It was a chilly and cloudy evening. There was one last patrol that would need to be made along the canyon borders, but Arsenio was certain that he did not want to face the grueling walk on his own. He had considered calling to the Imperator, deciding against it. He already spent a good deal of his time with the warrior woman Towhee. Kallik had been quiet for some time, though.
Trotting around to search the dens for the white-furred figure, Arsenio peered in the cracks and corners that he believed would be suitable resting places. When he had searched the resting quarters and had found that there were little signs of the quiet soldier, he stepped out into the canyons and called for him with a low howl.
@Kallik would make for a good comrade to patrol with.
When not with Aquene, his wife, he kept mostly to himself. He was still angry with the imperator over his decision and anger always pushed him into either an outburst or solitude—he was very good at brooding.
He had been patrolling himself when he heard Arsenio's call. It was nearby, so it took him no time at all to find the other soldier.
Arsenio,
he greeted with a curt nod. Is everything okay?
The pale figure approached with a stiff greeting and a curt nod. It was fitting of Kallik, from what Arsenio had seen. The other soldier did not waste any time asking if there were any issues. The mercenary exhaled a puff of air and padded forward to stand near Kallik.
Nothing to worry about,
Arsenio assured him, offering a toothy smile.
I am seeking a patrol partner. It has been a while since I have shared your company.
Glacier blue eyes found Kallik’s face. The mercenary wondered if the other man would be troubled by this summons and request. Their last conversation had been a good one, as far as Arsenio was concerned.
To the scutarius, Arsenio's answer implied something was up but that Kallik should not worry about it. It made the soldier frown a little, but he said nothing else about it. If the other man wanted to talk then he would, he didn't need Kallik to push him.
At the invitation to patrol, he nodded, then he began to make his way to a nearby patrol route. As they walked he tried to muster up the courage to ask Arsenio about his marriage. Kallik was not so great with the personal stuff; he preferred to keep things professional, but he knew that wasn't sustainable. Plus, they would never trust each other if they couldn't confide in each other.
Do you like being married?
he finally asked. The older soldier had arrived here married to Tamar; the scutarious wondered if there was a story there.
The Greek did not miss the pale man’s frown, no matter how slight it was. Arsenio only smiled back, pleased that Kallik had humored him and had arrived. It was true that the other soldier was something of a sullen man, but he was pleasant in his own ways. There seemed to be a level of care behind the actions that the other man took. Arsenio could admire something like that, easily.
The question that Kallik asked was surprising.
Arsenio looked to him, smile growing. He wondered where the sudden desire to know that had come from. It did not bother the mercenary, of course. If he was more of a poet, he would have spent days beside the water crafting poetry about the love he felt for his wife.
I like it very much,
he answered after a moment of thought. You have met my wife? Tamar should leave no doubt in your mind.
The Greek’s grin was like sunshine. His tail waved in a sweeping motion, side to side. I feel very fortunate to have her here. That she accepted my proposal, ah! It is more than a man could ever dream.
Arsenio fixed his gaze on the other, sharp and questioning.
Why do you ask, pale soldier?
The other soldier offered his answer easily; he offered his feelings easily too. Kallik wondered how he did that but decided against asking him about it, at least for now.
The love Arsenio had for Tamar was obvious. It almost felt like he shouldn't be privy to the other man's feelings, but he figured that had more to do with his own shit. Kallik adored his own wife, even if he wasn't able to define his feelings as love. But he was glad to know that marriages could be like theirs.
Kallik wasn't surprised about the follow up question. Aquene and I are married now,
the scutarius answered. I feel...strongly for her,
he added, unable to name the emotion that swelled in his chest just then. I was just curious what it was like for you and Tamar.
It was news to Arsenio, that Aquene had taken a husband. He smiled swiftly at Kallik, though. There was mystery in there, beneath the gloomy exterior and hidden thoughts. The mercenary remained interested in his fellow soldier. He thought that he would inquire with Aquene later, hear what she had to say about her new husband.
You are smitten!
A small laugh followed Arsenio’s statement. He thought it was a tender thing, to struggle with the swelling feeling that was love.
I have met the lady Aquene. She is a lovely thing. You should be proud to call her your wife, hm? Tell me about her, from your eyes.
Arsenio turned his sights from the pale man and fixed them on the path ahead. He did not want for Kallik to feel that he was prying intently, only that he was a good listener.
Smitten. He was more than smitten, but he didn't refute the other soldier's assessment.
