Chapter Text
“Are you listening to me, Widogast?” Caleb looked up to see the tall drow looking at him with amusement.
“ Ah, I apologize, Essek.” He shook his head. “Just caught up in thoughts.” It wasn’t a lie. Caleb’s mind had been wandering nearly the entire time Essek was speaking. Essek sighed and sat down in the chair next to Caleb once more and let himself get comfortable against the wood. It was a bit more rickety and bare than he had been used to, but he found himself to forget it once caught up in listening to the young wizard’s tales. He chuckled, and let his head rest on his fist.
“Show me what you’ve been paying attention to.” He commanded. Caleb swallowed, only slightly relieved that he had been listening to some of the important parts of Essek’s instructions. He gingerly lifted his hand, rolling up his sleeves. He carefully began tracing an arcane symbol into the air before Essek stopped him.
“That was surprisingly close,” He responded to Caleb’s attempt, “But not quite. Perhaps we should take a break.” Caleb wanted to sigh with relief, but dared not to show any weakness in presence of the shadowhand. The drow looked Caleb up and down, glancing at every detail on his body, until his eyes were caught by his forearms. He moved his hand slightly, not moving if from his chin, to point at the faded scars on Caleb’s arms.
“How did that happen?” Caleb panicked. He didn’t want to share too much with the man he’d only known for a few weeks, but he also didn’t want to lie. He decided to go with a happy midpoint between the two.
“The, uh, the school I attended as a boy.” He started, letting his finger graze the scars, “The headmaster would call me into his office, along with other students. And he would torture me and the others with magic that I didn’t even know at the time.” Essek looked at him in shock, and Caleb wondered if he had said too much.
“That’s…” Essek began, “that’s awful, Caleb. I’m sorry.” Caleb shook his head and opened the Xhorhaussian history book in front of him. Essek could tell it was painful to recall on Caleb’s part.
“We should get back to work.” Caleb said blandly. Essek hardly wanted to make Caleb study more than he already has. He didn’t want to admit it, but Essek only wanted to hold the human close to his chest and help him forget his past and help him forget everyone who ever wronged him. Now, Essek found himself to be the one lost in thought. Everything about this man fascinated him. The way he could learn so quickly, the care he took in his studies. But deeper, he admired his dull orange hair, the small… what were those called? Yes, the freckles scattered across his pale face, and those intense eyes, comparable to an aquamarine stone. He was quite colorful, an enormous comparison to the dull grays, purples and reds of Xorhaus. Not only that, but the cat he summoned on and off seemed to match him perfectly. Fiery brown fur with dark stripes and spots. Essek couldn’t seem to put a finger on the name of such and exotic breed. He knew Caleb was strong, and able minded, but he also seemed so broken. Essek didn’t need to ask to know that Caleb has seen more than he has. Essek sighed.
“We’ve been working for hours, Caleb.” Essek said, standing up, moving his hands to close the huge book. “You should stop for tonight.” Caleb shook his head and tried reaching for the book once more, but Essek quickly batted his hands away.
“Now, don’t be so stubborn.” Essek teased. Caleb sighed with defeat and let the book disappear int0 a shelf. Essek admired the human’s determination, but he wouldn’t let him work himself to the bone.
“Caleb.” He looked up to see light golden eyes illuminated by candlelight looking down at him. “Stop me if I am being too forward, but I’d like to take you somewhere.” Caleb cleared his throat, now caught up in the Shadowhand’s now casual demeanor. It was now he realized just how attractive this drow was. He was easily greater than a century old, but he looked Caleb’s age. His facial structure was nearly ideal, with high cheekbones and arched eyebrows. His silvery white hair looked like light fire in the dull candlelight.
“Where?” Was all Caleb could say. Essek smiled, flashing unusually sharp canines.
