Rayllum swimming lesson! Callum takes Rayla swimming to help her face her fears! Either show universe or modern AU, whichever you prefer! (Apologies if you’ve already done this, by the way—I haven’t had time to read all your fics yet. :O)
“Nope. No way.” Rayla stubbornly hid in the tree branches. Callum sighed, but continued to smile.
“Come on, Rayla. For me?” he tried. Rayla looked into his puppy dog eyes and huffed.
“No.” Rayla turned her head, she embraced the tree trunk harder on her perch.
“I’ll throw in a moonberry pie.” Callum offered.
“Still no.”
“You get to see me shirtless?” Callum ventured jokingly. Here, Rayla gave pause, and then slowly climbed down, her face red. Callum also blushed, realizing she was coming down to see him shirtless.
“Fine! Just... don’t let me drown!” Rayla still couldn’t look him in the eye. Callum gazed at her fondly, taking her hands and leading her towards the lake.
“I promise.” he vowed sincerely.
They made their way to the lake, where they stripped down. Callum felt his heart pound when he saw Rayla in her swimsuit. Gods, she was beautiful.
“Stop staring!” Rayla commanded, embarrassed he was looking at her like she was some kind of goddess. Callum jolted and coughed, his face flushing.
“Right, so... come over here.” Callum instructed. She walked over to him and he took her hands. He began leading her towards the water slowly. “I’m going to start by getting you comfortable in the water, okay?”
“Yeah yeah, sure.” Rayla huffed. Callum gave her a patient smile, and they started wading through the water. When it was getting up to their waists, Rayla appeared nervous.
“Here, just kneel down, okay?” Callum showed her by kneeling himself, the water up to his neck. “We’re going to stay in the shallow water.” he promised.
Rayla followed his lead, kneeling down, feeling her skin crawl with being almost engulfed in the water. Callum saw her expression, and gently picked her up, sitting her on his lap.
“W-what are you doing?” Rayla demanded, flustered.
“Just holding you. It’s nice.” Callum confessed. Rayla blushed, averting her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Callum’s shoulders and got comfortable.
“It is...” she admitted.
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Illness or Not (part 2-Second Trimester)-Not an Illness After All
XxOxX
Her symptoms waned and waxed with each day but after a time she began to take less in the way of naps, food sounded better and her appetite doubled. It was those events for which Callum felt grateful.
“You want me to make what, Prince Callum?” The head palace chef stared at him as if he had grown a second head. “I know it sounds gross but that’s what she wants.”
“Onions and moonberries in a pie? Are you quite sure?”
“One hundred percent. She practically started drooling when she told me to get one for her. I think she’s insane but at least she wants food.”
“It will take some time to create.”
“I have time. I’m not going to go back into that room without it. She’s hungry and grumpy and I want to keep all my parts attached.”
The head chef nodded and began to give orders to his staff to cut onions and gather up moonberries, and gather ingredients for the pastry crust. “I know there has been no such official announcement but is it true about her condition?”
Callum sighed. He didn’t blame the man for being curious but everyone who he talked to anymore wondered about Rayla’s condition. “Yes. She’s pregnant.”
“And it is yours?”
“Of course it’s mine! We’re married.” Callum half shouted incredulously at the man.
“So sorry, Prince Callum but no one has ever heard of a half human half elf baby.”
“Well with us being at war and whatnot I would be surprised if you had.” Callum grumbled, “How long should this take?”
“About an hour.”
“Well then I will be back in about an hour.” The chef and his staff bowed to Callum as he exited. He headed to the library to read more on what they should expect in the months ahead. It never hurt to be prepared for anything though the texts on elven pregnancy were few and far between and he had some more items on the way from Xadia.
He settled into his favorite chair with the book in hand when he felt a familiar presence nearby, “Hello Callum.”
