A/N: Day 23 - marriage. This one isn't as good as you'd expect, but I hope you'll like it!

Chapter Summary: The married life wasn't exactly what Callum or Rayla expected. But despite all it brought forward, they wouldn't change it for the world. Future Family AU.

Word count: 2,414

The Married Life

"Da!"

Callum released a groan as he shot his head up from his paperwork. He threw his head back and shouted, "What is it now!" The pounding at his office door irked him as he turned his body around.

"Da!" Isha's voice rung out.

He sighed. "Come in," he said sullenly.

The door whipped open as his daughter hopped inside. "Lian's being a twerp!"

His eyes widened. "Whoa!" he exclaimed. "Easy there," he advised, motioning her to calm down. "What happened?"

"He stole my hair tie!" Isha shouted.

Callum blinked. Of course he did. He wasn't sure why he expected anything truly drastic or urgent. Only the absurd of expectations. He sighed as he palmed at his face. "Why did he take your hair tie?" he tiredly asked through his hand.

Isha shrugged as she yelled, "I dunno! He just likes being a brat!"

"Knock it off with the insults Isha," Callum warned, "or else your little playdate thing with Farha is cancelled. I won't take you to see her."

His halfing sighed as she crossed her arms. "Fine. But can ya get it back?"

Callum rose up from his seat. He glanced at his paperwork and scoffed. It wasn't like signing agreement trades was exactly entertaining. He needed a break anyways. "Fine, fine," he walked over to the door, placing his hand on his daughter's back as they left the study. Cupping his free hand over his mouth, Callum shouted, "Lian! Lian! Where are you!"

"The kitchen!" came his answer.

Callum rushed over to his son's location with his daughter. He stepped inside and stared at his son, noticing his annoyed glare focused on his sister. "Isha says you took her hair tie," he informed him lightly, "would you care to return it?"

"No!" Lian shouted.

Callum sighed. "And why is that?"

"Because, Isha's being a big dummy!" Lian explained.

"Lian," he sternly spoke, "if your big sister isn't allowed to say insults like those, you can't either. No one insulting anyone here, okay?" He glanced between the two. "Okay?"

"Yes Da," they said together.

"Okay, thank you," Callum said with an exhaustive breath. "Now, Lian, what's the real reason you stole your sister's hair tie?"

Lian pouted. "Because she's being mean," he answered as he lowered his head.

Callum raised a brow. "How—"

"I am not!" Isha shouted. "I'm not the one stealing other people's stuff!"

Lian glanced up and stuck his tongue out at his sister.

He gave Lian a firm gesture with his index finger whilst turning over to Isha and shooting her a stern look. Both kids seemed to grasp the message and turned their heads away with a pout. Satisfied with their reactions, Callum tried again. "Alright, so, Lian, how was your sister being mean?"

"He only did it because he likes attention," Isha mocked, leaning over Callum's shoulder.

"Isha!" Calum exclaimed. "Knock it off young lady," he looked at her, "you're really not helping yourself either!"

Isha's jaw dropped. "But I didn't do anythin'!"

"But you're also not helping," he pointed out. "If you keep this up I'm keeping you here."

Her eyes went wide. "No, no, I did all my chores like I promised! Ya and Mum said that was the deal!"

Callum sighed. "And it will change, if you keep interrupting."

"See?" Lian chirped. He gestured to her with both hands. "Mean!"

She scowled at him. "Give it back ya twerp!" she shouted, lunging at her younger brother. Callum caught her, ready to give her firm talking to, but was evidently cut off as Lian hopped from behind and attempted to slap his sister. It happened so fast Callum wasn't able to react, but thankfully Isha dodged.

"Kids! Kids!" Callum shouted. "Knock it off!" They bickered over his voice, shouting out playground insults with no rhyme or rhythm. Callum struggled to keep the two away with his arm's length, but still managed to avoid any injuries inflicted onto each other. Instead, he was taking the brunt of them. Of course they weren't as deadly as getting punched by a full fledged Moonshadow Assassin, but they stung just a smidge.

"What is going on here?" Rayla's voice rung out.

The fighting came to a halt as the sudden temperature in the room dropped to a glacier atmosphere. Callum immediately dusted himself off of any dirt and scuffs, mainly to buy time to compose himself. "Hi Dear!"

"Don't 'hi Dear' me without explaining what the heck I just walked into!" Rayla chastised, earning a flinch from Callum. Her tone was harsher than any blade or spell. "I came back from the meeting hall, expecting ya to be ready with the signed papers. Not… doing whatever that was!"

