I can't roll with these punches

Just as she was getting settled in against her father's side, she felt him jump a little and she lifted her gaze to meet his. She saw the hope light up his face, the smile pulling at his lips, the disbelief painted across his expression as he looked at her. Her brows pulled together with a little bit of confusion and was about to ask him what was going on, but was cut off when she heard him begin to speak. She heard the very distinctive beginning of her mother's name and her heart felt like it shattered in her chest. Her ears folded back against her head and she whined softly with worry when she saw his expression suddenly change when he finally realized that it wasn't his wife, but his daughter instead. She knew she and her mother looked incredibly similar so in his sleep deprived state she could see why he would make the mistake, but it still killed her to see him hurting like this.

She heard him correct himself, saying her name instead, and spotted the slight glisten of tears in his vibrant blue eyes, making her whine quietly again. His leg wrapped around her and pulled her close and she was more than happy to lean into his embrace, tipping her head so that she could press her nose to his cheek as he buried his face into her fur, listening to his muffled words as her chest ached with sorrow. She didn't really know exactly what she was hurting over, but it hurt. Everything hurt for everyone. "I love you too," she replied softly, wiggling in his embrace to be able to wrap her forelegs around his neck and squeeze him in a hug.

"Briar" | "Marigold"