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 Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:02 am
While it had been years since Callum had traveled to Jauhar he was pleased to see that not much had changed. The dense jungle floor was still as thick as ever with glowing fungi large enough for him to sit on. Higher in the trees were the shifter settlements, and walking along their mighty boughs had been a sort of homecoming to him. As familiar as this place was it still wasn't his childhood settlement. The faces were all new, and had taken some getting used to. It helped that over the years Tendaji had changed just enough that travelers weren't looked upon with such disdain, especially hybrids. While there were still a healthy amount of skepticism towards 'his' people the vast majority of vendors and merchants were kind enough to them.
It helped that they had rolled into town with enough gold to secure lodging for the next couple of months. The only questions the inn keeper asked were how many beds they wanted and if they would also be paying for meals. It was refreshing, not to be asked whom he'd stolen the money from or how exactly he'd obtained that much of it.
For the moment Callum was on his own, and exploring the edges of the little settlement. In the midst of the Jauhar's wet heat he'd tried to pull back as much of his curls as possible with little luck. There were curled strands flopping around his face, but at least the majority was off his neck. He'd purchased a pair of simple capri's in town and without his jewelry, save for his piercings, Callum felt almost local.
Some days he went with Nimueh to see Odeya. She was a pleasant enough woman with a kind heart, but it still felt off to him. One evening he may enjoy her company and the next he Callum would find himself gracefully declining a visit, instead opting to spend the evening by himself. This evening, for example, was one of those days. He walked the perimeter of the village, switching between walking barefoot along the thick branches and bouncing heel to toe on rope bridges.
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:32 am
Jauhar had never been a home to Nimueh, not really. There were his childhood days, spent on the Chibale Isle, but that experience was so different to this... it simply didn't compare. There were only the fleeting memories of his flight through the settlements as his group fled the extremist threat... the memory of meeting Callum, himself, beneath a tree at a village very similar to this one. In a way, it was the perfect backdrop for what they were doing here; those boys had been so lonely and hurt by the world around them that they had both found a strange solace in one another, even at such a young age, simply because it was another soul who understood them.
And here they were, so many years later, making sure that their own children would never experience that same loneliness, set adrift in a world that was cold and empty and careless.
... Jauhar had never been a home to him, but he had come to associate it with children and family regardless... least of all because Eema, Sol and Ygraine's mother, also lived there.
Meeting with Odeya that first time had been... awkward. She had been startled by his suggestion, and had conceded she had never considered surrogacy before... that she would need to think. And Nimueh couldn't say he blame her. Eema had only remained in their childrens' lives because she actually was a dear friend to them, and had cared for their children while Callum was held captive all those years ago in Oba. Even now, years later, Nimueh could see a fleeting look on Eema's face when she talked with their children; she was happy, and had her own children to raise, but there would always be that shred of her that knew her flesh and blood was out there, and she was only a passive figure in their lives.
Fair enough. They could give her time. It gave the pair plenty of opportunity to contact their grown children to let them know they would be married. Ideally, they would come to see them for the ceremony, but they had already traveled for a reunion only a short time ago.
Eventually, though, they did return to Odeya and she had agreed... and they had begun. It had been... at least a few months already, and Nimueh had contented himself with doing work around the village to continue paying for their room and board.
And it had finally paid off. Now, he only had to find his husband (husband!!) to tell him. "Callum?" He called, when he finally spotted a promising shape - unfortunately, here in a shifter settlement, pale hair and skin was no longer a sure indicator of his husband in the distance.
(1/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:43 am
It had taken Callum some time but eventually he'd found the perfect little spot. He'd walked to the end of a well worn rope bridge, then climbed a short bit further into the grand tree and was currently situated on a plump little branch. At first he'd thought he could have napped there. The wind was just right, he'd accomplished all of his odd jobs for the day and now....
....well, now he heard his name being called. At first Callum thought about closing his eyes and forgetting about it until realizing exactly who was looking for him. Curiosity peeked, Callum branched his legs on either side of the branch and scooted a little further out until he could get a good look at Nim. "Who is he looking at?" Callum mused. It didn't really look like Nim had figured out where he was just yet, so Callum called out, "I'm up here!"
