She’d called it home. Nephilim could barely spare a glance to Dances (though not knowingly, just because he was so trapped in watching her) as his brother by choice moved closer to him. Just a beat too late, Nephilim reached to bump Dances, smile somewhat awkward before he looked back to Sai. She’d called it home. His Bay. Her home.

Nephilim watched her, unable to pull his glance away, and found his heart beat like a heavy drum in his chest. His tongue felt swollen in his mouth, sticking to the roof. His ears pressed forward, not wanting to miss a single word she might say. When she spoke, he wasn’t disappointed; a grin cracked over his mouth as he fought back a chuckle. The laughter that bubbled in mirth was born of happiness to see her again, happiness to know she wasn’t just some strange mirage that he would one day begin to fear was nothing more than a fantasy.

He turned, allowing his gold eyes to seek his daughters, and Nephilim felt his heart swell in pride. Nothing could prepare him for the joy he felt in being a father. He cared for those girls more than he’d ever cared for himself; he’d move the world for them if he asked. “Thank you.” He said, quiet. “Maziel and Mariael are their names. They’re my first… to survive.” A touch of sorrow poisoned the happiness he felt when looking upon them, thinking that they should have had a yearling brother or sister now and the world had robbed them (robbed him) of one.

He looked back to Sai just before she began to speak and her words distracted him from his pain. “You don’t need to apologize or explain yourself, Sai.” He promised her, pulling his head forward so he could brush his muzzle to her skin, warm breath leaving a trail against it. Inhaling was like heaven, he’d forgotten how beautiful she smelled. He sighed, his breath ruffling a few strands of her hair. “You’re here now, and that’s what matters most. I’ll protect you, no matter what monsters may come.” Nephilim meant it, too. He would face whatever demons the ocean could throw at him, whatever nightmares reached with black claws for beautiful, troubled Sai.

**********

Mariael watched Dances, ears pressed forward. It was always Maziel who expressed her love and adoration for the stallion loudly, always excited when he came about. This did not mean Mariael did not like him (she did, in fact). Mariael liked him in her own way. She trusted him. She enjoyed his company. She valued him as friend and family. She allowed him near Maziel.

A smile broke across Maziel’s mouth and she began to unfold her awkward, long limbs, planting slender hooves on the ground and hoisting her body weight up. Using both scent and sound she looked to where Dances was and shuffled a few steps closer, her shoulder bumping against Mariael. The warmth of her sister was a comfort and Mariael did not move away. This was often how they were found, Mariael and Maziel, so close together they were touching.

“Maziel was napping,” replied Mariael, her voice more factual than filled to the brim with emotion.

Maziel smiled. “I was! But I want to hear all about it!! I want to know everything. What’s it like? How different is it from here? What did you discover?” Milky blue-white eyes were wide, every line on her face painted into one of extreme excitement and openness.