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“Why would you celebrate the beginning of a new year in the middle of winter?” Calgara asked, bewildered, “Why not in spring when everything blooms? Or in autumn when you harvest? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Noland chuckled.
“No, I suppose it doesn’t.”
Calgara regarded him with a long studying look. Just a few minutes ago he’d found his beloved botanist in their special spot on a cliff. Secluded, Noland just sat there, basking in the light of a setting sun and the sound of the surf, looking wistful. Even more so than usual.
The warrior wouldn’t know the feeling of homesickness. He’d never left Jaya in his life. In a sense, this land was as much a part of him as he was of it. He could hardly imagine being away from it for so long, leaving everything he’d known behind.
He was, however, familiar with longing. With that deep, scourging kind of throb eating away at one’s soul. That, he understood.
Yes, Noland had made his decision, he’d chosen Jaya, chosen Calgara. And he’d made it clear he did not regret it for even a second. But it didn’t mean his heart wasn’t aching for the home he’d never return to.
It’d been over five months since Noland had bided farewell to his crew and made Jaya his new home. Over five months since he and Calgara had gotten together. Over five months since the admiral had abandoned his former life to start a new one.
The yearning was getting more evident by the day.
More and more often the redhead would find Noland on their favorite cliff side either alone or in the company of their beloved little snake. Calgara wouldn’t ask questions, he didn’t need the other to explain himself, but he would always join him.
Sometimes they drank and laughed. Sometimes they watched the sunset in silence. Sometimes they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Tonight they talked. That was how Calgara had found out that, around this time, the people of Noland’s homeland would be celebrating the coming of a new year. However confusing that might’ve been.
“Tell me more,” he prompted, scooting a little closer to Noland, “about this holiday of yours.”
Calgara relished in the way his love’s eyes lit up at those words.
“Well, for starters,” Noland began, voice full of undisguised excitement, “we have a special tree we’d decorate with all kinds of trinkets — little toys, bells, even candy. Everyone would have one in their house and the biggest tree would adorn the main square for all the citizens to admire.”
“It’s a sacred tree then?”
“In a way. I think it was picked because it’s one of the evergreen trees.” At Calgara’s confused look he rushed to clarify. “You see, in my country the winters are rather cold and most trees drop their leaves in order to survive until spring. But not this tree. It has special little leaves that look like needles and allow it to stay lush and green throughout the year. Perfect for the celebration. At least that’s my theory.”
“I’d be horrified if the trees started losing their leaves all at once.”
Despite it being almost seven years for him, the memory of a tree fever was still fresh in his mind. Noland was, no doubt, aware of that.
“Ah, I know what you mean, but when it’s natural it is actually quite beautiful. The leaves change color from green to yellow and red, they fly in the wind and rustle under your feet. That’s why we call autumn the Fall.”
Calgara tried to picture that. He probably wasn’t even close with his assumptions but the image his mind painted was indeed…pretty.
“Strange nature your homeland has.” Noland only nodded at that, his expression soft and fond. “So you decorate this tree, what else?”
“We feast.” Oh, that part Calgara understood completely. “Scrumptious dishes, from baked goods to roasted meat, are prepared for the celebration, the recipes going down from one generation to another. We even have special drinks to warm up and ignite the holiday spirit. The streets are decorated, lights and wreaths on every corner, people singing and laughing, exchanging gifts with their friends and family.”
At those last words, Noland’s smile dropped a little, the dreamy look in his eyes now touched by sadness. Calgara wished he could do something to make it go away.
“And then, at midnight, there’d be fireworks.”
“Fire…works?”
“A man-made miracle. People set various chemicals on fire and send them frying into the sky where they explode in colored flames. A truly spectacular sight.” Noland’s gaze traveled upward, as if he could see those fireworks in the sky as he spoke, “You would’ve loved it.”
Yes, Calgara would’ve loved to be the one to bring that awe into his partner’s eyes.
Though maybe he could.
A triumphant smile crawled up his face, as the redhead felt a plan ripening.
“I’m sure I would.”
This was going to be the best New Year of Noland’s life.
***
“Calgara, come on, at least let me see where I’m putting my feet. Don’t want us both to trip and fall, do you?”
“We’re not gonna fall,” came an unperturbed response from behind, “If you trip, I’ll just catch you. And no, I’m not letting you peek and ruin the surprise.”
Noland huffed, although fondly. Walking through the forest with Calgara’s hands covering his eyes the whole time had proven to be rather challenging. It was a miracle he hadn’t stomped all over the warrior’s feet yet. Besides, it wasn’t like he didn’t know where Calgara was taking him — the route to the village had already engraved itself into his mind.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel giddy. The idea of the promised surprise made his insides flip and tickle in excitement. He didn’t know what this was all about and since Calgara refused to elaborate, Noland was left guessing the possible occasion. Sure wasn’t his birthday.
