formmusebox | for Essek (lacrymaperle)

for Essek (lacrymaperle) - vampire/werewolf au

[There had been a simpler time, several years before when Bren hadn't yet known Trent Ikithon, a time when he was thoroughly and blissfully unaware of the things that existed in the dark, when the ideas of werewolves and vampires and other creatures that ought to have been nothing more than fairy tale fodder. Instead, his paths had crossed with Trent and everything had changed. He'd been thrown into a small walled courtyard one night, under the light of a full moon, and he had not been alone. That was the first time he had met a werewolf. Bren remembered the bite, still had the scar of it on one forearm, remembered the confusion and the terror -- both of which were nothing compared to the full moon that followed the month after, the first time he'd transformed. He remembered the pain of his entire body breaking and reshaping itself, the fear of losing himself entirely. He'd blacked out that night, woken up naked and aching as if he'd been run over by a bus.

It had been the same very moon since, except that piece by piece, bit by bit, he held onto some small shred of himself during the transformation. Trent Ikithon had explained that all this was for Bren's own good, that he was safer here than anywhere else. that there were vampires who would tear him apart on sight, one in particular, a singular monster who Trent seemed to have a personal loathing for. Bren tried to probe why any vampire, never mind a particular one, would have any interest in him. No explanation was ever given except that 'the Shadowhand will never have you. Not in this life or the next. I will see to that.'

Bren had no idea what that meant. Before all this, the only strange thing in his life were recurring dreams -- and oh they were beautiful things. Arms that were secure and safe around him, tender and gentle but not warm. The soft lilt of a voice that assured him everything would be well, that wherever he went he would be found again. Trent had hated the dreams and had done his best to cast them out of Bren's conscious awareness. Now they were barely shadows, things he could remember the feeling of more than the details. It hurt even trying to recall them, so he didn't.

This past moon Bren had made his escape after he transformed, finally aware enough of himself that he had his chance. He was free. That was the only thought in his mind right now and it repeated in echoed mantra over and over again as he tried to keep himself from spiraling into a breakdown. It had been years since he'd been out, actually out in the world, not kept with Trent Ikithon's control, trapped within the grounds of that monster's manor. He was, after all, Trent's pet project, for whatever reasons the old bastard had. It didn't matter. Back in that direction lay only pain and isolation. He wouldn't go back.

Of course, he didn't really have a plan to go forward either, really. Even before he'd been captured and turned, he hadn't had any family left, few friends, and he'd been out of the world for years now. He managed to ~~steal~~ find some clothes, ill-fitting, a coat that was too big on his underfed frame, a scarf wrapped about his neck. He was a mess, long copper hair in tangles past his shoulders, his beard untrimmed, a frantic fear in wide blue eyes as he tried to find somewhere to hide, somewhere to get his bearings. He couldn't let Trent find him again. This was freedom, and he would not give it up.

A soft meow caught his attention, and he looked up in surprise as a small orange tabby approached him. For the first time in a long while, Bren smiled.] Hello there... [The little creature sniffed his outstretched hand and headbutted his fingers. It was the first kind touch that he'd known in so long, he almost teared up over it.] Well, at least I am not alone anymore. That's comforting.

[Now if he could just figure out what the hell he was going to do, where he was going to go.]

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[Bren was still trembling, physically and emotionally, after that. Essek had given him pleasure that no one else had ever come close to, had reached into his soul and laid claim. Bren had embraced that claim fully. It felt like coming home, like finding the place he was meant to be, where he belonged. He couldn't give this up now.

Essek's presence at his side had Bren turning into him out of natural reflex, slipping an arm over Essek's waist, wanting to hold him close, to feel him in his arms. Maybe he needed the reassurance that this was real, that Essek was not some perfect dream that would evaporate in the next moment.

He sighed softly to Essek's lips, soft relief at the words the other man spoke.]

I only want to be yours.

[Bren murmured, the words spoken without hesitation or doubt. This was right. The wolf in him knew it as much as the man, the still-buried memories of who he had been a lifetime ago. He could feel those lips, cool and soft against his neck, the vampire being so gentle even when up against the pulse of blood coursing through his veins.]

My mate... [Bren murmured, and for the first time in his life, the word tasted right on his tongue, perfect, honey-sweet and warm.]

