She is so completely dazzled by the affection she finds waiting for her in the backs of those warm brown eyes when he bumps his muzzle against her. It feels like she has done nothing to deserve such unadulterated love from anyone in her life, like her love is only capable of corrosion and falling short. But his constant light is like a balm that heals her every day, fills in the jagged chasms of an even more jagged heart with the sound of promised warmth and laughter in his voice.
She takes a mouthful of his mane to tug him in close, curling her delicate body around him as carefully as she can, like she used to do when he was still small. But he’s hardly small at all anymore, and she realises in a moment that his size now dwarfs her more delicate body. How can it be that her little boy is already all grown up? It seems so impossible as she reaches up to gently sweep his forelock aside with careful lips, searching his eyes for that easy warmth.
“Ahh,” she says, and the sound of his chuckle feels like sunshine in her weary chest, “how exciting.” Her eyes sparkle like sunshine in the crest of a seafoam wave. There is laughter in her words now, and a smile that so easily reaches her eyes. The names he gave his friends will never not amuse her - especially Lockie, named after her husband. “I’m sure Lockie will be a great mother. Do you have any names in mind for the new pups?”
She laughs aloud when he grabs a mouthful of her mane, and then leans in to nuzzle his brow and that soft place behind his ear. “I am absolutely certain, with not even an ounce of doubt, that no puppy will ever be as fun as you and your brother were.” She yanks gently at his mane, pulling his head down closer so she can groom him with gentle lips while she retells the story he loves so much.
“You came second, with Thorn, and I had no idea you boys would be wolves, so imagine my surprise when there you were with paws and snouts and the tiniest pointy teeth I’ve ever seen in my life.” She’s smiling now, so soft and gentle because she loves how much he loves to hear the tale. “You were so handsome, all the colors of autumn in every single strand of soft fur, and your eyes the same shade they are now.” She kisses his brow. “And then you looked around like it was the most wonderful thing you could ever imagine to be alive, and that each new thing you noticed was that much better than the one that came before.”
i am brambles but i am tangled in your love
@[Tamlin]