I can't roll with these punches

He felt the touch of an antler against his coat, and it shocked any sleep right from his system. He turned and saw Zee moving moving snuggle up against him. His mouth gaped open in shock, his eyes widened and a slow smile began to spread across his numb face. "Ze-" he started, and then shut down the word as his face closed up once more. No. Not Zee. Her little twin, his Briar-rose. How could he forget how much she had started to loon like her mother?

"...Briar" he finished softly. But he knew the damage was done. Tears stung his eyes from the false hope and he blinked rapidly, not wishing her to see them. "My little one, my little one" he whispered, and pulled her in closer to him. Wrapping her against his chest like he had when they were tiny wee things. He buried in head in her coat, and tried to lessen the irratic rise and fall of his chest. "I love you, Briar" he whispered, holding her gently. "I'm never letting you go."