Wings 2: Home
Feb. 10th, 2013 02:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warI had someone with a straight face tell me the other day that picking a doctor, dentist , or specialist was just like buying a car or a house. She recommended getting a list of suggested medical people (suggested by people who work with the insurance company); call up the insurance company to see if they will cover them, call someone (I’m not sure who this was) and find out how much a visit will cost (we have a website to go to which is supposed to consolidate these first three steps but can’t be trusted), differentiating a consolation from a regular visit, then make the appointment (or do the whole thing again over and over until you find someone that will be paid for). This may be true, but I don’t want to have to treat each doctor visit like I’m making a lifelong decision. I want to go to a doctor that I like and who gets the job done without hours of stress on my part.
She also suggested not getting every test or shot the doctors recommend even if the insurance will pay for it. She used the HPV vaccine as an example. I’ve got strong feelings when it comes to preventable diseases. And I know people who got cervical cancer before the shot was available plus now it’s been proven to stop many kinds of STDs. Does she think her teenage daughter will never have sex? Maybe she’s just delusional.
Title: Home
Series: Wings
Status: Complete
Genre: fantasy, family, love, m/n
Rating: PG
Content: morning, breakfast, rules, chaos of parenthood, questions, clothes hunting, flying, discomfort, fabric, tears, unashamed, heat, the cindergirl, new clothes, stops, names, rest, more clothes, thanks, flight, a parade, a feast, joy, home
Length: about 5,300 words - twice
Summary: Kairava wants to start a life with Enzi, but they have to get home first.
Note: As before the first version is with gender neutral pronouns and the version immediately following that is with male pronouns for the Ishika. (I left a few in that version’s dialog because those people would never refer to Kairava as male.)
Kairava woke and touched nir belly. The same odd quiver had come over nem as the morning after nir first night in Enzi. Another baby was on the way.
Or maybe two like last time.
Chandraja rutted against Kairava’s side. Kairava rolled over and pulled down the sheet so Chandraja could drink nir breakfast. Ravij whimpered in nir sleep. Ne was sleeping in the little nest Enzi had made for the children when he got up this morning. Kairava pulled the blankets back over Ravij.
Enzi poked his head in the room. “Everyone awake?”
He walked in backwards, pushing open the door. In his hands he held a huge covered platter.
Ravij sat up and pushed nir long, white hair out of nir face with nir small, baby hands. “Papa?”
Enzi grinned. He’d taught Ravij to call him that on the way to the keep yesterday. Enzi scooped up Ravij and set nem on his lap at the table then lifted the cover. “What should we eat first?”
Enzi tore off bits of bread and meat with his teeth and handed them to Ravij who delicately ate every bite. Between bits of food, Ravij prattled about their trip and the village and the food ne ate and the wagons and flying. Enzi listened intently and asked relevant questions.
Ravij’s light skin and hair and white clothes stood out starkly against Enzi’s black fur and leather armor, but despite their differences in appearance and size, Enzi made a good parent. Kairava had chosen well.
Chandraja tried to look at the table and eat at the same time, which tugged uncomfortably at Kairava’s breast. Enzi lifted a small piece of meat and wiggled it.
Chandraja let go, leapt into the air, glided to Enzi’s hand, grabbed the meat with nir teeth, and tugged it from Enzi’s grip.
Kairava rose from the bed and hunted for nir clothing while Enzi kept the children busy. When ne turned back to the table, Enzi was watching nem and Chandraja had nir hands on the edge of a bowl, tipping it, and the chopped meat inside spilled onto nir head and back as ne dug through it face first. Kairava walked over to the table and lifted Chandraja off. “Since we are living together, we need some rules.”
Enzi nodded. Kairava looked him over. Ne hadn’t expected Enzi to agree so easily. Ne handed Chandraja to Enzi. “No children on the table.”
Enzi nodded and set Chandraja on his shoulder. Kairava refrained from rolling nir eyes. Some things weren’t worth arguing about.
Chandraja walked down Enzi’s arm to the table, nir claws digging into Enzi’s armor with every step. Kairava cringed just imagining the pain if Chandraja tried that on nem. Enzi lifted Chandraja before ne climbed back onto the table and set nem on his lap, but Chandraja was still very small and nir face was below the table top.
Enzi lifted Chandraja back onto his shoulder and quickly handed nem a strip of meat.
“Papa, me.” Ravij lifted nir hand to Enzi’s.
“Of course, my child.” Enzi offered Ravij a piece of fruit before popping some into his own mouth. “Kairava, my love, how do you get time to eat?”
He passed Chandraja more food.
Kairava grinned and picked up an unused plate. “Whenever and wherever.”
But this morning nir hands were empty. Ne would enjoy that while ne could.
—
“Enzi,” Kairava handed Enzi Ravij’s tunic, heavily embroidered with white lines and curves. “Where will we live?”
“At the castle, in my suite.” He grinned at Kairava then turned his attention back to Ravi. “Unless you have a better idea.”
Thorbjørn’s castle was warm and Enzi’s suite invited Kairava to touch everything and the rooms were large, but Kairava hadn’t stayed long enough to see how far the suite extended.
“We will need a garden for the children. I don’t want them to be inside all the time.”
“You will have that.” Enzi picked up Chandraja’s unembroidered tunic. “Why isn’t my kitten dressed as nice as my little star?”
Kairava smiled and kissed him behind his left horn. “Ravij’s the sun and Chandraja’s the moon.”
Enzi tilted his head back and accepted the next kiss on the lips. “Ravij’s more like the moon, all pale and bright, but don’t change the subject.”
Kairava’s heart burst in joy. In those short sentences Enzi had shown his loved for both their twins. Kairava had made a good choice in Enzi. “The reason is long ago and far away and does not matter anymore. What will you do to change here and now?”
Enzi stood up and set Chandraja on his shoulder. “Clothes take a while to make, but I cannot present you like travelers.”
Kairava’s and the children’s clothes weren’t for traveling at all. The white had become tan like the unbleached wool and linen that traveling Ishika wore, but with decorations unlike Ishika traveling clothes. “How are we supposed to get home without traveling?”
Enzi lifted Ravij onto his other shoulder. Ravij squealed and grabbed onto Enzi’s horn then sat like ne was on a chair. Enzi opened the door. “The same way I brought you here: flying.”
Kairava sucked in a breath. The ride to the keep had been wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
“The flight is only a few hours, but we can pack the twins’ clothes if you don’t think they will stay clean.” Enzi took Kairava’s hand and led the way through the keep. He stopped in a room with a paper covered desk. The man behind the desk stood up and saluted.
Enzi nodded to him. “My family needs clothes. Who near here can make them?”
The man’s eyes strayed to Kairava before jerking back to Enzi. “Lord Mastenbok will have what you need. I can send word that you will be by this evening, but until then, I would suggest a uniform.”
Were Kairava clothes that unpresentable?
“Good idea. And for my children?”
“My wife will know just the thing.” The man left orders with the two men in the outer office and led Kairava and Enzi to a room bright with sunlight. The officer’s wife was more than happy to help. Other women were sent for and a small army hunted through crates and chests. They shouted when they found something they thought might work and whispered when asking each other if Kairava was really Ishika and whether all Ishika were as beautiful as Kairava and if Ishika really could get women with children.
