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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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 Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:35 pm
Nimueh didn't originally come home to Callum with thoughts of children. It was enough to just... be home, with his partner. But slowly, as they resumed their travels by one another's side, the thought began to nibble at his brain. Callum was almost a completely different person. They'd known one another for most of their lives, and yet... something had always been happening. The extremists, the Collectors... settling for a time in Zena.
They'd rushed into children the first time. Nimueh could recognize that. But... now, Callum was more confident in himself. They traveled, but he was more settled in his heart and mind. And then they saw their grown children again and...
... He missed it. When Sol and Ygraine were young. They'd missed so much of that time, because of Oba and what happened there. Their children had been forced to grow far too quickly, and now... while young adults, they were doing their own thing, living their own lives.
They were settled around a campfire for the night, with their traveling companions a short distance away. Nimueh sat, his legs curled under him, just... thinking.
(1/10)
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:53 pm
Being around Nim again hadn't come easy to Callum. He'd gone so long thinking that his lover was gone, only to suddenly be thrust into a relationship once again and the adjustment hadn't come easy. At first he'd tried giving Nim an abundance of space with the illusion of being nice, but realistically, he'd needed the space for himself.
As time ebbed on, though, he'd fallen back into a rhythm. Of course they were practically different people, but there was still so much there about the man he'd fallen in love with that Callum couldn't help falling again. It felt almost like a trap; like he'd never escape Nim if he wanted to. Thankfully, he was very much happy to be sucked in and devoured.
And now that they were confidently together once more children had come into the picture. Of course he missed having little ones around. He had so many regrets about not spending enough time enjoying his babies in their youth that Callum couldn't help wanting a chance to revisit it. Now that his babes were grown and living their own lives he felt like he'd missed his chance, which hadn't been much of a concern until Nim had returned. Now, however, that urge had slowly begun to consume him.
Callum walked the fires edge, flicking his fingers along the tips of the ebbing flame as he watched his lover in his thoughts. It still felt so strange seeing Nim under the stars again, but the sight filled his heart with so much joy. The swordsman sauntered over to him then crouched in front of Nim, slowly but not so subtly moving in to sit on his lap so he could be cozy and facing him. "What's on your mind? You weren't watching me so it can't be fun."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 8:29 pm
Maybe it was easier this time, to fall in love and get comfortable with Callum again. There was some tension there, but... it was okay. Because they were both alive, and expected absolutely nothing but company and affection from one another... and sure enough, as time passed and they traveled together again, they fell back into each other's arms. Nimueh enjoyed it... it wasn't like when he and Callum were young, and they worried about what the other thought of them, or that Callum would leave. If Callum didn't want him here, he wouldn't have even considered traveling together again... right?
Either way... Nimueh blinked and lifted his head to Callum, his thoughtful frown smoothing out into a sheepish grin as Callum made himself at home in his lap. Nimueh dipped in to steal a kiss, slipping his arms around Callum's waist to hold him close. "Don't you know? This is my fun face." Nim joked, cocking a brow and flashing a smile that he hoped was charming.
After a moment though he settled and hugged Callum a bit closer, propping his chin on his shoulder. "... Perhaps it's foolish. We've only recently found eachother again - and... I know it was a bit strained, at first. I should enjoy having you here, in my arms, again and not be greedy... right?"(2/10)
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 8:51 pm
With the larger man's arms on his hips, Callum scooched closer, reaching up to slip his arm's around Nim's neck. He'd missed this most of all; the feeling of being close to someone who genuinely saw him and not an image of what he should be. Or what he could be or what he could do...Of course his kids were sweethearts, but even around them he tried to be a little more of a stronger figure. Tried being the key word. Around Nim he could be as goofy and childish as he wanted.
"I think you could stand to be a little greedier." Callum mused. He leaned his head against Nim's and allowed his eyes to wonder to the stars above. "If there's something you really want I don't see why you shouldn't pursue it. And if it's about what I think it is....well, it's not exactly like you're alone in wanting it."