The walk, although comically slow and poorly coordinated, didn’t take long. Noland knew he was standing roughly at the outskirts of the village by the time Calgara had finally let him open his eyes.
The botanist couldn’t help a soft gasp that escaped him.
High torches positioned all over the place had been set alight, burning with every color of the rainbow. Greens and reds and purples illuminated the main path like mystical gems straight out of a fairy tale. Colorful flames danced in the evening breeze, giving the village this magical, almost otherworldly look. It was beautiful. Breathtaking.
Noland was at loss of words.
“I know they are supposed to be in the skies, but…” He turned to see Calgara rubbing the back of his head, his expression almost apologetic. “We didn’t really know how to do that. At least not safely.”
“I’m glad you didn’t risk it. I’d hate for anyone to get hurt or start a forest fire, especially for my sake,” Noland chuckled despite the seriousness of his words. He heard the other hum in agreement and gave him a warm smile. “These are perfect just the way they are. Thank you.”
“When you mentioned these fireworks of yours, I knew it sounded familiar,” Calgara declared, pride lighting up his eyes better than the torches ever could, “There is a kid in the village who once claimed to control the fire. A couple of years ago. He’d throw something into the flames to turn them green or purple, but that was as far as his ‘powers’ could get him.”
Noland nodded. He knew how chemistry worked: red fire for litium, green for barium and cuper, bright yellow for sodium, purple for potassium. He was surprised though, that a child could collect and process such elements. This alone was more impressive than the so called fire powers.
“Eventually, the priest took his weird powders away. Fire is not for a man to play with, let alone a child,” Calgara concluded, shrugging a little, “but guess there’s nothing wrong with bending the rules every once in a while.”
Their eyes met. Noland couldn’t help the warmth spreading through his very core. He loved Calgara, he loved him so much.
“I see the fires got you impressed, huh?” The redhead smirked, extra cocky, “Just wait till you see what else we prepared.”
There’s something else?
“You…you shouldn’t have—“
“Shush, I don’t want to hear it,” the warrior cut him off, waving a finger at him, and Noland could only surrender.
With a little nudge from the other, he started walking again, Calgara’s warm hands on his shoulders steering him towards whatever it was that the redhead wanted to show him next.
That was when he saw it.
There, in the clearing, in the very heart of the village was…
A giant cactus. In a pot. With trinkets of all sorts hanging off its long spines.
Noland almost choked on a laugh he couldn’t repress.
Goodness gracious.
He snorted, loud and graceless, his grin so wide it hurt. He shouldn’t, he shouldn’t laugh. The others worked so hard to surprise him, it’d be such a dick move to laugh them in the faces. It wasn’t right. He had to control himself.
But this—
Ah, to hell with it, Noland couldn’t hold it down. He laughed his heart out.
Calgara gave him a stink eye for it.
—
“Oi, what’s wrong?” he snapped, no real bite behind it, “This is exactly like the plant you told me about — always green and with needles for leaves! How many of those can there be?”
Calgara quickly looked around his tribesmen, wondering if they knew something he didn’t. If there was, perhaps, a joke he had missed. Nope. Their faces showed the same fond confusion he was feeling, not getting what was so incredibly funny about the decorated tree.
Because, apparently, it was the most hilarious thing in the world, if Noland’s reaction was anything to go by.
The botanist was practically bursting with laughter, frame shaking and eyes already tearing up. Calgara couldn’t be mad at him even if he tried. He loved seeing Noland so happy, loved his laugh, loved being the source of it. He was smiling wide himself before he even knew it.
“I mean—“ the other wheezed between the fits, voice taking a higher pitch, “I mean you’re not wrong.”
Now Calgara was confused.
“So it is the right tree?”
Noland doubled down from the fresh wave of laughter, it was a miracle he was still standing at all.
“N-no, no ahah- no, but, but I love it. I love it so much, thank you.”
He wiped at the wet corners of his eyes, face red, the giant grin still in place. Calgara watched him with a, no doubt, love-stricken expression, knowing full well he’d do anything for this man. Especially if it induced such a beautiful reaction. Embarrassment be damned.
“Good. You should,” he grumbled half-heartedly, just for the sake of it, “because it’s been a pain to haul it here and make it all pretty.”
He then put both hands on Noland’s shoulders again to gently push him towards their next destination. Meanwhile, the scientist seemed to be fighting off a fresh wave of laughter.
“Good heavens, I imagine!”
“Laugh all you want, we’re not done yet!” the warrior teased, voice playful. He could feel Noland stiffen under his fingertips, now trying to turn his face back, slowing them both down.
