Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Caleb is still asleep when his phone begins to blow up. He fumbles for the phone and finds at least 15 messages from Jester. It's Da'leysen and Caleb's store is closed. Jester should know that he is sleeping in today.

Frumpkin lets out a pitiful meow as he's dislodged from his sleeping place on Caleb's chest.

"Na, na katzchen." He placates Frumpkin with ear scritches as he opens up his messages and scrolls to the most recent.

Was?

Jester usually announced her trips far in advance. Caleb checks his calendar but found no reminders. Not that he needed any.

He sits up further and rubs his face. Surely the others knew about this?

Caleb groans and throws his phone down with a thump on the bed. He promised his therapist to work on showing affection freely but that was easier said than done.

Jester should be easy though, she loves everyone. Fjord was getting used to it. Beau...well Beau still had some work, but she and Caleb were frequently in each others' space. Veth was the only one he could freely show it to. They have been through everything together in the past few years.

Caleb snorts and opens his text thread with Veth

Caleb stretches and begins to go about his day. He's in the middle of towel-drying his hair when he finally gets another text from Veth.

He grins and shakes his head. As he exits the bathroom, Frumpkin gives a chirrup from his post outside of the door. The cat jumps up on Caleb's shoulder and the two make their way to the kitchen for lunch.

Orange hues are streaming into Caleb's living room when his phone chimes again. He sets his laptop and glasses down and rubs his eyes. Veth is always harping on him to take breaks and this is the typical result.

He tidies the various notebooks he has strewn about. Caleb's constantly teased by friends and colleagues alike for his apparently "old school" habits. Caleb could use a computer proficiently, but it is more comfortable for him to take notes and compile his information in the way he is used to.

He gets dressed and is pulling on his shoes when he realizes it's awfully quiet at the moment. Too quiet. Normally the cat is...

Fuck

Caleb straightens up to find Frumpkin, in a perfect cat loaf, laying on his laptop.

"Frumpkin! Nein!"

Chapter Text

Veth's waiting for him as he exits the building. It's just started to get cold in the evening and the halfling woman is already in her signature yellow coat and scarf. The two walk the short distance to The Blooming Grove. The quaint building is situated on the edge of the Pentamarket and serves as Caduceus's cafe and tea shop. It's picturesque, painted a soothing green that's accentuated by dark timber and tied together by the various flora sprawled across the face of the building. It fits in perfectly in the historical district of the Pentamarket. The Grove also features a beautiful outdoor area with a view of Caduceus's famed garden.

Caleb opens the door, setting off the odd melody of Caduceus's chimes. The hearth that normally is for decoration is lit and the interior is dim and cozy. The scent of baking bread and other foods permeates the air. Caleb sighs contently and hangs both his and Veth's coats up before heading into the cafe proper.

He barely gets a look around before a blue blur comes streaking towards him. Somewhere behind him, he hears a little shriek of surprise from Veth.

"Caylebbbb!"

Jester runs headlong toward Caleb and then, in a split second decision, screeches to a halt. She's stopped directly in front of Caleb who has his eyes closed, arms outstretched, and is bracing for the collision. He peeks an eye open when he isn't caught up in her usual back-breaking hug. The others are looking towards them with a variety of expressions upon their faces.

The pair stares awkwardly at each other before Jester begins to giggle. Upon hearing her the rest of the group, including Caleb, starts to crack up as well.

"I'm sorry Caleb!" she stops to take a breath, "I forgot I shouldn't...ya know, get in your space."

Caleb smiles warmly. Jester is infamous for her lack of awareness of personal space. It took him an age to get used to that, but now it seems that the young woman has been taking steps to respect peoples' space.

"I came prepared for your hugs this time." he says, arms still open in invitation. Jester's eyes glimmer and her ears flick up dramatically.

"Oh my goshhhh!"

She hugs him tightly and looks up at him with the cutest face. Caleb can't help but laugh and make a face back at her. It surprises him that he feels so...right, at this moment. It pulls somewhere in his heart. It's not the sorrowful and lonely feeling he used to have around Jester, when his heart ached simultaneously out of infatuation and self-loathing. That pull instead speaks to him of a different kind of love and it's one he's becoming much better at accepting.

"Caleb? Are you ok?"

"Ja, I am great."

They separate and Jester pulls him by the hand over to their table. While the outside of the Grove appears as a charming cottage, the inside is a touch more modern. Caduceus' kitchen is open to the cafe floor and features a u-shaped island with a large booth built down into the middle. The sides of the marble island double as seating for a "bar" area. This also being Caduceus' home, there isn't exactly enough alcohol to constitute a bar.

"Hey, look who showed up!" Beau is sitting in her usual indolent posture near the end of the bench, beer in hand. Caleb throws an elbow as he sinks into the booth beside her, resulting in her mock kicking him as she scooches over.

"I'm here too!" Veth takes her place beside him and makes a vulgar gesture at Beau, who returns it jovially.

Fjord slides a bottle Caleb's way.

"Don't have any of your fancy Zemnian beers tonight. You'll have to drink the piss water like the rest of us." The entire table cackles and Beau cracks open the beer.

Caduceus finally leaves the kitchen, bringing more treats to the already loaded table. All the while, Jester has been chattering away ecstatically about her new shop.

"Oh my gosh you guys, it's going to be so great." Jester's voice pitches up and down comically as she speaks. "The place is almost perfect for what we have in mind! We have to knock down and put up a few walls for private rooms and all of that shit but we totally have a solid plan to start off with. We. Are. So. Excited. And Molly and Yasha will be here too! It's gonna be so wonderful having everyone together!" Jester plops her head in her hands and sighs dreamily.

Caleb glances over at Beau when she chokes on her drink at the mention of this Yasha. Fjord snorts and reaches over to slap her hard on the back. He exchanges a confused look with the half-orc but Fjord simply grins and shakes his head.

Beau attempts to change the subject, but she's still coughing and sputtering.

"Ok, do you like, have a name for it yet?"

"Mmmm, we have a few ideas but mostly just boring ones. We're work-shopping it. It's not super important right now."

The two women bounce ridiculous name ideas at each other while food and drink are being passed about the table. Caleb doesn't realize, but he's smiling ear-to-ear with his friends around him.

Veth definitely takes notice and she gives his hand a little squeeze before rejoining the group's antics.

Chapter Text

It's late afternoon on Grissen, two weeks later, when a riot of color enters Widogast's Tomes. Caleb is at his desk, working on cleaning and mending the books that he got his hands on recently. Globules of Dancing Lights glow faintly about him. These slow days are enjoyable and he can pour his magic into something useful that wasn't necessarily schoolwork.

Jester bounces in, decked out in a hot pink dress that really should clash with her skin tone. As always, the little blue tiefling manages to look cute in anything. Another tiefling strides in behind her and Caleb assumes this has to be Molly. They're wearing a white v neck, purple striped and harlequin pants, and an ostentatious embroidered jacket. It's an odd combination, but like Jester, they're managing to pull it off.

And they look quite good...

Caleb's rubbing at his ears that are starting to redden at the intrusive thought. Thankfully neither tiefling seems to notice.

"Hi Cay-leb!!" Jester sing-songs, "I brought Molly over to introduce the two of you! Molly, Caleb. Caleb, Molly."

Before anyone gets a word in, she claps her hands together hard enough to startle the wizard.

"I'm going to go make some hot chocolate, you have the stuff for it right!?"

"Uh...ja. As soon as it started getting chilly, I got everything. Help yourself."

"OkI'llbebacksoon!" Jester squeals and scampers off to the back of the shop.

Molly chuckles and turns to Caleb.

"Mollymauk Tealeaf. Molly to my friends." They extend a lavender hand that's adorned with several rings.

"Oh! Uh...Caleb Widogast." He hesitates at first but shakes their proffered hand. As they retreat, Caleb notices a peculiar tattoo on the back of Molly's hand - a snake with a single crimson eye on the middle of its head.

"It is nice to meet you, Mollymauk. Jester has not stopped talking about you. Um, if I may, what should I call you by?"

Molly cocks their head to the side in confusion.

"Verdammt, was ist das- um, like he or she?"

"Oh! Pronouns!" Molly looks delighted. "He/they, personally. But I don't particularly mind being called by others."

"Good to know. Thank you" Caleb glances around, rubbing at the back of his neck.

Small talk, Widogast. You can do this.

"So...how did you and Jester meet? I don't believe she's told me."

"Oh jeez, it's kinda a long story." Molly scrunches his face briefly as he's pondering.

"My best friend Yasha and I were part of a traveling carnival for a couple of years." He laughs as he sees Caleb's eyebrows fly up. "Weird, I know! The owners knew Jester's mom and we went to Nicodranas one summer. Jess and I hit it off immediately and the Ruby practically adopted me then and there." Molly stops a moment, a fond expression surfacing.

"Anyways, Jester had been tattooing for a while and I was interested so I decided to stay and apprentice under her. Yasha will actually be joining us here too, she's a piercer and my apprentice now."

Molly told him more about his time in Nicodranas and about the plan to renovate the shop. There were a lot of things Caleb did not quite understand, but he listened nonetheless. Eventually the tiefling trailed off and turned his attention to the store.

"So this is what? A library?"

"Ah, yes. A book store as well, I suppose. A lot of the university students come here to buy their books and to study. I uh...I have a lot of books."

"I'd say." Molly was strolling idly about the front of the shop. He lightly strokes the spines of a few tomes. "Some of these look very old."

"They are, though the really old ones I have in a much safer place. I restore books and scrolls to the best of my abilities but some of them are quite delicate. I keep a small vault downstairs with limited access for those."

"What, you got super secret classified stuff down there?"

"Hmm...perhaps. There are many in multiple languages that I have yet to translate."

Molly turns toward him with wide eyes.

"You translate them too? Next you'll tell me you work with the Cobalt Soul to decode their shit." His shit-eating grin fades slightly as Caleb shrugs and nods.

As if on cue, Jester returns with two very large mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream. She passes one off to Molly.

"What are you twooo talking about?" she wiggles her eyebrows dramatically.

"Oh, nothing. Caleb was talking about how he is super smart and into top secret government stuff." Molly teases flippantly.

For a split second, Caleb feels like he's suffocating. Logically, he knows it's just Molly joking but his body seems to be convinced otherwise. He locks eyes with Jester, who already has sprung into action. Several seconds go by until Caleb snaps back into the present.

"- though!? He's super smart but he spends too much time with his nose in these dusty old books!" She winks at Caleb.

"J-ja, so you all say." He’s still dazed but the wizard can’t help but concede and roll his eyes.

"Well, thank you Caleb! We’re gonna go see Beau now. I promise I'll return your mugs!" Jester trots up to him for a big hug and quickly kisses his cheek. A brief glance is all Caleb needs to tell that she's checking on him. He nods.

"Have a good day...make sure to bother Beauregard for me."

Jester mutters an affirmation and Molly finds Caleb's blue eyes and barely-there smile back on him.

"It was nice to meet you, Mr. Mollymauk."

Molly offers an easy, lopsided grin and mock salutes him.

"See ya later, Mr. Caleb."

Caleb slumps back into his chair. He recasts the lights and watches the globes shift around him.

They're barely out of earshot when Jester turns her attention to Molly.

"Soooo...what do you think?"

"Huh?"

"Of Caleb, silly!" Jester pouted, exasperated.

Molly just shrugs. Caleb seemed like a nice enough guy, if a little strange. Molly could hardly judge him for that.

"He was a little awkward, but he's a little more talkative than you made him out to be. Poor fella seemed to be on edge though, like he might bolt at any time. Is he always that tense?"

Jester's silent as she determines how to explain.

"Caleb issss.....learning to be a person again. Kinda like you were."

Molly simply hums at that.

"He's gotten sooo much better in the last couple of years! At first, he could make eye contact and now he does even with new people! He's really funny too! He wasn't trying to be rude, I swear. He's just...."

Jester huffs.

"It's not my place to say," Molly cocks an eyebrow at that. "I know, I know! But he's a private person for a reason and despite me being me, I respect that. He's a good person and a good friend. He just doesn't quite believe it all the time."

Molly links his hands behind his head.

"Eh, you know me, Jess. That kind of thing isn't that important to me. "

A moment of quiet passes before he speaks again.

"But, uh...he is pretty cute. And hella smart, didn't know I was into that."

Jester makes a little squealing noise and flicks the tip of her tail at him.

He rolls his eyes, not that she could tell. Molly's known her for 3 years now and she hasn't become any less predictable with her matchmaking.

"Easy there, killer. Somehow I don't think I'm his type."

Did Caleb have a type?

Caleb was...something. Sure, he was a bit awkward but Beau and Fjord could be too. There was something about him though. Molly was actually surprised that Caleb had as strong of a handshake as he did. Caleb appeared shy but that faded away when he was engrossed with telling Molly about his work. And despite that demeanor, he barely batted an eyelash to Molly's appearance and behavior. Most people generally showed how worthwhile they were simply by how they reacted to the brazen and colorful tiefling. Perhaps Caleb was just accustomed to Jester's presence, but it was still a good sign.

Jester....

Molly muses over what Jester said - he's learning how to be a person again.

He curls into himself. Molly remembers how that was, how agonizing it can be when you don't know who or what you are. Maybe he and that kinda frumpy (yet adorable), bookish man have more in common than he thought.

Molly thinks of Caleb's small, careful smile and decides he doesn't like imagining him like that.

