I don't give up, but I do change plans | A warrior cats AU

: Strengthening Bonds :

Snake was on a patrol with Blossom and Clear Sky.
"Hey Scale, where'd you go last night?" Blossom asked.
Snake instantly responded to his nickname, even though he hadn't heard it in moons. "I went for a walk."
"Really?" Blossom raised a brow.
Snake smirked. He limped closer to Clear Sky.
Blossom nodded in understanding.
Clear Sky turned to Snake. "Hi." he mewed casually.
Snake couldn't stop himself from purring. It was a very basic greeting, but it was from one of the most important cats he had in his life. "Hello."
"Your purr is gorgeous." Clear Sky told him bluntly.
Snake coughed. "Huh?!" he wasn't used to getting compliments.
Clear Sky shrugged. "I like your purr."
"Well you're handsome." Snake returned a compliment, his purr growing louder.
Clear Sky looked down in embarrassment. "Thanks."
You have had three mates, and you're not used to getting compliments? Snake didn't say it out loud, not with Blossom walking right over there.
"So, have you heard about the meeting tomorrow night?" Clear Sky changed the subject.
Snake shook his head. "No. Why would I? When things are being discussed in camp I'm busy playing with the kits." he pointed out.
Clear Sky half shrugged. "Well, there's going to be a meeting to formally welcome the rouges into our clans." he explained.
Snake tipped his head. "When was the last meeting?" he asked.
Clear Sky blinked, looking annoyed. But also not somehow. "Half a moon after the rouges destroyed ThunderClan."
"Was I here then?" Snake asked, knowing the answer but wanting to converse with Clear Sky.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure you were waiting at the mouth of your den for us to return." That was definitely not a normal Clear Sky tone. That was entirely just teasing.
Snake flicked his tail, trying to hide his embarrassment. He remembered that day. At the time he wouldn't admit it, but he had been worried for Clear Sky. So he'd waited for the cats to return from the meeting. But he didn't realize Clear Sky had noticed.
"So what's this meeting going to be about?" Snake inquired, desperate to not remember how stupid that memory was looking back.
Clear Sky flicked his ear. "It's a meeting to formally welcome the rouges into our clan. Do you want to come?" he asked.
Snake was surprised. He would never have expected an offer of any kind from Clear Sky. Sure, there was definitely hope for him. He wasn't too far gone. And of course he liked Snake more than platonically, as evident from the last night's events. But it was still a little surprising. "Sure, I assume you haven't told the other clans about. . ."
Clear Sky stiffened. "It's not like I won't tell them." he got defensive, but didn't yell. Which was nice progress. But it was probably just because he was talking to Snake.
Well now I feel like I'm just using him. Snake thought guiltily. I love him. . . But I don't want him to feel like I'm trying to use him! Great. Now I'm being a hypocrite. I'm just like Owl. . . Snake was frustrated with himself.
"Are you okay?" Clear Sky's tone suddenly became one of concern.
Snake looked up. "I feel like I'm manipulating you. . ." he wasn't going to hide that. If he felt that he needed to make sure Clear Sky knew.
Clear Sky laid his tail on Snake's shoulder. "Snake. . . You made me realize that I'm problematic. I promise you aren't manipulating me. I don't know what it is about you but, you just have brought so much good into my life. I promise I'll try to be better." he was so sincere, and so regretful.
I know. You think you're trying. But you aren't doing that well. But that means you are trying. Snake finished his thoughts out loud. "I'll always be here for you." he vowed.
Clear Sky's slightly smiled. "Thank you."
Snake shifted so he cloud limp while being closer to Clear Sky. "It's nothing."
Snake realized that Blossom had given them space to talk. She's such a good sister. I'm lucky to have her.

