ausgebrannt | IC Inbox

[Punctuality was indeed one of Caleb's better qualities. It helped that he looked forward to it, to coming to retrieve essek from the shop and walk back to their home together. It was courtship, yes, and he relished in that part of it, in how normal and natural their relationship was. They existed in perfect orbit with one another, their own little galaxy made of magic and spells and cats and the small domestic luxuries, cook and dinner, sharing a warm blanket, the sound of Essek softly humming as his trance took him.

Caleb appeared through the door with a smile. It was warm enough that he'd foregone any sort of coat or scarf. His hair was pulled back and up, more hastily done bun that ponytail, and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.]

Sorry if I've kept you waiting, Liebling. [Was it his imagination or did his lover look a bit on edge? A tilt of his head as he made his way closer.]

Are you ready to head home?

I am~

[ Essek did not rise from the couch, a purple confection that was warmly fuzzed and soft-- but of course Caleb would know exactly how soft it was for general reasons. Instead he patted his hand lightly against the cushion with a rather arch smile. ] Perhaps you should come join me for a space of time? I have something that I would like to give to you..

[ There was a rather suspicious little box in Essek's hand, because of course there was. He had a very tender and gentle expression on his face, and it was not one that everyone was able to see. After all, the Ice Queen melted for no one but their Fire King-- was that not correct? ]

[Oh yes Caleb knew exactly how soft this couch was. Intimately familiar with it. Of course, it was not quite so plush and soft as a certain drow's skin, but that was not the current point.

He saw that smile then. Not tension though. Good. His gaze did catch on the small box in his hands, and then found and lingered on that beautiful face and the soft expression that he knew Essek did not show the world at large. It was an honor he would never take for granted that it was shown to him.

Caleb wasted no time in taking a seat next to the other wizard, lifting a hand to brush calloused fingertips along a cheek.]

Something to give me? Now I curious.

[ The drow could not help but feel the whisper of shivers at the touch, the way that calloused fingers surrendered such trust to his skin-- he closed his eyes for a moment, much like a cat would. In such a way, him and Kyorli shared the same sort of tendency to rub up against people that they liked. And in both cases, it was rare.

Very carefully then he slipped the box between the two of them, letting Caleb take it as he wished. ]

It is a tradition for the giving of a M'hrandii gifts-- you do not have to adhere to it, which is why I did not tell you-- but I wanted to give you something, as a remembrance of our first meeting. [ When Caleb opened the box, he would find laying in a little swathe of purple silk, a set of cufflinks; they would pair rather nicely on Caleb's wedding outfit and one could almost think that they would be Luxon shaped.

But surprisingly, they were not.

Instead, there were little cufflinks in the shape of cat paws-- suspiciously looking like the Cat's Ire that Caleb had cast that first time, the first time that Essek had been charmed and decided to teach the other Wizard Dynasty Secrets. ]

[In the short time it took for his fingers to brush along that cheek, Caleb distracted himself enough to forget that there was a gift in favor of suddenly wanting to kiss Essek until the drow was breathless.

But he was reminded when his fiancé spoke. Ah right.]

There is a tradition of gifts in the Empire as well.

[Caleb admitted, and he had one for Essek. Of course he had. He had just not been certain when it was best to give it to him. And he was a bit shy about it. That could wait though, Caleb noted, as he reached out to take the box. A glance from it to Essek and back and he opened it.

His eyes caught on the cufflinks, immediately noticing the shape of them -- very on brand for Caleb Widogast, yes.]

Our first meeting.... [He echoed softly before his expression melted, too much affection to contain.] Cat's Ire, ja? The start of everything.

[Who could have known it would lead to this? Caleb leaned up close to prses a kiss to Essek's cheek.]

I love them. They are beautiful.

I am glad that you like them.

[ The drow then leaned forward and brushed his lips very gently against the soft bristle of beard, and it was a sweet sort of tribute meant to convey how much affection he held for the other man. ] A man full of talent, I could not help but be intrigued by such a vibrant and curious mind with such a colourful repertoire of spells.

[ And that had only been the beginning for Essek Thelyss, Shadowhand of the Bright Queen. ] Sehr gut-- I am glad that you are pleased with then, they were custom made for me and I hope that you will wear them when we get married.

[ And was there a trifle hint of shyness to Essek at the statement, as if fearing (unnecessarily) that Caleb would not wear them. ]

Colorful, ja, that seems right.

[A laugh and he turned towards that kiss to nuzzle at Essek's cheek in turn, all affection now. He felt like he might overflow with tenderness, might come apart at the seams with how much he loved the other wizard.]