Chapter Text

Whelsen is a rainy, dreary day. Today Caleb's shop is only open for university students for tutoring and study. Caleb works on his own schoolwork between helping students.

Across the street Molly, Yasha, and Jester are in their first real day of work.

"I'm thinking the mural overrrr here!" Jester chimes as she scrapes a piece of chalk across the wall. She's been writing 'notes' over everything in the building - the wall set to demolish has a huge X and several dicks wearing construction hats.

Molly's in the midst of dragging a sledgehammer toward that wall.

Yasha gives Jester's area a once over and nods.

"I think that's a nice place. Are you still doing the flowe--" she catches a glimpse of Molly with the sledgehammer and hollers.

"Hey, get a mask and glasses! You don't wanna breathe that shit in!"

Molly looks like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Yes ma'am!" he squeaks.

Yasha looks back at Jester, who is smiling smugly.

"You used your 'mom voice.'"

"Honestly, sometimes they have the common sense of a 5 year old."

Jester is doodling some placement ideas on the wall when the girls hear a crack!

They watch as Molly swings the sledgehammer several times, leaving only a few holes in the wall.

"What is...this bullshit? This was supposed to be....the fun part." He's panting and leaning against the sledge.

Before Molly can haul it back up over his shoulder again, Yasha grabs it with one hand and busts out a large chunk. She shrugs and Molly glowers.

The three spend the early afternoon knocking out walls, measuring, and ripping up gods-awful linoleum.

It's about 4 pm when they call a break. Molly pulls out a thermos of tea in addition to Jester's giant bag of snacks. The tea was a gift from Caduceus, who had put together housewarming baskets for the three of them.

"That's very good, I will have to thank Caduceus when I meet him."

"We went to visit Caleb yesterday too. Molly thinks he's cuuuute ~"

"Oh?" she looks to Molly, presently tipping back a bag of chip crumbs into his mouth.

"You'd like him, Yash. He's quiet and mysterious like you. I'm sure he probably has some books you like too. I mean, the place is packed floor to ceiling."

"Well duh! It's a library, Mol-ly!"

"I'm just saying!"

Under the sound of the two tieflings bickering, Yasha whispers.

"I wonder if he has any books about flowers."

Chapter Text

Construction at the tattoo parlor has started earlier than Caleb imagined. It's been 3 days since Jess and Molly visited him and already there's dumpsters full of debris and supplies piled outside of the shop front.

Caleb has an excellent view, even through the crowded front window of his shop. He's sipping on coffee and watching Molly direct a tall woman hoisting a large bundle of wood onto her shoulder.

"Gods, she's hot."

Beau appears beside him with her own cup of coffee. It's twice the size of his.

"Ah. That must be Yasha."

"'Ah' yourself, man."

Beau squints at him and rubs her eyes. Despite helping Caleb out every Folsen, she's always dead tired and cranky. Fortunately they open later this morning and she's helping with cataloging and organization.

"Well, let's get started. I am probably going to call it early today anyways." Caleb pretends he doesn't hear Beau's short hiss of 'yesss!'

He sits and smooths a hand across his desk. It's an antique, a beautiful roll-top in near perfect condition. He found at a yard sale for disgustingly cheap. He has a variety of antiques and knickknacks typical for an old bookstore tucked back in the area that serves as his 'office.' It's more for aesthetics than function. Caleb uses a computer and has an actual work area for any particularly delicate and arduous work.

It's another slow day, typical for the later autumn months. Caleb strays from place to place, busying himself with whatever he can find. From time to time, he checks on the progress that the three are making across the way.

"You know you can go over and say hi."

Caleb peers up over the book that he's been examining scrupulously. It's one of Veth's flea market finds and there's traces of magic throughout it.

"Was?"

"You've been looking out the window any time the smallest flash of purple appears."

Caleb stares at her.

"Molly..."

"He is difficult to miss, Beauregard."

"Riiight, whatever you say dude." Beau mutters something that he doesn't catch as she walks away. He catches a few more glimpses of "purple," as Beauregard put it before truly going back to his work.

It isn't long until the subject of their short discussion walks through the door. Molly's looking around, clearly not being able to see the man hunched over his desk.

"Over here, Mollymauk!"

The tiefling starts, glancing around before spotting Caleb. Molly looks at him curiously for a moment before making his way over. Caleb sits back and pushes his glasses on top of his head.

"Hey! We are taking a break and Caduceus gave us some tea the other day. I figured I'd bring you two some." He sets a cardboard carrier on the counter and offers one to Caleb.

"Oh, that is kind of you. Danke."

He grins and then his attention shifts behind Caleb.

"Dude, is that a typewriter? That's cool as shit!"

"You've never seen one?"

"Only in pictures and movies."

Caleb moves to let Molly have a closer look. He impulsively reaches to touch a key before thinking better of it and pulls away.

"Go ahead. It's functional, but I don't have any ink for it at the moment."

Molly prods at a few keys and watches the bar slide along the blank parchment.

"Does it actually make that 'ding!' sound like you hear in the movies?"

Caleb depresses the space bar several times before it chimes and Molly snickers. He's absolutely enraptured and it's entirely too endearing.

"I'm sorry, I must seem like such a kid right now. I love old stuff like this"

"Don't be, there are a lot of people who have never used one. They were still somewhat rare when I was a child."

"That's 'cuz he's OLD!" Beau calls from around a shelf. She's looking at Caleb smugly before darting away.

"Beauregard, I am thirty-thr--" he's immediately interrupted by an "OLD!" coming from behind the shelf.

"Don't listen to her, she's being UNPLEASANT!" Molly calls, laughing as he sees Beau flipping him the bird from around another shelf. He claps a hand onto Caleb's shoulder, causing the redhead to recoil.

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry!"

"Nein! I was not expecting it is all."

Molly looks a bit sheepish and glances at his watch.

"I should probably get going. Jester and Yasha are gonna be wanting to work a little more."

Caleb tries to mask his disappointment. He's genuinely been enjoying speaking with someone new for once.

"Oh. Well, thank you for the tea."

He gives that same scant smile that hits Molly in the heart.

"No problem. See ya later, Unpleasant One!"

"Whatever, Obnoxious One!"

Caleb smacks his head down on the desk.

"You are such an idiot. He probably thinks you hate him."

Fingers thread through his hair.

"I don't know what you're saying but it sounds dumb." She speaks in a uncharacteristic tone. Caleb turns his head and gives her a once-over.

"Right, so! We're going out to the bar tomorrow night. I know you aren't doing shit but schoolwork."

"Beau...."

"Just think about it. It's gonna be chill, alright? There won't be super loud music so it shouldn't overwhelm you."

Caleb sighs.

"C'mon! Molly's gonna be there!"

"I will think about it."

"Heh."

"Goodbye Beauregard! Have a nice evening!"

Chapter Text

True to Beau's word, the bar isn't crazy. He thought about skipping the evening but he knows and actually does want to get out more. It's just that his brain doesn't always agree. For the most part it's Caleb's friends and quite a few regulars. He spots Fjord who is waving him over and they share a "bro hug" as Beau calls it.

"Good to see you, Caleb. I'm mighty glad you showed up. I had beer ordered for you in case you come over. Zemnian too." Caleb pats him on the shoulder.

"You are too good to me, my friend."

"Beau you useless lesbian!" Molly bellows across the room where Beau was trying to talk to Yasha.

Molly is sporting much more toned down clothing this evening. He has on torn black jeans and tshirt that reads "If found, return to Yasha" covered by a hooded sweatshirt with a strange pattern of eyes on it. He is however, wearing some kind of rainbow sparkly powder on his cheekbones to counteract the lack of color.

"Heyyyy! Didn't know you were going to show up!" Molly has a beaming smile as he approaches Caleb and holds out a hand.

"Ah, ja. This is not exactly my thing but it is nice to spend time with friends. I am supposed to get out more but uh...." He looks around uncomfortably at the other people standing around the bar, "it can be difficult."

Molly jerks his head towards the tables lined against the walls.

Why don't we go sit down? You probably won't feel so crowded.

"Heya Fjord! Come join us!" The half orc raises his glass to Molly.

"I will in a bit, Jester and Caduceus are somewhere over there though."

Molly leads him to the booth that Caduceus and Jester are occupying. Jester immediately jumps up and hugs Caleb.

"I'm so glad to see you! Oh here, take my seat! I'll sit with Caduceus." Caleb and Molly scoot into the other side of the booth. Caduceus looks up with a big grin.

"Wow, this is really nice. I think we're only missing Veth now."

"I believe she is on her way with Yeza, actually." Caleb replies

As Caduceus and Jester continue their conversation, Molly leans over.

"See, not so bad!"

"No, it's not. Thank you."

Molly does a double take. Caleb has the biggest smile on his face that he's seen, which to be fair isn't a long time. He almost misses the question Caleb asks.

"If you don't mind me asking, there seems like there's a story behind your shirt."

"What?" Molly looks down and laughs, "Oh, heh. It's a bit of a joke between me, Yasha, and Jester. I used to go a little too hard and Yasha'd have to come find me before I would do something stupid. Jester made these for us. She has one too!"

"So if you don't get out much, what do you do other than run that shop?"

"I'm sure it is no surprise that I like to read."

"Never would have guessed." Molly deadpans, then takes a swig out of his bottle. He's managed to arrange himself to face Caleb, back against the wall and a leg tucked up on the bench.

"I'm not much of a reader. I love stories, but reading gives me headaches. What do you typically read?"

"Many things - fiction, nonfiction - I like learning all that I can. I do particularly like to read books on magic and magic theory. I am actually a wizard."

A big grin breaks out on Molly's face. He practically looks like he's glowing with the lights reflecting off his cheeks. Caleb can feel his own cheeks start to flush at the sight.

"Really! That's awesome, what do you practice?"

"Currently I am studying at the University. Advanced Transmutation theory mainly."

"Transmutation? That's like, turning stuff into other stuff right?"

Caleb's eyes light up. Molly recognizes that spark of confidence creeping up and leans in.

"Essentially, yes. It is my specialization, my undergrad and post-grad were in Transmutation as well."

"Wait...does that mean you're studying for a PhD?"

Caleb nods.

"Wow. You are super smart."

"Ah, well-"

Caleb scratches at his arms and looks away bashfully. He catches Beau's eyes. She takes one look at his movements and glares at him. Caleb takes a deep breath and tries to remind himself of things his therapist has told him.

"Don't look down on yourself. You've worked hard to get where you're at. Take the compliment."

He turns back to Molly, choosing to focus on the point where his horns meet his forehead.

"Um...thank you."

"Hey, no prob." If Molly is bothered by Caleb's fidgeting and awkwardness, he shows no sign of it. The tiefling took the last big swig from his bottle and motions to Fjord. A minute later the half-orc comes over with a few beers and soft drinks for Jess and Cad.

"Move yer ass over Jess." He passes a new beer to both Caleb and Molly and squeezes in next to Jester. Molly cracks open the beers and settles back into his seat.

"So, Mr. PhD. What made you go after Transmutation instead of like, Evocation?"

Chapter Text

Molly was pleased to see that Caleb was loosening up throughout the conversation. He appeared to be much more comfortable talking about magic.

"So, Mr. PhD. What made you go after Transmutation instead of like, Evocation?"

That was apparently the wrong thing to ask. Now Caleb's gone completely still. Molly watches the muscles in his jaw strain as if he was biting back words. The tiefling glances across the table. Fjord and Jester's eyes dart back and forth nervously between the two men. Molly just misses Fjord beginning to reach out a hand, only to be gently stopped by Caduceus who looks as nonplussed as ever.

Caleb opens his mouth and sighs, biting his lip before finally speaking.

"I do not have good experiences with that type of magic. It's not something that I wish to speak about." Caleb's voice is flat and Molly notices the white-knuckled grip on his forearms.

What had happened to this poor man?

"Shit. Sorry I brought it up. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."

The tension bleeds slowly from his shoulders as he processes that Molly isn't going to pry. He still can't meet those scarlet eyes but allows himself to refocus on the tattoo that stretches just below his cheekbone. A sliver of a smile returns to Caleb's face.

"I-thank you, Mollymauk. I would be happy to tell you about my current research, if you'd like."

The bar door slams open. Everyone at the instinctively turns to Jester, who is taken aback as much as everyone else.

"Guess who, bitches!"

Caleb instantly perks up at the unmistakable voice of Veth, who struts in with a red-face Yeza in tow. Beau hoots from her place at the bar, nearly spilling her drink on surrounding patrons. Molly and the others can't hear the exchange of words but Beau physically steers Veth to look straight at Caleb. The halfling is positively beaming at her boy.

Veth bolts over to meet Caleb with a hug. There's some soft whispering before Caleb lifts her up to stand on the bench.

"Veth, this is Mollymauk Tealeaf. Mollymauk, my best friend Veth Brenatto."

"Molly to my friends."

She makes no moves to extend a hand and instead looks him up and down with a stern look on her face.

"I approve."

Molly and Caleb lock eyes over her shoulder and Caleb gives him an apologetic shrug. He's stopped trying to rationalize her behavior. Veth jumps down and lets Caleb back into his seat.

"So, what are you guys doing over here?"

"We were...oh! Molly and I were discussing my schoolwork." Caleb clears his throat. "That is, if you were still interested of course. It is not exactly the most exciting thing."

"Caleb! Don't say that!" Veth looks excitedly at Molly. "Caleb's...he's done amazing things so far! He is very talented."