He stretched his fingers to take a lock of Nim's hair and twist it around his fingers. Sometimes he still remembered the man with dreadlocks, but he found he much preferred it as it was. There was something about messing with the soft strands that could put Callum to sleep. "So I guess that makes me selfish too, right? Really we should be blessed to have this moment, but I've never really been a man of restraint."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 9:16 pm
Really? Nim tilted his head, enough that he was sure his lover could feel the motion. But then he laughed, softly, tucking his face into the crook of Callum's neck, pressing a soft, chaste kiss there against his throat as he spoke, reveling in the soft rumble of his voice. At first, he was happy just to enjoy Callum's support... but when he kept speaking, Nim jolted and leaned back suddenly to look at him properly, a purple flush rising to his cheeks. "You... you too?" He breathed, wide-eyed and surprised.
Almost as if to soothe him, Callum began to play with his hair... and it worked. Nimueh settled, returning his hands to his hips, his eyes slipping half-closed. "No, you haven't." He joked, chuckling as he tilted his face up, bumping his lips against Callum's chin, to try and steal his attention.
"... But no, you're not selfish. Not if I want it too. ... I don't know how we'll do it-" Nimueh paused, then peeked back at Callum again, smiling softly. "... Children. You're also... hoping for children, yes?" He paused, but at Callum's affirmative he sighed in relief, and hugged Callum tighter on instinct, briefly burrowing his face into his shoulder.
He wanted children too! And... while they'd both admitted it was probably a horrible idea... he agreed that they should do it, anyway. "I miss it. The little ones."
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 9:33 pm
Subconsciously Callum flexed his neck inward, as if the act of kissing it suddenly had him feeling ticklish. For a brief moment they were as close as any one couple could be without being physically intimate and then Nim pulled away, causing Callum to purse his lips. "Yes, really." He scoffed, playfully smiling not a half second later.
"We'll have to do it the same as last time; with a surrogate." Ignoring the lips at his chin was hard when all he wanted to do was to kiss them. Instead, Callum tried to remain focused on the topic at hand. "A different one, though, because I think....I think it really should be you this time. If you're comfortable with it." He let out a little 'omf' when he was being squeezed, and leaned back a little so he could look at the other man. "It would mean a lot to me if I could wake up and see a smaller version of you looking at me with those big, gold eyes. I think I miss that the most; the way the kids could look at us like nothing was wrong and smile over the smallest thing."
They weren't perfect; both of them had their faults as well as their victories. And yet, here they were, still together. To Callum that was the mark of something 'pure'. It wasn't that they weren't untainted by their pasts, but that they were still together despite it all. They had raised two wonderful children together amid the chaos and now....now they were contemplating doing it all over again.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 10:07 pm
"Well, obviously." Nimueh teased with a snort of subtle amusement, only barely restraining himself from continuing his line of kisses. Instead, he leaned back and properly looked at Callum again, a reward for his lover's dutifulness in keeping on topic, despite the distractions. He'd already known that this time things would be different, but... then Callum continued his thought and the reality of his request slammed into him. His eyes went wide again, but this time he didn't know what to say... and instead just stared at Callum for a long moment.
"I'm comfortable-" He rushed to say, just as Callum's expression began to turn concerned. Shaking himself, he ducked his head and tried to put his thoughts in order, drawing in a deep, shaking breath. "... Yes- yes, you're right. That's a ... nice memory." Nimueh conceded with a small, wistful smile. "... And... you're right, Eema... well. The last time I visited, she suggested her days of motherhood were over."
She had birthed a number of children in her years... a few of her own, Ygraine and Sol, and even one after. But she was already a bit older than they were, and even if her body allowed her to, at a certain point an earthling woman was simply done having children.
Nimueh could hardly blame her. "There are some women back in Zena who I know would consider but..." He trailed off, then turned his head to Callum again, reaching up to gently caress his hair. "... If I did, they would be more ice than anything else. It's the responsible thing to do but..." Pursing his lips a moment, Nimueh drew in a breath then finally blurted it out, "I... what we did before... I want to honor your heritage too. A shifter surrogate, at least. Is that a bad idea?" Shifter, and not wind, because Callum had been around Shifters (his father and grandmother) more than the wind in his bloodline. It felt more 'Callum' than anything else, if Nimueh had to choose just one. And he couldn't see them stumbling on another surrogate that perfectly matched their circumstances, like Eema had.