How long have I been out? It didn't seem like that long ago at all that he'd seen Nim off, so a little spike of worry cropped up in him. "Is everything okay?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:50 am
Nimueh realized his mistake as he drew closer and gained the perturbed stare of a very much Not Callum figure. He flushed and babbled out an apology, and was ready to go hide in their inn room - when he heard a familiar voice calling for him. His body went slack with relief, and he immediately followed that sound, tilting his face up to spot his husband in the tree. "Yes, everything is fine!" He called back, on the verge of screaming the announcement out - but it didn't sit right with him to shout it up to him.
"Wait-- let me..." He huffed and turned his face to trace the most likely pathway to his husband's side, legs going wide as he walked over the rope bridge, as wobbly as a newborn aldabuck (he had never gotten used to these things), then reached up to grip for purchase on the tree. He was less graceful than Callum; it wasn't as if he had grown up in shifter settlements, like he had... but eventually he made it to his side, a bit breathless and purple in the cheeks with exertion, but smiling brilliantly and proudly nonetheless.
"Hi. Miss me?"
(2/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:00 am
Callum couldn't help the little smirk of amusement that came with watching his husband bumble about. In his eyes he'd always looked so different from pure blooded shifters that even with their lighter skin he was an easy target, but apparently there was little difference to others. He balanced his elbow on his thigh for a moment, leaning his head into his open palm languidly while watching Nim's ascension.
In their youth he might have met him half way or made some excuse to go down to Nim's level, just to spare him the climb. Now, however, Callum just sat back and watched the show. Seeing his husband use those lovely, lovely muscles of his was worth the lost nap. And when that beautiful man was close enough Callum grinned, and leaned forward for a quick kiss. "All the time."
Instead of forcing Nim to sit on the thinner, more outstretched portion of the branch Callum scooted forward and readjusted himself so he could better see the man. "How was your day?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:07 am
Oh ho ho. He saw what Callum was doing. But fine - he could play his game. Nim paused occasionally on the way up to drag in a breath and shoot looks up towards his goal, glowering as he realized how slow his pace was. But finally they were side by side, and he was even rewarded with a kiss - one that made his almost pouty, pinched expression shift into a happier, softer one. He was thankful for the space; sometimes, it startled him to realize that full-blooded Alkidike could be bigger than him, and yet just as at home in the canopy during hunting as shifters. Crazy- he felt so heavy, certain that if he fell he would shake the entire jungle when he landed.
Perhaps he had spent far too long sedentary in Zena, just as Callum had always hinted.
Finally though he was planted safely on the branch. He half expected Callum to guess what had happened... or to ask if Odeya had been away. ... Instead, he almost studiously avoided even asking about her.
But truly, Nim was far too excited to catch what that might mean. Instead, he pressed his lips together in an attempt to keep his face neutral... only to lose it, and instead grin like a loon, shifting in a bit closer to his husband, reaching to grip his hand.
"We've done it. The healer says Odeya is pregnant - we're to be fathers again, Callum!"
(3/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:18 am
For a second Callum didn't know what to think; why was Nimueh grinning like that all of a sudden? And he was getting so close, despite the sticky heat of Jauhar, and....Callum's heart stopped. "She's pregnant?!" His entire body slumped out of sheer shock. Of course that's what they'd wanted and he was happy, so very very happy, but it was almost too much to take in! If not for his husband's steady hold on his hand he might have slipped right off the branch!
Still, that reeling sense of surprise only lasted for so long. In an instant he'd risen on the branch to twist his body and attack his husband with a loud, excitable cry. He wrapped his arms around the larger man's shoulders and with one leg crouched under him, the other stretched out along the branch, he clung tight.
