Chapter Text
Essek had never seen the Vermaloc Wildwood till now. He had never witnessed the ever falling leaves, the famous purple bark, or the monoliths that beckoned him. For a man of his standing he never had a reason to, he was rather content reading about it in the conservatory or arguing over it in court. Truth be told he never planned to visit. Sure, his brother rambled about how marvelous it was, but his mother insisted on the dangers. His childhood was filled with threats of man eating spiders and curses from the Betrayer God's themselves.
Yet here he was, strolling arm in arm with Caleb Widogast, primrose and ferns in each other's hair. He certainly didn't expect this, it was all Caleb's envisioning of a surprise date night. Essek was vaguely instructed to bring a parasol and dress warmly. He wondered if Caleb even knew the risk when he teleported them into the heart of the trees.
His thoughts slipped past his lips, as they always seemed to do around the man.
"One of these times we'll have to visit a place that doesn't want to eat us alive." He hummed with a smile.
"Ah, but would it really be in our capability to do that, Schatz? We definitely set the bar with Aeor." Caleb chuckled, prompting Essek to look up at him from beneath his umbrella.
Damn all the predators lurking in the dappled light around them, this moment was worth it. The grin on Caleb's face and the striking yellow halo around his auburn locks only proved it more. Essek always admired his love in the light, but never in such a vivid environment. Caleb looked as if he was created from this land under a sun-kissed beam.
"No, I suppose it's not our style and I think I'm okay with that." Essek gave a little twirl to his parasol.
They carried on in silence for a while longer, content with the rustling of tall trees and the crunch beneath their boots. Essek still preferred to float, but in moments like these, he honestly forgot to. Caleb's arm linked with his grounded him more than anything else in the world. With a gentle tug, Caleb led him to a tree in a secluded clearing. They worked silently to make a space for two; Essek gestured a hand to clear the leaves and Caleb took a seat with his spellbook. It took him ten minutes to fully cast the dome, so in the meantime, Essek kept watch.
Protection became a second nature to him after Cognozua. He said his vow in the ruins of Aeor and had worked to uphold it ever since.
A few strange creatures scurried through the trees, but nothing a quick illusion or sound in the distance couldn't ward off. Magic sparkled at his fingertips and Caleb's Tiny Hut suddenly popped up behind him. Skilled as ever, Caleb had set his ritual to blend in with their surroundings. A gloved hand extended itself to Essek and Caleb's grinning face followed beyond the bubbles veil.
"I trust you know I will never not find this funny!" Caleb snickered, knowing that Esseks view of him was absurd. The drow hid his laughter behind his fingers and gave a playful swat at Caleb's hand with his closing parasol. In a flourish, he banished his shield into his wrist pocket and politely took Caleb's hand.
"You are a gem, Caleb Widogast." Essek purred.
Caleb leaned further out of his strange dome and pressed a respectful kiss to Esseks knuckles. "Join me, meine Perle." He looked up with sparkling eyes in the perpetual autumn light.
A spiraling leaf caught itself in Caleb's hair, and Essek allowed himself to fall in his arms.