Whatever it was that caught your attention, it is the luckiest

Of course I will wear them at our wedding. And anytime I have a chance to in the future.

[They were going to become a staple of his outfits when he had cause to dress up even a little, because they would remind him of Essek, of that first meeting.]

Thank you, my love.

[He ran a finger over the clever little paw-shaped cufflinks before carefully closing the box. Precious things must be kept safe.]

Shall I give you your gift now as well?

[ There was a soft acknowledgement that came in the form of pleasure, the smile that could barely contain itself, but for intents and purposes it was so quiet, and part and parcel of the slowly spreading joy that the other wizard made him feel. He felt full with it, and also extremely content with his lot in life.

He had once spoken that he wouldn't change a thing, and that doubly was the case.

Despite it all, it was still difficult for him to accept gifts even if they were wedding gifts but he knew that it would be thoughtful and something that he loved, because it came from the heart of this incandescent man that he loved so very much-- the glowing fire that was his man. Some people called fire destructive, and perhaps it was- but it was also healing, and transmutative. ]

If you wish to give me a gift, I would gladly recieve it but also I am also patient, cultivated by 121 years.

So you are. But I am not so patient. Perhaps that is my human nature.

[Caleb couldn't help but find it appropriate that Essek had mentioned his 121 years just now. He slipped a hand into a pocket and drew forth a simple little pouch, a soft lavender color, cinched closed with a string, and held it out to Essek.]

It's of my own making...

[He explained, as if wanting to explain why perhaps it was not the most glamorous of gifts. When Essek opened the pouch he would find a pendant on a delicate silver chain. Looking closer he'd undoubtedly be able to tell it was amber, and likely feel the residual frisson of a spell that had been encapsulated within it. This was a manifestation of Widogast's Vault of Amber, and even closer inspection would reveal the ghostly outline of what at this size looked like a time-frozen storm of confetti.]

And it is both a gift for now, and one for, hopefully, many years from now. Because I am human, there will come a day when I am not here to tell you everything you mean to me, how much I love you, how remarkable you are. So... I took the liberty of writing these for you, to hold while I am here and have when I am gone.

[He'd penned love letter after love letter. Some stumbling, since he would never be a poet, but earnest and heartfelt. Page after page after page, written, collected, and preserved within the spell of this Amber Vault.]

The word to release them, when that day comes, is Sternenlicht.

[ Not a glamourous gift?

Oh no, he could tell the papers were but a firestorm, the way that they hovered in amber like little flecks caught within-- and his fingers closed around them reflexively to capture whatever warmth lay in that pendant, with his own cool temperate palm. Simple cufflinks, simple cufflinks when Caleb had given him a wealth of words. He could feel emotion capturing within and then a soft little hiccup, even as he leaned forward and bumped his head against shoulder, because he could not do anything else. ]

I've had enough of glamour in my life, my favor has been courted with so many gifts-- but none can compare to the sweetness with which I find this. [ Upwards, Essek looked at Caleb's profile then; the wizard would be able to see tears there, sweet and nearly ridiculous tears.

It would hurt when one day he had to read those letters, but it would be a reminder that it was worth it. ] You know, you I expect you to steal this pendant from me, so that you will pen many more letters to me.. I will want to keep reading those letters until my own life ends and I'm able to ah.. join you?

[ A smile, it was not a sad smile-- it was a 'I will love you forever' smile, and there was not a whole lot that Caleb could do to circumvent it. ]

Also those cuff links feel rather insignificant compared to the wealth you've given me this day. [ and yes, there were tears sparkling now in those eyes, from eyes that were not used to it-- but here was Caleb making all things possible in the name of love. ]

[Caleb turned his head to press a kiss through soft white waves as Essek leaned against him before looking down to him. There was no missing that little sheen of tears, and for the first moment there was a surge of worry, but no they seemed to be the kind of tears that came with joy and sweetness.

He lifted a hand to cup against a cheek gently, thumb caressing along the sharp angle of a cheekbone.]

Ja. There will be many more love letters added over the years. There will have to be. I keep discovering more things I adore in you, more ways to love you. I will have to add to the letters to be complete.

[He shook his head at the comment about the cufflinks.] Nonsense. They are perfect, a reminder and a symbol of the first time our minds met. The day my life changed for the better, even if I couldn't have known just how much at the time.

[ The way that Caleb spoke this so sweetly, he could envision it but not in truly great detail; he did not know that life would bring them a Pearl Beyond Measure or that one day they would walk through Rexxentrum with Essek in a disguise used to assist in allowing them a normal life.

