#caleb relish

[thebramblewood]

They tired themselves out after a long day of waiting for the season to progress so I'd have more appealing foliage for screenshots. 😆

[seoliee]

Married with the LaD Men: CALEB

Notes: I felt bad not making one for him, but I hope this one is still up to par with the previous one I posted. Anyway, this man deserves so much more and I'm still hoping he could be a love interest in the future.

Oh and by the way, my dms are open for any requests. I have yet to put up a post, but do feel free to message me. I'd love to see your ideas and try to make them come to life ^^

What is it like being married to Caleb?

Word Count: 532 words

— CALEB : Home Sweet Home

• Caleb was discharged from work quite early than he expected. He's supposed to be scheduled stay in at work for a week, but shortened in just five days. All's well that ends well because he wants to surprise you anyway.

• Caleb who returned to an empty and cold home. He already half expected that you wouldn't be home as he's aware of your actions. Whenever he tells you that he wouldn't be home for an XX amount of days. You'll take that as a chance to sign up for missions to occupy and stop yourself from feeling lonely.

• Caleb who always felt bad about leaving you alone. He sends you messages everyday, but he feels like those weren't enough and had became a repetitive thing. Despite it all, once he's home, you'd always greet him with your sweet smile and pampering him with the love he craved the most.

• Caleb prepared all kinds of delectable dishes, especially his signature roast pork. He spreads his arms out, and you ran up to him with a tight embrace as he swirls you around, keeping his arms tightly secured around your waist.

• Caleb who buries his face on the crook of your neck and inhales your scent. He missed you so dearly. "I missed you so much, pipsqueak." You chuckled at his words, pulling away from him and playfully slaps his chest. Even after being married, he still called uses that nickname. "I missed you too, silly."

• Caleb who actively listens to all your ramblings about your day. He watches as you savor his cooking, commentating that you missed his cooking so much that anything she cooks cannot be matched. He merely chuckles, feeling a bit flustered, but happy that you enjoy them.

• Caleb who scooped you up into his arms, and walks into your shared bedroom. He gently lays you down on the mattress and hovers above you, caging you underneath him. He kept his gaze low, locking with your glimmering eyes. His fingers gently touches your cheek as if it was made of glass, tucking in a stray strand of hair behind your ear and glides under your jaw.

• Caleb who kisses you softly, relishing the taste of your soft lips. Both of your lips danced in a sensual tango, his tongue enters your wet cavern and occasionally brushing against your own. A low moan escapes his throat at the feeling of your hand running up his body and fumbling to undo the buttons of his shirt. He pulls away, licking his lips slowly and looks down at you with a predatory gaze, a playful smile grazing his lips. "Someone's eager today."

• Caleb who plunges his face to the crook of your neck, running his tongue up against your sensitive skin before biting down, and suckles on a patch of skin. He loved the small noises that escapes your lips, and how your body response to every move he makes. "Too bad." He whispers.

• Caleb who's eyes are filled with a mixture of love, lust and mischief in them, nibbles on your earlobe as you elicit a sharp moan. "Too bad that I want to take it slow tonight."

[sylusmistress]

Run Kitten... Run

Chapter 1: King of the Wanderers

Five days, three hours, forty-five minutes and twenty seconds. That’s how long you’ve been searching through the dense woods outside the N109 Zone looking for the man that has been dubbed as King of the Wanderers. Originally you didn’t have plans to take on this mission, especially since you are still dealing with the grief of losing your childhood friend Caleb and your Grandma Josephine, but Tara insisted that getting out and working in the field would do wonders for your mental state instead of sulking around the office and letting your mind drift off to a dark place. Now after being out in these woods with little to no rations left, a broken tent, and the burning desire to take a five-hour long bath, you have made a mental note to chew Tara out when you return home and to never take her advice ever again. 

“This is fine… this is fine… When I return to Linkon City I’ll take an extravagant bubble bath and then I’ll cook myself a feast meant for a king and eat it all by myself.” In a desperate attempt to keep your sanity from slipping you mumble softly to yourself to keep your mind distracted from how alone you feel out in these woods. The comforting autumn sun is beginning to set and with your tent being on its last leg (literally) you are dreading having to spend another sleepless night outside under the moon and stars. Although you thrive in social settings, you’ve never been much of a social butterfly and under different circumstances you would relish in the idea of being alone with your thoughts and no one to distract you. But after five days of silence besides the occasional monologues you speak out loud to yourself or the shrieking whines of low-level wanderers you’ve slayed, you are in need of communicating with someone or any living creature besides yourself. 

Turning your head to the side you notice the fluttering of black crow wings as they soar through the charming blue sky and land from tree branch to tree branch until it finds a comfortable sitting position. Considering that the file you were given for this mission explicitly stated that this wooden area was desolate besides the presence of wanderers you are somewhat confused about the presence of a crow. But you aren’t someone that is willing to disregard a blessing as you scour the woodland ground in search for any fallen grains or berries you can offer to the nearby bird.

With a handful of unidentifiable berries that could possibly be poisonous if consumed by a human you carefully walk up to the birch tree that looks as if it’s been growing in the same spot for hundreds of years and hold your cupped hands up in the air like an offering to an ancient god. “Psst… Psst… hey there birdie. Would you like a snack? I’m not sure if it’s very tasty but my name is Y/N, and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

After your cheerful greeting an uncomfortable silence befalls between you and the black crow that stays silent while eyeing the pitiful offering in your hands before letting out a disgruntled cawk and flying to another tree branch to sit upon. Squinting your eyes at the bird that blatantly disregarded your offering, your irritation grows as you toss the mystery berries down onto the woodland ground and wipe your hands on your pants before turning on your heels to begin your journey once more. “I swear when I get back, I’ll give Tara a piece of my mind… ‘Go on the mission,’ she says… ‘Fresh air will help get you out of this mental funk,’… blah, blah, blah. I feel worse now than when I was at home in my bed.” Another hour of you grumbling to yourself and trekking through the woods passes before you feel the Aether Core in your heart begin to rapidly thump and buzz in your chest. The sensation is unbearable and feels dangerously close to a heart attack as you let out a loud shriek and almost fall into the dry patched woodland ground before steading yourself against a nearby oak tree. 

“W-W-What is happening?” Fear and panic begin settling in as you try to do your best not freak out, but your mind is swirling with different possibilities as to what could be wrong. Quickly you begin undoing the top four buttons of your shirt to expose your sternum as your eyes try to locate what could be causing you immense distress.

“A-Am I wounded?” Narrowing your eyes with circumspectly precaution at your flesh, you ensure you haven’t somehow been struck by an invisible wanderer and when you decide you aren’t dealing with any external damage you try to focus on what you are feeling internally and attempt to give yourself a self-diagnosis. “I wish Zayne was here. He would know how to fix this... whatever it is…” You whine breathlessly to yourself before taking three big deep breaths and settle your beating heart enough to focus on other breathing techniques Zayne previously taught you before departing for your mission.