"The children were having an argument, I had to settle it," Callum quickly explained, exhaustion laced within his voice. He walked over to Rayla and scratched the back of his head."And no one has revealed anything at all except that Lian has stolen Isha's hair tie."

Rayla thoughtfully looked at the two. "One at a time, tell me who started this," she demanded, crossing her arms.

"Isha was being—"

"Lian just took—"

"One… at… a… time," Rayla slowly spoke, narrowing her eyes at them, taking a step forward.

Callum felt chills race down his spine. He knew he was the fun parent. He understood that when it came to the hardcore scolding and firm tones, she was the better option. But boy did she really know how to lay it into their kids. Of course, whenever she took that tone with them, they would become too scared to even respond. Their heads fell as they remained tight lipped.

Callum placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to snap to him. "Divide and conquer?"

Rayla's glare softened up as she blinked at him. With a small sigh, she nodded. "I'll take the munchkin," she muttered as she walked over to Lian, lifting him up from the floor and hoisting him up to her shoulders.

"I'm not a munchkin!" he softly argued, still too afraid to speak out.

Isha glanced up at her father, leaving him to smile warmly at her. "So, my little Mage, living room or your bedroom?"

She shyly kicked her foot. "Living room," came the quiet answer.

Callum quickly led her over to the living room, sitting her down at the long sofa as he placed himself right up against her. "Now, tell me what this is really about."

Her brows went up in confusion.

"Issy, your little brother always like to poke fun and do things like that," she opened her mouth, " but that doesn't mean it's right!" Callum quickly finished. "But you've never let it get you so easily. What' so important about a hair tie that's got you so mad? If you're in a hurry, just leave your hair as is," he flicked a bunch of messy strands dangling down her forehead, earning an annoyed head jerk.

"I can't," she mumbled.

"Why not?"

"Because Farha really liked my braids last time. And Mum's taught me how to do them all on my own, and I really need it for my braids," Isha explained in a soft tone.

Callum tilted his head. "Your mother has hair ties." He knew that didn't change the fact that the issue was her brother stole her hair tie. He understood that well. Callum just wanted to grasp at what was so special about this specific one, as he was getting a good hypothesis of why it meant so much to his daughter.

Isha's head fell. "...gave it…" she mumbled softly.

"What?"

"She…" she sighed. "She gave it to me…"

Callum smirked. Bingo. "That's very cool Isha," he acknowledged. He leaned down and cupped his hand over his mouth, feigning a whisper, "I think that means she likes you."

His daughter's eyes went wide as her face flushed. "Da!" she exclaimed, pushing him away. "Don't say that!" He laughed at his daughter's clear embarrassment. Eventually, she managed to look him in the eyes, hesitance boring into them. "Ya… ya think so?"

He smiled as he nodded at her. Confidently, he said, "I do, my little Mage."

She smiled. "Thanks Da."

He winked. "No problem." He wrapped an arm around and squeezed her softly. "I know you're brother is in the wrong here," he quietly spoke, "but I also need to make sure: did you do anything to make him upset?"

Isha frowned. "I dunno? He's been… just giving me the cold shoulder all morning." She shrugged. "He got all mad when I told him I was meeting up with Farha later."

Callum pursed his lips as he thought for a moment. "Okay," he replied, "Well, regardless, you need to make sure you help him too." Her brows quirked up. "He looks up to you, Issy, so you need to ease up on him too. You can't always get upset with your brother just for Farha. Because your bond with him matters too."

Isha bit her lip as she considered his words.

"Just promise me you won't be as hard on him as your mother might be," he jested, lightly nudging her shoulder." He stood up from the couch. "I'll go check up on them. Work on your braid," he winked, before walking out.

"Thanks Da," he heard her call out.

As he walked over to Lian's room, he heard their faint whispers.

"—ee why it's important to your sister?" her heard Rayla's voice. "Ya can't go around doing that, because it upsets her."

"But she promised to play with me today!" Lian whined. "Everything's been about Farha. We don't play anymore." Callum leaned up against the wall outside. He didn't need to be in there to tell his little boy was frowning.

"I know Lian, but, your sister really wants to spend time with other friends too. Like Farha," Rayla urged on, taking a lighter tone. "Ya have to respect what she wants. And make compromises with what ya can."