Kairava was outfitted in a dark blue uniform that didn’t look like any the others wore. The fabric was stiff like the thickest winter coat, but without the bulk, and it was much tighter than anything ne’d ever owned. Plus it was in a color. Ne’d never worn a color darker than unbleached wool.
The officer’s wife patted nir shoulder and apologized for the low quality. Kairava slid nir hand down the front. The fabric was soft and furry with short little hairs bunched close together. It didn’t look anything like anything ne’d ever worn, but ne liked the color and the texture. Ne thanked the woman for her help.
For the children, the women found clothes worn by a prince when he lived with his parents in exile. Ravij also wore dark blue, but nir little suit was silky, while little Chandraja wore a scarlet baby dress. The ladies cut holes for their wings and sewed the edges up and added buttons and ties.
Enzi walked in and out, sometimes with one or both the children.
Once the family was outfitted, Enzi nodded to the men and thanked the women. Then he took Kairava’s hand and walked up to the top of the ramparts. Kairava wrapped nir arms around Enzi’s waist from the back and squeezed nir eyes shut. Enzi grabbed hold of Kairava’s arms and flapped his huge wings. The ground fell away beneath their feet.
Lights blinked behind Kairava’s eyes. Ne forced himself to breath. Enzi was warm and strong but wind blew past Kairava’s head. He buried nir face in Enzi’s back.
Enzi talked to the children as they flew. Kairava could leave the parenting to him for the moment.
Enzi dropped down slowly and ground settle beneath Kairava’s feet. Kairava opened his eyes. He could use a break. They were on a castle rampart. Was this their destination?
Several men and women in bright clothing fawned over Enzi and the children. Enzi put his arm around Kairava’s shoulders. “This is my beloved. Dress nem appropriately.”
Two men were called forward and Kairava followed them down into the castle. Despite the soft fabric, the clothes ne wore must not be much more presentable than nir Ishika clothing. The trip ended in a quiet room with every color and texture of fabric Kairava had ever imagined and many ne hadn’t.
The tailor smiled. “What can I do for you?”
One of Kairava’s guides stepped forward. “Lord Enzi wishes him dress appropriately.”
The tailor nodded and dismissed the men. Once he had closed the door behind them, the tailor again turned to Kairava. “As I said, what can I do for you?”
“I,” Kairava took in a deep breath. “I do not wish to shame him.”
The tailor smiled, but his eyes were sad. “You are Ishika? I had an Ishika lover once. I will never forget nem. You were raised on neutral tones.” The tailor touched a length of bleached linen. “But here you will need color, the brighter, the better. Here, touch this.”
The fabric beneath Kairava’s fingers was slick and stiff. The next one felt like water. Kairava walked around and touched everything.
The tailor piled up the fabrics Kairava liked the most. He lifted a marked string from his neck and measure Kairava. “I will give space in the front because if you are not with child you will be soon.”
Kairava blushed. Ne had wanted Enzi to be the first to know.
“Is there anyone else you want or need?”
Kairava looked at the pile of fabric. “I am still nursing the smallest of my twins.”
The tailor nodded. “And I suppose not too many buttons. Lord Enzi is known for his patience but I would not want to test that when it comes to you. You are the one he was waiting for these years?”
“That is my honor.” Kairava loved Enzi more than ever. “I won’t leave him again.”
The tailor smiled. “I know you won’t. I will have your clothes ready tomorrow.”
Kairava turned away and pretended not to see the tears in the tailor’s eyes.
—
Kairava followed nir guide to a room bigger than Kairava’s house and yard back in the village. Maybe twice as big. As ne walked inside, Chandraja launched off Enzi’s shoulder and flew to Kairava.
Ravij wasn’t far behind.
Kairava wrapped nir arms around nir children.
Everyone watched them. The musicians had even stopped playing.
Kairava stood straight and tall. If raising a nonIshika child in an Ishika village couldn’t shame nem, being stared at by strangers couldn’t.
Enzi stood and lifted his hand. Kairava walked up to him and took the chair he’d risen from.
A man, wearing an outfit that couldn’t possibly have been a uniform, called for a second chair. Men brought it and another tray of food.
Kairava wasn’t hungry, but ne refused to let the people here think ne was intimidated. Ne passed Ravij to Enzi and picked up a square of hard bread with something chunky on it. “I thought Lord Mastenbok was known for his entertainment. I guess I was wrong.” Ne held food square in front of nem. “Whatever will I talk about when we get home?”
The host clapped and the room filled again with music. Kairava bit down on the square. It broke in half. Ne pushed the second half into nir mouth before it could fall into nir lap. Maybe ne was supposed to put the whole thing in nir mouth at once.
Enzi moved his chair beside Kairava’s before he sat down. He took Kairava’s hand and leaned close. “You did very well.”
Kairava squeezed Enzi’s large hand. “If we are treated so badly at the castle, we will find another home.”
Ne hadn’t left nir Ishika village just to end up in a place that judge nem as harshly. Ne was tired of being whispered about and stared at. Ne didn’t want to deal with that in the next place ne called home.
Ne ate a bit and made sure nir children did as well. Enzi could take care of himself. When Ravij head lolled against Enzi’s chest, Kairava stood up. The music stopped playing and the chatterers fell silent. Enzi rose with nem and bid the host good night.
Enzi’s pace was faster than the guide’s and he took the lead. He had been here before. He stopped at a large room with a huge bed, which was easily three times as wide and half again as long as the one Kairava and Enzi had shared last night.
Enzi opened a chest and made a nest on one side of the bed with the blankets in it. Ravij cuddled onto one side and Chandraja burrowed into the other. Enzi wrapped his arms around Kairava. “Shall we leave now? They were very rude.”
Kairava leaned against Enzi’s strong chest. “No. We will wait for the clothing. The right clothes are important?”
Enzi kissed Kairava’s head. “If the tailor is any good, he will be done by morning.”
“He is making me several things, I think.” Kairava turned in Enzi’s arms. “He understands Ishika.”
Enzi ran his fingers through Kairava’s hair. “Then he was probably in love with one. When he closes his eyes, he feels his lover’s hands upon him and his body cries out in need.”
Kairava grinned. “Did that happen to you?”
“That does happen.” Enzi lifted Kairava off nir feet and laid nem on the bed. Kairava watched Enzi strip off his armor in the firelight. By the time he was bare, Kairava was hot enough to burst.
Kairava fell asleep, exhausted, in the arms of the one ne loved. Ne could tell Enzi about the new baby tomorrow.
—
Kairava woke to someone in nir room. Enzi slept warm and solid against nem and the children had both crawled under the covers. Ne was going to have to break them of the habit before the next baby came.
But since the other three members of nir family was accounted for, who was in the room with them? Ne sat up. A girl scrapped ash out of the grate. Enzi pulled Kairava backed down. “She’s just the cindergirl, building the fire.”
Were people here so lazy that they couldn’t make their own fires? Kairava looked over Enzi at the girl. “Will the castle have cindergirls?”
Enzi rolled onto his side and kissed Kairava’s head. “Not if you don’t want one.”
Kairava snuggled against Enzi, but didn’t relax until the cindergirl left.
—
Enzi surveyed Kairava’s clothes, tugged on the hems, and smoothed the shoulder line. “It fits.”