One. Inhale. Two. Exhale. Three. Inhale. Four. Exhale. Repeatedly you mentally repeat the simple mantra to yourself until you feel your heartbeat return to its normal pace. Peeling your eyes back open, you gently run the tips of your fingers over your exposed flesh and slightly wince when you press down on where your Aether Core resides. It has been years since you’ve experienced such a sharp and distressing ache around your heart, and you begin to theorize that exerting yourself during this mission in combination with losing your loved ones the week before might have been too much for your heart to handle right now.  

Regardless of what you may theorize, your inability to back down from a challenge is one of your biggest strengths as well as your biggest weakness and so far, your track record as a rookie Hunter has been spotless with no failed missions. Ignoring the logical voice screaming at you in the back of your mind to turn back around and schedule an appointment to visit Dr. Zayne, you decide to take one more deep breath before rebuttoning up your shirt and carrying on through the dense woods.  

Unlike the previous night’s trudging through the woods, it seems that luck is finally on your side as you come across a clearing where the trees aren’t as dense, and the shining moon is shining down enough light to let you see your surroundings clearly without a fire. Using your hunter watch to scan for any possible metaflux levels, you determine that even though this area is out in the open it is a relatively safe location before finding a tree stump and plopping down next to it with an fatigued sigh.

Utilizing this moment of peace, you continue using your hunter watch and reread the file that was assigned to you for this assignment. It was previously estimated that it would take around four days to complete the journey and find the King of the Wanderers, but worry is starting to set in. You’ve been out in these woods for five days and the only wanderers you have encountered so far have all been low level cases that barely pose a threat to anyone. Additionally, it states that this land is void of any life besides wanderers and your mind drifts back to the presence of that rude black crow you met earlier. “Something about this whole mission seems off… but I can’t pinpoint what it is…” While replaying the events leading up until now a thought crosses your mind that maybe Jenna made a mistake but you quickly clear that idea from your mind. As leader of the Alpha Team, it is unlikely that someone as competent as Jenna would have made a critical error that could result in you possibly dying a tragic death out in these woods. Right?

Letting out a disgruntled sigh you lean your head back against the tree stump and close your eyes momentarily as you begin thinking deeper about the mission you are currently on. At the moment you are hungry, physically and mentally exhausted, have little to no food rations left, you aren’t sure if you experienced a heart attack earlier and need to meet with Dr. Zayne as soon as possible, your tent is of no use, and above all else you are unable to sleep the night away because every time you drift off to sleep you have flashbacks to the explosion that killed Caleb and Grandma Josephine.

You are a prideful woman, but the longer you allow yourself to weigh the pros and cons of the situation you have been placed in you are beginning to feel yourself give in to defeat just this once. Dragging your hands down your face you wipe away a lone tear that seemed to have escaped your right eye before looking down at your hunter watch and hovering your finger over the communication hub. With just a click of a button you can call for backup and be extracted from this mission in less than twenty minutes. “I tried… I really did try…” With just one… simple... click…

The momentarily feeling of weakness quickly vanishes when you press the button, and nothing happens. Wiping your eyes once more you sit up with your back straightened and your senses now on high alert as you start frantically pressing down to request for backup. The more you press the button the more your hunter watch seems to glitch until it eventually fades out to an unresponsive black screen. “Fuck!” Immediately you remove the watch from your wrist and check to see if the device has died from low battery percentage. Swallowing a nervous lump in your throat when you see that the battery and inner mechanisms of the watch are all working properly. There is technically nothing wrong with the device, but you feel your skin prickling with fear knowing that there must be something or someone nearby interfering with the connection.

Because of your intense hunter training you can momentarily get a grip on your fear and pull out one of your hunter firearms from its holster before standing to your feet and getting into a defensive position. Focusing all your senses on your Evol you attempt to seek out any enemy energy that may be lingering nearby but the moment you do this you feel your heart start rapidly beating once again. Wincing at the pain that building in your chest you decide to stop trying to use your Evol before you unintentionally cause irreparable damage to your heart.

From out of the corner of your eye you spot a looming shadowy figure dressed in a black leather jacket with red and white thorns decorating the material, a black sweater, a pair of black leather pants, boots, and gloves to finish the look. If you weren’t so busy mentally planning what your next move will be, you would have appreciated how put together this mystery man’s monochromatic outfit was. Because it is now close to midnight, the moon that sits high in the sky cascades down a spotlight to show you the man approaching has a build that is larger than life. His messy silver hair flies down over his forehead allowing you to only catch a glimpse of his bright red eyes. Living in Linkon City you’ve come across various types of people with features that could be classified as ‘abnormal’, but you have never met anyone with eyes as red as two twinkling rubies. While taking in his sharp facial features for a split second you swear that you can see his right eye glowing but when you blink it seems your imagination might be playing tricks on you because of how exhausted you are. “Well, well, well… What do we have here? A scared little kitten that seems to have lost her way?”

Tightening the grip on your weapon you hold it out in front of you and glare at the man before you with a vicious intent in your eyes. Despite your stature and appearance, you are a top ranked rookie hunter for a reason and based on the information given about this mission no one should be in these woods besides –  “I am not lost and do not call me ‘kitten’. My name is Y/N, now, who are you and what business do you have out here?”

The man before you simply stares at you with his piercing red eyes before quietly chuckling to himself and in the blink of an eye positions himself in front of you while directing your firearm to point directly at his chest. “It seems that you are scared like a kitten, have claws like a kitten, and dare I say you are as feisty as a kitten. Are you sure I shouldn’t call you kitten?”

All the fear you previously possessed is now replaced with the irritation you felt earlier as you do your best to keep a poker face and not show an ounce of vulnerability in the face of a possible enemy. There was no physical description on what the King of Wanderers would look like but there was a note in the file that stated once you meet him you would know in your heart who you are dealing with. When you initially read the file, you didn’t think that you would physically be able to feel in your heart how dangerous the man standing before you is. “You did not answer my questions, and I am not fond of repeating myself. I am a skilled hunter from Linkon City, and I will ask you once more, who are you and what business do you have all the way out here?”