“You’ll see. Get your coat, it’s quite a walk.” Caleb seemed hesitant, but complied, grabbing his coat and scarf. Once ready, Essek opened the door to the study and led him out into what was now the training room. Nott was sitting on a table, tweaking her crossbow with Yeza at her side. Beau was next to Jester, who was excitedly whispering something about “Fluffernutter”, despite its previous failures. As soon as the pair walked out, Jester stopped her muttering and looked up, her purple eyes bright with enthusiasm.
“Wow, you guys were in there for awhile.” She said, voice a little louder than she probably intended. Beau seemed to see an opportunity to mess with them.
“Yeah, you haven’t been out here for hours.” She commented, crossing her arms in front of her torso. “Tell me, Caleb. How much does your ass hurt?” Jester started cackling while Caleb felt his face get hot. He didn’t want to look to see Essek’s reaction, but the drow chuckled at Beau’s suggestive joke.
“No need for such assumptions, Miss Beauregard.” He responded. “Mister Widowgast is merely a focused worker.” Caleb flushed hotter at the compliment. As Essek and Caleb began heading towards the door, to the lounge, Nott decided to pipe up.
“Um, hey!” She shouted. Caleb knew where this was going. “Where are you two headed off to?” Nott sounded like the mother she was and the crossbow in her hands seemed to be the only thing keeping her from putting them on her hips. Yeza’s head was already in his hand.
“Out.” Caleb simply responded, and resisted the urge to tug on Essek’s robes and tug him along, but Nott didn’t stop.
“Well, tell me where!” She shouted. “I want to make sure that you’re safe!” Essek chuckled once more and put his hand on Caleb’s shoulder.
“I assure you that wherever I take Mister Widogast will be very familiar with me. I have no doubt that I will return him to you without a scratch.”
“Wait, wait, wait!” Jester squealed, “You guys are going on a date?” Caleb seemed to shrink into his coat, his face as hot as the center of the sun.
“If you take him home you’re fucked!” Beau pitched in, tightening her hand wraps. Caleb shook his head and grabbed the drow by the wrist, practically running towards the door.
“Bring him back before midnight!” Nott yelled after them, pointing her crossbow at Essek, eventually pushed down by Yeza, who was the only calm one in the situation.
Once Caleb and Essek were out the door and into the lounge, they didn’t stop when they saw Caduceus, Fjord and Yasha returning with bags in their hands. Essek only waved as Caleb dragged him past the foyer. Once outside, Caleb let go of Essek’s wrist.
“I am… terribly sorry about them.” Caleb apologized, his palms sweaty. Essek laughed, and instead of putting his hand down, he grabbed Caleb’s hand and held it in his own.
“I do not mind them. They’re like your little family.” Caleb’s heart seemed to flutter at those words. He did think of the Mighty Nein as his new family, but hearing someone else compare them to a family was foreign to him. Caleb chuckled nervously.
“I suppose so, yes.” Caleb did not notice that Essek had begun leading him through the streets beneath the dark sky.
“Nott is like a mother bird. She seems to care a lot about you.” Caleb chuckled.
“I really can’t blame her.” He responded. “She has a child of her own, and when they were separated I was the closest thing she had to her son.” Caleb felt Essek squeeze his hand a little tighter.
“Well, she certainly sees you as her own. And Beauregard and Jester?” Caleb rolled his eyes.
"Most like younger sisters. Always freaking out when I talk to someone new.” Essek tilted his head.
“What about someone you get romantically close to?” He dared to ask the question. Caleb wanted to stop in his tracks, but kept walking with the drow.
“There hasn’t been someone like that in a very long time.” He said dryly. “And even so, I knew her before them, so who knows how they would have reacted.” Essek smiled.
“I think we just found out, Caleb.” Caleb’s heart was in his throat. With his suspicion, Caleb decided to ask.
“Where are we going?” it was then that he noticed his fingers were intertwined with Essek’s.
“Beauregard’s comment about taking you home was rather worrying, to say the least. I’d love to see her reaction when I do just that.” This time, Caleb stopped.
