Chapter Text
Caleb was numb to the rain and the cold. He could feel the ground give from beneath his grip. He knew that Veth was now holding his arm, as the mud was starting to stain red. Caleb knew he had to be there. His memory wasn't failing, he knew exactly where Molly should be. Caleb started coughing for air around the water. The ground started to pull at him. He was starting to shake, as he started to realise that he was right at the depth where he laid molly to rest. Molly should be there. The image of Molly getting stabbed burned into his mind as Caleb went still. He failed Molly again. The one that made him laugh and smile and showed him that he was a person, not a tool not a-
Caduceus pulled Caleb out of the whole in the ground. "It's alright. We can fix this" he whispered, hugging caleb close.
Jester spoke up. "Cree has molly."
Lucien had memories of everything. He remembered his friends. The tomb takers and the Mighty Nein. He remembered the blade cutting into his chest. He could hear a male voice choking on his name as his consciousness fades. He missed that voice, the thick accent, and the want to be better. That man was so secretive and so hurt. Maybe he'd be better off with the memory of Molly, instead of the reality of Lucien. He felt something watching him, and it smelled faintly of cinnamon. Ah. Lucien smiled. She's watching. The feeling faded and Lucien could hear Cree hiss against the cold, towards unfinished business.
The reunion was quiet. Caleb had run through every possible outcome in his mind. He pictured hugs, pictured blank stares. He let the possibilities build in his mind. What he didn't expect to see was a look of grief.
The person who stood before him was familiar, he looked at the Nein with recognition, despite the changes. The tiefling looked at Caleb and smiled.
"Looking your best I see, Mr Caleb. Good job getting everyone home safe." The tiefling flashed him a smile.
"Not everyone returned." Caleb spoke in a whisper. "Moll-"
"I go by Lucien now." The tiefling spoke, not in a harsh manner but as a way to set boundaries.
"Lucien- what happened- I lead you into an ambush." Caleb rubbed his arms.
"I knew the risks." Lucien took a step closer. "I made my own choices."
Caleb nodded. "It's getting late. Do you two have a way of keeping warm tonight?"
"Actually-" Cree started to say but Lucien cut her off.
"We do, but if you have a better means-" Caleb smiled.and summoned the door to the mansion.
Lucien's eyes shone with emotion, despite his face being even. Caleb showed Cree and Lucien around, not as animated as he had done with the others. Cree was a bit surprised to see the servants, but a house was a house. She made her way back to the guest room. Lucien looked at the door. It was plain but there was a faded engraving. Lucien ran his fingers over it, realizing that it was two swords and an all seeing eye, like his tarot cards. The rest of the group had gone to bed, barring one. Lucien couldn't see that lone person but he had an idea-
Caleb was watching the fireplace in the library, the light catching on the stained glass. Caleb was gripping a dirty cloth. The stained glass began to have a red center and grew slowly, overtaking the purple design. Caleb's face was still and could, the knuckles on his hand going white from the grip. Caleb was taking deep breaths to steady himself.
"You look tired." Lucien hummed. Caleb just turned to face him, clutching the cloth closer to him.
"You should get to bed." Lucien continued. "You look so much better now, exhaustion would set you back."
"I'll rest soon, you can go to bed." Caleb's voice cracked.
Lucien sat next to Caleb. "Cree took the room. She wants some alone time."
"Oh- I'm sorry I should have made another room, I assumed." Caleb mumbled, looking away from Lucien.
Lucien smiled. "It's fine. I can sleep elsewhere, but you look tired, why don't you go to bed." Lucien placed his hands over Caleb's. He looked down to see what Caleb was holding. Oh. The coat Lucien wore as Molly. It was dirty, torn and bloody. Caleb was clutching it with shaking hands. Lucien sighed and placed his hands on Caleb's shoulders, pulling him into a hug.
