jon9jones
Everything he was going to say, everything he was ready to yell was stalled as he heard the news. Everything was changed by the one thing she just told him. Nothing would ever be the same again.
His skin was like his coat in more than one way. It had seen and weathered many hardships. Cold winters and harsh winds have broken themselves over both leathery shields. Both served as protection against the rough world he lived in.
As he stepped into the sun, light washed over his weathered face as it had every day for as long as he remembered. Hopefully he would have many more mornings, but the nature of the world makes these hopes uncertain.
As she grasped the neck of his shirt, she pulled him in close. She whispered softly into his ear. What she whispered wasn't what he had expected, but as he thought more about these words he was able to console himself with their meaning.