He ran his hand over pleating in the front of Kairava’s waist. “Mostly.”
The tailor smiled. “My hope for you is to have large and healthy family. Why make clothes for an Ishika that can only be worn when ne’s not with child?”
Enzi lifted an eyebrow at Kairava. Kairava ignored him. “It is beautiful and feels nice. And you are making me more?”
“Several. They will be sent on as they are finished. Please come to me if you carry twins again. I will make something lovely and elegant to cover you even at your biggest.”
His eyes filled with tears, but Kairava could say nothing to comfort him. Ishika did not return to their lovers.
The tailor blinked his tears away and nodded at Enzi. “You give me hope.”
Kairava turned away and gathered up nir children. Enzi spoke quietly to the tailor and then clapped him on the shoulder.
Enzi led Kairava straight to the roof. Again they had gawkers. Was the keep extra polite or was this castle just rude?
Kairava wrapped nir arms around Enzi’s waist and buried nir face in his back. They flew forever, but when Enzi stopped to let the children rest, they were at a small farmhouse in the foothills.
The entire family treated Kairava with the same awe and reverence they treated Enzi, but with the children they were less formal. The smallest child asked the gender of the twins and Enzi answered that they were Ishika, therefore whatever they wanted to be.
Kairava smiled and leaned nir head against Enzi’s shoulder. That wasn’t the way Ishika told it, but since they could get a women with child as easily as they were got by a man, Enzi’s answer was correct in its own way.
They flew off again after an hour’s rest. The second stop was an inn on a roadside. The innkeeper bowed over and over and avoided their eyes. The third stop was a village green where they were entertained by children and presented with flower necklaces.
The forth stop was a walled garden in a castle where they were offered much more then they could eat. A musician strummed an instrument and the lord’s heir sat nearby to answer questions and keep their plates and cups full.
Ravij’s head nodded. Ne blinked nir eyes open. Enzi built a nest from the provided blankets and laid his child within it. Enzi must like nests. His mother had wings if Kairava recalled the stories correctly. Maybe Enzi would want to sleep in a nest when they built their life together.
Enzi lifted Chandraja off the table and set nem on his lap. “I love my children, but I would have given them shorter names. I fear I will trip over this one’s name whenever I introduce you. Chandraja. Draja?”
Kairava bit down nir grin. Draja meant nothing. “Is that easier?”
Enzi nodded. “And Ravij can be Ravi.”
Kairava tucked a blanket around Ravij. “Why?”
“Easier to say?”
“Is it?”
“And less Ishika.”
Well, that was the truth. No Ishika would ever name their child Ravi. But Kairava was no longer living among the Ishika. Ne had stayed too long among them. They were no longer nir people. Ne belonged with Enzi and their children and with people who treated nir children equally and loved them for who they were, rather than what they looked liked. Ne would let Enzi pick the name of this next child.
“And you are my Kair, because I love and care for you.”
Kairava smiled.
The heir stood up and bowed. “Would my lords care for a room inside to rest?”
Enzi agreed and the heir helped carry the extra blankets. They followed the man to a sun filled room, where he closed the drapes and showed them a decorative rope to pull if they needed anything. Enzi told the heir to thank his father for the accommodations.
Kairava laid Chandraja on the bed. “I like it here. I prefer this treatment to gawking or fear.”
“Then we will spend the night.”
Kairava frowned. “Is imposing ourselves polite?”
“They will think our staying is an honor, especially after I tell them that you enjoyed their hospitality the most during the stay in Grythyttan.” Enzi unbuttoned Kairava’s top button. “But not right now. Your clothes will wrinkle if you rest in them. Let me help.”
Kairava put nemself in Enzi’s hands, where ne was the safest, happiest, and the most comfortable.
—
Kairava woke to a warm but empty space beside nem and the sound someone blowing. Ne blinked nir eyes open and sat up. Enzi added kindling to the small fire. “Sorry to wake you. Let the room warm before you get up.”
The twins were still asleep. Kairava tucked blankets around them and turned to watch nir half naked lover get the logs burning in the fireplace.
Enzi was a gorgeous as he was dark and big. Kairava lay back as Enzi came close. “Maybe you should come back to bed while the room warms up.”
Enzi grinned slowly. “That is an excellent idea.”
—
Kairava woke again to Ravij chattering at the table. Ne told Enzi about the first day ne and Chandraja flew. His story was much different than Kairava remembered it.
Ravij spoke around bites of food. Today Enzi had given nem nir own plate. Chandraja sat on Enzi’s forearm and ate whatever ne was given.
Kairava pulled on nir clothes. The food looked delicious.
Ravij stood on nir chair and slowly flapped nir wings as ne told Kairava which foods were good and which were super yummy. Kairava sat nem back down before taking nir own seat. Enzi described their new home and asked what toys Ravij liked best. When Ravij couldn’t answer, Enzi told of his favorite toys. Ravij clapped nir hands and asked many questions.
Halfway through the lively meal, a discrete knock heralded the son of the house. He apologized profusely but he needed Enzi’s expertise. Kairava took Chandraja back and made certain the twins finished eating. Ravij had to be reminded about the yummy food several times. Ne was much more interested in going to nir new home with its room full of toys. Ne’d had to give up nir small mound when they left the village.
The heir returned with word that Enzi recommended they revisit the gardens. But they stopped first in a tailor’s room where the children where outfitted with new clothing that wasn’t just soft and bright, but also embroidered with shiny birds and butterflies, hearts and flowers. Kairava had never seen children dressed so wonderfully. His beautiful babies.
Kairava wiped nir eyes and thanked the heir and the tailor. They both bowed and the heir expressed how grateful they were to be able to provide for Kairava and nir children. Kairava thanked him again for all he’d done. The heir thanked nem for nir thanks then ushered them to the gardens.
The garden yesterday was small and intimate, but this garden was wide and vast and filled with blooms of every color. Kairava breathed in the wonderful scents. “I hope the gardens at the castle are as nice.”
The heir blushed and bowed his head. “Our gardens are only a small sample of the king’s.”
Ravij took a running leap and flew through the air, laughing. Chandraja leapt from Kairava’s arms to the heir’s shoulder to the sky. The heir watched them fly. “That was a great honor.”
Kairava smiled. How could ne help but love someone who loved nir children? “And we are honored by your great hospitality. I have never felt so welcome anywhere.”
Enzi laid a hand on Kairava’s shoulder. “We will return.”
The heir bowed. “You are always welcome.”
Kairava wrapped nir arms around Enzi’s waist from the back. Enzi grasped Kairava’s arms. “Only this one last flight.”
Kairava was glad. Ne longed to stay on the ground for longer than one night.
—
Kairava felt Enzi descend. Ravi squealed. Kairava held on for a moment after nir feet touched the ground. The earth should not be wobbly. Maybe pregnancy and flight didn’t mix.
Enzi turned in Kairava’s arms and Chandraja attempted to burrow between them. Ne was probably hungry. Enzi lifted Chandraja. “Draja, my kitten, my child. Give your parent here another moment.”
Chandraja mewed profusely. Kairava held out nir arms. Enzi set their youngest inside. Chandraja found what ne sought in seconds.