But no matter, he knew whatever it was-- it would be a sweeter boon then he had no right feeling. ] I promise you, Caleb Widogast that I will love you with all my heart, you will never doubt a single moment.

[ He looked up at Caleb then, the thumb against his cheek and those warm island eyes, and then he huffed a little bit and buried himself further into those arms because there was no place that he'd rather be-- the future was never something he'd anticipated but he wanted that future with this man. ]

I had pondered the Luxon symbols but ah, I think we have had enough of Beacons in our lives..

[ There was a beat and a pause ] Well, except for the one that I still possess.

[ It was rather amazing what one could hide in a pocket dimension-- undetected. ]

And that is the greatest gift that anyone has ever been given.

[And somehow it was given to him. It was rather amazing really, and he would not give it up now. He couldn't. Part of him still held that pang of guilt at the knowledge that he would grow old while Essek remained in the prime of his life, but they'd had that talk, and they were both in too deep at this point.

His arm settled around Essek securely, happy to hold him close. A quiet huff of laughter, and he nodded.]

Ja. Except for that one. And the top floor of my tower. More than enough Beacons.

[He teased and leaned in to press a kiss to Essek's temple, apparently in the sort of mood where lavishing affection on his fiancé was his top priority.]

[ Yes, they had Beacons-- and wasn't that something that had brought them together at the start? That intrepid Empire man who stated he was of the Empire but no friend of theirs? Well they had both changed quite a bit and he rather looked forward to how else they would change going forward in the future.

He ducked his forehead so that a kiss could be levied against the skin, enjoying the contact for exactly what it was-- a testament to love, and if Essek was being honest; the forehead kisses were his favorite, a reminder of one of the greatest turning points in his life. ]

Now, is my young man going to walk me back to the castle? Its been a long day and you would not believe the amount of garments I am making so that people can attend our wedding in style.

[ A laugh even as he reached to place his hand in Caleb's, trust-- always trust ]

[Caleb leaned back with a smile, smitten through and through, but he stood up and offered a hand out to the other wizard, curling his fingers around Essek's and gently pulling the drow to his feet.]

Ja. Let me take you home, Liebling. You've been working hard. Perhaps you'll let me pamper you a bit tonight, mm?

[He had a few ideas for that, and some of it was self indulgent, the excuse to be close and touch his fiance, to spoil him a little. Maybe more than a little if he was lucky.]

Then let us go, Caleb Widogast.

[ Essek said this with a smile as he accepted that hand, placing their hands together with fingers entwined and then giving it a squeeze of such simple encouragement and trust that Caleb would never lead him astray-- unless astray was a euphemism for something else entirely. In which case his fiance could lead him as much astray as he desired.

There would be no complaints whatsoever. ]

A nice meal, a long bath and most assuredly a firm cuddle is quite in order, I suppose you could say it is a part of my demands.

Ah. What luck. All of those are in the plan.

[He lifted their joined hands up, until he could press a kiss to the back of Essek's knuckles, gentle and sweet and affectionate. He loved this complicated man so much. And he would happily lead him astray in only the best ways.]

You should be more demanding, I think.

[Demand away, Essek. Caleb was ready to give him anything and everything in his power to give.]

I have seen how much you enjoy demands, Chathtiu--

[ It was then that Essek raised himself to his full floating height, his back straightening and a sideways glance thrown Caleb's way, but there was a tenderness that lurked just underneath the raise of that brow, perhaps it was in the crease at the corner of that eye that determined a smile. ]

A Dynasty adage states that behind every Kryn is someone who is set in place to give them exactly what they want, and with very little in the way of a smart mouth.

[ A huff as he watched Caleb kiss the back of his knuckles. ] Though I do love your clever mouth--

[Caleb couldn't help a laugh as he was full on called out by his fiancé. He lifted his chin to look up at the other wizard in his float.]

Have you noticed that? Only when they're from you, Liebling.

[He'd gone and fallen head over heels and then heels over head for this man. He let his lips linger against those knuckles before letting their hands fall between them.]

Let's go home, and I will give you exactly what you want, including my clever mouth if that's on your mind.

I want all of you, Chathtiu-- nothing else for me will do.

[ A secretly arch smile then, thinking of course of the ways in which that mouth could be of use. It was a smile that the Wizard would know well, it brought to mind memories of sweetness combined with heat, of companionship and yes also a wealth of things that the other man had quite simply unlocked within him. ] I will promise that my demands will only serve to your betterment, and our mutual satisfaction.

[ Essek was well aware of the trust that the wizard placed in his hands, and he would hold it tightly like a treasure, a pearl beyond price. ]

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