[ There was a very soft pause as he allowed the words of 'mate' to enfold him; the shifting as Bren drew him into his arms and he sank into them willingly, feeling the arms warm around him as he could not imagine anything being more perfect than this. As he thought, he hummed a little bit in the back of his throat and settled where he did not want to move for anything, even though he knew he would have to to go to his own room.

He lamented the fact that he could not physically sleep in the same bed as Bren, but he was terrified of hurting him-- of in his trance mistaking Bren for a threat. Of being startled; they had tried once, and Essek had ripped the pillow next to Caleb's head and he'd sufficiently freaked out enough upon waking up because it could've been Caleb.

Those were how one put in place rules. ]

Tomorrow night I have an event to go to; however I fully intend on working on a proper wardrobe for you over the course of the next week; I am hoping that you will be my escort for future events? I am only so sorry that tomorrow night I will not be able to take you with me.

[ His fingers moved to graze against Bren's jawline, whispering thumb against it tenderly ]

The dress clothes that are in your closet are unfortunately 100 years outdated.

[Bren was unaware of anything that would really keep them from passing a -- well, a day's -- sleep with Essek. And when he found out, he would probably protest. He was, after all, a werewolf and would be so easily dispatched by a sleepy vampire, even one as old and powerful as Essek. And more than that, well, Bren -- and Caleb too -- was utterly certain that Essek would never hurt them, even in unconscious reflex.

For now though, he simply nuzzled his way into Essek's cheek very happily, an affectionate puppy for all intents and purposes at the moment. He really would have to tell Essek soon of what he was, but he still had that fear of what it would mean. Could he bear if this man who was meant to be the other part of his soul looked at him with disgust or hatred at finding out that he'd been turned into a werewolf?]

Mm... I will just have to spend my evening in that absurdly luxurious bath thinking about you...

[Bren trailed off deliberately, even as he leaned into that touch at his jaw.]

But, ja. I will attend whatever event you like with you. I am not good at social things, but I can follow your lead.

[ That fear still ran strong, as well as that knowledge that he was a monster ultimately; perhaps that would change when he understood that Bren could hold his own-- perhaps he would grant Bren that which he could never truly grant Caleb, even though he knew that it had hurt in it's own way to be separate as they had been.

That had probably been one of the very few things that the two wizards had ever truly argued about.

But Essek knew his strength and likewise he knew the hunger though it had tempered over the course of a hundred years, he'd learned to manage that hunger better, paced his own feeding so that it did not become like a tidal wave in it's consuming pressure. But that was a topic and a discussion for later even as he pressed a soft kiss to the jawline that his own fingers had only just caressed ]

Everyone will wonder who the handsome man is at my side, and I will be the envy. However tomorrow evening will not be too late of a night, it is merely an event that I shall need to show up for; do a little bit of mingling and dancing and then I shall return to you.

[ His fingers found that chest then and he trailed up and down, following the line of hair that ran down the chest and the abdomen, distracted by the beauty of his lover. ]

Do you know how to dance, Bren?

[ Caleb had danced wonderfully, in such a way that he'd always felt like he was dancing on starlight and dreams; both waltzes and then the gentle sways in those arms, his head tucked against the curve of Caleb's neck while his lover leaned his cheek against him; hand in hand with that arm wrapped around his waist and with no care nor thought in the world between them. ]

I could teach you, if you do not.

[They were both monsters, but this had not occurred to Bren. In his mind, the monster was him. Essek was a vampire yes, but those teeth had only brought him ecstasy, and the touch, cold as it may be, had been nothing but gentle and kind. All of the other man had been kind and welcoming, and Bren knew that he was home now.

A pleased sound at the feeling of Essek's fingers moving over his chest. His fingers found their way along Essek's back, drifting along skin that still ran warmer with the blood taken from Bren's veins. He wanted to learn his body, to know it intimately, to recognize it by touch and taste and scent. And lying here with him, he had no desire to move for the moment, content with this shared, intimate but simple touch.

He laughed, quiet, at the flattery. He was certain that he would be the one with the handsomest man on his arm.]

I will be here.

[In the safety of this manor, waiting for Essek to return. He brightened at the next question.]

I do, ja. I am no professional, but I like dancing very much. It has been a very long time though. I may be rusty.