Kairava looked around for something to sit on. Ne was in the middle of the biggest garden ne had ever seen. The flowers and grasses and bushes and pathways went on forever. “This is beautiful.”
Enzi wrapped his arms around nem. “This is our children’s playground. The king’s gardens.”
—
A parade came out to greet them with musicians and acrobats and dancers and more food than Kairava had ever seen in his life.
People in white spread huge sheets on wooden platforms raised just above the water level in a nearby pond. And people in bright colors introduced themselves and complimented Kairava on nir children and Enzi on his beautiful spouse.
Almost everyone referred to Kairava and the twins as ‘ne’ as Kairava preferred. Maybe Kairava was home after all.
Kairava followed Enzi to the platform in the center and introduced nem to King Thorbjørn. Kairava had never met a king before. Kairava had expected him to be a bit more impressive, but then Thorbjørn smiled all the way to his eyes and asked about Kairava’s journey and talked of the keep and places beyond as if he’d been there. Maybe he had gone to the places and had the adventures that stories said he’d done with Enzi.
Chandraja jumped to Enzi’s shoulder and then to Thorbjørn’s lap where ne turned in circles and made a nest out of Thorbjørn’s long, loose tunic, cuddled down, and closed nir eyes.
Thorbjørn held his hands up and looked from Enzi to Kairava. A man in a uniform stepped forward and asked if the king wanted the child removed.
Thorbjørn lowered his hands. “Bring food and drink. I think Enzi and his spouse will be staying here for the time being. The young one’s fur looks so soft, I long to touch it.”
“Draja likes to be rubbed.” Enzi stepped forward and demonstrated. Thorbjørn repeated the motions. Draja purred.
Thorbjørn smiled. “I think I am in love.”
Food was brought and drinks of many kinds. Kairava ate nir fill. Ravij joined them and transfixed Thorbjørn in nir own way.
Enzi told of their journey from the keep, complete with all the rudeness as well as every joy. Thorbjørn had his scribe make notes to send gifts to the mountain family and the village children. And the heir would be offered a place at Court.
Thorbjørn smiled at Kairava. “I have space for another tailor and several Ishika born to parents not Ishika enough. Maybe he will find happiness here.”
Thorbjørn’s eyes strayed to a group that had been waiting patiently behind them. Kairava politely bid Thorbjørn goodbye and Enzi collected their youngest. They walked to the edge of the crowd. Kairava bit nir lip. “The king collects Ishika?”
Enzi opened his jacket and tucked Draja inside. “Thorbjørn saw my… preoccupation with you and wish to discover what made Ishika so special. And I thought you might be more comfortable near those of your own kind even if they weren’t raised Ishika.”
Kairava’s chest ached with joy. Enzi had thought of everything. Ne wrapped nir arms around nir lover. “Take us home.”
—
When Kairava opened nir eyes and stepped away from Enzi, they were on a balcony. Enzi threw open the doors and gestured Kairava in. “Welcome home, my loves.”
Kairava stood on tiptoes to kiss Enzi on nir way inside.
The suite had been remodeled since Kairava’s last visit. It still had the bright colors and rich textures, but now the bedroom had a low platform beside the bed that looked like nothing so much as a nest. Enzi opened his jacket and tucked Draja under the blankets.
Ravi looked into the nest then lifted nir arms to Enzi. “Papa, me.”
Enzi picked Ravi up and rubbed his nose against Ravi’s belly. Ravi laughed. “More, Papa!”
Enzi carried nem back into the front room and sat down beside a pile of toys. He smiled at Kairava. “Want to play?”
Kairava grinned back. That was how Enzi invited Kairava into his room the first time.
Ravi loved each and every stuffed animal. Enzi picked them up one by one and explained where the animal was from, what they ate, and what made the species unique.
Ravi had never had soft toys, at least not like this. Ishika didn’t play as such. Children copied the actions of adults using toys they made themselves. Kairava’s first doll was a rolled up kitchen towel. Nir baby kept unrolling. An older cousin took pity on nem and rerolled the baby, shorter to fit in Kairava’s little arms, and slipped it into an old stocking so it would stay rolled up. Kairava had loved that baby. Even after ne was coordinated enough to make better ones with embroidered faces and fancy clothes, ne kept nir first baby. But then a young cousin had come by and ripped through the worn stocking and Kairava’s carrying-parent had added the old towel to the rag pile. Ne hadn’t made another doll again.
After Ravi was sitting in a pile of animals, Enzi opened a chest and took out a toy that looked a lot like Draja. “This was me.”
Kairava got up and came closer. The entire chest was full of dolls. Each doll looked like one of the peoples: butterfly wings and feathers and fish tails and horns and snake scales and several shades of fur and more shades of hair. They were all beautiful. Kairava would have given anything to have someone put so much love and attention into one of nir toys.
Enzi kissed Kairava’s fingers. “Did I do well by our children?”
Kairava wiped nir eyes with nir free hand. “You did wonderful. I love you so much.”
Enzi stroked Kairava’s hair. “And I love you.”
Ravi was still awake, so as much as Kairava wanted to ravish Enzi right there on the floor, ne would wait. Ne turned and sat on Enzi’s lap and let Ravi tell nem all the things ne had just learned from Enzi. Ravi gave each of nir animals a name and paired it with a doll from the chest. Enzi talked about the people the dolls represented and then Ravi echoed a much shorter, and sometimes very messed up, version to Kairava.
Kairava had never sat on the floor and played with nir children. Ishika parents didn’t. Enzi had been the perfect choice for out-parent. He knew so much and shared so much. Kairava wrapped one of Enzi’s arms around nemself and slipped Enzi’s hand against nir belly. This new baby would never know a time without nir Papa.
Ravi looked around at nir babies. “No me.”
Enzi rubbed nir white head. “The person who made these didn’t know you had wings. Ne is making another for you.”
Warmth flooded Kairava’s heart. Enzi had thought of a doll for Ravi, too. Maybe made by an Ishika. Ne would have to find out.
Ravi nodded and picked up the Ishika. “This is Kaira. Draja will want to sleep with nem.”
Ravi carried the doll toward the bedroom. Kairava followed nem. Ne didn’t want Ravi to wake Draja up. But Ravi just laid the baby next to Draja and Draja pulled it close without opening nir eyes.
Ravi grinned then went back to nir pile of toys. Ne put them all to bed in twos and threes on the floor, except the one that looked like Chandraja. “Draja gets Kaira, I get Papa.”
Enzi helped him out of his outer clothes and tucked him into the nest. Then Enzi turned to Kairava. “You said you love me.”
Kairava grinned. “I do love you.”
Enzi peeled off his armor. “Then prove it.”
Kairava did. The silky sheets warmed up nicely.
In the afterglow, nir eyes refused to stay open. Pregnancy made nem very tired. But ne had something to say before ne could sleep. “Enzi.”
Enzi hummed.
“My love.”
Enzi’s hand slid down nir hip. Kairava slid the hand over nir still flat belly. “These rooms are wonderful and will fit four well, but what about five?”
Enzi hummed. “Or six?”
“Ne, or they, will come in the spring.”
“The rooms on either side of these two are mine.” He growled against Kairava’s neck. “As are the ones below them for those without wings.”
“Like me.”
“And any other babe we have. I am proud to have babes with wings, but I would love them just as much if they are born like you, my beautiful beloved.”