With an amused smile plastered on his face the stranger standing before you tightly grasps your hand that’s holding onto your firearm and hovers his finger over the same trigger you have your index placed on. Again, your emotions are all over the place as your irritation now migrates to a bottomless pit of confusion. You aren’t sure what kind of man you are dealing with, especially since it seems that he is silently telling you that he feels that you holding a gun to his chest is not at all threatening or even worth acknowledging with words. “When Mephisto told me that you lacked manners I assumed he was exaggerating.” In one swift movement the gun that was held tightly in your hands is effortlessly disarmed and tossed carelessly to the ground as red and black energy tendrils appear out of nowhere and wrap around your wrist, leaving you immobilized and in a state of shock. “I’m sure whatever profile the Hunter Association has on me lists my name as ‘King of the Wanderers’, but I prefer to go by Sylus. As for my business out here, well… This is my domain, Kitten. And you are trespassing.”

The moment the words ‘my domain’ and ‘trespassing’ leaves from his lips to your ears you feel your mouth go dry and your head starts to feel light headed. Something about all this still isn’t adding up to you and you let out a soft groan when you feel the red and black tendrils tighten uncomfortably around your wrist. “Your domain?… L-Let me go!” Wiggling around to free yourself from the energy bondage you feel another batch of tendrils wrap around your neck and your ankles, forcing you to stay completely still. “I-I said l-l-let me go! Y-you are under arrest, and I need to bring you in for questioning –”

Your pleas fall on deaf ears as Sylus stares at you with an unreadable expression and tightens the hold on your body once more. Not enough to kill you but the tightness is enough to leave a bruise in the morning... if you make it until the morning. Closing the distance between the two of you the air becomes thick enough to cut through and you watch as his face momentarily contorts to one of displeasure before returning to his stoic expression. For the second time tonight, it appears that his right eye is glowing but the intensity of it this time around is a lot more obvious, and you are sure that you aren’t just seeing things because of your exhaustion or the current predicament you find yourself in.

The longer you are wrapped in his energy manipulation Evol and stare at his glowing right eye the more you begin to feel the Aether Core in your heart causing you agonizing pain in your chest. Compared to earlier, this pain in your torso is enough to bring tears to your eyes and you feel as if you just want to claw your heart out to rid your body of this insufferable pain.

With a curious expression Sylus tilts his head to the side and watches countless tears fall from your eyes. Because he has total control of his Evol he is one hundred percent sure he isn’t squeezing you tight enough to bring tears to your eyes and wonders why you are crying, but the moment you begin screaming loudly in pain a sudden surge of discomfort can be felt in his glowing right eye. “What the fu–” Blinking rapidly Sylus momentarily loses focus and almost drops your body down onto the woodland ground before refocusing his concentration and holding you within his energy tendrils again.

“It seems this little kitten is hiding a secret,” This time instead of holding your body tightly, Sylus ensures that his tendrils feel like a gentle caress against your skin. There is something familiar and comforting about being wrapped in his Evol energy, but you can’t place your finger on what exactly is so familiar about this. Nonetheless, you don’t have time to mentally shift through the varying theories in your mind as you start to feel yourself slip into a state of unconsciousness while your heart continuously beats as if it is going to burst out of your torso.

One. Inhale. Two. Exhale. Three. Fuck. FUCK! Cursing to yourself internally you attempt to use the methods from earlier to calm your heart back down but no matter how hard you try your heart insists on beating faster and faster. The pain at this point is too much to handle and you can no longer keep your body from drifting to a place of unconsciousness as your eyes grow heavy and your throat finally begins to feel the effects from all your blood-curdling screams.

Throughout your whole ordeal Sylus keeps his eyes on you until you are silent and breathing heavily while in a state of oblivion. Just like you, he feels there is a familiar energy about you that he is unable to pinpoint, and he wants to know the answer. He needs to know why the longer he stares at you and the longer he embraces you in his Evol you feel like… home?  

While in a temporary coma, his eyes drift from your face and down your body until they land on your covered sternum He is tempted to reach out to touch the covered area when the sound of his two minions breaks him from his trance. Staring up at Luke and Kieran, Sylus pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a disgruntled breath already mentally preparing for whatever nonsense the duo is going to put him through.

“Sorry we are late boss! Mephisto led us down the wrong path!” Luke pauses his explanation for him and his twin’s tardiness as he looks down at your body that’s comfortably laying in a tangled web of Sylus’ black and red tendrils. “Ooooo! Is this the pretty lady that useless bird told you about?”

Ignoring Lukes inquiry, Sylus looks down at you once more before lowering you down onto the woodland ground and glaring at the bubbling duo with a stern expression. “Make yourselves useful for once and carry her back to the base.”

Behind his crow mask Luke squints his eyes and places his hands on his hips. “But Boss… aren’t you the one with super cool powers?”

After tonight’s events Sylus can feel his patience growing thinner and thinner by the second and the last thing he wants to deal with are his two minions that often need to be threatened from time to time to complete simple tasks. “If either of you value your lives you will do as I say and bring this kitten back to the base.” Without another word he cast one last look at your sleeping form and one more lethal glare at Luke and Kieran before disappearing into the darkness.

“Boss sure is in a grumpy mood tonight. Oh well, come along kitty.”

“Luke, she’s not an actual kitten. And be quiet before you wake her up.”

“But look at her and how cute she is while she sleeps. Just like a kitty cat… I want to pet her.”

“Luke!”

Luke giggles as he gently picks you up and places you over his shoulder like a delicate sack of potatoes before looking over at his frustrated twin. Even though they both wear masks that conceal their faces and emotions, Luke can tell that Kieran is rolling his eyes at him while Kieran can tell that Luke has a silly grin plastered on his face. “Okayyyyyyyyy. Back home we gooooooo.” 

[spottedenchants]

Chapter 3 of the first time fic is done! So here is a snippet for you :3

~

Caleb sighs as if it were a held breath.

“Could you, ah-.”

He drums his fingers on Essek’s lower back.

“Mhmm?”

Essek scratches behind Caleb’s ear.

Caleb leans into his hand, sitting up and meeting his eyes with brows furrowed.

“Could you do, ah some- something, um, anything, just.”

Oh, a distraction? He can do that.

“Anything, Caleb?”

Essek trails under Caleb’s jaw as he croons, sh-skritching through Caleb’s beard along the way to his chin.

Conversation can be distracting, yes?

He traces a single forefinger down Caleb’s chin, then strokes featherlight fingertips over the stone of his throat to reach its hollow- plenty enough to feel Caleb swallow.

Essek settles his hands to either side of Caleb’s collar.

“It’s unwise to make such a broad offer.”

Caleb’s shoulders ease under Essek’s palms. His expression melts into a prettiest smirk.

“Maybe I like to play the fool sometimes.”

“You….”

Essek smoothes a hand over Caleb’s collarbone as if in contemplation, letting only a shimmer of his amusement rest on his face.

“You are a curious one.”

Entirely dismissive, Caleb shrugs.

“I can only hope to make you so.”

‘Only hope’? Please.

Fingertips splayed to Caleb’s sternum, Essek pushes him into a backwards lean.

