It's wild like the river It's warm like the sun

*Zeitgeist*

She stood there and absorbed her husbands’ relentless strength, wishing she could have half the confidence he did that the day would go well. He pulled away from her and Zee was forced to steel herself so the panic in her eyes would not show.

The first of her children to arrive was the smallest of the second litter, and as Aris threw herself into Zee’s neck she let go of the breath she’d been holding - nearly winded by the shock of the small girl’s love. “I missed you, too.” She breathed. Her paw lifted and wrapped around her makeshift scarf, her head dipping to press nose into Ari’s neck. The scent of her daughter was familiar and grounding, and only when the next child arrived did she bring herself to come up from the fur for air.

Gossamer was equally enthusiastic and a surge of panic came over her as the monochromatic child barreled forth. Swiftly she readjusted her angle, pulling Ari’s hanging form off to the side with her arm so she would not absorb the tackle of a bear hug that followed. “Oh, Goss.” The girl licked at her muzzle and Zee’s eyes briefly pulled skyward in a futile attempt to hold back her own tears. “You have nothing to apologize for. You could never fail me.” A pause, as Zee sucked in a shaky breath and ultimately deflected. “Oh, look how much you’ve both grown.” Her voice cracked, and she lifted her free leg to wrap around Goss’ shoulder - trusting the large girls weight to support both hers and Ari’s through the embrace.

Zee knew she was small and did not have much space to offer in the way of a family cuddle - especially not to a family of direwolf children - but as Briar appeared she was determined to find every inch of room. She looked pass Gossamer towards her horned look-alike of a daughter, feeling her hesitance as clearly as she might a knife. Without thinking she squeezed Ari tighter, and leaned the side of her head into Goss. If she could draw strength from their enthusiasm, perhaps she could make it through this reunion. “Your horns,” Zee started, watching as Briar took her time approaching and placed upon her cheek a nuzzle and a kiss. While it felt like an action born out of obligation, Zee leaned in to return it regardless. She’d missed them too much to resist touching her face to their fur or inhaling their scent. “They’ve grown beautifully. What a remarkable young woman you’re becoming.” She was at a loss for words, unsure how to react in the face of the yearling’s neutrality. She felt like she should apologize, but there was so much to apologize for that finding one blanket statement felt impossible. I'm sorry your father hurt you, It's all my fault? Not likely, at least not in this moment.

Zee didn’t have long to feel the awkwardness of Briar’s entrance before she’d backed away again, taking a small part of Zee’s heart with her. She did not miss the way Sirius placed himself near to Briar, whispering in her ear. Don’t force them. She wanted to tell him - but the hesitance had hurt, and if Sirius could help them to reconnect again then it was something Zee did not want to discourage.

Ophelia showed herself next and Zee waited, anxious for the very-round yearling to make her decision. Still grasping tightly to Ari and Goss, and praying that her eyes did not express to the yearling how desperately she wanted her to approach. Like with Briar she struggled for words - only with Ophie it was harder because she couldn’t say the first thing that came to her mind. The girl needed.. well, a bath, for one thing. But somehow Zee doubted the shellshocked yearling would quietly accept her threatening to tow her into the ocean today. She offered her a hopeful smile, but then dropped her gaze from her silent daughter. They’ll need space - and that's okay. She tried to remind herself, again and again.

Kotori was the last of the youngest group, and the only boy in the sea of girls. Zee gave him a small smile, hoping to see the expression reflected on his own lips.. Though he, too, appeared to fall somewhere along the spectrum of hesitance. She swallowed, and tilted her head up to accept his gentle lick of her cheek. “Thank you, son.” Was all she could manage in reply. Out of some streak of luck his tail did manage to slowly wag, and she watched the movement and told herself it was proof he might be happy to see her returned.

For a brief moment Zee watched her five children and felt the absence of the eldest litter. Indy perhaps was still with the Hallows, but where was Asla and the grandchildren she’d been told about? She didn’t have long to miss them before her winged son made his entrance, and Zee’s heart skipped a hopeful beat. Mortis had always been soft, empathetic, and too open-hearted. Looking at him it was hard to fear he’d judge her, reject her, or turn her away.. Though a lot could change in almost a year.

He stepped slowly towards her and Zee found she was once more holding her breath. Clinging tightly to the forms of Ari and Goss, it wasn’t until his wings enveloped them that she allowed her body to relax. A part of her knew that this was it - Asla and Indy had drifted away, they’d begun distancing themselves from her long before she’d been captured. Azure was presumed dead himself, so she didn’t expect him to show himself to Sirius’ call even if he was still within earshot. She closed her eyes and leaned into her children beneath Mortis’ wings, exhaling steadying breaths before finally releasing Ari and Goss.

"Speech"

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It's wild like the river It's warm like the sun

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Zeitgeist