Word Count: 336
As she collided with him, she heard his yelp. Her ears flattened back in a silent apology and she crooned a whine, her head tilting upward to look with concern at her uncle's face. The older male had his head tilted down, which made it harder for her to see if his expression was one of pain or just surprise. Her tail wagged slightly to indicate further apology, almost brushing the ground because of how low she held her body. It was fun until someone got hurt; his yelp had seemed both hurt and surprised, which made her feel bad. After all, it hadn't been her intent to harm him. Just to get the upper paw for a few moments so that maybe she could "beat" him. Though it was true: neither of them was going to back down for reason of being "defeated."
Yet he was actually submitting to her winning and she raised her ears, her tail lifting slightly in triumph. Though she still felt bad that she had hurt him, even if it was only slightly and he had already recovered. "Sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you." she reached out her nose to gently nudge his exposed throat. A trusting, loving gesture. An acceptance, too, of his surrender, although she didn't think it had been necessary. Her tail waved generously behind her now, because he didn't seem upset at all. It had been a good fight and a fun one. Something that she had needed to work some of the anxious kinks out of her muscles and joints. She felt good about how it had turned out.
"Yeah we should probably head home before you catch your death of cold. I hear it's easier when you get all old and stuff." she teased, sticking her tongue out briefly. Melee turned so that she would be parallel with him. Then they could walk home side-by-side. Neither one truly the victor, although both had gained a renewed sense of family affection from their playtime.