Guildias would wake to his own private Eden. While he slept, Callum had filled the room with dozens and dozens of daisies and white anemones. His husband’s gifts were sitting in their pretty wrapping on the bedside table and Callum?
Also sitting in his pretty wrapping, dressed in lace and waiting patiently beside his vampire, guarding his sleep.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered, greeting Guildias with a kiss.
Callum didn’t have to wait long for his husband’s response. Eyes not even open and he was smiling. Two massive hands took hold of his favorite possession, pulling the druid into his lap, greeted with warmth and a firm base.
“How did I know I’d find you like this.” He knew exactly why, and he was pleased by their tradition. As traditional as Guildias feeling underneath his pillow for a thinly wrapped present, tied with nothing more than a green ribbon. An assortment of sheer lace underwear and silk briefs.
Guildias is just going to moonbathe, wearing double-d shades. Sprawled over his concrete patio in little more than jeans and tank. Admiring the many trees of his front yard, husband to his chest. This is his ideal birthday.
Callum made sure that the first thing his husband saw when he woke was the arrangement of black and gold roses. They were the main gift; the little bottle of cologne was just a nice bonus. “Merry Christmas, darlin’ mine,” he murmured, kissing Guildias’ jaw.
“Those are gorgeous.” Callum knew his husband’s weakness for flora. Those would take center stage in his home.
“I have something for you as well.”
“If you can ignore how… garish, it’s quite useful. An old, old spell, in which the sand falls at the rate of the quality of conversation.” He smiled. “Something for work, perhaps? Merry Christmas.”
Callum was waiting with the ring as soon as Guildias awoke. “Merry Christmas, darlin’ mine,” he whispered, kissing him fully awake. He was wearing nothing but lace and a robe, and as his husband slept he’d filled the entire bedroom with white anemones and candles. “I’m all yers all day.” He let the robe fall off one shoulder. “Hungry?”
A sight so magnificent, the first few moment of wakefulness he thought to be a continuation of his dream. Guildias marveled his husband with half-hooded eyes. “Wunderschön,” he purred. “First, come here.”
A daisy crown was placed on Callum’s head, preserved with a simple spell. His vampire was quite pleased with himself. “Merry Christmas, Daisy.”
Guildias: Guildias hugs his husband from behind and kisses his neck. "I've missed your shop," he said to his shoulder.
Callum: "Been a long time since you've come in," said Callum, leaning into his husband's embrace without ceasing work on his current arrangement.
Guildias: "I have no excuse for it." By all means, Callum was encouraged to continue his arrangement, he would just have to deal with a large hand slipping underneath his shirt.
Callum: He tried to squirm away from that lovely, distracting hand. "Behave yerself, husband."
Guildias: "But I am. You're not naked yet."
Callum: "And nor will I be durin' business hours."
Guildias: "Who are these for?"
Callum: "Mrs. Pennyapple."
Guildias: "She's a popular name in town."
Callum: "As well she should be. She's a lovely old lady."
Guildias: "Starting to wonder if she's a ghoul. She could be a daughter of a WWII veteran."
Callum: "That is the rumor, but what makes you think she's a ghoul?"
Guildias: "She's so old," he chuckled.
Callum: Callum pokes his husband in the ribs. "Elderliness doesn't mean one is a ghoul."
Guildias: "You never know," he whispered, biting playfully on his ear.
Callum: "I most certainly do," Callum whispered back, tilting his head back to steal a kiss.
Guildias: "Mm," now that he wanted. "Better hurry with that before I steal you upstairs."
Callum: "Not any time soon, husband of mine." Another kiss. "This is goin' to be picked up in a few minutes and then I have another to make."
Guildias: "Ugh." Defeated, Guildias made a show of it, face flat on the druid's shoulder.
Guildias: "I wouldn't be here now if not for the fact that I haven't seen my husband in almost two days. Fascinating creatures, druids. So elusive."
Callum: "I know, love, I'm sorry. The holidays are always a busy time. I appreciate the business but I can't wait for things to cool down."
Guildias: "That's all?" he asked, turning and leaning against the counter to look his husband over.
Callum: "Aye. I do, however, have some things to tell you."
Guildias: "If this is more on our dear Peter Graham I assure you I don't care as much as you might think," he muttered, taking some of the flower trimmings between his fingers.
