#☼*・ﾟ Friends — ↳ proelio-procusi

[feuerwizard]

@proelio-procusi asked: "∗ 4o: sender traces one of receiver’s [scars / bruises] ." // 100 nonverbal prompts;; open

Eadwulf's fingers traced gently over the faded scars that criss-crossed Caleb's forearms like a roadmap of pain and survival. The flickering firelight from the hearth danced across Caleb's pale, freckled skin, casting the raised lines of scar tissue into sharp relief.

Caleb gazed into the glowing embers, transfixed by the shifting patterns of light, as Eadwulf mapped each mark with an almost reverent touch. Callused fingers, so used to gripping a sword or casting somatics, now caressed with the lightest pressure, as if memorizing every ridge. He did not mind Eadwulf touching him like so, it felt familiar. Comforting. "They are the same as yours… minus the tattoos, of course."

[feuerwizard]

He smiled warmly at Astrid's words, his heart fluttering in his chest. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so at ease, so content in the presence of others. It was as if no time had passed at all, and they were just three young lovers sneaking away for a moment alone once more.

"Then let us ascend," Caleb said with a dramatic flourish of his hand. He closed his eyes and concentrated, picturing the eighth floor of the tower in his mind's eye. Slowly, their bodies began to rise off the ground, defying gravity as they floated upwards through the center of the tower. Finally, they reached the second to last floor and Caleb gently guided them through a locked doorway into a dance hall—a perfect replica of the one they used to frequent together in Rexxentrum. "Look familiar?"

Astrid felt warmth spread through her from the brush of Caleb's fingers, her own were so cold compared to him. Eadwulf's weren't cold per say but it seemed like Caleb was always as warm as the fire he seemed to wield. Both took in Caleb feeling things click back into place like a well deigned puzzle. They all just fit and it made both of them want to steal as much time as they could with him. Yes a lot had changed, not just the name but Astrid caught the new scars on his skin, Eadwulf saw the way that he had closed off in some aspects and opened up more in others.

"I think that is a wonderful idea." Astrid spoke as she shifted to take a sip of her drink, her cheeks starting to warm slightly under Caleb's gaze.

[feuerwizard]

@proelio-procusi asked: ❛i could really go for a hot chocolate right now.❜ // halloween themed starters;; open

"It is a pity we do not have Caduceus around to make hot chocolate, ja?" Caleb replied, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his lips towards Jester. "He always knew just how to make it. With whiskey, of course." The firbolg had a knack for crafting the most exquisite hot chocolate, using a blend of rich cocoa, creamy milk, and a secret mixture of spices.

[feuerwizard]

He's a ten but he's read more smut then most people ever will

♢      —        send  [ THEY’RE A 10 BUT … ]  and finish it in my muse’s inbox.

"Tease all you want, but I am well versed on several points of history because of smut novels. Historical sex is the best sex to read."

[feuerwizard]

Caleb blinked in surprise at Beau's words, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks. It was true, he had a tendency to put others before himself, to prioritize their needs and wants over his own. It was a habit born of guilt and self-loathing, a belief that he didn't deserve the same kindnesses he so readily bestowed upon others. "Ja, well..." he stammered, searching for the right words. "I suppose old habits die hard. But you are right, of course. I should be more willing to invest in myself and my craft, I suppose." He paused, his expression turning thoughtful.

"The only reason Frumpkin doesn't complain more is cause you spoil him at every opportunity." Beau spoke with a knowing smile. "And it's only cause you also feel the need to have to justify getting what you need for your spells. We really need to work on you willing to spend money on yourself. You do things and spend money on all of us without thought but you don't think you deserve the same." Beau spoke as she finished what was left of her drink and wondered if she should get another or not.

[feuerwizard]

Caleb pulled back slightly, just enough to look her in the eyes, his own gaze filled with an intensity that cut through the haze of alcohol. He gently took her hands in his, their fingers intertwining as naturally as they had all those years ago.

"Astrid," he began, his voice a bit rough, "there has never been anyone else. Not anything serious, really." Sure, there had been feelings for Jester, for Essek, but what he had with Astrid and Eadwulf was different. Whether that was a good or bad thing, Caleb found he didn’t much care right now. "The years may have changed us, shaped us into different people, but my feelings for you both could never change. Even if I wanted them too." And maybe he should want them too, maybe they weren't good for each other. Maybe.

Astrid savored the warm coming from Caleb. Without him close she felt chilled in more ways then one. "I don't know if that is entirely true but it is nice to know it is unlikely." Her voice was soft as she stayed close to him.