[So he would take Essek's guidance.]

Will you save me a dance? Tomorrow when I come home?

[ A sweet ripple of pleasure that evidenced in a hum at the back of Essek's throat. Such gentleness from Essek, but he knew he was a monster-- he knew what he was capable of, what he would do to Trent Ikithon, to the man who had hurt his mate. He'd been building a case to search for him, to pin those atrocities of a lifetime past on the man. Perhaps finally he could put the final nail in that coffin and then him and Bren could rest.

Essek would rip that man's throat out, willfully and without any remorse; would not even cry crocodile tears. No, he'd likely only laugh out of relief and justification for what he had done. ]

Also, I would advise you to..

[ Essek drew his lips against the soft shell of Bren's earlobe, his voice going several shades huskier ]

Rest up all you can, because after the dance... who can say what will happen, yes? [ But the tone of the voice almost communicated that Essek did know what would happen, that it would all be merely a matter of gravity, of an absolutely and unavoidable pull between them that would send their orbits colliding in the most physical of ways; that even know they were on that collision course ] I want you to think about the possibilities, yes? Perhaps you can do that while you are in that obscenely luxurious bathtub tomorrow evening.

Of course. My last dance of the night will always be for you.

[Wherever they happened to be, he would save that spot on his metaphorical dance card for ending the night in his soulmate's arms. Now that he had found him -- now that he'd even knew that he'd been unconsciously searching his whole life for something he had been missing, something he could never name until he found it -- he wouldn't give up a moment of being with him. Not so long as Essek would have him.

For all that Trent Ikithon had spent so long instilling outright terror in him at the very thought of vampires, Bren didn't have an ounce of fear left in him, not about this vampire. Here in Essek's arms, there was safety. Belonging. Home.

Bren's eyes fluttered -- not quite shut but heavy-lidded, even as his breath caught at the back of his throat at the feeling of those lips shaping such wicked words to his ear.]

O...oh. Yes, who can say?

[Bren could say. Bren could imagine and would imagine and he flushed at the suggestion.]

I think it would be impossible not to think of them... to shut my eyes and imagine...

[His own voice dropped quiet, roughened at its edges.] Will you think of me as well, out at your fancy party, while you are spinning about out on the dancefloor?

[ How could he not give Bren exactly what he wanted? Those sweet and soft assurances of devotion. Because Essek meant them. Because there was nothing that he wanted more than to be in those arms-- swirling around the dance floor, looking up into those eyes; blue eyes that called to him like the memories of warmth and sunlight. His sun, his beautiful soulmate who provided all the heat that he could possibly hunger for.

He nuzzled against skin, inhaling the fragrance of skin ]

Every man that I dance with, I will wish that it was you; and you being last will be able to wipe every single memory of those dances from my mind; to be replaced by you-- because that is how it is; that is how it should always be. [ His breath caught as he pressed a kiss, reverent against the earlobe, tasting the heightened emotions as if they were such a thing that could be savored on tongue. ]

You belong to me yes..

[ There was the softest pause as he propped himself up then to look down into those eyes. ]

But it works the other way to-- I belong to you in equal measure, and I've waited so long for you to return for me, in whatever form-- and as you are now is indescribeably lovely to me.

[Bren turned into that nuzzle, so intensely starved for affectionate touch that he soaked up each and every small gesture like a plant that had been kept so long in drought that it craved whatever chance rain might come its way. Essek was the foretold spring that he had been waiting for.

And Essek spoke such sweet things, promises that Bren desperately wanted to believe -- and that he did believe. There was no doubt in him about the truth of these words, no doubt in him about anything that Essek has spoken to him, the words purred into his ear by those flawless lips.]

How it should always be... [He agreed softly, echoing the words. He wanted nothing more than to belong to Essek, where his soul was meant to be.

He found himself looking up into those infinite evening-sky eyes and falling straight upward into them.]

My Essek. [He agreed quietly, reaching up to let his fingers brush a few unrulier strands of Essek's hair back from hi face.] My starlight. You are the most beautiful creature I have ever known. I cannot imagine being so lucky as to call you mine, but I will not give you up now.