Kairava relaxed in Enzi’s arms. Ne was in good hands.
And translated
She also suggested not getting every test or shot the doctors recommend even if the insurance will pay for it. She used the HPV vaccine as an example. I’ve got strong feelings when it comes to preventable diseases. And I know people who got cervical cancer before the shot was available plus now it’s been proven to stop many kinds of STDs. Does she think her teenage daughter will never have sex? Maybe she’s just delusional.
Title: Home
Series: Wings
Status: Complete
Genre: fantasy, family, love, m/n
Rating: PG
Content: morning, breakfast, rules, chaos of parenthood, questions, clothes hunting, flying, discomfort, fabric, tears, unashamed, heat, the cindergirl, new clothes, stops, names, rest, more clothes, thanks, flight, a parade, a feast, joy, home
Length: about 5,300 words - twice
Summary: Kairava wants to start a life with Enzi, but they have to get home first.
Note: As before the first version is with gender neutral pronouns and the version immediately following that is with male pronouns for the Ishika. (I left a few in that version’s dialog because those people would never refer to Kairava as male.)
Kairava woke and touched nir belly. The same odd quiver had come over nem as the morning after nir first night in Enzi. Another baby was on the way.
Or maybe two like last time.
Chandraja rutted against Kairava’s side. Kairava rolled over and pulled down the sheet so Chandraja could drink nir breakfast. Ravij whimpered in nir sleep. Ne was sleeping in the little nest Enzi had made for the children when he got up this morning. Kairava pulled the blankets back over Ravij.
Enzi poked his head in the room. “Everyone awake?”
He walked in backwards, pushing open the door. In his hands he held a huge covered platter.
Ravij sat up and pushed nir long, white hair out of nir face with nir small, baby hands. “Papa?”
Enzi grinned. He’d taught Ravij to call him that on the way to the keep yesterday. Enzi scooped up Ravij and set nem on his lap at the table then lifted the cover. “What should we eat first?”
Enzi tore off bits of bread and meat with his teeth and handed them to Ravij who delicately ate every bite. Between bits of food, Ravij prattled about their trip and the village and the food ne ate and the wagons and flying. Enzi listened intently and asked relevant questions.
Ravij’s light skin and hair and white clothes stood out starkly against Enzi’s black fur and leather armor, but despite their differences in appearance and size, Enzi made a good parent. Kairava had chosen well.
Chandraja tried to look at the table and eat at the same time, which tugged uncomfortably at Kairava’s breast. Enzi lifted a small piece of meat and wiggled it.
Chandraja let go, leapt into the air, glided to Enzi’s hand, grabbed the meat with nir teeth, and tugged it from Enzi’s grip.
Kairava rose from the bed and hunted for nir clothing while Enzi kept the children busy. When ne turned back to the table, Enzi was watching nem and Chandraja had nir hands on the edge of a bowl, tipping it, and the chopped meat inside spilled onto nir head and back as ne dug through it face first. Kairava walked over to the table and lifted Chandraja off. “Since we are living together, we need some rules.”
Enzi nodded. Kairava looked him over. Ne hadn’t expected Enzi to agree so easily. Ne handed Chandraja to Enzi. “No children on the table.”
Enzi nodded and set Chandraja on his shoulder. Kairava refrained from rolling nir eyes. Some things weren’t worth arguing about.
Chandraja walked down Enzi’s arm to the table, nir claws digging into Enzi’s armor with every step. Kairava cringed just imagining the pain if Chandraja tried that on nem. Enzi lifted Chandraja before ne climbed back onto the table and set nem on his lap, but Chandraja was still very small and nir face was below the table top.
Enzi lifted Chandraja back onto his shoulder and quickly handed nem a strip of meat.
“Papa, me.” Ravij lifted nir hand to Enzi’s.
“Of course, my child.” Enzi offered Ravij a piece of fruit before popping some into his own mouth. “Kairava, my love, how do you get time to eat?”
He passed Chandraja more food.
Kairava grinned and picked up an unused plate. “Whenever and wherever.”
But this morning nir hands were empty. Ne would enjoy that while ne could.
—
“Enzi,” Kairava handed Enzi Ravij’s tunic, heavily embroidered with white lines and curves. “Where will we live?”
“At the castle, in my suite.” He grinned at Kairava then turned his attention back to Ravi. “Unless you have a better idea.”
Thorbjørn’s castle was warm and Enzi’s suite invited Kairava to touch everything and the rooms were large, but Kairava hadn’t stayed long enough to see how far the suite extended.
“We will need a garden for the children. I don’t want them to be inside all the time.”
“You will have that.” Enzi picked up Chandraja’s unembroidered tunic. “Why isn’t my kitten dressed as nice as my little star?”
Kairava smiled and kissed him behind his left horn. “Ravij’s the sun and Chandraja’s the moon.”
Enzi tilted his head back and accepted the next kiss on the lips. “Ravij’s more like the moon, all pale and bright, but don’t change the subject.”
Kairava’s heart burst in joy. In those short sentences Enzi had shown his loved for both their twins. Kairava had made a good choice in Enzi. “The reason is long ago and far away and does not matter anymore. What will you do to change here and now?”
Enzi stood up and set Chandraja on his shoulder. “Clothes take a while to make, but I cannot present you like travelers.”
Kairava’s and the children’s clothes weren’t for traveling at all. The white had become tan like the unbleached wool and linen that traveling Ishika wore, but with decorations unlike Ishika traveling clothes. “How are we supposed to get home without traveling?”
Enzi lifted Ravij onto his other shoulder. Ravij squealed and grabbed onto Enzi’s horn then sat like ne was on a chair. Enzi opened the door. “The same way I brought you here: flying.”
Kairava sucked in a breath. The ride to the keep had been wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
“The flight is only a few hours, but we can pack the twins’ clothes if you don’t think they will stay clean.” Enzi took Kairava’s hand and led the way through the keep. He stopped in a room with a paper covered desk. The man behind the desk stood up and saluted.
Enzi nodded to him. “My family needs clothes. Who near here can make them?”
The man’s eyes strayed to Kairava before jerking back to Enzi. “Lord Mastenbok will have what you need. I can send word that you will be by this evening, but until then, I would suggest a uniform.”
Were Kairava clothes that unpresentable?
“Good idea. And for my children?”
“My wife will know just the thing.” The man left orders with the two men in the outer office and led Kairava and Enzi to a room bright with sunlight. The officer’s wife was more than happy to help. Other women were sent for and a small army hunted through crates and chests. They shouted when they found something they thought might work and whispered when asking each other if Kairava was really Ishika and whether all Ishika were as beautiful as Kairava and if Ishika really could get women with children.
Kairava was outfitted in a dark blue uniform that didn’t look like any the others wore. The fabric was stiff like the thickest winter coat, but without the bulk, and it was much tighter than anything ne’d ever owned. Plus it was in a color. Ne’d never worn a color darker than unbleached wool.
The officer’s wife patted nir shoulder and apologized for the low quality. Kairava slid nir hand down the front. The fabric was soft and furry with short little hairs bunched close together. It didn’t look anything like anything ne’d ever worn, but ne liked the color and the texture. Ne thanked the woman for her help.
