“What’s this one called?”
“The Indigo Milk Cap,” Blossomstar replied excitedly, leaning closer to Mothreaper as she inspected the deep blue mushroom. She pretended not to feel the way his body was warm against her whiskers. “It’s edible, but not very tasty.”
“Is it better than the chanterelles?” Mothreaper set his bundle of leaf-wrapped mushrooms down and carefully plucked the indigo milk cap, setting it beside the half dozen other mushrooms they had already picked. “You said that one was tasty, but it was kind of stringy.”
“You just have a weird sense of taste,” Blossomstar purred lightly. “You also liked the grisette more, and that one is too fibery.”
“Fiber is a good part of your diet.”
Blossomstar rolled her eyes and inspected their collected mushrooms. “I think this is enough for today. Why don’t we head back?” As she looked up, she saw disappointment flash across Mothreaper’s eyes, and her heart fluttered slightly. In truth, she also wanted to spend more time foraging with him.
However, Mothreaper said, “I was hoping we could find some Destroying Angel first. It’s the only toxic mushroom I don’t have in my collection.”
“Ah… that’s a bit dangerous to have close to camp, isn’t it?” Blososmstar pushed down her disappointment and shook her head. “We can look for it another day.”
“Tomorrow then?” Mothreaper perked up. “After patrols, of course.”
“Sure.”
“I just don’t know if he wants to spend time with me because he likes me, or because he just enjoys my company.”
“I’m sure he likes you,” Rootclaw said as she gingerly pulled another sticker burr out of Blossomstar’s tail. “Not everyone would go trekking into the marsh every night just to grab some mushrooms with you.”
Blossomstar paused in grooming Rootclaw’s ears and sighed. “He also likes mushrooms. It could just be a shared interest.” It had been a quarter moon since Blossomstar and Mothreaper had found the indigo milk cap, and her heart was getting more and more confused by the day.
“Have you thought about just asking him?”
“… what if he says no?” Blossomstar’s stomach dropped as she said the words. “It would be pretty embarrassing. And if he just sees me as a friend, I would ruin that, and then we couldn’t hang out together anymore.”
Rootclaw sighed and put a paw on one of Blossomstar’s. “Honey. You just need to go for it. You can’t sit here bemoaning your relationship status every day.”
“I could.”
“And then you’d be miserable.” Rootclaw shook her head and stretched before standing up. “I’m going to talk to him myself.”
“Don’t!” Blossomstar leaped to her paws, her heart jumping to her throat. “That would be too much…”
“Then you go do it!” Rootclaw insisted, pushing her head against Blossomstar’s shoulder. “Go. And don’t come to talk to me until you do. If tomorrow rolls around and you haven’t said anything, I’ll hold a meeting for the entire Clan and announce it to everyone!”
“You know, I was just about to ask you to hunt for oyster mushrooms,” Mothreaper said cheerfully as he led the way through the marshy land, an intricately woven basket crafted by the kestrels around his neck. “I just got this made, and I’ve been dying to try it out with you.”
The ‘with you’ made Blossomstar’s heart skip a beat. “Haha, yeah. I’m sorry we haven’t found your Destroying Angel yet. I’m pretty sure it only grows near the forest edges.”
“That’s fine. You said it was dangerous anyway. I hadn’t even thought about it.” Mothreaper’s amber eyes met Blossomstar’s, and he laughed lightly. “Anyway, I heard that some cats saw twolegs use fire to almost-burn their prey and mushrooms. It apparently made it taste better. Do you think we could try it one day?”
“Absolutely not,” Blossomstar’s whiskers twitched in amusement. “You are not going to get fire anywhere near camp.”
“Naturally we’d have to go on a trip then!” Mothreaper said simply, reaching up to move a branch aside for Blossomstar. “The volcano still sometimes has some lava flow according to some rogues. We could go… what did Peachpaw call it? Camping?”
“Who said I was going with you to test some crazy twoleg theory?”
“Wouldn’t you?” Mothreaper stopped and looked back at Blossomstar. He seemed surprised. “I thought…”
Blossomstar’s ears grew hot. “Mothreaper. What do you,” her voice faltered, but she started again.” What do you think of me?”
“I…” It was Mothreaper’s turn for his voice to sway. “I mean, you’re my leader.” Blossomstar’s heart dropped. “And… you’re beautiful and smart, and kind.”
Blossomstar stared in shock for a long moment before Mothreaper continued, this time his voice somewhat faster. “Please hear me out. I know it’s somewhat inappropriate to harbor such feelings for my leader, but I can’t help it. You’re a wonderful cat. I can’t think of anyone who’s kinder or anyone who would be more deserving of your position. There’s no one else I want to spend as much time with as you. I-”
“I want to be your mate,” Blossomstar blurted out, feeling overwhelmed by all the praise being thrown her way. After a moment, she realized what she said and gasped. “I mean, we don’t have to right away! We can go through the proper courtship and all that. I just-”
“I also want to be your mate,” Mothreaper interrupted as he stepped closer. “Right now. We don’t need any ceremonies or rituals. I just want to be with you.”
Heart feeling like it was about to burst, Blossomstar buried her face in Mothreaper’s chest. “Alright,” she mumbled into his fur. “We can be mates.”
Mothreaper’s chest rumbled as he began to purr. “If – when – we have kits, can we name one Mushroomkit?”
“Not on your life.”
“I think it’s cute.”
“Not for a kit.” Blossomstar knew she would likely name one Mushroomkit anyway.
Mothreaper’s purring increased as he leaned into Blossomstar. “… can I admit something to you?”
“What is it?” Blossomstar tilted her head up.
“I’ve had the Destroying Angel for a while. I just wanted to keep foraging with you.”