A/N: Day 27, the baby. But of course, not just any baby...
Chapter Summary: Callum didn't get jealous. Of course not. Because that would be absurd for him to be jealous of something he brought into the family.
But boy, did that little dragon really soak up the attention.
Word Count: 1,819
Attention
Callum didn't regret much in life.
He'd make plenty of bad choices, dozens of rash decisions, and several dumb ideas before. But, at the end, Callum wouldn't change any of them for anything because of what it turned out to be. He could only regret all the guilt he's accumulated. Him leaving his home with a stranger who he had just meant, who nearly killed him during their first encounter, with a half baked plan and the endangerment of his younger brother were clear tell tale signs not to even consider the choice. But yet, he accepted the task and left nearly without hesitation. And it led into the greatest adventure of his life.
So yeah, the first human Archmage found himself quite proud of the choices he'd made over the years.
Accept his most recent one.
"Da, ya see that!" Isha excitedly chirped.
"Of course Issy!" Callum plastered on a fake smile as he looked up from his sketchbook, directing over to his children in the yard. They were currently surrounding Zeusia, their newly adopted Sky Dragon, and overwhelming her with limitless joy. She hopped around the kids, showing off her wings as she had just recently learned how to fly. Another hop into the air, Zeusia twirled into a loop, landing back in front of the children.
Gasps of awe escaped them. "Da, did ya see that?" Lian shouted.
Callum nodded. "Yup!" he glanced down at his book, frowning at its emptiness. He hadn't intended to start sketching this afternoon, but distractions arose and the kids went off agenda. He would've pressed more, but he knew they were enjoying themselves so he bit his tongue. His frown shrunk more as he noticed the shadow growing onto his book. He turned his attention over to the treeline, where he realized the now setting sun was fast approaching. They burned the entire afternoon. He sighed. "Hey, uh, you wanna get started on training anytime soon?" he shouted at his daughter. "We're losing sun!"
"That's fine, we can practice Moon spells tonight too!" Isha laughed.
Sure, it was a full moon for the next three days, but Callum wasn't satisfied with such an easy workaround. Especially since they've already went over Moon spells last week. "But, I thought you wanted to practice Sky Magic?" he recalled with a pout. Yes, he was aware how pathetic and sad he sounded, but he didn't care.
"That's right!" his daughter's eyes lit up, rekindling the fire of excitement within him. "Da, can ya use some wind magic and make Zeusia do some cool tricks?" she asked with an eager smile.
Lian's head shot up from all the head patting he was giving Zeusia. "Yeah!" he exclaimed in joy. "Let's do it!"
"No!" Callum shouted, startling the two kids out of their joy. They stared at him in bewilderment, causing him to awkwardly clear his throat. "I mean, erm, it's… it's getting letting late. It's either we pack it in the evening after some practice, or you guys can keep playing with Zeusia. It's up to you."
The kids exchanged a glance, nodded with enthusiastic smiles. "We'll play with Zeusia!"
"Thanks Da!"
"Yeah, thanks Da!"
The children resumed in their playing, laughing as they ran around with the baby dragon, running in circles like there was no tomorrow. It was ridiculous. Callum's jaw dropped as he sunk back into his lounging chair. Was this what his afternoons at the winter lodge were going to be like?
"What happened?" Rayla asked upon exiting the lodge, book in hand with an apron wrapped around her waist.
"Oh, uh, nothing."
"I heard ya shout."
"Oh…" he seethed. "The uh, kids wanted to play with Zeusia for a bit. I just thought I'd remind Isha that we only have so much time before the day's over," he casually explained, easing himself into his seat. He attempted to assert as much comfortability as he could, but Rayla merely chuckled.
"Oh, well if all they're doing is playing with Zeusia they can stay out late!" she grinned as she looked at the three. "Just make sure to keep an eye on them while I cook dinner."
Callum's eyes went wide. For two reasons really. First off, she was really going to let a curfew slide like that just because of Zeusa? He understood they were only staying at the winter lodge, and there was next to no wildlife nearby, but really? And second of all… "You're cooking!" he said in alarm. He just realized the book in her hand was his recipe book. His eyes shot wide open as he noticed her glare. "I mean—"
"I can handle stew!" she argued, crossing her arms.
Callum nodded agreeingly. "Of course of course! But uh… why don't I just handle it?" he offered, rising up out of his seat as he reached for the book, slowly taking it out of her hand as her glare softened.
Rayla pouted as sighed. "Fine…" she relented, releasing her hold. "But only because that means I can play with Zeusia too!" she eagerly smiled as she began untying her arpon. Callum's face dropped into a frown as he watched her throw the apron in his face. "Can ya prep Zeusia's food too? There's a bowl of dried insects in the kitchen."
Callum sighed. "But… I…" his words died within the silence as he watched Rayla walk off. There was no sense in arguing, he had a dinner to unspoil.
::::
"Don't you think that's enough?"
The question had brought confusion to Rayla's face as she turned to face Callum. Stood in the living room, holding Zeusia in her arms, Rayla questioned with a laugh. "What?"
