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

: A Mostly Peaceful Day :

Snake stepped outside of his den and was greeted by a drizzle. Rain! Yay! He felt like an excited kit.
Rain is nice. I still remember on days when it rained me and Moon Petal would go to the sunning-rocks, we would fish until we were practically dragged back to camp. Snake sighed. He really missed Moon Petal.
“Where did you go last night?” Quick Water demanded, stalking over to him. Her fur fluffed up. She seemed to be in a worse mood than usual. Well she did hate the rain.
Snake turned to her. I went on a walk. Is that not allowed? He half wished he'd gone on that walk with Clear Sky. Just to tell Quick Water that he'd been doing important clan business. “I don't have to tell you.” he answered instead.
Quick Water let out a growl and stalked over to where patrols were being sorted.
Snake limped after her. Wanting to see the conversation that was bound to ensue.
“Clear Sky!” Quick Water called.
Clear Sky turned to her, an annoyed expression on his face.
I mean that's how he normally looks. I just don't see it hardly ever anymore. Snake was surprised by how much Clear Sky actually cared about him. Snake had just shown back up to SkyClan and fixed his wreck of a life, and was helping Clear Sky do the same.
Quick Water shot Snake a glare, shaking him from his thoughts. “He snuck out of camp last night.” she growled.
Clear Sky gave Snake an apologetic look and turned his gaze to Quick Water, eyes narrowing. “Now why would I care? It isn't my business what Snake does in his free time.”
Quick Water’s jaw practically fell off. She stared at Clear Sky, bewildered beyond belief.
Here come the favoritism accusations. Snake could already feel the hostile looks he was getting. Listen, it isn't my fault Clear Sky decided I was attractive. He would've said if he wasn't trying to keep the relationship a secret.

Snake had been sorted onto a patrol with Thunder and Lightning Tail, again. He would have preferred to patrol with Clear Sky or stay with the kits. But Clear Sky was taking the kits into the forest for the first time. Snake understood why he couldn't go, as to not raise suspicions. (Though Clear Sky would definitely have let him come if he asked)
Lightning Tail fell back to walk beside Snake. “What happened last night?” he asked.
Thunder is right there. Snake didn't say it, obviously. “I’d prefer if you didn't ask about my private life.” he requested.
Lightning Tail ducked his head apologetically. “Sorry. . . It's just really fascinating. . .”
Snake sighed. “Well at least I talked to my crush.” he waited for Lightning Tail’s reaction.
Lightning Tail froze, his eyes widened. “How did you. . .?! Wait- you didn't know! You were guessing!” his expression changed to one of annoyance.
Snake nodded. “Yep.” he confirmed.
Thunder had stopped walking and was now staring at them. “What are you two talking about?” he inquired.
Lightning Tail’s expression changed once more, to one that was smug. “Well, Snake and-”
Snake jabbed him in the shoulder. “Me and Clear Sky are mates.” It was better to do it now, or risk Lightning Tail doing it.
For a long time Thunder stood there, just stood there. His face was blank. Then he finally spoke. “Are you kidding me?! How?! Why?! What would possess you to do that?! How? How did you even manage that?!” he stumbled over his words, but he was still yowling so loud that it hurt Snake’s ears.
Snake flattened his ears to his head. “Listen,” he tried to explain.
Thunder didn't let him. Snake couldn't blame him, how would he react to news like this? “Listen to what?! Is that what you've been doing all this time?! Is that why Clear Sky favors you?! I don't know which of you is trying to gain something from this, but it better not be you!” he snarled.
Snake felt deeply  hurt by the words. The insinuation that his relationship was purely transactional cut him to the core. It almost overwhelmed him with mental anguish. “Thunder, just let me explain!” he pleaded.
Thunder was bristling. “Then explain!” he spat.
Lightning Tail was already at Thunder’s side, attempting to calm him down. It appeared to be working.
Snake took a steadying breath. “I know what it sounds like, believe me. But it really isn't like that at all. I understand why you might come to that conclusion, but I promise you, no one is manipulating anyone in this.” he was planning on getting to his feelings about his attempts to get Clear Sky to understand how cruel he was, but right now he was out of breath.
Thunder sheathed his claws. “I shouldn't have snapped at you.” he admitted guiltily. “I just was so shocked I didn't know how to react. I'm sorry.” he apologized.
Snake nodded. “It’s fine.”
Lightning Tail was looking at his paws in shame. “I’m sorry too.” he added.
Snake gave him a nod of acknowledgment. “There’s something else,” he began after collecting himself. “I feel like I'm kind of. . . Well. . .”
Thunder somehow understood. “Is him being better to me because of you?” he questioned.
Snake nodded.
“Dont feel guilty about that. I might not know you very well, but I'm sure you wouldn't manipulate someone.” Thunder comforted. “. . . On purpose anyway.” he added quietly.
Snake pressed his muzzle into Thunder’s shoulder. “Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me.” he purred.

When Snake returned to camp, his kits practically jumped him, causing Snake to stumble and flop down on the grass. 
“Snake! We saw the forest! It was amazing!” Dew Petal squealed.
“Can we tell you about it?” Flower Foot asked, tail waving excitedly.
Snake shook the bundles of fur off him. “Yes of course, just don't suffocate me!” he laughed.
The kits scurried across the clearing. Snake followed them, Clear Sky joining him.
Snake settled down at the edge of the clearing, the kits clambering over to him.
Tiny Branch nestled into Snake’s fur. “I jumped high enough to get to a low branch.” he purred proudly.
Snake felt immensely proud of his son. “That’s excellent!” he nuzzled Tiny Branch.
Dew Petal scrambled over to Clear Sky. “Tell him what I did!” she demanded.
Clear Sky purred and batted her with his tail. “She almost caught a mouse.” he informed Snake.
Snake nuzzled Dew Petal. “Im so proud of you!” he told her.
Oh my precious kits! I can't believe how perfect you are! Snake was fizzing with excitement and pride. Suddenly every single lingering worry that he hadn't dared address about parenting vanished.

The cat was watching once again. Hm. I seriously am finding difficult to inact my revenge everytime I see him. He turned away. Why did Scale have to pick him?

An:
This was so fun to write! Thank you for reading!