"You know both Wulf and I wouldn't mind if there was some one else too. It's been years and with that comes the chance of you seeing someone else. "

[feuerwizard]

Caleb chuckled at the thought, his eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine amusement. "Ja, and then she would begrudgingly admit that it was actually quite insightful, all while trying to maintain that grumpy exterior of hers." He took another sip of water, the wheels in his mind still turning. "Perhaps we could even include some sketches, you know, to really drive home the whole cat analogy. I am sure Jester would be more than happy to lend her artistic talents to the cause."

"It would be funnier because she would actually read it and find that there is actually information worth keeping in the library." She hummed with a soft smile as she watched him. Being able to be this close to him again did something to them that she wasn't entirely sure fit the rest of her anymore. Astrid felt like a young girl again in some aspects and it was an odd and yet exciting feeling.

[exandriaborn]

The bard wasted no time, his fingers weaving intricate patterns in the air as he muttered the incantation for the invisibility spell. A shimmering veil of magic enveloped them, rendering their forms transparent and blending them seamlessly into their surroundings.

Dorian then pulled Fearne into the alleyway, his eyes darting left and right in search of a suitable hiding spot. "There, behind those crates," he whispered urgently, pointing to a stack of wooden boxes piled haphazardly against the brick wall. The two friends hurried over, crouching down and pressing their backs against the rough surface as they tried to steady their breathing.

Fearne's steps were long by nature with her longer legs and she felt bad for practically dragging Dorian along but the faster they were out of sight the faster Dorian could cast and every second counted when they didn’t know what their presuer wanted from them.

Once around the corner she looked to see if there was an alcove or boxes for them to tuck behind while they watched for who was after them.

[feuerwizard]

Despite his acceptance of his new name, Caleb couldn't deny the strange feeling that washed over him when he heard it spoken by Astrid. He had always been Bren to her, his name once rolling off her tongue like a familiar melody. But as they stood facing each other after all these years, it felt like an acknowledgement that they were no longer the same people they once were. The girl he had loved was different now, transformed by time and experience. So was he.

“I can’t promise that, Astrid,” spoken in Zemnian once more. “I have a responsibility to my friends. To my home. I worry our sense of duty may differ these days.”

"Caleb... you know I can't say certain things out loud." She spoke with just admitted how much she had been planning when it came to Trent. "You need to stay away and out of his line of sight or he is going to use you against the both of us." She spoke running fingers through the short blonde hair.

"I am sorry you were alone.... and I am glad you are no longer alone but it would be better for all of you to be elsewhere." Astrid spoke gently as she looked at Caleb trying her best to read what he was thinking when it came to her and Eadwulf's plans.

[feuerwizard]

Caleb's heart swelled at Eadwulf's words. He had seen so much, experienced so much in their years apart. And yet, nothing compared to this—being here with Wulf, wrapped in his strong arms, sharing breath and heartbeats like no time had passed at all. Like they were still those hopeful, naive boys who thought they could take on the world together.

"I will always choose you, Wulf," Caleb murmured, his fingers tightening slightly in Eadwulf's hair. "You and Astrid. No matter where I go or what I see, it will always come back to you two." The words felt like a vow, whispered in the intimate space between them.

A pleasant shiver worked its way up Eadwulf's spine at the feeling of Caleb's fingers in his hair. The smile that came to Caleb’s face sent butterflies flying in his stomach, warmth flushing through his system. "I know that you are teasing, but yes. You have gotten to see more of the world and yet you still choose me." His words were low and warm.

Eadwulf felt something like when magic buzzed under his skin but it was just Caleb, nothing else. He wanted to just be able to be near him like this again as often as he would let him.

[feuerwizard]

Caleb chuckled, the sound warm and genuine in a way it hadn't been for many years. "You're right, Wulf. We have all grown in such different ways, it would be difficult to have a fair competition at this point."

He stood from his armchair, moving to the sidebar to pour each of them another generous glass of the amber liquid, fingers brushing against theirs as he handed them their drinks. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow across their faces. Caleb studied Astrid and Eadwulf in the flickering light, taking in every detail—the sharpness of Astrid's features, the broadness of Eadwulf's shoulders, the way their eyes still shone with the same familiarity he remembered from their youth, despite everything different now.

"Perhaps instead of a competition, you would allow me to show you more of the tower?" Caleb suggested, a rare playfulness in his voice. "There are many rooms here I think you both would appreciate."

"Daggers mostly though I am decent with a rapier as well." Astrid awnsered the question a small smile coming to her lips. She knew Caleb would remember her former skills with a knife and posions only now she had spent the time to refine it.

"A demonstration might be fun but it's hard to compete when our skills are all so branched out." Eadwulf spoke with a slight chuckle.

