[Trade] Church x Cujo
Church and Cujo had been apart for a few weeks after a particularly nasty argument, not over anything important, just a side effect from being in each other's faces for a prolonged period of time. It didn’t dampen their affections for the other and once they had spent some time apart their hearts yearned for the company of the other. Having moved past their previous frustrations they were ready to reconnect again.
Church was the first to start looking for Cujo, despite his more jovial nature, Cujo could hold a grudge for longer than his mate. Dedicating days to scouting around for any sign of his dark coated companion Church searched high and low, sniffing his every den and surveying from every peak. A sensation growing in his chest, worry? Or longing, he couldn’t quite tell. He hoped with everything that he was that Cujo was safe, but the lack of evidence to his presence was cause for concern. In previous disagreements neither would stray too far from the other so it was unusual that he couldn’t find his mate.
His concern was for nothing however, Cujo had taken refuge behind a roaring waterfall, the constant down pour of water washing away his scent, Church had walked right past the falls without ever knowing there was a cave behind the curtain of water. This was Cujo’s secret hideout, a place he could come to clear his head and when he and his partner had a falling out, it was safe, private but most importantly a secret from any other creature living in the area.
Having finally let go of the anger from their argument Cujo emerged from behind the waterfall, shaking the excess water from his feathers once he had passed through a lighter section of the falls. Knowing he would soon be back together with his mate, he ensured his feathers were preened and sad nicely. A light excitement built within him at the thought of being reunited with Church, hoping that he had also set aside the negative feelings from their spat.
As the sun began to drop low on the horizon and the sky shifted into beautiful hues, Cujo set out to find Church, tracking him easily as he progressed toward him. His scent is still reasonably strong, indicating his not too long ago passing by. The thought of Church coming so close to his hiding spot and not finding him brought a chuckle up Cujo’s throat. How ridiculous he would feel if he ever found out about the near miss, not that he would find out or at least Cujo hoped not wanting to compromise the secrecy of the hiding spot.
Church finally caught something on the wind, a faint but familiar smell, Cujo. Relief washed over him, nearly sweeping him into a giddy daze at the thought of seeing his mate again, even though a minimal amount of time had passed in the big scheme of things. As the pair grew closer and closer both felt butterflies fluttering within them, excitement almost equal to their first meeting. Regardless of the altercations they had they were both overwhelmingly fond of the other and distance as they say makes the heart grow fonder.
A rustling in front of Church snapped him out of his daydreaming, Cujo’s scent was heavy in the air however it was impossible to tell if it was him rustling around in the bushes or something else. His interest piqued, he pushed his head through the shrub, peering out the other side, his heart jumping as he recognised the familiar dark coat of Cujo. “Hello stranger.” He said flirtily as he moved his whole body through the plant. Cujo looked up with a shocked expression which quickly shifted into a love drunk smile as he laid eyes on his handsome white mate.
The pair greeted each other warmly brushing against and along each other's bodies much like how cats do. “I missed you.” Cujo whispered to his companion as he nuzzled up under Church’s chin. Quick to respond, Church spoke equally softly, “I missed you too.” They rubbed their snouts side to side like an Eskimo kiss, the joy of being in each other's company again triggering soft purring clicks and chirps to emit from them. Their turbulent relationship was filled with such highs which overshadowed the lows of their fights.
“I was thinking, while you were away…” Church began, hesitating for a moment as though he wasn’t sure if he should finish. Cujo’s curious gaze prompted him forward though. “We could try a rainbow trout.” He said much softer as he looked away, slightly embarrassed and concerned his mate would not be receptive to the idea. A stunned silence followed, deepening Church’s feelings of shame. As he turned to look at the others expression he was shocked to see a look of pure joy, clearly the idea of fathering chicks with his lover was overwhelming in a positive way. “Yes, yes… one thousand times yes!” Cujo exclaimed.
The pair laughed and snuggled into each other, the sense of taking the next step strengthening their bonds. Both of them had heard the stories of the rainbow trout, its power allowing pairs of all kinds to parent offspring, what more could they want. A clutch of beautiful babies that shared Church’s looks and Cujo’s sense of humour. To be able to watch them grow and learn and have that little part of them both was an exciting prospect and one both had given thought to but never said out loud. They knew in their hearts that despite what the naysayers would say about offspring with two fathers they would do a fine job of raising their chicks.
Without hesitation or second thoughts the pair set to work constructing their nest, it wasn’t anything particularly grand or well made but it was cozy and would serve its purpose just fine when the time came to fill it with their delicate eggs, the only things left to do were find a trout and decide who would be the one to eat it.
