The little filly nickered as she bumped her nose against Dark's arm, trying to entice the shade to pet her. Sable blinked innocently.
"Please, Father..." the boy begged.
"I said no, you damn brat. Put that thing back where it came from, or so help me..." Dark ground out. He was way too tired for this, and both the horse and the boy were gazing up at him with big, sad eyes...
"Fine." Dark snapped suddenly, "But you're taking care of it."
"Her," Sable corrected lightly, "Her name is Epona." Dark tossed his hands in the air, thoroughly done.
"Naturally." He grouched.
The shade grimaced as he glanced at the sky. Dark sighed. There just wasn't enough time in the night anymore.
"Come along, Sable. It's past your bedtime." Indeed it was, as the sun was beginning to kiss the horizon, bleeding the blackened skies to rich reds and oranges.
"But, Father," Sable whined. Dark narrowed his crimson eyes.
"Pushing it kid." Dark said shortly. Sable gave the dark hylian his biggest, saddest puppy-dog eyes. The boy's lower lip quivered, his brilliant blue eyes sparkled with a film of tears.
"Nayru, Farore, and Din, you're going to be the death of me child." Dark muttered mutinously.
"Fine." The man said, "But don't come crying to me if you sleep through sword training."
With a grin, Sable darted forward, wrapping his arms around the startled shade. After a heartbeat, Dark, a tiny, fond smile on his silvery lips, reciprocated the hug.
"Alright." Dark said, kneeling down to Sable's level, but keeping a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Run wild, my little shadow. Have fun, but-"
"I know, I know. Don't let the grownups see me." Sable cut in. He dashed off, Epona's reigns in hand.
"And be careful, damnit!" Dark called after him.
Dark stood, anchored to the spot, staring at his kid's retreating back.
A low, almost playful growl broke his thoughts.
"I have not gone soft, Link." Dark bit out, glaring at the golden wolf. The wolf huffed, amused.
"Yeah, whatever." Dark scoffed. The wolf curled its lips back, baring its teeth, and shook its shoulders as if drying off.
"I am not!" Dark yelled, offended.
"In any case, it's your fault that I'm like this." Dark said petulantly.
The wolf tucked its tail between its legs and moved forward to lick Dark's hand apologetically.
"I don't blame you, really. Not anymore, at least." Dark confessed, patting the one-eyed wolf's head. The wolf nuzzled Dark briefly and dashed off after Sable and his new horse.
"Link-" Dark started. But the wolf was gone.