Warrior Cats One-Shots // completed

Love Will Find A Way ≫ Graystripe x Female! RiverClan! Reader

Art: velo-cats

⚠️ Warnings ⚠️
• Some angst

Your paws glided softly over the damp forest grass, stirring up pollen and the occasional grasshopper as you made your way through the grassy knoll which sat unclaimed by any of the four clans. The last rays of sunlight had begun to sink below to distant treetops, bathing the valley below in a peaceful array of orange and gold. You crossed the last few fox-lengths of smooth ground and sat down at the knoll's edge, shifting your tired paws. It had been a relatively long walk from RiverClan, but the exhaustion and soreness was all worth it. Soon enough a fluffy gray cat would emerge from the right side of the knoll, scraps of greenery clinging to his pelt and the sweet smell of the late greenleaf forest clinging to him like dew. You blinked, swiveling your head in several directions to see if you could catch a glimpse of your forbidden lover, but the forest next to you remained still and silent. You sighed, impatiently flexing your claws. Where is that minnow-brain? I told him this was important! You stood up, intent on taking a brisk —and very risky— walk over by the ThunderClan border to see if you could possibly come across the gray warrior, but a massive weight crashed on top of you and squashed you into the cool grass before you could even take a step. You snarled and wrenched yourself free of the mysterious assailant's grasp, being mindful of your belly while doing so. Whirling around on your hackles with every intention to claw someone or something's eyes out, you drew in a surprised breath when you locked eyes with the tom you had been expecting to find at the remote corner of the forest. His amber eyes were shining mischievously, a dirt-eating grin stretched across his broad face. "Don't tell me I scared you."

You bristled angrily, not even slightly amused by his surprise advance. "You minnow-brained mouse-muncher! Don't you know crushing a cat can hurt them?" Your retort came out more like a furious bellow, and your mate took a small step back, his amber eyes shining with hurt. Immediately guilt-stricken, you let out a slow breath and forced your fur to lay flat, "I'm sorry Graystripe," You murmured sadly, averting your teary gaze. "I've just got a lot on my mind."

His face twisted into an expression of concern, something you'd hardly ever seen. He gently twined his tail with yours, guiding you back toward the knoll's edge. "What is it, darling? Have I done something to upset you?"

"No," You sighed, leaning against his shoulder slightly. "It's just..." You trailed off, desperately searching your mind for the right words. You weren't sure how he would take the news you were about to give him, and the thought of losing the loving gray tom made your heart sink.

"It's just what?" Graystripe asked softly, placing a gentle lick behind your left ear. "There's nothing in this whole forest that could make me angry at you, (Y/N)." Although his words were slightly comforting, the anxious churning deep within your belly was not. You can't keep this a secret forever, You told yourself firmly. He's going to find out eventually— Everyone will!

"Graystripe, I'm... I'm expecting. I don't know how this happened... We were so careful, I never once thought we'd end up in this—" You were interrupted by your mate pressing his nose gently against your tear-stained cheek, followed by the soft rasping of his tongue. You blinked, looking deep into his loving gaze.

"(Y/N), I'm absolutely thrilled that I'm going to be a father, and so should you. We were careful, but these things happen sometimes. We have to take the bad with the good and accept that none of this will be easy, but it will be worth it." He stroked his tongue across your face several more times, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes. "We'll make this work, my love. You'll see."

"What about our clans?" You whispered, the familiar churning sensation returning to your guts. "Graystripe, they will never accept this! They'll never accept us, they'll never accept our decisions, and they'll never accept our kits! We've broken the warrior code! Can't you see that?" Your voice came out much harsher than you intended it to, but your mate didn't seem to take it personally. He took a deep breath, then turned his gaze to the setting sun.

"I'll join RiverClan if it means being with you, and being able to raise my—our— kits." You gaped, your heart still slamming against your ribcage. He'd give everything he's ever known up just for me?

"Love... No, you don't have to do that," You insisted gently, resting your paw on top of his. "ThunderClan is your home. I don't expect you to sacrifice everything you've worked so hard to achieve for me..."

"There is nothing I wouldn't sacrifice for you (Y/N)," The ThunderClan warrior meowed solemnly. "You're my whole world. Anywhere is my home as long as you're there with me." Your eyes tingled with the onslaught of tears, but they were no longer of fear or uncertainty.

"I love you," You whispered, pressing your nose gently to his. "Thank you, Graystripe. Thank you so much." Graystripe smiled warmly, leaning down and touching his forehead to yours.

"Love will find a way, my beautiful rose. It always does."

Wow, this came out wayyy better than I expected it to, lmao. Also, it's almost five in the morning and I'm still up writing this. What is my life?

I hope you enjoyed my first one-shot! Please feel free to leave positive criticism, feedback, and comments! Leaving a vote couldn't hurt, either!