For the children, the women found clothes worn by a prince when he lived with his parents in exile. Ravij also wore dark blue, but nir little suit was silky, while little Chandraja wore a scarlet baby dress. The ladies cut holes for their wings and sewed the edges up and added buttons and ties.
Enzi walked in and out, sometimes with one or both the children.
Once the family was outfitted, Enzi nodded to the men and thanked the women. Then he took Kairava’s hand and walked up to the top of the ramparts. Kairava wrapped nir arms around Enzi’s waist from the back and squeezed nir eyes shut. Enzi grabbed hold of Kairava’s arms and flapped his huge wings. The ground fell away beneath their feet.
Lights blinked behind Kairava’s eyes. Ne forced himself to breath. Enzi was warm and strong but wind blew past Kairava’s head. He buried nir face in Enzi’s back.
Enzi talked to the children as they flew. Kairava could leave the parenting to him for the moment.
Enzi dropped down slowly and ground settle beneath Kairava’s feet. Kairava opened his eyes. He could use a break. They were on a castle rampart. Was this their destination?
Several men and women in bright clothing fawned over Enzi and the children. Enzi put his arm around Kairava’s shoulders. “This is my beloved. Dress nem appropriately.”
Two men were called forward and Kairava followed them down into the castle. Despite the soft fabric, the clothes ne wore must not be much more presentable than nir Ishika clothing. The trip ended in a quiet room with every color and texture of fabric Kairava had ever imagined and many ne hadn’t.
The tailor smiled. “What can I do for you?”
One of Kairava’s guides stepped forward. “Lord Enzi wishes him dress appropriately.”
The tailor nodded and dismissed the men. Once he had closed the door behind them, the tailor again turned to Kairava. “As I said, what can I do for you?”
“I,” Kairava took in a deep breath. “I do not wish to shame him.”
The tailor smiled, but his eyes were sad. “You are Ishika? I had an Ishika lover once. I will never forget nem. You were raised on neutral tones.” The tailor touched a length of bleached linen. “But here you will need color, the brighter, the better. Here, touch this.”
The fabric beneath Kairava’s fingers was slick and stiff. The next one felt like water. Kairava walked around and touched everything.
The tailor piled up the fabrics Kairava liked the most. He lifted a marked string from his neck and measure Kairava. “I will give space in the front because if you are not with child you will be soon.”
Kairava blushed. Ne had wanted Enzi to be the first to know.
“Is there anyone else you want or need?”
Kairava looked at the pile of fabric. “I am still nursing the smallest of my twins.”
The tailor nodded. “And I suppose not too many buttons. Lord Enzi is known for his patience but I would not want to test that when it comes to you. You are the one he was waiting for these years?”
“That is my honor.” Kairava loved Enzi more than ever. “I won’t leave him again.”
The tailor smiled. “I know you won’t. I will have your clothes ready tomorrow.”
Kairava turned away and pretended not to see the tears in the tailor’s eyes.
—
Kairava followed nir guide to a room bigger than Kairava’s house and yard back in the village. Maybe twice as big. As ne walked inside, Chandraja launched off Enzi’s shoulder and flew to Kairava.
Ravij wasn’t far behind.
Kairava wrapped nir arms around nir children.
Everyone watched them. The musicians had even stopped playing.
Kairava stood straight and tall. If raising a nonIshika child in an Ishika village couldn’t shame nem, being stared at by strangers couldn’t.
Enzi stood and lifted his hand. Kairava walked up to him and took the chair he’d risen from.
A man, wearing an outfit that couldn’t possibly have been a uniform, called for a second chair. Men brought it and another tray of food.
Kairava wasn’t hungry, but ne refused to let the people here think ne was intimidated. Ne passed Ravij to Enzi and picked up a square of hard bread with something chunky on it. “I thought Lord Mastenbok was known for his entertainment. I guess I was wrong.” Ne held food square in front of nem. “Whatever will I talk about when we get home?”
The host clapped and the room filled again with music. Kairava bit down on the square. It broke in half. Ne pushed the second half into nir mouth before it could fall into nir lap. Maybe ne was supposed to put the whole thing in nir mouth at once.
Enzi moved his chair beside Kairava’s before he sat down. He took Kairava’s hand and leaned close. “You did very well.”
Kairava squeezed Enzi’s large hand. “If we are treated so badly at the castle, we will find another home.”
Ne hadn’t left nir Ishika village just to end up in a place that judge nem as harshly. Ne was tired of being whispered about and stared at. Ne didn’t want to deal with that in the next place ne called home.
Ne ate a bit and made sure nir children did as well. Enzi could take care of himself. When Ravij head lolled against Enzi’s chest, Kairava stood up. The music stopped playing and the chatterers fell silent. Enzi rose with nem and bid the host good night.
Enzi’s pace was faster than the guide’s and he took the lead. He had been here before. He stopped at a large room with a huge bed, which was easily three times as wide and half again as long as the one Kairava and Enzi had shared last night.
Enzi opened a chest and made a nest on one side of the bed with the blankets in it. Ravij cuddled onto one side and Chandraja burrowed into the other. Enzi wrapped his arms around Kairava. “Shall we leave now? They were very rude.”
Kairava leaned against Enzi’s strong chest. “No. We will wait for the clothing. The right clothes are important?”
Enzi kissed Kairava’s head. “If the tailor is any good, he will be done by morning.”
“He is making me several things, I think.” Kairava turned in Enzi’s arms. “He understands Ishika.”
Enzi ran his fingers through Kairava’s hair. “Then he was probably in love with one. When he closes his eyes, he feels his lover’s hands upon him and his body cries out in need.”
Kairava grinned. “Did that happen to you?”
“That does happen.” Enzi lifted Kairava off nir feet and laid nem on the bed. Kairava watched Enzi strip off his armor in the firelight. By the time he was bare, Kairava was hot enough to burst.
Kairava fell asleep, exhausted, in the arms of the one ne loved. Ne could tell Enzi about the new baby tomorrow.
—
Kairava woke to someone in nir room. Enzi slept warm and solid against nem and the children had both crawled under the covers. Ne was going to have to break them of the habit before the next baby came.
But since the other three members of nir family was accounted for, who was in the room with them? Ne sat up. A girl scrapped ash out of the grate. Enzi pulled Kairava backed down. “She’s just the cindergirl, building the fire.”
Were people here so lazy that they couldn’t make their own fires? Kairava looked over Enzi at the girl. “Will the castle have cindergirls?”
Enzi rolled onto his side and kissed Kairava’s head. “Not if you don’t want one.”
Kairava snuggled against Enzi, but didn’t relax until the cindergirl left.
—
Enzi surveyed Kairava’s clothes, tugged on the hems, and smoothed the shoulder line. “It fits.”
He ran his hand over pleating in the front of Kairava’s waist. “Mostly.”
The tailor smiled. “My hope for you is to have large and healthy family. Why make clothes for an Ishika that can only be worn when ne’s not with child?”
Enzi lifted an eyebrow at Kairava. Kairava ignored him. “It is beautiful and feels nice. And you are making me more?”
“Several. They will be sent on as they are finished. Please come to me if you carry twins again. I will make something lovely and elegant to cover you even at your biggest.”
His eyes filled with tears, but Kairava could say nothing to comfort him. Ishika did not return to their lovers.