"It's late, the kids are already in bed," he gestured around them, "she clearly wants to sleep, so let her!"
Rayla's brows raised as she hoisted up Zeusia a smidge, adjusting her grip on the dragon. "Yeah, but she's also a baby, she needs to be coddled still."
Callum frowned. "But she's also a Sky Dragon. I think she can handle going to sleep on the bed I got her all by herself." Rayla's face contorted into a look of realization; a smug grin grew on her lips as her eyes shrunk down into slits. Callum looked at her in annoyance. "What? What is it now?"
"Ya're jealous."
The appalled reaction that came after was priceless. "Wh-What! Jealous?" He scoffed. "Of what?"
Rayla laughed, startling the baby dragon in her arms and eliciting a confused smile out of her. "Ha! Ya are so jealous! That's adorable!"
Callum's face flushed. He was not believing this. He was the first human Archmage, one of the heroes who helped end the war between nations, but yet he was still blushing like a little boy at the mere tease of jealousy. He was not jealous.
"Aww, so that's why ya were upset with Isha, ya wanted her to spend time with ya, and have Lian watch in the back?" she asked, "no doubt so ya could show off your 'cool' and 'wizardly' skills off to the kids?"
He opened his mouth to object but Rayla went on. "I was wondering why ya were so sour ever since we started staying here at the lodge! The kids have more space and time with Zeusia," her grin was ever growing, "But ya want them to yourself!"
"No I—"
"And me too, of course," Rayla quickly added, nodding her head over to him, "because the kids are in bed, it's late, but not too late, and we're all alone in the living room." She laughed, swaying back and forth in her spot, smiling at Zeusia's warmful purring. "But of course, speculation, right?" she mused, "because ya're not—"
"Jealous? Of course not!" Callum dismissed, finally finding the words. "Why would I be jealous? It was my idea to adopt Zeusia! Give her a home! And I'm glad all the kids and even you are liking her! It's great!" He smiled, walking over to the two. He brought his hand up and started to pet Zeusia's head, erupting a low purr out of her. "She's a great addition to the family," he softly said.
Rayla smiled at him, turning her body a smidge just to nudge him with her elbow. "Hey, ya do know we love ya too right?"
He sighed, shoulders slumping. "Rayla, I was not jealous."
She backed off, shrugging her shoulders in innocence as she said, "Okay! Okay! If ya say so!" She started to hum a tune, attempting the baby Storm Dragon in her arms to a peaceful slumber. Callum joined in with her, placing himself behind her, her wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his chin on her shoulder. He hummed, following her rhythm, he let the vibrations of his throat tickle Rayla's skin. Soon enough, the dragon was asleep.
"Now, to bed?" her husband suggested.
"Of course," she whispered, turning over to kiss his cheek. "And by the way? Jealous Callum is still cute." She spun herself out of his arms, before he could even retort she lightly chuckled, careful not to wake the baby. She set Zeusia down in her small pillow-like bed beside the armchair, and turned back to Callum. "But who would've thought it, another master plan by the great Archmage Callum, backfiring against him?" she teased.
Callum frowned at her. "I had no plan. And nothing backfired. You love her, the kids love her, and I love her! It's a win win!"
Rayla nodded. "Of course it is darling," she winked, "but maybe next time try not to adopt somethin' cuter than ya?" She wandered off, strolling down the hall with a smug smile.
Callum rolled his eyes. "Har har. I know you married me for my looks!" he shouted. A low yawn purred out and Callum's face dropped. He turned to his left and saw, right in the little bed, Zeusia was back up, eyes slowly blinking open from the sudden startle. "Wait, wait, wait," he softly said, "go back to sleep!" His pleading fell on deaf ears, especially for a pair of highly tuned ones, as two doors from upstairs suddenly opened. Then out emerged the kids.
"Da?" Isha groggily called out, "why ya shouting?"
"Oh? Are ya playing with Zeusia by yourself?" Lian asked, pointing at his father's feet, where suddenly the Sky Dragon had appeared and began rubbing herself against his shins. "No fair! Ya told us to go to bed so ya can hog her all to yourself!"
"Yeah, time to share Da!"
Callum shook his head as he looked down the hall, watching Rayla bid him a farewell kiss as she disappeared into their bedroom, shutting the door behind her. He laughed to himself. She could tease all she wanted. But he knew she was waiting for him.
It was her turn to be little spoon after all.
A/N: So this probably takes place a few weeks after the "New Addition" oneshot for Rayllum week. I thought I'd keep the theme of making prompts that somewhat coincide or relate to similar prompts from the Rayllum week, and just expand on or make 'em into twoshots. This was fun. Mainly because I've never done a soft and cute jealousy plot before. Hope you all liked it!
Review Response:
Prophet21: Oh buddy, with only four oneshots left, not much left to really spice up! So be ready for some good ol' fluffness!
Next prompt is The Dinner, College AU!
Until next time,
- Bleh