“You’re taking me to your home?” He questioned, voice slightly raised. Essek’s smile dropped, and he began to retreat his hand.
“Is that a problem? I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Caleb, I just thought a surprise would be nice, considering how hard you’ve been working.” The words poured out in a panic. Essek was no longer calm, but he was almost frantic. Great, he thought, You’ve put him off, Essek.
Caleb shook his head, matching Essek’s panic.
“No, no, it’s fine!” He nearly shouted, “I’m just surprised you would take me to such an… intimate location so quickly.” Essek smiled softly.
“It could be much more intimate than having wine together, I assure you. There’s no need to be so worried.” Essek put his elbow out, allowing Caleb to take hold of it. Caleb did, and they continued their quaint walk.
“So,” Caleb began, “This is a date?” Essek shrugged.
“Of sorts. Call it what you wish.” Caleb could almost feel Essek’s beaming smile.
Is this what he wanted the whole time? Caleb thought. Is this what I wanted? If Essek’s thoughts were any indication, the answer was yes. Holding Caleb’s hand, it was a soft grasp, like he had the power but chose not to use it. Essek stopped himself, ashamed, when his mind began to wander to what else Caleb could do with those hands.
Caleb was alarmed. Essek was charming and charismatic, too much so for his liking. A huge part in the back of his mind was screaming at him that something wasn’t right. There’s no way that a dirty group of outsiders showed up one day and the Shadowhand of the bright queen herself would decide to pine after a shy wizard. There had to be something to gain on Essek’s side, he was sure.
Before Caleb knew it, he was being led up a nice staircase with metal railings. He watched as a young servant opened the front door and greeted Essek.
“Ah, Master Thelyss! Welcome home.” She said, dipping her head. Essek smiled back.
“And, um, who is this you have with you?” she asked. Before Essek could answer, something seemed to click in her brain and she gasped.
“Wait, you’re Mister Widogast, aren’t you?” She nearly shouted. Caleb was taken back. He can’t remember the last time a stranger reacted in such a way to his presence. He promptly removed his hands from Essek’s elbow.
“Master Theylss has mentioned you many times. He seems very interested in you!” She covered her mouth once finishing her sentince.
“I-I apologize, Master Theylss, it just sort of slipped-” Essek chuckled at the girl’s sudden panic.
“Relax,” He said calmly, “Tell you what, you and your sister should take the rest of the night off.” The girl’s eyes lit up. As if summoned by the commotion, an older girl who Caleb assumed to be the girl’s sister appeared behind her.
“Good evening, Master Theylss. May I ask what’s going on?” Already, this girl seemed to be more mature and collected than her sister who seemed to be only two or three years younger than her.
“Master Theylss is giving us the night off!” The younger of the two said, grabbing her sister’s arm.
The older looked at Caleb, and then at Essek, who nodded slightly. In return, she nodded back.
“Alright, we’ll be off then.” She stepped aside in order to let the two past the doorway.
“Enjoy your evening you two.” Essek said, putting his hand on the small of Caleb’s back to lead him in. While walking away, Caleb could hear the two talking to each other.
“This is so exciting!” The younger squealed quietly, “Essek has finally found someone!” The older chucked.
“It’s not every day Essek finds someone interesting.” And that was the last caleb heard before hearing to door close. Looking around the manor, Caleb noticed it was nearly bare, save for a few paintings and a red plant here and there. While caught up in his observations, he found himself to be walking up a marble spiral staircase to the second floor.
“They seem nice.” Caleb said, breaking the silence. Essek nodded, seeming to be lost in thought. Caleb didn’t think much about his lack of a response. What Essek was lost in thought about would at least make Caleb nervous, however. Mentioning what he wanted to do to the man behind him once he had him upstairs wouldn’t leave Caleb unfazed. Once upstairs, Essek led Caleb to a room he was not expecting.