[ His beautiful and lovely Bren, so infinitely lovely and lovely. So much that he wanted to lay here for as long as possible, until he absolutely had to move to seek his bed, a room-- a prison of darkness and silence, soak up that warmth. There were soft kisses, sweet little kisses like rain, sips and nibbles-- light scratches of teeth and laps of tongue; as the taste was utterly savored like fine wine.

He'd drunk deep earlier, and he knew he would drink deeply again.

And when the time came for him to head to bed, he did so hand in hand with Bren; allowed the man to see him to his door, to steal a few more kisses as were deserved, soft kisses against those lips-- as he felt the brush of stubble that was already prickling at his lover's skin. Sweet promises whispered that they would see each other tomorrow night.

Essek would never let this man go, he would hold onto him by tooth and nails. He was a predator.

What he did not know was that Bren was a predator as well-- and his love blinded him to this knowledge. ]

[The soft, quiet affection, the touches of fingers that were rememorizing a body that they somehow already knew, like the deepest part of a recurring dream. He basked in the affection, still half wondering if this was actually real.

But no, it must be. His imagination was never so vivid, could never have come up with his beautiful vampiric lover.

It was hard to let the other man go at his door, but he understood why he needed to. But the last few kisses lingered, enough to hold them both over until Essek returned from his event the next night.

Dawn's light was just beginning to stream through the gaps in his curtains when he returned to his room, half floating after the evening that he'd had, to settle himself into bed. He would be turning nocturnal, it seemed, and that suited him fine.

Curling up with Frumpkin, he sighed a contented sound.] It turns out I am in love, Frumpkin. Did you know this would happen? Of course you did. What a smart and wise cat. What a good cat.

[ Frumpkin was a wise cat, he was a smart cat and as Bren took him into his arms, he allowed himself to settle right down next to the other man with a purr and bunting head to head; quite pleased with himself that he had brought his parents together once again. He allowed himself the gloat, as well as to groom the stubble of the jaw in true cat like fashion; the cat would helpfully lull Bren into that vital sense of security required for sleep. The cat would also curl on Bren's chest when he prepared to sleep, acting-- quite helpfully, as a gravity blanket for the werewolf.

For Frumpkin knew what Bren was.. even if Essek did not ]

--

[ Essek settled into sleep and once again that chord seemed to reach out and just lock into place. Dreamless sleep that he normally was used to; a deep darkness meant to encircle and protect like a cold cocoon; however there was that flicker of something that he followed. It was like a firefly that lured him with the promise of a sweet memory, and then he came to it-- his mind palace. Dusty and cold; when he'd become a vampire-- he'd lost his ability to trance as Drows do. No lights on, but it drew him nevertheless to a chest, a chest made of sunlight and warmth with sigils of fire and sun etched beautifully-- the only light in a room as cold as the grave.

The firefly, like a guiding light as it circled. His fingers curled into the handles of it and he pulled it open--

Fading light.. and snow

Essek was younger, softer looking; scurrying across the snow-laden grounds of the acadamy, clad in fur-lined mantle and with hood drawn over his eyes. Snow whispered in the air around him and he was carrying something in his arms, something that had been too precious to allow to be sent with his luggage, a few things actually. He had come back to the acadamy a few days early, the religious ceremonies involving the Luxon were always so intensive and his own family life was not particularly ideal, so he'd used the excuse that he had to head back early to study for midterms.

He'd told Caleb that he try to be back a few days early so they could have some alone time before school started back up; but also he had wanted to give Caleb his Herzentag presents; it was not something that the Kryn celebrated; the Luxon holidays were deeply religious, and his own birthday which happened on the cusp of those celebrations was normally pushed underneath the rug as not truly necessary, what need did one have for birthdays or milestones when life was merely one life on the eve of many one could have life after life. But Essek had found there was pleasure in buying presents and giving them and he'd gifted Caleb something every year.

The first time it had been something silly, a pair of mittens with kittens on it. One year it had been a set of Xhorhasian cat statues, another year a nice quill and ink set. This year however, his present was a bit more meaningful, and he was conversely worried that it was a bad idea to give something like this to Caleb, it was a very personal gift. It was also the first time since that kiss in the orchard that they had been apart, and it had been excruciating.

As he headed up the path, a look upward and he saw a candle burning in the window. Caleb was in their room-- good.