Caleb is beet red.

"I am, uh...I am currently working with transmutation regarding how it relates to people and society. My goal is to find a way to change a body in a more permanent way. One that can't be dispelled by any sort of conventional means. Ideally, it would be permanent, though so far there is no research that supports the possibility. I have a specific use intended, but if it is successful, it could be utilized in many ways. I think it would be particularly useful for improving the quality of living for things such as gender and health issues like-"

Caleb looks up some time later to find that the other four had migrated over to the bar. Molly's leaning on the table, chin propped up on his hand.

"Ah! I'm sorry, I have been blathering on."

"It's ok!" Molly laughs. "I may not understand all of it but I like hearing people talk about things they are passionate about. And magic interests me."

"Oh! Do you study magic too?"

"Heh, it's nothing like that."

For the first time since they've met, Molly's words are devoid of the usual mirth.

"I use magic...or used to before." he resumes, "It's complicated." Molly twists the bottle in his hands over and over as he stares somewhere past Caleb. He sucks in a breath.

"It's something that I don't really wanna talk about."

And how would you? How do you explain to someone about magic that isn't yours? About a life that's so far gone but still manages to haunt you every single day?

"Of course, Mollymauk. I admit I am interested, but you were very understanding of me earlier."

"Thank you, by the way...for your patience with me. I know I am not the easiest person to talk to or be around. The rest of the group, we've been friends for many years. They are used to my...eccentricities."

Oh no, this won't do. Caleb's talking as if he's something to be dealt with. And Molly's having none of that.

"There's nothing wrong with being eccentric. I mean, look at me!" Molly laughs and strikes a pose. He hits his mark, as Caleb begins to chuckle again.

"But really, Caleb. You're just fine to be around. Everyone has their issues, you just gotta find a way to work with them. I like talking to you and if there's anything I can do, just let me know."

"Oh. Thank you, I will."

Caleb's regarding him with what Molly can only describe as awe and that strikes something buried far in his chest. The thought of something so basic and decent eliciting that response pains him...and is deeply familiar.

Chapter Text

Caleb and Molly chat amicably about magic and the progress on the studio until they are joined again by the others. Yasha and Caleb share a quiet introduction and Caleb notices that she is indeed wearing the "I'm Yasha" shirt that Molly mentioned earlier.

It's curious to Caleb, that Yasha and Molly are practically inseparable yet differ so greatly. Yasha's a titan, clad in all black and dark makeup, but shy where Molly is loquacious and vivid. He supposes the same could be said about himself and Veth. He and the halfling made quite a pair, their friendship and support of each other once the sole reason either survived. Perhaps Yasha and Molly aren't so different as they are...complimentary.

He returns from his ruminations to find Molly and Jester wildly posing for selfies, and even Beau and Veth are joining in. After a few minutes of this, Molly rounds the table and plops down beside Caleb.

"Hey, can I take one with you?"

"Good luck! He's never in pictures!" Jester teases. She's taking a picture with Yasha and Beau, who is squeezed between the tiefling and aasimar. Caleb smiles awkwardly and kneads at the back of his neck. Jester's not wrong. For years he avoided being in any sort of pictures, terrified of recognition. Even now he has very few, mostly with Veth.

"No prob, you don't have to." Molly's smiling regardless and goes back to swiping at his phone. Caleb must have had just enough to drink because taking a picture with Molly is all he wants to do at the moment.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind taking a picture...if that's ok."

"Hell yeah!" Molly exclaims over a chorus of 'no ways!' and 'whaats!' coming from their friends. Molly leans in a bit closer to him and Caleb can acutely feel where the side of Molly's hand is just pressing against his thigh. Caleb idly thinks he'd fancy him even closer.

He swiftly dismisses that thought.

'It's just the alcohol, Widogast'

The shutter clicks and then Molly's tapping at his phone.

"There we go! Take a look."

Caleb doesn't have a large smile in the picture by any means, not nearly as big as Molly's grin that shows off his fangs. But he's smiling more than usual and he'll blame that on the alcohol too.

"That is...not too bad." Caleb groans.

"Hey! C'mon, it's cute."

His head snaps back toward Mollymauk, and it takes the wizard a few moments to realize he's gawking.

Across the table, Jester is leaning over Beau to whisper to Yasha.

"I think they like each other." Yasha smiles and nods.

"Yeah...I think so too."

As they all shuffle home together, Jester falls back to Veth and Caleb. She's all saccharine smile, but her tail is twitching much like Frumpkin's when he wants to play.

"Sooo Cay-leb! How are you and Molly getting along? You two seemed to be having a good time tonight." Caleb side-eyes her. There is a hint of teasing in her voice, but for the most part she appears genuine.

"I was hesitant when we first met, he is certainly um...loud. It is always a little awkward for me, but we had a nice chat. He is an interesting person."

"That's wonderful, Caleb! I'm super happy!" She skips back up to Beau and Fjord.

Truth was, Molly intrigued him. Despite the awkwardness of their last meeting, everything seemed to work out fine. Molly was keen to not pick and pry when most others would attempt to get Caleb to speak. Small talk is still a foreign concept to him, but Mollymauk had filled in the awkward blanks with various comments and insight. He also admitted his interest in magic, though reluctant to share any more than that. That's fair, given Caleb's own resistance to divulging certain...issues with magic.

'Maybe we will share those things someday.'

And there were those thoughts too...

"I think so too, Cay." Veth takes his hand, interrupting that train of thought. "I'm so proud of you coming out and being comfortable enough to have a decent time with Molly and the others."

"Thank you, schatz. I did have a good time."

And he means it.

For yet another strange time in his life, Caleb was glad he made another friend.

Chapter Text

It's late and Caleb flops himself face first into bed, not even bothering with his evening routine. The bed dips slightly under furry paws padding their way across the sheets to join the human. Caleb turns his head toward the ginger cat. He reaches to scratch under his chin - one of Frumpkin's favorite spots.

"Ah, Katzchen. Was tue ich?"

Those feelings he'd had tonight, for Molly. Were they really just the alcohol? He's barely met this tiefling and yet Caleb seems to crave his presence.

He's changed though, since making friends with the others. It's been a bit easier to let people in. Maybe this is just part of the friend-making process? They are becoming...what was it? Fast-friends? This may just be how it is when you mesh well with another. But do they? They don't exactly have that much in common. Molly is an exciting and colorful person while Caleb is a drab homebody. He does not like to go out and socialize much. Hells, Caleb's idea of a good night is to relax with a book and Frumpkin in his lap.

Oh no. What if Molly doesn't like cats? Caleb's eyes shift to the little knickknacks lining his dresser and shelves. Most were of cats, some of which Caleb made himself. His phone background even was of Frumpkin.

What if Molly thinks Caleb is strange because he likes cats so much?

He's just a weird, awkward, shut-in magic nerd who likes books and cats. Molly wouldn't want to be friends with that, let alone...what? Have feelings for Caleb?

Caleb remembers though, of course he does. He remembers how it felt when those feeling started to bloom for Astrid...and later for Wulf.

When was the last time he'd allowed himself to feel that way? Jester? Well, look at how that turned out.

'You couldn't even allow yourself to say anything. You're an idiot. You're worthless, Bren. Worthless!'

"Nein!" he sobs, closing his fists around the hair in his grasp. Frumpkin yowls and butts his forehead against his human's. Caleb takes the cat into his arms and presses his face into Frumpkin's fur. He takes a deep breath...and another. Another. Until he's calm.

"Danke, Süßer." he mumbles into the purring cat's side. Frumpkin chirrups and begins to groom Caleb's messed-up hair.

"Ok so I maybe have a crush. That is not the end of the world, ja? He is nice and we are becoming friends. That is, that is good enough."

Caleb drags himself out of bed to change and brush his teeth. Frumpkin follows, tail aloft and swaying.

The two snuggle into bed for a decent night's sleep.

The group meets at the Blooming Grove the next morning. Most of them got away with a bit of a headache, nothing that brunch couldn't fix. Not surprisingly, Veth was nursing a hangover.

Caleb waves to Caduceus and Fjord in the kitchen and takes his place next to Beauregard. She's half hunched over the counter, scrolling aimlessly through her phone. Caleb scans the room to find the usual object of her attention missing.

"Guten Morgen. Where's Yasha?"

Beau lazily shrugs a shoulder.

"Left last night." He hears Molly's muffled voice emerge from the other side of Beau. The tiefling's head lies in his arms, revealing only about half of his face. He's in relatively plain clothes again, wearing torn blue jeans, red Converse trainers and a sweatshirt that looks to be about three times too big. He lifts his head groggily, hood falling back to reveal his disheveled curls. Caleb realizes that it's the first time he's seen Molly with a bare face and horns. In fact, the only accessory he's sporting is a pair of wireless earphones.

"Yasha goes off to do her own thing from time to time." Molly yawns, "She'll show back up eventually."

"She just leaves? To do what?" Caleb asks. He scarcely believes Yasha would go off without telling Molly something.

"I dunno. She doesn't say, never has. We just say she's out 'Yasha-ing.'" He sits up further, mirroring Beau with his chin in his hand. "She tends to show up at the strangest time and places too. This one time the carnival set up outside of this podunk town in the middle of fuckin' nowhere. We went to the bathhouse and there was Yasha, in there soaking like she'd been waiting for us. Had her damn sword in the bath and everything." Molly conveys this with a smirk, as if it's a perfectly normal occurrence.

Caleb and Beau trade incredulous looks. Beau looks like she is having an existential crisis and mouths "sword??" at Caleb.

"Ah, there she is now!" Molly proclaims when his phone buzzes loudly against the marble counter. While the tiefling has been pretty cheerful this morning, Caleb can't help but notice how Molly's tail and ears perk up upon receiving the message from Yasha.

Curiously though, he doesn't pick up the phone. Instead, Caleb observes Molly pulling back his sleeve to speak into a watch. At least, Caleb believes it is a watch. Their eyes meet and Molly has a peculiar look upon his face. A moment later it's gone and replaced with an inquiring smile.

"What is that?" Caleb asks sheepishly.

"It's a smart watch." He's met with a blank stare.

"You've never seen one before?" Molly smirks at the role reversal from the day with the typewriter. Caleb shakes his head.

"Caleb's not exactly technologically savvy." Jester appears, draping herself over Beau. Molly hears a slight chuckle from Fjord across the table. Caleb is accustomed to the teasing he receives about being...unacquainted with a great deal of devices.

"Ja, I was...what is the Common saying...'not on the grid?'"

"Off the grid" Fjord supplies

"Danke. I was 'off the grid' for most of my life. I am not used to much besides a computer. I've only just gotten used to my phone." Caleb blushes a little.

On the other side of Caleb, Veth emerges from her stupor to stage whisper

"He used a flip phone for forever!" before laying her head back down on the cool countertop.

Molly emits a loud, stifled laugh.

"A flip phone? Dude, you only see like, drug dealers using those." Caleb decides not bring up the fact that he is intimately familiar with burner phones.

"Ja, I am unfamiliar with many things." the wizard repeats. He's looking away but still seems curious with the piece of technology on Molly's wrist.

"C'mere to me, let me show you! Nothing like the present."

Jester pulls Beau out of her seat.

"C'mon Beau, you can come sulk over by me." she casts an exaggerated wink at Caleb. Molly hops up into the vacant stool and scoots it closer to the redhead. But like the night before, he maintains a friendly distance. Caleb makes the executive decision to scoot himself over before he can dissuade himself from the action.

"Ok. It connects to my phone so when I get a call or a text, it will show me without having to pull my phone out all the time. I can reply through it too."

"So you were replying with your voice to Yasha?"

"Yeah, see," Molly opens a new message to Caleb. "I just hit the reply button and instead of typing I just hold this button 'and talk like this'. He taps twice at the screen and Caleb's phone goes off just a moment later. He opens it to find a text from Molly.

"Oh! That is handy." In fact, Caleb thinks something like that could be useful on busy days at the university. He'd really have to look into this thing.

"Gods, it really is. I use it to set reminders for myself, my memory can be such shit sometimes."

"What else does it do?"

Molly runs him through all sorts of functions - finding his phone (one that Molly uses quite often), streaming music, alarms, calendars...it's all there on this small device and it honestly makes Caleb a little overwhelmed. So much has changed.

"Oh! You can put pictures on it too!" Molly proceeds to swipe through pictures of himself and the group. Including the one that he took with Caleb. The tiefling grins and nudges Caleb gently with his elbow.

"Molly...can you send that to me?" Caleb asks shyly. Molly's response is a composed 'yeah sure' but Caleb can feel the occasional tap of Molly's tail against his leg. He hazards a look to find it swinging in a wide arc. Caleb doesn't have substantial knowledge of tiefling mannerisms regarding their tails, but from the combined experience of watching Jester and Frumpkin, Mollymauk seems rather happy.

"Sent! Ok, so dumb question. You have any social media?" Molly's question is punctuated by Jester and Beau giggling.

"Hey now, don't ya think you've had enough of pestering them?" Fjord chastises. Caleb and Molly roll their eyes in unison before meeting each other's gaze.

"Well, I do actually have an Instagram," Caleb makes a show of glaring at Beauregard, "but I do not use it much. I believe it is more Frumpkin's than mine."

"Frumpkin?"

"He's my um...my cat."

Oh Sheiße. He completely forgot about his prior musings on that and now he went and blabbed about having an account basically dedicated to his cat?

