➳What was there to say? Never did Callum ever expect to be able to love someone so truly, so unselfishly. Never did Callum expect to love someone so much that he would literally rather die than see them suffer. Never did Callum expect to be able to love someone in the way they deserved after the way he grew up. He had been a damaged kid; a childhood filled with neglect and bruises and pity over love. His mother looked at him with guilt and resentment; he looked so much like his father who had abandoned them. How was Callum to know what love was? How was he even to know how to love at all? And, yet, here he was. Here he was, standing in a house he had only spent a few hours in over a year ago, with Robo and all their friends’ right beside him. He stood in this house once, after only meeting Fiona a few hours prior, and helped her make a shelter here. She had only just arrived with Robo. He’ll never forget being greeted by Robo in that hotel hallway, all the while Fiona finding them, almost terrified to even look, just in case Callum hurt him.
If someone had told Callum that he was about to propose to that same girl from the hallway a year and a half later, he would have never believed them. He was never meant to love, he had always said, and here he was.
He was surrounded by friends and f a m i l y, all of whom Callum had come to respect and love. Callum didn’t have a proper family growing up, not until his later years, but these group of people had become his sanctuary. They didn’t need to be blood and they didn’t need to have known each other their whole lives; these were selfless people that found respect in each other to call each other f r i e n d s. It was bigger and better than anything Callum could have ever imagined. The only thing missing was Finn; if he could see Callum now, he would have surely been a blubbering mess in the corner of the room. Olivia probably would have rolled her eyes, Rory probably would have been trying to hide an amused smirk ( or she would have been crying alongside him ) and Marissa would have probably offered him a napkin to wipe away the tears. It would have made this all the more perfect but, truthfully, Callum knew he was there. Callum was mentally placing Finn beside him and that was truthfully all he needed.
Rory, Marissa, Alexi, and Olivia had already done so much for Callum and Fiona and it only seemed fitting to get their help in setting it all up. Never did he expect them to do so much but, again, this had become a family in its own, odd, apocalyptic way.
➳Much of the place’s appearance was good enough for the time being, Marissa and Rory busy with fixing most of it to fit their expectations. Hopefully, Callum’s as well.
Rory groaned as she adjusted the vase again, “I don’t have a protractor to adjust this to a perfect ninety-degree angle, Marissa.”
Marissa chuckled softly, “It’s okay! It’s gonna be fine.” She moved it slightly to the left. “Do you think that’s at a ninety-degree angle? It does, right?” She looked over at Rory nervously yet with reassurance.
Rory shrugged and took a step back, raising a palm in the air. “I think so… either way, I don’t think Callum would be that mad if not everything is that perfect.” She raised her brows at Marissa playfully.
Marissa nodded, following in step with Rory. “Yeah. It’s not like they’re gonna look at every little thing. It looks fine! Now, onto the next thing on the list!” She looked own at the folded piece of palate she had seeing that they still needed to place flowers around the room, among other things.
Rory smiled with understanding as she stood on her toes to look at the palate: What’s the next thing? Please don’t tell me it’s hanging up any more stuff ‘cause my butt kinda hurts after falling from that chair earlier.
Marissa laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t think there’s anything else we need to hang. We’ve got the lights, small flowers intertwined within the lights, and the small stars we found hanging from above. Now we can work with the other flowers we got! WE can make bouquets or flower crowns! What would Fiona like…?”
Rory’s eyes widened at the mention of flower crowns, “Oh, we should’ve asked Delilah! Or Kat, they know a lot about flowers but I think she’ll like anything remotely pretty! Which, that also reminds me, I have friendship bracelets! I have one for Callum and Fiona, I’ll make another for the whole squad! You, me, Olivia and… and the other dude… I don’t know his name…? Do you know who he is?
Marissa grinned. “That’s wonderful, Rory! I bet Fiona and Callum will love them.” She shrugged lightly. “I think his name is Alexi… I’m not sure. He seems rather kind, I’ve seen him occasionally with Fiona, but we’ve never talked.”