Callum: "It's no' about Pete. Far more unpleasant."
Guildias: "Ronan come to see you again?" Seemed in the spectrum.
Callum: "Close, but no cigar."
Guildias: Now his brow furrowed.
Callum: "Matheus came to see me."
Guildias: "Well." He looked Callum over again. "Did he touch you in any way?"
Callum: He shook his head. "He didn't hurt me. He came to, as he put it, make peace with my people."
Guildias: "Sure he did."
Callum: "I didn't buy it either. But then he actually apologized for attackin' me that day outside my shop."
Guildias: "What's...Why? Why would he do that?"
Callum: "Because apparently, he and Ronan just got engaged and he thinks apologizin' to me will motivate me to make you leave him be."
Guildias: "Fucking... Absolutely not. He's desperate; that's what he's doing, buttering you up like - there is no way in Hell!"
Callum: "Whatever his true motivation, he didn't do a verra good job. I don't believe him and I let him know that. Then he proceeded to tell me that I let evil into this town and that Gertrude manipulated you and Ronan into havin' sex."
Guildias: The vampire's face fell. "That so?"
Callum: Callum placed a soft kiss on Guildias' lips. "Aye."
Guildias: "Do you - Did you believe him?"
Callum: "No."
Guildias: "We didn't have sex. To that he was exaggerating."
Guildias: Guildias looked away. "And you didn't bring evil here."
Callum: "I figured as much. He mentioned somethin' about gettin' some papers back from her."
Callum gave a small shrug. "I might have."
Guildias: "She...was holding his papers," he said almost sotto voce.
Callum: Callum took his husband's face in his hands, caressed it with his thumbs. "What's the matter, love?"
Guildias: "Debating on my husbandly duties towards honesty," he answered in his lowest voice.
Callum: "You know I'm no' angry with you, aye?"
Guildias: "Perhaps you should be."
Callum: "You and I have a measure in place to prevent my anger and pain, remember? You say that you didn't have sex with Ronan and I believe you. Whatever sexual activities may have occurred were the direct result of Gertrude's...well, whatever prompted her to ask. Am I right?"
Guildias: "And you trust me, just like that?"
Callum: "Aye."
Guildias: "She wanted his DNA. Not his blood, but his semen. He froze up. She had Matheus locked away. I should have said something but honestly, I didn't want...I didn't want to." Honest enough. "Not because I...because it's a secret to hide from you, but because I didn't want you involved in that drama."
Callum: Callum's brow furrowed. Not in anger, but in confusion. "Why does Gertrude want Ronan's semen? She can't get pregnant."
Guildias: "I didn't ask. I'm not as worried about the woman that deals with death. Not nearly as bothersome as a nosey Toreador, but it comes with this price."
Callum: "That nosey Toreador was part of that verra pleasant conversation I had with Matheus."
Guildias: "I'm sure."
Callum: "That's why he said I brought evil into this town. Because I condoned his wife's murder because I refused to be collected."
Guildias: "None of this was your doing. I negotiated with Gertrude. If he wants to blame someone it should be me."
Callum: "Oh, he blames you, too, but no' for Victoria's death. He wants me to leash you. As if you were a fuckin' dog."
Guildias: "Considering the fiancé, I can't blame him."
Callum: "No one comes to my house and insinuates that my husband has to be leashed. No' even Matheus Clay."
Guildias: "I do find it worth a chuckle that you're more insulted by my leashing than whatever image you have in your head of me with Ronan Archer."
Callum: "I don't really have one, honestly."
Guildias: "I'd rather you be angry and offended because at least I can handle it."
Callum: "How about annoyance?"
Guildias: "Please, elaborate."
Callum: "I'm bloody annoyed that you seem to be Ronan's only friend and therefore the only person he can think to call when he--and now Matheus--needs to get out of a tight jam."
Guildias: "That annoys you, not the fact that I helped him with...that?"
Callum: "I am. My annoyance is layered. What man needs help rubbin' one out?"
Guildias: An answer he thought he'd never have to give. He chose his words very carefully. "One with sexual damage from...a very broken past that no child should have to endure."
Callum: "Ronan was abused?"
Guildias: Eyes to his hands, Guildias nodded. "He is how he is with reason. Not excuses, just explanation."
Callum: Well...fuck.