"Fine…" he muttered. Callum heard him hop off his bed and walk toward the door. Quickly, he adjusted himself and began walking as if he had just appeared. As soon as his son emerged, he sported a small smile. "Hi Dad," he greeted. "Sorry for… hitting ya."

Callum chuckled. "It's fine munchkin," he leaned down and ruffled his hair. "Glad to know your mum's lessons really paid off. Nice swings," he winked.

Lian laughed as he began walking away. Callum assumed that mean the was going to find his sister, but didn't bother with his lack of words. He heard Rayla emerge soon after.

"If ya're gonna listen in, at least try not to let me hear," she advised.

Callum laughed. "The day I sneak up on you, my Dear, will be the day the next Dragon King falls."

She rolled her eyes. "Next time ya're making the run to the hall."

He smiled. "Oh, gladly!" he perked up, "it ain't no picnic holding down the fort either."

"They like ya more, ya're better at keeping peace."

"You literally just walked in on us fighting."

"Ya know what I mean," Rayla smiled. She stepped forward as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "If missing a few signed papers means ya keep our children happy and healthy, I'm all for it."

He chuckled. "Speaking of healthy, when I go to drop off Issy, you are not touching the stove," he joked.

Rayla laughed. "Oh gladly," she easily agreed. "If I have to wait an extra hour for a good meal it'll be worth it!" she exclaimed.

"Thanks for saving me though," Callum pointed out.

"Always do," Rayla teased. The two leaned in and—

"Da!" came Isha's voice. Exasperated sighs escaped the two. "We're ready to go!"

Callum cocked a brow as he turned back. "We?" he asked, walking over to the front entrance.

He found Isha, with her braid groomed together, completed with a small emerald green hair tie. And Lian had his backpack with him. Confused, Callum looked to Isha for answers.

"I said he can come." she simply said. "Thought it'd be cool if he met Farha."

Lian excitedly nodded. "Issy said I can show her my drawings!"

Callum and Rayla exchanged a quick glance, wearing knowing smirks as they did so. "Did she now? Callum inquired.

He noticed the faint blush on his daughter's cheeks.

"Yup!"

"And did ya apologize?" Rayla clarified, eyeing her son with a smile.

"Uh huh!" Isha spoke for him. "He gave it back and said sorry." She flipped her braid over her shoulder. "The least I could do was let him tag along with me today, right?"

Callum smiled. "Right." He flashed a wink at her, and developed a greater at her daughter's proud smirk. "Well, then, shall we take this show on the road?" he asked. The kids cheered as they quickly rushed out the door. He turned back to Rayla and laughed. "Best—"

"Parents—"

"Ever," they simultaneously cheered.

They high nined each other with proud smiles. "Hopefully, if all goes well, the two might stay the night!" Callum suggested with an eager smile.

Rayla's face lit up. "That means alone time at home!" she pieced together. A content sigh escaped her as she swooned. "It's been ages!"

Callum laughed as he moved toward the door. "Fret not, my Dear, for tonight, is for us!" And with that, he walked out the door.

Rayla happily turned around, with a newfound pep in her step. A night with no disturbances, no maintenance, free of responsibilities. A sudden ruffle of noise echoing throughout the halls brought her attention over to the study. Rayla peeked in and immediately frowned at the sight before her. The dozens of sensitive and essential documents, crucial to several trades between villages and nations, and all the like—splattered across the floor. Either shredded to bits like a chipped wood, or soaked like a drenched coat. The culprit?

The baby Sky Dragon Callum was so gracious to adopt.

Rayla groaned as she banged her head against the door frame. Adding on the list of errands to run the next day, she had to replace those documents by regathering the council and regaining all signatures. The worst part was her errands didn't end there. Because today, she forgot to get Zeusia's food. Another groan as she palmed at her face. Every win had a loss.

Such was the married life.

A/N: This didn't turn out like I wanted, but I ended up rather... uninspired toward the end and really felt that what it became worked for what I was going for. The married life is much more than two spouses. It's family. So, light hi-jinx, but I just wanted an excuse for more Rayllum family. Sue me. :P

Review Responses:

Prophet21: As always, appreciate your reviews! Thanks for sticking around!

Guest: I hope this was good enough for the "actual" marriage. For now, married life is just the family AUs, 'cause that's all I got! Thanks for the review!

Next prompt you ask? Ball. And since you may be tired, I full fledge warn you, it's not a dance. In fact, I challenge you, what do you think it'll be about?

Until next time,

- Bleh