[Trade] Rekindled
Tensions were high, it had been a bleak mating season and Church found himself at a loss, he’d not been able to find a suitable mate thus far and the breeding season was coming to a close meaning he might miss his chance to pass on his genes this year. He was stressed and disheartened, not a great combination when it came to searching for a mate. Each time he tried to get close to someone to try and grow a relationship to the point of producing offspring, it would always crash and burn. His reluctance to let anyone in emotionally made it difficult to build the bonds required for taking the next step and so he’d been at a loss for what to do.
He stalked around his territory, for no other purpose than to pace, this would be his first season without offspring since he had matured and he was beating himself up about it. As he walked the edge of his territory he caught the scent of another male, a competitor for his limited mates? Perhaps not, the scent was familiar, one that he’d smelt before. It tingled the inside of his nose and sent his heart racing. It was Crypt! An old mate that he had in the past, and without coming on too strong the one he was always closest with. In spite of Crypt’s aloof nature the Church found himself drawn to him. A vicious cycle of conflict that somehow kept them together.
Both males would argue often when they were together, but somehow the time together was bitter sweet and kept them coming back to each other. That is what seemed to be happening now as Crypt made his way back into Church’s territory. He knew for sure that no matter how long they had been apart, Church would always be a viable mate for him and a reliable partner to raise his offspring with. Love wasn’t the word for these two though, perhaps lust was better suited. Both highly attractive males, drawn to each other for a short period of time only to fall out and go their separate ways again and again.
Crypt was upwind of Church and so did not notice as his scent grew stronger and stronger, indicating the other male making his way toward him. When he heard the branches snapping from behind him he was not bothered or shocked, he knew exactly who was there. “You can’t help yourself, can you?” Church’s voice broke the silence behind him. With a heavy sigh of defeat he turned to lay eyes on the white and black male. An excited flash crossed Church’s eyes as he locked eyes with his former mate. Crypt looked at him, expressionlessly assessing him, he was as strong and healthy as ever and would serve his purpose well. Church knew he was only here for one thing, but for Crypt he would do anything.
“Rough season Church?” Crypt asked with a slight smirk as he looked around at the lack of offspring or scent of other Cryos. Church simply nodded in agreement knowing it had been the same for Crypt. Church spoke low and alluringly “but that’s about to change, isn’t it?” There was an eagerness to his question, his voice laced with heavy desire. This comment sent a spark through Crypt and in response he stepped toward the other male. “Perhaps…” Crypt said softly as he touched his snout against Church’s. It was Church’s turn to feel the electricity shoot through him and the two males spent a long while looking into each other's eyes, enjoying the moment they knew would not last.
History would undoubtedly repeat itself and they would end up failing apart as they had before, vowing never to see each other again but eventually finding their way back to each other time and time again. They were so practiced in their dance of courtship that their movements were fluid as they worked to collaborate on an intricate but smoothly acted display, ending with them drawing close and sharing curling their necks around each other in an embrace.
~
As the time passed and they worked to build their nest, then fill it with eggs they began to grow distant, neither male was shocked or uncomfortable with this as it was their usual pattern and something they knew full well would happen. By the time the eggs were laid they were bickering with each other regularly. There were too many sticks, not enough moss or the eggs needed to be turned more. Neither trusted the other instincts and they would constantly change the nest around so it better suited what they viewed as the perfect set up. The only thing they seemed to agree upon was how precious their eggs were and how delicately the two males tended to their clutch.
As the sun set on their bond once again it rose on the life of their chicks and once the eggs had hatched Crypt was ready to leave again, hoping he wouldn’t be back, but knowing deep down he would, he always came back to Church and Church always let him back in eagerly longing for his company despite the turmoil that always followed. It was turbulent and bitter sweet but worth the drama, plus their offspring were always so perfect and beautiful, genetically they were a great pairing they just couldn’t quite stay on the same page when it came to romance and living together.
It was time for Crypt to move on, it was emotional as it always was. Despite the relentless arguments for weeks before, both males found themselves saddened by his departure. Church embraced Crypt, pulling him in close and closing his eyes to savour the moment. A big part of him didn’t want Crypt to leave but he knew it was for the best. Crypt himself hesitated, not wanting to let go but this was something he had to do, they were not suited for the long term and worry about allowing their relationship to deteriorate to a point of violence drove him out. He knew he’d be back though, he always came back to Church.