"I'm sorry." Caleb whispered into Lucien's chest. "I should have-"
"I followed you because I wanted to. Nothing would change that." Lucien ran his fingers through Caleb's hair.
"You didn't know who you were following. I lied to you." Caleb stage whispered looking at Lucien who froze.
"What about?" Lucien's nails left their place against Caleb's scalp.
Caleb told Lucien everything, about the academy, his scars, his parents, Trent, how close Caleb was to leaving after Molly, Trent's words against him. Neither Lucien or Caleb knew when the tears started but Caleb's confession ended with Caleb just breaking down against Lucien's chest. Lucien just held him, starting to run his nails through Caleb's hair again.
"Do the others know?" Lucien asked. Caleb nodded, finally calming down.
"This wouldn't change anything if I knew then." Lucien placed a kiss on Caleb's forehead. Caleb let out a him, his eyes starting to close.
"Let's just get you to bed." Lucien smiled and helped Caleb up, still holding the coat, but less of an iron grip before.
Lucien had memories of Molly, but it was different when he had Caleb sleeping against his chest. Lucien hummed softly thinking about everything he learned. Lucien wondered how he would react before he had died. It answers the questions Molly had had about Caleb but Caleb didn't owe Molly or Lucien anything. Lucien could judge the friend that summoned a mansion for him to sleep in.
Caleb's room was cold in the sense that it was evident that no one slept there regularly. Lucien wondered if Caleb slept more in the library than here. The bed was soft, comfortable. Almost too much so. Lucien wondered if he should leave but as soon as Lucien shifted, Caleb grabbed onto him. Lucien was trapped, almost. If he spoke up Caleb would let him go, but it's better if Caleb slept through the night. Lucien settled back down and let sleep pull him under.
"What the hell are you doing?" A female voice rang out. Lucien opened his eyes, the weight of Caleb was gone, the coat resting on a nearby chair.
"Sleeping. It's quite relaxing." Lucien mumbled.
"Why are you in bed with them?" Cree practically hissed out.
"Because it's warm." Lucien grinned as he sat up.
"They got you killed!" Cree yelled. "If I hadn't found your grave."
"I got myself killed. And you were there. I'm fine."
Cree looked unconvinced. Lucien got dressed very quickly and stepped out of the room. The Nein tried to be subtle about it but they stared as Lucien left the room. Breakfast was served. Caleb had his face buried in a book.
Breakfast was pancakes and waffles. It was sweet, almost luxurious. Lucien almost didn't want to leave- But.
"Will you be joining us?" Fjord asked. Lucien did a double take at the voice but shrugged.
"I have business to take care of. Justice to be had." Lucien answered. The Nein visibly and verbally protested.
"Anything we can help you with?" Caleb finally looked up.
"You've done enough." Cree snapped and stormed out.
"...I'm sorry, but this is something I have to do." Lucien gave them a smile. Yasha hugged him tightly.
"Be careful." She whispered. Lucien nodded. Caleb's heart hurt watching Lucien walk away.
Lucien should have known that the Nein were going to track him down. Lucien was angry, he was supposed to fight monsters, protect people from them, but the woman in front of Lucien, the woman leading dozens of people just trying to make a living to their deaths. Lucien was screeching in infernal. He was angry, just beyond fury.
The member of the Cerberus Assembly was blinded, her face coated in blood. Lucien was aware of his pretty blade but he pulled out a dagger and started stabbing.
Lucien blacked out, completely unaware until he felt a human hand enclose his own.
"You have gotten your justice, my friend" Caleb pulled him away and placed a kiss on Lucien's forehead. He had to be covered in blood, and as a result was covering Caleb in it as well. The woman that lured so many people here laid dead, with cree watching the rest of the Nein.
"Cree, we're done here, go back to the Gentleman." Lucien spoke loud enough that his voice cracked.
"I won't leave you with them." Cree shouted.
"You will. We're done here." Lucien clutched on to Caleb, his sense of home returning.