Noctisardor Bypass spechou

@Ezra and/or @Gideon! <3

one of her boys had darted after something or other outside the den, and heda followed at a trot. they were in the process of transitioning out, or would be, as the shelter of their birth could hardly house six active pups any longer.
heda sang as she walked, great is thy faithfulness, came the clear soprano of her lilting voice, delightedly dancing in song notes after the son who explored his home.

Now that he was out of doors, Gideon found himself easily distracted by every flitting insect and windblown leaf to cross his path. He cooed and squealed with excitement as he explored his surroundings, winding this way and that as he was pulled along by the sight of a drifting butterfly or the sound of birdcall overhead.

Eventually his eyes clapped onto several brilliant yellow dandelions in the grass. Having picked up a thing or two about plants being useful from Etienne's and Fiona's frequent visits, the boy scurried toward them and plucked one up in his jaws. Pleased with himself, Gideon went careening back to the singing Heda with the flower held out, presenting her with his special "medicine".

"oh, gideon, that's so pretty, baby. thank you," heda crooned over her boy, lowering her pale muzzle to take the bloom and kiss the top of his head in the process. "dandelions! they're bitter, but you can eat them. and as it gets warmer, they turn to fluff and blow away."
she demonstrated, treating him to a funnel of warm air from her pursed lips. "are you a dandelion, gideon?" she chuckled, encouraging her son to try and recapture the flower with a gentle touch.

Gideon giggled and danced from paw to paw when Heda's muzzle swooped down over his brow. T'ank you mama, he mimicked, having not quite grasped the difference between that and "you're welcome" yet.

Heda went on to describe dandelions, but he was only half listening. Already his eyes were darting around for any sign of a different flower he could present to his mom for more praise and recognition. He tuned back in when she asked if he was a dandelion, eliciting another round of giggles from him. Nooo, mama, he said, shaking his head emphatically. I'm a woof, not a dannyliar! Silly mama!

dandyliar! and her eyes shone with a deep, fierce love for the baby boy who seemed already dazzled by the flora which grew through rivenwood. "yes! you're a wolf, gideon," heda smiled. "and this is a dandelion. but do you know what?" she asked, waiting to catch his wandering gaze.
"god made both of you." she propped her chin on her paws and smiled brightly at her boy. "and both of you are very special."
would her sons know what her heart breathed as life? heda hoped, hoped for a golden faith unbroken by a mother's desperate sins.