The silence outside Metis's chamber stretched on longer than anyone liked. Oceanus was the first to break.
He grunted, shifted his weight off the pillar, and pushed away from the wall like he was tired of breathing the same air. "Enough waiting," he said, mostly to himself.
Tethys glanced over. "Don't."
But he was already walking.
Oceanus moved with slow, deliberate steps—like a wave that didn't ask for permission. The others didn't stop him. Dione lowered her gaze, Eurynome folded her arms. No one said a word. They all wanted to go in. He just happened to be the one who did.
When he reached the door, he knocked once. Then ignored it and stepped in.
The room greeted him with warmth and silence.
Zeus sat on the bed beside Metis, cradling the baby in his arms like the world would fall apart if he dropped her. Metis didn't look surprised to see Oceanus—just tired, her body still recovering from the weight of labor and everything that came with it.
"Oceanus," she said quietly.