The tailor blinked his tears away and nodded at Enzi. “You give me hope.”
Kairava turned away and gathered up nir children. Enzi spoke quietly to the tailor and then clapped him on the shoulder.
Enzi led Kairava straight to the roof. Again they had gawkers. Was the keep extra polite or was this castle just rude?
Kairava wrapped nir arms around Enzi’s waist and buried nir face in his back. They flew forever, but when Enzi stopped to let the children rest, they were at a small farmhouse in the foothills.
The entire family treated Kairava with the same awe and reverence they treated Enzi, but with the children they were less formal. The smallest child asked the gender of the twins and Enzi answered that they were Ishika, therefore whatever they wanted to be.
Kairava smiled and leaned nir head against Enzi’s shoulder. That wasn’t the way Ishika told it, but since they could get a women with child as easily as they were got by a man, Enzi’s answer was correct in its own way.
They flew off again after an hour’s rest. The second stop was an inn on a roadside. The innkeeper bowed over and over and avoided their eyes. The third stop was a village green where they were entertained by children and presented with flower necklaces.
The forth stop was a walled garden in a castle where they were offered much more then they could eat. A musician strummed an instrument and the lord’s heir sat nearby to answer questions and keep their plates and cups full.
Ravij’s head nodded. Ne blinked nir eyes open. Enzi built a nest from the provided blankets and laid his child within it. Enzi must like nests. His mother had wings if Kairava recalled the stories correctly. Maybe Enzi would want to sleep in a nest when they built their life together.
Enzi lifted Chandraja off the table and set nem on his lap. “I love my children, but I would have given them shorter names. I fear I will trip over this one’s name whenever I introduce you. Chandraja. Draja?”
Kairava bit down nir grin. Draja meant nothing. “Is that easier?”
Enzi nodded. “And Ravij can be Ravi.”
Kairava tucked a blanket around Ravij. “Why?”
“Easier to say?”
“Is it?”
“And less Ishika.”
Well, that was the truth. No Ishika would ever name their child Ravi. But Kairava was no longer living among the Ishika. Ne had stayed too long among them. They were no longer nir people. Ne belonged with Enzi and their children and with people who treated nir children equally and loved them for who they were, rather than what they looked liked. Ne would let Enzi pick the name of this next child.
“And you are my Kair, because I love and care for you.”
Kairava smiled.
The heir stood up and bowed. “Would my lords care for a room inside to rest?”
Enzi agreed and the heir helped carry the extra blankets. They followed the man to a sun filled room, where he closed the drapes and showed them a decorative rope to pull if they needed anything. Enzi told the heir to thank his father for the accommodations.
Kairava laid Chandraja on the bed. “I like it here. I prefer this treatment to gawking or fear.”
“Then we will spend the night.”
Kairava frowned. “Is imposing ourselves polite?”
“They will think our staying is an honor, especially after I tell them that you enjoyed their hospitality the most during the stay in Grythyttan.” Enzi unbuttoned Kairava’s top button. “But not right now. Your clothes will wrinkle if you rest in them. Let me help.”
Kairava put nemself in Enzi’s hands, where ne was the safest, happiest, and the most comfortable.
—
Kairava woke to a warm but empty space beside nem and the sound someone blowing. Ne blinked nir eyes open and sat up. Enzi added kindling to the small fire. “Sorry to wake you. Let the room warm before you get up.”
The twins were still asleep. Kairava tucked blankets around them and turned to watch nir half naked lover get the logs burning in the fireplace.
Enzi was a gorgeous as he was dark and big. Kairava lay back as Enzi came close. “Maybe you should come back to bed while the room warms up.”
Enzi grinned slowly. “That is an excellent idea.”
—
Kairava woke again to Ravij chattering at the table. Ne told Enzi about the first day ne and Chandraja flew. His story was much different than Kairava remembered it.
Ravij spoke around bites of food. Today Enzi had given nem nir own plate. Chandraja sat on Enzi’s forearm and ate whatever ne was given.
Kairava pulled on nir clothes. The food looked delicious.
Ravij stood on nir chair and slowly flapped nir wings as ne told Kairava which foods were good and which were super yummy. Kairava sat nem back down before taking nir own seat. Enzi described their new home and asked what toys Ravij liked best. When Ravij couldn’t answer, Enzi told of his favorite toys. Ravij clapped nir hands and asked many questions.
Halfway through the lively meal, a discrete knock heralded the son of the house. He apologized profusely but he needed Enzi’s expertise. Kairava took Chandraja back and made certain the twins finished eating. Ravij had to be reminded about the yummy food several times. Ne was much more interested in going to nir new home with its room full of toys. Ne’d had to give up nir small mound when they left the village.
The heir returned with word that Enzi recommended they revisit the gardens. But they stopped first in a tailor’s room where the children where outfitted with new clothing that wasn’t just soft and bright, but also embroidered with shiny birds and butterflies, hearts and flowers. Kairava had never seen children dressed so wonderfully. His beautiful babies.
Kairava wiped nir eyes and thanked the heir and the tailor. They both bowed and the heir expressed how grateful they were to be able to provide for Kairava and nir children. Kairava thanked him again for all he’d done. The heir thanked nem for nir thanks then ushered them to the gardens.
The garden yesterday was small and intimate, but this garden was wide and vast and filled with blooms of every color. Kairava breathed in the wonderful scents. “I hope the gardens at the castle are as nice.”
The heir blushed and bowed his head. “Our gardens are only a small sample of the king’s.”
Ravij took a running leap and flew through the air, laughing. Chandraja leapt from Kairava’s arms to the heir’s shoulder to the sky. The heir watched them fly. “That was a great honor.”
Kairava smiled. How could ne help but love someone who loved nir children? “And we are honored by your great hospitality. I have never felt so welcome anywhere.”
Enzi laid a hand on Kairava’s shoulder. “We will return.”
The heir bowed. “You are always welcome.”
Kairava wrapped nir arms around Enzi’s waist from the back. Enzi grasped Kairava’s arms. “Only this one last flight.”
Kairava was glad. Ne longed to stay on the ground for longer than one night.
—
Kairava felt Enzi descend. Ravi squealed. Kairava held on for a moment after nir feet touched the ground. The earth should not be wobbly. Maybe pregnancy and flight didn’t mix.
Enzi turned in Kairava’s arms and Chandraja attempted to burrow between them. Ne was probably hungry. Enzi lifted Chandraja. “Draja, my kitten, my child. Give your parent here another moment.”
Chandraja mewed profusely. Kairava held out nir arms. Enzi set their youngest inside. Chandraja found what ne sought in seconds.
Kairava looked around for something to sit on. Ne was in the middle of the biggest garden ne had ever seen. The flowers and grasses and bushes and pathways went on forever. “This is beautiful.”
Enzi wrapped his arms around nem. “This is our children’s playground. The king’s gardens.”
—
A parade came out to greet them with musicians and acrobats and dancers and more food than Kairava had ever seen in his life.
People in white spread huge sheets on wooden platforms raised just above the water level in a nearby pond. And people in bright colors introduced themselves and complimented Kairava on nir children and Enzi on his beautiful spouse.
Almost everyone referred to Kairava and the twins as ‘ne’ as Kairava preferred. Maybe Kairava was home after all.