“I think you deserve a little more credit.”

Hand curled under chin, he tips Caleb’s head up.

“Look what you’ve done, brought me into your bed--”

“Allow me to remind,”-

Caleb snipes, sly.

“You brought yourself.”

“And who has granted me the invitation, time and again?”

Essek presses his thumb against Caleb’s mouth to stop the retort he sees forming. Silly man, what is any of this but Caleb’s own generous fault.

“Who has let me so close?”

He draws Caleb’s lower lip into a pout.

“Who, Caleb Widogast…”

A breath apart, their noses brush.

Caleb’s hand rests motionless against Essek’s spine, steady as a knife poised between the vertebrae.

Essek presses his lips to his thumbnail.

Relishing Caleb’s hitched inhale, Essek grins in full.

“Who has let me stay?”

[thebest-medicine]

how about 54 with ler!molly and lee!caleb?? loveee seeing the squishy wizard get teased lol

Prompt 54 - "Oh man, is this a bad spot?"

A/N: of course! tis also a favorite activity of mine! poor dirt wizard.

…

“EeEE!” Caleb puts a hand over his mouth, cheeks blooming with color. “MollYEEE-mauk! StahHA—” He snorts, trying to scrunch his neck and back away from the tiefling.

“Oh man, is this a bad spot?” Mollymauk asks, scratching a nail over the same spot on the back of Caleb’s neck that he’s been touching over and over.

“Yes! It tihihihiHIHICKLES! Plehease!” 

“How many ‘bad spots’ are you still hiding, hmm? I’ll have to do a good and thorough check for more.” 

“Nohohoho-” Caleb giggles. 

“Every time I think I’ve found them all… you surprise me.” Mollymauk says sweetly. He tickles the same small spot on Caleb’s shoulder for a few moments longer, relishing in his squirms and giggles. 

“Mollymauk yohohou are- eheheHEHE!” Caleb trails off with whatever he was going to say as he giggles further. Molly seems to have tired of the same small spot and decided to start treating himself to the more familiar backs of Caleb’s ribs.

“I forget, is this a bad spot too?”

Caleb whines, unintelligible, his knees buckling as he squirms in Molly’s hold and finds himself laughing even harder.

…

[more sentence starter fic prompts]

[other sentence starter fics]

[read this & further CR drabbles on ao3]

[retro-stars]

 I have been seeing far too much content trying to paint Belos as a sympathetic character. 

He’s not.

You can be mad all you want, he is not a sympathetic character.

Want to know what he is?

A fascist, prejudiced, and overall delusional man who is designed to be seen as nothing more than a sad, irredeemable fool.

He was given a list worth 300 years of witches being nothing but peaceful so long as you returned the favor. People who were no different than him. He spent years mutilating himself with the explicit purpose of committing mass genocide.

 He was given a hand to reach to in the form his brother; the boy who raised him after he was dropped in his lap when he was a grieving teenager. Who, even after seeing countless acts of severe distrust towards witches, towards him, still loved and trusted Belos. Who asked for nothing in return but for Belos to trust his judgement in knowing what good for himself.

And what did Belos do? He looked Caleb in the eyes, spat him in the face for his kindness, and then stabbed him in the back. He then proceeded to spend centuries creating version of his brother to abuse and kill due to some strange mix of enjoying the pain of his brother, relishing in the suffering of all those around him, and a bizarre sense of entitlement to his brother life and loyalty.

He had more than enough time and resources to get over his own bigoted attitude. He just didn’t.

Don’t try and tell me that “It’s just how he was raised.” There are more than a few cases of people in History being raised in far more prejudiced environments, looking around and realizing “We are assholes actually” and changing for the better without nearly as much time or proof to the contrary as Belos.

Belos and his backstory is purposefully treated with a level of casualty that is designed to give off the impression that he is NOT sympathetic or complex. He is a sad man who baby raged for 300 years instead of getting over himself.

[ejzah]

In Miss Blye’s Class, Part 36

***

The last day of school fell on a bright and sunny Friday. They spent a good portion outside playing games and watching movies. It could turn a little crazy with the sheer amount of sugar available in the form of cookies, cupcakes, candy, and drinks and the promise of the summer off within reach

Kensi always looked forward to it despite the potential headache at the end of the day. She relished in watching how much all of her students had grown and flourished, but none more than Caleb. Though she hadn’t known when he first came into her classroom, she could see now how much confidence he’d gained. Even in the last few weeks, he’d struggled with his mom’s unexpected return, and somehow come out on the other side an even kinder and sweeter little boy.

She looked across the playground where he pushed another student on the swings, their laughter audible. She turned around, looking out for the students on the climbing structure, tied another’s shoe, kissed a bruise.

“Miss Blye, we brought you a surprise,” Caleb announced, stopping in front of her with Matthew. Together, they held out a fist full of dandelions and clover.”

“These are beautiful! Thank you!” She hugged each boy, feeling a wave of sadness. Watching her students move on to the next grade was always a joyful occasion, but she would miss them. “Alright, go play. We’ll be going in for lunch in a few minutes.”

Matthew ran off towards the swings again, but Caleb hung back. “Kensi, are you coming to dinner with me and dad tonight to celebrate?” he whispered.

Crouching down to his level, Kensi fixed him with an admonishing look. “Hey, we’re not supposed to talk about me and your dad at school, remember?”

“I know.” He ducked his head, letting out a frustrated sigh. “But it’s the last day.”

“It is.”

He stuck out his lower lip, looking up at her from under his bangs with sorrowful eyes. Not the first time, she thought that he’d definitely learned that from Deeks.

Enough of the staff suspected Kensi and Deeks had some sort of relationship, if they didn’t know outright. Still, she didn’t want to make it public for a little longer. It would be easier once Caleb was in first grade and no one could claim favoritism.

“I know it’s hard and confusing, but it’s just one more day. Ok?”

“Ok.” Caleb dug the toe of his shoe through the wood chips covering the ground. Then his face lit up with a mischievous expression, and he whispered, “But if you don’t come with you’re going to miss out on sushi,” before running off.

***

Deeks checked his watch, breaking into a jog as he hurried toward the front entrance of St. Bridget’s. It would just be his luck to be late for Caleb’s end-of-year celebration. In anticipation of the momentous occasion, he’d made sure to dress up in a suit and tie (as Caleb instructed) and brought cookies they picked up last night as well as a small gift for Kensi.

From his understanding, each grade had a separate time slot, with kindergarten just after their lunch. He followed a few other parents to the gym, taking a seat in a middle row. After a few minutes, Caleb’s class filed out onto a temporary stage across the room, led by Kensi. The music teacher and Sam Hanna were also in attendance.

