Oswin had forgotten how much she loved being a mother.

Pregnancy was always hell, but standing with her new child and watching them come to terms with the world and with being alive was a whole new type of miracle. When Oswin was pregnant for the first time with Klara, she’d thought of her mother hating the sight of Nephilim and worried it would happen to her, too. It never had. Oswin had only felt absolute love as she watched her daughter grow and take on the world. Then she’d done the same with Maia.

And now… Oswin’s pink lips lifted into an exhausted but happy smile. Now she would do the same with Oswald.

The sound of hooves caught her vigilant ears and Oswin turned to look curiously at who was approaching. At this time of night she expected a fellow sister and was thankfully not mistaken, though this was a face she didn’t yet know. Shame on her, Oswin felt a slight pinch of guilt. If she hadn’t been so distracted by her pregnancy, she would’ve made an effort to meet the mare already.

“May I see him?” The sleek white and brown mare asked.

Oswald lifted his head and flicked an ear in the mare’s direction as though surprised to hear a voice that wasn’t mother’s.

“Mhm,” Oswin agreed softly, turning her haunches to pull her body away from where he was clinging to it. The large, awkward colt stumbled around, dissatisfied to have lost the warmth he was comfortably leaning against. It turned him around so he was facing their new company and when he breathed in, he caught her smell. Gently he lowered his head and stretched his neck toward her, peeling back his pink lips and gently clacking his gums together.

Oswin laughed softly and the sound of her laughter made him snort and turn the ear nearest her in her direction.

“His name is Oswald.” She explained and bent to gently lip at his wispy red mane.

oswin & oswald
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.