Rory narrowed her eyes, “Hm… I guess. I’m kind of scared to talk to him. But you know, anyone Fiona’s friends with is good with me. Like you!” She smiled at Marissa then walked to find more items from the bag of stolen goods from numerous visited art stores. “You know, speaking of Fiona… I am SO stoked to see what her reaction would be? Do you thin she’ll cry?”
Marissa smiled, her cheeks tinting a light pink. “Thanks, Rory. You’re too kind! I’m really happy to be doing this with you!” She shrugged, scrunching her eyebrows together in concentration. “I’m not sure. Fiona doesn’t seem like the type to cry, but then again I think she’s gonna be SOO happy that she might! I just know that Fiona’s gonna be really happy about all this! She deserves it, y’know. Her and Callum have been together for awhile and absolutely love each other!
Rory nodded. “I think by the time Christmas rolls around, I would’ve known them for nearly a year… that’s… that’s really cool isn’t it? You’re right though! They’ve been through so much together and I’m so happy for them. What about you, Marissa? Who’s the Callum to your Fiona?”
Marissa smiled, her cheeks darkening with embarrassment. “Well, uh, it’s Fiona and Callum’s day so wouldn’t it be weird to talk about another relationship on their special day?” She rambled awkwardly, nervously fiddling with the flower in her hand.
Rory noticed as she held the vase with caution on her way back to the other. “I think it’s only the right time, you know? I bet you do.” She nudged her lightly. “Fiona and Callum are going to be the highlight of every non-existent new story for the rest of their life and we can only compete for that once in a while, you know? They’re like… the untouchable Disney queen and king. We can only be princesses and princes… Or in MY case? A peasant…” She laughed, though there was a tinge of sadness in them. “But that’s fine! WE get to decorate!”
Marissa rolled her eyes slightly, a small laugh leaving her lips. “It’s a bit complicated, but that’s what all relationships in the apocalypse are.” She watched Rory, listening to the girl. “I can see that. But there’s nothing wrong with them being like a Disney Queen and King. You’re not a peasant, Rory! You’re a 100% a princess!”
Rory understood, nodding almost too solemnly for such a happy occasion. “I know. But it’s not like we can’t be blamed for trying to bring some happiness in our lives, right? I wish I had that too but all I am is worried… even now. Like, it sounds bad… to already be thinking of what wrong could happen… but…” She shook her head, offered the vase for Marissa’s flowers. “Can I be like… the badass version of TInkerbell? She’s not really a Disney princess but still.”
Marissa nodded ecstatically, accepting the case and placing several flowers into to. “You can be whatever you want, Rory. You actually remind me of Tinkerbell. You’re very compassionate and badass!”
Rory giggled, carefully placing the vase of flowers at a nearby table. “Aw, really? Well, if anything, you remind ME of Belle! Okay, so, going back to your list - what else do we have to do? Do you know what time they’ll get here?”
Marissa blushed, quickly looking down at her list and her watch. “Hmm, we don’t have a lot left, just a little touch ups and such. We’ve got about 15 minutes left before they should be here, so we’re doing really good on time!”
Rory smiled affectionately, knowing now isn’t the time to be a teasing child. “Fifteen minutes? What can we do in that time? Ooh, hold on!” She grabbed her backpack and started looking through it. “You can help me with the bracelets!”
Marissa walked up to Rory and peered into her bag, “Are you sure? I don’t want to mess them up or anything.”
Rory scoffed softly, shaking her head. “The only way you can ruin it is by NOT participating. I’ll even teach you.” She brought out the materials and the bracelet she already finished for Marissa, motioning for her hand. “Come on, let me tie this one around yours. Fuck — I haven’t been excited like these in a while!”
Marissa grinned, bringing her wrist towards Rory. “Thank you so much, Rory! It’s gorgeous! I haven’t been this hyped after the outbreak in a long time either. It’s weird in a way, y’know? Like we’ve all gotten used to dealing with walkers and raiders. This is a nice change.”
