The worst of winter went by almost unnoticed by the pair, And though the cold stretched into months that would be considered spring months at more southernly latitudes, eventually warmer days began melting the snow. The short tundra spring had come. Aidan went outside often now, and stretched and flapped his wings, though he didn't yet take to the sky.

Soon the snow was off the ground entirely, and the white heads on the Barrier Mountains in the distance were slowly shrinking. The pass to Snowcap and the south opened, and the first of the caravans from Coppertop set out to trade with the humans of Snowcap.

Aidan was flying now, if only for short flights. He was glad to return to the sky, but he was also sad. The pass was open, his wing was healed, and he had no more excuses. It was time for him to leave. He had come to like Flame Song very much, and he would miss her. He'd had very few close friends in his life. Few people would befriend a gutter rat of a thief like him, and fewer still would look on him as a suitable partner. He had resigned himself to a mostly solitary life some years past. That Flame Song obviously enjoyed his company had been a bright warm spot in the cold winter days. He felt more like the gloom of winter now, thinking of leaving. But this was her home, not his, and he couldn't expect her to take care of him forever.

"The pass is open now," he said that evening as they sat in front of the fire. "And I think my wing is completely healed. I.... should probably leave tomorrow."

Flame sat next to him in human form, staring into the flames. She sighed softly. "I suppose so."

Aidan looked over at her, but she didn't look up. "You don't sound that happy about it," he said.

Flame shrugged. She couldn't quite think of how to say what she wanted to say without sounding pathetic. She didn't want to be left alone. She didn't want the only person who hadn't cared that she was a cat to leave her. But he was an aerian, and a very good looking one at that. There would be many others for him, and he would probably prefer to go, to get on with his life in Aerievale with his own kind. And even if he did like her, and enjoy her company, there was no way an aerian would ever want a cat for a mate. Even if he stayed longer, he would not stay forever.

"Flame..." She looked up to find him looking earnestly at her, his hand reaching out to touch her arm. "Do you want me to stay?" He almost didn't want to ask it. Surely the answer would be no.

She blinked. "You... you would stay?"

"Of course! I was only going to leave because I thought you would prefer to be alone. You built your home so far away from anyone else, I assumed..."

Flame shook her head. "It's not that I wanted to be alone, it's just... I couldn't stand being around people who couldn't accept me as I am. And I... I..." she paused, trying to hold back the tears that suddenly welled up in her eyes. "I couldn't bear living with my friends, who were all marrying and having children, when I can never do either. I will never be able to find a mate." In all their talks, this subject was one she had avoided. She didn't want to cry in front of him. But now she couldn't help it, and tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Oh Flame..." he moved closer, put his arm around her. "How can you say that? You're beautiful, smart, talented, everything a guy could want."

She turned to him and buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing. "It's true! I tried to be human, but I just can't lie about it, I have to be myself, and every time... every time I get rejected. My friends accept me, but there aren't any of them that I could... could think that way about."

He put his arms around her and held her as she finished crying. When she'd cried herself out he reached up and cupped her cheek in his hand, tilting her head to look at him. "And what about me? Could you think that way about me?" He was trying to keep calm, but his heart was racing.

Flame blushed. She hesitated, not quite wanting to answer. But she couldn't lie, and she couldn't just say nothing. Finally she looked down and said, "Yes."

Aidan felt like his heart had stopped. He pulled her close, not able to speak for a long moment. "I never thought anyone would," he said at last. "I never thought anybody would care for me, or want to be with me. I'm a nobody. But you... you're one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. If I'd ever dared to dream of being with somebody, it would be somebody like you. So if you want me to stay, I'll stay forever. In fact..." She had spoken of marriage, of mates. He had dreamed of such things himself, had even thought of Flame in such a way, but only as a sad, idle fantasy. But fantasy had become reality for him once before in his life. It seemed it might do so once more. So he slid off his seat and knelt before her, taking her hands in his. "Flame Song, will you marry me?"

Her breath caught and her eyes went wide. He couldn't possibly mean it. But she looked down at him and his blue eyes were earnest, sincere, almost pleading. She saw in them the same thing she felt, the feeling of not quite daring to hope, but hoping all the same. As she hesitated he looked sadder, less hopeful, and she realized it was real, he really did mean it.

"Yes," she said softly, almost whispering. Then a little louder, and with tears standing again in her eyes, "By the First Flame yes!" He smiled up at her, tears welling up in his own eyes. He felt happier than he had ever felt in his life. He was not alone. He would never be alone again. He stood, pulling Flame up, and hugged her tightly, fiercely. She hugged him back just as hard. They looked deeply into each other's eyes. Aidan had to look up a little. He'd always hated being so short, but what did that matter now?

They came together in a brief, hesitant kiss. Flame Song had kissed a few men, but not very many nor very often, and firecats had no such custom. Aidan was scarcely more experienced himself, but that didn't matter any more than his height did. All that mattered was that she was here, and he was here, and they would be together always.