But a space of time later and Essek is finally in front of the door, with a fortifying breath he pushes it open and he says rather breathlessly.] My apologies, Caleb Widogast-- I was held up by Dalni-- [ Of course it was Verin who had pressed upon him a list of things to be sent, since he'd developed a taste for zemnian sweets, and then there had been the last minute additions. ]

[Bren sank sweetly into sleep, safe and warm and loved -- and oh wasn't that a new and remarkable feeling, one that he wanted to hold onto forever. Sleep gave way to dreams, that strange moment where he felt like he was himself and someone else at the same time, this forgotten part of his soul.

These were Caleb's memories, his memories, and as he settled into the memory that realization faded as well. All there was, was this moment.

The dorm room was nothing lavish, but there was more than enough space for two teenage boys. Two beds -- though more and more they were only using one, Essek trancing and Caleb taking his sleep curled around the softly thrumming elf. Caleb had missed that the most during the holidays.

He'd come back to the academy with several presents for Essek as well -- a scarf that his mother had knitted to keep the poor, thin boy warm and a basket of cookies to feed both skinny boys. And something of his own for Essek, since he was well aware it was the Drow's birthday.

When the door opened, when Essek finally returned, he would be met with a bright smile and a pair of arms wrapping around him before he even managed to make it through the door.]

You have a long way to travel. It hasn't been that long a wait. I am just glad to see you again.

[ The scent of Caleb enrobed him, arms that wound around him and as those arms wrapped around, his feet touched the ground and he settled in close; his own arms holding presents but rather happy to feel Caleb again, he felt like home there in a way Roshona did not; however that feeling had been growing and growing into this moment right here. Warm hearth fire and ink and paper, something also spicy.

He inhaled greedily for a moment and then he tilted his head up to nuzzle his nose against Caleb's jawline. Finally, his lips found the corner of his wizard boyfriend's in a soft and thoroughly sweet kiss. ]

I missed you so very much.

[ The drow had not told anyone except for Verin about his new relationship. For all that Verin was loud, he knew that he would keep it safe. But Essek had to tell someone, it was a secret brimming inside of him especially with Caleb's lack of presence over the holidays. ]

My travels went well but I have presents and I am excited to give them to you.

[ even more excited this year, now that they were.. together ]

[Caleb turned towards those lips to make it a proper kiss, sweet and tender and far too brief. But there would be time later. Essek was back, and their separation was over for the time being. He had been happy to see his parents, of course, but the lack of Essek's presence had always been there, emptiness beside him when he had grown so accustomed to the Drow being there.]

I missed you too, constantly.

[For his part, Caleb had told his mother about their newfound romance only to be met with a warm hug and more advice than he ever had wanted. And a fully harrowing discussion of the birds and the bees that he did not need.

But here Essek was. Caleb released him in order to usher the bother boy inside and shut the door.]

I have gifts for you too. Come in, Liebling. Let me help you with your things.

[ Caleb's lips against his sent a thrill through him, made his lips tingle and his heart flutter. Mouths soft and sweet, a kiss that was filled his heart in a way that made it soar through the sky. Wings, his heart felt like it had wings whenever he was in the same room as Caleb Widogast. The kiss was far too soon over and he hoped that there would be more kisses after the giving of presents. ]

My things will be here shortly, I did not worry too much about it as I still have my school robes here.

[ Essek stepped away so that he could remove his own mantle, using a bit of magic to float it to the hook on the door, and then he walked over to rest two packages on Caleb's bed. The packaging was neat and orderly, purple wrapped with ribbons. Essek had taken great joy in wrapping the presents, making sure that it was perfect-- putting every ounce of care he could into the wrapping of it. Then he settled on the bed, tucking one leg underneath the other as he reached for a smaller package first. ]

I am sorry, I am just very excited to give you your presents, I.. I want to see your reaction to them, yes?

[ Essek's eyes sparkled with warmth, a warmth that the other guy had brought to his life. That same warmth that had been lacking from his life years ago. And he never wanted to live a moment without that warmth; without the promise of that smile ]

[Caleb would be very put out if there was not a great deal more kissing in the very near future. They had so much time to make up for, didn't they? That was what the Zemnian wizard thought anyway.]

I have gifts for you too, so ja. We should tend to those.

