashfur lifted a paw and pressed it firmly into the sand, Whitewing blinked and lifted her own, placing her paw print beside his. They both would be washed away before anyone else could see… Ashfur smiled a little, his soft blue eyes flickering briefly to her own.

He looked so calm… serene… Abruptly, he turned away and nestled himself along the grass, his brows furrowed in thought. What was he thinking about? Why was he rejecting every possible outcome of… love? Her chest ached at the prospect.

Whitewing sat down next him, the grass crackling below her lithe little form. She felt a random flash of heat from Ashfur and she gazed at her paws, her fur felt like ants were walking through it. She swallowed and lifted her head, giving him a curious look.

“… Are you flushing?” She asked suddenly, the question blurted out before she could even have the thought of thinking it over. Oh, StarClan!

Ashfur turned to her, his deep blue eyes shimmering in the light, “W-what?”

Whitewing let out a mrrow of laughter, quickly covering up his embarrassment… and her own. “You’ve been wanting to sit next to me all day, huh? Can’t stay away?” The questions were teasing, but deep in her heart, she longed to be serious.

Ashfur purred, “Caught me!” He replied, but a spark of worry was in his eyes.

But what was he really feeling? He must of known her feeling; and that Birchfall was swiftly padding after her. There wasn’t a possible way of them ever being together… I’ll just let it pass and hold my tongue… and you will think that I’ve moved on.

And so both sat there under the sun, enjoying each other’s company; even if their insecure thoughts huddled away… Birchfall blocking Whitewing and Squirrelflight blocking Ashfur… The cruelty of the situation was heartbreaking…

I will always love you. No matter what happens in the future, I will.

...

And when we meet, which I'm sure we will
All that was there will be there still
I'll let it pass and hold my tongue
And you will think that I've moved on

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be