Caleb hesitantly shows a picture of Frumpkin. The ginger cat is wide-eyed and crouched down in the grass, wearing a blue harness.

"Oh. My. Gods." Molly's eyes go wide.

"Holy shit, he's wearing a little harness! Does he actually like to go on walks?"

Caleb stares at the tiefling, flabbergasted. Molly's voice raises about an octave as he coos over the cat.

'J-ja, he does. I take him out a lot, I don't like having him cramped up in my apartment."

"Damn, you're a cat person too!" Molly buries his face in his arms again.

"Wa-?"

"Okay! Brunch is ready!" Fjord hollers. Cheers ensue.

"So what's the plan this week?" Beau asks the pair of tieflings through a mouthful of eggs. Jester is still stuffing her face with pastries, so Molly replies.

"Construction's pretty much finished. Rewiring is almost done, it was a fucking mess in there. Thank you for that Cad by the way. If you hadn't noticed, we'd have some big issues." he quickly adds. Caduceus always has a slew of seemingly random knowledge and occupations that comes in handy for everyone in their little group. Apparently "electrician" was now one of them.

"Then we're laying down the floors and cleaning everything...should take a couple of days, maybe the whole week. Then I guess we're painting and decorating? Hopefully it wont be too long till Yasha gets back. Don't wanna start much without her." Molly sighs and Caleb watches his tail droop and still.

Chapter Text

"Trickster's Touch." Beau quotes the freshly-painted sign emblazoned on the window of the studio. "Huh, not bad."

Jester is posing precariously on the ladder, arms outstretched to frame her masterpiece. Her jumper and overalls are absolutely smeared and spattered in paint. The sign portrays a figureless green cloak with mischievous eyes and a smile peeking out from under the hood. The cloak billows outward to reveal a moon and stars sprawling across a rich and velvety blue backdrop. The unfinished lettering reads "Trickster's Touch Tattoo Studio."

"Wha do yo-awl fink?" Jester inquires as she climbs down the ladder with a mouthful of paintbrushes.

"We figured it was vague enough to go under the radar." Molly adds in a much more coherent voice. They're met with enthusiastic nods and smiles as everyone crowds in to get a better look.

Murmurs erupt around them. "Well, that's nice." "Great job, Jessie!" "Marvelous, dear!" "Lookin' good!" Jester beams, soaking up the compliments.

"Ok, people! We've still got a lot to do today." He claps loudly and ushers everyone inside.

It's a busy Whelsen at the studio and everyone, save Caleb and Yasha, is helping out. It's the first of their moving days and unfortunately without Yasha and her truck, it takes several trips just to move some of the accoutrement not already present in the studio. It's moving into early afternoon when they really start to get to work. A thorough cleaning is enacted while Caduceus and the tieflings checks for any last issues.

The front area of the shop is dubbed their "home base." Jester and Molly are set up on a low coffee table littered with plans and sketches. Most are what the two of them plus Yasha had already agreed on, Molly keeping to his word not to exclude his best friend. Jester delegates tasks to the group from a clipboard that surely has more dicks on it than words.

"Ok, Beau!. You can put up shelves over hereeee. Hmmm, Veth? You wanna start pulling things out of boxes for the front?"

"Sure."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Let's see...." She chews on the eraser of her pencil, "Oh, Cad! You and Fjord are the tallest so you can start putting up some of the lighting! The boxes are already in each of the rooms."

Jester plops down beside Molly once again.

"Think you're still gonna do the mural over there?" Molly asks her, tapping a piece of paper he slides over. Jester hums a little in an affirmative response. They go back to sketching various layouts of rooms and murmuring to each other.

"We gotta move this counter today," Jester groans, patting the very solid desk behind them. "You'll have to help me."

"Will I, yea?" he swats at her with his tail. Jessie giggles and tangles her own with his.

"Yes come onnnn!"

"Fine, we'll give it a go but I don't think that thing's gonna budge without Yasha."

They continue to giggle and play around while bouncing ideas back and forth.

"Should we move that out here?"

"Nah, it should stay back with Yasha..."

"So, Mollly!" Jester's begins innocently, though hardly missing a beat. She peers around, satisfied that she and her fellow tiefling were alone. Beau was the closest to them, but she was currently perched upon a ladder to put up shelving. Before Molly can even open his mouth, Jester is back in his face.

"I saw that you and Caleb were getting pret-ty comfy at the bar and Caduceus'. It was like, really cute to watch."

"Are you kidding? Caleb looked like he was about to implode." Ok well, Caleb perpetually emitted the vibe of "generally uncomfortable" but the poor thing did sometimes look like would combust while he and Molly were talking.

"I dunno, he seemed a little distracted. And he took a picture with you! Which I haven't seen yet!" Jess pokes him in the arm. Molly grumbles but produces his phone and hands it over.

Jester's eyes soften. It's not unlike anything Molly has seen from the young woman but there's a certain degree of tenderness that he isn't quite familiar with.

Was there something between Caleb and Jester once?

"He looks happy."

"Uh yeah, kinda." Molly avoids her eyes and suddenly becomes very interested in a spot on his jeans.

"No but he does." she insists, "Caleb in his best moods is usually...I guess you'd say content. He smiles a lot more now but that -"

She hands the phone back to Molly.

"That's progress. I know I tease, but I care about him a lot. I'm really glad he's made friends with you."

"Yeah. Me too."

"What are you thinking?" Her voice remains warm and affectionate.

Too much. Things are jumbled in Molly's mind when it comes to Caleb and to be honest, he's not exactly sure how he's feeling.

"I like him. Can't say I know a whole lot, but he seems sweet." Molly shrugs, "I dunno, Jess. I can't imagine what he'd see in me, ya know? He's a lot of stuff and I like him but I'm...me. I'm loud and weird and I can't say I'm that smart, especially not like him."

Jester squints suspiciously at him.

"Besides, I've only known him for a few weeks! I'm still not really sure how to approach the guy. He's terribly skittish and I don't wanna scare him off." Molly huffs leans against his knees with his elbows.

"I dunno, Molly. He seems to really like you!" She watches Molly's ears twitch as his head springs back up.

"Y-you think so?" he asks a little too quickly. Jester shoves a pointer finger in his face.

"Ah ha! You do like him!"

"I know you can't tell, but I'm rolling my eyes at you."

"Dude, I think Jester's right." Molly's tail shoots upright, startled by Beau's unexpected entrance. "What? You weren't exactly being that quiet."

She sits cross-legged on the floor with them.

"He seems happier than I've seen him like, ever. It does kinda seem like he's warmed up to you fast but he's you know...letting people in more easily."

"And you don't think that's it? Just makin' friends?"

"Look, Caleb took a long time to get used to us and allow himself to feel things for people. He still struggles but he's more confident now. Just...hang out with him. I don't think he's gonna freak out or anything. You're not the only loud and weird one here, though you're obnoxious as all hells."

Molly chooses to ignore that last part, rubbing his chin as he considers her "advice."

"Hey Beau. You know you're actually pretty smart."

"Thanks man...wait a sec-"

Chapter Text

About an hour and a half later, Jester, Molly, and Fjord are vainly trying to move the desk. They bicker back and forth about leverage, forklifts, and waiting for Yasha.

"Ah, I may be able to get it." They all turn to find that the words came from Caleb. The trio and their spectators where so engrossed that no one heard the man arrive. Molly shifts his gaze to Jester, then Fjord, and back to Caleb.

"Uh, no offence Caleb but you're a little scrawny."

Caleb lets out a little snort as he sheds his coat and scarf.

"I mean through magic, Mollymauk. I'm aware that I am a very skinny man." Molly takes a good look at him. Caleb is certainly thin, but Molly now notes just how broad the wizard's shoulder are. He also can't help but notice the slight strain on the buttons that were peeking out from under his black and grey cardigan.

"Oh Cay-leb! You can do that?" Jester breaks his concentration and thankfully no one caught him staring. He glares down to his tail which has for once not given away his interest.

"Ja, I just don't often have the need to. I have tested it! and I should be able to move it so long as it's under ehhh" he rocks his hand side to side, "1000 pounds or so."

"Alright, well show us magic man."

Caleb rolls up his cuffs and begins to trace imperceptible symbols in the air. His eyes glow a cloudy blue and with a turn of his wrist, the desk begins to levitate a few inches off the ground. Jester and Molly quickly point out exactly where he needs to move it to.

"I do not believe this is usually meant for precision, but I should be able to...there!"

The desk touches down with nary a sound. Caleb dusts off his hands.

"Da, kein problem" and turns to see the other five in the room staring. Molly has to practically lift his jaw off of the ground.

"That was fucking incredible!" he guffaws. It's not that he doubted Caleb's magical abilities, but seeing something like that in action was damn impressive. Veth, of course, is loudly applauding and complimenting Caleb as he bashfully grins. His gaze flits to Molly and gives the tiefling an abrupt wink.

"Ah, what the fuck?" Beau shrieks as she begins to float and turn midair and Molly bursts into another fit of loud, raspy laughs. The rest of the crew snorts and giggles when Beau crosses her arms and pouts while she's suspended upside down.

"Ah, schwester. You are a good sport." Caleb lets her down and receives a smack to the arm. He mumbles a soft 'ow." Beau flips him the finger and stalks off, but Caleb can see the tiniest bit of a smile on her face.

With a good laugh behind them, everyone returns to work in a positive mood. Caleb wanders over to Molly, who is pulling papers from a folder.

"What do you have there?"

Molly gingerly spreads out what looks like old diagrams of tattoo machines. Caleb reaches out but stops.

"Ah sorry. May I?"

Molly laughs.

"Can't resist some old paper, can you?"

"I see you already have me figured out." Caleb quips, "these look like originals, or at least early facsimiles of the originals."

"I told you I like old stuff. I enjoy seeing how things work, so these are neat." Molly presses his nose to the sheet and inhales deeply.

"And they've got that old book smell."

Caleb opens his mouth to speak but promptly reconsiders. Molly shoots him a puzzled look.

"I uh...well I can get on tangents about things like that. It often bores people."

"What were you gonna say?"

"The 'old book smell' that's from the paper breaking down into compounds like Vanillin. Older books contain more of the compounds that creates the odors. It is also the responsible for the yellowing of pages..." Caleb trails off and looks toward Molly with apprehension. He's instead met with crimson eyes wide with fascination.

"So it's like, chemistry?"

"That interests you?"

"I like to know how things work." Molly repeats placidly.

"Ja?"

"Ja ja!" Molly cracks a wide, delightful smile.

'Oh that's cute.'

The moment is cut short by a loud buzz.

Molly looks at his phone and springs up.

"Ooh! Hang on, Yasha's calling me. Hey Angel, what's up?"

The beaming smile on his face plummets in seconds.

"What?" he hisses. His eyes spark wildly, tail whipping near Caleb's ankles.

He races past Caleb and the others, passing Beau on the way, and disappears into a room.

'What is going on' Beau mouths. Everyone shrugs and looks toward each other awkwardly.

Minutes later, Molly returns and pulls Jess aside. They speak heatedly for a moment before she nods and hugs him.

"I'm sorry guys, I gotta leave. I promise I'll explain later." Molly rushes past them without so much as a glance to their faces. Jester follows close behind, stopping only momentarily.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, I need to run him home."

Upon her return 15 minutes later, the entire group loses composure.

"What's going on Jess?" "What the hell was that?" "I've never seen him like that."

Beau shoves her way through, wrapping an arm around the little blue tiefling.

"Give her some space, c'mon!"

"I'm not really sure. Molly got a call from Yasha saying that his dads and the rest of the carnival are stuck somewhere and in trouble. They're gonna be gone for a bit, that's all he told me."

"Shit...you wanna call it a day?" Fjord asks.

"We can work on some stuff still..."

No more progress occurs that day.

Chapter Text

What a fucking mess. She'd been chasing a storm to just beyond Shattengrod when a call of a different kind came to her. One from Ornna, the Twins, and Bo.

The sparks that stirred in her braids jumped back towards whence she came, her purpose clear. Certainly no hard feelings from the Lord of Storms.

"This path before you is long, and I won't let you stray."

And so she was back on the road.

"What?" Molly hisses into the phone.

"Gustav's in jail. Everyone else is being detained on the grounds in T-"

"Yasha? You there??"

"Hol- hold on a minute," After a few moments, the bars flicker back up on her phone. "There! Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear." Yasha can practically hear his teeth gritting.

"Ok. They're detained in Trostenwald. It's a small town down south. Something happened during the show and the Guard seems to think one of ours did it. And, well...Kylre and Toya have been missing since last night."

"As ucht Déithe!" Molly swears. It's been quite some time since she's heard him use that tongue. Yasha herself never used it too much, but Molly had learned phrases quickly from Gustav. To be honest, she couldn't even tell what language it was.

"And Gustav?"

"He's taking responsibility, at least for the time being." They sigh heavily in tandem. It's so typical of him. "I'm on my way back to Zadash, I'll be there in about half an hour."

"Grand...I'll pack a bag and see you then. I'll let Jester know we'll be gone for a few days. I'm sure the others can help her in the meantime."

"K. Molly?" She barely recognizes herself, how small her voice sounds.

"Yeah?"

"Love you."

"I love you too, Angel."

To be fair, they did try. Kinda. The five of them putzed about the shop in search of something to do. Beau messed around with the shelves she put up, double and triple checking from various distances that they were level. Jester meticulously cleaned the reception desk as Veth started to pull out various objects for it. Fjord and Caduceus could scarcely be heard whispering to one another in the hallway. They all knew they were stalling.

