Vladimir sat upright in the hospital bed with a pillow in place of his wolf plush clutched tightly against his chest, his little face flushed and blotchy from crying so hard that the skin around his eyes had gone red against his caramel skintone and tender. His sobs no longer came in one continuous wave, but in small, hiccuping bursts that made his whole body tremble each time he tried to catch his breath. Even wrapped in clean hospital blankets and surrounded by soft white light, he looked terribly small, as though fear had reduced him to something even younger than his years.
"Mama—where—where did you go—"
The brokenness in his voice pulled Yu across the room immediately, because there was no force in the world stronger than hearing that tone from Vladimir.
"I'm here, little wolf…"
Yu rushes to him, voice tender, gathering him up at once.
"Mama's right here, it's okay, my baby, it's okay."