^&^&^&
Rayla roamed about the room with new energy. The wee parasite grew in her womb seemed as if it settled in nicely. The drain on her very soul had lessened so naturally with her renewed energy she had rushed to the healer a few days past. It was a woman this time who reassured her there was nothing wrong. It was natural to have a burst of energy when the child settled in and the groundwork laid for its growth. All she had to do was feed her body and the child would continue to flourish. That was easy. Her appetite had been near insatiable recently and she chuckled when she thought of the look of horror on Callum’s face when she requested her newest food. It was a near rabid for her to crave such a strange combination but it was not her. It was the child. Her wee little bean though now it should be bigger than a bean. Rayla stopped in front of the mirror. The shirt she wore fitted tight around her bust now and she noticed Callum stared quite often anymore at them. Hands lifted up the bottom of her shirt and she examined her still flat and muscled belly with the slightest curve near the bottom as she always had. The pale purple flesh showed no sign of the stretch she knew would come.
Tired of the four walls of her shared room she opened the door and decided to search out her treat on her own.
#$#$#$#
“Claudia.” The word lacked the warmth it used to when he would address her. When he would stare after her as a lovesick boy who idolized her.
“Brrr.” She rubbed her arms as if she truly felt cold, “That was a little harsh don’t you think?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged. Things had never quite been the same between them after what happened with their travel to Xadia and the events which happened after. Her father and what happened to him fractured their friendship beyond repair. “What did you need?”
Dark magic hadn't been banned. Not yet though the other rulers had conflicted views on the subject. Claudia didn’t use much magic anymore since she found out what could happen to those who dug to deeply into it. “That’s fair. I actually had a question for you about a rumor I heard the other day.”
He looked up from his book then at her as she stood across from him with a gentle, bright smile. Her hair once a dark black and purple now nearly white with her corruption, “Oh?”
“It’s about Rayla. You and Rayla.”
“Yes.”
“That wasn’t a question.” She stated in confusion.
“No. It was answer. Yes.”
“You don’t know what I was going to ask.” Claudia put hands on hips then. “I could have asked if she was leaving you or something.”
“But you weren’t.” He pointed out. “I know you better than you think. We used to be best friends, remember?”
She remained quiet with a shadow to her gaze, “Of course.”
“So yes. Rayla and I are going to have a baby. We didn’t want to make a big deal about it yet. She’s been ill and we don’t want to ferry questions or accusations from anyone at the moment.”
“Congratulations.” The response resonated with warmth and he cocked his head at her.
“Really?”
“Were you expecting a different response, Archmage?”
He had to think on it a moment. “I don’t know.”
“We don’t have to avoid each other you know.”
“I’m not avoiding anyone. Our paths just don’t cross anymore.”
“Hello Claudia.” Rayla’s voice carried across the room.
“Rayla.” She nodded at the elf.
“She knows then?”
“Yep.” Callum decided to look down at his pages then and stay out of whatever was about to happen.
“What do you think then? Is it an abomination?”
“Of course not! I’m happy for you guys. I was just telling Callum that.”
“Really?” Sarcasm dripped from the single word suspended in disbelief.
“I know you think there’s some residual feelings between Callum and I but there’s not. I’m really happy for the two of you.”
“Why are you here? I thought you left the kingdom after--.” Rayla trailed off as Claudia winced.
“We did. Soren and I but I just got back. I missed my home. I had hoped to-- well nevermind. It’s not important now.”
“I’m sorry about your father.” The words hung suspended in the air between the two women as an act of kindness Rayla had rarely shown the human woman.
“Thank you.” Claudia whispered. “I’ll catch up later.” She fled then and Rayla squeezed her husband’s shoulder.
“I thought I told you I wanted food and yet I see you here reading and talking to her, husband.”
Callum winced at her grip. She only called him husband when she was upset. “It was going to take some time to make. They just don’t have that stuff laying around you know. It’s weird.”
Rayla would punish him later but for now she decided to collapse into his open lap and snuggle into him until she could eat.
%$%$%$
Weeks later along with her new favorite food she started to notice finally her pants were too tight. It started slowly and barely noticeable when the leather dug into her belly skin. There lay a firmness which was not there before. A little curvature only noticed by Rayla until she tried to fasten her pants one morning with no success. Callum walked in to her flat on her back in bed with her pants around her hips and a pout upon her face.
