Archive of Our Own ^beta

Gods above, freshly-washed Caleb Widogast is a sight.

Really, he’s always a sight—there’s a primordial, haunted sort of beauty that surrounds him, even on bad days. A biting sharpness to his gaze that speaks to the power he wields.

Before, Molly never thought it possible to be this in love.

But now, as Caleb shuffles into their room—hair damp, in baggy shirt and pants, with a content little smile on his face—Molly thinks: this. He feels as if the gods could strike him down right now, and he would be happy.

Caleb’s brow furrows when he catches Molly looking, head tilting in his confusion. “Do I have something on my face? Why are you staring?”

Molly trills happily, flopping backward and sprawling out on the diabolically plush bed. “Nope. Just the prettiest face I’ve ever seen, darling.”

A small hum, and Molly can picture clearly the pretty red flush rising to Caleb’s cheeks. “It is…just a face,” he says quietly.

“Sure,” Molly chuckles. “Your face, you handsome devil you.”

“Says the actual devil.” There’s a smile in Caleb’s voice as it trails across the room, settling in the corner. At the…oh.

“Caleb, no,” Molly groans, flopping back upright. Caleb looks up from the desk, spellbook open on its surface.

“What?”

“Not again. You’ve done so much transcribing the last few nights that I fear your hand may fall off, dear.”

“You are being ridiculous,” Caleb rolls his eyes.

“I’m being concerned for your health, darling.” Molly scoots awkwardly across the bedspread and perches on the edge of the mattress. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so, so proud of the work you’re doing. You’ve come so far. But—”

“But I am not giving you the attention you require,” Caleb deadpans, flipping through his spellbook. Molly has to fight the urge to bristle—because yes, he’s not entirely wrong.

“But I worry you’re pushing yourself too hard,” he continues firmly. “We’re supposed to be on vacation, and you’ve been working nearly nonstop. You should be relaxing.”

“My research is relaxing, Mollymauk. It is…” a bit of that shadow crosses Caleb’s eyes, catching Molly’s heart in a vice as he finishes, “healing.”

Molly sighs. “I know, Cay,” he acknowledges. “Maybe relaxing wasn’t the right word. You’ve been relaxing, but you haven’t been resting.” He stands, crossing the room in a few strides as another protest builds on Caleb’s lips.

“I have been resting perfectly well—”

His breath catches as Molly reaches out, cupping his face gently in the palm of a callused hand. This close, Molly gets a better look at the dark circles blooming beneath those icy eyes, the pallor of his already pale face.

“You haven’t been sleeping, Caleb. You can’t lie about that to someone you share a bed with, alright?”

Caleb melts then, eyes drifting shut as he leans more of his weight into Molly’s hand. “I know,” he whispers. “But I am so…so close to another breakthrough. I can feel it, schatz. I just need to work a little harder.”

Molly frowns thoughtfully. Caleb isn’t necessarily easy to reason with when he gets like this—never has been. But he got him to admit he’s pushing it, which feels like progress.

“Right,” he says slowly. “Okay. I understand. But I’d like for you to sleep tonight, alright? Actually….”

Bingo. Molly grins, pleased by his own genius. “Take some time to write for a little while, if you feel up to it. If not, just curl up in bed and be comfy. I’m gonna go get us something to help us wind down.”

“Booze?” Caleb guesses immediately. “Or is it some drug I’ve never heard of?”

“Neither, though you really shouldn’t tempt me.” Molly winks and bends double to press a lingering kiss to his cheek. “You’ve got thirty minutes, max. At that point, you’re joining me in bed whether you like it or not.”

“And if I choose not?” A smirk teases at the edge of Caleb’s lip. Molly’s tail twitches as he feels a jolt of heat in the pit of his stomach.

“I’ll restrain your scrawny arse and toss you into bed by the seat of your pants,” he slings back. “Or, we can do it like civilized adults. Up to you.”