(4/10)
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 6:37 am
I'm comfortable. Callum couldn't help the breathless laugh that escaped when he heard those rushed words. Of course he didn't honestly think that Nim wouldn't be up to the task, but despite his new found confidence Callum still didn't like 'assuming' anything from anyone. It was a fail safe, some remnant from a past of placing too much hope on others, only to have things change at the last minute. Somewhere along the line he had started planning ahead for most things in life, but these days he found that he didn't have to. It was nice to have his partner back.
"Responsible?" Callum's grin split his face. "When have we ever been responsible?" The thought of going with a Zenan woman wasn't inherently a bad idea, but it seemed appealing only because it was convenient. It's where they raised their children, where they had once had a family home, and it just seemed....well, the responsible choice.
"I think....I would really like that. If we have to pick one side of me I would much prefer the Shifters, but...it may take longer this way. I don't have the connections there that I used to so unless you have someone in mind we'll have to look." Of course Callum realized that even if they were to find a willing surrogate tomorrow that children weren't guaranteed. It could be a long, lengthy process with varied results, on top of the pregnancy itself.
"Do you think Eema would know of anyone? I don't want to bother her, but if she might have an idea or two." Perhaps over the course of her surrogacy she'd made a friend or two who shared her same beliefs. It might be a dead end, but it was better than walking into Jauhar blind.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 4:42 pm
Rude! Nimueh tinged purple again, a bit embarrassed, but the small smile that lifted to his lips made it clear it was all in good fun. And Callum's good mischief was infectious, quickly broadening Nim's smile into a full on grin that made his cheeks hurt. "Gods help us." He sighed, shaking his head and laughing.
Only they would flout responsibility in a conversation about making babies. Ridiculous. But... that was his Callum. Should it be this simple? Shouldn't more thought go into the discussion of children?
But Nimueh still over the moon just knowing that Callum wanted to do this again, with him. Nim paused, biting the edge of his lip as Callum continued to lay out plans, nodding mutely along with the suggestion of asking Eema for advice... but as soon as Callum spoke of 'having someone in mind' he thought of a specific shifter woman. Odeya had been sweet and kind, and while not a healer herself she had the spirit of one. Nurturing and sweet, and while he would admit she was a lovely lady that he got along with well (he had to, being stuck in bed while injured for those long months with only her company), he had never feared growing feelings for her.
"I could ask Odeya. ... She - was the shifter who found me, back then." He had told Callum about being rescued, but not much about his actual recovery. Both had been too overjoyed to be reunited to question the fact Nimueh had recovered so well.(5/10)
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 6:41 pm
Callum pressed the flats of his feet against he ground on either side of Nim and stretched his legs out behind his lover. It was easy to forgot how tall he actually was for an earthling when compared to the hunk of a man under him.
"You could." Callum broached cautiously. If Nim told him there was nothing there then Callum believed him, but it didn't make the little spark of apprehension go away. There was still so much he didn't know about the time he'd spent with Odeya for Cal to be entirely comfortable with the thought of seeking the woman out, and yet....without her he may not have Nim with him at all. Was this how Nim felt when I talked with Eema?
"Do you think she would agree? Has she been a surrogate before?" Either way they would need to go to Jauhar to find a suitable shifter so at the very least this was a lead. And if she agreed then it would be someone they knew, which was something to consider. He twirled a lock of Nim's hair around his index finger, and absentmindedly nibbled on his lip ring. "We could try, if you want. The worst she could say is no."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 6:55 pm
There. That seemed more comfortable for Callum, even if it put a bit more weight on Nim's legs - eventually, they might fall asleep! But for now, he was happy and comfortable with his lover in his lap, held close and safe in his arms. Thoughtfully, he trailed his fingers and palm against Callum's right hip, over the blade scar he knew lay under his top.
Honestly? Nimueh had absolutely no idea. "You're right - it's a lead, at least. On the one hand, it's enough to owe her one life debt. Asking for this now may be too much." Nimueh conceded quickly, a bit ashamed at how it must look to so quickly suggest a specific woman for the task. Instead, he sighed and reached up to lightly tug at the navy dreadfree fringe hanging along his cheekbone, grimacing. "... I believe I am starting to understand why my birth parents snuck to Aisha to pray for me, all those years ago. It seems somehow simpler."