Arsenio said Aquene was lovely and that he should be proud to call her his wife. I am,
he assured the other man.
But his question made Kallik hesitate to speak further. His emotions were complicated, and he always had trouble putting them into words. It was easier with his wife, but he still struggled at times. He swallowed as he tried to think of something to say. He wanted to say she was beautiful and kind, perfect and warm. and the most amazing wolf he had ever met. But he couldn't say any of those things to Arsenio; it created an uncomfortable weight in his chest he couldn't explain.
Um, well,
he hoped his discomfort wasn't visible. I feel like I can be myself with her, like I do not have to hide anything.
It was actually saying a lot for the reticent scutarius; he had never felt that way with anyone else, and he likely never would. He would always keep his deepest vulnerabilities hidden away, but he didn't need to do that with Aquene. It is difficult to leave her in the morning, but I am comforted knowing she will be waiting at night when I return.
He wished he could paint her to be even more than he had already, but if the other soldier had met her, he surely knew it for himself.
Arsenio had not asked the question without intending to listen to the answer. As Kallik spoke of his new wife, the mercenary listened intently. He gave the pale soldier the respect of hearing what he had to say, however small that offering might have been. When he had finished speaking, the redstone wolf allowed a small silence to hang in the air between them.
It is good that you have this, Kallik,
he said in a cheery voice. You have a reason to protect these lands. A reason beyond the orders of your Imperator.
Germanicus’ word was enough, but it was easy to learn to doubt without a foundation of trust and love. With Aquene, there would be foundation enough to hold the world upon it. Arsenio did not doubt it, if Kallik was true in his feelings for the healer woman.
I must say, I understand how you feel.
The blue-eyed wolf smiled softly to his fellow soldier.
Tamar is the warm light of the sun. Even on the coldest days, I know that she will be waiting when I am done and that she will bring my bones to life with just a look.
Ah, the magic of love.
What of your future? Have you any plans?
The imperator's orders were enough. He had protected Mereo fiercely even before he was given more reasons to do so. Just as he would give his life to protect the canyon, he would do the same for Aquene; he was fortunate that his loyalty to the former didn't conflict with the love for the latter.
He wasn't surprised to hear that Arsenio felt the same for his Tamar. He had been in the couples presence enough times to see the love between them.
The other soldier gave him a glimpse of the denkeeper from his own eyes, and Kallik couldn't help but envy easy way he put his feelings into inspiring metaphors. You said that so much better than I did,
he pointed out, offering a slight raise of his eyebrow as he let his walls down a little more.
We do not have anything planned other than knowing each other more.
The feelings were strong, but he felt that deepening their bond would make the feelings resilient too.
You and Tamar?
he asked. He wondered if they might have children, too, like the imperator and matrona.
A good plan. A good start.
Arsenio nodded his head in understanding. If they were freshly married, it would be a time for them to learn about one another. They would discover the things about each other that they loved, the things that they envied. There was a special breath of life given to the first steps toward love. The mercenary was pleased that the pale soldier was able to have that. He did not mind that Kallik did not have the same words to offer, only that he offered what he could.
We have talked of family, of children. I would like that very much – to see Tamar as a mother. I believe- I believe she would be a marvelous parent.
He could see red-furred babies with the soft caramel gaze of his wife and he felt his heart clench. Their time would come when it did. He was not impatient. Arsenio was only pleased to have Tamar at his side.
You would be a fine father, too.
The redstone wolf bumped his shoulder to his fellow soldier.
Kallik was not at all surprised to hear that Arsenio and Tamar planned to have children. He could easily imagine them as a family with pups; it just seemed right. And they would both be good parents, he was sure of that.
He shrugged at the other man's words. I still have much to learn—
and unlearn, —before I can see myself as someone's father.
That seemed like the absolute last thing he should be. Maybe I can learn from you and your wife?
Them along with the imperator and martona would be great examples of how parents should be.
Of course.
Arsenio nodded his head to Kallik. He would not stand by in any manner to watch the pale figure fail. The mercenary believed in him – thought that he had the beginnings of greatness locked away behind walls and stoic measures. In many ways, Kallik reminded him of Germanicus. They had a great many differences, but that heart for duty appeared to lead them both.
I am here for you, for Aquene. We must rely on the strength of each other.
Enough talk of serious business, Arsenio felt. The man offered a toothy smile to his friend. It was about time that they returned to the women they loved. He bid the other man farewell and trotted to find Tamar and to tell her about the day he’d had.