In the end, Caduceus called it quits for everyone and invited them to his home for tea. Caleb and Veth hung out for a while before retreating back to his apartment.

Veth is currently lounging upside down on the sofa as she scrolls through her phone. Eventually she stretches and groans, looking toward Caleb. They’ve barely said a word since arriving. So she elects to test the water.

"I hope Molly is ok. That was the first time I've seen anything except that goofy-ass smile on his face. It was fucking weird." In truth, she is worried about Molly and Yasha.

Caleb nods silently from his place at the end of the sofa. He keeps looking at his phone -- there haven't been any new messages in the group chat. He's even been back and forth on Molly's message thread. Would texting him be weird?

"Caleb?"

"Yeah?"

"You're worried."

"Um...yes. It is like you said. Seeing him so distressed was...unexpected."

Veth looks overtly from Caleb's face to his phone.

"Did you text him?"

"Nein. I do not want to bother him."

Veth flips herself backward off the sofa and trots over to plant her hands on his knees. She's giving her best mom glare, which Caleb tries - and fails - to ignore.

"You should. I think he'd like that, knowing that other people are thinking about him."

Caleb sighs and leans into his arm again, looking out the window to a rapidly darkening sky.

"Ja, ok." he finally acquiesces.

There. Simple and not overly invested.

Caleb sighs and tosses his phone onto the couch. He moves to the kitchen to start a kettle.

Veth's eyes track him the entire way.

"You are staying here for the evening, schatz?" Porcelain and metal clinks in the background.

"Yeah! Yeza and Luc are having a father-son night. It's funny, it's been a while sinc-"

'It's been a while' echoes from the kitchen. The halfling snorts and rolls her eyes.

"It's been some time since I've been back and I think Yeza misses it being just the two of them sometimes. He just won't say it, I think he's afraid I'll take it the wrong way."

Caleb smiles softly, reminiscing about times that he ditched his chores to run off with his father into the forest. He was taught about the trees and animals. Learned which plants you could eat and those you absolutely didn't want to, what herbs were used for medicine. His mama would always give them a glare when they returned but she would simply shoo them to wash for dinner. Those days proved to be useful to him even now. He could still tell such things as time and direction from the position of the sun.

"So I told him that something came up and he and Luc should do something tonight and that I was going to hang out with you. It's been a- a bit since we've had time to ourselves too."

Caleb brings out tea to the table. He sits and pats Veth's head gently.

"You are always welcome here, though I am glad you are getting back to eh...normal," Caleb air quotes, "with your family. You've been so happy and I am glad to see my best friend that way."

"I'm glad too, I can't believe I was gone for so long! I couldn't have done it without you." She tucks herself under Caleb's arm for a moment, and he gives her a soft kiss on the crown of her head.

"I'm so proud of you." she says, muffled into his side. Caleb bites his tongue, he has so often as of late, battling against the habitual urge to write himself off.

"As I am of you, freund." he murmurs instead. Caleb pulls away and says the magic words.

"Now then, what would you like to eat?"

Food now ordered, Caleb and Veth settle and put on a ridiculous program about ghost hunting that Jester keeps telling them about. It's certainly interesting, if only to poke fun at.

"Come on, it's not that scary! If there was a ghost there, Beau would have just punched it."

"Caleb, I don't think most people are used to having ghost-punching monks in their inner circles like we do."

"I suppose you're right. Maybe we should do this and make our own show. The Ghost Punchers."

Veth cackles and throws herself back into the couch. She prods at Caleb's knee with her foot.

"Oh! Oh my Gods! Could you imagine Fjord's face?"

The pair are in stitches when Caleb hears a muffled chime.

"Ja, we would...we would hear him scream from across the house!"

Caleb pats around the couch, searching for his phone.

"Mm, 'ere. Found it." Veth says through a mouthful of food, digging the phone out from its hiding place between the cushions.

"Molly?"

"Yes, he says things are not well."

"Shit."

Caleb sighs and tucks the phone into his pocket.

"There isn’t much we can do except wait."

"Hey Caleb can I ask you something?" Veth asks a little while later.

"Shoot."

"Do you...hmm. It's more of an observation really. I've noticed that you seem to be pretty happy lately. The past month or two."

Caleb cocks his head in contemplation. He can’t recall anything - besides the normal stress of school and general anxiety - that's been giving him trouble recently.

“I'm not really sure, but I have been feeling pretty good.”

"Ok, good. Well I think - and maybe I'm wrong - but I think it's because of Molly."

"O-oh."

"You seem more cheerful when he's around is all. I'm not complaining! It just looks like you've taken a shine to him and it's a little surprising.”

He tilts his head, trying to hide a sheepish smile behind his hair.

"You do like him."

Caleb eyes her nervously.

'This is Veth you are talking to, you can trust her. She's not going to laugh or put you down.'

Finally he nods.

"Yes, I...I believe I do.

Veth beams.

"That's great Caleb! You should tell him!"

"Nein. It is...it's just a crush. I have been here before, it will pass.”

Her whole body slouches as her face falls.

"Caleb...you know you're allowed to want things for yourself. There's nothing to be ashamed of.” Veth tilts her head to try to see his face, “Or are you scared?"

Caleb blushes and avoids her eyes, trying to find something interesting on the carpet to stare at.

"I....maybe." He sputters.

"Still not sure if you're ready?"

Caleb's not sure if he'll ever be ready. Twice now those feelings -- the unworthiness, shame, fear, and self-loathing -- have gotten in the way. He couldn't put such things aside long enough to believe that he deserved someone. Did he want to go through that failure and disappointment again?

'Once was mutual.' His brain supplied, as if that made anything better.

He is in no way sure if he'd be capable of giving Molly the treatment he deserved. Molly certainly doesn't deserve to put up with all of Caleb's bullshit - how often his own brain works against him. What would Molly think if he saw what was inside? How tired Caleb gets around people. How anxious he is and how much he has to keep control over the littlest things - so much that he often can't allow himself to relax. Why would anyone choose to be with someone like that?

"Caleb." A small hand pats his cheek gently to rouse him. "You're spiraling."

He bumps his forehead with hers and takes a deep breath. And another. Another. He wants to be brave, to speak out and ask for the things he wants.

He wanted so much before.

"I know, Caleb," He realizes too late that he voiced that aloud, "I can't imagine how scary this is for you, when you think that you'll destroy every good thing that comes to you." She takes his face in her hands, wipes away a single tear.

"Look how far you've come. Look at all the good that's here and still here. There's so much good in you now. You're not that person anymore and we won't let him come back, not if we have anything to say about it. We love you Caleb."

"What if he doesn't like me?" he asks in a tiny, watery voice - as if Molly not returning his feelings could mean the end of the world. She's reminded of how much time Caleb's lost, no...been deprived of. How every once in a while she will see a scared boy as she meets his eyes.

"You think he doesn't?"

"I mean..." he gestures weakly to himself.

"What? Talk to me."

"I...I don't know. I am not very exciting to say the least. He is very colorful and talkative and beautiful."

"Yasha's his best friend and she's a lot like you. She's definitely not colorful or talkative."

"That...is true."

"And some people think Yeza's boring but I don't think so. He just has different interests and I think that's really cool actually."

"I suppose I'm not sure I understand how someone could like me in that way. To look at me and say 'wow, I want to be with that person.'" He dabs at his nose with a sleeve.

"I get it. I was like that until I met Yeza. Even afterwards. Sometimes you just gotta accept that there's something in there that maybe you can't see but they can. It's a weird, emotionally vulnerable kind of faith."

"I look at you Caleb and I see someone who is smart and caring and loves their friends so much. You've worked very hard to push out of your comfort zone and enjoy the life you have now. You deserve to let someone care about you like that."

She tucks an unruly strand of hair behind his ear and smooshes his face in her hands.

"At least think about it?"

Caleb sucks in a deep breath, then exhales.

"Ok. I think I can do that."

"For the record, I do think he likes you. I think he's got the hots for how smart you are. Who knows, maybe he thinks he's not good enough for you or something."

"That's ridiculous."

Veth shrugs. She jumps up to grab plates and utensils from the table.

"I'm not privy to what goes on in his head. You know as well as I do that people put on a mask to hide what's underneath."

"Some of us literally." Caleb calls after her. Even with an armful of plates, she manages to give him the finger.

Chapter Text

Three days pass before anyone hears so much as a peep from Molly or Yasha.

With the autumn semester rapidly coming to a close, school and teaching now take up a tremendous amount of Caleb’s time. Barren Eve arrives in a little over a month, and a week after that the semester ends. Caleb will continually work on his own degree but it’s still a very hectic time. His store has been closed most of the week and while he feels a bit guilty, the bulk of his customers are students busy with their own studies.

Yulisen evening, Caleb receives a text. It’s late and he’s frustrated with apparently hitting another wall in a branch of his research. He nearly misses the buzz of his phone.

Caleb hesitates on the smiley face before deciding to just go with it.

‘It’s a gods-damned text, Widogast. Get over it.’ He shakes his head and chuckles at his own expense. His glasses are set on the desk before Caleb sags back against his chair, sighing and rubbing his eyes. Even with everything going through his head, Molly had been a worry gnawing at his brain. He’s certain the situation is far from over but knowing Molly was ok and coming home put his mind at ease.

After everyone is sufficiently awake and caffeinated, they agree to meet Molly and Yasha around 1 pm. Caleb - as per usual - is early. He pulls into the parking lot at the address Jester gave him to find a small crowd congregating. Molly is speaking to a half-elven man while a half-orc with a handlebar mustache is unhitching a retro-looking caravan from the truck that they are leaning on. Another smaller trailer rests beside Yasha’s truck where she and Jester sit on the tailgate. Jester waves and hops down to meet him.

“Hey!” she chirps, voice contrasting the weary look on her face.

“Guten Morgen Blaubeere,” Caleb wraps an arm around her and gives her a squeeze. He waves to Yasha, who smiles and gives him one back.

“They are from the carnival, ja?” Jester nods and leans in close to whisper.

“That’s Gustav, Molly’s dad. He and Desmond own - well owned - the carnival. And that’s Bosun, but we call him Bo. He was kinda a bouncer like Yasha but he performed now and again too.”

Caleb looks over to see Molly hugging Gustav tightly. He can just barely hear them speaking in a language he can’t comprehend. Bo and Yasha nod to each other solemnly as the half-orc climbs into the driver’s seat.

“See you all in a bit.” Gustav waves to Jester and Caleb as he gets in the truck.

“We’re going to the bar to catch up with them later” Yasha conveys, “You’re welcome to come, if you’d like.” Caleb gives a nod in thanks. He turns to greet Molly, who has just sidled up to the group. Caleb lightly elbows him in the arm which gets a little snort and smile out of the Tiefling, who elbows him back.

Just then, tires skid across gravel as Veth pulls in with Beau, followed by Fjord and Caduceus in the Clay family Volkswagen Bus. Molly beckons them all into their building which, despite the slightly run-down exterior, is remarkably nice inside.

There’s one apartment downstairs with a staircase leading up to a second and third. It doesn’t seem like anyone else lives there. Caleb supposes that Marion may have bought the place and probably at a paltry sum for her considering the proximity to the Outersteads.

They follow Jester into her apartment on the ground floor. Her living area leaves no one without a seat - there’s a big couch, chairs, and even a floral-print beanbag to relax into. Everything is as bright and colorful as the blue Tiefling. The decor does nothing to lift the tense mood and in the brightness of the room, they can see just how exhausted Molly and Yasha are.

Yasha...well, Yasha looks the same as usual. She’s not without the dark makeup and slightly unkempt hair but her normally solemn expression seems detached and buried deep within. Caleb is no stranger to that feeling. Molly has even more purple under his eyes, impressive for an already lavender tiefling. Anything he may have had on his face is either smudged or gone and his horn jewelry has some kind of...substance lingering on it. Both have new scratches and some bandages peeking out from under their clothes.

No one says a word until Beau finally speaks up.

“Dude, what happened to you guys?”

“Gods, where to start?” Molly leans his elbows on his knees and scrubs at his face. Caleb notices the redness of healing cuts on the back of his neck as his hair parts around it, and the thick scars surrounding them. A curious place for scars, the wizard muses. He’s seen the scars on Molly’s neck and clavicle but chose not to comment on them. After all, why would he with the scars of his own?

“Everything was business as usual, even managed to draw in a decent crowd for a rural town. Then middle of the show, some old guy turns into a fucking...zombie...thing! Not many people got seriously hurt at least but…”

They just barely distinguish a crumbled and overgrown ruin through the copse of trees and begin creeping upon it. It’s the first sign of...well, anything on the island. As they approach a still-standing corner, Molly motions upwards and mouths...

‘Give me a boost.’

Yasha braces herself against the stone, cupping her hands to carefully launch Molly up. He catches the wall and hauls himself up into a crouch.

A growl emanates from below and two sets of red eyes meet.

Yasha catches his hand and gives it a squeeze.

“Something...happened to one of our friends. I don't know how or why but he was the one who did it. He took Toya - she’s a little dwarven girl with us - and ran. Turns out he was feeding off of her. So slowly we never had a clue,” Molly squeezes Yasha’s hand tight and stares dejectedly at the floor.

Nergaliid. That’s the name Yasha read from the book that they just happened to have at a tiny bookstore in a small town. He’s heard it before. Why can’t he remember? It was so long ago.