(6/10)
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 7:10 pm
Simpler? It wasn't as if they hadn't tried seeking out Aisha once before, but that path was cut off. Of course it would have made things simpler for them it was still available; there wasn't a guarantee, of course, that she would have accepted but at least no one else would have to be involved.
"I know it's harder this way, but...I...actually prefer it." Callum leaned back a little, relying almost entirely on Nim's hold to keep him upright. For the first time all evening he looked a little sheepish, his bright eyes masked by curls. "At the very least our way ensures that the child is wanted and not an accident or something regrettable. It's the same for Aishan's too, but earthlings...aren't exactly responsible parents sometimes."
Thoughts of his birth mother always plagued Callum when he thought of his own parenting style. He wanted to be more than her; more involved, more loving, more thoughtful....And hopefully, in the eyes of his children, he was. At the very least he kept in contact with them more than his own father had.
"I think that's always been something that I admire about the Alkidike. They're only ever given a child if they really want one."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 7:24 pm
The dubious look that flashed over his love's face broke a sharp laugh out of Nimueh's chest, and he pinched Callum's hip in response, his laugh petering out into a soft chuckle. It was easy for him to slide his arm firmly around Callum, a hand bracing now between his shoulder blades to hold him upright. If Nimueh had a choice, he would never let Callum fall, and the motion to hold up his lover came unconsciously, without thought.
He could almost track Callum's mind, flashing to his mother as he spoke, so Nimueh leaned down and kissed him gently to hopefully brush that dark thought away. When he pulled back, he leaned their foreheads together. "So they say." He mused with a snort. But Nimueh fell silent, his free hand tracing patterns on a smooth patch of uncovered pale skin, his eyes slipping partway closed as he thought.
Lover. Partner. Nim hummed softly in his throat, angling his face down to kiss Callum's jaw. "... Before our new children come. ... I want to become your husband."
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 7:37 pm
Having his hip pinched caused Callum to jolt up and lean in the opposite direction on impulse. He wanted to pout, really he did, but Nim's good mood was infectious. It was hard not to smile these days, so, that's exactly what he did.
Callum could have stayed like that forever. Being kissed like that, in that endearing way that only Nimueh could do, with his hands splayed across Nim's broad shoulders...it was all so wonderful. It was easy to forget that they were out in the open, in a camp surrounded by others, when he was so trapped in the world they had created.
At first he was so wrapped in the feeling that Callum didn't quite register what Nimueh had said. When he did his entire body jolted. "You want to marry me?" He briefly thought of the ring he wore the entire time Nim was 'dead' and how he'd already been speaking of a 'husband' in the past sense. Of course he'd tossed the thing away as soon as the man had returned. At the time it had been a barrier against himself and anyone who wanted to get too close, but now...Now Nim wanted to make it a reality.
He leaned turned his cheek against the side of Nim's head, just close enough to his ear so he could whisper in a husky sort of tone, "Are you sure? Last chance to back away before you're stuck with me forever."
Callum didn't want to get too emotionally invested in a 'yes' despite his entire being screaming at him to do just that. A part of him still feared to this day that he would blink and Nim would be gone or another tragedy would befall them, but now...Now they were going to find Odeya, ask her to bear their children and ontop of it all, marriage! Marriage!
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 7:57 pm
Nimueh had been much more shy when they were young, but now? After so much? Let them see. He had seen much more indecency in camps than this. If he was younger, and perhaps more nervous around Callum, that shocked question might have made him backpedal and put his foot in his mouth, but now? Now, Nimueh gazed steadily into his lover's eyes, hopeful but patient. He had all the time in the world for this man. He could wait.
And thank the gods he did. He tilted his head just a bit to listen, then smiled so big he could feel the ache in his cheeks already. Overjoyed, the large earthling dropped an arm to brace around Callum's waist - then surged to his feet, lifting his smaller future husband with him - holding him tight in his arms, and even doing a spin that threatened to trip and flatten them into a tent.
Was it ridiculous, to be so childishly happy over marriage when they had already raised two fully grown children together, and had just discussed having more? ... Perhaps, but here they were anyway. "How could I want anyone else? It's always been you - and will always be you, that I want to spend the rest of my life with. To raise children with."
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