Kensi looked particularly good in another blue dress with some kind of capped sleeves. He had to remind himself not to stare, but when she looked his way, he flashed a smile.

Caleb waved when he spotted Deeks with a giant grin. Deeks waved back, taking a quick picture before the program started. After a short introduction, Kensi stepped aside so the music teacher could lead the class through a series of song. Even though Deeks had heard Caleb’s not-so-secret rehearsals at home for the last four weeks, he enjoyed every minute of it.

When they finished the last song, Deeks jumped up with the rest of the audience to clap. Caleb looked startled by the response for a moment, but he recovered after a moment and started waving to the crowd like a little celebrity. Deeks shook his head and took another picture.

Coming back to the stage, Kensi took the microphone again. “Good afternoon everyone, thank you so much for supporting these wonderful children today. I’d like to take a moment to say what a pleasure it’s been to be their teacher and I know they’ll do wonderful things in first grade,” she said. “Now, I’d like to hand out some certificates of achievement.”

One by one, worked her way through the class. Each student was recognized in some way. Caleb’s friend Matthew received an award for a painting he made in art class while Caleb received a star reader award. Caleb held the colorful piece of paper to his chest as though it was made of gold.

As soon as all the festivities were over, Caleb jumped off the stage and ran to Deeks.

“Dad, look at my award!”

“I know! I’m so proud of you,” Deeks told him, picking him up, and holding him against his chest for a moment. “You did a great job up there.”

“I sang as loud as I could,” Caleb said, proudly.

“Oh believe me, we all heard you.” He ruffled Caleb’s hair, setting him back down. “All that practicing payed off.”

“Uh-huh. C’mon, we gotta give Ken—I mean Miss Blye her present!”

Tugging Deeks with him, he charged across the floor to where Kensi was talking to other parents and students.

Caleb waited very impatiently for his turn, bouncing slightly up and down with anticipation like he hadn’t spent the whole day and dinner the night before with Kensi.

“Caleb, you did such a wonderful job today,” she told him, giving him a tight hug.

“Thanks. We got you a present to say thanks for being the best teacher in the world,” he said very seriously. He offered Kensi a small box.

“You did not have to do that.”

Deeks had a feeling that was directed towards him more than Caleb.

“Oh, this is beautiful.” Kensi held up a bracelet with heart, book, and cookie charms. “Thank you so much, Caleb.”

“I picked it out all by myself,” Caleb informed her.

“Well, it’s perfect.”

After a little more chatter, Caleb drifted off to one of his friends, and Deeks moved closer since no one else had come along yet.

“You look nice,” he murmured.

“Do not start here,” Kensi warned him, even though she was clearly fighting back a smile. “Behave yourself.”

“I am on my very best behavior.”

“Well if it isn’t our favorite lawyer,” Sam Hanna said, coming up behind Deeks.

“Mr. Hanna, good to see you.”

They shook hands, and Sam gave Deeks a once over, nodding a couple of times.

“Well, I guess I was wrong. Turns out you have better taste than I thought.” He directed the last part to Kensi, who didn’t have time to respond before he started walking away. “Thought for the record, you weren’t fooling anyone.”

“Did he—?”

“Just give us his blessing?” Deeks finished. “Yeah, I think so.” Rolling her eyes, Kensi looped her arm through his.

“Come on, it’s time for cookies and juice pouches,” she said, but she didn’t resist when Deeks leaned in to kiss her cheek.

[feuerwizard]

for @windwithinmyveins || cont.

Caleb watched Ceres carefully, his expression unreadable as she spoke. He knew there was more to her than met the eye, more depths hidden beneath a charismatic facade. It had been over a decade since Caleb had last attended any sort of party, and the influx of strangers into their campsite made him feel a bit uneasy. He could sense the buzzing chatter and laughter of the crowd, the clinking of glasses and the wafting aroma of alcohol. Despite his discomfort, he couldn't resist indulging in a few glasses of shitty wine to ease the tension in the air. As the crackling of the fire filled the brief silence between them, Caleb's tone shifted, carrying a note of conviction. “Nein, it’s okay. I want the tadpoles gone as much as you do.”

The human man despised the tadpole, a small but persistent creature that kept him tethered to the group whether he wanted it or not. The thought of his mind being an open book to his fellow members filled him with discomfort and set him on edge. The others were always quick to point out his sour mood, as if they relished in poking at his defenses. Perhaps they were all burdened by the weight of their circumstances, haunted by secrets and uncertainties that threatened to consume them whole. He took a swig from his wine, the liquid burning down his throat.

His mind shifted back to the book, the reason he had initiated this conversation in the first place. He couldn't shake off the dangerous aura that surrounded it, but Caleb was unable to suppress the overwhelming envy he felt towards Ceres’ possession of such potentially powerful arcane knowledge. But Ceres was kind, kinder than the most of the assholes at this camp. For now, Caleb pushed his curiosity aside to show some semblance of decency in return. “You’re doing a good job, being the face of this. I don’t think we would have made it this far without you.”

[blorbologist]

also fjorjester, treat <3

I think this is my first time writing fjorester? Pure fluff for them <3 Echoes of the Solstice spoilers!

--

Caleb’s tower is swarming with activity: each cat servant shepherds villagers to rooms, or towards the dinning room as they deem appropriate. Fjord notices more: limping dogs and puff-tailed felines, too, cautiously sniffing spectral forms before a tail leads them to rest. 

Usually Jester would be in the middle of it all. The star, the centerpiece, the helm of the ship. Or Fjord would take that space for her, a grave duty he usually relishes for the glimpses of her latest prank. 

They don’t. Is the thing. 

“Fjord,” Jester giggles, prim and pleased and perfect, just perfect in his arms, her own wound around his neck. Tight because she wants them to be, not of any fear he’d drop her. 

(He could, and she’d shriek and laugh and tease him fondly for the stumble. She’s perfect because they can be imperfect. It makes sense. Really. Wildmother’s mercy, he’s a sap. For her.)

(His fiancée.)

He lost what she said in the silence as he kicked the door shut behind them. Caleb’s got some enchantment on their room to coax the chuckle of waves into it. Rasping in his ears, he can almost believe they’re home. 

Fjord clears his throat. Gently places Jester on the bed - gleaming like a pirate’s hoard. More precious than all the treasure the sea has to offer, and just as liable to sweep him off his feet. 

“... What was that?” he mumbles, and her sharp teeth and sharper eyes gleam sweetly with laughter.

“Fjord,” she repeats, drawing him close effortlessly, fingers swimming through his hair. He sighs as she gently untangles knots that the chaos of battle spun. “Momma’s gonna be so upset.”

He flushes - her cool skin feels good, spare hand cradling his cheek. “I - Jessie, was there - something? Was I supposed to ask her first? Or the Gentleman?” Wracking his mind for the customs of Nichodranas - sure he knows how sailors wed pretty well, but Jester’s from more than that. Maybe some sort of dowry, or -?