“What’s going on here?” He gestured to her predicament.
“They won’t fit.” She grumbled. He gave her a confused look. “My pants you dummy. They won’t fasten anymore.”
Callum let a slow smile spread across his lips and burn into his cheeks as he rounded the bed and knelt between her thighs at the end of the bed.
Rayla felt heat rush through her at the familiar position. He usually took it up when he was about to put his mouth onto her and though she felt frustrated at her clothes a new feeling emerged. “What do you think you are doing down there?” Her cheeks pinkened as she spoke.
Callum seemed to realize how it looked as well and he quickly stood up and leaned on the bed next to her. “Can I?” He gestured to her lower belly where her pants lay open.
“I’m still not sure what you mean.” She teased him now.
His cheeks darkened more and he cleared his throat and fidgeted, “The baby.” He muttered then and she reached up to ruffle his hair.
“Of course. Ye don’t even have ta ask me that. It’s yours too, you know.” She felt some of her earlier heat cool as he reached tentative fingers out and place the warm tips out onto the pale skin of her mostly flat belly. Rayla could see it more when she lay flat like this. The roundness, the small hill between her hips jutted out and his fingers started close to her belly button and trailed up the rounded hill then ended at the opening of her pants she couldn’t close. He splayed his hand, larger now than it used to be over it then and she felt the warmth in her chest pulse and multiply with affection for the wide eyed look of wonder. She softened with it while he drummed fingers along the skin. “It’s firm. Our baby.”
“Yes our wee little parasite is starting to take over my body.”
“You love it.” He accused gently while he stroked her skin and drew closer, “Hello there.”
“I don’t think it can hear you.” She carded her fingers through his hair and couldn’t stop the stupid smile on her face.
“I wasn’t sure if the healer was right about the baby.”
“I was.” She grumbled. “It’s been feeding off me ya know.”
“I think we need to find you better pants.”
“I like these pants.” She sighed. “It’s only going to get bigger.”
“Yep.” He nodded enthusiastically.
Rayla sighed in mock annoyance though she felt anything but while they lay on the bed and stared at the place their child rested.
%$%$%
It took some time to convince both Callum and Ezran, oddly protective as he is now, to not complain when she wanted to train. She didn’t do much as out of practice as she was now. She practiced form, stretches, and even maintained a jog for longer than she thought she would be able to now. Her leather pants had to be replaced by cloth ones she tied together. The rounded curve seemed to grow in size each day and now more people noticed her state than before. Rayla tried to ignore the way people looked at her, the whispered words, and even the ones who glanced her way with narrowed eyes. They were set to announce her pregnancy within the week and she couldn’t be more nervous though she really didn’t understand the formality. It wasn’t as if it had been kept secret. Gossip spread faster than a wildfire through a parched forest here. Though it was the same in Xadia and they were due to travel to her home in another month to stay until just before the birth. Oh and the idea of birth, how this little beast would appear was not something she wished to think about either.
She took a moment to rest on one of the benches after her exercises and leaned back to enjoy the cool breeze when she felt it. A strange flutter under her belly button almost as if she stood at a great height and looked down. Immediately her hand pressed to her small rounded belly and her heart quickened. She remained still as a statue for more time than she thought necessary and just when she had been about to dismiss the strange feeling it appeared again.
Oh. How wierd. Like a butterfly brushed wings inside her it happened a few times in succession and she couldn’t stop the dumb smile that spread across her face if she wanted to. Her desire to train forgotten she stood and trotted toward the castle in search of her husband.
She found Callum in his study. His enormous study at the top of one of the towers. He had giddily showed her his archmage laboratory though it was more a library than anything else.
Rayla didn’t wait to burst into the room as the door thudded loudly into the wall and in her hurried energy her husband flailed wildly in a chair tipped just too far back to fall forward and instead both he and the chair crashed to the floor.