Kairava followed Enzi to the platform in the center and introduced nem to King Thorbjørn. Kairava had never met a king before. Kairava had expected him to be a bit more impressive, but then Thorbjørn smiled all the way to his eyes and asked about Kairava’s journey and talked of the keep and places beyond as if he’d been there. Maybe he had gone to the places and had the adventures that stories said he’d done with Enzi.
Chandraja jumped to Enzi’s shoulder and then to Thorbjørn’s lap where ne turned in circles and made a nest out of Thorbjørn’s long, loose tunic, cuddled down, and closed nir eyes.
Thorbjørn held his hands up and looked from Enzi to Kairava. A man in a uniform stepped forward and asked if the king wanted the child removed.
Thorbjørn lowered his hands. “Bring food and drink. I think Enzi and his spouse will be staying here for the time being. The young one’s fur looks so soft, I long to touch it.”
“Draja likes to be rubbed.” Enzi stepped forward and demonstrated. Thorbjørn repeated the motions. Draja purred.
Thorbjørn smiled. “I think I am in love.”
Food was brought and drinks of many kinds. Kairava ate nir fill. Ravij joined them and transfixed Thorbjørn in nir own way.
Enzi told of their journey from the keep, complete with all the rudeness as well as every joy. Thorbjørn had his scribe make notes to send gifts to the mountain family and the village children. And the heir would be offered a place at Court.
Thorbjørn smiled at Kairava. “I have space for another tailor and several Ishika born to parents not Ishika enough. Maybe he will find happiness here.”
Thorbjørn’s eyes strayed to a group that had been waiting patiently behind them. Kairava politely bid Thorbjørn goodbye and Enzi collected their youngest. They walked to the edge of the crowd. Kairava bit nir lip. “The king collects Ishika?”
Enzi opened his jacket and tucked Draja inside. “Thorbjørn saw my… preoccupation with you and wish to discover what made Ishika so special. And I thought you might be more comfortable near those of your own kind even if they weren’t raised Ishika.”
Kairava’s chest ached with joy. Enzi had thought of everything. Ne wrapped nir arms around nir lover. “Take us home.”
—
When Kairava opened nir eyes and stepped away from Enzi, they were on a balcony. Enzi threw open the doors and gestured Kairava in. “Welcome home, my loves.”
Kairava stood on tiptoes to kiss Enzi on nir way inside.
The suite had been remodeled since Kairava’s last visit. It still had the bright colors and rich textures, but now the bedroom had a low platform beside the bed that looked like nothing so much as a nest. Enzi opened his jacket and tucked Draja under the blankets.
Ravi looked into the nest then lifted nir arms to Enzi. “Papa, me.”
Enzi picked Ravi up and rubbed his nose against Ravi’s belly. Ravi laughed. “More, Papa!”
Enzi carried nem back into the front room and sat down beside a pile of toys. He smiled at Kairava. “Want to play?”
Kairava grinned back. That was how Enzi invited Kairava into his room the first time.
Ravi loved each and every stuffed animal. Enzi picked them up one by one and explained where the animal was from, what they ate, and what made the species unique.
Ravi had never had soft toys, at least not like this. Ishika didn’t play as such. Children copied the actions of adults using toys they made themselves. Kairava’s first doll was a rolled up kitchen towel. Nir baby kept unrolling. An older cousin took pity on nem and rerolled the baby, shorter to fit in Kairava’s little arms, and slipped it into an old stocking so it would stay rolled up. Kairava had loved that baby. Even after ne was coordinated enough to make better ones with embroidered faces and fancy clothes, ne kept nir first baby. But then a young cousin had come by and ripped through the worn stocking and Kairava’s carrying-parent had added the old towel to the rag pile. Ne hadn’t made another doll again.
After Ravi was sitting in a pile of animals, Enzi opened a chest and took out a toy that looked a lot like Draja. “This was me.”
Kairava got up and came closer. The entire chest was full of dolls. Each doll looked like one of the peoples: butterfly wings and feathers and fish tails and horns and snake scales and several shades of fur and more shades of hair. They were all beautiful. Kairava would have given anything to have someone put so much love and attention into one of nir toys.
Enzi kissed Kairava’s fingers. “Did I do well by our children?”
Kairava wiped nir eyes with nir free hand. “You did wonderful. I love you so much.”
Enzi stroked Kairava’s hair. “And I love you.”
Ravi was still awake, so as much as Kairava wanted to ravish Enzi right there on the floor, ne would wait. Ne turned and sat on Enzi’s lap and let Ravi tell nem all the things ne had just learned from Enzi. Ravi gave each of nir animals a name and paired it with a doll from the chest. Enzi talked about the people the dolls represented and then Ravi echoed a much shorter, and sometimes very messed up, version to Kairava.
Kairava had never sat on the floor and played with nir children. Ishika parents didn’t. Enzi had been the perfect choice for out-parent. He knew so much and shared so much. Kairava wrapped one of Enzi’s arms around nemself and slipped Enzi’s hand against nir belly. This new baby would never know a time without nir Papa.
Ravi looked around at nir babies. “No me.”
Enzi rubbed nir white head. “The person who made these didn’t know you had wings. Ne is making another for you.”
Warmth flooded Kairava’s heart. Enzi had thought of a doll for Ravi, too. Maybe made by an Ishika. Ne would have to find out.
Ravi nodded and picked up the Ishika. “This is Kaira. Draja will want to sleep with nem.”
Ravi carried the doll toward the bedroom. Kairava followed nem. Ne didn’t want Ravi to wake Draja up. But Ravi just laid the baby next to Draja and Draja pulled it close without opening nir eyes.
Ravi grinned then went back to nir pile of toys. Ne put them all to bed in twos and threes on the floor, except the one that looked like Chandraja. “Draja gets Kaira, I get Papa.”
Enzi helped him out of his outer clothes and tucked him into the nest. Then Enzi turned to Kairava. “You said you love me.”
Kairava grinned. “I do love you.”
Enzi peeled off his armor. “Then prove it.”
Kairava did. The silky sheets warmed up nicely.
In the afterglow, nir eyes refused to stay open. Pregnancy made nem very tired. But ne had something to say before ne could sleep. “Enzi.”
Enzi hummed.
“My love.”
Enzi’s hand slid down nir hip. Kairava slid the hand over nir still flat belly. “These rooms are wonderful and will fit four well, but what about five?”
Enzi hummed. “Or six?”
“Ne, or they, will come in the spring.”
“The rooms on either side of these two are mine.” He growled against Kairava’s neck. “As are the ones below them for those without wings.”
“Like me.”
“And any other babe we have. I am proud to have babes with wings, but I would love them just as much if they are born like you, my beautiful beloved.”
Kairava relaxed in Enzi’s arms. Ne was in good hands.
And translated
no subject
Date: 2013-02-10 11:31 pm (UTC)I want to know if the tailor will find love again with one of the Ishika at the King's palace or as I suspect he will pine for the one he loved. The story continues off in a nebulous area not yet or maybe never to be written.
no subject
Date: 2013-02-11 12:21 am (UTC)... but if I did write more, the tailor would find love (maybe even his lover) and Kairava would find a community ne was comfortable in. So ne has not just a loving family, but a bigger home. Ishikas are a very social people.