"I'm speechless! I can't believe it; I really can't! How many healers checked? Are they sure?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:34 am
Callum went slack for a moment, but just as usual Nimueh braced his arm to ensure he had his husband safe and secure. And, moments later, he recovered... and there was the reaction he'd been looking for. It was Nimueh's turn to grip the branch for support as Callum flung his arms around him - the larger earthling braced his arm around him, laughing and burying his face into his neck, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hmm? Oh-- ah... just the one." He conceded, pressing thoughtless soft kisses to Callum's cheek and shoulder, both sticky with sweat from the heat. "She hadn't mentioned, but her ah. Earthling moon cycle has been gone, and felt sick a few days after we last saw her." So almost a week. And - while most earthlings politely didn't mention that particular time of the month in women, even now, so many years later, Alkidike raised Nimueh lacked the tact to not mention it.
(4/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:48 am
[5/10]
Callum flexed his toes on the branch and pushed a little closer, twisting his lower half just enough so that he was making a nitch for himself. Once he'd made a little spot he sat down on the branch in front of Nim and kept his husband close, too happy to do anything other than absorb all of the affection.
While he didn't care about 'moon cycles' or the details involved Callum had to snort a little at hearing Odeya's more intimate business being shared. She may not have wanted that particular detail getting out, but the three of them had long since passed over any personal barriers weeks ago. "My grandmother used to feed me Juju fruit when I was sick as a kid. I'll have to get her some; it may help." It would certainly be a nice gesture if nothing else. Now that she was officially carrying his child Callum didn't want her thinking he was ungrateful. He would do anything he could to make the experience as pleasant for her as possible.
"I suppose I should go see her, anyway; it's been a while."
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:55 am
Nimueh had been far too excited, before, to even suspect the gut punch that the news could have been. And it wasn't as if Callum wasn't happy and excited - he could see that joy in his eyes, and it certainly wasn't faked. But where before they'd clung to one another to share in their joy, now... Callum shifted closer, burrowing himself infront of Nim in a gesture that the larger earthling normally associated with Callum needing reassurance. Not that his husband wasn't an affectionate man at the best of times, but...
With how hot it was? This was notable to him, and finally the joy simmered enough for him to peer past it.
"Mm. We'll need to look. Unless that isn't something you feed someone who is expecting." Nimueh huffed out a soft laugh, then trailed off, silent and thoughtful.
The branch was big enough that Nimueh felt comfortable taking his hand off it... and instead draped both arms around Callum's middle, propping his chin on his shoulder. He had to hunch, slightly, to make it work but...
"... You feel conflicted. Don't you?" He asked, very softly, pressing a very soft kiss to his shoulder as if in apology."
(5/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:05 pm
"It might have turned her tongue purple," Callum murmured with a devilish little grin. "Other than that it's perfectly harmless." If she wasn't familiar with the fruit then it might have seemed toxic, but in all actuality, that was a common side effect of eating fresh Juju fruit. It just wasn't exactly 'common' in this area so she may not have known right away.
"...Yeah." He admitted sheepishly. He nuzzled skin to skin against his sweat slicked husband and where normally he would have needed a little space between them, if for nothing more than personal ventilating, right now he needed that contact. "I'm happy, I really, really am and I like Odeya. She's so kind to give us this chance, but when I think about you being with her...it makes me sick."
He didn't want to admit to how many times he'd woken in a cold sweat over it, or the long days where he would simply walk until he physically couldn't anymore. Days where he said he was working and had simply wandered off into the jungle to be alone with his thoughts.
"I don't know how you did it without going mad."
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:17 pm
Wicked thing. Nimueh snorted and matched Callum's smile, pressing his face to his shoulder so that he could feel it against his skin, and know that he didn't take the bit of playful spite seriously. If anything... it made sense to him. He had hoped that Callum's more... involved approach would help with those feelings, but... apparently it hadn't. Not completely.
... If anything, he felt it was a testament to their bond with one another that all it took was a gentle poke for Callum to come clean, and be honest about his feelings. Ideally he would have brought this to Nimueh before, but... possibly, he felt since Nimueh being the participating father this time was his suggestion that he had no room to stand on.
Nim squeezed him a bit, in silent reassurance. "It will never, ever happen again." He breathed, covering his husband's shoulder and neck in chaste, soft kisses. Then, Callum mentioned his own experiences with this and Nimueh fell quiet, a guilty pall hovering over them. Where only just now he had been proud of Callum's trust - Nimueh had never been as forthright with his own misgivings.