“No, silly!” She presses an impish kiss to his nose. “In all the best stories there’s supposed to be a ring.”

Oh. Ah. Well! This, this he planned for.

Fjord gently pulls Jester’s hand from his cheek. Takes a moment to admire them - strong, stable hands, quick and artistic and so nearly gone if she was not so clever to match. When he presses a kiss to the knuckles, he feels the cool of the jewelry against his lips, against his tusks.

And then, with a huge grin of his own, he plucks the ring of fire resistance from her finger. Pointedly raises his brows. And slides it where it now belongs.

Jester downright cackles, sending him into wheezing laughter of his own.

Definitely a proposal to write home about.

🎃For my trick or treat ask game! [No longer taking prompts, thank you so much for the fun!] 🎃

[starsinkmind]

I am currently obsessed with TURN so these are some comfort/depression meals I could see the characters eating.

Abe: Those flip Chobani greek yogurt cups. The ones where there is yogurt on one side and then a small topping on the other.

Mary: Grilled cheese... Idk, I just have a vision.

Richard: Pumpernickel Toast with the most disgusting relish he can get his hands on. We're talking like horseradish or something vile.

Ben: Trail mix. And yes, he does eat the M&Ms first (when he has time).

Caleb: Seasoned breadcrumbs. And he uses no utensils.

Anna: An entire bottle of red wine

Selah: A smoothie. He seems like the type to throw a ton of stuff into a blender when he dosen't have motivation to cook.

Hewlett: Royal Dansk cookies. These are the ones that come in a round blue tin. He definitely keeps the containers and uses them to store small items.

Robert Rogers: A half-cake from Food lion. He eats it all in one sitting, and then gets super nauseous after.

Simcoe: Those lollipops with bugs in them.

John Andre: Cheese and crackers. My charcuterie board king.

Baker: A bagel with strawberry cream cheese.

Abigail: Kraft Mac & Cheese

Cicero: Quick oats with brown sugar. I can also see him tearing up some applesauce pouches.

Akinbode: Refried beans from the can.

Philomena Cheer: Maraschino cherries.

Washington: Buttered noodles.

Nathaniel Sackett: Having a little trouble with this one... But he seems like an Ice cream sandwich kinda guy.

Benedict Arnold: A family sized bag of individually wrapped Snickers bars.

Peggy Shippen: A mug cake. Or maybe some dry cereal.

Robert Townsend: Black coffee with a lot of sugar.

Samuel Townsend: Chicken noodle soup.

[yanderedbdimagines]

What if the Deathslinger had a crush on a survivor who's smart, and strong enough to keep him on his toes. Only real issue is that they're also a smartass, who perceives the relationship between them as a rivalry. (And what would happen if the Deathslinger finally managed to gain the upper hand long enough to catch them.)

-------------------------

Oooohh a Deathslinger ask. I ended this scenario a bit abruptly at the end, but with the way the reader may teased him and outsmarted him, he simply seems like the kind of man who wouldn’t lengthen the interaction for too long, since he may be a bit paranoid of you escaping somehow and all that.

---------------------------

The Deathslinger

Caleb had always been a ruthless hunter; hatred, bloodlust and a sense of duty consuming his every thought and action. He relished in the power it gave him, the ability to seek revenge on those who had wronged him. But over time, even the screams of his victims had grown stale and hollow, unable to fill the emptiness within him as his original targets filtered out of existence. Even though he’d been embracing the darkness of the Entity for a long time now, his eyes glowing with a bright white light, a sign of his unwavering devotion to the ancient being that still resonates to this very moment.  

Then you appeared, a survivor who defied his expectations at every turn. Your intelligence and resourcefulness caught his attention, and your sharp tongue kept him on his toes. For the first time in a long while, he found himself challenged, and he couldn't help but be intrigued by you, although you often annoyed him to no end as well on many occasions.

As he pursued you relentlessly through the trials, he began to see your encounters as a twisted game, a rivalry that he couldn't resist. Your presence brought a thrill to his dark existence, and he savored nearly every moment spent in your company.

You, on the other hand, saw him only as a dangerous threat to be avoided. You mocked him mercilessly, using your quick wit and clever distractions to stay alive. To you, he was just another killer to be outsmarted and avoided. It was your way of staying sane and attempting to bring him and other killers onto a predictable path that you and other survivors could exploit.

But the Deathslinger was different. He eventually saw through your mental games and was mildly intrigued by these specific tactics. He adapted and overcame your attempts to taunt him, breaking through your glass cannon defense with ease. In the end, you found yourself trapped in a corner somewhere within the Gideon meat plant, with nowhere to go and no hope of escaping as he loomed over you and a pig's frozen corpse.

Caleb's glowing eyes bore into yours, and you knew what was coming next. But despite the fear that coursed through your veins, you refused to show any weakness. You stood your ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing you cower before him.

For a moment, there was silence between you, as if the world had stopped turning. Then, Caleb spoke, his voice low and menacing.

"This is the end of the rail tracks for you, dearie."

Thus, your world suddenly turns to black as he quickly knocks you out with the blunt end of his rifle.

He couldn’t take the risk of you potentially slipping through his fingers again… Not now you were finally within reach.

Besides, he has all the time in this twisted realm to make it up to you when you finally do come to...

[ariadne-mouse]

tell me about Frumpkin returns! (if you haven't already been asked about it)

Absolutely! This is set post-canon, and is a collection of ways Frumpkin might return to visit Caleb over the years, and the circumstances surrounding each. I haven't decided if they are sequential or if it's "some things that could have happened and one that did". But I love the idea that Caleb's beloved former-familiar would come back on his own terms, relish not listening to Caleb at all (how like a real cat), and otherwise make a wonderful pest of himself. Fun tidbits include run-ins with Artagan, post Solstice elements, and maybe some adventures in the Feywild.

[knowltonsrangers]

theoretically pt.6

TURN!Benjamin Tallmadge x F!reader

[ part one , part two , part three , part four , part five ]

Throughout the night, Ben remained still as a tomb in the desk chair, chin resting in his hand as he stares distractedly at the cot. Watching as you wrapped yourself up in the thin sheet to attempt to seek heat amongst the brimming snowstorm outside.

He couldn’t stop himself, the thoughts spinning around in his mind wouldn’t allow him sleep, lest not anytime soon. The feeling of guilt ate him away, the waking thought that the General had left this decision to him, such a heavy responsibility terrified him. While he was eager to please his superior, he wanted do right by you, for whatever the purpose may be.