“Yasha!” Molly dives to the ground, rolling behind cover, and glides both scimitars across his nape. His blood crystallizes into shards of ice before it can begin to pour from the wounds. He spots Toya as he looks out from his hiding place and he beckons to the girl, but she’s dirty and frightened, looking back and forth between Kylre and the Tiefling.

“They’re trying to take you away! Sing for us! Stop them!” The Devil Toad growls before taking a massive leap over Molly, landing behind him. He can vaguely hear Toya begin to sing, but it’s drowned out by Yasha’s scream of rage.

Kylre summons imps to his side for protection. One manages to jam its stinger into Molly’s side but he quickly dispatches it, splattering blood onto himself. Kylre’s distracted by something and as the imp bursts into flames, Molly tumbles and slashes open the Nergaliid’s thigh. He then sees the distraction - a lightning bolt bursts forth from Yasha’s sword, frying the other two imps. In her other arm she’s holding an unconscious Toya against her side.

Molly growls and releases a guttural string of curses in Infernal that causes blood to pour from the Devil Toad’s eyes. He slashes into its back as Yasha charges at him from the front. She gouges and tears across his torso, screaming, her skeletal wings ascending from her back. Kylre reels both in pain and fright and attempts to leap away. Molly catches him in the side once again, sending him crashing to the dirt.

It’s all finished as another crack of lightning flies from Yasha’s blade.

“He wouldn't come back with us. We had to track him down and kill him.”

Caleb’s breath catches in his throat and suddenly now he’s leagues away. He’s in forests, towns, cities...skulking and spying. All to track down their enemies. Enemies of the Empire. Caleb’s aware Molly is speaking but can’t make out his words. He finally snaps back and when he finally can focus, Molly’s still staring into the middle distance. He feels a small, warm hand slip into his. Veth gazes up at him, concern welling in her eyes.

“I’m ok.” He mouths and clutches her hand in reassurance. Veth is skeptical but the pair resume listening.

“He just...turned.” Molly sniffs and wipes a tear threatening to fall down his cheek, “We had no explanation for Toya and she was the closest with him. He raised her. She's just a little girl and we had to kill her best friend.”

“M...Molly?”

“I know dear. You’ve been through a bit. There’s been some bad business.”

“What happened?” Toya croaks out.

“A friend turned on us, but it's going to be alright. I'm going to get you home, all right?”

“Wait, where’s Kylre?” She struggles but Molly holds fast. Still, she catches a glance at Yasha trailing behind...Kylre’s head strapped to her back.

There was nothing he could do as he cradled a weeping Toya against his chest.

Molly’s voice cracks and Yasha takes over speaking

“We managed to bail them out, but there's no coming back from this. The circus got blamed and Gustav took the fall. They've disbanded. Gustav and the others are here in Zadash for the time being to get organized and make whatever plans they need to. They just stopped by to drop off some things to us.”

“Ohhh, you mean that gods-awful trailer outside?” Beau remarks. Molly’s head shoots up instantly to glare at her.

“Hey! That’s mine and she’s gorgeous!” Molly’s eyes are puffy and he’s wiping at his face, but he’s now smiling. “She’s just...been sitting for a while.”

“Well I’m interested! I love all those tiny home things.”

“Veth, you’re a Halfling.”

“Ahhh, fuck you, Fjord!”

“I’d probably never fit in it then.” Caduceus chimes in over the noise. “But I would like to see it sometime.”

Yasha jabs Molly in the side.

“C’mon, Lavender. I know you wanna go take a look.” He groans and bumps a horn to her temple affectionately.

“Yeahhh, you’re right.”

Out in the lot, Molly fumbles with the lock. He assures them that it’s just finicky and after some pushing and swearing, the lock clicks open. Caleb illuminates the inside with globules of light and everyone huddles in to have a look.

There are boxes everywhere. Many appear to be newly packed judging by the lack of a cover of dust. However, it could quickly be discerned that the space belongs to Molly. Colorful striped wallpaper adorns the interior and there is furniture and decorations of various styles and colors. A bed is covered with plastic on one end and a small sitting area at the other. It seems that there is also a kitchenette under everything as well.

Jester hops up and down and Beau rolls her eyes.

“Mollyyy! It’ll be so pretty, I never saw the inside, you know.”

“I guessss I can see how it’d look nice without all this shit in it.”

“Well I think it would be nice. We could help you fix it up again.” Fjord interjects and Molly genuinely laughs.

“Ok, ok! One project at a time, guys!” He shifts his gaze to Jester and Yasha. “We have a tattoo shop to open!”

“So what’s in that trailer, Yasha?” Beau asks.

“Oh! Yeah, hold on.”

Yasha unlocks it and rolls out a sleek black sports motorcycle.

“She needs a little work done too but it shouldn’t be too bad.”

“Woah. That’s cool as shit. Never been on a motorcycle.”

“I could take you sometime, if you want.”

“Really!? Uh, yeah that’d be...great.”

Caleb and Molly share a knowing grin.

After about 10 minutes, Caduceus finally speaks up.

“All right, I think Yasha and Molly need to rest.”

There are grumbles but everyone says their goodbyes.

“Beau! You need a ride home?” Veth bellows from her car.

Yasha extends a look toward Beau, who nods.

“Nah, I have some stuff to do.” Jester glares at her. “Oh! Thanks though!”

Molly follows alongside Caleb as he walks to his own car.

“Hey, we’re going to the Song and Supper to see Gustav and the rest of the crew. You should come if you can, I’ll probably end up out on the floor at some point with the girls but uh...it’d be nice to, I dunno, talk more.”

"I can’t stay out too late because I have an early morning tomorrow, but I’d love to. I’d like to meet your family as well."

Caleb swears he sees Molly wince at “family” but seconds later he’s slapped on his usual easy grin. He throws a wink at Caleb.

“Cool, see ya there.”

Chapter Text

As Caleb, Veth, and Beau enter the Song and Supper Inn, they discover that their friends and the carnival crew have dragged several tables together. Copious amounts of drink and snacks already lay there. Gustav and Desmond head the table with Bosun and Fjord sitting on their left, deep in their cups and in conversation. On the other side of Fjord, Jester and Caduceus are enjoying their colorful non-alcoholic drinks - complete with little umbrellas (Jester has two.) Toya’s tucked into Orna’s side, head barely cresting the dark wooden table. Yasha’s sitting on the end of the bench and…

Caleb’s eye is drawn to the vacant space beside her.

Where’s Molly?

Beau doesn’t care, she’s booking it to said empty space, but Caleb stops on the spot to seek out the Tiefling. Lavender skin and luminescent jewelry catch his gaze quickly enough.

Molly is currently at the bar with a drink in hand, chatting with a gorgeous young woman. Caleb can’t hear the conversation, but Molly appears entirely at ease sporting a confident smile and leaning in attentively toward her.

Doubts roil and churn in Caleb’s mind as a surge of jealousy hits him.

‘Was Veth wrong? Maybe Molly is simply being kind and polite towards him. He could be this way towards a lot of peopleandI’mjustafoolforthink-’ Then Molly catches sight of Caleb, giving him a smile and a wink. Caleb raises a hand weakly to wave, his heart already betraying him. Damned thing.

Caleb resumes his path to the others, but not before getting a good eyeful of Molly. He’s dressed extravagantly, as always. Not particularly flashy this evening, save the sun and moon charms hanging from his horns. He’s got a black collared cutout crop top covered by a blue kimono-style jacket lined in red. Burgundy ripped jeans are slung dangerously low on his hips and are tucked into floral platform boots. Caleb tries not to overtly stare at Molly’s exposed chest and midriff. Really, he does.

He catches up to the table as Gustav orders a round for the three of them. Beau is looking quite smug at her place beside Yasha. Caleb attempts to distract himself by joining in to a conversation with Caduceus and Jester but he can’t resist looking to the bar. His heart plummets as he sees Molly hand the woman his phone and she begins typing. He quickly averts his eyes and clenches his hands around his glass.

Mere moments later the carnival group starts getting excited.

“Woo! Get some!” hollers Ornna and Toya looks up at her, confused. Bosun and Fjord are also jeering but moments later Jester smacks Fjord in the side with a sour glare on her face. Caleb begrudgingly looks up to see what they’re so uppity about- Molly and the woman heading towards the door. Molly shakes his head and flips everyone off.

Caleb presses his lips tightly together and sinks further into his seat. He’s sure his face is ablaze and sneaks a glance around. To his horror, both Veth and Beau are looking increasingly agitated. One glance at her best friend and Veth is nearly up out of her seat. The wizard’s hand shoots out to grab onto her shoulder and shakes his head.

‘Molly is an adult who can do what he wants.’ Caleb thinks. ‘As much as he wants it, he knows that Molly isn’t his. Caduceus once said to Jester in regards to Fjord, ‘You can’t call dibs on people.’ Caleb uses that to try and steel himself against jealousy, however, it only works so much. He honestly wants to cry.

Caleb’s brooding is interrupted by the buzz of his phone. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, extreme emotions temporarily forgotten.

“Caleb!? Everything ok?” whispers Veth.

“Ja, I will tell you later.”

He furiously types away at his phone and then tucks it back into his jacket - just in time to witness Mollymauk walking back across the bar towards their table.

“What the fuck man?” Beau hisses. The tip of Molly’s tail is flicking back and forth as he stops behind Beau.

“Outta my seat.” Beau squints at him but acquiesces. Everyone at the table is staring at him with shifty eyes and gaping mouths. “I miss something?”

Fjord’s the first one to pick his jaw off the ground. “Yeah, you uh...you came back?”

“What? Yeah. I called her a cab and walked her out. You know how these streets can be at night.” Despite the weird looks, Molly appears entirely nonplussed.

Now that Molly is close, Caleb can see more scars crisscrossing on his chest and a bit of the peacock tattoo poking out on his right side.

“Such strange places for scars. Were they self harm? From battle like the ones on the back of his neck?” Caleb wouldn’t ask. It’s none of his business and they aren't fresh. Besides, he has scars of his own. Still, he hopes Molly is ok.

Ornna snorts in laughter. “Damn Molly, you’re so weird sometimes. We thought you were going home with her dumbass.”

Molly puts on an incredulous look.

“Hell no! Sure she was comin’ onto me but I was just trying to make her feel a bit better because her date stood her up.” He takes a gulp from his own drink, “Plus she was wasted. I wasn’t about to let her drive home like that.”

Veth pokes Caleb in the side and pulls out her copper wire. In his head Caleb hears -

See! We were wrong! _{You can reply to this message}.

The wizard grins and takes her hand in his.

So it would seem. Thank you for having my back regardless.

“Well, that’s a mighty fine thing to do Molly.” Fjord drawls. Beau can’t help but pitch in. “Yeah, what a fucking gentleman.”

“Geez, that bar is pretty fuckin’ low. Who do you think I am?” Molly takes another big swig and plunks the bottle heavily against the table. “Booze causes all sorts of issues, especially with consent. Nah man.”

“Still, it was a kind thing to do.” Caduceus says. Molly tilts his head at the Firbolg.

“Hey Cad, why do you come to the bar and not drink?”

“Hm? Oh, I just like to hang out and see you all have fun. Besides, Jester doesn’t either.” He points out. “She likes to be crazy and dance.” Jester slurps the last of her drink through her straw. “Yup! Alcohol is gross.”

The group is then largely silent, busy drinking and snacking. Some quiet conversation goes on between Gustav and Desmond. Toya sips her soda and watches, eventually piping up.

"Is the family going away? Am I going to be alone again?"

Everyone is silent before Ornna pulls the girl snug up against her. "Not if I can help it. It's you and me, kid, against the world."

"Well, if you'd have me, you can probably use a strong arm." Ornna considers Bo. "You know what? Sure. The trio makes for a strong pack of performers.”

“We could make a new show?” Toya asks hopefully, wiggling in her seat.

“You should go back to Nicodranas! You did so well there before, I think you guys would have a lot of success. Oh! Mama is always looking for performers for the Chateau!”

Toya looks up at Ornna with her best puppy dog eyes. Ornna returns to Bo, who is drumming his fingers on the table.

"Hmm. Let's go ahead and make our way. The Coast sounds like a nice change of pace, this empire is getting a little stuffy for me anyway.” Little agreements are heard from around the table.

At the head of the table, Gustav is watching them thoughtfully.

“Sounds like you have quite the plan. Good. I'm sorry for everything. For all the pain this has caused you all." He looks pointedly at Toya, "For all the pain it's caused you, little one."

Desmond pats his arm sympathetically and Gustav heaves a great sigh. “The end of my carnival.” he says wistfully. Jester jumps up and raises her new glass. “It was such a good carnival.” Gustav laughs, he and Desmond join her.

"It was a good run! It was a really good run."

The rest of the group follows suit, clinking glasses together and laughing. Afterwards several people go to get more drinks.

Molly slides into Veth’s seat.

“Mr. Caleb.”

“Oh! Hallo, Mr. Mollymauk.”

Mollymauk lifts his glass up.

“How do you toast in Zemnian?”

“That would be ‘Prost.’” Molly giggles and by the gods is it captivating. “It rhymes with toast.”

“What about you? Do they even have that in Infernal?”

“I donnnnn’t think so. But Gustav taught me this one. ‘Sláinte.’”

Caleb raises his glass to meet Molly’s. “Sláinte.”

“Prost.”

The two drain their glasses and Caleb moves from his seat.

