"Shhhh" The young man hushed gently. "Don't cry." He held the child in his lap close to him and ran his fingers through her blonde hair. He felt his shirt becoming moist with her tears. He hated to see her cry. He wished he could take any pain she felt and put it on himself, just to spare her.
"It's alright, Sweetheart. Let me take a look and make sure you're okay." He said softly. The girl stretched out her leg, to give her father a clear view of the knee she bumped. Link looked at the child's red, tear-stained face. He reached a hand over to wipe her tears away with his thumb and gave her a small smile.
"See Honey? It's just a little bruise. You're going to be fine."
"But it hurts, Daddy." She said, leaning up against him and taking a handful of his shirt in each hand.
"I know, Pumpkin. But it'll feel better in just a little while. There's no need to cry." He said comfortingly, rocking her back and forth gently.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen when you said not to run in the house." She said looking up at her father's gentle face.
Link looked at the girl and felt his heart swell. "That's alright, Darling. I only said that because I didn't want you to get hurt."
"Are you mad at me?" she asked quietly.
"No sweetie," he said with a small laugh. "I'm not mad." He kissed her forehead and held her close to his chest once more. "I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy." She said cuddling closer to him.
They sat and embraced until the child fell asleep in her father's arms.