And what that meant, he wasn’t entirely sure. Subconsciously, he knew he could never just toss you into town when it came time to move camp. With how confused you were, he couldn’t bear the thought of you wandering aimlessly in streets you didn’t call home.

Why were his thoughts so loud in his head? Typically, on nights like these, he’s happy to welcome the opportunity to sleep, blue eyes heavy with exhaustion. Tonight, it seemed he’s not going to get much rest, if any.

“Hm,”

He ponders aloud, shifting uncomfortably in the wooden furniture. Ben hated to make rash decisions, he relished in the safety of careful and calculated moves, and yet, here he didn’t have that luxury, to make one that would hold your fate in his hands.

Hastily, he turns back to his desk, beginning to draw up a proper course of action, something he can slip Caleb without having to exchange any verbal words amongst the camp.

He needed a second opinion on this, and it wasn’t going to come from you.

“I like yer pants, y/n. Where’d ya find ‘em?”

Somehow, you ended up a shivering mess in the middle of the woods, hands running along your upper arms to try and regain some warmth. Ben and the newly met Caleb had been chattering about what to do, and their conversation seemingly ended as the brunette turns to you.

“Oh? Um—“

You turn around to try and see where the logo was, forgetting yourself for the moment.

“They’re probably from Aerie—oh. You don’t know what that is. Right.”

Ben gives Caleb a look as if to say: ‘I told you so!’ And the shorter man replies with a face of dumbfounded curiosity.

“Don’t ya know what you have here, Ben?”

He exclaims excitedly, shuffling a step closer to you as your teeth begin to chatter.

“And what might that be?”

“If you say someone who can help you win the war, it’s a hard no.”

Caleb visibly deflates, spinning around to give you the saddest look you’ve ever seen on a man, his bottom lip actually jutting out slightly.

“Aw, why the hell not?”

“‘Cause I don’t know anything about the American Revolution. I know enough to skate by an Early American History class, but not enough tiny details.”

You shrug.

“And besides. Not really a good idea to mess with the black hole I probably fell out of.”

“Wassat?”

“Oh, forget it, will you? I asked you for help, not to turn this into some sort of solution to the war.”

Ben interjects, white snow beginning to scatter around the fallen leaves and dirt.

“Can I please get a jacket, I am going to freeze my butt off.”

Caleb chuckles, immediately shrugging off his outer leather coat before Ben can properly react. He tosses the material around your body, your shoulders basically melting at how warm the heavy black jacket felt.

“O-oh, I didn’t mean—“

“S’alright. Ye looked like a leaf.”

Smiling in thanks, you happily sink a little deeper into the article of clothing.

“That problem being solved, what am I to do when camp is set to move in a few days?”

Ben’s hands come to his hips, almost impatiently.

“Washington wishes for a solution by tonight. Think you can get out of here for the time being?”

Caleb bobs his head, mulling the question over before giving a hum of approval.

“Yeah, I think so. Where do ya have in mind?”

“Wait, I’m leaving?”

A slight ring of worry laces your words, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

“Just for now, y/n. I haven’t quite decided what I am to do with you, but I need the General to think you’ve left.”

“Why’s that?”

“If I keep you here any longer—“

“Yer going to raise some eyebrows, miss.”

Caleb finishes.

“Oh? In a good way or a bad way?”

Ben, unamused, becomes even more so as Caleb throws his head back in a belt of laughter.

“I like ‘er! I wouldn’t mind a bit takin’ you across the sound for the night.”

“I like you too,”

Offering Caleb a small smile, you then swallow thickly.

“I know I don’t have a say.”

You next turn to Ben, watching the way his eyes read you inquisitively.

“But I trust you. And if you trust Caleb, and think it’s best, then I have to trust your decision.”

“y/n.”

The blonde sighs, hands falling from his hips as he takes a hesitant step forward.

“I trust Caleb with my life. But please, don’t think I’m doing this because I want to. I’m doing it because I don’t have any other options.”

You sniffle, looking up at him from under thick lashes.

“Fresh outta those?”

It makes your heart leap for joy when he finally gets one of your jokes.

“Yes. So it would seem.”

Caleb looks between the two of you, smiling to nobody but himself as he begins to outline his plan.

“I’ll keep her safe, Benny,”

He needn’t to ask, but it reassured him nonetheless.

“I’ll likely see you tomorrow night then, y/n. Be well.”

It’s the bitter air that was full of hesitation and fear, but you decided it was best to make the move on your own volition.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,”

You joke breathlessly, a slight skip in your step as you walk over to the Major, just as he turned to leave.

“That’s hardly any advice, I—“

He’s stunned speechless as you wrangle him into the quickest side hug you’ve ever given, squeezing him tight before letting him go.

Ben, unfairly, never had any time to respond.

“Ahem. That’s not very good advice, y/n. I would never do anything you would do.”

With an amused smile twitching on his lips, he bids you and Caleb farewell before heading back through the woods, likely to the General.

“Ready to go, y/n?”

Caleb asks from beside you, a slight tremor in your voice as you watch the Major until he disappears behind some trees.

“Yeah. Ready.”

[tarydarrington]

re: the wip ask game - i think many of them have gotten asked already since i'm sending this a little late, but i'd love to hear about one you'd like to share that hasn't been asked yet!

hello hello! let's go with first time, the last of the shadowgast on the list

this fic and hanahakish are two sides of the same coin, a little bit; both of them center around caleb wanting very badly to do everything in the healthy way and wait to start a relationship until he and essek have both healed enough to do it right. hanahakish is the one where he doesn't get to do it that way, and first time is the one where he does

here's a little bit of the middle (unedited and a little bit old):

-

Let him have this one thing free of consequence. Let him kiss the breath from Essek and change nothing by it. He will mark it as an exception. Everything else has been done right—surely, they've both earned one transgression.

Essek's lips are parted just enough. His eyes are dark, heavy-lidded, and full of possibility.

Essek goes statue-still as Caleb brings one hand up to cup his jaw. A thumb brushes over the tear tract on his cheek, smudging it a little drier and his thumb a little wetter.

"Essek."

He hopes that Essek knows what he means. Caleb isn't sure he knows, himself.

Essek wets his lips, a gesture so quick it can only be unconscious, and the room grows warmer.

"Caleb?"

Nothing would be easier. Caleb shifts his weight closer, relishing the way Essek's breath hitches, relishing even more the way Essek matches the movement until their breaths begin to mingle. Of its own accord, Caleb's hand finds Essek's knee.

In many, many timelines—too many infinities to imagine—he's very sure this is it.

Caleb lets his eyes fall shut, heart fluttering like a rabbit's, and feels something in Essek's posture change.

There is a hand in his hair, but it's gentle. Instead of pulling him into the kiss he'd expected, it draws him forward until their foreheads rest against each other.