“Ach. Are you okay?” She rushed over to the heap of clothes and books amidst the form of Callum who groaned.
“Geez, Rayla you scared the heck out of me.” He grumbled then his eyes widened and he scrambled up onto all fours in a rather comedic fashion and looked her over. “What is it? Why did you run in here? Are you okay?”
“Fine you clumsy man. More than fine. I finally felt it.” She chirped giddily and at his confused expression she sighed, “The baby. I think I felt it move.”
Callum’s expression broke into one of joy and he placed his hand on the roundness there. “Is it moving now?”
She paused, “No. I don’t think so. But it did before. Like a little butterfly inside me. You probably couldn’t feel it yet. It’s not big enough.” Rayla gave a surprise squeak as he pulled her closer and rested his cheek onto the firm bulge there.
“I love you.”
“I still don’t think it can hear you.”
“I wasn’t talking to it. And shouldn’t we stop calling the baby it?”
“Well I have a lot of other names for it like parasite, creature, wee beastie but I don’t think I should use those, do you?”
He chuckled and sighed. “Probably not.”
“Well it’s either a boy or a girl.”
“What do you want it to be?” Callum looked up at her.
“Preferably healthy. I don’t know anything about bairns so either is fine. I suppose you would want a boy then?”
“I haven’t really thought about it to be honest.”
“Well then ‘it’ it is.”
$#$#$#
The announcement went about as well as Rayla thought it would with harsh whispered words after and looks of revulsion her way. It made her place a protective hand over where her child grew inside her. More and more she thought about how the people would take to her half human child. Not well it looked like though the still young Queen Anya seemed to be thrilled with the news and came to her afterward to ask after her health and give her support.
Rayla noticed in the past few months how Ezran’s body language would change around Anya. How he would act like Callum used to in the early days of their courtship and how he would blush and stammer at times when she talked directly to him. They would be so adorable together.
Callum stationed himself right at her side as they roamed about the room while the nobility gave their congratulations both false and sincere and they were both grateful by the end of the night no one had made a scene.
It was later when they were alone together and Rayla lay upon their bed in a thin shift she watched Callum peel off each layer of his clothes and felt the stir again. It had been so long since they had last made love and though she wanted to now she didn’t know how to bring it up and so she merely smiled at him as he turned and climbed into bed with only shorts on to cover himself. He put his back to her after he placed a long, sweet kiss to her lips then one to her belly. Rayla took up her usual position at his back with her breasts and now a little of her belly pressed to the smooth muscle of his back. He would sometimes change up their arrangement to hold her close but she preferred to be the ‘big spoon’ as he called it. This way she could protect them better if they were attacked. Her body still buzzed with arousal even as she drifted off to sleep.
$%$%$%
Callum gasped and immediately he felt his cheeks burn at the wanton sound as Rayla pressed him into the stone of the deserted castle wall. Her lips and teeth pushed and tugged at his mouth with fervor as her hands roamed across his shoulders and down his chest.
She parted from him with little pants and her pupils nearly consumed the purple iris. A high blush spread across her cheeks and she dove back in and this time he responded with eager vigor.
They hadn’t done anything like this in weeks, months, and his body flared to life with zeal as she reached into his trousers and he had to stop her. “Rayla. What about the baby?”
She parted from him with a glare, “Safe and tucked away. Do you think your tool is so large it will touch the bairn? It’s a fine thing but not some monster. Now shut up and kiss me.”
Callum’s argument ended as she began again until they were sated against the stone of the castle in quiet sounds of euphoria.
#$#$#
She brought his hand to her belly suddenly and he pressed his palm to where she directed. He felt disappointment bubble up and just as he started to remove his hand it felt it. A little pop against his palm. Rayla smiled widely at his look of shock. “I felt it.” He whispered. “Do it again.” He whispered to her belly and uttered a sound of triumph when the little bump happened again. “It’s moving. Totally alive in there. You are amazing.” He looked up at Rayla then.
“You just now figuring that out? I haven’t been doing my job then.”
“There’s a baby in there.”