To his endless delight, the tips of Caleb’s ears flush. “Ja, well. I will think long and hard on that while I await your return.” He turns back to his book as Molly plods over to the door.

“See that you do. Back in a bit.”

It’s a quick trip down the hall of the Lavish Chateau. Bluud gives Molly a stoic nod as he passes Jester’s room for the one on the other side of it. He knocks a few times, playfully calling, “Anybody home?” just in case.

“Just a second,” calls a quiet voice from inside. The door swings open moments later, revealing Caduceus.

“Mollymauk,” he greets warmly. “What can I do for you?”

“Sorry if I interrupted your meditation, dear,” Molly says sheepishly. “Fjord not around?”

“Oh,” Caduceus laughs. “He’s in Jester’s room. Did you need him?”

“No, no, I was just curious.” Molly bites his tongue so hard it nearly bleeds, knowing that any jokes made at Fjord’s expense would likely go right over Caduceus’ head anyway. “I really hate to ask, but do you have the recipe for that stuff you made for us that one night on the road? The…chocolatey stuff?”

“Hot chocolate?” Caduceus perks up curiously, ears flicking like a cow’s. “Sure, I think I’ve got it written down here somewhere. Did you want any help making it? The recipe’s pretty easy to follow, and I’m sure they have the ingredients in the kitchen downstairs, but….”

“I’m sure I’ve got it,” Molly replies assuredly. “My one question is what you mixed the chocolate into. Was it just water?”

“Because it was all we had on the road, yeah,” Caduceus nods. “When I was little, Dad would always use this plant-based milk that we’d make at home, and that was always really good. Come to think of it, I’m sure regular milk also works pretty well….” He steps back into the room as he talks, rifling through his travel bag until he comes up with a stained, haphazardly folded piece of parchment. “Here we go! You sure you don’t need help?”

“Positive! I’ll have this back to you tomorrow morning. You’re a wonder, Caduceus Clay.” Molly takes the parchment triumphantly and throws his arm around Caduceus for a quick hug. Caduceus hugs him back, chuckling.

“Goodnight, Molly. Sleep well.”

“Same to you, darling, goodnight.”

He waits until Caduceus has closed the door to let his shoulders drop.

The one problem with being handed a written recipe: Molly can’t read.

It goes better than he’d dared to hope, honestly; the kitchen staff are gracious (if a little confused), and gladly read the recipe out to him before helping him gather supplies. Caduceus may have been onto something about using regular milk, as the test sip Molly takes before pouring up the mugs may be the richest thing he’s ever tasted. He takes his prize proudly upstairs and knocks on their door with the back of his knuckles.

“Cay? I’m back.”

His tail slips around the knob while his hands are occupied. It takes a few awkward tries, but eventually he gets the door open. Caleb glances up from the desk distractedly—but is quickly on his feet at the sight of Molly with his hands full. “Liebling—”

“Before you say anything, I know that keen mind of yours hasn’t forgotten our talk earlier. What’s it gonna be, Mister Caleb?” Molly grins broadly.

It’s a visual affair, the fight draining from Caleb’s body: his shoulders loosen; his chest heaves a sigh; his eyelids droop. Without a word, he crosses the room and takes the mugs from Molly’s hands.

“You should have told me you were loaded down,” he mutters. “I would have gotten the door.”

“Aw, sweetheart.” Molly gives him a soft peck on the lips. “I know. Come on, let’s get you settled in.”

He leads the way over to the bed, pulling up the thick quilt that serves as the upper layer of the bedding. “C’mere, c’mere, get comfy—here, hand me one of those so you don’t spill yours.”

They end up situated toward the head of the bed. It must speak to how exhausted Caleb really is, because he doesn’t protest Molly guiding him around like a limp puppet—even when Molly bundles him in the quilt and pulls him into the gap between his legs.

“There we are. This alright?”

Caleb’s only response is a hum, muffled by the mug held to his lips. His eyes widen as he takes the first sip, incredulously glancing at Molly over his shoulder. “Schatz, this is wonderful. Did you really—?”