“Mm, you want something? I can grab it while I’m up there.”

“Oh, awesome. Yeah, a Marquet Mule would be great.” Molly grins. Caleb flicks one of his horn charms before making his way to the bar.

A curt whistle alerts Molly to Gustav waving him over. He swings a chair around to straddle. “What’s up?”

“That him?” Gustav asks gruffly. He’s unmistakably looking toward the bar and the redhead standing at it.

‘Oh here we go.’ Molly rolls his eyes, which does not go unnoticed by the older man.

“Uh yeah, that’s Caleb.”

“Hmm…” Gustav strokes his chin and shrugs. “Seems nice, awful quiet though. And a little shabby.”

“Says you!,” Desmond butts in. “You’re the one who married me.” The human leans into his husband’s space, pointing at his own rugged and scarred face. “Oh you stop that.” Gustav wraps an arm around him.

“Ahhh, Mollymauk…you’ve found a fine group of friends here.”

“Yeah, I really like it here. It won’t be the same without you...”

Gustav reaches over to ruffle Molly’s hair. “You’ll be alright, kid. Never seen a fighter like you. You’ve got Yasha at your side, like it’s meant to be.” The large woman appears as if she’s been summoned and kisses Molly on the temple.

“You never needed a father, but I’m glad you found one in a fuck up like me. Heh, guess I’ve seen worse fathers.”

“What he means to say” Dez interrupts again, “is that you know how to reach us if you ever need anything. You came running when we called, we won’t let our boy down.”

Both he and Gustav grin at him.

“Now git, your boy is on his way back.”

Molly groans and Yasha giggles.

As everyone else is returning, Gustav finishes his drink and loudly declares - "Well, I'm going to go get some sleep and try and figure out how to put my life together. I bid you all a wonderful night!”

There’s rounds of cheers and hugs but Molly simply sits, tucked into Yasha’s side. He smiles up at Caleb as he approaches the table.

“Hey, thanks.”

“Everything alright?” Caleb asks as he passes Molly his drink.

“Yeah, just dads being dads.” Yasha tightens her hold around his shoulder, ever protective.

“What’d you get?” Molly motions to the glass of rich amber liquid that Caleb is nursing.

Beau leans over and stage whispers. “He’s fancy and drinks Scotch.”

“That’s hot.” Molly mutters into his glass.

“Was?”

“Nothing!”

Molly tucks himself farther into Yasha's side with a sly grin.

Chapter Text

Evening rolls around properly as bar lights dim and rainbow-colored ones take their place. The kids and older folks are taking off to escape the ensuing late-night music and partying - Ornna offers one final goodbye as she totes away an already sleeping Toya.

An easygoing song that Caleb believes he’s heard before starts and Jester naturally wastes no time in getting excited. She’s out of her seat in a flash.

“C’mon Molly! Let’s dance!” she squeals as she hauls Beau onto the dance floor. The grin that tears across Mollymauk’s face is nothing short of dazzling. Caleb sighs in relief. It’s the first genuine smile he’s seen from the tiefling the entire day.

“Ok, ok! I’ll be there in a sec!”

Yasha peers down her nose at Molly. “I don’t think I’m going to join.” She proclaims flatly and unwinds from him. “I’ll be at the bar if you need anything.” She leaves Molly with a kiss at his temple.

“Spoil sport!” Molly snickers. He paws at his best friend’s arms as she tousles his curls, then gives him a scratch behind the ear. He scrunches his face, tail and ears twitching gleefully at the small gesture of affection - and Caleb’s heart flip flops. He drops his forehead into his hand and scoffs incredulously.

‘Oh Widogast, you really have it bad.’

“I do love that woman.” Molly professes as he turns back to face Caleb.

Caleb can’t resist the urge to smile. Molly is always affectionate with her - with everyone - but this is Caleb’s first time witnessing Yasha act so freely. She looks happy, in her Yasha kind of way. Still quiet and a bit out of place, much like Caleb himself. He wonders if he looks like that around Veth or Jester. Could that be the way he looks around Molly?

“Exandria to Caleb!”

Caleb startles and nearly topples over his drink.

“Ach, sorry. I, ah…I spaced out.” he sputters as he dabs a napkin on the table.

Molly’s chin rests on his hands and he’s boasting a rather innocent smile. “ I know I’m pretty but you don’t need to stare. Or do. I’d not discourage it.” The glitter on Molly’s cheeks catches the light as he awards the human yet another playful wink. Caleb rolls his eyes and hopes to the gods it looks convincing and blessedly, Molly appears to laugh it off. “But, really. I’m glad you came but you don’t have to stay. It’s gonna get pretty loud.”

“You know,” Caleb considers, leaning forward. His voice sinks lower and Molly shivers. Perhaps it’s the alcohol making Caleb’s voice emerge thick and syrupy, or maybe it’s simply his accent, but either way it’s affecting Molly in more ways than one. He crosses his legs. ”I think I will stay a bit longer. I’m feeling pretty good.”

“Alright then.” Molly nods and laces his fingers together, stretching across the table. He takes a moment to finish his drink and hazards a look at the girls across the room. Caleb immediately takes notice when he begins to worry at the ends of his sleeves. Molly catches himself and instead rubs his hands against his jeans.

“Look. I wanted to say thanks for asking about me the other night. It’s nice to know that someone else cares. I know we’ve only known each other for like 2 weeks but it means a lot to me. You’re a good friend, Mr. Caleb.”

He’s interrupted by another shriek. “Mol-ly!”

Ah, you are being summoned.

“Heh, yeah. Well, I am going to go dance off these…feelings.” Molly makes a grossed-out face and sticks out his tongue. Caleb somehow has only now noticed that Molly’s tongue is forked.

He turns, then swivels back around to Caleb.

“Um..let me know when you leave, ok? I wanna say bye.” And with that, he makes a beeline to the floor.

“Uh, ja.” He says quietly to himself. He swishes around the last drops of Scotch in his glass and knocks it back.

Veth pops up, nearly scaring him to death.

“Lemme know when you wanna go!” And she follows Molly toward the girls.

“Scheisse” Caleb manages to squeak out through his coughing fit.

Caleb doesn’t care to get drunk. It usually brings up too many uneasy feelings. Lack of control is not something Caleb ever likes to feel, let alone deliberately doing it to himself. He admits though, that he can enjoy the pleasant buzz here and now, surrounded by friends. It’s taken a long time for the formerly shabby wizard to feel truly comfortable again, even amongst the friends he’d had for years now. They’ve all gone truly above and beyond for him, some toeing the line of death. The past two years have been quiet and yet…

“They’re still here.” he murmurs.

The wizard closes his eyes and allows himself to relax and lean back once again in his chair. He cracks his eyes open a tiny bit to watch the girls and Molly dance. They’re having a great time and Molly has even managed to convince Beau to dance with him.

Molly.

How has he found himself falling this deeply over someone so quickly?

Caleb’s maybe a bit too enthralled with Molly as he watches the way the lights and shadows play across his swaying hips. He can feel his face heating at the mere thought. Maybe it’s the Scotch. (Perhaps both. Both is good.)

It seems an eternity since he’s felt like this. If it weren’t for his memory, he’d almost forgotten. It certainly feels novel, now that he’s older and understands things more. For better or for worse. Right now it’s better. It all feels better.

Caleb’s got friends who he loves and against all odds love him back. He has a home, a cat that refused to leave him, a little shop, and now a crush.

He does indeed have a huge crush on Molly. The ever-growing part of his brain that he knows is himself - not Trent, not Bren, not anyone else - tells Caleb that he deserves to be at ease with that.

Some time later, Caleb digs into his jacket for his copper wire. He points and messages Veth.

“I am about ready to go, spatzi.” Across the room, she gives a thumbs up before saying her goodbyes and scampering over to Caleb.

“Are you feeling alright? Ok to drive?” He hands Veth her coat. “Of course! You know I wouldn’t put you in danger! Besides, I’ve been trying to cut back more.”

“Proud of you. You go on and get the car warmed up, I will be right behind you.”

“Oh? Ohhh!” She grins at him.

“Geh!” he snaps playfully back.

“Going!”

Caleb casts his message cantrip again toward Molly. “Mollymauk, I am leaving.”

The tiefling’s tail shoots straight up into the air and his head whips about until he spots Caleb waving from the other side of the room. Molly “whispers” in Jester’s ear and runs over to him.

“What in the nine hells was that? You startled me something awful.”

“What? Oh! That, I’m sorry. That was a message cantrip. I suppose I should have warned you.”

“No biggie. That’s actually quite handy, maybe you could teach me someday.” The two of them exit into the chilly night air.

Caleb is about to ask if Molly would be too cold, but instead he’s met with an interesting sight.

“Mollymauk, there is steam coming off of you!” he gasp. The other man just grins. “Yeah, happens sometimes. Tiefs run hot, unless you’re Jester. It’ll go away in a sec. Fun trick though.” Molly opens his mouth and breathes out a puff of steam like a dragon.

“Thanks again for coming, I’m sorry I worried you all so much.”

“You and your family are safe, that is all that matters.” Caleb hesitates and then adds, “If you need anything, please let me know.”

“Thanks Caleb, I appreciate it.”

Lights shine in the pair’s faces as Veth pulls around for Caleb.

“You have a ride, right?” Caleb asks as he fiddles with his scarf.

“Yep! Jester doesn’t drink, remember?”

“Right.” Caleb scuffs at the ground with his shoe, “I have an excellent memory but sometimes I just…forget stuff like that.”

“Um, Caleb?” Caleb’s head snaps up at his change in demeanor. “Ja?”

“Could I give you a hug? If not, that’s a-ok. No hard feelings.” The redhead can barely do anything but nod and give a quiet ‘yeah sure.’ Molly gives him a quick squeeze around the shoulder. He’s surprised - Molly is slender but much stronger than Caleb imagined.

“Alright you two! I got a kid to get home to!” Veth teases from the car. Molly flips her off and she returns the favor with a cackle. They both wave to Molly before heading out.

Later that night, the remaining four crash into a booth together before leaving.

Yasha’s back in her seat with her arm around Molly’s shoulders. She tosses back a shot and cocks an eyebrow at them.

“I mean, I'll say it. I don't know if you will, but I think that little girl is creepy.”

“Oh no, she's had a thing the entire time. There was a little while I thought she was in on it completely.”

Jester gasps “Ahhh, she might have been!”

“I've known her for years. I just assumed that she was in on it.” Yasha nods in agreement with him.

“She could've been in on it, and just got right away with it.”

“Yeah. That would be great.”

“She's good.”

At least he can joke about it, right?

Molly sighs dramatically and flops down onto his couch. He peeks up at Yasha from under the arm he’s covering his eyes with grins. She’s already wrapped in a blanket and picks him up to get comfortable.

“You know, I kinda feel better now. Talking to Dad and Pop…made it seem like it was gonna all be ok. I know it’s not right now but….”

“You can dream?” she offers.

“Yeah.”

“Everything comes to an end.” Yasha states, matter of fact. She’s speaking to herself but Molly knows. He burrows down into her.

“Gustav said something” Yasha hums. “You’re here with me, like it ought to be. I’m glad you’re here. I like everyone, but I don’t think I could do this without you.”

Molly tucks his head gingerly into the side of her neck. She’s pretty used to getting poked, but he always tries to be gentle.

“I think so too. I mean, I feel the same.” She’s not exactly struggling with her words but Molly understands. Usually they don’t have to say anything. They know. Yasha is his home, and in turn, she is his. But lately Yasha is trying to speak out more. Express herself more, even to Molly. So he lets her swish around the words in her mouth, like she’s trying to taste them before she speaks

“You’ll always be here. It’s been 5 years and you’re still here. I think that’s a good sign?” Molly realizes that she’s attempting a joke.” He butts his horn into her jaw.

“I think I’m going to tell Beau about Zuala.”

“What?” He nearly slams his head into her chin.

“Not like...right now! I really like her, I think. It’s been a long time. She makes me feel….wanted? Like every time she sees me, her eyes light up. Am I imagining it?”

Molly snorts into her neck.

“I don’t think you are. We gotta work on your timing though, dearest.”

“Hmm…”

“Jester and Beau told me to hang out with Caleb more. Maybe you two should do the same. She’s kinda shy in a way too. She’s just like me, has a big mouth and not a lot of bite. Usually.”

“Speaking of Caleb...that woman?” Molly furrows his brows. “What’s that got to do with Caleb?”

She stares blankly at him. It takes a second for it to click and he bolts up. Yasha lets out a soft “oof” as he’s effectively sitting on her stomach.

“Oh Fuck! You don’t think he got the wrong idea?” It’s a stupid thing to say and he realizes it at the face she makes to him.

“Shit, fuck!” He groans in defeat and maneuvers himself back onto her. “Ugh! Everyone else did, didn't they?”

“You came back though? Who was she?” Yasha asks quietly.

Ugh.

“She just kinda stumbled up to me.”

She orders a drink and Molly notices right away she was more frustrated than anything. “Put that one on me.” He tells the bartender, “You seem frazzled.”

She sighs and pushes her curly hair off her face.

“My date stood me up.”

“Damn, sorry to hear that.”

“Ugh! He seemed so nice too!” She half-heartedly slams her hand against the bar and then gives him a once over…twice over.

“Well…you lookin’ for anyone to take home?” She shifts and promptly stumbles into him.

“Easy there!” They both laugh. “I don’t think you’re in the best shape for that, darlin’. He turns toward the bartender again. “Can I get a water with that please?”

