Sun Mote Copse Maybe we can make a deal, maybe together we can get somewhere

While his mother probably thought he'd woken up fast just because she'd said something, that wasn't the full story. She'd kicked him so hard in the gut that he'd jumped to his feet, slamming the top of his head against the roof of the den, and had to shake off a bit of the dirt that came loose and fell into his ears. He made to complain but his mother looked like she was about to mule-kick him into tomorrow, so he whimpered softly, tucked his tail and scampered out the den without looking back. So much for staying for a peaceful sleepover. He'd thought that it might be a nice idea, to stay with his Mom and Phox- and it had been fine. Phox...actually was a good guy, Dad jokes aside. But that calm was suddenly interrupted, and as soon as Bronco made it outside, he scampered clear of the den's entrance, and wretched into the grass. 

The kick to his gut had come first, to upset his stomach. But as soon as he'd left the den, he realized that his Mom was probably going to give birth soon- and that hit him like another solid kick to his soft innards. He collected himself, and meandered sheepishly back to stand post near the den's entrance, where Phox was. A bit ashamed of himself, Bronco lay down on the ground and moped, setting his head on his crossed front legs, and kept one ear turned toward the den where he could hear his mother fret, shuffle and curse softly to herself. 

He wanted to get Eljay, just to have him around, just in case. He too had noticed that Eljay had been checking in on him and asking him how he was a bit more than usual, and that he seemed somewhat...Frazzled. Not wanting to invite a landslide of emotions, Bronco had done his best not to invite Eljay to share his feelings- just because he knew he was incapable of handling them. Maybe he should have done better- he too had lost his father...But Eljay had lost both his parents at once, and it was simply too difficult a subject for Bronco to handle. He was still very sensitive when it came to the topic of death. 

He lifted himself suddenly when she came out- and quickly made the excuse to go to the stream. "Do you think one of us should go-" But the sentence was cut short when his mother glared at him. She didn't want help, and didn't want anyone near her, that was for sure. So he stayed where he was, and when she returned, he avoided eye contact which seemed to please her better. Not wanting to snag her attention again, any conversations between Bronco and Phox were kept quiet, and were somewhat limited, due to the tension that existed on the air- at least, for Bronco, who had never experienced a birth before. He stayed where he was, sitting as a guard, and eventually swayed a bit on his feet as his head began to bob. He tried to stay awake- but eventually, after sunset, he flopped to the ground, and didn't wake up again until he heard his mother's voice. 

"What?" He asked, looking at Phox. "What'd ya say, Ma?" He asked, and stuck his head in the den- only to be growled at, so he hastily retreated. "I, uh, I, uh, think she still wants space," He said. "Din' see anything." He offered, as though to console Phox who, like he, was banned from the den. He could understand why- certain things, he thought, just begged for a bit of privacy. He sat back down and waited, fretting as silently as he could while he heard his mother's soft whines and cursing, until it seemed to quiet down. Her voice came from the den, and Bronco looked up at Phox with a small smile. 

"A boy?" He asked softly, blinking in surprise. He had a little brother. He smiled and waited. He wanted to hear more, but his mother was busy and he knew better than to ask her questions when she was busy. He'd done that plenty when he'd been young, and she had never been shy in telling him off or giving him a good sound smack to discourage said behavior. She eventually gave the news that she had two more- girls- and he smiled even more, his tail thumping against the ground. He was full of nerves, but was content when his mother called for Phox to go in. He gave Phox a smile, and gestured. "I'll stan' guard. You go ahead," He said. The idea of seeing a brand new puppy was so terribly exciting- but he was a guardian, and would make sure that his mother's wishes were respected, and he could greet and entertain any visitors they would have, as the sun climbed over the horizon bringing with it a new day, and new life.