[feuerwizard]

Caleb smirked softly at Beau's protective nature. "I understand, Beauregard. And I agree." As they finished their meal, Caleb found himself feeling grateful for Beau's companionship, despite their less-than-ideal start. She had a way of keeping him grounded, of pulling him out of his own head when he needed it most. And her insights, her perspective on the world, never ceased to surprise him.

"You know," he said as they stood to leave, "I am glad we had this time together, Beauregard. Shopping for spell components is not so tedious with you to speed things along." His lips quirked into a wry smile. "Even if said friend does complain more than a fey cat."

"It is, and I don't want to take that from her, I just don't want someone else to take advantage of her kindness." Beau had seen it happen to others, taken advantage of over and over till there was nothing left to give. It was not something she wanted to happen to her friend if she could do anything about it.

"I'm sure Dairon would have some ideas where to start as far as those figures go and if not could still point us in the right direction."

[feuerwizard]

Caleb's expression softened, his eyes meeting Astrid's with a mix of tenderness and understanding. He gently cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing a small circle on her skin. "Nein, Astrid," he murmured, his voice low and warm, "you could never overstep with me."

He leaned in closer, their foreheads nearly touching. The scent of ale on his breath mingled with the familiar smell that was uniquely Caleb—ink, parchment, and a hint of cinnamon.

Astrid stayed close to him relaxing against him, not wanting to move away at all. Instead she leaned into his hand as she let out a breath. "I should have asked first..." She admitted softly. It had been so long and she knew in the time they had been apart Caleb could have moved on to someone else.

While her Caleb and Eadwulf hadn't exactly had a traditionally relationship it didn't mean he wasn't in one now. "I hope I didn't over step." She spoke softly looking at him.

[feuerwizard]

Caleb nodded thoughtfully as he chewed, considering Beau's words. "Ja, I suppose you're right. A true romance must have its happy ending. But perhaps a historical drama with romantic elements could provide a more grounded perspective." He took another bite, savoring the rich flavors. "I think looking into historical figures is a brilliant idea. Someone like her mother could be quite inspiring. And the fey connection... I am sure there are plenty of cautionary tales there as well."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You know, it's funny. For all her wild flights of fancy, Jester is surprisingly grounded in many ways. She sees the world through this lens of optimism and possibility. It is admirable, really."

"Okay but I will say in order for a book to be categorized as a romance it has to have a happily ever after funnily enough." Beau wasn't surprised by that fact when she had poked into categorizing books at the Cobalt Soul. "So technically it would say have to be a drama or historical book with a romantic sub plot if that makes sense." She explained as she continued on her meal leaning back in the chair enough that the front legs of the chair Beau was in left the floor.

"I'll also see if we can find any historical figures that might interest her that we can pull something for, maybe a courtesan like her mom or something about the high fae for her connection with Artagan?"

[feuerwizard]

Caleb melted into the kiss, a soft sigh escaping his lips as Eadwulf's strong hand cradled the back of his neck, keeping him close. The gentle brush of Wulf's lips against his own sent a shiver down his spine. He had almost forgotten how it felt to be touched like this, with such tenderness and reverence. As if he were something precious, something to be cherished and savored.

When they finally broke apart, just enough to catch their breath, Caleb rested his forehead against Eadwulf's, their noses brushing. "Me either," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. A playful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he met Eadwulf's gaze. "Tell me, is it better than when we were younger?" he asked teasingly, fingers toying with the hairs at the nape of Wulf's neck.

Eadwulf stayed still, not sure if moving closer to Caleb would break what ever moment they were having. The kiss was soft against his lips as he stayed close to Caleb a soft sigh leaving the larger male's lips as he finally moved to have his hand cup the back of Caleb's keeping him close.

"I can't believe I can do that again with you." His voice was soft as he barely pulled away, lips still brushing against the others as he relaxed into Caleb's presence.

[feuerwizard]

Caleb's breath caught in his throat as Astrid's lips met his, the kiss sudden but not unwelcome. For a moment, he froze, mind reeling at the unexpected intimacy. But then instinct took over and he melted into her, one hand coming up to cradle her face as he returned the kiss with equal fervor.

It was like no time had passed at all, like they were still those young lovers stealing moments in the shadows of the academy. Her lips were as soft as he remembered, her touch igniting a fire in his veins that had long lay dormant. When they finally parted, both breathless, Caleb rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed as he savored the closeness.

The gentle squeeze of reassurance is what snapped her control. They had always made themselves be careful, held to a standard that was high enough that it could cause problems if it wasn't for Eadwulf at her side. Something about Caleb though broke down those walls and tears collected at the corners of her eyes.

She shifted before moving to pull him into a kiss, wanting him as close as she could have him right now. Even though so much between them was different it felt like a comfort, it felt like coming home.