Later that day Snake was lounging in the sun outside his den. He looked up as Pink Eyes approached.
Snake bit his lip. This wouldn't be good. "Yes. . .?"
Pink Eyes took a breath. "Snake, listen. I know I haven't been here as much as I probably should have. But you joining Slash. . . That really just broke me. I'm sorry for not saying this sooner, but I forgive you. I'll always be here for you my son."
Snake nodded. "I shouldn't have joined Slash. I was stupid and upset." then he paused. Pink Eyes always referred to him as his eldest son. It was jarring for that to not be the case here. "Why didn't you call me your oldest son?" Snake was almost suspicious. It was so minor. But it bugged him.
Pink Eyes didn't reply. He was hiding something.
Snake didn't have time to be suspicious though, as the kits rushed over to him.
"Snake! Thunder's busy with Lightning Tail now so you must play with us!" Dew Petal demanded, the four moon old kit jumping on him.
Snake rolled her off, looking over to where Thunder and Lightning Tail were talking. He swore Lightning Tail looked a little nervous.
"Snake can you watch my jump?" Tiny Branch requested.
Snake turned his attention back to his kits. They were his now. Officially. He would just have to wait a bit longer to tell them that.
"Of course Tiny Branch, show me your jump." Snake purred.
Tiny Branch crouched down, he bunched his little hind quarters, and then pushed up. He made it a whole two tail lengths into the air before he fell back to the ground.
"That was excellent Tiny Branch!" Snake praised.
Tiny Branch purred happily. "Thank you da-I mean Snake!" he stuck his tail in the air. Seeming more surprised than embarrassed.
Snake acted as though he hadn't heard the slip up. But eternally he was celebrating. He almost called me dad! I can't believe this! This day has been so great! Snake purred even louder.
Flower Foot pounced on Dew Petal. "I'm faster than you!" she boasted.
Tiny Branch rushed across the clearing at an impressive speed, than called to his sister's, "I'm fastest!"
Dew Petal and Flower Foot bolted over to him, at only half his speed.
Snake felt a small pang of sadness. Being really fast was a trait of Splinter. . . Slash's son. And it only reminded him of Tiny Branch's biological father.
Snake huffed. Who cared? He and Clear Sky were raising him. He was their son. Even if he shared blood with Slash.
The kits had finished their little play fight and rushed over to Clear Sky.
"Dad! Did you know Tiny Branch was the fastest?" Flower Foot called, almost knocking into her father.
Clear Sky laughed. "Really? Tiny Branch is the fastest?" he asked.
"Yeah! And my jump is better too!" Tiny Branch purred.
Clear Sky nodded "I saw. You're getting good." he praised.
Tiny Branch looked surprised. "You saw?!"
"Yes." Clear Sky confirmed.
"Yeah. But I bet you didn't hear!" Dew Petal chimed in.
That's so cute. She's trying to cover for him. She sees how embarrassed he is. Snake stretched.
I'm going to sleep. He decided.

***Flash Back***
Snake proudly set his carp on the prey pile. It was the biggest fish he had ever caught.
Moon Petal rushed over. "Wow! Great catch!" he exclaimed.
"You should have seen how easily he caught it!" Frost was in awe. The two moon younger kit had been so shocked when Snake caught the carp.
Moon Petal gave an excited bounce. "I bet he caught it easy! Snake's such a great hunter!"
"Yeah." Snowflake agreed.
Snake shrugged "Oh come on, I'm not that good of a hunter. I'm only eight moons old."
One Eye half laughed. "Snake, don't down play yourself. You're an excellent hunter." he assured him.
Snake puffed out his chest proudly. Praise from One Eye wasn't exactly uncommon, especially if you were trying your best, but always felt deserved.
"Yeah!" Moon Petal loudly voiced his agreement. "You're better than me!" he added.
"I get distracted sometimes though." Snake pointed out.
Frost shook out his soft white fur. "So? You can't control that." he pointed out.
Snake smiled. He had such great friends.

An:
Part of Clear Sky's redemption arc is nepotism /hj
T

ime reference: The kits were one moon old when this started
CLEAR SKY REALLY MOVES ON FAST- It wasn't even his fault this time- Snake started this-
This chapter has too many spelling errors- I was in a rush to complete this before midnight