Rory tied the bracelet around Marissa’s wrist carefully, “You’re so very welcome! I like to think that this is what keeps me from losing my mind and all - you know, like a little distresser Do you… do you think Fiona and Callum will like it? They’re similar but in different colours, if that helps?”
Marissa nodded, her smile widening. “Of course they will love it! I bet they’ll never take it off!”
Rory gasped as a sudden realization came to her, “Oh my god! Does Callum have a ring with him? Because if he doesn’t… what if they made these as their wedding bands? Wouldn’t that be cool?” She looked through her bag, looking up expectantly at Marissa. “What does your list say on candles? I may… or may not have stolen too much of them.”
Marissa chuckled, looking down at her list. “Well, I don’t have candles on her but I think this place could defiantly use some. Maybe three? Like spaced out around the room?”
Rory held the large candles in her hands to show Marissa, “Will these be okay? Do you think it’ll set the romantic vibe or whatever? But sure!” She walked around the room, placing the candles and standing back to observe them. “Is that good? Do I gotta turn it at a twenty degree angle or something?” She smiled.
Marissa laughed, shaking her head. She placed the candle Rory gave her delicately on a shelf. “I don’t think so, Rory. I think it looks romantic as hell! It looks absolutely gorgeous in here. We’ve done an amazing job!” She raised her hand for a high five.
Rory giggled, giving Marissa a way too overjoyed high five. “I’m literally about to burst with excitement, I could SCREAM. Do you think I could do that?… Or maybe not… what if it attracts more walkers?”
Marissa chuckled, “Maybe not scream, but you can totally squeal quietly. We don’t want Fiona to hear if she’s on her way and we don’t want to attract walkers.”
Rory ran to the windows all of a sudden, watching the outside world for a while. “I hope she brought Robo along — I miss that doggo… I wish I had one! Oh, wouldn’t that be sweet? But yeah, you’re right. You know, after she says yes — ‘cause deep in my heart, I know she will — we could totally like, snack on some saltine crackers that sneaked away from the capitol. A little celebration feast.”
Marissa smiled lightly, nodding in agreement. “I know she’s gonna say yes, without a doubt! That’d be great, Rory. It sounds absolutely adorable!”
If fifteen minutes hadn’t passed by and neither of them saw the figures outside the window, they would’ve spent the next few on reorganizing everything that they saw was adjusted just a little to the left or right. Blame it on their excitement, Marissa and Rory were two of the many who have looked forward to this event for the longest time.
This was the hardest battle he ever fought. And he had fought some hard ones in his life. But not smiling at Callum, fighting the grin that wanted to break across his face as he watch the other man looking through the window of the house had to be the hardest. It was odd, to be holding back a smile when there was a trail of bodies leading up to the house that they had killed for the second time, the air thick with the rotten stench of corpses. Callum finally looked back at him and nodded that they could go in and clear it. Alexi lost the battle and permitted himself to smile at his fellow campmate before he spoke.
“I am glad you are doing this finally.”
Callum smiled back at him, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
“You were? Seems like everyone was waiting for this.” A short laugh escaped the other man as they walked up onto the porch of the house. “Two that I could see inside.”
Alexi didn’t reply, concentrating on picking the lock in the front door. They still wanted to keep the door securable, but they needed the house cleared before anything could happen. Once the door creaked open, they were rushing in the living room, picking their targets, working as the smooth team they had become since they had met in the Atlas.
They had known each other for a long while. He, Fiona, and Callum had been a small unit that survived the death of one camp and the establishment of another. Alexi had watched the couple’s relationship grow and change, become one of the strongest bonds he had seen in Cheyenne. He had seen the worry radiating from Fiona when Callum was shot and when he was kidnapped. He could only imagine the worry from Callum when he was being held by those cannibals. If anything was shown in those hard times for the couple it was an unfailing devotion towards each other. Alexi had first suspected this would be the end goal after seeing Fiona sleepily stumble out of the projector room one morning, with the most content smile on her face only to be tugged back inside by Callum to soft laughter from the pair. That was the sort of affection he had seen in his parents, so it seemed fitting, that Callum and Fiona should get married.
