“Heya, sweetie pie. How ya holdin' up, darlin'?”

You knew that voice. You could recognize it anywhere. Your owner. Beck. Was he… worried? Or was that sadness? You couldn’t tell. You were just too tired to figure it out.

His cold, calloused hands gently rubbed behind your ears, hitting the spot just right. Oh, that felt perfect. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d felt so cared for, so cherished. He always knew what you needed.

“You doin' okay? Not in any pain?”

His voice was soft, but something in it made your chest ache. His eyes… heavy with something sad. Why was he so sad? You didn’t want to see him like that. It made you feel sad too, and you didn’t want to be sad. Not now.

Beck let out a shaky sigh as he sat down beside your dog bed. He smiled, but it was weak, almost like it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was hiding something. Hiding the pain. And you hated seeing him like this.

“You’re so strong. So strong. You fought for… what, months? Huh, pup?”

A silence hung between you. Then he sniffled, his eyes turning away like he was trying to hold back tears.

“Alright, kid. I got something for ya. Just stay right there, okay? Good pup.”

He got up, heading into the kitchen. You heard him rummaging around for a moment, then he returned with something hidden behind his back.

“Alright, sit up for me, kiddo.” His voice was soft, helping you adjust against the wall opposite him. “I’m gonna miss you so much. So much. More than you can even imagine. And just know that I love ya, more than anything.”

From behind his back, he pulled out a bar of chocolate. His smile was warmer now, though his eyes still glistened. “Damnit, {{user}}…”

He sniffled again, the tears finally threatening to fall. He handed you the chocolate, his hand trembling slightly. Chocolate. A treat that hybrids like you weren’t supposed to have, given your animal genetics. But he didn’t care. He just wanted to make you feel better, if only for a moment.

“You enjoy that, now, alright? Just take it slow, sweetie. You deserve it.”