“Ah, you know. It’s Deuce’s recipe—which I had to get some help reading from the kitchen folks, but they were nice, so it’s fine. I just followed direc—oof!”

Caleb flops back onto him forcefully, nuzzling hard into the crook of his neck. “You madman. You silly, wonderful creature. I do not know what I did to deserve you,” he breathes.

“That good, huh?” Molly laughs, winding his arms around Caleb. “I’m your silly creature, for the record. And I’ve been asking the same question of myself, lately.”

Caleb hums unhappily at that, nosing at Molly’s skin. “You have done everything, Mollymauk. Everything.”

Molly doesn’t have an answer for that; he merely smiles, and bundles Caleb closer.

They sip hot chocolate in comfortable silence, and it’s better than Molly could’ve hoped for. He owes Caduceus a new tea set for this one. He’ll suggest that Marion reward the kitchen folks somehow, too.

Caleb finishes his mug, first, having melted into a puddle in Molly’s arms by the time he sets it aside. Molly takes both and places them on the bedside table, peppering little kisses to the side of Caleb’s face. This close, he smells of warm sugar and lavender. A soft giggle bubbles from his lips as Molly begins to purr, low and rumbling in his chest.

“Hübsches katzchen,” he mumbles.

“Wha’sat mean?” Molly’s lips don’t stray from the space just behind Caleb’s ear, enjoying the feel of the short auburn hair there.

Red blotches bloom over Caleb’s cheeks as he clears his throat quietly. “Kitten,” he whispers sheepishly. “Pretty kitten.”

“Really?” Molly’s purrs stutter slightly in his delight. “Moonweaver, it’s like you’re trying to stroke my ego.”

“Me? Never. I’m afraid it really can’t stand to grow much bigger, schatz.”

Molly’s gasp of faux-offense is quieter than it normally would be—Caleb’s melting further into his arms by the moment, and, frankly, it’s a spell he’d sooner die than break. “Fine,” he chuckles. “I’ll share my hot chocolate with Beau next time. See how you feel.”

“But I happen to like your ego,” Caleb mumbles sleepily. “Beau would probably, eh…fuck you up. Badly.”

Molly bursts out laughing, giddy peals of pure surprise and delight. He feels Caleb smile against his throat.

You know? He’ll let Caleb have this one. Because he’s nice.

“You’re right. I think I’d rather drink hot chocolate with you, anyway. Even if you’re mean.” He punctuates the last sentence with a gentle scritch to Caleb’s hair, sending a shuddering sigh down his back.

“Ja…mean. That…is me.”

Molly hushes him gently, bundles the blanket a little tighter. “You don’t have to keep talking, sweetheart. Just relax and be comfy, yeah?”

Caleb makes a small, content sound not unlike a squeak…but says nothing else. Molly settles back with a happy sigh, letting Caleb rest against him however he likes.

And Molly thinks, again: this. He thinks of the haunted, drawn man he met in a tavern a million years ago, keeping quiet toward the back of an equally ragtag group. He thinks of the man who called him by his chosen name, even without knowing what shadows lingered at his back.

How far they’ve come since then.

He noses into Caleb’s hair, sighing as a lump rises in his throat. “Caleb,” Molly whispers. “My perfect, magical man. I love you so.”

Caleb hums dazedly. “Mein herz. Ich liebe dich….”

He trails off in a quiet snore, and Molly absolutely melts.

Sleep erases some of the age from Caleb’s face, smoothing over the hard edges of his expressions. That’s not to say Molly doesn’t love his edge—he does, wholeheartedly—but it’s nice to just hold Caleb like this, sometimes. To know that he’s safe, and cared for, and resting.

Molly lays back with a comfortable sigh as Caleb shifts closer. He sighs, Zemnian gibberish tumbling from his sleep-slack mouth. Molly coos softly, burying his face into Caleb’s mess of curls and pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“Sleep well, dearheart,” he whispers. “I’m here if you need me. Always and forever.”