“Oof…you’re probably right.” She rolls her eyes. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Molly holds out his hand. “Mollymauk Tealeaf. Molly to my friends.”

“Naomi Hirschel.”

“Hirschel? Sounds Zemnian.”

“Mmm, my mothers parent’s at least.”

“Well, nice to meet you. Ah…water first.” He slides the glass over to her. She takes it with a little cheers. She tips the bartender at least.

They start to chat a bit, she’s a very nice woman. Very charming. Then he sees Caleb come in and that’s about it for what's on his mind.

She sighs again, rubs her eyes, and gimaces that she’s smudged her makeup. Molly commisserates.

“Alright, let's get you a ride huh?”

“That would be splendid actually.”

Molly taps at his phone and hands it to her

“Address please!”

He doesn’t see Caleb’s eyes boring into them.

A few minutes later he walks her outside, rolling his eyes at the hoots and hollers coming from his family.

“Only man I see tonight and you’re calling me a cab and walking me out. What a gentleman.”

“Yeah yeah. Be safe, ok.”

“Thanks, Molly.”

He raps his knuckles on the top of the car.

“That was about it.”

“So you didn’t want to go home with her.”

“I mean, she was hot and - ” he mimes ample breasts. “Sorry. But no…I didn’t really feel like it and I didn’t really know why. Then I saw Caleb.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah.”

Caleb makes his way upstairs to his home above the shop. He sends a quick text and begins to unravel himself from his coat and scarf. He’s just toeing off his boots when he receives a call.

“Hallo? Essek! It’s good to hear you! How are you, my friend?

Chapter Text

Edit: I added some end notes that I forgot to when I published this chapter. Nothing huge, but some inspiration for Molly's room.

Caleb snaps his laptop and notebook closed and collapses back into his chair with a groan. His watch blinks 13:00 and he finally, blessedly, has a break. He’s gone to his early lecture (how does he always manage to schedule an 8 am class? Particularly when you rarely have classes?), met with his advisor, worked on the schedule for the next 3 weeks, and completed a sizable chunk of his presentation for the end of the semester.

Ok, maybe a ‘break’ is understated. Caleb could take the next two days off if he pleased. Even so…

He chews on the end of his pen. He’s no closer to having solid details for the permanence of the spell but has made progress on theory involving precisely manipulating aspects of other more…dubious…spells of a similar nature. He’s spoken to Dr. Errenis about these and about the self-doubts and mistrust surrounding these sorts of spells.

Caleb sighs and pauses, pulls out a sticky note and jots down an idea to discuss with Jester and Caduceus. He checks his phone - some good morning texts from Veth and Beau, a message from Essek, and of course...a string of messages from Jester.

J: Cayyyleb? Can you do me a huge favor?

J: Molly’s not feeling well :(( Caddy gave me some medicine but I’ve been working allll morning and haven’t been able to take it to him.

J: Can you take it over? Pretty please?

J: (its ok if you cant)

C: Ja, sure. I actually just finished for the morning.

J: ohmygosh thank you so mcuh

J: much*

J:I’ll text him so he knows :3

C: :3

Molly must have partied a little too hard last evening. Caleb grins. He deserved to have a good time and get a bit of respite from the events of the past few days.

Caleb stops at home to change, then makes his way across the street. A small bell chimes as he opens the door. He gingerly steps over the white drop cloths that line the floor around the entryway and into the lobby. The smell of fresh paint permeates the air.

“Hi Caleb!” Jester calls from her perch on a step ladder. A variety of brushes and paints are scattered around her. There are large splotches of paint on the wall in patterns that don’t make much sense to Caleb. Below her, Yasha is set up with her own painting equipment. She’s covered in paint - it’s even in her hair. She doesn’t seem at all concerned and merely proffers a small wave before returning to work.

“An underpainting, ja?” Jester giggles in excitement. “Yes! You remembered!” Caleb recalls a conversation with her some time ago. To him it seemed like she was throwing paint onto her canvas. “Welll, you’re not wrong. Sometimes you just need to start with putting paint down to like, make a base you know? You use a certain color or map your shit out first.”

She scampers down the ladder, wiping her hands on a stained rag before disappearing around the corner and into another room.

“Da nuh na naaaaah!” She sings as she returns with a small paper bag. “Thank you so much! Molly said not to worry about it too much but I know he’s just trying to let me work. He’s like you, needs to take better care of himself!” She pouts. “Just text him when you get to the apartment.”

“Ja. Will do, blaubeere.” As he expects, she gives him a big hug before she runs back to work. “Oh, shitballs! I thought all the paint on me was dry!” Jester laments as she waves goodbye. He frowns down at his sweater and shrugs. “Ach, no big deal.” A quick wave of his hands and it all disappears. He wiggles his fingers at her and ducks out the door with a grin.

It’s a lazy autumn day in Zadash. Early afternoon is still warm and most of the trees have rapidly changed colors and are beginning to shed their leaves. Caleb enjoys autumn. He likes the colors, festivals, food and drink. It reminds him of home, even in Zadash. His heart skips in his chest but he takes solace in remembering good memories. It’s happening more and more these days.

And it’s strange, the way Caleb can’t remember when that subtle shift happened. When he began to allow the weight of his burdens slip off his shoulders. Gods, he never meant to. He dreamt of burning it all down around himself, planning it so meticulously. He never planned to have friends and yet…

It’s love that makes people.

Caleb smiles to himself.

A burst of wind sends golden leaves spiraling through the air and across Caleb’s windshield. He blinks and shakes his head, surprised to find himself already pulling into the parking lot of Molly’s apartment. He parks by the trailers and pulls his phone from his jacket to shoot Molly a text.

M: Yeah, guess so.

M: Sorry it’s late. I’ll let you get to sleep. Night! ;p

C: Goodnight Mollymauk :)

Today, 14:18

C: Jester told me to text you. I just got to the apartment.

M: Doors open just come in.

M: And for the love of the gods do not turn any lights on please

That’s…odd. Caleb shrugs it off. He’s had his fair share of hangovers. Perhaps Tieflings are particularly sensitive to light? It’s something he’d have to research. After he gets this to Molly, that is.

Right. He clears his throat and grabs the doorknob. It opens, because of course it does, Molly said it was unlocked. It just…feels a little strange, walking right into Molly’s home.

It’s not what he expected. Mostly bare, granted Molly hasn’t had very long to unpack. It’s nice though, identical in space to Jester’s apartment and he would assume Yasha’s. The door opens directly into a central living area. Several boxes lay about the sitting room and the modest adjacent kitchen. He passes by a well lived-in couch with a multicolored crocheted blanket slung over it. The coffee table in front is covered in all sorts of things - papers, small bins, several empty bottles, a remote to the nearby tv…

He needs to stop gawking and get to Molly.

Back the short hallway are three doors. The closest is decorated, Molly’s bedroom he assumes. It’s just barely cracked open. Caleb knocks lightly before entering.

Something definitely isn’t right. The room is pitch black, no light leaking in through the curtains whatsoever. Luckily Caleb always has his Stone on his person, and with the darkvision that it allows him he can just see Molly’s head poking out of a bundle of blankets. He’s curled up tightly and even has a sleep mask tied over his eyes.

“Mollymauk?”

“Erg..hey.” A groan within the blanket roll replies. Molly’s speaking a little louder so Caleb takes it as a cue to as well.

“I thought that maybe you were hung over, are you alright?”

Molly sighs heavily and wrestles the mask off of his face. He’s bare-faced, but has some makeup smudged through his eyelashes and in the creases under his eyes. He tosses the blankets off to the side and rubs at his face.

“No, but yes. I have a terrible migraine.”

“This happens often?” Caleb asks as he hands off the paper bag that Jester gave him. He’s also no stranger to headaches, though his are often from staring at a screen or a book for much too long.

“Yeah. I usually feel them coming on. I guess with everything that happened...” Molly trails off, waving his hand.

“I suppose you can’t blame yourself for that.”

“Drinking didn’t help.”

“Well, maybe a little.” That gets a little laugh from Molly. He pulls out a small bottle and holds out the bag again.

“Can you set this over there?”

A side table sits a few feet away with a small electric kettle, teapot, and a cup. Clearly Molly was prepared. He sets the bag aside and watches curiously as Molly struggles to open the bottle and swears. “Here.” Caleb kneels and gently takes the bottle from Molly’s shaking hands. It feels like his own aren’t currently much better.

“How many do you need?”

“Oh. T-two please.” Caleb doesn’t need colored vision to see the flush on Molly’s face.

He tries to ignore it, it’s not the time to think about things like that. Like how close they are right now or how pretty Molly looks even when he’s sleep deprived. He shakes out two capsules of whatever concoction Clay has made and hands them to Molly.

Caleb sets the bottle down and takes the moment to survey what he can of Molly’s room. There are bins in here as well, but this room is the most put-together place in the house. A few pieces of framed art are on the walls - some he recognizes as Jester’s work. Fairy lights are strung about this side of the room, including draped within the opened canopy around Molly’s bed. There are myriad pillows strewn across his bed (a nest is more like it) much like Jester and her beloved plushies. A drop front secretary desk sits nearby - acting as a vanity of sorts judging by its contents. It’s more modern and only half as big as his own desk, painted in extravagant patterns and colors that Caleb can’t discern in the dark.

He turns his attention back to Molly, who’s staring down at the water bottle in his hands. He’s still shaking quite badly.

“Molly?”

“Hm?” He blinks rapidly. “Oh! Sorry. Thank you! Cad’s medicines work better than anything I’ve ever tried. You're a dear for running them over.” Molly’s beaming up at him and Caleb can only sputter in response.

“No, I-. Are you ok? Your hands?” Ugh. He really shouldn’t have said anything.

It clicks in Molly’s head. “Oh. Shit! No, totally normal.” and he laughs. “I have a uh, what’s it called…neurological…condition that makes me shake. My hands. And my head sometimes. That reminds me…” He gets up and searches nearby, picking up bits of clothes and what looks like a sewing project before triumphantly holding up a small prescription bottle. “Haven’t taken it today. This one’s easier to get open, would be weird, considering.”

He wobbles a bit on his way back and Caleb catches him by the arm.

“Oh-kay, Mr. Mollymauk. I think it is time for you to go back to bed.”

“You’re probably right.” He laughs again as he rights himself on the bed and snuggles down. It’s terribly cute. Caleb helps him haul all of his blankets back over himself. Molly grins devilishly over the top of the covers. “Hmm, Caleb Widogast, secret mother hen?”

“Hush you.” Caleb throws the sleep mask at Molly’s face.

He catches it, but stops and squints at Caleb.

“What?”

“I just realized, how are you seeing?”

“Ah, my transmutation stone! Er, transmutation wizards like myself often have a kind of focus. Not like the type Jester or Caduceus use per se, it is similar to um…a rite of passage, I suppose. Once we reach a certain level of knowledge and practice we are able to create one. It is an object that we pour our power into and are able to use for certain transmutation spells and effects without needing to expend extra magic for a spell. One of mine is dark vision. It’s very useful, but you would know that I’m sure.”

Molly props himself back up on his elbows.

“You used a rock?”

Caleb hesitates.

“Uh yeah, it’s what I had. And it’s a cool rock.”

He rummages in his coat pocket and pulls out a smooth-looking stone roughly the size of a baseball. “My father would tell me when I was a child that if a stone had a ring around it all the way, it was lucky.” He shrugs. ”I found one several years ago and I never got rid of it. It made sense to me to use it.”

“That’s…wow.”

There’s something in Molly’s eyes that Caleb can’t quite parse. Amazement, yes…but-

He’s interrupted as his phone buzzes. Molly’s ears flick back.

“Sorry if I bothered you. Do you have somewhere to be?”

“Nein.” Caleb glances at his phone and then slides it back. “No bother. I’m mostly done with my work for today and I am meeting an old friend later this evening.”

“Wizard friend?” Molly teases.

“Ja, he’s even more of a recluse than I am. It has been quite a while since we have seen each other. He says he has something interesting for me and for him…that could be trouble.”

“Sounds fun-” Molly yawns widely, exposing his fangs and his split, pierced tongue. “Don’t get in too much trouble, ‘least not until I can join.”

“I’m sure we will be perfectly boring wizards in the meantime.” Caleb pats his arm. “Rest well freund.”

Caleb smirks as he hears Molly sleepily mumble.

“You too…fr-frund.”

Chapter Text

Hello all! Wanted to let you know I am indeed alive and am still going to continue this story. If you haven't seen any of the earlier update chapters, then here's the deal - I'm getting married very soon (like...2 days, soon). This is what's mostly been keeping me from working on this, but life is the way it is too.

So, hopefully within the next 2 months I will have a new chapter coming and it's probably going to be a longer one with a lot going on. Thank you as always for sticking around!

I'm also probably going to be reworking my old Fallout 4 fic (NoraxHancock) once I get the next chapter of this up. If you're interested, go to my works. I only have the one FO4 fic haha

Love you all~
Manda

Chapter Text

Hello again friends.

I updated back in April hoping I would be able to get new chapters out. Well, it's been six months haha
A lot has happened since then. My wedding was amazing but I've also lost several family members this year and it's been very rough.

The bottom line is that I really *want* to continue writing - this story especially. Widomauk makes me very happy and I adore coming up with ideas for this AU. I want to thank everyone with being so patient and hanging in there with me.

Lots of love,
Manda