“Ya keep saying it like there hasn’t been one in there for the past 5 months. How long did you say humans carried these little things for?”
“Nine months.”
“Eight for us. You humans always have to make things harder don’t ya?” She muttered softly at him as he pressed on her belly gently in different places. “You playing games with it now?”
“No.” He drew the vowel out slowly. “Can you play with something the size of...what did they say it was the size of now?”
“A bit bigger than a large squash. And now i’m hungry.”
“Anything in particular?”
She gave him a hooded look and ran her tongue over her lip.
“I have to go to meet Ezran.” He reminded her gently though he couldn’t deny his interest.
“Fine. Something...sweet.”
“Jelly tart?”
“Too sweet. One of those rolls with the cinnamon and sticky cream. Two.”
“Anything else your majesty?”
“To stop having to run to pee every hour.” She grumbled and pushed him off of her to walk to the bathroom.
“It’s pretty glamorous isn’t it?”
“I will stab you with my swords.” She shot back from the door. “Food. Go.”
“I obey, my love.” He sang at her before he darted out the door and retrieved her request before he placed a kiss to her lips and went to his meeting.
He walked to his his step father’s old room and knocked. “Come in, Callum.”
Ezran had grown in the past six years from boy to young man and all the while his kingdom and peace grew with him.
“Are you still planning to go to Xadia next week?” His brother looked over papers on his desk with seal and quill in hands. He looked so much more like Harrow now with just little spots of their shared mother in his eyes or the curve of his mouth. His memories of her were fuzzy anymore though he tried to keep them tight to his breast and he wondered if she would have approved of his wife and for the thousandth time he concluded she would have loved Rayla.
“As ambassador it’s sort of our job isn’t it? Liaison and all that?”
“Well.Yes but with her condition I wasn’t sure if you would risk it?”
“Well it’s probably going to be better for her to be there for most of the pregnancy. They are elves after all and if she had the baby there at least she would have her people around her.”
“The trip wouldn’t be too hard?”
Callum snorted and Ezran raised an eyebrow at his brother, “Have you seen her? She’s a ball of energy anymore. Being still and being Rayla don’t mix. I’m sure we’ll be fine with a small contingent of guards like always.”
“Claudia wants to go.”
Callum took a few beats to process Ezran’s words, “What?”
“I told her I would ask you.”
“Why?”
“Because she didn’t want to ask you herself?”
“No I mean why does she want to go?”
“I dunno. Didn’t ask her.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea?”
“Could be. It sort of depends on if you think it’s a good idea. If you can trust her.”
Trust. A loaded word. “I’ll think about it.”
“Okay. Just let me know a day or two before you leave.”
“I felt the baby move.”
“Awesome. Do you think you are going to be a good dad?”
“I’m going to try.”
“Good.”
“Hey. What’s up with you and Anya?”
Ezran’s quill on the page splintered as he jolted and looked up to his brother’s mischievous grin, “Shut up.”
Callum laughed as he walked over and hugged his brother who now blushed red at his tease. “You know I do it cause I love you.”
“Go away.” Ezran laughed and pushed Callum away from him.
“Have a good time with those signatures.” He walked out of his brother’s study and thought about Claudia’s request and when he walked back to his rooms he asked Rayla.
“Do you want her to go?” She asked him then while she stretched her thighs on the floor.
“I don’t know. I’m worried that she’s going to go back to doing Dark Magic or kill some creatures that don’t deserve it.”
“Then tell her no.”
“But she’s trying to repent.”
“Then tell her yes.”
Callum sighed, “You aren’t helping.”
“I don’t care if she comes or not.”
“You don’t?”
“You’re my husband and there’s nothing to be jealous about anymore.”
“Why the sudden change?”
“We’ve been talking a little.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“Do you tell me everyone you talk to?” Rayla sighed.
Callum sighed and looked up at the ceiling while she continued to stretch. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
XxOxX
I have a bit of smut that I wanted to add in here but I decided to keep this story clean for the fluffy people out there. If you would like the second trimester fun times let me know. :)
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