[He wanted to see what Essek's reaction would be as well. A detour to his desk brought a small stack of packages wrapped in simple brown paper, tied with twine, though he had worked sprigs of pine and holly in berry on them.

He set his packages down and joined Essek on the bed, sitting cross-legged across from him, expression nothing but open warmth for the other boy.]

[ They did have much to make up for; it had been a long few weeks. Especially for Essek with all of the ceremonies and the functions that were inherent within the Kryn Dynasty. He was tired of them all and now he was sitting across from the guy who represented safety and warmth to him; and to be fair-- All Essek wanted to do was burrow himself into those arms and lose himself so completely in kisses.

Until he forgot who he was; until he was no longer Essek of Den Thelyss but Essek, Caleb Widogast's boyfriend-- until he remembered that clearly and it came to the forefront with blinding hot strength. He held the smaller of the packages and then he pressed it to Caleb, a smile on his lips. ]

This.. I thought it would be very useful to us for situations in which we are apart, I hope that I am not talking liberties.

[ Underneath the pristine wrapping, of purple ribbon and tissue paper-- there was a set of carved little stones in the shape of cats, on them engraved, one with an E and then one with a C. Sending stones, tailored for them. They had sent messages to each other but they had been limited by spell slots whereas these stones did not need to be. They could talk all night if they wished. ]

I missed your voice very much, and I bought them because the messages were never enough for me-- I wanted to have those moments where it felt like we were laying in bed together, talking.

[Caleb only knew that the longer he'd been away from Essek, the greater the ache in him for the other wizard was. He had to imagine that was what love felt like, like some part of himself was left with Essek when they were apart, and it left longing in its place. But all that longing and ache had dissipated the moment he'd seen that familiar face at their door.

He reached out to take the package, opening it carefully -- it was too well wrapped, too pretty to simply tear into, and Caleb Widogast was a conscientious, thoughtful little thing. Once he had it open, he traced a finger over the carved stones, taking in everything about them -- their shapes, the etched initials -- before looking up to Essek with a smile bright enough to rival the afternoon sun outside, dimmed by the curtains that he made sure were closed over their windows for Essek's arrival.]

These are wonderful.

[Almost breathless in his excitement over them. He held Essek's out to him, holding his own close to his chest.]

I've missed your voice too. This will make it easier, when we're not together. My heart will ache a little less.

[He pushed one of the packages he'd brought closer to Essek. It was vaguely oblong, though it looked as if its shape was held mostly by the wrapping. Inside was a scarf lovingly knitted with the burnt orange and brown palette of autumn.]

This is from Mutter. She said if I am to have a boyfriend, I must be sure to keep him warm.

[ Essek watched with held breath as Caleb unwrapped his gift, and he glowed softly with pleasure when Caleb expressed his delight in such an effusive way-- and Essek was spellbound, he was so very spellbound by the beauty of Caleb's presence. The pale skin, the locks of red hair casually tied back, the freckles that kissed skin-- freckles that he wanted to kiss, ever. single. one. ]

I am glad that you love them. And now, I get to hear your voice when we are apart. Your voice is my favorite sound, you know.

[ He was beginning to understand that it was alright to express oneself, to not hide behind a facade. Such things he had learned from his family back at the Dynasty. But Caleb taught him to feel and not be frightened of those feelings. He reached out then to take the cat sending stone, his fingers closing around it, his fingers closing around Caleb's to give that hand a soft squeeze before he pulled away.

With precision though he took the package offered and he unwrapped it just as carefully. The holly and decorations were placed to the side so he could keep them, the paper could be used to write notes on, to Caleb. Once the twine was undone, his own exclamation of happiness came in the form of pulling up the warmly knit scarf, in colours that were his favorites. If anyone had asked what his favorite colour was? He would've said orange because it reminded him of Caleb. ]

It is perfect, I love it! [ He offered it to Caleb and murmured softly. ] Would it be acceptable to wear it now? Would you please loop it around my neck? [ Because Essek was going to do it anyways, wear the scarf ]

Edited 2023-04-24 21:51 (UTC)

[Essek was not the only one spellbound. Caleb had been swept up in everything about the other wizard, the beautiful lavender of his skin, the color of the sky in the fairest moment of twilight, dusted with its own field of freckled white stars. They were day and night, in many ways, dawn and dusk, ever opposite but perfect counterpoints to one another.

