#we better get to see a wizard reunion in the oneshot I need Matt and Liam to Devestate me

[quinn-of-aebradore]

“You will come back.” Essek says and it is not a question or a statement; it is a plea.

Caleb huffs a sigh, stroking his husband’s cheek. “Schatzi-“

“You will,” Essek’s gaze shoots from the floor to Caleb. “I will not be there to protect you. So you will promise me that you will protect yourself.”

“Essek. Liebling, you know I cannot make any guarantees.”

Caleb catches a glint of fang as Essek grits his teeth, the hand at his side clenching for the briefest of moments.

“He will not take you from me.”

Angry tears bead in Essek’s eyes, blurring the silver lining them and spilling down his face. Again, he breaks Caleb’s gaze and stares at the floor. Caleb’s chest aches at the sight of it, knowing he can do nothing to end the pain, only lessen it.

“I sold my last home away for him,” Essek mutters after a moment, voice scalding with the hurt it contains. “He cannot take my new one from me too.”

The last words break on a sob and Caleb catches him just as he pitches into his arms. Tight as a vice, he holds Essek to his chest as he weeps, face buried in the scarf he himself knitted.

“Come home to me, Caleb Widogast,” he begs. “Please don’t leave me.”

Caleb has not heard him sound so broken in years.

“I will,” he whispers, ignoring the sour bite of uncertainty in his throat, and presses a kiss to Essek’s curls. “I’ll come home, my love.”