Sleepy Fox Hollow This love is gettin' kind of dangerous

i was racin’! pippin huffed, voice high and breathless, legs still a blur beneath him even as his sides heaved from the effort.

he flung his head up dramatically, nostrils wide and lips puffing, as if he’d just conquered the whole hollow with his four wobbly sticks of legs. grass clung to his knees. dust lined his belly. pride beamed from him like sun off stone.

he noticed her slowing, coming up beside him, and gave a triumphant snort—wheeling just a little too sharply to the side, nearly tripping in his own excitement.

didja see me, ma? i was like—
he gave an exaggerated buck, legs flailing mid-step, —pow! real fast!

then, sensing her guidance, he fell in at her side again, wide-eyed, still trembling from the thrill. he didn’t ask if he won. didn’t need to.

he was flying.
and mama saw it.