He thumped on the wall with the end of his machete, waiting for any lagging behind undead to pop out of their hiding holes, as he turned to Callum again.
“I am just happy you are happy. Both of you.”
“Thanks, this means a lot to me that you’re helping — watch out.” The warning was spoken low and soft, Callum was confident that he would handle the undead girl stumbling down the hall. A quick slice with his weapon and another body dropped to the floor.
“You are welcome. Want to clear the rest?”
Callum nodded and they pulled out flashlights, walking through the house and opening doors and closets to make sure there weren’t any hidden away. The task was accomplished in relative silence, quick and efficient. That was the way of things between him and Callum, they didn’t feel the need to talk constantly. Once the house was cleared, they set to the job of hauling out the bodies into the backyard. Once again, they stood in the living room, surveying the mess.
“Marissa is cleaning this, correct? Along with Rory?”
Callum nodded at his question, and they proceeded to the front door. There, Alexi caught sight of what he was hoping to see. Keys hanging on a front hall rack, which to his surprise, where nicely labelled. Plucking the one with front door on it’s head from the rack he gave it Callum.
“Congratulations.”
As soon as Fiona entered, Callum could feel the nerves sprouting in his belly. It wasn’t that he thought she’d refuse his proposal but he couldn’t believe he even thought of this happening to begin with. Like he said – he had never thought life would allow him to love like this. This kind of love didn’t even seem possible; it was a love in movies or in Hollywood scripts that were far too planned and fake to be real.
He understood it now; he understood what people called soul mates. He didn’t care whether it was real or not but why and how the world brought Callum and Fiona together was something Callum would vow to appreciate for the rest of his days. He extended his hands out to Fiona, hoping she’d meet him by the fireplace. “This isn’t the Atlas.” He started, “But this is where I got to spend time with you alone for the first time. Being here scared me because I knew from the moment I met you that you were..different. I knew I’d spend days thinking about you, even if I never saw you again. And then you showed up at the Atlas.” He smiled, glancing quickly at Alexi before returning his gaze to Fiona. “Everything happened so fast, Fiona. I knew inviting you to stay in my room was a bit ballsy..” He chuckled lightly, his gaze falling to the floor sheepishly. “But I thought – if I got to see you again and you happened to be moving into where I lived, I just..didn’t want to see you go. I held you at an arm’s distance away but I just couldn’t stop myself from getting closer to you. You were amazing and smart and beautiful and everything I could have ever dreamed of but…you didn’t know me. You didn’t know what happened to me and I knew I was making you believe in an illusion. Then I told you and I never thought you’d stay, not after hearing all of it.”
He gathered her hands in his, his hands trembling as he held hers. “But you did stay. Not only did you stay but you loved me harder for it. Never in a million years did I think anyone would love me after all of that, especially not my dream girl. I love you so much. Everything we’ve been through,” He sighed, finding his voice breaking and the threat of tears stinging his eyes. “We’ve only just gotten better because of it. I’ve only ever grown up in a house that crumbled at even the slightest bit of stress. Here we are, battling it all, and my love for you only gets more and more intense. It’s mind-blowing to me that I ever had to live that way.”
“You taught me more than you could ever realize. I’m rambling, I know.” He chuckled, bringing her fingers to his lips before dropping his right hand to retrieve a small string from his pocket. Attached was a ring; one he had scavenged only a few months prior. As soon as Callum decided to propose, he spent weeks searching for the perfect ring. It was found in the center of the city, in an old jewelry box hidden away in a sock drawer. “I’ve known I wanted to marry you since the day I kissed you. Since the day I told you everything. Since the day I got shot. I just needed some help.” He turned to look at everyone; the widest grin on his face at each one of them. He got down to one knee, laughing lightly as he did so clumsily ( he had never been a graceful giant ). “Fiona Aviva Channing, will you marry me?”
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