Guildias: The silence was filled only with a nod.
Callum: "...I'm still annoyed that he dragged you into this."
Guildias: "I suppose the trust is limited."
Callum: "You didn't help him because you wanted to, you helped him because....you know, that."
Guildias: "Adhered to as many set rules as I - still ended up with hands in my hair. I don't understand the obsession with it."
Callum: "You would if you were me," Callum said softly.
Guildias: "I'm sorry."
Callum: "I know." Callum rested his head against Guildias' shoulder.
Guildias: "You had a right to know, to hear it from me first."
Callum: "That prick didn't seem to care."
Guildias: "I would like to think there was a point to it aside from upsetting you. I'm starting to miss his bygone days of laziness."
Guildias: His hands fell to his thighs. "Aside from his agenda against the new prince."
Callum: "He claims to want peace to protect his engagement. I don't care. I wasn't the one who came upon his back and attacked him."
Guildias: "He's not - that's not going to happen."
Callum: "Them gettin' married?"
Guildias: "Not happening."
Callum: "Don't think they'll go through with it?"
Guildias: "I gave him my blessing, but to marry? It's absurd."
Callum: "Because it's them?"
Guildias: "Because it's Matheus."
Callum: "Who the hell knows. I just don't bloody like him. Why do you think I gave you that ring?"
Guildias: "Don't tell me you're getting visions now."
Callum: "No visions. I just..." Callum sighed. "Do you want to know why--no matter how many times he apologizes or tries to make peace--I'll never forgive Matheus Clay?"
Guildias: He tilted his head.
Callum: "I still remember the look on yer face when you kissed me after I told you about the curse. When you felt that I couldn't feel anythin' for you."
Guildias: "Funny how that works - or doesn't - considering he took Ronan's love for me and yet he's still...Ronan. The key I'm starting to realize is not knowing it's happened to you. You said you didn't love me but you still behaved normally."
Guildias: He wanted to sigh. "He's an intimidating flea."
Callum: "Intimidatin'? Next to Gertrude he's the most terrifyin' person I know."
Guildias: "You're serious?"
Callum: "He reached into my head or my soul or whatever it was and hid away my love for the person that matters ev'rythin' to me."
Guildias: He could have been jealous had it not been for the fact that he didn't want his husband to fear him. He knew his strength, yet was content with Callum living the remainder of his years oblivious.
"I suppose."
Callum: "I'm a bleedin' heart Scot. Emotional manipulation doesn't sit well with me."
Guildias: "But your husband with his cobra form and venom...that's fine?" he smirked.
Callum: "Key word there is husband," said Callum, smiling as he embraced his vampire. Or rather vertically snuggled his vampire.
Guildias: Arms made their way around his waist. "So if you were with Matheus in the same light, then you wouldn't be as afraid of him?"
Callum: "He's no' my type."
Guildias: "Who would love the English anyway?"
Callum: He laughed. "Exactly."
Guildias: Callum was given an almost painful squeeze. "You're too good to me, husband."
Callum: He would revel in and treasure squeezes in all forms and levels of intensity from this man. "That's what husbands are for." Callum kissed the nearest available part of Guildias. "I love you, mo cuishle."
Guildias: "You put up with so much I never fathomed you'd have to."
Callum: "All of life is that way." He smiled. "I like to think we rise above it."
Guildias: "One can only try."
Callum: "Pretty much." He tugged Guildias down to kiss his forehead. "We good?"
Guildias: "Of course we are." His hand fell into Callum's back pocket. "Now, back to your arrangements."
Callum: "Good." Your hand can stay there, he doesn't mind at all. "Want to help with the next one?"
Guildias: "What's going into it?"
Callum: "The only direction I was given was 'bold colors'."
Guildias: "Peonies, maybe? The purple ones in that fridge." The vampire smiled. "And the orange ones."
Callum: "Purple and orange peonies it is." Callum walked over to the fridge. "A verra Halloween-y arrangement this'll be."
Guildias: "Is it?" he hadn't noticed.
Callum: "Aye. What else should we put in it?"
Guildias: "A lot of deep green filler. Do you still have those almost-black pansies?"
Callum: "I do actually. I also have the ones that look like the night sky."
Guildias: "Well. This is going to be an interesting arrangement."
Callum: "Interestin' is what we do here at The Wild Rose of Arran."