Or maybe Caleb was just feeling poetic because he was an absolute fool in love who had missed his boyfriend. He could feel the start of a blush as Essek spoke.]

It will be easier to fall asleep after hearing your voice.

[Not quite as easy as falling asleep in Essek's arms, but still. Much better.

He watched as Essek opened his package, beaming all the more at his reaction.]

Of course, if you want. [He took the scarf from him and settled it around the other wizard's neck, smoothing it out down along his chest.] There. Perfect. It brings out the bit of gold in your eyes.

[ Essek ducked his head softly as Caleb wound the scarf around his shoulders, it smelled of fir trees and warmth, it represented family and hope, mugs of Cidar that Una made them on cold winter weekends when both Caleb and Essek would make their way to Blumenthal to visit. Of hugs that Una gave him, hugs that he had at first been unused to but had eventually come to crave because he did not get those at home. He flushed and it had absolutely nothing to do with anything related to a chill. The two of them, nlused out from their emotions and their feels. ]

Well we will be able to sleep together tonight-- [ Essek would insist upon it. ]

This next present.. ah..

[ It was more unertain, it was very personal, especially for a wizard and perhaps even more presumptuous. It was not something that another wizard would likely accept.. if they were older. However, Essek picked it up and settled it gently on Caleb's lap. A piece of hair falling in his own eye. ]

If you do not like this.. I will understand.

[ It held a firm weight to it, and when Caleb unwrapped it.. he would find a leather bound grimoire. A beautiful creation of a spell book with a sun etched on it as well as a moon-- worked together so that they twinned. The colours were like sunset with little stars going around the peripherial.

When Caleb opened up the book, on a little nameplate, etched softly, 'this grimoire belongs to Essek Thelyss &' and then a little blank after it where Caleb could put in his own name. ]

It's a.. ah.. shared spellbook.

[ Essek was hasty to add ] I thought that we could work on some spells of our own, and then write the finished product in this book.. together.

[Una had claimed Essek as one of her own the moment Caleb had brought him home for the first time. Caleb's father had as well, even if his manner was slightly less overt with affection than Una's was. Caleb, however, at least where Essek was concerned, took after his mother. Especially since that first kiss on that sun-soaked afternoon in the shade of their favorite tree, well, physical contact was a part of how he communicated affection. So Essek was target of much of that.

The redhead smiled at the assurance that they would share a bed tonight. Good. That was where he wanted to be, curled up together with Essek so that he could feel the gentle rise and fall of each breath.

Caleb took the next package with the same care in unwrapping it, finding himself looking at the book in undisguised awe. It was beautiful, in craftsmanship alone. When he opened it and found that little nameplate though, his heart flipped over itself in his chest before he looked up at Essek once more as the other boy explained.]

I love it. I love everything about it. [He set the book down carefully, reverently, and more or less tackled Essek back to the bed, arms around him.]

[ Oh how Essek been so worried about of Caleb would like it; his heart thudded in his chest with tense anticipation for how Caleb would like it. And that anticipation was nearly painful. Oh how his breath released though as Caleb made his pleasure known-- that he loved it. He was about ready to say something, to respond, when he was tackled back by his redheaded boyfriend, he went back.

If he had wanted to, he could've stood his ground and used gravity to keep him upright. But he did not want to, he wanted to be pulled down into the chaos of feelings that was Caleb Widogast, and so he went backward. Locks of hair all over the bedclothes while he looked up at his boyfriend fondly ]

I love you.. very much.

[ He murmured as he looked up at Caleb; his voice quiet and tentative. But for all the quietude, it was not a question, only a statement. ]

Edited 2023-04-25 02:45 (UTC)

[Caleb knew full well that Essek's talent at gravity meant that he wasn't in danger of actually squashing the smaller teen -- not that Caleb was all that much bigger in any case -- as they settled on the bed. He was still beaming down at him when Essek went and spoke those words.

Oh. That. That was.]

That was what I was going to say.

[Caleb informed him, leaning close to nuzzle his nose against Essek's.]

I love you too. So much.

[The words were soft, barely a whisper before Caleb claimed those lips in a kiss.]

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soft moment imagining Bren protecting Essek in their sleep--

yessss. growling at anything or anyone who comes near.

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