"... Why do you think I left for three months, back then? Simply to tell my mothers? Undread my hair?" Nimueh admitted, guiltily. He sighed and gave his head a slight shake, "... When I returned, you and Eema were so close. You stayed close. ... But in honesty, after all these years, I think that friendship was a blessing for our family. I don't regret it. And... I hope you won't, either."
(6/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:34 pm
Callum couldn't help the little laugh that slipped out when Nim's lips went over the sensitive scars on his neck. It didn't erase the monster that had taken root in his gut, but it calmed it, at least for a moment. Having his husband's attention all to himself for a bit helped in grounding the man. "You're right, it won't."
As much as Callum was unwilling to put himself through this hell again he definitely didn't want Nimueh to experience it either. Of course he'd known that it was hard on his husband at the time, how could he not?, but experiencing it first hand now...Goddess above, Callum wanted to carve his own heart out some days and others he could walk on clouds he was so happy. It was exhausting.
"...For a while, I did." Callum lifted his hand to cup the side of Nimueh's face and turn it towards him. "I never knew at the time how hard it was for you. I thought it was supposed to be that way; that we were supposed to build a relationship with the woman who carried our children, but after you were gone...I felt so guilty. She reached out to me, just to check in, but I hid from her. I'm sure the kids think I betrayed you by her even sending me a letter, and I felt it, I really did, so I just kind of...left."
He hadn't bothered talking with Ygraine or Sol about any of this. His kids had their own perceptions of how he'd handled life after Nim's 'death' and by now...well, he couldn't really change that.
"I'm glad she was there to give our children life, and I'm happy that she was able to teach Sol some of her magic, but I'm also glad I haven't talked to her in a while." He let out a little sardonic laugh. "Does that make me a terrible person? I just...with Odeya I want to keep my distance, but I won't stop you from getting as close to her as you want. And I thought about it too, you know; leaving for a few months to stay with Sol until this part was over."
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 1:14 pm
Hm? Nimueh canted his head to the side, but allowed his face to be caught and shifted towards him, taking in his husband's conflicted look. His breath caught though when Callum began to speak about when he was 'gone'. He... still couldn't imagine what Callum had gone through. Even Nimueh had been reassured when that Callum had been alive the last time he saw him... but to his family, they'd all thought his body was dragged away, perhaps by beasts. With no body to bury... and almost two years gone...
Even when Callum had been kidnapped before, when their children were younger, at least Nimueh had known he was alive, somewhere. He wasn't sure what was worse... not knowing what he was going through, or realizing that he was actually dead and gone.
They really shouldn't be discussing such heavy things, not when they had gotten such happy news, but... maybe this was cathartic in its own way. Like a pure ray of sunlight that was blanching away the rot of guilt and jealousy and sorrow in their souls.
"Terrible? No, never. And I wouldn't have blamed you." Nimueh reassured, cupping Callum's cheek and swiping his thumb in soft circles just underneath his eye. "... I agree though. Keeping our distance ... is likely the best answer. I'm grateful to her, for all she is doing for us, of course... but leaving as soon as our children are old enough to move would be best." He had spent the entirety of Eema's pregnancy half convinced she would want to keep one of the babies. Perhaps... the best thing to do would be to take their children and go, once they were old enough, to remove any temptation.
But that also wasn't a fear he wanted to plant into Callum's head, not right now when he was already fragile.
(7/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 1:22 pm
"I'm sure she'll understand. It's bound to be...hard for her, at first, but this is what we all agreed on." Odeya would have family and friends to be with her during that first bout of separation, and after she would start to adjust. They all would. Overstaying their welcome in Jauhar would only make it harder on her and it might tempt the woman to...Callum pressed down on those thoughts. It wouldn't help him to think about the 'what if's' now.
Thinking back on something else turned the tide of conversation, just a bit. "You keep mentioning children and not child; do you really think we're having twins again?" He'd gone into this thing of one singular baby, but now that the thought of multiples had come back up Callum was a little concerned. Of course he'd been raised on the road; he'd spent all of his formative years traversing the craggy landscape of Sauti, but he'd been one of a small number of children in their caravan. It would just be the two of them plus a possible duo of infants.
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