Guildias: "How are things with your new employee?"
Callum: "They're better than I could've hoped for. He has a real gift for calmin' down pissy brides."
Guildias: "It's his baby face."
Callum: "I think it might be. What kind o' vase should we choose? Glass, ceramic, stainless steel?"
Guildias: "Stainless steel."
Guildias: A small pair of shears were taken in hand as he sat on the counter. "He's human, yes?"
Callum: Callum nodded, bringing his armload of foliage. "One who practices magic but human nonetheless. I've been teachin' him a thing or two here and there."
Guildias: "A good child, I imagine, or you wouldn't have allowed him in."
Callum: "You imagine right. I only want positive energy around my plants."
Guildias: "No drama with him? We don't need more."
Callum: "None so far. He just works and does the happy and in love thing with Rosmond."
Guildias: "Ah, right, that's a thing now."
Callum: "Aye. It's verra sweet to see."
Guildias: "Not sure how I should feel about it."
Callum: "You should be glad for him. After all that time servin' that hellbeast he deserves some happiness."
Guildias: "We traded one evil that was in our path verses another off to the sidelines."
Callum: "If it or anyone else decides to make a move, we'll handle it. Especially now that Bronwyn's back in my life on a regular basis."
Guildias: "And why is that? Not that I judge it, but please tell me it's not because of that animal."
Callum: "Which animal?"
Guildias: "Giant," said with thin lips.
Callum: "Oh, him. No, I don't think so. He doesn't hang around here anymore."
Guildias: "He went home?"
Callum: "I guess so. I haven't seen him. Brett hasn't seen him."
Guildias: "Does she tell the same story?"
Guildias: His brow furrowed. "Wait, you've asked Parker?"
Callum: "The verra same. 'I have children, Callum, there's no room for a man in my life'."
Callum shook his head. "He told me. Came in to order an arrangement."
Guildias: "And you two are just talking about Giant nonchalantly? You with my ghoul?"
Callum: "He came up in conversation because the arrangement he was orderin' is for Bo."
Guildias: "Ah, right. That. I was gone for a week and I still feel discombobulated."
Callum: "What, you didn't see that one comin'?" he chuckled.
Guildias: "The sheriff with Torsten Glockner's old toy? No, not at all."
Callum: "He visited him when he was at the Harrak house, they've moved in together, and one night I saw them gettin' all lovey while they were walkin' down the street."
Guildias: "I arranged for their meeting but I thought it was nothing more than guilt."
Callum: "It might've been part of it at first but I think they're on a different path now."
Guildias: "He's still dying."
Callum: "Aye," Callum said with a sigh. "And his stay at my house was apparently such an ordeal that Parker hasn't been able to convince him to let me or Bronwyn heal him."
Guildias: "Why are you people listening to a dying man? At this point it's just suicide."
Callum: "Bronwyn wants us to respect his wishes. She says she won't help someone who doesn't want her help ever again."
Guildias: "So that means we allow him to kill himself?"
Callum: "No, that means we find a way to heal him."
Guildias: "And then what, hold him down?"
Callum: "I hope it doesn't come to that, but if push comes to shove."
Guildias: "I'll be there to help hold the human down if you need it."
Callum: "Such a good husband." Have a kiss.
Guildias: "Mm. You need to get started on the next arrangement. I'll put this one away for you."
Callum: "Thank you, love. Mrs. Pennyapple should be along any--"
The little bell above the door heralded the sweet old lady's arrival before Callum could finish his sentence.
Guildias: Guildias instinctively moved away from the door and the trace of light that seeped inside.
Callum: "Hey there, Mrs. Pennyapple," said Callum, giving her his most charming smile. "I've got yer flowers all ready for you."
"Hello, dear. Oh, they look lovely! And oh, look at the tulips! Only you could have tulips this beautiful in the middle of winter." She caught sight of Guildias. "And this must be your young man!"
Guildias: Young man? He looked to Callum and wondered now which one was actually older in appearance. There was no way the druid was already besting him.
"Evening, Mrs. Pennyapple," said the vampire with a bow of his head.
Callum: They were both young men in Mrs. Pennyapple's eyes. She beamed at Guildias. "Well, good evening! Are you helping Callum today?"
Guildias: "Yes, ma'am. For the evening. Will you need help carrying these?" Always willing to keep up appearances.