Caleb opens his eyes. Inches away, Essek's stay shut.

"I hope that they would have approved," he says. His breath is warm and tastes of wine.

Caleb swallows. "Ja, I think they would."

[invisibleraven]

"You're so good with children." for Willie/anyone?

Of all the careers Willie imagined for himself growing up, he never once imagined becoming a social worker. But maybe it wasn't all that surprising, given he had spent most of his childhood dealing with them. He wanted to be that person for some kid out there, helping them get out of a bad situation and into their forever home like Felicia had done for him.

So he studied, and worked hard. Some nights he went home crying for those kids he just couldn't help. Others he raged at the broken system that he worked for. But when he was able to help those kids he could? Their little toothy smiles made it all worth it.

Today though, he knew would be a hard one, since he had to visit a group home to ensure they were following guidelines, never a fun part of his job. Sure he always had fun chatting with the kids, but sometimes they confessed to mistreatment and it always broke his heart.

To make matters even more complicated, Caleb was in town and insisted they meet up. Normally Willie relished any time he got to spend with his dad, but on a day like today when all he would want after work was to decompress? It didn't sound like the best night to entertain his over the top patriarch.

"Lunch then?" Caleb suggested. "And maybe tomorrow we can do dinner, I'll even cook."

"I have to work today, straight through lunch, sorry dad," Willie replied apologetically. "But I'm totally down for you cooking. Especially if it's your lasagna, I've been dreaming about it since the last time I was home."

"You know I'm perfectly happy to give you th recipe William," Caleb replied.

"You know it won't taste as good," Willie teased.

"Well that's because I am only giving you the secret ingredient when you read my will," Caleb joked back. "Can I bring you lunch at least? It can't do for you to do your job on an empty stomach."

"I'd really love that," Willie started. "But..."

"No buts!" Caleb protested. "I'm going to drop you off a salad or something, get a quick hug, and I'm gone again, I promise."

"Fiiiine," Willie sighed. "Two minutes, that's all."

He was sure he would come to regret agree to it, but Willie only got to go home a few times a year and with Caleb's busy schedule running nightclubs all over the country, it was rare that they got to meet up. Maybe they didn't share a drop of blood, but Willie would forever be grateful to the man for taking him in, for being a real dad to him, despite not knowing a thing about raising kids.

Heck, Willie still had the plush dragon Caleb had gotten him when he was a kid. Sure, Lancelot wa a bit worse for wear, and he sat on a shelf rather than getting snuggled nightly, but Willie would keep that thing until he was dust, of that he was sure.

The next day was a good one, strangely. The group home was bright and welcoming, full of colour and life. It was easy to see the kids were loved and well looked after, and even if they knew this wasn't their final destination, they were happy enough to stay there until they found homes of their own.

Around noon, Willie heard the sound of Caleb's obnoxious purple roadster pulling up, and he couldn't help but grin, having fond memories of being driven around in it, the wind pulling at his hair. Taking it out for a joyride before he knew which pedal did which and being forbidden from sitting behind the wheel for life afterwards.

He went out to greet Caleb, but the kids of course followed him, wanting a closer look at the flashy car and the flashier man who just hopped out of it.

"Hey dad!" Willie called, waving, and then rushing into Caleb's arms. "I missed you."

"Missed you too son," Caleb whispered, holding him a smidgen longer. He then coughed and pulled back. "I see you're still resisting a hair cut."

"And I see you are refusing to age still, instead of embracing the silver fox you secretly are," Willie shot back with a grin.

Caleb handed him a bag. "Your lunch."

Willie accepted the bag, and then turned when he felt little fingers tugging at his shirt. One of the kids-Inez, if he remembered correctly stared up at him. "Mister Willie, is that your dad?"

"He sure is," Willie replied, crouching down low so he was eye level with the sweet girl.

"But he doesn't look anything like you!" she protested.

"Well that's because I used to be in a home just like this one," Willie explained. "Until my dad came looking for an awesome kid and found me, pretending to be a dragon. And decided that was way better and took me home. Just like some lucky parent will do for you some day."

"That's so cool!" Inez shouted. "I'm gonna go draw you as a dragon, so you can't leave until it's done okay?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Willie promised, linking pinkies with the girl and shooed her off to where one of the workers was calling her in for lunch.

"You're so good with children," Caleb remarked, leaning back against his car. "I knew you had to be, doing this job. But it's different seeing it in person."

"I learned from the best," Willie replied, slugging Caleb playfully in the arm.

"Pffft, I tried my best I suppose," Caleb said with a shrug.

"It was more than enough, believe me," Willie stated. "I do what I do because I want all the little Willies out there to find their Calebs. People who will try to be the best parents they can, and help these kids grow."

Caleb sniffled and looked away, but he reached over and squeezed Willie's hand. "Thank you son. That means a lot." He coughed then and slid on his ridiculous sun glasses that looked like they came out of a sci fi novel. "I'll let you get back to it. Dinner tomorrow, you can help me make lasagna?"

"Sounds great. Thanks dad."

"For the salad?" Caleb asked.

"And so much more than that," Willie replied, tugging Caleb into one last hug before rushing back to the group home, and watching the car speed away.

And wondered if he could get Inez to draw him a picture of Caleb as a vampire-just for fun.

[feuerwizard]

for @recitedemise || cont.

Caleb arches a single eyebrow, hidden smirk playing upon his lips as he watches Gale frantically react to their current predicament. Not much of an adventurer now, are we, Mr. Dekarios? The once prestigious archmage is unlikely to maintain his composed demeanor for long in the presence of the Mighty Nein, with vibrant personalities and wild antics. Much like this.

“You're panicking for no reason, magier.” With a calm demeanor, he wipes away the beads of sweat forming across his forehead before retrieving his worn spell book from its holster on the side. “Neither of us are equipped to dig ourselves free. We would be better off resting for the evening—either our friends will find a way to reach us first, or we will free ourselves in the morning.” This blazing heat would not do though, Caleb thinks to himself, flipping through the pages of his book in search of a particular spell that would provide relief without draining him of his energy.

Ah, here we go.

“It has been a while since I’ve cast this, but it should assist with the heat.” Caleb's hand rummages through his components pouch, the soft rustling of materials filling the air. His fingers brush against various objects until finally, they come across a small, familiar crystal bead. He takes it between his fingertips, relishing in its smooth texture and cool temperature.

Gently placing the crystal bead on the ground, the wizard begins his ritual. Within a minute, a ten-foot dome of glowing amber encircles him—the temperature in the magical shelter drops significantly, a comforting and protective sanctuary for two mages. Perfekt. Caleb's tousled head pops out of the dome, a playful glint in his blue eyes and a mischievous grin on his lips. “If you are going to walk around with your clothes off, at least come inside here.”