“Wait, no, Calgara, come on,” he almost whined despite still obviously smiling, “You guys have already done so much. There’s no way there’s more!”
“Ha, don’t underestimate us, I might take offence. Besides, we’re already here.” He gave Noland a little push towards where most of the villagers had already gathered. “Hope you’re ready for the biggest feast in your life.”
The redhead meant what he said. Yes, they might not have made proper fireworks, might not have found the right tree. But the Shadia tribe sure knew how to celebrate. The feast was massive.
“I mean, we don’t really know what you people eat over the seas. But we do have at least one crop from your homeland.”
Calgara knew he didn’t need to specify. The smell of pumpkin, cooked in every way possible, had long filled the air around the holiday table. He’d have to thank Mousse and Herb for coming up with all kinds of recipes, as well as all the other tribesmen who helped organise everything. Plainly, he’d have to thank the whole village, because there was not one person not willing to make this day special for Noland.
He could see how the botanist’s eyes widened at the sheer size of the feast, of the amount of scrumptious goodness laid out on several long tables. There weren’t just pumpkin dishes there, of course, but they definitely took at least half of the menu.
“We’re starting the bonfire soon, take a seat.”
Taken by the arms by Seto and Mousse, Noland was led towards the head of the table. He was smiling awkwardly, the redness on his face having nothing to do with the colored lighting. The humble dork.
When everyone had taken their rightful places, Calgara raised his mug.
“I shall thank everyone for making tonight possible! I am grateful to everyone who supported this, everyone who did their part in the preparations. And, of course, to our guest of honour!” He tipped the mug towards Noland, who grinned shyly, the blush on his face now brighter than ever. “And now let’s eat! Let’s celebrate!”
“To Noland!” the tribe cheered.
Noland raised his mug in return, still a soft smile on his lips and his eyes suspiciously wet.
“Thank you all…”
***
The party had lasted for hours. By the time the people had started to head to their respective homes, the dawn was already brightening up the skies. Noland and Calgara had found themselves on their favorite spot, nursing their last mug of booze for tonight.
Now was the time.
“I have one more gift for you,” Calgara said, just a tad hesitant. His heart was hammering somewhere in his throat and there was the slightest of tremors running through his fingers.
He couldn’t remember ever being so nervous in his life. Except, maybe, when Mousse had been born.
“Okay, now you’ve done it, I feel super guilty for not preparing anything for you,” Noland laughed, seemingly unaware of the turmoil happening right inside the other. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, and Calgara felt a little more at ease.
This was Noland. His Noland. The one he knew and loved. The one who loved him back.
He had nothing to be afraid of.
“Don’t be. It was a surprise celebration, after all. You not knowing about it was kinda the point.”
“Fair enough.”
Calgara took the other by the hand, placing his gift onto the open palm. Noland leaned forward a little bit, studying the thing closely. The warrior took a steadying breath.
“It’s a seed of one of the sacred trees. It’s a tradition to plant it together with your loved one when you…” It’s time. Now or never. “When you get married.”
Noland’s eyes snapped to his. Calgara closed his partner’s hand around the seed and squeezed it lightly with both of his.
It warmed his heart, knowing that both Herb and Mousse supported him in this. Supported them. Their future. Their family.
“Noland. My love. My soul. Words cannot express how deeply grateful I am to have you in my life. How much you mean to me. Every day I thank the Heavens for bringing us together.”
Calgara hadn’t rehearsed it, not really. The words came naturally to him, flowing easily and freely straight out of his heart. He squeezed Noland’s hand again.
“I know you’ve given up everything to be here with me. And I want you to know that I’d give my all to you. To us.”
Dusty pink eyes met warm hazel ones.
“Forever and beyond.”
For a hot minute, Noland’s expression was perfectly blank. He didn’t even seem to be breathing. Calgara could almost see the millions of thoughts running wild inside the other’s smart head as he tried to process everything. It was adorable.
The botanist’s features looked extra soft, basked in the warm light of sunrise. His hair had grown out a little bit, short locks now blowing in the morning breeze. His wide eyes glimmered wetly for a short moment, and Calgara could’ve sworn he could see starlights in them. The tears finally broke free, streaming freely down Noland’s face, sparkling like precious jewels.
And then he laughed, wet and shaky but so, so genuine. He was nodding and smiling, clasping his other hand on top of Calgara’s, squeezing, holding them close. Holding him close.
It was perfect. Noland was perfect, even like this. Beautiful, even while choking on his sobs and little laughs, even with tears and snot running down his face.
Calgara hadn’t noticed when he’d started crying himself.
Noland leaned forward, resting their foreheads against one another. He sniffled again and whispered the promise back.
“Forever and beyond.”