Callum: "Oh no, that's all right. It's small enough for me to carry. How much do I owe you, Callum?"
"Thirty dollars even, Mrs. Pennyapple."
Guildias: Now that the pleasantries were out of the way, Guildias kept to his side of the shop, half-hidden in the darkest corner while dabbing at his tin can of ointment.
Callum: Once Mrs. Pennyapple was rung up and on her way, Callum shut the blinds and locked the store for the day.
Guildias: "When is the next arrangement to be received?"
Callum: "They're comin' to pick it up tomorrow mornin'."
Guildias: "Well, why are we doing it now?"
Callum: "Because we have more arrangements to make tomorrow. We're bein' efficient."
Guildias: "I suppose with your magic, they won't be wilting."
Callum: "You'd be surprised how fresh and pretty they stay with just flower food and bein' in the fridge."
Guildias: "That can't be all you do."
Callum: "For simple arrangements like this? Literally all I do."
Guildias: "Which do you alter with magic?"
Callum: "The ones for weddin's and funerals."
Guildias: "You put a lot of stock into weddings."
Callum: "I do. Luckily I don't do whole weddin's verra often. Usually it's just the bouquet and the boutonnieres."
Guildias: "And if Ronan walks in wanting you to do his boutonnieres?" he smirked.
Callum: "I'll politely tell him to go to the other flower shop in town."
Guildias: "Has he ever apologized to you for burning you?"
Callum: Callum nearly snorted at the thought. "Nope."
Guildias: "For a moment, I thought he was going to." He had to Guildias, but it wasn't the same.
Callum: "I'm no' holdin' my breath. Don't really need it anyway."
Guildias: "Need, no. Want?"
Callum: He shook his head. "No' particularly."
Guildias: "If I can't stop this marriage between them, then...that's going to be a part of our life. Ronan with the emotional manipulator." He was starting to see that peaceful path Matheus had poorly attempted.
Callum: "Well, for what it's worth Matheus has been banned from my land so hopefully he won't be a verra big part of our lives."
Guildias: "You warded against him?"
Callum: "No' exactly. I told him that if he wanted peace, gettin' it started with him never settin' foot on my property again."
Guildias: "Do you believe him?"
Callum: "Jury's still out on that."
Guildias: "There's no shame in you adding to your wards."
Callum: "I might have to, especially here. I want to ward yer house too."
Guildias: "I don't need it."
Callum: "I'd feel better if you had some."
Guildias: "What kind?"
Callum: "To keep his particular kind of mojo from hurtin' you."
Guildias: "His mojo? That's very specific."
Callum: "I don't want him to cause you any more pain."
Guildias: "You can't protect me from everything, Callum."
Callum: "I can try."
Guildias: "I don't want you to."
Callum: "Why?"
Guildias: "Because the more you try to help the more you get yourself involved."
Callum: "What if I promise to help from the safety of our house?"
Guildias: "But you won't."
Callum: Callum frowned. "I keep my promises."
Guildias: "And I don't?"
Callum: "Of course you do. But if I say that I won't get involved, I won't. I just...I want you safe. Safe and whole and with me."
Guildias: Where had his question come from, except for a place of...guilt?
He looked away. "Perhaps it is time I abandon all concern...let Ronan take that path and just...let him lie in the bed he makes."
Callum: "He's yer Pete," Callum said softly. "You wouldn't be able to abandon yer concern for him."
Guildias: "You don't do with Peter Graham what I had to do with Ronan Archer."
Callum: "I would if it meant savin' his life or keepin' someone like Gertrude from doin' awful things to him."
Guildias: "I'm starting to wonder if - Sometimes I would prefer if you just raised your voice."
Callum: "I don't make a habit of doin' so. I never have."
Guildias: "I know."
Callum: "Why do you want me to?"
Guildias: "I would feel better if you did. Closure."
Callum: "Pick a fight with me when I'm stressed." A small, hopeful effort to lighten the mood.
Guildias: "It's a date, then," he said quietly.
Callum: Callum's head tentatively returned to his husband's shoulder.
Guildias: And his arms returned to his shoulders.
Callum: That was his cue to burrow his face into the crook of Guildias' neck. "I love you."
Guildias: "I love you. Always," he said into Callum's hair.
