These two, I swear... As usual, I don't own any rights to Critical Role. Enjoy!
The last thing Caleb had been expecting to come home to was Essek sat on his bed. He and the Nein had been taking some down time in Rosohna recently. Caleb had, rather predictably, used a large portion of this time to buy the city's entire supply of paper and ink. He was just returning to the Xhorhaus to drop off his armfuls of supplies when he found Essek, almost jumping out of his skin when he noticed the drow's presence.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Essek smiled a little sheepishly. Caleb had a feeling that wasn't entirely true, but he accepted the apology nonetheless. Awkwardly, he set down his supplies on his desk before turning back around.
"While it is a pleasure to see you, Essek, what exactly are you doing here? And how did you get in the house?" Caleb raised an eyebrow questioningly, trying to ignore the pounding in his chest after both the very long walk he had just endured and the thought of being completely alone with Essek while the other members of the Nein were still out.
"You left the door unlocked," Essek shrugged and Caleb had to resist rolling his eyes- of course that would be the exact type of non-answer Essek would offer. To his surprise, Essek made no move to stand up from the bed. In fact, he seemed to be relaxing further backwards; propping himself up on his elbows and tilting his head to the side, with the slightest hint of a smirk playing on his lips; almost as though he both knew and enjoyed how flustered he was making Caleb feel. And Caleb wasn't entirely sure what to make of that particular observation.
"Is there... anything I can help you with?" Caleb stuttered, awkwardly shoving his hands in his pockets after waving them about uselessly for a moment.
"Oh, I'm sure there is," Essek almost purred, his eyes slowly scanning the length of Caleb's body then back up to his face. Caleb's heart was beating faster now, a strange combination of anxiety and a feeling of arousal he had not felt in a very long time- not since the last time somebody had looked at him the way Essek was looking at him now, all hunger and lust, like he was trying to undress him simply by looking at him. Caleb had the feeling it was almost working. He wasn't really sure where to go from here, very surprised by this sudden change in Essek's demeanor. Of course, he had privately fantasied about almost this exact moment on many lonely nights since the first time they had met, but now that it was really happening in front of his very eyes, Caleb felt significantly unprepared. Seeing Essek sprawled out on a bed, on his bed, was enough to make his head spin.
"And, uh... what would that be?" Caleb cringed at his own word choice, clearly not used to this kind of attention. In response, Essek did something entirely unexpected, even considering the unexpected circumstances they were already in. He looked Caleb dead in the eye and, while maintaining perfect eye contact, spread his legs, revealing the rather tight and admittedly delicious looking bulge in his pants. Caleb swallowed hard.
"I appear to be trapped in the terrible confines of these clothes. Could you assist me in removing them?" Essek made no effort to hide his smirk now. Caleb, on the other hand, was sure he was about to pass out.
"I-" Caleb started to say, but found he couldn't speak. Instead he just stared, dumbfounded, at Essek displayed in front of him like a work of art. Unfortunately, he seemed to go quiet for a little too long.
"This isn't working, is it?" Essek sighed defeatedly, closing his legs and knocking his knees together gently. Now Caleb really was confused.
"What... what exactly is happening right now?" Caleb managed to take a step towards Essek, but only just.
"I appear to have gotten the wrong message about... well, all of this I suppose. I thought, well, I thought this was going to be a good idea. But, given your reaction, I'm no longer convinced. Apologies," Essek suddenly turned very formal, straightening his back and looking at Caleb with a firm but blank expression, as though they had just ended a business meeting and not as though he had clearly been trying to seduce Caleb literally just seconds ago.
"Essek, were you just, I mean... did you just try to..." Caleb fumbled with his words, unsure of how to phrase what he was trying to say.
"Convince you to sleep with me?" Essek finished Caleb's sentence, "Yes. Sorry, I thought you felt the same and maybe you just needed nudging in the right direction. I spent all day building up the courage to do this, actually. This isn't something I normally do, or ever do if I'm being honest. Not with people I truly care for, anyway. It won't happen again, I assure you. This was clearly a mistake, but I hope this doesn't impact our working relationship," Essek rambled before standing ridged for a moment, then gliding rather quickly towards the door. Caleb wasn't really sure what came over him in those next few moments, but he found himself reaching out and grabbing Essek's arm as he went past. Unable to think of how to stop him from leaving the room, he shifted his body weight over Essek and, managing to catch him off guard, pushed him up against the wall, pinning him there by his wrists. They both froze, feeling hot breath against their faces as they stared at each other, Essek slowly lowering himself until his feet touched the ground, making him a good deal shorter than Caleb. Overcome with a combination of arousal and courage, Caleb pushed forwards and connected his lips to Essek's. It was hot and passionate and desperate all at once. Essek kissed him back fiercely, pushing his body weight against Caleb. But Caleb held firm, pressing his body forwards and pushing one of his legs in between Essek's, parting them slightly. Essek moaned against his lips, sending a shiver up Caleb's spine. When they eventually parted, lips red and kiss bitten, Essek stared at Caleb, his pupils blown wide.
"Well... maybe I was right afterall," Essek barely whispered, a hint of that previous sensual demeanor returning.
"Alright, no need to get cocky," Caleb taunted in response, his heart beating so hard he was sure Essek would be able to hear it.
"Cock-y, eh?" Essek grinned and Caleb could do little to hold back his eyeroll, despite the smile on his lips. Essek leaned forwards to kiss Caleb again, but Caleb dipped his head and began trailing kisses down the drow's jawline and throat. Essek all but melted at his touch, certain he was only being held upright by Caleb's grip on his wrists and the sturdyness of the wall behind him. Suddenly, Caleb pulled away and it took everything Essek had to not whine out load at the loss of his touch.
"We should move this to somewhere more comfortable, ja?" Caleb smiled, his accent growing slightly thicker.
"I believe that would be preferable," Essek nodded, smiling softly back at him, taking Caleb's hand in his own as Caleb led him towards the bed. Essek lay back on the matress, gently pulling Caleb down with him. Slowly, he leant forward and pressed his lips to Caleb's. Instantly, Caleb smiled into the kiss and wrapped an arm around Essek's waist. With a swift tug, he rolled onto his back and pulled Caleb on top of him. He smirked as Caleb squeaked against his lips before sitting up, his legs now straddling Essek's hips.
"I'm very glad I decided to come here today," Essek mused, reaching up a hand and stroking it through Caleb's hair.
"So am I," Caleb smiled, leaning down and connecting their lips once more.
By the time the rest of the Mighty Nein returned home several hours later, both Essek and Caleb had managed to make themselves look presentable again. As always, everyone was overjoyed to see Essek and immediately offered- or more accurately, demanded- he stay for dinner. If anyone saw the lingering glances between Essek and Caleb or the way they linked their legs together under the table, no one chose to voice their observations. And wisely so, thought Caduceus as he smiled to himself, watching Essek subtley take Caleb's hand. He didn't want to have to deal with the drama of everyone finding out all at once, especially over the dinner table. Caleb would tell them all when he was ready. And until then, Caduceus would do his best to prevent the rest of them from finding out on their own, even if that was only to stop Beau and Veth from threatening Essek's life.